Alkatraz Armor
General
Alkatraz Armor — also known as Niarem Armor — is belived to be one of the mystical Astyvern Artifacts that were personally designed by Architect Himself. While not considered to be in the same weight class as Plot Armor or Seers Armor its protective and offensive capabilities should not be underestimated. Especially since the Anishans themselves fear those who utilize them. Because to be bestowed an Armor of Niarem is a curse worse than death.
Knowledge lost
Most knowledge regarding Alkatraz Armor prior to the Great Sorrow has been lost in one manner or another. Written works that were not destroyed outright have been damaged beyond comprehension and recovery, while memories concerning it have either been forgotten entirely or have become too unfocused and unclear, thanks to the effects of the Amnesia Pulse.
Unknown Numbers
"It is rare to see even one of their numbers. To have seen a whole fourteen... Well, frankly, that would be a nightmare.
The exact numbers of active Alkatraz Armor that exist out there is heavily debated. But in contrast to other Astyvern Armors — such as Maiden Armor — it is certain that it is above at least a dozen.
There is also some speculation that their numbers have only increased throughout the last few millennia, though nothing concrete exists to validate these claims. The highest reported number of Alkatraz Armors that have been spotted in the same instance thus far have been fourteen.
The Names of the Armor
Niarem Armor
Niarem Armor is the oldest name of the Astyvern Armors and is named so due to its primary presence within Varldstan Niarem. While it has been reportedly spotted outside the Varldstan borders, these are far and few between.
They are as synonamus with the Varldstan as Anni Zhan is and most — especially Anishans — refer to them as Armors of Niarem in respectful contextual scenarios.
Alkatraz Armor
Alkatraz Armor is the name a majority of individuals will use when they refer to the Astyvern Armor. Both out of respect and fear. It is unknown if it was used prior to the Great Sorrow like Niarem Armor, but most when asked will see it as probable.
It is named after the arguably oldest wearer of the Armor: Alkatraz Lavente; also known by the moniker Ghost of Niarem. Said to have walked among the ashes that fell through the end-times of the Great Sorrow, he is the de facto leader of all other wearers of the Armor.
Bestowment
Only Anishans
"Why only us? That is a question that can keep someone like me up a whole night and two.
In contrast to other Astyvern Armors, where primarily Melathi Races such as Humans are chosen, only Anishans have ever been bestowed Alkatraz Armor. There have been no exceptions to this rule, and both Celestia and Tarrem Anishan have a possibility of being chosen, although there is a noticeable favorability towards the latter ones.
The severly wounded
"On one hand, she would likely never have survived. On the other ... she is no longer the same. She might as well be dead.
Alkatraz Armor manifest itself upon the unfortunate at random and without warning. However, there appears to be relatively common for it to chose Anishans who have suffered grave wounds that would ordinarily be lethal, or at the very least take several months long to fully recover from.
Male Favorbility
"If there is one thing about this all, is that ... why does it has such a favorability towards our men? We need them! They are precious! Well, most of them at least.
While Alkatraz Armor can appear on either sex, there appear to exist a slight favorbilty towards Male Anishans. Due to the rarity of them, this has made the Alkatraz Armor quite disliked, to say the least, especially among the female Anishan. It is speculated that roughly one third of all Alkatraz wearers are males.
Theme
Something that fills every Anishan with dread is the fact that Alkatraz Armor has its own Themes.
The Armor is the only instance where an Item has one, even if it is an Artifact of Power of Astyvern Class. And they are incredibly potent.
The Themes in question are believed to encompass Assassination, Interception, Protection, Scouting, Survelliance, and Guerrilla Warfare.
Abilities of the Alkatraz Armor
General Capabilities
Immense Strength
Anishans are already well-known to have impressive strength. The Alaktraz Armor elevates it to frightening heights.
Wearers of Alkatraz Armor are capable of carrying objects weighing at least roughly 1,5 Tons without too much difficulty.
This increase in strength has made their weapons and equipment much denser and heavier than what one would expect; though it might be a tactical reason for this as even some of the strongest Anishans will have difficulty carrying these tools.
Their strength also makes their punches powerful enough to easily break the crystalline bones of Anishans and pulverizes granite with a single punch.
