Vanguard Armour

Summary

Vanguard Armours are large suits of magically powered armour, piloted by highly trained soldiers in the military forces of The Empire of Aldelgis. These suits of armour are titans, some standing nearly twelve feet tall. Powered by the enormous strength of Ether Crystals they have the ability to cause havoc on the battlefield. They are one of the many weapons constructed using these powerful crystals and have helped Aldelgis become a military powerhouse.

---

Physical Description and Controls

Currently, there are two versions of Vanguard Armour in active duty in the field, with a third and highly classified version under development.
The first version of Vanguard Armour and the first to be developed are not much larger than an average armoured knight. This armour can be stepped into easily and is worn and operated as a regular suit of armour. These armours are roughly twenty-five to fifty percent larger than a standard suit of full plate armour. They are similar in appearance to full-plate armour but in order to wear the armour, you simply cannot put it on, piece by piece. Instead, there is a latch on the side of the armour that when pulled fully opens the front of the armour. The wearer would then step inside, and close the armour using a similar latch from within.
The second version of Vanguard Armour is much larger, being two to three times the size of the original suits. These cannot simply be worn like the previous armours, these Vanguards must be piloted, and includes a cockpit with a complicated and magically powered control system. The pilot must enter into the armour using several handholds built into the suit. In order to enter the armour, the pilot needs to pull a large heavy lever near the entry hatch of the armour. Once pulled the entry hatch, located on the front or back of the armour depending on the model, pops open allowing for entry. Once inside the pilot sits in a specially made chassis inside the armour’s cockpit. They pilot the armour using custom controls on the inside of the chassis.
The control unit of the Vanguard Armour is magically powered, it even gives the pilot a view of the outside via magically projected screen. Though a manual opening can be activated if necessary. If the Ether Crystal runs out of power the suit goes dead, as the controls are reliant on the magical energies provided by the crystal. An emergency latch can be pulled to escape a dead suit.

---

Availability and Training

Under a hundred Vanguard Armours are currently in use on the field. And only highly trained pilots are qualified and given the honour of piloting these weapons. These pilots are usually high ranking military personnel and are only trusted with their own Vanguard Armour after years of exceptional service in the army and several additional years of advanced education.
All Vanguard pilots no matter their rank in the army must undergo additional training at Ayer College. During their time here they are not only taught how to pilot the Vanguard but they are also taught about all the inner workings of the suits. This is done so that the pilots may make quick repairs to the suits in emergency situations. Only a few pilots graduate from this program each year, with those that fail commonly reentering the college to become high ranking military technicians or engineers. Others return to their previously held rank in the military.
Vanguard Armour and most Ether related weaponry are not available for use by anyone other than trusted military personnel. If any civilian or foreign outsider is found in possession of such an item they will be immediately arrested and a swift decisive punishment may follow depending on the severity of what was stolen.

Construction

Each Vanguard Armour takes months or sometimes years to complete, a huge commitment of time and resources goes into a single build. With each suit costing an exorbitant amount of gold. This is the reason why so few Vanguard Armour exists, with under a hundred suits currently in active duty.
Large teams of up to two dozen engineers, technicians, and mages work on each armour. Crafting each piece with the utmost care, if one part is out of place or faulty it can cause catastrophic results. If these mistakes are present on the field it can cause the complete loss of the armour or worse, harm or kill the pilot inside.
Each Vanguard Armour is specially developed, usually with one particular pilot or regiment in mind. Many of the suits are custom-built and are tailored to their future pilots' specifications. Some pilots even insist that they be apart of the construction process, and are allowed to temporarily join the team that is building their Vanguard Armour.

How is it powered?

Vanguard Armour is powered using large Ether Crystals. These crystals are set into a special engine typically located on the upper torso of the suit. The armour uses a huge amount of power, with the average Ether Crystal only being able to run the suit for a day or two of low-stress movement. Afterwards, the Ether Crystals must be recharged or replaced entirely with a brand new crystal.
When the Vanguard Armour is in high-stress situations that require more quick and decisive action its energy levels are depleted far faster. In a combat scenario, these suits can only stay powered for a short amount of time. With even the newest models only being able to operate for an hour or two at most.
If any advanced or developmental weaponry is used, the Vanguard’s Ether Crytal may deplete even faster than normal. With some new systems and weaponry draining the crystal in one single action. Meaning that the pilot must be absolutely sure of a decisive victory before activating any of these energy-draining tactics.

Weapons and Defences

Those who pilot the Vanguard Armour will soon realize its great capabilities. The armour grants the pilot access to enormous strength, with the suits being able to pick up and carry heavy loads far beyond the normal soldier. The larger Vanguard Armours pack quite the punch, with a single unarmed blow being able to crack stone and bend steel.
The Vanguard Armours are equipped with a variety of weapons, massive claymores, huge crushing maces, and large tower shields. Many of these items have been magically enchanted by the mages of Aldelgis. Though this is rare honour, given to only the proven best of the Vanguard pilots. However, the suits Ether Crystals give the entire suit and its weaponry a slight magical enhancement anyways.
A few Vanguard Armours have a custom-crafted crossbow installed on their backs. When they wish to use them they must disconnect them from their backs and place them firmly in the ground. These crossbows shoot large bolts that are as large as the average height of an Aldelgis man. They cause incredible damage to structures and large targets. Though it has a hard time hitting smaller targets as its accuracy is not the best.

---

In Development

A variation on the Volthammer Rifle is also being developed for the standard Vanguard Armour. They are currently still in the testing phases and only two prototypes are currently being tested in the field. The rifles have the ability to cause significant damage to any enemy but are currently very volatile. Often failing entirely or exploding upon firing.
Portable Ether Shields - Currently, the Vanguard Armour use large steel tower shields to protect them from incoming blows. However, a new Ether Technology is currently in development that would allow any Vanguard Armour to project a limited Ether Shield. This would provide better cover for the armour and those surrounding it; while also diminishing the added weight of the heavy tower shield commonly carried by the Vanguard.
The goal is for the device to be as small as possible, attaching to the Vanguard Armour near the wrist or torso. The current problem being faced is that these shields consume a large amount of energy from their Ether Crystals. Completly draining them within a matter of minutes.
Royal Vanguard Armour - Huge variants of the current generation of Vanguard Armour models. These titans are nearly four times the height of the previous models; the first two prototypes stand at nearly thirty-five feet tall. Easily dwarfing any known siege weapon, they cast large shadows upon anyone standing underneath
The first two prototypes of these behemoths are nearing completion and are held in a specially created facility south-west of the Crown City of Elric, tucked in a small valley in the Wulfetier Circlet. The facility and the project itself is highly classified and no one in the general public is aware of it. Even most of the military are unaware of the details of the project, only a smattering of rumours have been heard throughout the ranks.
This project has been in development for many years now, the empresses’ council is very excited to see it in action. If this new development is successful it could be the next leap forward in military might for the Aldelgis army.

Nickname

Vanguards

Rarity

Rare - Strictly for use by military

Height

7 ft. to 15 ft.

Weight

500 lbs. to 2000 lbs.

Complement / Crew

One