Pyrophorus

Ferrite:	2900
Bioptics:	2500
Crystal:	140

The Illyrian Hegemony's primary mecha manufacturer, Star Factories unveiled the latest addition to their monopoly of Fire weapon focused mecha in 3308 and named it the Pyrophorus. Designed in collaboration with the Radix Tribes, this mecha is the answer to the Illyrian military’s request for an economical machine to deploy their Fire and plasma weaponry.

Work on the Pyrophorus began a few years before the Shogunate became unstable. Pilots around the galaxy were deciding how much to get involved in the open hostilities in the Shogunate and everyone was moving in one direction or another. Star Factories turned to the Radix Tribes manufactory for the design of the Pyrophorus after their incredible success with the Typhoon project and its Storm Cell system.

Rather than use a older model, Radix designed a new A.I. called the Salamander 4 for use in the Pyrophorus. The Salamander 4 relies on its three upgrade ports during initial deployment. Several anti-mech viruses come online with higher levels of upgrades, allowing the Pyrophorus to disrupt electronic systems on opposing mecha, slowing their reaction times and ability to return fire. A threat assessment subroutine also directs weapon fire to any targets near the primary boosting the Splash ability already present in many Fire weapons.

The modified Storm Cell power plant system in the Pyrophorus is ideally suited to any Fire weapons mounted on the mech. The capacitors of the system allow for discharges significantly above the range of power of a standard Fire weapon. With built-in overload capacitors for the weaponry and rapid recharges gained for overloads with upgrades, the damage output of the Pyrophorus far surpasses any other Crystal based mecha when using Fire weapons.

The chassis of the Pyrophorus has shield pods that provide a moderate level of protection against every known type of weapon. With high levels of upgrades the Storm Cell capacitors mounted throughout the mecha are quickly recharged allowing for increased protection. A secondary benefit of the Storm Cell system being dispersed across the frame of the mech is that is makes room for custom equipment to be added to the Pyrophorus. Triple mounts are provided for additional equipment to be added to the Engine and Chassis as well as three mounts for heavy Shield emitters.

The Pyrophorus also features a unique motive system. The tripod legs bear most of the weight of the mecha and assist with steering and navigating on difficult terrain. The underside of the mecha houses a dedicated engine that provides upward lift, similar to a ground-effect vehicle. Engineers knew that true flight would be too costly, and the Hexapod movement system was too complex for the design, so they created this Augmented Tripod Movement System, borrowing elements from other designs like the Fides and Novum. This design is both adaptable and sturdy, the outcome that designers were seeking.

The Pyrophorus has quickly became a standard unit in Illyrian battalions. The reappearance of Xerxes in 3307 compounded the threat of disorder along the fringe-worlds and commanders garrisoning gateways that directly linked to Shogunate worlds were in urgent need of reinforcements. Mercenary clans were also looking for an affordable addition to their forces built to effectively deploy Fire weapons and this mecha fits the bill.

When the Radix Tribes invented the Red Ant in 3087, it revolutionized combat across the galaxy. Their initial and overwhelming success with the design had the potential to make the Radix Tribes key players in both Illyrian and Galactic politics. All the noble houses of the Hegemony immediately began to curry favor and attempted to recruit them to their respective banners.

Reclusive and semi-nomadic, the Radix Tribes had no interest in the political scuffle and virtually ignored the entire affair. Even today the Radix Tribes rarely involve themselves with the politics of the Hegemony. They have declined to send a representative to the Illyrian Senate for years at a time.

After the success of the Red Ant, the Illyrian noble houses sought to solidify the the support of the Radix Tribes for their own agendas. The House of Aurelius introduced a petition to the Illyrian Senate to grant the Radix Tribes the status of a noble house in order to prevent them from joining with another house. When that petition was rejected out of hand, the House of Romulus proposed to make them a common house. This had the same effect but placed the Radix Tribes in a lesser position of power, and so passed unanimously.

While the Noble Houses had hoped this new status would encourage Radix to become involved with their political machinations in the Illyrian Senate, the Radix Tribes have continued to ignore the entire affair. Many have speculated about the Radix Tribes plans and motivations but few know the truth. Their original Red Ant facility has been expanded to facilitate additional production lines for the Pyrophorus and Typhoon and it remains their only permanent settlement.

The Radix Tribes are known to engage and mercilessly destroy any bandit clan or pirate band that attacks any of their settlements. You can be sure that the Pyrophorus will play a significant part in all of their battles.

Legendary Pilots

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  Glenn Forgames

  After answering a call for aid on Novum Delorium, Glenn found himself the owner of a Pyrophorus, and he quickly became the mecha's most skilled test pilot. While demonstrating its fiery weapon capabilities to Radix tribe observers during the summer monsoons, Glenn pushed his Pyro's engines so hard that he vaporized all water within 120 meters. Grateful for a reprieve from the rains, they gave his Pyrophorus the moniker “Anti Rain Man” and promised him free beer whenever he visited. His warning to any novice pilots: this is one HOT mecha!