Eternal Father
- Intent: Create a custom tank for the Blackblades
- Image Source: Click - Templars of Twilight fandom wiki
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Malsheem Vehicle Engineering
- Affiliation: The Kainate - Blackblade Guard
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: Stygian-type Assault Hovertank
- Modularity:
- Can be outfitted for various environments, such as deserts and tundras
- Production: Limited
- Material:
- Classification: Hovertank
- Role: Armored Personnel Carrier / Infantry Fighting Vehicle / Heavy Armored Cavalry
- Size: Large
- Weight: Heavy
- Armaments: High
- [1] Heavy Laser Cannon
- [1] Quad Flak Cannon Turret
- [2] Dual Particle Cannons
- [2] Dual Ion Cannons
- Defenses: High
- Reinforced Armor Plating
- Integrated Deflector Shield
- Advanced Ionic Shield
- Maneuverability Rating: High
- Speed Rating: Average
- Propulsion: Repulsorlift
- Minimum Crew:
- [1] Pilot
- Optimal Crew:
- [1] Pilot
- [3] Gunners
- Passenger Capacity:
- Up to 24 Blackblade Guards
- Cargo Capacity: Small
- Repulsorlift Engine
- Power Generator
- Damage Control System
- Life Support
- Navigation System
- Targeting System
- Communication System
- Versatile Tank
- Transport
- Ionic Shielding
- Vulnerable to Jamming
- Big Profile
- Weak Rear Armor
The Stygian-type Assault Hovertank was the newest creation of Malsheem's automated production facilities, created for sole use by the infamous Blackblade Guard to supplement their role as an elite mechanized infantry force. Designed as both an armored personnel carrier and an infantry fighting vehicle, the Stygian bolstered an impressive array of weaponry as well as the necessary interior space to ferry troops across the battlefield.
For weaponry, the Stygian was equipped with a powerful heavy laser cannon that acted as the principal method of destroying enemy armor. The turret could rotate an entire 360° and could vertically pivot its barrel 75°, allowing it to fire at any target within its optimal Y-axis range. Mounted on top of the main cannon was a quad flak turret, the main purpose of which was to defend the Stygian against enemy fighters and dive bombers. The flak cannon, which unable to pivot its barrels down, could pitch itself up to 90° to hit targets directly above the hovertank.
Mounted to either side of the tank were two pairs of dual particle cannons and dual ion cannons, one of each connected by a rotating platform. The dual particle cannons occupied the upper position and were designed for anti-infantry operations, while the dual ion cannons occupied the lower position and were designed for anti-armor operations. Both sets of cannons could rotate 180° and pitch angles of up to 60° to fully cover both sides of the Stygian simultaneously.
While the Stygian could be operated by a single pilot that simultaneously controlled the main cannon, the Stygian was at its most effective when the pilot was accompanied by three other gunners. One gunner controlled the top-side flak cannon, while the other two controlled the right and left gun turrets independently. Besides the crew, the Stygian could carry a passenger complement of 24 Blackblade Guardsmen. These Guardsmen could be deployed either from a disembarkation ramp at the front of the tank or a hatch at the rear of the tank, although the front ramp was almost always used for rapid deployment unless completely suppressed by enemy fire.
The defenses of the Stygian ranged from heavily armored plating, a robust deflector shield that covered the entirety of the tank, and an advanced ionic shield that protected the tank from all but the most powerful of electromagnetic-based attacks such as ion weaponry. Despite these advanced systems, the Stygian was still vulnerable to repulsor-jammers and other anti-tank measures.
