Been gabbing about this fledgling project on my Twitter.
Here's a doodle I did.

At a glance:
> Planning to do a comic in time
> World of floating continents/islands
> Most of the world fits into a steam/dieselpunk setting
> Furry/fantasy cast
> Competition over gravity-defying Caelspar and ancient Relics drives most power struggles
> Influenced by multiple games, books, movies, philosophy and my own weirdness

I've got 3 nations and several factions in this world so far, though only one's got an official name. Each are rather different though most countries share the same needs which put them in competition with one another. There ARE some peace treaties but... we'll get to that someday.

Today we're looking at ships for:
(The Holy Dominion of) Xphelia
((Primaryily influenced by the Amarr of EvE, Protoss, and churches))
Xphelians possess by far the most advanced technology on the planet, many generations beyond even the next-highest power.

Where as their competitor uses the anti-gravity Mineral, traditional shelling cannons, and armaments comparable to many of our modern weapons- the Xphelians use energy cannons, pulse bombs, and fission missiles.

The Xphelians, unlike all other nations, almost completely swear-off use of the Mineral and its unsanctioned application in their territory is a High Blasphemy, the penance being complete Purification (execution). The Xphelian state is a Theocratic government and their religion is synonymous with the military. Great success and military might in Xphelia is considered to be proof of their God's blessing.

Xphelians claim their highly advanced technology and seemingly mysterious ability to stay aloft without the Mineral to be a gift of God. Other countries, though none will say it directly to the Xphelians, know this to be false. Xphelian advancement is reliant entirely on their hoarding and exploitation of Relics. The Speaker (basically equivalent to Pope, referring to the voice of God - the Speaker's word taken to be the direct instructions of God) has proclaimed that ALL relics, regardless of where they are found, are property of Xphelia.

Nobody actually recognizes this claim. Until they're at the end of a Xphelian particle rifle. I could write forever on these crazed zealots, as well as the Heretics hidden inside their country, but we're here to talk about...

THE SHIPS!

Fighter: The fighter uses large-discharge particle cannons, though it can be outfitted to plasma beams for greater physical damage at a great speed cost. The optional missile launcher is usually outfitted with 10 concussive heat-seekers. Although their fighter craft (often referred to by their enemies as "Zed" for the "ze" sound with which Xphelia is pronounced) are fast for Xphelian ships, they are EXTREMELY slow compared to those of other nations, sluggish in comparison to even some larger cruisers.

Bomber: One of the most armored Xphelian ships (the cream/white parts are armor, with the exception of the stabilizer rings), the bomber is massive, slow, and highly destructive. It suffers from the same flaw as all large Xphelian craft, having no defense save its own armor and relying on a forward fleet of fighters and interceptors to deal with any enemy ships. Some blame this strategy on simple Xphelian arrogance and confidence in their warrior-faith. The bomber is so tall (How tall I will not disclose just yet. ;D It dwarfs the Fighter.) to hold two stacks of fission bombs, able to level cities with just a few bombers. The rings floating behind and below the bomber serve the same purpose as they do on the Dreadnought: Stabilizing the ship and steering, and to a lesser extent- keeping it aloft.

Dreadnought: As the bomber dwarfs the fighter, the Dreadnought dwarfs the bomber. The runes floating around the Dreadnought can be seen sometimes around any Xphelian ship, it's just that they are ALWAYS on in regards to the Dreadnought, a further display of its holier-than-thou (and you're-gonna-die) arrogance. The Dreadnought has a singular purpose and weapon, with no other defenses aside from its armor: A massive plasma cannon at the nose of the ship. The aim of the Dreadnought is largely to show of Xphelian power, using a technology no one else can muster to obliterate entire cities and villages with their beam of "purifying" plasma. The runes around the Dreadnoughts change as they move, circling as the stabilization ring turns, and will change color and text (based on their Scripture) based upon what the ship is about to do. In the middle frame, we see how they turn red as the ship fires. Moving a Dreadnought is like moving an aircraft carrier... with a few dozen anchors off it. IE: It makes a tortoise look like a speed demon. Of final note about the Dreadnought is that, station in Xphelian military being tethered with their religion, these rare behemoths are commanded by an Archbishop, this small council second only to The Speaker, supreme commander of Xphelia.



"Well aren't these entirely just too OP?"
Absolutely. Except, if someone figures out what they do, having no visible engines whatsoever, instead of using the Mineral to stay aloft... they could knock the Xphelian fleet out of the sky. As it stands? Small, fast craft usually take them on, swarming them at extremely close range, outmaneuvering the Xphelian fighters. The non-armored portions can also be cut into, though they're still very thick, and that tactic is primarily employed by air pirates. ;3c


COMMENTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED! :C