Thaenator-Class Battleship

The Thaenator-Class battleship represents the pinnacle of Nemithic Fleet Warships, serving as the most formidable capital ship in the Dark Pantheon's naval arsenal. These massive vessels, forged from pure Nemithic metal in the depths of the Nemither, embody the corrupted might of their creators through both their imposing physical presence and their devastating combat capabilities.

A Thaenator-class battleship emerging from a blightzone, its hull writhing with dark energies

Design and Construction

Each Thaenator-class battleship's construction requires immense resources and ritual sacrifices to properly imbue the vessel with Nemithic energies. The ship's outer hull is composed of jagged, asymmetrical plates of Nemithic metal arranged in a manner that appears almost organic, creating a silhouette that inspires terror in those who witness it. These battleships stretch approximately 25 kilometers in length, with their width varying between 8-10 kilometers due to the semi-fluid nature of their construction.

The vessel's superstructure houses multiple Dark Artificer Chambers, where teams of corrupted techno-priests continuously chant and perform rituals to maintain the ship's Nemithic systems. These chambers are arranged in a spiral pattern that channels energy throughout the vessel, creating a self-sustaining loop of dark power that helps maintain the ship's formidable defenses and weapons systems.

Defensive Systems

The Thaenator-class represents the height of Nemithic defensive technology, featuring twenty layers of Infernal shielding - the most of any vessel in the Nemithic fleet. These shields are powered by the souls of countless sacrifices, creating an almost impenetrable barrier that can withstand sustained bombardment from multiple capital ships. The layered nature of the shielding allows the vessel to continue fighting even after suffering significant damage, as each layer operates independently.

Beyond conventional shielding, these battleships generate an intense Nemi-aura that warps the very fabric of space-time around them. This distortion field makes targeting the vessel extremely difficult, as weapons fire may be reflected, absorbed, or simply cease to exist upon entering the field. The aura also serves to protect the ship from boarding actions, as any unauthorized entities attempting to cross the field risk being torn apart at a molecular level.

Armament

The primary weapons of a Thaenator-class battleship include multiple batteries of Blight Cannons, Hellwave Batteries, and Anarchic Cannons. These weapons are arranged in overlapping fields of fire that allow the ship to engage multiple targets simultaneously while maintaining devastating broadsides against capital ships. The vessel's prow houses several Blight Lances, weapons capable of piercing through multiple vessels in a single shot while simultaneously creating tears in reality that allow aberrations to pour into breached enemy ships.

Crew and Command Structure

Unlike the rigid hierarchy found aboard Theocratic Navy vessels, Thaenator-class battleships operate under a more fluid command structure. The ship is typically commanded by a Nemithic Warmaster, a being that has been heavily modified by exposure to Nemithic energies. These commanders maintain control through a combination of psychic dominance and ritual authority, directing their crew through a combination of direct orders and psychic impressions.

The crew itself consists primarily of corrupted mortal servants and lesser aberrations, though each vessel also maintains a significant contingent of Tenebric Heralds who serve as both elite warriors and ritual participants. The ship's various systems are operated through a combination of conventional controls and psychic interfaces, allowing the crew to directly commune with the vessel's Nemithic essence.

Strategic Role

In fleet actions, Thaenator-class battleships serve as fleet flagships and strategic command centers. Their immense size and defensive capabilities allow them to anchor battle lines while their overwhelming firepower can decisively turn the tide of even the largest void engagements. These vessels are particularly effective when deployed against Void Battleforts, as their Nemithic weapons can bypass many conventional defenses.

The mere presence of a Thaenator-class battleship often proves sufficient to break enemy morale, as their horrific appearance and the psychic miasma they project can drive opposing crews to madness or desertion. This psychological warfare aspect makes them particularly effective when deployed against civilian populations or poorly defended systems.

Notable Vessels

Among the most infamous Thaenator-class battleships is the Eternal Torment, flagship of the Wrath Bearers legion. This vessel has been responsible for the destruction of multiple Theocratic Navy battlegroups and has developed a reputation for appearing without warning through blightzones to ambush crucial supply convoys and refugee fleets.