The Wayward Dragon
The Wayward Dragon was certainly unique among any Praxxis Airship that ever plied the skies. She was long, lean and speedy. She is a moderately sized carrack-styled vessel nearly eighty feet in length, and eighteen across the beam. The vessel is sleek and trim, one of the fastest among the fleet. Her hull is plated to resemble the scales of a dragon, and the figurehead depicts a great dragon, reaching ahead as if to urge the ship forward.
Her Primary Lodestone was crafted by Drake’s late brother, Marcus. It was nearly twice as large as was needed for a ship that size. A second stone, crafted by his sister Dierdre, was laid into a special structure built just below the main deck. Together, the dual stones give the ship incredible speed and maneuverability. They also allow her to be flown at altitudes higher than any known airship. The ship is armed with few guns, relying on speed and agility for defense.
The ship has four engine pods at the “corners” to provide attitude control and vertical stability. She can be propelled through the sky by sail (as most skyships do) or by the stunsel “wings” mounted midway up the hull. When under sail, the telescoping masts are extended upward and the yardarms are unfolded, allowing a sailplan much like a traditional square rigged vessel. Her wings are typically tucked back, snug against the hull when under sail. When under power, the yardarms are folded and the masts collapse to a quarter their height. The wings unfold and open, sweeping back and forth like oars. This has the effect of the ship appearing as a living dragon flying through the air. The sweeping motion of each wing occurs in a carefully timed sequence so as to provide steady and smooth power for flight.
When fully crewed the vessel carries ten men to sail, man weaponry, and support the galley and berthings. Drake engineered the vessel to be a mechanical marvel;however, and when properly rigged it can be piloted by a single man (which Drake often does). On the bridge, a special map table shows the ship’s position at all times; the precise means it uses to accomplish this are a closely guarded secret by Drake himself. The map also allows for a kind of “auto pilot”, whereby a destination can be designated on the map, and the vessel will be drawn to the location. The forecastle houses a smaller "forward bridge" that is used when precise maneuvering must be accomplished in close quarters.
As Drake’s personal vessel, the Captain’s Quarters are his. A large suite occupying the bulk of the aft superstructure, just beneath the main bridge. Though well-appointed, it is relatively spartan when compared to other cabins for royalty. A private head, complete with bathing tub adjoins the cabin. A wet bar, wardrobe, equipment locker, work bench (complete with tools) and drawing desk are arranged on the left and right bulkheads. The drawing desk contains the drafted designs of everything Drake has ever created, and is a tightly guarded secret. The forward bulkhead contains a large bookshelf filled with all manners of reading, both technical and fictional subjects fill it’s shelves. The aft bulkhead houses an immense glass window, offering a breathtaking view of lands passed as the ship flies. In the center of the cabin sits a plush feather bed. The bed is only real excess Drake enjoys in his cabin; but only in solitude. The intense secrecy of the workings of his ship, means that Drake entertains few on the deck, fewer in the cabins below, and (until the day he took his bride) none in his quarters. Only a trusted few have ever seen his cabin apart from himself.
The berthing deck, housing crew and guest cabins lay just beneath the main deck The galley and mess area are situated aft of the cabins on this deck, and a smaller more formally appointed wardroom to the fore. Below the berthing deck is the machinery room, which gives way to the cargo hold and ship’s larder. The old is large enough for livestock and crates, and the larder can be provisioned to feed twenty men for over a month.Water tanks run either side of the outboard length of the hold, and can be refilled using pumps and hoses connected through the engine pods.
Power Generation
Her Primary Lodestone was crafted by Drake’s late brother, Marcus. It was nearly twice as large as was needed for a ship that size. A second stone, crafted by his sister Dierdre, was laid into a special structure built just below the main deck. Together, the dual stones give the ship incredible speed and maneuverability. They also allow her to be flown at altitudes higher than any known airship. The ship is armed with few guns, relying on speed and agility for defense.
Propulsion
The ship has four engine pods at the “corners” to provide attitude control and vertical stability. She can be propelled through the sky by sail (as most skyships do) or by the stunsel “wings” mounted midway up the hull. When under sail, the telescoping masts are extended upward and the yardarms are unfolded, allowing a sailplan much like a traditional square rigged vessel. Her wings are typically tucked back, snug against the hull when under sail. When under power, the yardarms are folded and the masts collapse to a quarter their height. The wings unfold and open, sweeping back and forth like oars. This has the effect of the ship appearing as a living dragon flying through the air. The sweeping motion of each wing occurs in a carefully timed sequence so as to provide steady and smooth power for flight.
Additional & auxiliary systems
On the bridge, a special map table shows the ship’s position at all times; the precise means it uses to accomplish this are a closely guarded secret by Drake himself. The map also allows for a kind of “auto pilot”, whereby a destination can be designated on the map, and the vessel will be drawn to the location. The forecastle houses a smaller "forward bridge" that is used when precise maneuvering must be accomplished in close quarters.
Nickname
Drake's Chariot
Owner
Rarity
Unique
Related Technologies
Beam
18'
Length
80'
Complement / Crew
Full Crew: 10 (Can be flown by 1 when properly rigged)
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