The Defiance: The Floating City of War

"She is not a ship. She is a kingdom upon the waves." — Grand Admiral Valtorin of the Athesian Navy   The Defiance is more than the largest ship in the Athesian fleet—it is a symbol of imperial supremacy, naval dominance, and the unbreakable will of Emperor Orillian. Measuring over 600 feet from bow to stern and towering with eight colossal masts, it has been described as a city upon the sea, a floating fortress so vast, so immense, that lesser vessels seem like toys beside it.   Commissioned personally by Emperor Orillian, its mere existence is a declaration of Athesia’s power, an unspoken challenge to any who dare defy the empire’s dominion over the waves.  

The Creation of the Defiance

"The Emperor does not dream small. He does not command fleets—he commands oceans." — Imperial Shipwright Marcen Thaelorin   The Defiance was not built out of necessity—it was built as a statement.

• Constructed in the shipyards of Velora, it took over a decade to complete, its keel laid by the most skilled shipwrights of the empire and enslaved halfling artisans from Sasciana.
• The ship incorporates both Athesian and halfling naval designs, blending raw power with elegant efficiency.
• It is not merely a warship, but a floating command center, from which an entire naval campaign can be orchestrated.

When the Defiance first sailed from Velora, its shadow stretched across the horizon, and all who beheld it knew the future of naval warfare had changed forever.  

Design & Capabilities

 

A Floating Fortress

• 600 feet long, 150 feet wide, capable of carrying thousands of soldiers, sailors, and siege weaponry.
• Eight towering masts, with crimson sails emblazoned with the imperial sigil, their sheer scale allowing the ship to move despite its immense weight.
• Reinforced blackwood hull, treated with alchemical resins, making it near-impervious to fire and corrosion.
• Multiple decks, each functioning as an independent war machine, housing everything from crew quarters to an entire command center for fleet operations.

 

Unrivaled Armament

• Hundreds of ballistae and trebuchets, positioned across its decks.
• Enchanted bolt-throwers, capable of firing explosive alchemical payloads at enemy ships.
• A reinforced ramming prow, shaped like an open-mawed dragon, capable of splitting enemy vessels in half upon impact.
• Onboard magical artillery, maintained by imperial battle-mages, capable of launching arcane bombardments upon coastal cities or enemy fleets.

 

A City at Sea

• Contains an entire forge and workshop, allowing for onboard weapon repairs and even shipbuilding for smaller vessels.
• A grand war chamber, where Admirals and Legates plan naval invasions and campaigns.
• A temple to Elendir, where officers and crew can offer tribute before battle.
• A prison hold, capable of detaining political prisoners, enemy commanders, or captured rebels until they can be brought to the Emperor’s judgment.

 

The Purpose of the Defiance

The Defiance is not simply a warship—it is a symbol of Orillian’s will.  

Why Was It Built?

• To terrify the enemies of the empire, ensuring that no fleet would dare challenge Athesian supremacy.
• To serve as a floating capital during naval campaigns, allowing the empire to maintain control over vast stretches of ocean.
• To be a legacy of Orillian’s eternal rule, proving that the Athesian Empire is unbreakable, even upon the sea.

The Role of the Defiance in the Imperial Fleet

• The Defiance is the personal flagship of the Grand Admiral, who commands all naval operations from its decks.
• It is escorted at all times by a fleet of warships, ensuring that even the most desperate enemy cannot hope to sink it.
• It has only seen battle a handful of times, for its very presence is often enough to force an enemy’s surrender.

 

The Legacy of the Defiance

"It will sail for a thousand years. It will never know defeat." — An imperial officer, upon seeing the Defiance depart from Velora   The Defiance is not just the largest ship in the Athesian fleet—it is the greatest ship ever built. It is a monument to imperial ambition, a floating fortress of war, and a testament to the unshakable power of Emperor Orillian.   As long as the Defiance sails, the empire’s rule over the seas is assured.