Combat Shell

A combat shell (戦術殻) is a semi-autonomous piece of technology developed by the Black Workshop and used by its agents.

Background
Although the exact nature of their construction is unknown, they run on some of orbal energy, as shown when a Gospel R was able to remove their functionality when activated. They have been able to be programmed to suit different purposes by individuals even outside of the Workshop itself.

Although they vary in appearance, combat shells typically consist of a long slender central piece with long arm-like appendages, all centred around a central spherical core. The shell is described as being close to ceramic in texture, yet oddly flexible. The core contains the 'essence' of the combat shell and as long as it is preserved, the combat shell can be repaired and used. In some cases, such as Zoa Balor, the core is capable of movement independently without the rest of the body.

Although autonomous models have been developed, combat shells are typically partnered with an individual who controls them with thought waves. In some cases this relationship is more like one of servitude, and the combat shell used as nothing more than a tool, whereas in others, a more familial bond is shared. The Combat shells are able to articulate some form of communication which is undecipherable to most ears other than those who they are bonded with- presented as a series of unintelligible symbols and whistling sounds.

Apart from their general combat attributes which involve bludgeoning targets wit their long arm-like appendages, combat shells have displayed the following abilities:


 * Stealth- when not actively needed, combat shells can 'phase' out from existing in the physical plain, entering and exiting at the whim of their user. They are capable of taking their users with them into this state, allowing them to launch surprise attacks or vanish quickly.
 * Analysis- Combat shells can scan and analyse combat information from a target.
 * Flight- Combat shells are capable of unassisted hovering and flight, even carrying as any of two small individuals for prolonged periods of times, including over bodies of water.
 * Shielding- Some combat shells are capable of producing a protective barrier that is impervious to most forms of attack, including fire from an airship. However, there are limits to how much protection it can provide.
 * Lasers- Some combat shells have been able to produce a pair of lasers which can track opponent's movements.
 * Arts- Some combat shells have been capable of casting orbal arts
 * Transformation- Most combat shells have shown the ability to transform or change shape in some manner. In independent models, this has seemed to be limited to simply producing extra appendages, however personal combat shells have been much more versatile. Claiomh Solais can extend its arms into blade like attachments whereas Zoa Balor can freely manipulate its six tendril like arms. Full form transformations are also possible, with forms such as hammers, balls, swords, satellite cannons, rocket launchers and the full body "Arcadias Gear" as possible configurations.

'Combat shells' are seen for the first time when Georg Weissmann summons four of them to assist him against Estelle and Joshua Bright. These versions are connected to Weissman's thoughts and may have been supplied to him by the workshop itself as they have said to have collaborated on the Gospel project.

Instructor Sara Valestein brings out a combat shell for Class VII to practise on in their training at Thors Military Academy. Sara is capable of modifying the difficult and increases it's parameters to make it more challenging- although the class swiftly stop finding the challenging enough. When pressed for information, Sara simply states that their origin is 'classified.' A sentiment shared by Millium Orion when the others notice the similarities of the training models to her own Airgetlam.

A second personalised combat shell, Claiomh Solais, that acts like Airgetlam is revealed when Altina Orion makes her debut in the Nord Highlands. Millium is surprised and claims to have no knowledge of this. Towards the end of the battles in the Infernal Castle, it is revealed both the girls and the combat shells are products of the Black Workshop.

More training models of combat shells are used by the students of Thors as a training program onboard the Courageous. There are three styles used, one for melee combat, one for ranged combat, and one for arts.

Altina, Millium and their respective combat shells make their return, with new and enhanced abilities and transformations. As a part of the new Class VII, Altina utilises Claiomh Solais' 'Noir Shade' ability to cloak the group's Panzer Soldat s from sight. During a Panzer Soldat training exercise where Altina pilots a Goliath, Claiomh Solais appears hovering over Altina menacingly when she loses consciousness and control over the unit.

