The Shatera Chain is developed to be an unconventional weapon used by the Elysian infantry – not for wide use but rather as a weapon used by more eccentric fighters who have earned the right to be … eccentric.
The Shatera takes the form of a six to ten foot long chain (it varies between the preference of the user) with a large, curved, serrated hook (with an iridium center) at one end, and with spikes coming out from the chain itself. For maximum utility there are several areas not covered with spikes - a foot and a half at the opposite end, and several places calculated to be the most useful. It requires training to only use the right hand-holds. The chain is thus designed to be used as a range bludgeoning weapon (using the hooks weight), a tearing weapon (dragging the chain across an opponent’s body), a disarming weapon (wrapping the chain around an opponents weapon and wrenching it of their grasp) or a restraining weapon (wrapping the chain around someone in order to keep them still).
The Shatera itself is composed of small interlocking links which create a fluidic effect. It is only as thick as a finger, but is composed of borazon, an allotrope of boron nitride - which means that it is extremely resistant to force – requiring several hundred tonnes worth of force to break. This does not mean that the chain is inflexible, but it means that the individual links (and thus the chain as a whole) is really quite hard to break. The spikes are made of the same substance and sharpened to a monomolecular level.
The hook is actually attached to a ring at the end of the chain and can be replaced with other heads – which includes an Iridium centered borazon ball which can be swung with enormous bludgeoning force. It can also be replaced with a spike – allowing the chain to be used far more like a whip or a rope-dart, or a serrated spike which once pulled backward resists by thrusting out bards – resulting in grievous tearing of flesh.
A trained user of the Shatera can use it to parry melee blows, disarm opponents and use it in an ornate style to intimidate opponents. They take advantage of its flexible, unorthodox movements and its relatively high range.