G U I L D M A S T E R
O R A R ' K A D
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent- To codify and authenticate the blade of
Volo Dragr
- Image Source- Displate
- Canon Link- N/A
- Permissions- N/A
- Primary Source- N/A
- Manufacturer-
Volo Dragr
- Affiliation-
Volo Dragr
- Market Status- Closed-Market
- Model- N/A
- Modularity- N/A
- Production- Unique
- Material-
- Classification- Lightsaber
- Size- Average
- Weight- Heavy
- Obsidian-Focused
- The blade of the Orar'kad is focused through a carefully shaped shard of Obsidian, giving it a more traditional and defined shape.
- Etaan-Powered
- The Orar'kad is powered by an Etaan Crystal, embodying all the characteristics a traditional lightsaber would gain from such a crystal.
- Beskar Hilt
- The hilt of the Orar'kad is forged from pure Beskar, making it incredibly durable with its crossguard being able to catch other blades.
- Loud and Proud-
- Powered by an expensive and rare Etaan Crystal, the Orar'kad embodies all of the crystals typical attributes; it's deafening cracks, reminiscent of thunder, are more than able to set the ears of those around ringing. This effect serves also to announces the wielder's presence and is thusly the definition of psychological warfare; simpler and more primitive consciousnesses are doubly prone to it's mimicry of thunder and lightning, and are likely to be overcome with panic and the fight-or-flight response.
- Reputation-
- The Orar'kad is, as many might notice, incredibly reminiscent of the mythical Darksaber and, as such, may be seen as a rallying symbol by traditionalist Mandalorians. While Mandalorians who see it as merely another Darksaber may choose to rally behind it, and find their resolves strengthed as a result, this effect is merely coincidental.
- The darker nature of the Orar'kad is the true, if less obvious, cause for its reputation. As a result of the Obsidian shard used to refine and hone the blade, the blade also took up the incredible sharpness found in weapons fashioned with Obsidian, and has the near-heretical ability to slice through Beskar as though it were a lesser material.
- Strong but Weighty-
- The hilt of the Orar'kad was not forged specially for the saber, rather, it was taken from a beskad which lost it's blade. The hilt was hollowed so that it could fit the lightsaber components. As such, the hilt possesses a familiar, ergonomical design which provides it's wielder a potential edge over traditional lightsaber wielders.
- Loud and Proud-
- Whilst the thundering cracks that occur with every clash of the Orar'kad's blade are, doubtlessly, fear inspiring and deafening, this effect relies upon the opponent not possessing proper ear protection, or having a will strong enough to counter primal fight-or-flight responses. It also relies upon the wielder having such a will, and proper ear protection. Regardless, if the blade fails to produce such a specific psychological effect on its opponents, it is merely noise.
- It is for the above reasoning that opponents not directly engaged with the wielder may alternatively benefit from a brief state of heightened sensory capability triggered by the activation of primal instincts. Regardless of whether the blade has any psychological effect, positive or negative, the simple fact that it is completely unsuitable for stealth can not be ignored, with even the slightest contact causing an ineffable boom that announces the wielder.
- Strong but Weighty-
- Though the weapon's hilt is more ergonomic and familiar to an individual trained in the use of any bladed-weapon, it's weight is a significant matter requiring mention. The hilt, originally made for a bladed weapon, was weighted appropriately and, with the hollowing of the hilt, this weighting was disrupted. It stands to reason that the weighting, made for a physical blade, could cause the wielder discomfort and prove impractical in certain cases, now that the hilt has a weightless blade.
- Reputation-
- While the ability of the blade to damage Beskar is hardly a well-known fact, the rationale is far-less apparent. As such, any individual who might find out about the blade's ability, especially if they have a traditional Mandalorian heritage, are likely to label the wielder as a heretic, and claim that it is criminal for a Mandalorian to wield a weapon capable of causing harm to a Beskar'gam wearing member of the Mando'ade. It is for this reasoning that the wielder of the Orar'kad is liable to unreasonable hostilities and isolation from their brothers and sisters in the Mando'ade.
During Volo Dragr's days as a Hunter of the Karjr Guild within the Enclave, prior to assuming the position of Guildmaster, he came across many a rogue Mandalorian. Those who had forsaken the Catechisms, the Resol'nare, and the Way of the Mand'alor, labelled as Dar'manda by those who once called them brother or sister, mother or father, son or daughter. He also encountered those who had, not once, called themselves a son or daughter of the Mando'ade, but had stolen their Beskar.
Such rogues and thieves were a threat that could not be ignored. It is for this reason that, upon gaining the title of Guildmaster, Volo Dragr set out to engineer a weapon which could level the odds and ensure all those who debased and defiled the purpose of Beskar were not rewarded for their deeds.
And thus, the Orar'kad was born. Named for the distinctive boom produced by contact with the blade, it translates literally to "thunder saber". At first glance, one might assume it an imitation of the fabled Darksaber which had, for centuries, supplanted the Mask of Mandalore as a symbol of the Rite of the Mand'alor. This appearance is, arguably, coincidental. The Darksaber itself was modelled after a traditional Beskad, just as the Orar'kad was. It is fair, then, to say that both are imitations of a more traditional weapon.
While there are few similarities between the two weapons, there is one chief difference; where the Darksaber served to unite, a symbol of peace and unity, the Orar'kad serves to divide, a symbol of violence and singularity. While it is fair to say the Darksaber is of purer purpose, it is wrong to say that either serves a nobler purpose than the other, or that one is better than the other. Both are weapons born of their time, the Orar'kad made for the tempestuous and tumultuous environment the Mandalorians found themselves in.
Still, while it is easy to become lost in the theoreticals of such a weapon, it is important to remember that the Orar'kad is just that; a weapon. A weapon made by an individual in order to serve justice and protect his nation. It's purpose and symbolism are as fickle as the breeze, and liable to change just as much. It is a great weapon, one deserving to be wielded only by those who have a noble purpose in their hearts... for it lies with the wielder to determine where a blade strikes, be it friend or foe.
