The Oracle
A shadow breaks through the clouds over the Adamantine Range. A hull of polished wood, lined with luminescent crystals in metals cages, and sails of waxed linen rush across the skies. At its prow, a metal dragon head stands tall and proud. This airship, a marvel of engineering, is an impenetrable bird of wood and steel, used for the transport of vital goods and personel. Despite its age, it is still standing and remains a flying fortress.
The Oracle is a cargo-carrying Zephyrus (airship the first of its kind. Invented in 175 AM by Itami Chunso, it was designed to serve as an eventual warship. Though it never saw any combat, its reinforced hull and intricate defenses have made it a symbol of ingenuity and craftmanship. From its first flight to this day, it has served as a cargo ship, transporting provisions, as well as the occasionnal garrison, to and from Hamji.
Power Generation
The Oracle is powered and recharged by arcane energy, stored in Shrax crystals inside the hull, which power the arcane engines lining the hull.
Propulsion
The arcane engines, powered with Shrax crystals, makes use of a extended version of a fly spell, which must be recharged at every dock to ensure safe travel. However, emergency spells are stored in the hull in case of arcane mishaps.
Armor and defense
It is no coincidence that the Oracle has been nicknamed the Turtle. Its hull is made of arcanily-reinforced wood, polished to render attempts to grapple onto it impossible. A key feature of the Oracle is also its metal plate roofing, covered by metal spikes that would impale those trying to jump onto it. The ports of the hulls are equipped with arcane canons and spears in order to defend it from airborne attacks.
Communication Tools & Systems
The Oracle communicates with control towers by using Sending Stones integrated in the Commander's room. These Sending Stones are linked to both towers in Hamji and Baseg On, which can then relay information to other ships if need be.
Sensors
The Oracle is equipped with invisibility and arcane sensors, ensuring maximum defenses against external threats.
Social and Economic Impact
The inauguration of the Oracle, in 175 AM held an important weight: 50 years after the end of the Prime War, Tamynia was signalling to its neighbours that its days of military weakness were over. The Oracle was as much of a great invention as it was a show of political strength. Despite it never being used in combat, it has all the features and appearance of a traditional warship, and the sight of it flying over both major Tamynian cities on a weekly basis serves as a reminder to the Tamynian people of their own superiority: the people who have conquered the skies and mountains are destined to rule over the world. Aside from its socio-political symbolism, the impact of the Oracle is mostly economical. Not only did it allow for quicker and cheaper transportation of goods, it broke the isolation between the two main regions of Tamynia, allowing for efficient commercial exchanges and the beginning of commercial sky channels, which are now a staple of Tamynian society, allowing all its settlements to prospere despite episodic droughts, crop failures, broken ships, or any other mishaps. The development of Zephyrus as a means of transportation deeply transformed Tamynian society in ways unforeseen.
Nickname
The Turtle
Motto
Glory of the Sky
Creation Date
175 AM
Owning Organization
Price
150 000 gp
Rarity
Uncommon
Length
200m
Speed
10mph
Complement / Crew
15
Cargo & Passenger Capacity
10 tonnes, 30 passengers (excluding crew)
Comments
Author's Notes
Real-life inspiration notes
The Oracle's design is inspired by Geobukseon ships (Turtle ships) of Korean Joseon navy, of which the cover image is a 3D model. Used as warships, they were in activity from the early 15th century up until the 19th century. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_ship#.