Slave Runner

Written by Salen

The Slave Runners of the Shards are the common means for transportation between the islands and even around them. Most family's that live anywhere near a coast will have one, and rich family's may even have two or three for different occasions. They get their name from the main power generation, slave labor. The slaves are kept below deck at seats with oars that reach out to the water and row the ship across the waves. Because of the dangers around the coatal reefs, sails aren't used until they clear the tides and get into deeper waters, and even then, the slaves keep rowing in time to the waves to propel the ship at fatser speeds. Two smaller craft are kept on either side above the oars for loading supplies or short travel rather than docking the vessel.

Dangerous timing

This timed rowing is something that only experianced slaves can do and of course this means they fetch a higher price at market. They are trained on stone ships to watch the waves and learn how to be exact, and only the tame slaves are offered the chance. Any slave that tries to sabotage a slave runner by deliberatley missing timing is given the worst punishment for a slave. They have one leg amputated. This means they can no longer do most tasks, and certainly never qualify in the arena games.

The Good Life

What's in this for the slaves? Well for one they are treated with a kind of reverance by their owners. Theirs is a complicated relationship, needing both parties to cooperate together for success. Because of this the owners are far more generous to the slaves and often times keep them inside their homes as trusted servents rather than tied up outside like animals like most slaves. there have even been instances where the slaves have free run of the house, cooking and cleaning without supervision. Likewise some orc masters even buy their rowing slaves gifts.

Power Generation

Slave Labor

Propulsion

Wind/Slave labor

Weapons & Armament

None standard, though some Slave Runners are equipped by their owners with small ballistae.

Armor and defense

None/civilian. The hull is standard wood, treated against flames and casual heat with the sails being made out of the favored heavy cloth.

Hangars & docked vessels

The Slave runners have two small rowboats that can accommodate up to ten passengers and two hundred pounds of cargo (Or twenty passengers). These are used when the Runner can't make dockfall of the ocean is just too violent to try. The ships can be unloaded by these boats and the ship can safely drop anchor out in the deep.

by Riot Games

Nickname

Runner

Price

300 - 700 Cylinders

Rarity

common

Beam

15 ft

Length

40ft

Height

21ft mast

Weight

3 tons

Speed

20 knots

Complement / Crew

3 - 4 crew and 4 slaves for rowing

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

12 passengers of up to 30 cubic feet of cargo.

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