NationStates Jolt Archive

History of the Kaldathi Dominion


The history of the Kaldathi Dominion is a strange and very conflict-ridden one, especially the harsh and unpredictable times in this Tenth Age. However, to fully understand them, we must go far back before the rise of the Dominion, to where they first formed.

The Kaldathi were brought into being in what is known as the Pre-Age, the time when sentience had not evolved into the lowly creatures walking the planet. Their planet, which would become known as Kaldathi Prime, was both a part-forest, part-ocean, and part volcanic world. This made the ecosystem so fragile, that it, over time, began to destroy itself. Massive floods and rains, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, all contributed to what would be the eventual downfall of this planet and its lowly inhabitants. However, something happened that would change the course of the planet forever. A large meteor, coming from an unknown sector of space, burst through the atmosphere and slammed into the forested area. Destruction ensued all over the planet. The planet ripped itself almost to pieces for weeks. When it finally stopped, the forests were almost completely annihilated, and the ocean was much smaller. The volcanic part of the planet had swelled to almost three quarters of it. However, that was not the biggest change. The meteor carried a new substance: A bright green crystal which glowed with an eerie light. This crystal, which has become known as Kadium crystal, was a fast-growing and almost infectious mineral. It converted all carbon-based life it came across to more of itself. The forests soon rapidly disappeared as the crystal sped all over the planet with its growth.

The oceans become polluted, turning them green, and the landmass was soon covered by the crystal. Due to its radioactive nature and its conversion of carbons, almost all life died on the planet. All but one: the Kaldathi. Through a strange trick of fate, the Kaldathi adapted and soon grew to become synced with the crystal. It allowed them to heal whenever they touched it and it granted them the ultimate gift: Sentience. This marked the end of the Pre-Age and the beginning of the First Age.

They began to stand up on two legs, and after twenty years, they began to build a society. Establishing their first city right on the crater the Kadium meteor had made, as well as the largest deposit of Kadium crystal, their civilization grew. The radiation by the crystal made their sentience a little unstable, however. The Kaldathi were obsessed with the substance, and as rival cities and factions arose, they soon grew to fight over the immense fields that each nation contained. Two hundred years of war passed as multiple factions were birthed, grew, fought and were laid to waste. Kadium weaponry were made almost instantly and continued to get more and more deadly and powerful. Through the constant taste of war, the Kaldathi became addicted to the thrill, the almost game-like nature of war. Move and countermove, building up forces and striking. Almost like the Kaldathi version of Chess. They fought so long and so vigorously, they brought themselves to the brink of extinction. Again, they were saved by the Kadium crystal, however. A massive explosion, caused by when one faction detonated a liquid Kadium bomb on a deposit, caused two factions to be wiped off the planet and for one to barely hang on. This one faction, led by Ritzai Jvoai Kaldathi, managed to rebuild itself and absorb all the assets of the other two factions, becoming immensely strong and powerful within the space of a decade. Thanks to the Kadium crystal, they healed quickly, and their civilization soared. City and city was built, and soon enough, the Kaldathi nation was covering the entire planet. Naming itself the Kaldathi Dominion, after its great leader, the Kaldathi secured their planet and built up their military, as now and again some of their own kind tried to restart what was known as the “Great Game”.

However, that was stopped not by the crystal nor the Dominion, but by science. When their scientists discovered the stars, it caused two reactions. One, they immediately were excited and wanted to go exploring. Two, if they could have this much fun with the Kadium crystal, why not spread it to other places, where the Great Game could be played without killing their entire race. This was the end of the First Age and the rise of the Second Age. The Second Age was just a constant wheel of technology advancement, Kadium crystal weapon and civilian invention genius, with a concentration of power in the position of Ritzai, the Kaldathi version of Emperor. This figure was all-powerful, and ruled over all. What he/she said was law. The only reason the High Council was made was to take care of the problems not needing the attention of the Ritzai, and take some of the anticipated burden off the Ritzai.

Soon enough, the Kaldathi discovered space travel, utilizing what humans call “jump drives” to travel around the universe. With this discovery, construction of a space navy, known as the Irakith (Navy), orbital shipyards, as well as military research into adapting Kadium weapon technology for spaceships began. This was the beginning of the Third Age. This Age was full of three things: construction of a massive exploration/war fleet, exploration and conquest. All nations fell before them; their Kadium weapon technology was immensely powerful and even forced many advanced nations under. Those that managed to resist had Kadium crystal infested on their planet and the Kaldathi watched as the crystal quickly consumed their nation. Soon enough, two planets fell under their control. This ended the Third Age and began the Fourth.

