Skurler

Wielded primarily by the Kraken Guard, the skurler is occasionally found carried by others (though it is illegal in Kraken society to trade or sell skurlers). When powered, the skurler drains a tremendous amount of power and emits a loud crackling sound, giving it a nickname of "plasma whip" or "lightning stick".

When turned off, a skurler is an unassuming small, black rod, generally too small for most humans to wield well. When energized, it emits a long whip of plasma energy, that can easily stun an unshielded opponent at its lowest settings, and can inflict heavy burns and sever limbs at its highest.

Unprotected robots and other electronic life forms are particularly vulnerable to a skurler. However, acquiring shielding or employing femtronic defense is easy to come by and is usually sufficient to protect a target, although the energy usage may be as high for protection as by the weapon.

Some robotic engineers have been rumored to have created a femtronic sequence that actually drains energy from a skurler, thus earning energy credits for their wielders. If true, they have thus far kept the sequence secret from the general public.