Immense stamina
Alkatraz Armor imbue the wearer with an immense amount of stamina, capable of functioning for long periods of time without tiring themselves out, both on a mental and physical level. It is believed that they draw strength directly from the Force of Ani, and thus they practically never need sleep, thus they are known by some as the Sleepless Stalkers. While they can become exhausted, they only need to meditate for a few hours in order to recharge. When entering a meditate state, their sense of awareness of their surroundings will diminish a great deal, and if one is lucky and experienced enough one can even have a chance of sneaking past them.
Of Metaphysical Nature
Thematic Override
"It is one of the most frightening things. The risk of having your core values be overridden by something ... like that. To have it hanging over your head, constantly.
One of the most frightening capabilities of the Alkatraz Armor is that it alters Anishans Themes. Overrides it with its own. This causes a Thematic Anishan Fragmentation on the wearer, one that can be quite severe.
Anishans who have had Themes connected to Healing, Neutrality or Pacifistic or similar ones stand in complete opposition towards the Themes of the Alkatraz Armor. Thus they become the most impacted by the Thematic Override. It is believed that these Anishan become dreadfully drone-like after being bestowed the Armor.
Utrustica Manipulation
Alkatraz Armor is capable of utilizing Utrustica with terrifying efficiency. It is still debated whether this is merely the Armor using the Utrustica of their Anishan wearer, or if it has its own.
It primarily uses the Utrustica to manifest various weapons and explosives, as well as more tactical equipment such as portable radar and surveillance devices, though the latter appears less common.
In the end, they essentially have an unlimited amount of weapons and ammunition. To attempt to wear them out is not an option.
Alkatraz Bow
The main weapon manifested by the Alkatraz Armor is the Alkatraz Bow. An incredibly powerful compound bow that utilizes arrows with diamond-tipped heads. Capable of piercing the flesh of even the most durable of Anishans, and each impact will also release a high-volt electric charge so hot it can scorce metal. It is also capable of shooting arrows tipped with explosive arrow-heads.
Alkatraz Assult Rifle
The main weapon of the Alkatraz Armor — if one excludes the Bow — is the Alkatraz Assult Rifle, or AAR-13. A heavy assault rifle that primarily fires high-velocity bullets of roughly 13,5 mm caliber. It has a magazine of 32 ammo capacity and appear to be gas-operated, at least to ordinary eyes. It is capable of firing off an entire ammo clip in 2,78 seconds utilizing a burt-firing mode, though doing so makes the assult rifle unoperable for several minutes. It is usually seen as an emergency option.
Alkatraz Semi-Automatic Pistol
The secondary weapon of the Alkatraz Armor is a semi-automatic, gas-operated 11 mm caliber pistol. It has an ammo capacity of 12 bullets and is ordinarily equipped with a targeting laser. The laser itself can be alterd to be used as a close-range laser cutter.
Alkatraz Knife
The main melee combat weapon used by the Alkatraz Armor is the Alkatraz Knife. Made out of hardned stainless steel with a diamond-tipped edge, it can easily pierce through pansar as thick as seven cenitimeters. Beyond being used as a melee weapon it can also be utilized as a throwing knife.
Connection to Force of Ani
"I am not sure what to believe. It is unnerving,t hat is what it is. To know that they are a part of you, on a metaphysical level.
Alkatraz Armor has a frighteningly strong connection with the Force of Ani and their Ataeru appears nigh-bottomless. Even the weakest of Anishans can receive a sense of their strength — if the Armor allows it.
Why this is so is debated. The most accepted theory says it is due to the fact that the Armor is somehow connected to Varldstan Niarem on an intricate level and subsequently the Force of Ani, That they are a tangible manifestation of it much more so than any Anishan.
Life Presence Sense
Alkatraz Armor is capable of detecting the presence of all life sources within the vicinity of their Life Presence Sense, which usually concern an area of about 500 meters at the very least. While not as acute as the Life Sense of the Seers Armor it is still admirable.
It appears especially proficinet in detecting life-forms that are not Anishans, as they have it eeriely easy to detect tresspassers within Varldstan Niarem.
Sound-Nullification Field
"I could have sworn I heard something.
Alkatraz Armor emitts a so-called SNF that nullifies all sound that it gives off while walking, sprinting or climbing, allowing them to sneak up to their opponents who are none the wiser. It does not, however, nullify the sounds of high-caliber weapons and explosives, nor their own talking. They can also subdue the SNF when they so wishes.
