Infernal Shielding

Infernal shielding represents one of the most disturbing defensive technologies employed by the Stygian legions in their war against the Omnium Theocracy. Unlike conventional defensive systems that rely on energy fields or physical barriers, infernal shielding draws its power from the tormented souls of sacrificed victims, binding their essence into a protective barrier that surrounds Nemithic vessels.

Visual manifestation of infernal shielding during a void battle, captured by Theocratic Navy sensors

The development of infernal shielding stems from experiments conducted by dark artificers within the Nemither, who discovered methods to harvest and weaponize spiritual essence. These artificers found that the agony and despair of sacrificed souls could be woven into a protective field that not only deflects conventional weapons but also corrupts and degrades anything that comes into contact with it. The process of creating infernal shields requires ritual sacrifice performed aboard Nemithic vessels, with the victims' final moments of torment being captured and bound into the ship's Nemithic metal hull.

The effectiveness of infernal shielding varies based on the number of souls bound within it, typically measured in layers. Most Nemithic warships carry between 5 and 20 layers of shielding, with each layer representing thousands of sacrificed souls. The Thaenator-class battleship boasts the most powerful implementation of this technology, with 20 layers of infernal shielding providing nearly impenetrable defense against conventional weapons.

When activated, infernal shielding manifests as a shifting, barely visible distortion around a vessel, occasionally flickering with dark energy that seems to absorb nearby light. Those with psychic sensitivity report experiencing intense feelings of dread and despair when in proximity to these shields, as the bound souls continue to experience eternal torment within the barrier. This psychological effect serves as both defense and weapon, as enemy crews often find their morale and combat effectiveness severely diminished when facing ships protected by infernal shielding.

The Theocratic Navy has documented numerous instances where conventional weapons prove nearly useless against infernal shielding. Energy weapons are absorbed and dissipated by the souls bound within the shield, while physical projectiles often find their trajectories warped or reflected back at their source. Even the mighty plasmic lances of Theocratic warships struggle to penetrate multiple layers of infernal shielding, requiring sustained bombardment to breach the defense.

However, infernal shielding is not without vulnerabilities. Thaumaturges among the Messianic Legions have discovered that certain psychic techniques can disrupt the binding of souls within the shield, temporarily weakening or creating gaps in the protection. Additionally, weapons blessed or sanctified by Uzhyr's power have shown increased effectiveness against these unholy defenses, suggesting a fundamental weakness to divine energy.

The maintenance of infernal shielding requires constant ritual activity aboard Nemithic vessels. Dark Artificers must regularly perform ceremonies to maintain the binding of souls and prevent their escape or degradation. This necessity has led to the development of specialized chambers aboard larger Nemithic ships where continuous sacrifices can be performed to replenish and strengthen the shields during extended campaigns.

The use of infernal shielding represents one of the most controversial aspects of the Dark Pantheon's military technology. Even among the Stygian legions, some view the eternal torment of bound souls as excessive, though such doubts are quickly suppressed by the legions' leadership. The Synaxis of Uzhyr has declared the technology an abomination, marking its destruction as a holy duty of all faithful servants of the Pantocrator.

Technical Specifications

The implementation of infernal shielding varies by vessel class, but all share certain common elements. The shield matrix is anchored to specialized soul nodes integrated throughout the ship's hull, which serve as focal points for the bound spirits. These nodes are crafted from specially prepared Nemithic metal and inscribed with dark runes that maintain the binding of souls within the shield matrix.

Shield strength is measured both in the number of layers and the density of bound souls within each layer. A standard layer of infernal shielding contains approximately 10,000 bound souls, though larger vessels may incorporate up to 50,000 souls per layer. The interaction between layers creates a cascading effect of protection, with each subsequent layer reinforcing those before it.

When under attack, infernal shielding exhibits unique properties that distinguish it from conventional defense systems. Rather than simply deflecting or absorbing incoming fire, the bound souls actively resist and corrupt hostile energy, often causing weapons fire to dissipate harmlessly or rebound upon attackers. This effect is particularly pronounced against energy weapons, though kinetic impacts are also significantly mitigated.

Recent analysis by Theocratic Navy tacticians suggests that infernal shielding may be drawing additional power from the Nemither itself, explaining its seemingly impossible effectiveness against overwhelming firepower. This connection to the dark dimension appears strongest during periods of intense combat, when the shields manifest their full potential for corruption and destruction.

The development and deployment of infernal shielding marks a significant escalation in the technological arms race between the forces of order and chaos, pushing both sides to seek new methods of attack and defense in their eternal struggle for dominion over the cosmos.