Kal
Whispers
- Intent: Snazzy new gravitic weapons to prove a point to Jon.
- Image Source: IGNITION by Niels PRAYER
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: 'Inkwell' Gravshaper Shardform
- Manufacturer: Greystone Mercantile
- Affiliation: Greystone Mercantile
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: 'Voidhammer' Gravshaper Shardform
- Modularity: Limited, mainly size.
- Production: Limited
- Material: 'Living Crystal'
- 'Shifts in non-euclidean ways' while in use.
- Classification: Gravitic Weapon
- Size: Large
- Weight: Very Heavy
- Ammunition Type: Unknown. Must 'rest' after heavy use.
- Ammunition Capacity: Very Large
- Effective Range: Personal
- Rate of Fire: Very High | Continuous
- Damage Output: Very High
- Recoil: Average
- Voidhammers manipulate local gravity in a variety of destructive (or inconvenient) ways to the detriment of hostile starships.
- Crunchbeams greatly amplify gravity in a localised area in order to crush, bludgeon, or otherwise damage a small vessel (such as a Starfighter) or part of a capital ship. While not a beam in the strictest sense, the effect is diffused the more hull it has to pass through. While crushing a reactor core is a deeply tempting idea, it is rarely feasible except when the enemy is hopelessly outmatched.
- Microsingularities are the most localised hazards a Voidhammer can produce - by focusing the entirety of its power on a tiny piece of space a temporary 'micro black hole' can form, (hopefully) swallowing a modest amount of mass before winking out of existence. This is by far the least reliable 'mode'; it is sadly often necessary to manifest the microsingularity outside a vessel to minimise interference.
- Gravitic Hooks greatly increase the gravitational pull between objects or vessels, typically in an attempt to force a collision. In much the same way, a celestial body's gravitational pull against any one vessel/object can be increased - useful against ships in low orbit.
- Leaden Grasps are a method by which a vessel may be 'restrained' by intensifying gravity on the hull of a ship and 'pinning it into place against the cosmic background'. In theory. In practice, a vessel is unlikely to be caught unless severely outmatched, much like what an average tractor beam might accomplish. Furthermore, even partial success can slow a ship - or prevent it from entering Hyperspace!
- Shieldflaying is a method used to 'peel off' the particles that constitute a deflector shield in order to damage its integrity. It can be used to tear holes in a shield or hurt it as a whole. Molecular shields do nothing to stop it, but recalibrating frequencies might do the trick.
- Leadzones are a technique by which the gravity of a larger area is intensified to a less critical degree; structural damage is rare (unless the enemy vessel's sloppily built/repaired/modified), but that's beside the point - the goal is inconveniencing the crew. Some have made the comparison between navigating a 'leadzone' and 'pushing through air that feels as thick as water'. Dizziness is common.
- Nullzones are a similar but opposite technique in which the Gravshapers attempt to counteract a vessel's own artificial gravity - due to a general lack of preparedness for unexpected zero-gravity conditions among many crews, this can be surprisingly effective.
- Tangible and Unerring: Voidhammers function by acting on gravity which in turn acts on the target, making them difficult to counter or avoid.
- Flavours of Gravity: Voidhammers can accomplish a great many different things and switch between them on the fly as necessary.
- Close Quarters Combat: Voidhammers only function optimally in relatively close proximity to the target - by space warfare standards.
- Gravitic Interference: Interdiction fields interfere with the anomalous properties of Gravshapers, lowering their performance/efficacy.
- Defying Gravity: Thrusters can attempt to counteract* gravitic hooks+, anticoncussion fields can reinforce structural integrity, etc.
- Even if a vessel lacks the thrust required to fully negate its effects, it may be possible to shift the direction somewhat.
Voidhammers are a specialised variety of Gravshaper 'grown' specifically for militant purposes. Their forms are more jagged than their counterparts and those who spend extended periods of time watching them have reported feeling 'watched' or experiencing 'a vaguely hostile malaise'. While not sentient by any standard, the crystalline structures seem to somehow experience an almost sadistic glee when unleashed upon a target.
Naturally, these weapons are entirely incomprehensible to conventionally trained mechanics. Greystone typically delegates repair and maintenance functions to Otherwrought Weavers, though regular Alchemists can certainly serve in such roles too. Likewise with Gree engineers and other beings with a profound understanding of and willingness to tinker with the 'underlying realities of our galaxy', whatever that means.
