Powder Ship

"With the aid of magical winds, the Lakuye are able to traverse the desert with speed and ease on their 'powder ships.'"~On Exotic Peoples

Lakuye powder ships are vehicles designed to traverse the deserts they call home. The craft is designed similarly to a double hulled canoe with a platform spanning the two and a large triangular sail in the middle. The craft are able to travel at speeds outmatching any creatures of the desert with the exception of some birds, making them invaluable as transport. Though they are used in warfare, their primary purpose is to ferry troops to the battlefield quickly rather than to participate in battle. This is part of the larger Lakuye strategy of luring enemy armies into the desert and falling upon them when they are furthest from any source of water to ensure a crushing defeat.

Propulsion

Powder ships are powered by the wind, often provided by on-board mages in order to navigate more effectively and accurately.

Weapons & Armament

Some larger powder ships are equipped with mounted ballistae and armored plating, though this is mainly for defense as the primary function of powder ships in war is to quickly ferry troops to the battlefield and leave rather than actually participate in the battle and the weight of armaments dramatically slow the speed which is vital to their effectiveness.

Length

Between 5 and 25 meters

Speed

Pwder Ships can travel up to 55 kmph with skilled mages on board.

Complement / Crew

Powder Ships are always crewed by at least one mage and often a second to ensure the vessel can move. The vessel is also crewed by guards, a captain, and between three to ten hands to handle rigging.