Cardassian Armed Combat Weapon?

[Doug Taylor]

I'm getting ready to start a new (my first) Star Trek campaign (though I've played lots of CODA with numerous Lord of the Rings chronicles).

One of my players is running a Cardassian who is a also a Starfleet Officer.

My question is - does anyone know of any Cardassian weapons (Armed Combat, close quarter weapons) that it might be appropriate for him to carry?

I did a quick search of Cardassian weapons, and also looked through the Equipment cards for the Star Trek CCG, but all both of those sources tell me about are the standard weapons (Cardassian Disruptor, Disruptor Rifle, etc.).

Something more like a bat'leth is what I'm looking for (if there is such a thing for Cardassians); I am thinking a small, concealable dagger would very much fit with the Cardassian feel as it would be both sneaky and lethal.

The Cardassians must have something that they use for HtH and close quarter fighting, especially during their years of struggling against the Klingons. Trouble is none of us remember seeing them use any such thing, and so far I haven't found any.

Do any of you hard-core ST fans know of something?

[The Tatterdemalion King]

One of my players is running a Cardassian who is a also a Starfleet Officer.

My question is - does anyone know of any Cardassian weapons (Armed Combat, close quarter weapons) that it might be appropriate for him to carry?

No, for the obvious reasons...

[Dan Gurden]

Well, there is a Cardassian knife. Look for the DS9 episode where O'Brien is kidnapped for trial. When they strip his uniform this is the blade used to cut it away. It also happens to be the same prop used for the Hirogen Knife in Voyager.

http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/ga...n-weapons1.htm

Now the second part of the question regarding whether its OK for a Starfleet Officer to carry? Depends entirely upon the legitimate cultural requirement to do so. A Seikh officer might carry a knife at all times perhaps, but even Worf carried his Met'leth only into hostile environments and left the Bat'leth as wall ornaments until required...

I would suggest the Worf example is closer to the situation, unless you have an ultra-paranoid security officer type who looks upon reprimands for conduct unbecoming an officer as a good thing.

[WarriorKnight]

I remember the dagger,but didn't the Cardassians use something like the Klingon painsticks? I seem to remember a scene with a couple Cardassian guards carrying them.

[Doug Taylor]

Well, there is a Cardassian knife. Look for the DS9 episode where O'Brien is kidnapped for trial. When they strip his uniform this is the blade used to cut it away. It also happens to be the same prop used for the Hirogen Knife in Voyager.

http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/ga...n-weapons1.htm

Now the second part of the question regarding whether its OK for a Starfleet Officer to carry? Depends entirely upon the legitimate cultural requirement to do so. A Seikh officer might carry a knife at all times perhaps, but even Worf carried his Met'leth only into hostile environments and left the Bat'leth as wall ornaments until required...

I would suggest the Worf example is closer to the situation, unless you have an ultra-paranoid security officer type who looks upon reprimands for conduct unbecoming an officer as a good thing.

Great info, Dan - thanks!

As for this officer, he (obviously) won't / wouldn't be allowed to carry such a thing, but he's planning on playing his character as a very typical Cardassian, mysterious and sneaky. I suspect he'll be something like Garak, where deep down you know he's a good guy, but at times you will wonder and things might look suspicious.

The player put some points into Conceal (Weapon), so our thinking was sort of that if we found something large (like a bat'leth) it would be more of a wall ornamentation (only used under extreme circumstances) or if smaller, then perhaps something he keeps hidden just in case he ever needs it.

The dynamic for this campaign/series should be interesting. You've got a former Maquis Human Captain, a decorated Klingon First Officer, and this Cardassian Ops Officer. Keeping a close eye on the fireworks that will likely ensue will be a Vulcan Security Chief.

[Dan Gurden]

OK. Just something to consider and raise with the players concerned.

Out of interest, why would a former Maquis serving as captain... Looking entirely at the ideology alone (as the Maquis is something I know a LOT about)...

Why, would that captain even consider approving the transfer of a Cardassian officer on his crew? Seeing as how TNG made it abundantly clear that captains get to pick/veto the crew assignments? (TNG Below Decks, conversation between Picard and Sito Jaxa)

[The Klingon]

I'm getting ready to start a new (my first) Star Trek campaign (though I've played lots of CODA with numerous Lord of the Rings chronicles).

One of my players is running a Cardassian who is a also a Starfleet Officer.

My question is - does anyone know of any Cardassian weapons (Armed Combat, close quarter weapons) that it might be appropriate for him to carry?

I did a quick search of Cardassian weapons, and also looked through the Equipment cards for the Star Trek CCG, but all both of those sources tell me about are the standard weapons (Cardassian Disruptor, Disruptor Rifle, etc.).

Something more like a bat'leth is what I'm looking for (if there is such a thing for Cardassians); I am thinking a small, concealable dagger would very much fit with the Cardassian feel as it would be both sneaky and lethal.

The Cardassians must have something that they use for HtH and close quarter fighting, especially during their years of struggling against the Klingons. Trouble is none of us remember seeing them use any such thing, and so far I haven't found any.

Do any of you hard-core ST fans know of something?

How about just making something up. It's your campaign after all.

[Doug Taylor]

OK. Just something to consider and raise with the players concerned.

Out of interest, why would a former Maquis serving as captain... Looking entirely at the ideology alone (as the Maquis is something I know a LOT about)...

Why, would that captain even consider approving the transfer of a Cardassian officer on his crew? Seeing as how TNG made it abundantly clear that captains get to pick/veto the crew assignments? (TNG Below Decks, conversation between Picard and Sito Jaxa)

This is a good question, and obviously one we'll have to establish. And the "PC Halo" isn't going to be a good enough reason.

Perhaps that Cardassian comes highly recommended by a close friend of his, or saved an important person's life, or is a specialist needed for a first mission (and then turns out to be an invaluable ally).

I recently rewatched the first episode of Voyager again, and if you were starting that TV series as a RPG campaign, it would look crazy to have a mixed Federation/Maquis crew. In addition, with the backstory established, there is no way that Chakotay and Tom Paris could ever get along. And yet in that first episode, Paris saves Chakotay's life and thus implements the beginning of a friendship.

Of such scenes are great stories (and great role-playing moments) made...

[Doug Taylor]

How about just making something up. It's your campaign after all.

Absolutely, and trust me, I've done this thousands of times in the decades of GMing I've done.

I just wanted to establish if there was anything already out there (cannon or not) that I missed.

[Owen E Oulton]

The Cardie knife is more of a tool than a weapon, but it can be seen on my page by clicking on the Relic link below, scrolling down to A Gaming Miscellaney and then to Tools of the Trade.

It would be concealable in a waistband.