Mishka Larraq
Farmer's Daughter
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: To create a new and interesting weapons
Image Source: Skyrim
Canon Link: NA
Primary Source: NA
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: House Larraq Plate and Blade
Model: Aran'aliik Gaid "Guard Sigil Plate" (also known as Witchbane Shields)
Affiliation: Closed Market
Modularity: Moderate (Size, shape, style, exc)
Production: Semi-unique
Material: Veshok Wood, Ori'ramikad Resin, Mandalorian Steel, Counterspell Runes
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Classification: Buckler, Shield, or Large Shield
Size: Small, Medium, or Large
Shape: Round, Triangular, Square, or Diamond
Style: Buckler, Targe, Rondache, Bossed (Viking), Aspis, Bouche, Heater, Kite, or Pavise
Weight: Light
Resistances: High
- Blasters: High
- (Melee) Kinetic: High
- (Ranged) Kinetic: Average
- Lightsabers: Average
- Other: Very High protection against force attacks
- Bladed Edge
- Can reflect force based 'magic' attacks (oftentimes back upon the attacker)
- Can withstand several glancing blows or a few direct hits from a Lightsaber
- Oddly durable for a 'basic' wood and metal shield
- Unaffected by anti-electronic attacks
- Cannot suffer mechanical failure
- Withstands blasters nicely (also arrows and crossbow bolts)
- Holds up nicely against physical blades
- Can take a few whacks from a Lightsaber
- Reflects tangible force attacks
- Wood requires regular treatments, or will rot away
- Doesn't hold up well against bullets
- Can only take a few whacks from a Lightsaber
- Exposed wooden sections are the most vulnerable to thrusting attacks
- Exposed wooden sections are the most vulnerable to Lightsaber strikes
- Must be pointed at the spellcaster to reflect attacks
- Does not protect against mind-targeting force attacks
- Does not reflect force attacks while within a force negation field
More widely known as Witchbane Shields, Aran'aliik Gaid are a recent innovation to come from Mandalore. Though visually quite beautiful, these shields are indistinguishable from any other wood-based combat shield when taken at face value and would typically be considered highly antiquated on most battlefields. Its construction relies primarily upon dense cedar wood for its strength, using the slow growing Veshok trees of Mandalore for this purpose. This wood is treated with a blaster resistant varnish made from the resin of the Ori'ramikad tree. For additional strength, thin bands of Mandalorian Steel reinforce the edges of these shields, the center of the shield, and form a distinct pattern throughout the shield's face. Engraved upon these metal bands are intricate runic patterns.
Deceptively durable thanks to the quality of material used in its construction, these shields can withstand a great deal more punishment than one would expect. And while these shields cannot stand up to protracted battles with lightsaber wielding force users, the advanced properties of Aran'aliik Gaid shields more than make up for that limitation. Thanks to the enchanted engravings upon the shield's metal banding, the entire shield functions as an over-sized Talisman of Counterspell (an enchantment originating with the Dathomiri Witches), and can both block and reflect force based attacks hurled at the wielder of these shields. With practice, an individual can even angle the shield to direct these reflected attacks back upon the one who cast them.
While the metal banding can withstand several glancing blows (or a few direct hits) from a lightsaber before failing, the varnished wood of the shield is much less capable of withstanding such an assault. Direct lightsaber hits (usually thrusting attacks) to the wooden sections of these shields will be quick to put holes in a wielder's defenses. In spite of this, Aran'aliik Gaid are still a much sought after weapon for Mando'ade intending to get close and personal to hostile sorcerers.
