Approved Ranged Weapon Nox M-10 "Wraith"

[VesperWorks]

Nox M-10 "Wraith"​

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: A standard-issue, mass-produced sidearm for VesperWorks forces and Atramentum—reliable, concealable, and adaptable for use in both open conflict and covert operations.
Image Source: MidJourney
Canon Link: N/A
Permissions: N/A
Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Nox Munitions (Subsidiary of VesperWorks)
Affiliation: Nox Munitions, VesperWorks, Project Vesper, Serina Calis, Atramentum
Market Status: Closed-Market
Model: Nox M-10 "Wraith"
Modularity: Yes

• Barrel modularity (standard / suppressor / flash dispersal)
• Fire selector chip (semi-auto / burst mode)
• Grip/frame options (standard, tactical, biometric keyed)

Production: Mass-Produced
Material:

• Duraplast Outer Casing:
  A dense, non-reflective composite known for its resistance to blaster fire and its ability to scatter basic sensor signals. The Wraith's casing is matte-finished with a microtexture that reduces glare and improves grip, ideal for covert missions or dark environments. Its resistance to electromagnetic scanning makes the weapon harder to detect when concealed.
• Reinforced Durasteel Internal Frame:
  The weapon's structural skeleton is forged from a lightweight but resilient durasteel alloy, providing exceptional durability without adding excessive mass. This internal frame absorbs heat and recoil, enhancing the weapon's long-term reliability under repeated fire or in adverse conditions such as vacuum, zero-gravity, or high-radiation zones.
• Plasteel Power Chamber Containment Sleeve:
  Encasing the blaster's plasma generator is a plasteel sleeve designed to withstand sudden energy spikes or overheating from sustained burst-fire usage. This material ensures containment of micro-thermal fluctuations and reduces the risk of internal explosion in the event of component damage.
• Shock-Gel Polymer Grip Panels:
  The grip components are molded from a proprietary shock-dampening polymer infused with conductive micro-gels. This material absorbs kinetic vibration and adjusts slightly to the user's hand pressure, providing a stabilized, ergonomic hold over time—even in high-stress combat. The polymer is also thermally neutral, keeping the grip cool even after prolonged firing.
• Titanite-Reinforced Firing Chamber Rails:
  Thin rails of heat-treated titanite line the weapon's internal discharge conduit, ensuring efficient energy channeling and bolt formation. Titanite's resistance to erosion from charged plasma makes it a common choice in VesperWorks' higher-end weapon components, and gives the Wraith remarkable lifespan despite its light, compact frame.
• Non-Ferrous Alloy Fasteners & Screws:
  All micro-parts—pins, screws, retaining clips—are manufactured from a rustproof, non-magnetic alloy to prevent long-term degradation and eliminate interference with magnetic detection or jamming fields.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Classification: Pistol Blaster
Size: Small
Weight: Light
Ammunition Type: Power cell & Tibanna gas canister
Ammunition Capacity:

• Power Cell: Large (60 shots)
• Gas Canister: Average (30 reload cycles)

Effective Range: Personal
Rate of Fire: Average (semi-auto or 3-round burst)
Damage Output: Average
Recoil: Very Low

