Massif Ballistus
The Massif Ballistus is a massive city-sized anti-ship cannon located on the Imperial world of Volkus.[1] The monolithic twin-barrelled defensive weapon stands at the heart of the Hive city Fissilicus. Although the weapon is glacial in its speed of traversal and rate of fire, it is potent enough to deter and destroy many head-on invasions.[2]
Often referred to as the local population as "The Big Gun" or "Sacred Death", the Massif Ballistus can hurl shells the size of city blocks at a range of over 500,000 miles (~804,000km). The gun has devastated entire Chaos fleets, vaporized Space Hulks, and split Volkus' moon in half during battle with Ork Freebooterz. Defying conventional understanding of physics, the Massif Ballistus is so large and complex that its barrels stretch into the stratosphere, while its base digs deep into Volkus' surface and is said to reach its very core. None know who built the weapon, or when it was constructed. Maintaining and firing such a weapon requires immense resources, to the point where an entire Hive city dubbed Hive Fissilicus has sprung up near the weapon that is dedicated to its operation.[1]
Each of the districts of Hive Fissilicus contributes part of the gigantic shells loaded into the gun, with warheads, propellants, casings, and more transported on reinforced maglev trains to the final assembly zone of Cascabael. Conclaves of Tech-Priests pool their skill simply to aim, accounting for planetary rotation, stellar phenomena, and the slingshot effect of Volkus’ own gravity. The population of Volkus revere the ancient weapon as a divine manifestation of the Emperor's might. Those in the immediate proximity of the gun live in ad hoc shanty towns that are destroyed by the titanic recoil when the weapon fires.[1]
The Great Gun is ceremonially fired once every stellar cycle. This most holy undertaking is known as the Day of Firing. In the months preceding this momentous event, their entire population turns their efforts to the assembly and transfer of ammunition for the Great Gun. Blood, sweat, and tears are shed by those dwelling beneath the sacred weapon.[2]
Sources
- 1: Warhammer Community: Kill Team: Hivestorm Lore – What is it Like to Live Under a Cannon the Size of a Mountain? (posted 3/9/2024) saved page, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/09/03/kill-team-hivestorm-lore-what-is-it-like-to-live-under-a-cannon-the-size-of-a-mountain/ (last accessed 4/9/2024)
- 2: Kill Team: Blood and Zeal, pg. 6