The Fourth Age, known also as the Time of Consolidation, was a simple period of construction, technology advancement, reform of certain tax procedures and military reorganization. It had an army and a navy. Both were not very well trained, having won with their numbers, weapons and Kadium crystal. So, by order of then Kitzai, Argaya Nivar, the military was reformed and underwent grueling training by order of Grand Kaertzi Ortla, high commander of the entire Kaldathi military, navy and army. The Kaldathi Aizei, (Army), was then split into two parts: The Army itself, a highly trained force used to assault planets, garrison conquered worlds and do major military actions, the Tuzrai, their version of Marines, a highly elite, highly mobile force used for first strike and assault operations, as well as doing black op type of missions, used often for the opening moves in a war, and finally, the Kitzai High Guard. These Guardsmen are highly elite soldiers, small in number, yet battle-hardened and vicious in combat. Drawn from all branches of service, Aizei, Irakith, and Tuzrai, they are the best and brightest. Their entire group has stopped an entire army and ripped it apart; their exploits are legendary. The Irakith was divided into War Fleets, tasked with patrolling a portion of the sector, while the Aizei was divided to garrison the various worlds, with a number of them held for reserve and future conquest. Thus ended the Fourth Age.

The Fifth Age, however, was very important, as it set the stage for the current Kadi technology base. Breakthroughs in Kadium technology came through, as they discovered the long lost liquid Kadium crystal bomb technology, along with making Kadium crystal into vapors, which were highly flammable and explosive. They could make flamethrowers that spit out Kadium flames, and soon enough, Kadium energy rifles were being mass produced. Kadium weaponry were even made for the space fleet. Kadium technology soon become combined with everyday life of the Kaldathi Dominion. Energy shields were made, the Kitzai drive, named after the first leader, was refined to be of longer ranges, less travel time, and less consumption of Kadium power, now powered by a Kadium energy core. All parts of life became one with the Kadi, making it not surprising this was noted as the Kadium age.

The Sixth and Seventh Ages were just conquest, testing out new weapons, new infestation techniques, and the new organizations and reforms, which resulted in two more planets falling to their rule.

The Eighth Age, the current age of the Kaldathi, has arrived. Much of it has been consolidation, building shipyards, refineries, and spreading Kadium crystal to its myriad planets. Defenses being constructed and forces being trained. However, once more the Kaldathi feel the urge to start the Great Game anew, spread the Kadium crystal, and just stop being bored.

Culture and Languages: The Kaldathi speak their own language, named after themselves, which is a series of rumbles, clicks, and strange words that are undecipherable to all but the most advanced computers. However, due to their long years of watching other human civilizations and from the conquered/destroyed humanoid nations they have encountered, they have Terran as their secondary language.

Their culture is a very interesting, and quite messed up, one. The Kaldathi, in their manner, speech, and actions, seem to be bordering on the edge of insanity, if not slightly insane already. They view war as a game, with every new war being another round of the "Great Game". They view Kadium crystal as a substance every planet should have; after all, it had done wonders for them, why not others? However, though they may act like children and seem kind and eccentric, they are very sadistic, vicious and are warlike in the extreme. Many of their pastimes involve making prisoners liquid Kadium, which causes a slow and painful death for the prisoners as they turn into the Kadium crystal, whereupon they are sent to be mined and turned into more raw material for the Kaldathi war machine.


Economy: The Dominion economy runs entirely off of Kadium; the mining, consumption and making of it into many of their needed products drives their industry. The five planets the Kaldathi currently control share and trade with each other, fueling the economy. Mostly, the economy of the Dominion is driven by expansion of the Kadium crystal and wars. The more Kadium they have and the more wars they fight, the better their economy does.


Holdings: They currently have five planets, with the throne world being Kaldathi Prime. The worlds are as follows: Kaltair III, Vorix, Jillai IV, and Forztni.

