Weapons
“Sketych” Sprygyt Mk III Semi-Automatic Rifle
Much as the Bogen is a symbol of pride and martial power to the Crusader, so too is the Sketych to the Fidwogger. Named for the distinctive sound made when fired in the canyons, valleys, and mountain passes of Fidwog, it has proven to be a reliable and inexpensive addition to the kingdom’s armory.
Utilizing the same 12mm round as the Bogen, from which many of its design elements were copied, the weapon has been in production since the early years of the Crusade. Due to arms trading between Fidwog and Craesil in the decades prior, Fidwog had accrued a sizable arsenal of Bogens and Gwelts which technicians were able to reverse-engineer and improve upon. Though initially dismissed as a wildly inaccurate replacement and a penny-pinching approach to obtaining a new front-line rifle, the Sketych’s immense stopping power and higher rate of fire quickly turned popular opinion to its favor. Production of the weapon itself is scattered across Fidwog, with each weapon bearing a plate in the stock indicating which factory issued it.
Twyrf FF-10
Initially used for hunting large game, the FF-10 has been quickly adopted for trench and tunnel fighting. The Twyrf has become known in the last decade as “Fidwog’s Freedom.” Crusaders forced to face the weapon know it by a different name – they have dubbed the 10 gauge, breech-loading shotgun the “First Family”, both for its tremendous noise upon discharge and relative ineffectiveness over long distance. At short range – engaged in tunnel fighting or trench clearing, perhaps – there is absolutely nothing humorous about the Twyrf, or its effects. Though no lackey of Alykinder will admit it aloud, when the sound of the FF-10 is heard nearby, knees go to jelly and otherwise ardent Crusaders quiver with fear, knowing that doom is just down the path.
Bensa F6 Support Rifle
The Bensa has been in operation for over 100 years along the ramparts of Fidwog’s cities and towns, serving through most of its long career as a fixed-position, single-shot, anti-materiel rifle. With the Crusade gathering at Fidwog’s doorstep, her engineers and material specialists were forced to get more creative. The Bensa has been modified to fire its 50 caliber round both in bursts for more accurate long-range fire, and full-auto for close-range suppression. The weight has been reduced, making it quar-portable and more cost-effective to produce. Notable shortcomings still exist in the outdated design, however; most significantly in the matter of reloading. Portability makes the rifle and crew more flexible, but constant motion means the loader must ensure the cloth belt that feeds the ammunition to the weapon has no wrinkles or creases in it as it fires, or the weapon will jam or misfire completely, which, given the size of the round fired, can be disastrous.