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Modular Fire Selector (Semi-Auto / Burst Mode):
  The Wraith is equipped with an encrypted selector chip that allows the user to alternate between precise single-shot fire and controlled three-round bursts. This dual-mode capability gives users flexibility in both surgical eliminations and close-quarters suppression without compromising accuracy or overheating.
• Suppressor-Compatible Barrel Mount (Modular Muzzle Attachment):
  The pistol is designed with an integrated mounting rail that accepts a proprietary Nox-threaded suppressor. This attachment reduces both the acoustic signature and the flash of plasma bolts, allowing for silent eliminations in stealth operations. Additionally, flash dispersers or heat sinks can be swapped in to enhance performance in open combat zones.
• Flash-Diffusing Discharge Port:
  The internal barrel design includes refractive diffusers that fragment and dissipate excess muzzle flare. While not as effective as full suppressors, these allow for low-light engagements without giving away the shooter's position via visual trace.
• Sensor-Scattering Casing Coating:
  A matte, micro-grit finish made from duraplast infused with ferrosilk particles creates a subtle electromagnetic "flicker" signature, complicating standard sensor locks. It is not true stealth technology, but enough to foil most handheld scanners and basic automated sweeps, especially in crowded or urban zones.
• Encrypted Biometric Trigger Module (Optional Configuration):
  On certain variants issued to Sith agents and Atramentum operatives, the Wraith includes a biometric lock keyed to the wielder's genetic signature. Unauthorized users attempting to fire the weapon will be met with an inert trigger and a silent ping transmitted to a remote command node. This ensures mission-critical weapons cannot be turned against their owners if captured.
• Power Management Chipset:
  An advanced internal microchip manages power flow from the cell to the emitter in real time, adjusting energy release based on environment and fire mode. This prevents energy bleedoff in high-humidity or vacuum environments and ensures consistency of bolt integrity even at the edges of optimal range.
• Heat Regulation Matrix:
  Internal heat sinks are strategically placed to absorb excess energy from the plasma chamber, reducing the chance of overheating during burst fire or prolonged engagements. The chamber can go through approximately 3-4 magazines before requiring cooldown under normal use.
• Smart Ammo Counter (HUD-Compatible Interface):
  When connected to compatible HUDs or helmets (such as VESPER-linked gear), the Wraith transmits real-time data on power cell capacity, canister status, and chamber heat levels. A subtle vibrating signal in the grip also warns users when power cells are within the last five shots—ideal for low-visibility or silent operations.
• Quick-Disassemble Maintenance Frame:
  Designed for field operatives, the Wraith can be completely disassembled using only a single tension-release pin and pressure toggle. This allows for fast internal access in case of damage, jam clearing, or rapid part swaps. The design favors operatives operating far from traditional armories.

STRENGTHS

• Stealth-Optimized Design:
  The Wraith excels in covert operations due to its suppressor compatibility, flash-diffusing barrel, and low thermal discharge. Every component is engineered to minimize sound, light, and heat signatures, allowing the user to remain hidden in urban environments, starship interiors, or shadowy terrain. In practiced hands, the weapon is easy to conceal amongst bystanders and basic security sensors.
• Modular Firepower (Semi-Auto / Burst):
  With its encrypted fire selector, the Wraith offers adaptability in combat scenarios. Agents can engage in precision single-shot eliminations or switch to a three-round burst for close-quarters suppression. This flexibility makes it suitable for both infiltration and direct engagement roles, without requiring a different weapon.
• Highly Concealable and Ergonomic:
  The compact frame and smooth contours make the Wraith easy to holster under clothing, armor, or inside auxiliary gear packs. The ergonomic grip, crafted from thermally neutral shock-gel polymer, conforms to the hand over time, improving control, accuracy, and comfort during prolonged use. This makes it an ideal backup weapon or primary sidearm for operatives in confined environments.
• Sensor-Resistant Frame and Coating:
  Thanks to its duraplast casing treated with ferrosilk micro-textures, the Wraith is extremely difficult to detect using handheld or short-range scanners. It gives off distorted magnetic and thermal signatures, allowing users to pass through light security checkpoints or automated sweeps undetected—especially when holstered in non-metallic holsters or under cloaking garments.
• HUD Integration and Smart Feedback:
  The Wraith's smart-chip interfaces with compatible tactical HUDs, offering real-time ammunition readouts, heat status, and tactical diagnostics. In high-stress, data-reliant environments—such as ship boarding or coordinated fleet strikes—this integration offers agents superior situational awareness without sacrificing discretion or speed.
• Field-Repairable and Operator-Maintainable:
  Designed for remote deployment, the Wraith can be fully field-stripped and reassembled within a minute by trained users. Its tension-release design allows for quick clearing of jams, replacement of heat-damaged components, or the swapping of barrels and emitters without a workbench. This ensures operatives remain armed and combat-ready even in austere or denied logistics environments.
• Mass Production with Elite Performance:
  Unlike exotic, limited-run sidearms, the Wraith is mass-producible, meaning supply chains can be scaled to outfit full regiments, planetary security teams, or paramilitary organizations. Despite this, its performance remains on par with specialized black-market pistols—giving loyalist forces a qualitative edge without logistical burden.