Species Info: The Kaldathi look akin to humans in size and build, as well as how their brain is structured, their eyes, and how they speak. However, aside from that, they are immensely different. Their body is a dark green color, with glowing Kadi crystals studding themselves all over their bodies. This gives them a mild protection against energy. Their eyes are a bright gold, with cat-like, slitted eyes. Their teeth are sharpened and pointy, with their canines developed more so than that of humans. They have a kind of armor plating, except it is made completely out of Kadi, and it covers all of their body with a thin sheet of it on most of their body, except for the back of their legs, their face, hands, feet, and chest. A relatively thin layer, these also allow them to take a small amount of energy fire. It also allows them to soak up the gases emitted by Kadi and heal themselves.

Being a Kadi-based, not carbon-based, beings, they are not effected by diseases as most other beings are. In fact, you could consider them immune, as their blood and immune system works much like the Kadi crystal itself, anything that is not of itself, it attacks, infects and converts to more of itself. So, biological attacks, and radiation do not affect them. They are also much faster, more agile, enduring, stronger, etc, than your average human. Genetic experiments have increased this to the point that their soldiers are tough and hard to kill, allowing them to fight long campaigns.


Technology:

Engine Technology

Utilizing powerful plasma engines, Kaldathi ships are able to easily and quietly traverse the cosmos. With built in gravitic stabilizers, they can tight and quick maneuvers with ease. Powered by Kadium crystal, the engines can get an accelerated boost when fed a great amount of Kadium, allowing them to move fast for a short time.


Armor Technology

The Kaldathi utilize powerful armor for their ships. The armor is a dark and spiky green color, with an almost eerie glowing bright green aura around it. The armor can take punishment from enemy weapons incredibly well, and due to the fact that it has a layer of Kadium crystal built into it, it has a natural defense against energy weapons. This defense is limited however, as it can only take so much.


Shield Technology:

The Kaldathi have technology that allows them to project a huge bubble of energy around their ships, which protects them from all fire, energy and kinetic, along with radiation, EMP, etc. It can take an immense beating, and can regenerate quickly. When finally overwhelmed, it takes over twenty minutes for the generators to compensate and bring it back online, or a quick visit to a local shipyard or portal structure which allows them to quickly bring the shield online. Each class of Kaldathi ships has its own shield strength, determined by the power plants onboard and how powerful those are.


Sensor Technology

The Dominion utilizes sensors that can detect all forms of energy, as well as spatial disturbances and gravity wells. They can see quite far but nothing to the extent of being across entire systems.


Weapon Technology


Kadium crystal weaponry has been made into three separate forms, each as deadly and destructive as the other. The three forms are:

Kadium Energy Weaponry:

These weapons are the basic and most widely used weapons in the Dominion, as their versatility in combat is unmatched by any other weapon the Kaldathi have. They are fed by raw Kadium crystals, which are broken down and the gases they produce are used to power both the handheld, and spaceship Kadium energy weaponry. They fire bright green energy bolts, that burn through armor and are fairly powerful. But the worst part of it is that when it impacts with flesh, armor, or something carbon-based, it causes a spot of Kadium crystal to form on the target and it quickly begins to infect enemy soldiers, armor, walls, etc. Perfect for spreading Kadium, and for incapacitating enemy soldiers, tying up medical resources.

From energy pistols, rifles, repeaters for infantry, to light and heavy cannons for tanks and spaceships, they provide much of the brute power that the Kaldathi bring to the battlefield.


Kadium Vapor Weaponry:

The Dominion has also found a way to evaporate Kadi crystal into a gas-like state, which is used in bombs and missiles, to increase their explosive effect. When detonated, they shoot out napalm-like Kadium fire, incinerating the air around the blast radius. The air is filled with Kadium gases, which, if inhaled, latch onto any and all organic tissue and begin to produce Kadi crystal inside the body. The Kadium flames will burn right through armor and flesh; the bomb usually incinerates all in the blast radius instantly, leaving twisted hulks and burned flesh. A perfect anti-infantry weapon.


Liquid Kadium Weaponry:
Another mainstay of the Kaldathi arsenal, Liquid Kadium weaponry is a versatile, and very powerful tool to use. Mostly used in missiles, bombs, and in the Infection-class Cruisers, it has an immense yield of destruction, far beyond that of any thermonuclear weapon. It is also used to infect planets, people, and spread Kadium crystal wherever the Kaldathi choose to put it. A perfect biological weapon, explosive and toxin. It is also used as a healing agent for the Kaldathi; drinking it and putting it on their skin are the most common ways of healing, aside from being in a field and absorbing the gases of the Kadium crystal.

