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A Vashtori Leecher in action.
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To give the Vashtori its first piece of technology.
- Image Source: https://wccftech.com/review/endless-space-2-review/
- Canon Link: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Vashtori Ascendancy
- Affiliation: Closed Market (Vashtori Ascendancy Only)
- Model: Vashtori Absorption Matrix
- Modularity: No.
- Production: Semi-unique
- Material: Complex electronics, durasteel, Haysian smelt
- Classification: Absorption Matrix (Other), Siege weapon
- Size: Extreme
- Weight: Extreme
- Ammunition Type: Power cells
- Ammunition Capacity: Effectively infinite
- Reload Speed: None
- Effective Range: Average
- Rate of Fire: Extreme
- Stopping Power: Very Low
- Recoil: None
- Absorption Matrix: The Vashtori Absorption Matrix is, simply put, a tool for taking life. The Force-imbued device can steal the life essence in a similar manner to Force Drain or Consume Essence and is used to aid the Vashtori in their quest to gain more power and prove the superiority of the Shard.
- Mass Absorb: The Absorption Matrix is a powerful device. On the full-sized Leecher vessels, it can take mere days for a single ship to leave an entire city devoid of life -- if only the Vashtori took no slaves.
- Give Life: Storing the Vashtori’s power source, the Absorption Matrixes always have some sort of port where a Vashtori can begin to take the stolen life essence, increasing the Shard’s power in the Force markedly, especially if the absorbed essence contains the essence of Force sensitives. Once the life essence is taken, it is immediately transferred to large Force-imbued durasteel containment units. The essence can be transferred to other storage units. Should damage be done to such storage units, the life essence may simply slip away and be lost to the Force.
- Constant: Due to the device's design, it can run for many days at a time before needing maintenance.
Weaknesses
- Complex: At least six Vashtori technicians are required to operate one of these devices, as well as a sufficiently trained complement of slaves. The Absorption Matrix requires constant supervision to make sure nothing malfunctions. In addition, the Absorption Matrix requires special housing and integrates only with Vashtori technology -- specifically the additionally complex electronics aboard the Vashtori Leecher vessels.
- Fragile: The extreme complexity of these devices also causes the inner mechanisms to be fragile -- any damage to the Matrix can, at best, cause the device to fail, or at worst destroy the entire system.
- Slow: The process of stealing life essence is much more slow than simply destroying them -- while a turbolaser could kill a being in an instant, the Absorption Matrix takes more time, as it is usually used on large groups of beings to slowly steal their life essence over several days. Due to the size and weight of the device, the Leecher ships equipped with it are very slow.
- False Weapon: While it can kill organic sentients, the Absorption Matrix is unable to damage ships or physical constructs such as droids. Being attacked by automated weapons or droids is effective against a ship with the weapon.
- Short Range: While it is equipped on large vessels, the Absorption Matrix has a relatively low range. Five kilometers from the target is optimal range, and the maximum area of effect is one kilometer in diameter.
- Power Needy: The weapon eats up power like a Rathtar eats people. The Leechers ships on which the device is mounted have minimal other systems running, move at a snail's pace, and are completely unshielded while they are firing the Absorption Matrix.
- Massive: The Absorption Matrix is very large, and due to the power requirements the smallest ship it can be fitted on is a 400m frigate (which is completely unarmed otherwise). The additional technologies and powerful reactor required to power the device mean that ships equipped with it have less space for support craft, and often need the protection of larger vessels.
- Unwieldy: The weapon can only be mounted in one direction, making it effectively impossible to use in any manner other than its intended role.
- Charge Time: The primary piece of the Absorption Matrix involves a massive turbine at the centre -- this turbine needs about an hour to begin spinning at the proper speed such that the device can operate.
- Weak Point: The turbine presents an obvious weakness -- direct damage to the device can cause it to collapse. Even minor damage can set off subsystems that force the turbine to power down, and major damage may cause the turbine to simply fall out of the ship, leaving the Absorption Matrix useless.
- Blockable: Thick layers of any material can block the Absorption Matrix. Hiding in bunkers, starships, or in deep catacombs can allow people to escape the device.
DESCRIPTION
The Vashtori were founded on the principle that the Shard were superior beings -- their most powerful creation, the Absorption Matrix, was proof of that. A combination of technology and the power of the Force, the Absorption Matrix is a device meant to bring entire civilizations to their knees. Taking power from others was what the Balmora delighted himself in -- and he wished to share such experiences with his people.
The device has numerous components. Firstly, the massive turbine at the center of the Absorption Matrix is the most important piece, it spins rapidly to pull the life essence from the area below. Secondly, the main storage compartments, made of durasteel and imbued with the Force, take the life essence and store it for later use. Thirdly, the primary absorption area is attached in a special room just past the storage compartments -- it contains ports in which a Vashtori Shard can attach themselves and absorb amounts of life essence.
The complex engineering of this device requires constant maintenance. Each Leecher ship has several technicians on board that operate the device, as well as numerous slave helpers. Few races have the innate understanding of technology that Shards do, and thus this device is only capable of being built by the Shard. Production of such weapons is long, arduous, and requires powerful Force users as well as Shard technicians and vast amounts of Haysian smelt -- meaning the creation of these devices is difficult and thus they are incredibly rare, even among the Vashtori forces. Because of their high value they are almost always guarded by powerful escort fleets and used as tools of intimidation. Death by Absorption Matrix is much worse than surrender or slavery.
The Shard built this with a specific purpose in mind; to bring more power to the Vashtori and specifically the Balmora. While their leader's power is undeniable he cannot be in many places across the galaxy -- so his forces scour vulnerable planets, taking slaves and life energy to further his plans and empower his soldiers.
Each device is a masterpiece, designed by the most brilliant Shard mechanics and enchanted by the Hands of Balmora. The weapon pulls the life out of its victims in a sort of yellow dust -- essence, the Shards call it. And with this piece created, the Balmora looks to the stars…