Character
- Length: 1,500 Meters
- Width: 640 Meters
- Height: 425 Meters
- Hangar Space: High
- Hangar Allocation:
- Fighter Squadrons: 6 Squadrons
- Support Squadrons: 4 Squadrons
- Standard Operating Crew: 14,500 - Including Officers, Enlisted Crew, and Integrated Droid Brains
- Minimal Crew: 4,250 - Including Officers, Enlisted Crew and Integrated Droid Brains
- Residents:
- Onboard Security Attachment: 6,500 Naval Infantrymen
- Prisoner Capacity: 750 Prisoners
- Civilians: 40,000
- Maximum Cargo Capacity: 10,000,000 Metric Tonnes
- Primary Power Unit: Twin Volta High Efficiency Reactors
- Secondary Power Unit: General Hypermatter Reactor Equipped with Stellar Fuel Bottles
- Shield and Armor Systems
- Honeycomb Structural Plating
- Constant Ablative Energy Current
- Anticoncussion Field Generator(s)
- Multi-Layered Shielding System w/ Automated Backups
- Internal Advanced Systems
- Molecular Furnace
- Solid Fuel Converter
- Prototyper
- Numerous Duplicators
- Numerous Synthesizers
- Numerous Garment-Fabricators
- Internal Command Deck Equipped with State of the Art Holographic Interface System
- Advanced Communications Suite
- Advanced Sensor Suite
- Internal Ray Shields
- Electornic Defense Suite
- Advanced Adaptive Malware Systems
- Animated Metal Sealant, with Automated Repair Drones
- Anti-Tractor Beam Shroud
- ABC Scrambler Probes
- Anti-Ordnance EM Probe(s)
- Missile Deactivators.
- Energy-based Weapons Systems
- Turbolaser Batteries (Heavy and Light)
- Ion Cannon Batteries (Heavy and Light)
- Ventral Hangar-mounted SPHA-T Turret
- Ordinance and Artillery
- Rapid-fire FlexTube Missile Launchers
- Industrial Tractor Beam Projector(s)
- Ventral-fixed Orbital Strike Cannons
STRENGTHS
- Strategic Autonomy: Thanks to its advanced power systems, onboard support infrastructure, and modular mission bays, the Herald-class can operate independently for extended durations without relying on fleet tenders or fixed supply lines. This makes it exceptionally well-suited for long-range patrols, disaster response, and presence missions in underdeveloped or contested regions of the Outer Rim.
- Overextension: Its multirole design, while flexible, can also lead to the Herald-class being tasked with too many responsibilities, diluting its overall effectiveness in high-intensity battlefield operations. In such scenarios, Commanders will be expected to prioritize mission objectives or risk overwhelming the vessels crew and systems.
Development of the Herald-class Star Defender began shortly after the reorganization of the Rendali Defense Council into the autonomous Rendali Self-Defense Forces, during the early years of the High Republic. Informally known as "the Titan," the Herald-class drew heavy inspiration from the New Class modernization program of the late Galactic Republic and can be seen as a conservative but highly capable successor to the post-Endor Republic-class Star Destroyer. Unlike many of the sleek, mission-focused frigates preferred by the High Republic Navy, the Herald was designed from the outset to be a true capital ship—a vessel not just of war, but of leadership, logistics, and resilience.
Though not a radical departure in silhouette or doctrine, the Herald-class embodies Rendali's belief in strategic self-sufficiency and deterrent strength. In a Republic that prizes modularity, diplomacy, and rapid response over sustained force projection, the Herald-class stands apart as a symbol of old-fashioned galactic reach—capable of leading battle groups, supporting frontier stabilization, or anchoring defense corridors in critical sectors. In practice, it operates as a flagship for the Rendali Self-Defense Fleet, with only four ships completed to date, each built in-house at the Rendili StarDrive shipyards. Though Rendali has offered the design to the High Republic Navy, the government's defense-oriented doctrine and aversion to large capital ships have delayed formal adoption. Still, Rendali quietly anticipates the day when the Republic's defense posture matures—at which point, it intends to secure the contracts to outfit the entire Navy with Herald-class vessels and larger successors built on its scalable hull design.