Plasma Disk Batteries:

They are long range plasma weaponry that allow the capital ships to hit their foes from a distance, fill space with fire and do immense damage to enemy hulls. Perfect for bombarding worlds before invasion, it glasses anything it touches and burns through everything; flesh, armor, bone, the works. A good weapon that has served the Kaldathi well.


Miscellaneous

Portals:
Used in all of their structures and shipyards, every Kaldathi structure that houses, produces, or transports military, civilian, whatever vehicles, people, and material they need, have a boost over others. While many have to transport it via ships and the like, the Kaldathi simply open a portal in space-time that transports the said item(s) to their destination. This allows for rapid force deployment, to the point they can bring entire fleets, over time, into the atmosphere of a planet, below the planetary defenses. A perfect tool that gives their trade network an immense boost in speed, time, effort, and the Kaldathi can defend their trade against raids with much greater effectiveness.

To be continued....

THE DOMINION NAVY, Irakith

These are the listings for the Kaldathi ships, their stats and how many are in service. Starting from smallest, to largest, here is the Irakith navy.

Total Ships in the Navy: 22 ships

http://www.sttff.net/images/8472_a.jpg

Name:
Striker-class
Size:
320 meters in length, 134 in width
Class:
Raider
Crew Size:
170
Skeleton Crew:
50
Weapons:
-23 Light Kadi Energy Cannons
-17 Heavy Kadi Energy Cannons
-9 Missile Pods


Additional: This ship is the smallest class, however, its not the weakest. It has a certain purpose, which it fulfills grandly. The Striker-class Raider does what it's name implies: Raiding. It appears, strikes fast and hard, doing vast amounts of damage to a target and leaving. They are commonly employed in ambushes and to harass an enemy on a front, keeping them on their toes and off-balance while the Dominion prepares to enter the next phase of that current invasion.



http://www.third-space.net/graphics/up_whitestar_3ds_001.jpg

Name:
Shadow-class
Size:
540 meters in length, 220 meters in width
Class:
Frigate
Crew Size:
300
Skeleton Crew:
150
Weapons
-40 Kadi Light Cannons
-30 Kadi missile pods

Fighter Capacity
-24 Invader-class Interceptors

Troop Capacity
300

Additional:
These ships are the smallest class of ships that are currently in military service in the Irakith, the Dominion Navy. They serve as the patrol class, protecting the Dominion, guarding the outer reaches of the four Dominion sectors. Lightly armed, and with such a small complement of fighters, they cannot stand up to anything stronger than their own class and below. They are useful, however, as support in large fleet engagements, to keep the smaller ships busy or overwhelm enemy capital ships, allowing for the larger ships to come in and hammer them with impunity. Mobile, agile, and deadly in the right cases, it is a versatile vessel in its own right. The first line of defense and offense for the Dominion, the Shadow-class Frigates do their work and do with playful fervor.



http://www.lcarscom.net/fsd/art/images/dbas-1.jpg

Name:
Hammer-class
Size:
460 meters in length, 256 in width
Class:
Cruiser
Crew Size:
390
Skeleton Crew:
189
Weapons:
-67Light Kadi Energy Cannons
-45 Heavy Kadi Energy Cannons
-16 Missile Pods

Fighter Capacity:
-60 Invader-class Interceptors
-35 Nova-class Bombers

Troop Capacity:
450


Additional: These ships are nothing extremely unique, nor powerful in comparison to other classes. They provide a durable, strong medium vessel that aids the Shadow-class Frigates in patrolling systems, and alongside the Striker-class, they form the battle groups that are mostly used in battle. They are used in the large invasion fleets the Dominion send, to engage ships of their size and lower, and swarm the larger capital ships. A strong, normal class, its a fine addition the Irakith.


http://www.classic-space.com/plugins/autogallery/Gallery/BigShips/img_large173.jpg
Name:
Scythe-class
Size:
1250 meters in length, 467 in width
Class:
Destroyer
Crew Size:
800
Skeleton Crew:
325
Weapons:
-80 Kadi Light Cannons
-15 Kadi Heavy Cannons
-45 Kadi Missile Pods

