Kawakani Barges (Kah-Wah-Kah-nee)
Within the Crane Basin the most efficient and swift method of trven is by utilizing the vast river systems that span the entirety of the lush landscape. To this end, many riverside cultures have built their own vehicles with which to traverse the water, but none have been more popularized and adopted as the Kawakani barges built by the Crab Clan. These rectangular naval vessels have become a staple of the Basin's riverways.
Propulsion
The Kawakani barges are usually oar powered vehicles with a steering rudder. The oars are utlized by the crew when not relying on the flow of the river they currently travel on, as well as to navigate sharp corners and bends, navigate rogue currents and rapids, and also traveling up stream.
Weapons & Armament
For common use, barge masters and crew only keep weapons and martial tools for use against brigands and the random river monster attack. These often include frog spears, iron crooks, bows and arrows, and nets.
The barges serve as varied a purpose as is needed by the builders, from fishing, to cargo shipping, as well as warfare. Despite this, most communities do not keep a river navy on stock, choosing instead to appropriate barges from the populace to serve as weapons platforms and transports in times of war.
Armor and defense
The rectangular frames of the barges do not immediately come across as defensible vessels. They usually sport railings that line the entire perimeter of the vessel and a covered canopy towards the back to shield both crewman and cargo from the sun overhead. The hulls of the vessel are very durable and often carry iron rods on the underside to defend against rough river terrain. Otherwise, it is only during times of conflict that the barges will be outfitted wish some sort of extra defensive paneling, usually in the form of wooden panels or shields lining the railings as well as wooden roofs added to the canopies if they were formally made from canvas.
Communication Tools & Systems
While on the river, the barges utilize smoke signals as well as drums and horns to communicate with other barges, as well as river communities. The code of these instruments is known and shared among the crew and communities to ensure no miscommunication is prevalent while barges navigate the many winding paths of the system in the Basin.
Additional & auxiliary systems
The common river barges are simplistic in design due to their multi-purpose nature. Variants and innovations on the barges of a more permeant variety have manifested in the Dragon and Turtle barges.
Used by
Nickname
River Barge, Crab Barge
Creation Date
Unknown
Current location
Price
Varies, generally 1200 gp to 4500 gp
Rarity
Common
Beam
Commonly 10'
Length
Commonly 22'
Height
Commonly 5'
Weight
Commonly 3 tons
Speed
30 knots per hour
Complement / Crew
Commonly as few as 4 and as many as 10
Cargo & Passenger Capacity
Commonly up to 2.2 tons
