Visigoth

Specifications
Use	Main Battle Tank
Production Code	ST-12
Manufacturer	Republican Tank Arsenal
Height	3.4 meters

The Visigoth has been the Southern Republic’s mainstay workhouse for close to three generations. The tank is well liked by all who serve with it and has been part of almost all the major battles fought by the Republic since it entered service in TN 1786. Commissioned in 1779, its history is fraught with political battles and backroom power plays. Military historians will remember the Erbenstein Scandal, which resulted in the dishonorable discharge of Consul Joseph-Frençoix Erbenstein for fraud, treason and conflict of interest in the weapons contracts surrounding the Visigoth.

The Consul had exerted political muscle to ensure that the contract for the main gun on the Visigoth would be assigned to a company in which he had invested a great deal of his fortune. Unfortunately, due to counter-machinations from his political enemies, Compact Weaponry was revealed to be a company partially owned by several Norlight investors.

Most of the Visigoth’s lower functions are processed by its automated systems, leaving the important decision-making to the two-man crew. The wide and low hull is carried on independently powered twin sets of treads. The driver compartment is completely armored and information about the vehicle’s surroundings are sensor-fed to the driver. The tank’s main armament is composed of the 140 mm MAGISTER II soft-recoil heavy field gun and a RFC-097 40 mm rapid-fire autocannon for use against small targets. A sub-turret placed on the main turret houses a 15 MW laser gun for area and anti-aircraft defense. The Visigoth’s main weakness, aside from its dependency on electronic sensors, is its large signature on the radar.

Usage

The Visigoth saw its finest hour during the so-called “pacification cycles” that followed the formation of the Allied Southern Territories. The vehicle often prevented battles simply by its presence with the occupation forces. It was also present in several of the conflicts which plagued the 19th century, more particularly during the Two Week War around Saragossa. The SPFI rebels, having become particularly brutal against the 5th Republican Cavalry Legion, suddenly declared the independence of the city-state and claimed that the Saragossan Conclave was restored. The Knights quickly deployed the tanks inside and outside the city-state, many of which were Visigoths and Visigoth KHANs. The intimidating effect quickly tamed the riots which had erupted throughout Saragossa.

The rebels attempted one organized offensive against the Knights, only to be repelled after three days. The remaining days of the “war” were spent mopping up the city and unearthing the remaining SPFI nests. The Visigoth also fared very well during the War of the Alliance, although it needed light and nimble vehicles as support against GREL infantry, which could easily outmaneuver it. Its thick armor and the power of its main gun prevailed nonetheless.

Gallery

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