The Dread Tower

Below lies the archived history of Scribus Farsonas compilation of the worlds and conflicts of the Cathedra Sector

Cathedra’s sector fleet to an outside observer would look typical of frontier sector fleets, a large number of cruisers and escort craft with few larger vessels. However due to the sectors history it boasts a truly remarkable number of “system” vessels many of which are warp capable.

The largest hull currently within service in the fleet is the Thunder Child a Dagon class grand cruiser, captained by the Lord Admiral Grimme. Lunar and Armiger class cruisers populated the fleet as the mainstay fighting vessel with the Thunderbolt heavy frigate being the most common escort.

While excluded from the Sectors roll of battle the “system” vessels present represented a staggering reserve fleet that eclipsed the fighting strength of the main fleet. Many of these vessels were remnants of the Pan Cathedran Empire’s fleet constructed in ancient patterns still in use within the Imperialias Armada. While many of these vessels had limited range due to older warp drives they could tackle larger vessels when deployed in squadron’s.

Of particular note are the following classes

Skallic Class Destroyer Escort

The Skallic class was a mid sized escort armed for convoy protection. It boasted anti bomber / fighter batteries along with a primary lance for dealing with enemy vessels. These ships were a common sight on convoy duty and would form squadrons in fleet engagements to down enemy torpedo’s and assault vessels.

Watcher Class Escort Carrier

The Watcher Class was a purpose built vessel in the same family as the Sword Class Frigate. Capable of carrying a broad  compliment of attack craft these vessels were a common sight on anti pirate operations. The Watcher was also commonly seen in planetary assaults where it’s ability to deploy large quantities of attack craft to the airspace below was greatly respected.

Rapier Class Corvette

The smallest warp capable vessel within the sector’s reserve fleet the Rapier was by far the most common armed vessel. Rapiers were unable to engage in fleet actions due to their diminutive size against anything with a higher tonnage than an escort but were frequently employed in a variety of other operations. The humble Rapier was frequently pressed into service by all factions during the Heresy with it being used as a patrol vessel, landing craft, weapons platform and countless other roles.

The Fleet would remain loyal throughout the heresy but would find itself deployed to neighbouring sectors to combat the traitor advance as a result the reserve fleet would be the sectors principle defense during this dark period. Escort squadrons would be the sectors new ” Cruiser squadrons” and with enemy incursions sector wide their crews would be blooded repeatedly. Of particular interest to historians and Strategios following the Heresy would be the widespread frigate based naval actions. Several treatise on Frigate usage would be written post heresy incorporating lessons learned.

The Sector Fleets current disposition has shed much of its more exotic vessels in the reserve fleet and is now more in line with fleets such as Gothic or Armegeddon. While its legacy of Frigate usage has not been forgotten the Sectors scant resources does not allow for vast squadrons of escorts anymore.