Fighter Capacity:
-72 Invader-class Interceptors
-48 Nova-class Bombers

Trooper Capacity:
750

Additional:
These ships are the capable and deadly Scythe-class Destroyers. Used usually in tandem with Shadow-class Frigates in small fleet actions, as well as in patrolling the sectors farther back from the Outer Rim of the Dominion, guarding the middle sections, where the most planets and population were. It's amount of weapons are a high jump from what the Shadow-class wields, and it is such for a reason. The Destroyer is very adaptable and versatile. With both heavy and light Kadi Cannons, they can put the hurt on enemy ships in a hurry, infecting them with the crystal. With their Forcefields that all Kaldathi ships use, they can take a lot of fire, and give it back. A powerful class indeed, and one that often serves as the first line of defense alongside the Shadow-class Frigates. They are the main-line ships; highly durable, and with their many weapons, they can dish out damage in a hurry.


http://www.classic-space.com/plugins/autogallery/Gallery/BigShips/11.jpg

Name:
Devastator-class
Size:
2520 meters in length, 1325 meters in width
Class:
Heavy Cruiser
Crew Size:
1250
Skeleton Crew:
550
Weapons:
-120 Light Kadium Energy Cannons
-45 Heavy Kadium Energy Cannons
-87 Kadium Missile Pods
-20 Plasma Disk Batteries

Fighter Capacity:
-144 Invader-class Interceptors
-96 Nova-class Bombers

Troop Capacity:
1100

Additional:

The first heavy capital ship of the Kaldathi navy, the Devastator-class Heavy Cruiser is not a ship to be trifled with. It's Forcefield is extremely strong and can take a lot of punishment, while its Plasma Disk batteries can do immense damage from long range while its Kadium Cannons and Missile Pods annihilate everything that moves. A powerful warship, it is mostly used in invasions and major fleet actions. With its large complement of small craft, it can strike worlds with impunity.



http://www.classic-space.com/plugins/autogallery/Gallery/BigShips/ss014.jpg

Name:
Hive-class
Size:
2890 meters in length, 1750 in width.
Class:
Heavy Assault Carrier
Crew Size:
1800
Skeleton Crew:
870
Weapons:
-65 Light Kadium Energy Cannons
-34 Heavy Kadium Energy Cannons
-43 Kadium Missile Pods

Fighter Capacity:
-400 Invader-class Interceptors
-150 Nova-class Bombers

Troop Capacity
700

Additional:

The Hive-class Heavy Assault Carrier is the pride of the Kaldathi Navy and is a powerhouse in battle. With its massive complements of Invaders, and Nova-class Bombers, it can deal a serious blow in planetary invasions and in major fleet actions. The Interceptors are primarily anti-fighter and anti-ground. They are mostly used in battle to destroy incoming projectiles, fighters and bombers. Then, with a one-two punch, the Bombers come in and unload their liquid Kadium bomb payloads and deliver the final blow, destroying and/or crippling the enemy ship. A scary sight to see when battle is commenced.


http://macfran.com/farscape/farscape3/moya1.jpg

Name:
Corruptor-class
Size:
3200 meters in length, 2900 in width
Class:
Infection Ship
Crew Size:
100
Skeleton Crew:
5
Weapons:
-Hull-piercing energy clamps all over the hull
-Liquid Kadi tubes, for pouring Kadi into a ship
-Any weapons absorbed from previous victims



Additional: One of the deadliest and frightening weapons in the Dominion naval arsenal is the Corrupter-class ship. A giant, dark-green/brown ship, it has no weapons of its own when it is built, nor is it built to combat enemy ships in the conventional fashion. In battle, it races for enemy ships, usually capital ships, and rams them. Due to the hull being embedded with Kadi crystals, energy weapons are near useless against them. However, kinetic weaponry is the thing to take them down, if not taking awhile. When ramming, they slam into the enemy ship, and use energy clamps all over the enemy hull, punching holes in it. Then, tubes are inserted from the clamps that started pouring gallon upon gallon upon gallon of liquid Kadi into the ship. This causes an infestation, infecting all on-board personnel, killing them over time, and converting the entire ship into Kadi crystal. When the ship is 3/4 to fully converted by the crystal, it is absorbed into the ship, allowing it to recharge itself, replenish its Kadi crystal supply, and, most frightening of all, it adds all the armor, weaponry and technology of the absorbed ship into itself.



