Arrbi Betna
Marauder
Intent: To create a useful and unorthodox lightsaber resistant hand to hand weapon that allows Mandalorians to take on multiple opponents at once (especially lightsaber users) by means of traditional Mandalorian fighting methods.
Development Thread: The Reckoning [Invasion of Empress Teta: Mandalorians vs One Sith] - Ongoing (currently at 748 posts) - The thread shows numerable instances where Mandalorians were outnumbered by Sith combatants, at times 5-6 to 1. This gives precedence for the weapon's need and creation, as well as a precedence for being mass produced. If more Mandalorians had this weapon and knew its use, the numbers thrown against the Mandalorians would not count for quite as much.
Manufacturer: Mandal Hypernautics
Model: Bes'briik (lit. Iron Line or Iron Chain/Rope)
Affiliation: Mandalorian, Mandalorian Protectors.
Modularity: Yes, the length of the chain is adjustable to each user. The length should be the same length as your shoulder to the floor. Grips are customizable, as is color of the weapon itself.
Production: Mass
Material: Beskar/Durasteel Alloy (grips can be left beskar alloy, rubberized, leather, etc.)
Classification: Whip/Fighting Chain
Size: One and Two Handed (depends on fighting style)
Length: Sold at 1.5m, but more links can be bought and added to the weapon for added length. Subsequently, they can be removed for a shorter length.
Weight: The standard weight is 0.9kg, but this can change as individuals add or remove chain links to adjust to their height.
Special Features:
- Lightsaber resistant
- Can wrap around weapons
- Blaster Resistant*
- Can disarm/trip opponents
- Can be used as a tool
After seeing the slugfest that Teta became, Betna decided that perhaps a new tactic was needed. Sith engaged Mandalorians en masse, often throwing dozens of warriors at a single Mandalorian to overwhelm them quickly in an attempt for domination and victory. The Mandalorians held them at bay for the most part, but too many fell to this dishonorable tactic, goading Betna to find a way to combat it.
As he pondered a method to implement a tactic for such a purpose, a thought occurred to him. Some of his cousins and younger relatives often played with the herding whips back at their homesteads, even going as far to do tricks with them to display their prowess. He knew of a traditional fighting method with such a weapon, but in the modern age, it was useless against the weapons they faced today such as blasters, lightsabers, and other such weapons. However, with the right materials, and enough of them, he felt the possibly could be brought up to par.
With this in mind, Betna had the first Bes'briik made for him. He knew how to fight with a whip, as he'd learned the traditional method from his father one summer and had used it to do exactly as his younger family members did now: to show off. After some practice with the weapon and a few opportunities to spar against droids and other Mandalorians, he felt it was perfect for their needs.
The weapon is a length of beskar rods and links making up a metal whip. The bes'briik is made of a beskar and durasteel alloy and is made in an easy casting process, allowing the weapon to be mass produced but capable of the legendary strength of true beskar. The whip is about 1.5 meters long, but can be lengthened or shortened by the user with ease. The handle is a simple rod that can be customized with a buyer's preference and it has a pointed and sharp head at the whip's end. The head of the whip can be used for slashing or delivering penetrating hits and is easily coated in rubber (for training), chroming (for the more flashy Mandalorians), sharpened to a monomolecular point (not recommended nor sold by MH. This particular style will need a separate, unique submission by the buyer), or coated in poison (MH does not provide poison, nor do the Bes'briike come pre-poisoned). The weapon can easily wrap around an opponent's weapon or body, allowing them to be disarmed or entangled/tripped with relative ease. This also applies to lightsabers as the beskar iron is resistant, allowing the user to grapple and disarm even lightsabers, should they have the skill and training. The bes'briik is also capable of wide, sweeping movements and attacks, allowing the user to force back clusters of enemies and engage on their terms with the weapon. In a pinch, the weapon can be wrapped around the knuckles as an ad hoc knuckleduster or the sharp point can be used as a stabbing implement. In short, the weapon is highly useful and completely unorthodox, allowing the user to engage a single opponent or multiple ones as needed, making Betna's attempt... successful.
The disadvantages for the weapon are fairly simple. The weapon is hard to use and tricky to use effectively. It is not a devastating, brutal weapon outside of use in a master's hands (master of the bes'briik, not a Force master), and is primarily used as a leveling weapon, forcing your opponents to engage on your terms as you use your finesse, speed, and deflecting/disarming attacks to force your opponent around and away from you. Lastly, the weapon requires space around the user to use appropriately, making this weapon less than idea for its purpose in confined spaces.
*outside of a bes'briik master who is also a TK Force Master, this isn't going to deflect blaster bolts. Even then, you'd be lucky to do it more than once per thread, much less repeatedly. This is added simply because the weapon can be carried around the waist, tucked in a belt, around an arm, around the torso, etc. meaning a stray shot there can be stopped as it is beskar. Think of an amphistaff coiled around a Vong. That sort of thing. Only this one doesn't spit poison and won't nibble your ear if you don't pay attention to it for too long.
