Nepheli N. Tzunidahr
Stormlord of the Crimson Tides - War Master
Name: Vindicator Mk.II “Tri-Lock” Flintcaster
Type: Technological Item – Firearm (Flintlock Pistol)
Credits: ChatGPT
Consolidation Thread: N/A
Description: The Vindicator Mk.II, or “Tri-Lock” Flintcaster, is a sophisticated Zenithian sidearm—a rotating triple-barrel flintlock pistol that allows for three consecutive shots without reloading. Designed with brass and steel craftsmanship, each barrel rotates automatically into alignment with a central flintlock hammer and shared firing pan. The grip is sun-etched hardwood wrapped in oil-treated sharkskin, while each barrel is engraved with regional motifs from the provinces of Zenith. Though complex, it is prized among officers, marines, and pistol-duelists alike for its lethality and mechanical beauty.
ATTRIBUTES
Main Stats
- Defence: Low
- Defensive Elements:
- Thick brass construction resists corrosion.
- Built-in safety catch to prevent accidental discharge.
- Optional sunsteel guard-plate for blocking melee strikes.
- Offence: High
- Offensive Elements:
- Three .62 caliber flintlock barrels, rotated by mechanism.
- Capable of consecutive fire without reloading.
- High stopping power and penetration, especially at close range.
- Durability: Average
- While robust, the complexity of the rotation mechanism makes it more vulnerable to jamming, wear, and fouling in rough conditions.
- Scarcity: Semi-Unique
- Manufactured in limited quantities by Zenithian Foundries; mostly reserved for elite crew, captains, and marked officers.
- TvM Requirement: 5v1
- Multi-Shot Capability: The rotating barrel design allows the wielder to fire up to three shots in rapid succession without needing to reload—a rare and deadly advantage in flintlock-era duels or boarding actions.
- Officer Prestige & Customization: Often custom-engraved or symbolically etched, the Tri-Lock is as much a mark of status as a weapon. Its presence on a battlefield signals elite leadership or dueling mastery.
- Brutal Stopping Power: At short range, the heavy caliber of the Tri-Lock tears through light armor and muscle alike, making it ideal for close-quarters combat or naval repulsion scenarios.
- Complex Internal Mechanics: The automatic barrel rotation system, while efficient, relies on a delicate interplay of gears and springs. Sand, salt, or soot buildup can cause jamming or misalignment, especially during prolonged engagements at sea. Regular maintenance is critical.
- Delayed Ignition Chain: To accommodate the triple-barrel firing system, the Tri-Lock uses a split ignition channel that marginally delays spark transmission. While often imperceptible, trained duelists or high-speed skirmishers may notice the fractional delay between trigger pull and discharge—potentially enough to affect timing in close-quarters combat.
- Hefty Profile: Though balanced for dueling, the weapon’s weight and triple-barrel bulk make it awkward for small hands or prolonged carry, especially compared to simpler flintlock pistols.
The Vindicator Mk.II “Tri-Lock” Flintcaster was one of the first signature innovations of Queen Nepheli’s reign, born during her tempestuous first year as sovereign of the Crown of Zenith. Seeking to redefine the Zenithian armory with weapons that reflected both mechanical genius and maritime authority, Nepheli personally commissioned the Tri-Lock’s design through a challenge issued to her finest gunsmiths. It was to be, in her words, a “pistol worthy of three deaths and a legend.” The weapon that emerged was the love child of aesthetics and killing power—an ornate triple-barreled flintlock sidearm that could fire three devastating shots in succession before reloading. It embodied her vision for Zenithian supremacy: brutal, elegant, and unmistakably unique.
The first batches of Tri-Locks were gifted directly by Nepheli to captains who had proven their loyalty during the consolidation of the Armada and the pacification of the inner provinces. Among these early recipients was Captain Alessa Moorgrave, who would go on to etch her name into Zenithian legend during the Battle of the Bleeding Shoals, where she famously felled four Arkanite boarders with a single revolved Tri-Lock before drawing her saber to cut down a fifth. The weapon quickly became a symbol of prestige and status, its regional engravings transforming each pistol into a handheld tapestry of Zenithian unity. While still a rare sight, many Tri-Locks are now heirlooms, passed from officer to officer, each barrel bearing the burnished names of those who carried it in war and glory.
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