http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/albumes/2006/200651614120/200651614149.jpg

Name:
Catalyst-class
Size:
4280 meters in length,2890 in width.
Class:
Mothership
Crew Size:
2760
Skeleton Crew:
970
Weapons:
-43Light Kadium Energy Cannons
-28 Heavy Kadium Energy Cannons
-19 Kadium Missile Pods
-One Catalyst Cannon


Additional: Another scary addition to the Dominion forces, the Catalyst-class Mothership is one of the most horrific and powerful weapons the Dominion has. It can take on ships with its massive defenses around its spherical hull, but its main weapon is the Catalyst Cannon, its namesake, which fires an immensely focused beam of Kadi energy at its target. It's mostly used against planets, where the beam hits the planet and for countless miles, a huge explosion vaporizes everything in sight and replaces it with an instant Kadi crystal field. Then a subsequent energy wave washes over even more miles, blowing up cities, vehicles and people, while infesting everything with Kadi crystal. In conjunction with planetary bombardment by other ships, this ships is basically a planet-killed, though it has been known, when pressed, to fire on ships. The damage done, as imagined, was immense.


http://www.classic-space.com/plugins/autogallery/Gallery/BigShips/4393_1105915399_large.jpg

Name:
Reaper-class
Size:
4000 meters in size, 3450 meters in width
Class:
Dreadnought/Flagship
Crew Size:
3000
Skeleton Crew:
1600
Weapons:
-240 Light Kadium Energy Cannons
-170 Heavy Kadium Energy Cannons
-200 Kadium Missile Pods
-75 Plasma Disk Batteries


Fighter Capacity:
-500 Invader-class Fighters
-290 Nova-class Bombers

Troop Capacity:
2500

Additional:

The strongest ship the Kaldathi have built to this date, the Reaper-class ship serves as the flagship of any major fleet action and/or campaign the Kaldathi undertake. It is so strong, that an elite version of it was made for the Kitzai's personal ship. With its many Kadium Energy Cannons, Missile Pods and Plasma Disk Batteries, it can annihilate all comers with sadistic ease, and its complement of fighters and bombers allow it to fight off enemy fighters with impunity. Whenever they arrive on the battlefield, enemies tremble in fear, as the class name of Reaper was earned, not chosen.

Kaldathi Ground Forces

Kaldathi Legionnaire

http://us.games-workshop.com/games/40k/tau/extras/gallery/tau1.jpg

Description: These frontline soldiers of the Dominion are utterly ruthless, and, in most cases, insane. Often the first sign you see of them is laughter, a sickeningly happy laughter as they come charging at you, blast you to bits and rip out your organs with their knives. Armed with many weapons, they are diverse and able to adapt to any situation. In order to deal with the diverse responsibilites and problems on the battlefield, the military has been divided up into series of castes, with each series devoted to a task, and the castes used like planetary regiments, the Dominion pulling forces from multiple castes to suit its needs. One series is devoted solely on scouting, reconnaisance, ambushing and skirmishing; the first wave of troops who establish outposts that provide an early warning system for the base and/or army they are currently deployed at.

The regular armed forces, all the infantry, armor, aircraft, etc, are taken care of by another caste series, and by far, the most numerous of the castes. This allows for the Dominion to field vast armies with the least effort required on its part, as each caste contributes what its best at to the war effort; vehicles, infantry, aircraft, pilots, etc etc, although the vehicles and aircraft are sub-sections of this series. Another sub-section of these forces are the mobile, fast-moving strike groups, who follow in after the scout groups, shoring up defenses and initiating first strikes when prudent, while buying time for the main force to get there.


http://members.tripod.com/~AprilLee/ccgwh40k/darkreapers600x414.jpg

Shadow Kaldathi

Description: Another series of castes is devoted to dark and stealth ops: assassinations, infiltration, commando raids, the dark, dirty and suicide missions no one else would undertake, or have the skills to do so. These Kaldathi are the almost exact opposite of normal Kaldathi. While most Kaldathi are slightly insane, sadistically playful and like to play “games”, these “Shadow Kaldathi”, as they are known, are serious, quiet, and absolutely ruthless and without fear.


http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k308/Nirokasa/WP_ART09_1024x768.jpg

Tuzrai Elite

Description: The Tuzrai, named after the caste they originate from, are controlled, trained, and made by the Tuzrai caste, and used as their elite; the best of the best in regular combat operations. Sent in tandem with the Shadow Kaldathi, they strike quickly and get out, often times deciding the fates of battles that haven't even occurred yet.