WEAKNESSES

• Limited Armor Penetration:
  While accurate and reliable, the Wraith's compact plasma chamber and small power signature limit its ability to penetrate heavy armor or energy shielding. Against opponents in full battleplate, power armor, or protected by active defense fields, the Wraith will often fail to inflict disabling damage unless extremely well-placed shots are made to joints or exposed areas. It's a scalpel—not a sledgehammer.
• Short Effective Range:
  Designed for engagements within tight corridors, urban alleys, or ship interiors, the Wraith loses accuracy and bolt stability beyond standard close-quarters range. Its plasma output begins to dissipate rapidly beyond 25–30 meters, making it ineffective for mid- or long-range engagements. Operatives relying solely on the Wraith may be outgunned in open terrain or ranged duels.
• Overheating in Burst Mode:
  Although the fire selector allows for burst capabilities, prolonged use in burst-fire mode can cause excessive heat buildup in the firing chamber, especially without a suppressor or heat-dispersing muzzle. This can trigger auto-shutdown protocols, temporarily disabling the weapon to prevent damage—or worse, cause backflash in low-pressure environments. Tactical bursts must be timed carefully, or the user risks being left vulnerable.
• No Built-In Ammunition Adaptability:
  Unlike some exotic or Force-attuned weapons, the Wraith is not designed to handle specialty ammunition types like ion bolts, shatter-rounds, or stun pulses out of the box. While aftermarket modifications exist, they require careful recalibration and void the standard reliability profile. For enemies protected by droid plating, deflector shielding, or requiring nonlethal incapacitation, the base Wraith offers limited tactical solutions.
• High Maintenance in Harsh Environments:
  The Wraith's precision-tuned internals and micro-recoil dampening systems are vulnerable to fine dust, swamp moisture, and other environmental contaminants. Operatives working in desert, jungle, or underwater environments may experience increased jamming, discharge inconsistencies, or capacitor burnouts unless the weapon is cleaned and sealed after every engagement. It is a refined tool—not a mud-slogging warclub.
• No Melee or Bayonet Functionality:
  The sleek, minimalist design of the Wraith makes it unsuitable for close combat outside of shooting. It lacks reinforced plating for pistol-whipping, has no mounted blade or shock emitter, and its frame is not balanced for striking. Operatives caught in melee must rely on other weapons or hand-to-hand skills; the Wraith is not a weapon of intimidation—it is meant to kill silently or not at all.

DESCRIPTION

The Nox M-10 "Wraith" Blaster Pistol is not a weapon for heroes. It is a weapon for agents. For shadows. For the people whose names will never be known—but whose choices will shape the fate of empires.

Crafted in the shadow-drenched manufactories beneath Polis Massa, the Wraith represents the first mass-market deployment from Nox Munitions, the small arms division of VesperWorks. It was born not from glory or grandeur, but from necessity. Early Atramentum and Project: VESPER operations revealed a critical vulnerability in the arsenal of covert Sith-aligned forces: most sidearms were either too loud, too obvious, too fragile, or too traceable. The Wraith was designed to be none of those things.

At first glance, the M-10 appears unremarkable—compact, sleek, and devoid of flair. But that is precisely its genius. Beneath its utilitarian exterior lies a suite of surgical enhancements: a modular fire control system, suppressor compatibility, low-thermal signature emission, and a sensor-scattering duraplast shell. Every element of its construction is focused on a single principle: make the kill, and disappear.

The Wraith is chambered for a tightly regulated plasma discharge, engineered for close-quarters lethality without excess collateral heat. Its effective range is modest—personal, room-clearing distances—but within that envelope, it is a flawless instrument. Headshots are vaporous. Center-mass strikes leave no time for screams. It is not designed to suppress or intimidate. It is designed to end things.

This blaster excels in boarding actions, assassinations, infiltration missions, and political executions. For Sith agents operating in enemy territory, bounty hunters walking the tightrope of legitimacy, or Atramentum infiltrators embedded deep in the bureaucratic corps of rival factions, the Wraith provides a constant, unassuming promise: when the moment comes, you will not be unarmed.

Yet for all its elegance, the Wraith is not without limits. It is not a battlefield weapon. It will not win duels against fully armored opponents or provide support fire across a trench. Its low penetration, short range, and occasional overheating in burst mode make it unsuitable for brute-force encounters. It demands intelligence from its user. Discretion. Patience.

The Wraith is a sidearm for those who don't need to be seen drawing a weapon at all. For those who kill not to conquer, but to reshape. Its mass-production does not dilute its purpose—it multiplies it. Every crate of Wraiths that leaves Polis Massa is a seed planted in enemy soil. Every operative issued one is a blade hidden in a smile.

 

[Delsin Shaw]

VesperWorks

Approved