When the machinations of the Gnomes are laid bare, George Nome's own combat shell, Naglfar is revealed. The two homunculus girls and their combat shells are revealed to be living-machine interfaces capable of sulimating into a 'sword of demise' capable of slaying a Holy Beast. It is Millium who undergoes this change, with Airgetlam being destroyed at the hands of said Holy Beast.

The leader of the Gnomes, Black Alberich has his own personal combat shell, Zoa Balor, said to be the original prototype. It had been discreetly keeping watch on events on behalf of its owner throughout the build up to the Great Twilight, including Altina's episode in the Goliath. He uses it in combat against the group infiltrating the Orchis Tower's Mystic Core in its true form. Zoa Balor apparently vanishes with Black Alberich at the end of the twilight.

The Black Workshop itself is patrolled by several autonomous combat shells, seemingly controlled remotely as evidenced by their antennae. The original models used by Weissman are also present in large quantities. In the background, several production lines of combat shells can be seen working away.

Finding a sublet of the Black Workshop, Millium, with the help of friends and George's Naglfar retrieves a backup of Airgetlam stored with its facilities. Altina and Claiomh Solais also return. The combat shells are revealed to be vulnerable to the Gospel Rs used by the dissident members of the military.

Zoa Balor also returns, acting independently and without a master until it is revealed to have been the vessel for the Elysium-created Zoa Gilstein, a recreation of the Great One under the direction of its owner.

Airgetlam
The first named combat shell to make an appearance, Airgetlam has been a stalwart companion of Millium her entire life.

Airgetlam is bright reflective white with a light blue glow across its spheres. Airgetlam has a generally rounded friendly appearance, with two shining blue orbs giving the appearance of eyes. Airgetlam's arms are round with bevels, allowing them to be uses as bludgeons. Two round guard-like attachments are present on its 'shoulders'. Airgetlam is capable of transforming into an orbital laser satellite in Millium's S-craft and later shows the ability to duplicate itself into two halves allowing it to shift into a hammer and a great ball.

Airgetlam is first spotted breaking out of Aurochs Fort, although Class VII are unable to determine what it might be. They later pursue the strange object in the Nord Highlands, learning that it belongs to Millium. Airgetlam accompanies Millium for the rest of her time. The others note its similarity with the combat shells used in their training exercises but Millium keeps information on him as confidential.

Airgetlam is still by Millium's side, joining her in her investigations throughout the region, and across in the country in places such as Bareahard and Einhel Fortress. Airgetlam is captured along with Millium by the Stahlritter when probing into the Sol Shrine, however they are able to break free of their confinement. Class VII confront Millium and Airgetlam when it appears she has turned her back on the class in favour of supporting the Ironbloods and the Chancellor. When Millium knocks Altina aside to guard Rean from the Nameless Holy Beast, Airgetlam creates a protective barrier. The barrier is no match for a holy beast and Airgetlam is destroyed, scattered into multiple pieces.

A back up copy is later found and restored to Millium after exploring the Black Workshop's hidden facilities. Airgetlam embraces Millium as she dives into its arms. Millium uses Airgetlam to shield Lechter Arundel from gunship fire on a train journey assassination attempt. It later accompanies her in the investigations in Hiemdallr, but is forcibly deactivated by the plotting soldiers' Gospel R. Airgetlam is fully up and functional in time for the final battle around Reverse Babel.

Trivia

 * Airgetlam takes its name from the king Nuada Airgetlám in Irish mythology. In this mythology he loses his arm, only to later regain it, somewhat matching up with the cobat shells demise and eventual restoration in the series.

Claiomh Solais
Claiomh Solais is the personal combat shell of Altina Orion.

Contrasting against the friendly bright look of Airgetlam, Claiomh Solais features a much darker, sinister and angular design. predominantly black in colour, Claiomh Solais has blue glowing lights across its body, including two that give the appearance of eyes. Its arms are long and end in thick blades which can be extended to attack multiple targets at range. It's shoulders are pointed and match Altina's Black Rabbit gear. Due to their high level of synchronicity, Altina and Claiomh Solais can transform together into the Arcadias gear which allows Altina to fly swiftly and shoot lasers Later, it develops the ability to split and create a large blade that Altina can use as a projectile thanks to its rocket attachment.

