Værdoren-class
House von Hjertstedt · Armoured recovery flagship
Canon at a glance
- Archive category
- ships
- Allegiance
- House von Hjertstedt
- Role
- Armoured recovery and salvage command
- Specialization
- Rescue, repair and isolated salvage handling
- Motto
- Preserve. Protect. Reclaim.
Overview
The crimson Vaerdoren-class recovery flagship stabilizes wrecks, rescues survivors, repairs damaged ships and secures contaminated salvage behind an escort screen.
The ship that remains
A Værdoren remains after the battle fleet moves on. It anchors a recovery perimeter, brings damaged vessels under control, searches wrecks for survivors and restores the infrastructure needed to keep a shattered settlement alive. Its specialization is protected recovery under continuing threat: naval command, salvage handling, repair workshops and rescue transport within one heavily armoured hull.
The Charter of Steel in practice
Surrendered crews need safe reception, wounded people need pressure and treatment, and recovered machinery must not endanger the people sheltering aboard. Civilian rescue craft enter protected triage bays. Captured military crews follow a separate custody and medical route. Unknown wreckage stays in isolated external cradles until assessed; none of these routes opens directly into the main habitation decks.
Built around recovery
The long, broad, low hull combines a reinforced wedge bow, compact raised command block, modular industrial flanks and clustered stern drives. The dorsal surface is an armoured roof. Launch and recovery take place through recessed side hangars. Heavy manipulators fold into protected recesses, while paired lower-flank recovery spines carry clamps and replaceable cradles for damaged vessels or hull sections. Tugs and drones handle loads beyond the arms’ working envelope.
Repair and containment
Machine shops, component stores and modular fabrication equipment restore pressure integrity and selected systems. Cargo barges dock outboard of the processing decks. Rescue cutters, medical shuttles and utility tugs share the hangar network with a defensive flight group. Independently isolated receiving spaces support remote inspection of suspect salvage. A Seraph Hunter detachment may embark for contaminated command spaces and host recovery; engineers, rescue teams and medical staff perform the wider recovery mission.
A protected working perimeter
Layered point defence, interceptor support and limited heavy forward fire protect the recovery operation. The ship depends on escorts while working against a wreck. Industrial output, defensive systems and heat rejection compete for capacity. Deployable radiators, open bays and extended handling arms make the decision to continue recovery under fire a serious command responsibility.
Crimson House identity
Deep crimson armour dominates the dorsal and flank surfaces, broken by charcoal machinery recesses and worn cool-steel framing. The House winged shield marks deliberate flank and dorsal heraldic zones: three silver stars above a crimson flaming heart, with silver wings. Engines and running lights are cold blue-white; amber is reserved for local industrial work. The crimson-dominant finish distinguishes this class without changing the identity of the wider House fleet.
Limits of the mission
A secured wreck adds inertia and restricts manoeuvres. A damaged cradle may force release of the load to protect the recovery ship. Medical staffing, air regeneration, food and compatible replacement parts limit what can be saved. Gate passage requires route-specific clearance for both the vessel and its attached loads; salvage may need to be detached and moved separately. A Værdoren cannot create its own gate or manufacture a complete replacement fleet from arbitrary debris.
Connected entries
House von HjertstedtA sovereign mercenary House whose fleets protect a hidden civilization. Its power rests on conduct, civilian protection and the industrial depth of Vintergard.
Seraph HuntersHouse von Hjertstedt’s heavily armoured anti-Seraph troops, deployed in Hunter Lances to recover hosts, break Husk Guard and secure contaminated ships and vaults.
Sanctuary SpecialistsRare, heavily augmented clinicians summoned when ordinary care has reached its limits. The House protects them with everything it can bring, because a single specialist may carry the last hope of many lives.