Outrider

Outriders are an advanced type of semi-automated drone weapon which are controlled through wireless, short-distance mental input from the user. In short, they are psychically-controlled weapons, capable of independent movement (specifically through anti-grav hovering or RCS thrusters), which require no physical movement at all from the user to move and attack - only thought. They are not to be confused with psychically-fired firearms, which still need to be aimed, loaded and deployed by the user. Outriders are also not to be confused with weapons designed to be moved or wielded via telekinesis - outriders are controlled by an onboard computer, which receives commands through a psycho-ceramic receiver and interprets them (It's like the difference between telling a robot to move via a voice command, and shouting so hard that the robot goes flying across the room). The effect of this is to reduce the overall mental strain on the user, allowing them to field more outriders at once. Regardless of this, outriders are still extremely hard to use, as they effectively require the user to be in "two (or more) places at once" mentally, processing the actions of not only their body but the outrider weapons. As such, it's very rare to see more than two in use at once.

Outriders can vary in appearance and usage - some are melee weapons, whilst more commonly they are ranged beam- or plasma-weapons. Outriders can either be purpose built, or converted from pre-existing weapons - for example, a lightsaber could easily be converted to an outrider via the addition of a psycho-ceramic receiver and anti-grav propulsion unit.

The technology and concept behind outriders is quite simple, and it is likely many such devices have been produced. However, all outriders shown in the RPG so far are known to be a result of Sefer Yetzirah's technological knowledge. It's rumored Sefer herself is a fan of using them as weapons, wielding up to eight at a time, though this rumor is currently unsubstantiated.

Known Users

 * Gabriel Ascheron - uses a pair of outriders that resemble greatswords, which can split in half along the blade to reveal a heavy-duty barrel capable of discharging blasts of green plasma. He first revealed these in his battle with Malygos, and used them to force Telemecus off the battlefield.

Trivia

 * Outriders are based on the Funnel weapons seen in the Gundam series.
 * Outriders were named by User:Malygos