Mechanik’s Union

With the increasing need of cutting edge technology for the Rhulic mercenaries and contracted forces of the Hammerfall Highshields, the master gunsmith Glenrock Copperfist answers the call of one of their soldier’s biggest concerns; dealing with large, rushing mobs of targets.Whether they be angry human peasants or Cryx Thralls, taking apart waves from a distance isn’t a problem with double rifles and ranking fire, but once the enemy gets within striking range, it became quite a struggle to hack away at ripping claws and gnashing teeth with only hand axes. So, instead of trying to reinvent his kin’s melee weapons, Glenrock sought to improve the use of their shields.

The Copperfist Riot Shield is a Masterwork Rifleman’s Bulwark fitted with an extremely short range, wide bore cannon. Instead of firing a projectile like other shield guns, however, an over-sized blasting cap is used to send a concussive wave of pressure out of the barrel, which is used to knock opponents off of their feet. Mechanically, the stout blasting chamber is set just over the forearm of the user, with a rotating handle that slides open a breech at the top of the cannon. A thick, puck-shaped, prepackaged charge of blasting powder is then set into the chamber, which must then be rotated back into its closed position, thus arming the offset trigger. Reloading takes a Craft (Demo) check (DC 12) and 1 full round action.

Because of the unique nature of the weapon, the Riot Shield requires Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Riot Shield) to use it properly. Untrained individuals have suffered serious injuries using them, and many have ended up flat on the ground after using one for the first time. Non-proficient use of this weapon causes the normal -4 penalty to bash attacks, but the user must also make a Strength check (DC16) or suffer 1d6 bludgeoning damage as well as be knocked prone. The trade off, however, is that an attack with the shield is rolled as a Melee Touch attack, and the target must make a Strength check (DC 16) or be knocked back 5 feet and prone. When combined with a charge and/or Bull Rush, the check increases (DC 18).

Components:

Masterwork Rifleman’s Bulwark – 190 G

Concussion Chamber – 375G

Loading and Trigger Assembly – 125G

Concussion Charge – 25G Each