Claiomh Solais appears alongside Altina in her debut during the Erebonian Civil War. Like her, he also originates from the Black Workshop. First appearing in Nord, the combat shell can also be seen in Ymir, onboard the Pantagruel guarding a sleeping Altina, and accompanying her at the Karel Imperial Villa.

Claiomh Solais returns as Altina's weapon as she enrols at Thors Branch Campus. Claiomh Solais's 'Noir Shade' is incredibly useful to her, allowing her to hide the class Soldats from view until they are needed, and even transport them with them across short distances. When Altina is influenced by a modified Goliath unit in Panzer Soldat training, Claiomh Solais appears around her in a ghostly form, emanating a purple aura.

Claiomh Solais is once again featured with Altina as she accompanies Rean in Heimdallr, the infinite Corridor and the final battle against Reverse Babel.

Trivia

 * Claiomh Solais takes its name from the mythical 'sword of light: Claíomh Solais from Irish mythology.
 * In what may be a reference to this, one of Claiomh Solais' forms is a large sword.

Naglfar
Naglfar is George of Copper's personal combat shell.

The bulkiest of the combat shells seen thus far, Naglfar spots a copper red colour with khaki plates and amber lights, one of which seems to be its eye. Naglfar's arms are much bulkier and larger than other combat shells allowing it deliver tremendous physical force with its blows. It is capable of transforming into a large drill hammer which adds rocket propulsion to deliver extra force, as well as becoming a rocket launcher itself, capable of shooting mines which tunnel into the ground near opponents before detonating. It is alluded to that George used a hammer in his Thors Military Academy days, possibly Naglfar in disguise.

Kept a secret along with George's kinship with the Gnomes, Naglfar is revealed when George proclaims his allegiances at the Gral of Erebos. He uses it to engage Towa Herschel in battle and take swipes at her.

George lends Naglfar to Millium during her retrieval mission of the back up copy of Airgetlam, showing that individual combat shells can be synchronised with other users given the opportunity. Naglfar accompanies George in combat once again in the Infinite Corridor.

Trivia

 * Naglfar takes its name from Norse mythology, being the ship of the dead formed from nails of the deceased that carries hordes of monsters into battle.

Zoa Balor
Zoa Balor is the personal combat shell of the leader of the Black Workshop, Black Alberich.

Boasting an intimidating sharp and streamlined silver profile, Zoa Balor is the prototype of all combat shells. Featuring shimmering metallic encasing, Zoa Balor glows with a eerie purple glow, primarily from its singular eye. It has three long tendril appendages on each side which it can manipulate freely and fire lasers from.

Alberich can also use it to cast devastating illusions as part of his Luciferian Arc S-craft.

Alberich states it is a while since he has used Zoa Balor in combat when he unleashes its true form against the Bracers and Special Support Section in Orchis Tower, having only previously used it to observe his research and communicate with his agents. Zoa balor is seen with Alberich later in the Black Workshop and during his last confrontation on the the Tuatha De Danann. Zoa Balor is said to have vanished along with Black Alberich at the end of the Rivalries and the Great Twilight.

It however makes an independent appearance attacking Nadia Rayne and Swin Abel at a much later date. later, it is revealed to be a creation of Elysium used as an alternate form for the recreated Great One, Zoa Gilstein. It is destroyed along with Elysium when the system is deleted.

In a flashback, it is revealed a previous incarnation of Alberich used Zoa Balor in combat against Isola Millstein, presumably using it to take her life before losing his own. Zoa Balor is said to have vanished along with Black Alberich at the end of the Rivalries and the Great Twilight.

Trivia

 * Zoa Balor takes its name from the giant Balor in Irish mythology, a large monstrous being with one eye.
 * Ironically, in this tale, the giant is killed by Lugh.

Trivia

 * Personal combat shells are usually named after concepts from Irish mythology, with the exception of George whose combat shell's name is Norse in origin.