North Sea Dragon Ship

In the far north of Derkomai, the shipwrights of Nodyund and Danyund produce ships of many types, including fishing boats, cargo ships, and warships, that are known for being extremely sturdy and seaworthy. They have a well-deserved reputation for being nearly unsinkable, a trait necessary in the rough and treacherous waters of the North Sea (Nod Sei) and on the open ocean.
The largest of these ships are known as Dragon Ships (Derksyiffe in the Nodkou language). The Dragon Ships are warships, exploration ships, and cargo ships; their seaworthiness and design making them suitable for all of those roles. Smaller ships of the class are known as longships or longboats.
Dragon Ships are long and narrow and have a shallow draft making them suitable for navigating on the open sea and in rivers. They are clinker-built, usually with split oak planks joined with heavy copper or iron spikes or nails. Iron nails are only used on the largest and most expensive of the Dragon Ships. The nails are driven through the edges of the planks forming the hull of the ship and then bent over to add strength and prevent them from pulling out. Dragon Ships have tall stem and stern posts carved with the likeness of a dragon's head and tail. The ships are usually carved, painted, and decorated with bright colors, giving them a bright and fierce appearance. In addition, Dragon Ships crewed by warriors often carry the warriors' brightly painted shields along their sides, adding to their fierce and intimidating appearance.
The design and construction of Dragon Ships allows the hull to flex in rough seas without leaking and makes them both light and extremely sturdy. The are fast and maneuverable, as well as nearly unsinkable.
Dragon Ships can be rowed or driven by the wind. The largest carry 30 or more oarsmen in a crew of 40 to 70 in total. When rowed, they can attain a speed of up to 10 knots (18.5 kph). Under sail, they can reach 12 knots (over 22 kph). They have a single sail of woven wool, sometimes dyed and embroidered with bright colors up to and even over 1200 square feet (120 square meters) in area. The mast of a Dragon Ship can quickly and easily be lowered in rough weather, adding to its seaworthiness.
King Haakan Larssen and his followers sailed a fleet of Dragon Ships and longships from Seihabn in southern Nodyund into the opean ocean, then south past Voatyon and Teiyon, around southern Yfel, through the channel at the Stepping Stones into the Black Dragon Sea, finally landing at Southport. The epic voyage of well over 6000 miles (10000 km) through storm-driven seas demonstrates the incredible seaworthiness of the North Sea Dragon Ships and has been recorded in the histories of Sudland.

Propulsion

Dragon Ships, as well as the smaller longships and longboats), can be rowed or sailed.

Weapons & Armament

Dragon Ships do not carry weapons, but the crew is usually comprised of trained warriors carrying swords, axes, spears, and bows.

Armor and defense

The warrior crew of Dragon Ships often hang their shields along the sides of the ship, giving some protection from arrows and thrown projectiles.

North Sea Dragon Ship by Peter Nelson (Zero Sum Games)

A North Sea Dragon Ship

Rarity

Common in Nodyund and Danyund; nearly unknown elsewhere on Derkomai

Width

Up to 20 feet (6 meters)

Length

Up to 100 feet (30 meters)

Height

The mast of a Dragon Ship is up to 30 feet (9 meters) in height

Weight

Displacement can be 25 tons or more

Speed

Around 10 knots (11.5 mph or 18.5 kph) rowed and up to 12 knots (14 mph or 22 kph) when under sail. Some of the largest are considerably faster.

Complement / Crew

40 to 70, with up to 32 as oarsmen

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

Up to 30 tons (over 25000 kg) of cargo