Lyka (laɪkɑ)

Lykas are sometimes known as Light Knives, the source of their name. They are hard-light blades, characterized by their blades formed by hard-light generators. Once originating as a human invention (see the technology linked in the sidebar), lykas have been commercialized and now exist in many forms and designs. They are exceedingly common, and have largely replaced 'regular' blades.
Though often used as weapons, lykas can (and are) used as replacements for all sorts of blades: cutting knives, machetes, even replacing fencing foils and swords. Some lykas with power-adjusters can even be set so low that they no longer cut, allowing them to be used to pry things open, or even as levers and poles if the blade can be made long enough. Overall, their versatility very much depends on how complex the lyka is, and how creative its owner is.

by DarkNymfa

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The most critical for lykas are their hard-light generators, small inventions using hard-light technology, which emit the characteristic blade. This generator is capped with an emitter, which controls the shape of the blade, including its length. Both of these may have a visible toggle in the handle in more complex lykas, allowing the user to control the length of the blade (emitter) or its power (generator). In all cases, the generator also has an on/off switch on the lyka's handle, which in turn often has a safety lock so it can't be turned on or off accidentally.
The lyka's handle also contains a battery or power pack, depending on the type: batteries can't be removed but need to be charged within the lyka, whereas power packs are designed to be easily switched. Batteries are popular in lykas used in kitchens and such, where they can easily be charged, while power packs are more commonly used for explorers, travelers, and, yes, criminals.
These materials together make up the handle, which in turn forms the blade for which lykas are known.

History

Lykas, as a technology, have been around for (literal) ages, developed early during the Second Age, after the invention of hard-light technology. From there, they were quickly expanded upon, the technology copied or reinvented by countless corporations, all trying to find their niche and succeed in selling lykas too. Nowadays, thousands of variants exist, from various brands, or even hand-made to suit someone's purposes (or budget).

by DarkNymfa

A typical lyka handle, showing how the on/off switch for the blade and the safety switch are typically oriented differently, and often placed in different locations on the handle.

Item type

Mechanical

Used by

• Vyka

Related Technologies

• Lyka

Rarity

Varies based on type; overall very common.

Raw materials & Components

Though their construction varies greatly, all lykas are built primarily of metal, though the hilt may be wrapped in softer materials. It always contains an emitter and hard-light generator, as these are required for it to run, as well as a battery or power pack (see "Mechanics & Inner workings" for differentiation). There is no set standard for their construction, due to the many types of lykas built, and especially since some built them by hand, for their own purposes.

Tools

Standard engineering tools.

by DarkNymfa

An illustrated guide to lykas.