Of Physical Nature
Armor
The innate protective capabilities of the Alkatraz Armor primarily concern kinetic energy. When impacted by either heavy objects or long-ranged weaponry, the Armor does something remarkable: It absorbs kinetic energy and other damaging forces — such as heat, radiation and energy discharges — and transmutes it all into Ani Force.
This displays itself physically as subtly eruptions of purple light that branches out across the Armor. It is believed to either be diverted to its shielding systems or to Utrustica to manifest new material, such as ammo.
Shielding
The Alkatraz Armor is covered in a skin-tight layer of energy shielding. Its main purpose appears to absorb enough momentum and heat of any possible impacts, allowing the Armor's own physical protective capabilities to take the rest of the impact. When becoming too strained, it will shatter into tiny grains of energy.
It can be intensified and solidified to take on larger impacts or protect the wearer against powerful shockwaves and sudden decreases and increases in surrounding temperatures. When becoming too strained, it will shatter into medium-sized shards of crystallized energy that evaporates like steam.
Invisibility
"He was right there!
The Alkatraz Armor is capable of becoming completely invisible by generating a hair-thin crystalline layer across its surface that is capable of fully absorbing or bending wave spectrums such as visible and infrared light, as well as radiowaves utilized by radar. This can be utilized for at least several minutes at a time and works perfectly whether one is motionless or running.
Advanced Radar
Beyond the Life Presence Sense, the Alkatraz Armor is equipped with a cutting-edge radar system with a range of approximately 1 kilometer in optimal conditions. Capable to detect the presence of moving moving objects that are — at a minimum — close to the size of an average human being. It is also capable of determining if said objects are organic, mechanical, or hybridized in nature, though this becomes less accurate after roughly 500 meters.
Sofisticated Sight
Alkatraz Armor has sophisticated sight capabilities, that are somewhat similar to the Seers Armor. There is some debate whether these capabilities are purely thanks to hard- and software, or if they are imbued into the wearer.
- Enhanced Vision:
Its enhanced vision can detect objects in the far distance and use magnification algorithms to properly view them in great detail.
- Night Vision:
It also has excellent night vision and thus can see perfectly in the darkest of caves.
- Thermal Vision:
Its thermal vision is also to be very of, as it can detect the heat — or lack thereof — emitted by entities even through thick steel walls.
- X-Ray Vision:
Its X-Ray vision allows its wearer to see through matter like translucent crystal. The maximum material thickness appears to be roughly 7.5 meters.
Thermo-Hands
The gloves of the Alkatraz Armor are able to emit and channel heat up to approximately 1500 degrees celsius; hot enough to melt steel. Or burn the hardened skin of Anishans.
Electro-Hands
The gloves of the Alkatraz Armor are able to emit and channel powerful electric shocks, that are capable of stunning and incapacitating most opponents. Including of course, Anishans.
Apperance of the Alkatraz Armor
"You will recognize them when you see them. If you see them. And by then you are probably already dead.
Alkatraz Armor is a full-body armor that, in a sense, looks akin to a muscular humanoid who has been skinned alive and has had its thick coal-black musclefibers exposed, with the sternum and spine made up of stainless steel. In front of their eyes is a visor made out of ruby-red crystalline material, that at some times may seem to glow in the dark.
In contrast to other Astyvern Artifacts, it will not change it appearance depending on the personality of the wearer. Each specimen looks the same, excluding some miniscule details that sets them apart. It is also incredibly difficult to see whether the wearer is male or female, excluding some specimens.
A Corpse Walkin
"Is there anything left of them afterwards? Beside the physical I mean? It is something I ask myself constantly. And I am not sure I ever want an answer to the question.
Wearers of Alkatraz Armor are considered to be lost. Their bodies are simply mannequins that are adorned in the Armor, their minds erased and replaced with the intelligence of an artificial militaristic tactical intelligence who knows no compassion or remorse.
That is at least what those most outspoken about the Armor would tell you. If it is true is still hotly debated, particularly since friendly contact with the wearers is so rare. In the end, it makes little difference, as the Thematic Anishan Fragmentation caused by the Thematic Override damaged them so much they are practically unrecognizable to those who once knew them.
Maiden Armor.
Seers Armor.
Protectorate Armor.
Alsyar Armor.
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