The Herald-class is equipped with cutting-edge quantam generators, giving it energy output on par with small orbital stations. Operating in concert, these vessels can temporarily stabilize or replace critical infrastructure on the ground, providing power, water, and communications in the aftermath of natural disasters or armed conflict. Each ship contains advanced water reclamation facilities, modular hydroponic farms, and Tier-1 trauma hospitals integrated into a dorsal "relief spine"—a specialized superstructure that can expand in orbit or link with groundside hubs. As a result, Herald-class ships serve not only as force multipliers but as mobile strongholds of civilization, capable of delivering aid, order, and oversight far beyond the Core. Within Rendali's frontier systems, they are often deployed as the centerpiece of regional security and planetary recovery missions.
Armed for multi-role engagements, the Herald-class carries a diverse suite of weapons: heavy turbolaser batteries, ion cannon emplacements, and a high-speed network of point-defense lasers all coordinated by a real-time fire control AI linked to Rendali's battle network protocols. The vessel also boasts a limited payload of proton torpedoes and orbital strike pods, enabling precise, low-collateral bombardments—essential for fighting in populated or politically sensitive zones. Its hangar bays accommodate two full wing of starfighters: six squadrons of multirole superiority fighters and four squadrons of support craft, including assault shuttles, medevac transports, and electronic warfare platforms. These craft are deployed via modular launch bays built into the ship's ventral mission pods, allowing for rapid sortie operations under combat or humanitarian pressure. While far from the minimalist trends shaping Republic naval procurement, the Herald-class represents an alternative vision—one where a few powerful, autonomous vessels anchor security in the far reaches of space.
For now, the Herald-class remains a Rendali initiative—a bold experiment and a demonstration of industrial might, waiting for the rest of the galaxy to catch up. But as tensions rise along the Outer Rim trade corridors and the limitations of a light, decentralized fleet become more apparent, many within the Republic are beginning to quietly revisit the heavy warship paradigm. Should that day come, Rendili StarDrive stands ready—with the designs, the drydocks, and the doctrine—to scale production and shape the capital ships of the High Republic's future.
Out Of Character Info
Intent:
To launch a new line of warships for the High Republic
Image Source(s):
https://www.deviantart.com/shoguneagle/art/Rendili-StarDrive-Republic-class-star-destroyer-1009965856
Canon Link:
N/A
Primary Source(s):
N/A
Technical Information
Affiliation:
The High Republic
Model:
Herald-class Star Defender
Starship Class:
Star Destroyer (1000m-2000m)
Starship Role:
Other
Modular:
Yes
Material:
Impervium Reinforced Durasteel Secondary Hull Transparent Titanium Reinforced Glasteel Viewports Tunqstoid Plasteel Chromium Shocked Quartz Trinitite Aluminium Various Electrical Materials, and other Starship Materials
Armaments:
Octuple Barbette Heavy Turbolaser Batteries
Octuple Barbette Heavy Ion Cannon Batteries
Dual Heavy Turbolaser Turrets
Dual Heavy Ion Cannon Turrets
Light Rapid-Fire Turbolaser Turrets
FlexTube Modular Missile Launchers
Octuple Barbette Heavy Ion Cannon Batteries
Dual Heavy Turbolaser Turrets
Dual Heavy Ion Cannon Turrets
Light Rapid-Fire Turbolaser Turrets
FlexTube Modular Missile Launchers
Defense Rating:
High
Speed Rating:
Low
Maneuverability Rating::
Low
Energy Resist:
High
Kinetic Resist:
High
Radiation Resist:
High
Minimum Crew:
4250
Optimal Crew:
14500
Cargo Capacity:
Very Large
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