Monarch Class Battlecruiser

- 24 x 254mm cannons, in 12 twin mounts

- 34 x 105mm Bolters, in 17 twin mounts

Retrofit:

- 16 x Class 3 railguns, in 8 Mk.2 turrets

- 12 x Class 2 railguns, in 12 Mk.3 turrets

- 34 x 105mm Bolters, in 17 twin mounts

## Design and Mk.1

Designed in 3300C.E. and laid down 3303C.E. The R.C.S. Guardian was the first capital ship ever constructed by Raven Corporation taking 4 years to construct and a large sum of resources. The production times on her sister ships took less and less time as the logistics and methods of construction improved. In total seven Monarchs were constructed over the course of 25 years.

These ships proved vital during the Third Pan-Galactic war able to trade blow for blow with Imperial capital ships. They weren’t invulnerable however, as we found out in 3334C.E. at the battle of Sector 220-796 where our intel was incorrect about the size of the Imperium fleet there. The battle lasted for 5 straight hours with dozens of ships on both sides being destroyed or disabled. Among them was the R.C.S. Exponent and of her crew of 627 men, only 3 survived.

The loss had a major impact on morale and things kept looking worse from there as just 4 months later the R.C.S. Vengeance had a fatal BlinkDrive malfunction killing the skeleton crew of 198 men during a routine jump to Solstice for repairs. Again a year later, during the battle of Sector 280-785 a lucky penetrating shot landed a direct hit on the fusion reactor of the R.C.S. Champion disabling her. The captain ordered the crew to abandon ship then proceeded to use the auxiliary power to ram the ship into an Imperium interdictor destroying both vessels and allowing the remaining allied forces to escape.

With the war raging on and resources running low, the military council made the decision to part out the R.C.S. Defender that had been severely damaged during the battle of Sector 280-785 to bring the 3 remaining Monarchs back to full combat strength. The war slugged on for another 2 years and the Monarchs were present at every major battle with no more being destroyed in combat. The remaining 3 ships (R.C.S. Guardian, R.C.S. Vindicator, and R.C.S. Conqueror) have since been mothballed and taken off the active rosters with the conditions that they be maintained combat ready with the latest technology and weapons. They would again show their worth but not for another 400 years.

## Calamity

As the Events of Calamity unfolded the modernized Monarchs were brought back into active service but kept close to home as they were Ravens best ships and needed to defend the capital. They saw little action as the Xsotan never found our home sector but they stood ever present patrolling the shipping lanes and construction yards. Their reputation alone boosting moral of the war torn citizens.

## Retirement and Replacement

After the introduction the the Sovereign class in 3719C.E. it wasn't long before Raven felt that the Monarchs were in a position to be retired. Their long and decorated service history nearly mandated a public ceremony honoring their stalwart presence that had protected the citizens of Raven Corp for over 400 years. While the R.C.S. Vindicator and R.C.S. Conqueror were sent to be dismantled and the materials used to build the Sovereign Class ships. The former flagship R.C.S. Guardian was sent to be preserved as a museum ship at Port Azkatan above the Capital for the public to view as a continuing reminder of her never ending watch.

## External Links

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1668059380