But all of these caste soldiers, no matter their focus, are all heavily trained soldiers, fierce, vicious and can kill you. Some are just better at it.



Ground Vehicles

Kaldathi MAV Tank (Mobile Assault Vehicle)

http://us.games-workshop.com/games/40k/tau/gaming/tactics/basics/images/skyray580.jpg

Description: These tanks are often seen supporting infantry brigades and companies, especially in urban assaults and defense. With their payloads of tracking liquid Kadi missiles, they can do some serious damage to anything, vehicle, trooper or building, pretty damn quick. And with their ability to reload their missiles fairly quickly after they've spent themselves in a salvo is a valuable trait. However, due to the rate of ammo being used, especially in lengthy battles, they require constant re-arming. Also perfect for areas that need anti-fighter defenses and have no ground defenses or aircraft available. The MAV can do the job, until better defenses can be brought in.


Kaldathi HAS (Hover Armor Support)

http://www.dysartes.com/armyfeatures/40k/soditpics/hammerhead2.jpg

Description: A common sight in massive battles and hot engagements that the Dominion engages in, the HAS is a versatile and deadly tool which has been utilized by the Kaldathi forces. Armed with a heavy Kadi Blast Cannons, and two Kadi anti-personnel Repeaters, it can take on infantry and enemy vehicles, putting them down with little effort. The Blast Cannons are strong enough that they have been known to pierce the battle plating on Kaldathi structures, which are meant to take the Kadi infestious properties and the ion storms caused by massive desposits of them. So, they are perfect anti-vehicle, specifically anti-tank, killers.




http://www.btinternet.com/~a.patrick/40k_files/image020.jpg

Kaldathi AHPC (Armored Hover Personnel Carrier)

Description: The AHPC is the basic and most used ground transport for the Dominion. Only used for infantry, however, they can deploy them with speed few can match with its Kadi afterburners and hover engines, that blast it from place to place, allowing them to cross oceans, cliffs, and cities, landing where the troops are most needed and unload. With an anti-personnel Kadi Repeater cannon, it can aid in suppressive fire as it unloads, but it is not made for long engagements, nor direct fire. It comes in, unloads, gets out. Good for supply runs as well.



http://fr.games-workshop.com/40k/chaos/galerie/img/landraider_b.jpg

Kaldathi HAT (Heavy Armor Transport

Description: The other transport used by the Dominion, this heavier version of the AHPC sacrifices hover capability and speed for endurance, firepower and hold space. These massive behemoths can hold several HBT's, MAV's, and AHPC's, all at the same time, along with even more infantry. Armed with twin Kadi Heavy Cannons, and three Kadi Beam Cannons, it can fight infantry and vehicles with equal facility and deploy its cargo. It can take plenty of damage before even slowing down and, even after it's deployed, it can aid in offensives and defense operations.


http://kofler.dot.at/40k/units/Dark_Angel_Land_Speeder_(Classic).gif

Kaldathi LHRV (Light Hover Reconnaisance Vehicle)

Description: Used exclusively by the scout series of Dominion castes, these vehicles are perfect for quick runs over a large area, ambushes, skirmishing and establishing forward outposts. Armed with a single Kadi Light Repeater, although useful for mowing down infantry, it doesn't have much in the way of fire power. It can boost itself over many yards, allowing it to overcome obstacles, defenses and enemy soldiers, a good tool when retreating.



http://homepage.mac.com/cheethorne/Starcraft/images/siegetank.jpg
(Main Battle Tank mode)

http://homepage.mac.com/cheethorne/Starcraft/images/siegetank2.jpg
(When in artillery mode)

Kaldathi LRHAS/MBT (Long Range Heavy Artillery Support/Main Battle Tank)

Description: Most Kaldathi vehicles follow the Kaldathi maxim: Use as much agility and firepower in one package as possible; mobile destruction at its finest wins the day. However, they do know that there would come a time when heavier and more durable vehicles would have to win the day, and they also knew they had to have something that could fire far longer and do more damage than the MAV's could ever accomplish. So, the LRHAS/MBT vehicle was born; long-range destruction and powerful tank in a single package. In its main form, it is a powerful MBT, it's twin Heavy Kadi Destroyers giving it the firepower to lay waste to anything in front of it: vehicle, man, or structure. A powerful vehicle, indeed. It truly shines, however, when it deploys it's Tuzrai Siege Cannon. This powerful weapon fires bolts of Kadi crystal in plasma-esque form, and over incredibly long distances, enabling it to lay waste to enemy defenses, and strike forces in minutes.

