One of the more interesting findings of the Abelar
Archaeological Survey was specimen 098-47B, a fully functional
handheld Noldor webcannon. Partial and complete webcannons had
been found at other Noldor sites, but this is the first time that
a working example of the handheld model has been recovered.
The principles behind the Webcannon are not understood at all,
despite the disassembly of several weapons and analysis of numerous
other webcannons. When the firing stud is depressed, the weapon
produces a bolt of pulsed energy. Analysis of the beam indicates
some similarities to cosmic rays, but there are a number of
unidentifiable components to the beam which complicates analysis
and reproduction of the ray. The visibly lighter thin waves
against the darker background of the carrier beam are said to
resemble a web of some type, which has lead to their popular name.
The effect of a webcannon bolt is quite similar to an ion
cannon, having no physical affect on targets, but disabling
electronic systems. As with Ion cannons, it can cause brain damage
or paralysis in living systems. Unlike Ion cannons, the effects of
a webcannon blast are quite permanent, at least to the methods
available to current galactic standards. 098-47B is little larger
than a blaster pistol, with the strangely twisted appearance that
is characteristic of Noldor technology.