ParoxysmalBirth
Member
Hidden across the stars, stalking one another across forgotten worlds, and waging wars hidden to most of the known universe the vrexul may be a divided species but their destructive capabilities are universal. The face of their might is not associated with proffessional armies or elite forces but something more barbaric, feral, yet eerily mechanical and augmented. While the Primordial Voice and its allies in the Blood Axis are relatively closer to the idea of a proper solar nation's military, the majority of vrexul not hostile to humanity, namely the Gnosis Eater Sect and Nest of Intransigence, are considerably closer to the soldierly ideal frequently associated with this species. As such, this thread will initially and primarily focus on the Intransigence's infantry forces in particular.
The easiest way to describe vrexul infantry squads is less of traditional "infantry" units and more of small groups of living weapons platforms. Vrexul themselves are massive creatures on average, between 6''11 to 10''2 on average and it is not uncommon for them to resemble semibiological mecha or combat automata. With this enormous size comes a variety of obvious disadvantages such as when it comes to visual profile and weight but it comes with just as many strengths. Vrexul bodies carry a nightmarish plethora of cybernetics, parasite-symbiotes, grafted biomass, integrated organisms and so on that augment them heavily beyond what the mandatory combat biomodifications allow for. Inbuilt cyberbiological targeting systems, limbs and organisms doubling as limbs that can function across their semi-cyberneticized consicousnesses, parasitic organisms that serve as organ redundancies, colonies of verminous lifeforms that automatically mend carapace-armor and biomass damage - there are few with as intrusively grotesque yet versatile augmentations as they. While all forces are forced to conform to certain operational standards with regards to loadout and carapace capabilities as long as they can fulfill those, they are free to modify and arm themselves with whatever they see fit.
As their main threats tend to be other vrexul typically hidden on distant worlds in relatively smaller scale skirmishes, Intransigence infantry are unsurprisingly equipped and trained to fight against augmented bioweapons like themselves. Much of the combat happens at longer ranges that can abruptly close in to near melee ranges. This is across wilderness environments, wherein both parties may be lurking beneath shrub-covered soil or marshy muck, clinging hidden with camo netting to the sides of rocky mountains, or sometimes even burrowed into massive megafauna, infested and turned into mobile stealth bases. With enemies often comparable in terms of capabilities (in spite of various differences between major vrexul factions), the Intransigence's approach to weaponry is the most iconic of the species.
The zatchtraceni (translated: damnation-lust) bio-electrothermal assault-canon is essentially a semi-biological ETC gun sized down to be wielded by their many-digit'd claws. This long, semi-rectangular weapon with earwig like anatomical elements and a long barrel looks as much feral as it is does eerily futuristic in its marriage of the smoothly molded chitinous aspect of their nature and stark, angular artificiality. Its humble origins are in now outdated security bioautomata used to protect the Nest of Intransigence when they were all in embryonic slumber but ever since the awakening it has become a far more advanced weapon. Cybernetic components mix with semi-living artificial biomass to create powerful bioenergetic reactions capable of spitting out caseless hyper-accelerated rounds a bit larger than a human hand or first with the impact of small vehicular mounted autocannons. The weapon's distinctly shrieking report combined with its impressive armour piercing capability make its effects as much nightmarishly psychological as brutally physical.
This is furthered by the Intransigence's preference for rounds with secondary effects. Semi-organic explosive payloads, internal fragmentation spines, electroshock battery-bombs - the almost living nature of their munitions coincides with a great degree of secondary effect biodiversity. While the zatchtraceni does not have a very high rate of fire, the additional effects of its rounds often can compensate for this with increased effectiveness against multiple target types. While the weapon is not a true anti-vehicular option, lighter armored combat bioforms and the grand majority of other vrexul will stay clear of its ruthless judgement.
The easiest way to describe vrexul infantry squads is less of traditional "infantry" units and more of small groups of living weapons platforms. Vrexul themselves are massive creatures on average, between 6''11 to 10''2 on average and it is not uncommon for them to resemble semibiological mecha or combat automata. With this enormous size comes a variety of obvious disadvantages such as when it comes to visual profile and weight but it comes with just as many strengths. Vrexul bodies carry a nightmarish plethora of cybernetics, parasite-symbiotes, grafted biomass, integrated organisms and so on that augment them heavily beyond what the mandatory combat biomodifications allow for. Inbuilt cyberbiological targeting systems, limbs and organisms doubling as limbs that can function across their semi-cyberneticized consicousnesses, parasitic organisms that serve as organ redundancies, colonies of verminous lifeforms that automatically mend carapace-armor and biomass damage - there are few with as intrusively grotesque yet versatile augmentations as they. While all forces are forced to conform to certain operational standards with regards to loadout and carapace capabilities as long as they can fulfill those, they are free to modify and arm themselves with whatever they see fit.
As their main threats tend to be other vrexul typically hidden on distant worlds in relatively smaller scale skirmishes, Intransigence infantry are unsurprisingly equipped and trained to fight against augmented bioweapons like themselves. Much of the combat happens at longer ranges that can abruptly close in to near melee ranges. This is across wilderness environments, wherein both parties may be lurking beneath shrub-covered soil or marshy muck, clinging hidden with camo netting to the sides of rocky mountains, or sometimes even burrowed into massive megafauna, infested and turned into mobile stealth bases. With enemies often comparable in terms of capabilities (in spite of various differences between major vrexul factions), the Intransigence's approach to weaponry is the most iconic of the species.
The zatchtraceni (translated: damnation-lust) bio-electrothermal assault-canon is essentially a semi-biological ETC gun sized down to be wielded by their many-digit'd claws. This long, semi-rectangular weapon with earwig like anatomical elements and a long barrel looks as much feral as it is does eerily futuristic in its marriage of the smoothly molded chitinous aspect of their nature and stark, angular artificiality. Its humble origins are in now outdated security bioautomata used to protect the Nest of Intransigence when they were all in embryonic slumber but ever since the awakening it has become a far more advanced weapon. Cybernetic components mix with semi-living artificial biomass to create powerful bioenergetic reactions capable of spitting out caseless hyper-accelerated rounds a bit larger than a human hand or first with the impact of small vehicular mounted autocannons. The weapon's distinctly shrieking report combined with its impressive armour piercing capability make its effects as much nightmarishly psychological as brutally physical.
This is furthered by the Intransigence's preference for rounds with secondary effects. Semi-organic explosive payloads, internal fragmentation spines, electroshock battery-bombs - the almost living nature of their munitions coincides with a great degree of secondary effect biodiversity. While the zatchtraceni does not have a very high rate of fire, the additional effects of its rounds often can compensate for this with increased effectiveness against multiple target types. While the weapon is not a true anti-vehicular option, lighter armored combat bioforms and the grand majority of other vrexul will stay clear of its ruthless judgement.