Scalebarge

Within the Treibsand Desert, there once existed an ancient civilization of lizard-folk devoted to a serpentine god they called Bahal. After thousands of years of their reign across Akraphis, it was abruptly brought to an end in the Primal Age when their human slaves overthrew their masters and founded the Hyperion Empire. One of their many inventions was one that helped them traverse the harsh desert that they made their home and is still in use today: the Scalebarge.



Scalebarge are rather simple vessels, typically resembling a rather basic raft with a central mass and sail. Some of them, especially those owned by the wealthy and powerful, were much more elaborate and almost cities unto themselves. These had many different layers and amenities within, allowing it to be fully sustainable on its own, but have mostly been lost to the ages.

The basic concept of the Scalebarge is to have a main platform for any passengers, crew, and cargo being carried where the mast connects to, and a raised platform where the navigator operates the wheel. Underneath, there are rail-like hulls that help it glide over the sand like a boat skimming the water.

Scalebarges are a common sight in the Treibsand Desert where the Hyperion Empire pilfered the design and used it as its own, but they are extraordinarily rare to find elsewhere. One company, Coatl’s Apexware, has been working on bringing them to The Burning Wastes, but has been largely unsuccessful thus far.

Propulsion

Scalebearers are propelled in two ways: First by their large sail that utilizes the heavy winds found across the Treibsand Desert; and second by a layer of magic that resides within its bottom hulls to help it skim over the desert sands at high speed. This method of propulsion, while efficient and quick, can prove temperamental and requires the operator to ensure that they leave the brake on whenever the barge is not in use, which is a metal pole able to dig several feet into the ground to prevent movement. It is a rather more common sight than would typically be funny to see one of the Scalebarges go skittering across the dunes on its own.

Rarity

Uncommon

Length

30 feet

Height

50 feet

Weight

2000 pounds

Speed

150 feet