Cat-Tail Sword
Cat-Tail Swords are a rare type of sword-whip characterised by their serrated and barbed blades, and named for their ability to sway and flick like the tail of an agitated cat. They are an exotic weapon that is difficult to master, and there are therefore few of them in open circulation and use. Many examples of this sword are purchased for "decorative" purposes, as teachers for wielding this weapon are incredibly rare. However, possession of a weapon of this kind is looked upon favourably amongst Nobility, who tend to hold an appreciation for unusual weapons and their forms, even if it is only for display. In actual combat, Cat-Tail Swords are favoured for their reach and superior grappling abilities.
Sometimes known as Clawed Sword-Whips, Cat-Tail Swords tend to be lighter than an average longsword of their side with an obviously one-handed grip. These grips often feature the image of a cat's paw holding either the blade or the pommel decoration and are slightly narrower than their longsword equivalents. The blades initially appear to be those of a serrated longsword with tiny, claw-like barbs on the flat sides of the blades. However, upon closer inspection the segments of the blades become clear, with each segment being held to the next by a form of magical cord.
Cat-Tail Swords are innately magical due to their lightweight construction and magical connections, which contrast highly with the cumbersome handling of a traditional, mechanical sword-whip. Despite this magical form, they require a deep understanding of mechanical sword-whip techniques to use, as the magical connections can themselves become very dangerous if misused, even causing the blade segments to explode outward randomly. They require a high degree of dexterity to use properly and are considered one of the hardest weapons to train with. Cat-Tail Swords are magically enhanced for grappling foes, and can deal additional damage with their barbs, which are sometimes poisoned.
History
It isn't known when the first Cat-Tail Swords came into use, but during the Age of Arcana they were popular for use as combat-dance performance weapons. During the Age of Chaos, they were popular amongst a small group of Fiend Hunters who used them to grapple foes so that their companions would more easily be able to dispatch of them. One of the most famous Fiend Hunters to use a Cat-Tail was known by the moniker "Arihel", and was a Cleric of the True A'arden Deity, Warde.
In more recent years the Cat-Tail fell out of use due to its difficulty to master and the need to quickly grow ranks of soldiers and watchmen. It is still considered an exotic weapon and predominantly finds use amongst adventurers looking for weapons with more utility due to its grappling superiority and extended reach.
Rare
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