Vytal Noctura
N I G H T M O T H E R
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: Mobile Academy, Covenstead, & Base of Operations
- Image Source: Artstation
- Canon Link: n/a
- Permissions: Varin Elatar: use of Elatar Heavy Industry as Manufacturer
- Primary Source: n/a
- Manufacturer: Elatar Heavy Industry (refit)
- Affiliation: Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Market Status: Closed Market
- Model: Spire-class Operations Platform
- Production: Unique
- Material: Pyronium, Laminasteel, Titanium, Kyber Crystal
- Classification: Mobile Operations Platform
- Length: 1,616 meters
- Width: 1,616 meters
- Height: 5,000 meters
- Armament: High
- Defenses: Extreme
- Hangar Space: High (35 Squadrons)
- Hangar Allocations:
- Carrier: 3x 400m (12 squadrons)
- Starfighters: 10 squadrons
- Support Craft: 13 squadrons
- Maneuverability Rating: Low
- Speed Rating: Low
- Hyperdrive: Yes (1.0)
- All Standard Features
- High-Powered, Encrypted Comms - Secure link with Confederacy assets that can break through some forms of jamming.
- Distributed Sensor Network - A variety of sensor arrays allows cataloguing and studying anomalies.
- Atmospheric Re-entry - Can withstand or deflect heat/friction generated by re-entry.
- Planetary Landing Struts - Able to set down on and lift off from planetary bodies. Albeit slowly.
- Retractable Docking Pylons - Able to extend docking arms to other large vessels.
- Multi-Axial Tractor Emitters - To aid in docking larger vessels and capturing resource-rich bodies (e.g. asteroids), the Bastion has overlapping areas of effect for tractor beam emitters.
- Hydroponics & Arboretum - Substantial green zones able to provide fresh air, produce, and scenery for reinvigorating strolls.
- Marketplace - Some civilians and traders have made a home here, or make use of the vessel often moving about the galaxy.
- Training Facilities - Modular and Holo-equipped facilities allow for diverse training opportunities.
- Alchemical Facilities - Research and Development chambers for Force and Alchemical-related matters.
- Dynamic Shield Array - Deflectors plus environmental shields.
- Sink Hole - The pyronium outer shell is already white from energy absorption since its construction, and still it continues to absorb ever more. While it doesn't shield the entire vessel, it limits the impact from a wide-area dispersion and opportunities for targetted attack from a distance.
- Reinforced Frame & Hull - The station was built using laminasteel and titanium to take a beating and survive harsh environments.
- Emergency Bulkheads - Bulkheads will contain the damage caused by localized explosive decompression.
- Anti-Ordinance Point Defense - Screen against inbound enemy projectiles.
- Long-range Railgun Turrets - Defensive and Offensive capability against Capital Ships and other large or slow-moving targets.
- Nethergate - A gateway to the Netherworld surrounded by wards and seals to control what is allowed ship-side.
- Tough Hide - Its design (multi-layered, compartmentalized hull), construction (pyronium, laminasteel, titanium), and defensive capabilities allow the Bastion to take a beating. It might walk away with a few scars, and it might not be remembered as being the most powerful ship ever seen, but it can survive an onslaught.
- Strong Will - Crystal lattice supported substructure for Force assault dispersal defense. While an unlikely attack vector, given the territory the station may find itself the ability to survive a massive Force lightning storm and similar threats was accounted for.
- Nether-Touched - The screams of countless souls can radiate out in a cone or in every direction from the Bastion. Their ear-piercing wails can be an effective deterrent or server as a distraction; but this applies even to allies caught in its area of effect -- be careful whether a planet gets caught in its wake.
- Point Defense - Unlike some ships or stations of its size, the Bastion is not covered in countless turrets. Point-blank defense against starfighters requires interception by squadrons housed on board.
- Not Bulk, but Bulky - While capable of hyperdrive, the station cannot micro-jump nor immediately turn around and jump back out of a system it just entered. Several minutes are required to energize the engines.
- Not Bulk, but Bulky II - Able to resist the pull of most common forms of gravity wells, the station does not perform acrobatic feats whether in space or atmo. Running away or charging gallantly into the enemy's ranks at relativistic speeds is not an option either - unless their adversary is uncharacteristically patient.
Arika Zirstasairu Cutikami. That was the name of the vessel found adrift in the void by Confederate forces. A lifeless, empty husk, but one whose exterior lacked the signs of its age. Even cast adrift where it had been, in all its time there would have been solar systems and asteroid belts to assail its hull, yet it bore not nearly as many hallmarks of their journey as it should have. The pryonium shell in particular was practically pristine; those areas not protected by it had suffered most of the damage over time, in fact.
The interior was not in such immaculate condition, however. There'd been signs others may have found the vessel. Perhaps even sought to loot it. Signs too that they had paid a price for their attempt offenses. Even the souls of the Confederacy had suffered in their initial foray into its confines. The inexplicable nature of the assault had led the Deputy Lord Commander, the Nightmother Vytal Noctura, to send members of the Solanaceae along in the next exploratory mission. Together, the brave souls were able to find and temporarily seal the Nethergate left unattended -- one that had allowed the energy from Beyond to seep into the very structure of the vessel. A crystalline lattice was later found embedded in the vessel's framework, which explained the persisting presence of such energy; and while it could not be purged, sufficient progress was made to keep it from driving those aboard mad.
Given the state of the interior, however, a major refit was in order. While some parts of the vessel's design seemed surprising advanced even by modern standards, there was still much that required replacement or upgrade. With its unique characteristics, and the mysteries aboard ship that would only be revealed in time, the Nightmother commissioned Elatar Heavy Industries to refit the ship's interior and repair its exterior.
Various plans were drawn up regarding the refit of the vessel. With recent losses among the Knights Obsidian and the damage done to the Citadel on Geonosis, there was need for a new training ground. A place Knights, Witches, and even the Confederacy's Soldiers could seek training in combat, research, The Force, and spiritual matters. Flexible training chambers were constructed to facilitate a variety of challenges such a diverse body of sentients would face in the galaxy.
Likewise, the Solanaceae spent considerable time designing and building secure means of acquiring and transporting objects of power found in the galaxy. The artifact knows as The Eye had been responsible for a great deal of damage resulting from a lack of secure transportation. To prevent such a disaster from befalling the Confederacy again, chambers aboard the newly renamed Bastion would provide those means. Once such an artifact is found, the vessel can drop into a system to receive it and facilitate its relocation or long-term storage on board.
Given its multi-purpose role and mobility, the Bastion's original defenses were enhanced during its refit to provide some of the strongest defensive capability possible to ensure the survival of those on-board, as well as the successful relocation of objects of power. Its weapon systems were upgraded to modern standards with the focus being on Capital-vessel engagement, while starfighters provided a screen against smaller vessels; while not the most powerful vessel by far, it has enough teeth to make sure only those truly committed to the task would make the attempt.
In the event of an emergency, the Bastion is capable of housing a large number of souls. Its stores are substantial, but relocation of even part of a planet's population would quickly deplete them and tax the lifesupport systems. The vessel is capable of relocating such a large count of souls, however, given only a relatively short stay aboard. Under normal circumstances it can house a many sentients for a prolonged period, though it does not often have empty bunks to spare as personnel cycle in and out as duties require. Even so, a population of civilians and traders do live aboard and have set up a marketplace with a view out into the stars -- and a dazzling show when combat is joined (though few loiter to watch having just a 'thin' layer of material between them and the vacuum of space.
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