It, however, needs to have support against infantry, aircraft and any vehicles who try to come close up, as it is has no air defenses and it must plant to giant supporting arms to deal with the recoil. Still, this weapon has given the Kaldathi an edge in many of its combat operations and it will continue to do so for many years to come.

Ground Vehicles (cont.)


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Kaldathi Battlesuit

Description: Another addition to the arsenal of the Kaldathi, the Battlesuit is the Kaldathi planned counter to the various mechs the Terran Empire utilizes. After watching several of their battles, their High Command realized that they needed something to counter them, as their current roster of vehicles could not get the job done. So, they developed the Battlesuit. Piloted by a single Kaldathi, it is armed with twin Heavy Kadi Repeating Blasters, and two Kadi missile pods. It is rather small when compared to the mechs used by the Terran Empire, but due to the Kaldathi military doctrine, such large vehicles are a waste of resources anyways. The Battlesuits, in order to survive against the mechs, are able to use powerful hover jets, to blast them from location and location, as well as travel over water. With their incredible agility, large amount of firepower and when added to heavy armor, are a perfect addition to the Kaldathi ground forces, and as a counter to the mechs. It can, however, cut through infantry with its Twin Repeaters very quickly, so it is also perfect as a supporting role in infantry assaults.





Small Spacecraft of the Dominion

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Invader-class Interceptors

Description: These are the main fighters of the Dominion, deployed from all the ships in combat situations. Armed with twin light Kadi Energy Cannons, they are incredibly quick and agile, the perfect counter to enemy fighters and fighters. As well as an extension of their point defense systems. Fielded in great numbers, they can flood the space around the battling fleets and over the course of the battle, overwhelm enemy fighters and bombers, distracting capital ships with their stinging attacks. They are unmanned, instead controlled by the powerful computers on the ships, and any losses are replenished by the replicators on board. Of course, they can only do so much and it is expected to lose hundreds, if not thousands of fighters, in a single battle.


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Nova-class Bombers

Description: These are the small craft that are used against enemy capital ships, to weaken them for assault by the Dominion capital ships or to provide the killing blow after said enemy ship has been slammed repeatedly by the fleet. Equipped with liquid Kadi bombs, and missiles, they can damage enemy ships in a hurry, but are weak to enemy fightercraft and point defenses. That is why they are escorted by Invader-class Interceptors into battle every time. Like the Invaders, they are manufactured by the ships and controlled by A.I., unmanned.


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Stormriders

Description: These are the fighters used in planetary battles and assaults. Armed with four Kadi plasma cannons, they are thrown against enemy planetary fighter and transport craft, along with supporting ground operations and bombarding enemy forces. They have no lack of ammunition, but they do need to dock regularly at the Kaldathi air bases, for repairs, and transportation to other fronts via the portals.


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Phantoms

Description: The main aerial dropship, able to traverse space and atmosphere, utilizing hover technology. It can hold massive amounts of supplies and infantry, while able to hold up to three vehicles at a time with its magnetic clamps. It deploys via a controlled gravity well, which shoots their cargo down at a rate which the pilot decides. Although only used to shuttle supplies, troops and armor, it has three Heavy Kadi Plasma cannons, with which it can put down supporting fire as it unloads.


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Kaldathi Seeder Ship

Description: These ships are the second sight seen by planets that come under assault by the Dominion. First the Shadow-class Frigates appear, scouting the place. Then, when the decision is made to invest in the planet, the Seeder Ships are deployed, covering most of the planet with Kadi crystal, usually the parts of the planet not colonized/lightly colonized. I.E. plains, forests, farms, oceans, settlements, etc etc, while the Shadow-class bombards the main cities and industrial areas. Nations who have experienced this or know the Dominion will see these ships for what they are; preludes to invasion.

The factbook is now open to comments.