Zenithian Weaponry

[Nepheli N. Tzunidahr]

Name: Judicator Pattern Musket
Type: Technological Item – Flintlock Musket
Credits: ChatGPT
Consolidation Thread: Embrace Thy Judgement
Description: The Judicator Pattern Musket is a formidable longarm developed by Zenithian foundries, built with a triple-barrel firing system capable of three consecutive shots. Each barrel is forged from blued steel with internal rifling, aligned in a tight triangular configuration along an extended hardwood stock reinforced with bronze bracings. A single flintlock hammer rotates along a ratcheted spine to strike each loaded barrel sequentially. Ideal for shock volleys and sustained suppressive fire, the Judicator is both a terror on the battlefield and a triumph of Zenithian gunnery. A sunburst insignia is often etched into the buttstock, with carved scripture along the receiver reading: “Bound by Fire, Freed by Judgement.”

ATTRIBUTES

• Main Stats
  
  • Defence: Average
  • Defensive Elements:
  • Thick wood-and-metal construction makes it serviceable as a blunt weapon in melee.
  • Bronze plating on muzzle guard can deflect bayonet thrusts.
  • Optional retractable shield brace for trench fighting.
• Offence: Very High
  • Offensive Elements:
  • Three .75 caliber rifled barrels with individual powder charges.
  • Increased accuracy and kinetic energy from barrel length and rifling.
  • Capable of devastating three-shot volleys in seconds.
  • Fixed bayonet lug for close-quarters engagement.
• Durability: High
  • Reinforced stock and rotating striker mechanism designed for repeated use.
  • Requires more maintenance than single-barrel models but built for campaign longevity.
• Scarcity: Uncommon
  • Issued primarily to shock troops, grenadiers, and elite naval riflemen in the Zenithian Fleet.
• TvM Requirement: 5v1
  • Demands advanced metallurgy, rifling capability, and coordinated manufacturing for moving parts.

Strengths

• Multi-shot Capable: Can fire three rounds in succession, vastly outpacing standard single-barrel flintlocks in early exchanges.
• Superior Accuracy: Rifled barrels provide greater range and shot stability, making it effective even at mid-range distances.
• Intimidating Presence: The size and noise of the triple volley often demoralize enemy lines and break formation during charges.

Weaknesses

• Reload Speed: Significantly slower reload time due to the need to charge and pack all three barrels individually.
• Weight & Bulk: Heavier than standard muskets, causing fatigue over extended use and difficult maneuverability in close quarters.
• Jamming Risk: The rotating striker mechanism is precise but susceptible to grit, fouling, and poor weather without regular maintenance.

Historical Information

The Judicator Pattern Musket was introduced shortly after the unification of the southern provinces under Nepheli Tzunidahr, meant to symbolize Zenithian mastery over both fire and steel. Originally tested aboard Bastions and Cutters as a shock weapon during fleet boarding operations, it quickly earned a reputation for turning the tide of engagements through sheer volume of fire. While it has yet to participate in a major continental war, the musket is already a prized armament in the arsenals of Zenith’s elite and a badge of honor among their forward marines.

 

[Nepheli N. Tzunidahr]

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

Strengths

• 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.

Weaknesses

• 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.

Historical Information

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.