Project A.R.K.
Prototype Zephyr — formerly owned by Vincent of Damocles, now operated by the Soul Shepherds
See also: A.R.K
Project A.R.K. (also referred to simply as “the A.R.K”) is a prototype airship built by Tekkhead Labs under Vincent of Damocles’ commission. It was gifted to Virtus Tenebris and the Soul Shepherds in exchange for Virtus accepting Vincent’s relationship with her mother, Lord Commander Zariel.
The Ship
- Engine: Powered by a Rubix Engine — a psionic, time-space manipulating cube that responds to the esoteric Rubix language. The engine was originally unstable and required expertise to control. It was later revealed to be powered by condensed soul gems: souls that are neither alive nor dead, harvested as energy sources.
- Hull: Initially constructed from standard materials, later repaired and upgraded with Mahogany wood from Saturn’s jungles by Beppo, giving it improved resistance to water damage.
- Power Gems: Three Serulinite Power Gems were installed to restore the ship to full capacity after the crash on Saturn.
Crew
The ship operates with a skeleton crew, originally assigned by Vincent as informants to keep him apprised of the Scions’ movements. The crew includes:
- P-Sowen – An automaton crewmember, later revealed to contain a hidden Sol-Phone device used by Vincent to spy on the Scions.
- Cannoch – Former pirate captain, joined as local cartographer of East Skysea.
- Pinot – Groundskeeper of the Tenebris Estate, hired as part of the crew.
- Beppo – Panda inventor and shipwright, currently overseeing repairs on Jupiter and temporarily in charge of the A.R.K. alongside P-Sowen.
History
- Maiden Voyage: Set out from Astraloftum heading north after the Fomorian Invasion.
- Crash on Saturn: The ship was destroyed when the Titan Janus’s trunk seized it and crashed it into the jungle. Repairs took approximately a month, funded in part by the Jas-Sharaza Council of Saturn (35,000 gp) as payment for the Soul Shepherds ending the Time Loop.
- The Spy Discovery: Carter discovered a Sol-Phone device hidden inside P-Sowen’s head, proving Vincent has been monitoring the Scions’ communications since the voyage began.
- Current Status: Fully repaired and sky-worthy. Berthed at Kelda-Dhrum in Jupiter’s Undershell while the Soul Shepherds explore on foot.