Scipling (Skip-ling)

Scipling are the ships used by Mesle sailors to navigate through Godling Curses and cross the Neol Strait to Endref. Scipling are specifically designed to withstand the tortuous conditions of these storms while offering strong protection to sailors and cargo. Despite the limited width of the Neol Strait, scipling journies are typically very long due to minimal daily progress, multiple "moored" passings, and time variances within the storms.

Propulsion

Scipling are propelled by magical, natural, and physical means given that any of these methods could fail at any given time. Scipling are designed such that specific panels can be removed from the lower decks and oars can be used to move the vessel forward, if slowly. Additionally, scipling rotating propellers which can be extended into the water below the ship and magically powered to move the vessel. However, these propellers are liable to strike obstacles below the scipling and they can interfere with the magical dispelation system.
The main method of propulsion for scipling are the collection of fully pivotable sails on each mast. Most scipling have three to four masts, with yardarms and crossbeams hanging from tension-based systems that can rotate fully around each associated mast. This rotation system is necessary to ensure that if wind direction is completely different across the bow of the ship (as can happen during storms), as much forward momentum is maintained as possible. Because of this need for free rotation, scipling have very few associated ropes and ties (compared to more typical vessels) and most sail management is handled either through magical means or via wires that run through the centre of each mast.

Weapons & Armament

Scipling are typically without major armament except for a selection of ballistae to fend off any creatures that may attack the vessel (or to repel any extremely unlikely pirates). In extreme circumstances, a scipling crew could potentially modify the firing system for each of the 10 to 50 anchors to fire horizontally instead of vertically (down), but this remains theoretical.

Armor and defense

Scipling are heavily armoured with overlapping layers of multi-material plates that given the outer hull a scale-like appearance. Though we have been unable to confirm the exact composition of these layers, keen observers have claimed that at least one surface layer is comprised of an unknown type of wood coated in a thick, dark green resin. Each plate is attached to the hull with a flanged metal rod that is accessible from inside the ship. Each of these rods is connected to a wire that somehow attaches to the nearest anchor firing system.
These scales and anchor firing system are the primary armour and defense of any scipling against the magical storms that ravage the Neol Strait. The scales appear to have magical-dispeling and routing properties, which can redirect strong magical energies through the frame of the ship and down into the anchors, thus protecting the ship and cargo.

Additional & auxiliary systems

The anchor firing systems are critical to prevent substantial damage to the scipling when crossing the Neol Strait. Each anchor corresponds to one (or more) magical types, and if the ship is subjected to strong magical energies of that type, the magic is absorbed into the ships plates (or through the masts/sails) and routed to the corresponding anchor. Using a portion of that magical power, the anchor is fired down out of the ship to the seabed, where the magical energy then flows and dissipates into the natural environment.

Nickname

Scips

Designation

MSV

Beam

7m to 15m

Length

20m to 75m

Height

4m to 10m

Speed

Varies

Complement / Crew

Small sciplings can have crews as few as 10 sailors, larger sciplings can have up to 100