Rorqual

The Brigantine 'The Rorqual' stands as a notable example of maritime craftsmanship and history. Originally part of the fleet of the Duchy of Rhionna on the planet Lyra in the Helianna star system, this vessel was commandeered by the group known as the Nex. Captained last by Sande du Clausse, 'The Rorqual' has a recorded history spanning over 1200 cycles, marked by its various voyages and the adventures encountered.

History

According to the last captain's, Sande du Clausse logs, The Rorqual is a Brigantine stolen by the Nex from the Duchy of Rhionna in the planet of Lyra in the star system of Helianna in the Riftspace of Entelion. The ship seems to have been under the possession of captain du Clausse for about 1200 "cycles".

Captain's Tassidus Mercalion logs, the ship sailed for the first time in the year 1488 AI and it seems during the next 5 years have sailed over 6 times from Rhionna to the Lyrian Archipelago protecting colonist vessels making a very perilous crossing across teh skies over the Aegean sea. On the last Captain's log by Camptain Tassidus, it seems that the crew was investigating "a weird looking storm of colourful lights near the shores of Dragonfly Island".

Sail Plan

The ship has 2 masts (mainmast and foremast) with square rigging, a Spanker, a bowsprit with 3 jib sails, and a variety of triangular and supporting sails.

Mainmast

The main mast has 4 sails, From top to bottom

Main Topgallant

Main Upper topsail

Main Lower topsail

Main Course

The Main mast also has a Spanker. Between the main mast and the foremast there is also a Main topmast staysail.

Foremast

The foremaste has 3 sails, From top to bottom,

Fore upper topsail

Fore lower topsail

Fore course

The Foremast is also rigging 3 jib sails to the bowsprt, Top to bottom Flying jib, Inner Jib and outer jib.

Decks

The Rorqual has 3 decks under the main deck (surface of the ship), and a top side with two raised decks and their surface, from bottom to top,

Orlop Deck

The Orlop is the lowest deck of the ship. Most of the cargo of the ship is stored here. In the forward starboard (right hand side as the ship sails) of the orlop there is a side hatch door. The door opens by dropping downwards creating a balcony with the openning of 4 meters in width and 2 in height.

Ether Core

On the aft (back) of the ship spanning both the orlop and berth decks there is the Ether Core room. The Ether core is a spherical device that allows the ship to levitate. The enormous magical device is kept in place with beams connected directly to the super structure of the ship.

Berth Deck

The "Berth Deck" on a ship, is a deck where the marine's sleeping berths are located. The crew would slings their hammocks here and rests when not on duty. CHests with the personal items of the crew are also located here. The Berth deck is generally an open space separated only the two bulkheads of the ship from the Ether core in the aft and the launch hatch in the front.

The Anima rods of the ship are mostly distributed equally around the berth close to the middle of the ship to keep them safe and provide warmth of the sleeping crewmen

The Launch

In the front of the berth there is the Launch Hatch, 2 big hatches on either side of the ship provide a launching point for smaller vessels or flying beasts. in a closed area in front of the launch the ships anchor chain is also stored.

Plane Rift Opener (Rifter)

Perhaps the most complex piece of magical equipment of the ship is the "Rifter" a device that can create rifts in space and allow the ship to cross the Infinite black sea into another and travel to another plane or existence.

Gun Deck

The Gun deck is the deck where the ship's cannons were mounted and operated. when the ship is not in battle the deck is used as a common space for the crew and in times it is used as additional berth fot crew or passengers or cargo storage. In general storing cargo in this part of the ship is dangerous due to the fact that if a battle ensues the crew will not be able to operate efficiently and can cause damage to the cargo, the crew and make the cannnons inoperable.

The Rorqual has 14 Broadside 24-pounder cannons, average in both range and damage these cannons allow the ship to battle most ships of its class and under its class, while with some good seamanship and due to the agility of the ship it is able to take on also bigger, less maneuverable targets.

One of the, apparently, most important innovations of the Rorqual are the 7 Bolt Turrets of the ship.Four of those turrent are located in the quarters of the gundeck providing a 180 degrees horizontal and 90 degrees vertical arc of fire on either port and starboard side of the ship. Two more are located at the front of the ship as "chasers" and a single turret is located on top of the quarter deck facing the back of the ship. These Magical guns are connected by using blocollium cables to the rods on the deck below.

Weather Deck

The "Weather Deck" (also known as the Main deck) on a ship is the uppermost deck exposed to the weather and elements. The main deck is where most of the ship's operations take place, especially those involving sailing and navigation, this would include activities like managing sails, rigging, and steering. In the midship of the main deck is the top hatch of the ship. A lockable 2x2 meters wide double-door hatch that covers the "well" (or chute) a hole that passes through the hole ship, all the way down to the orlop.

The main deck is protected with a tall railing that provides both safety from the elements and enemy fire for mariners on it. The railing is made by the same hard lumber the hull of the ship is made of and it is equipped with holes and arrowslits for the crew to attack in relative safety.

Quarter Deck

The Quarter Deck is a focal point of ship command and navigation. It is located at the rear part of the ship and slightly elevated from the main deck, offering a commanding view of the entire vessel. This area is typically reserved for the ship's officers and captain. It houses the navigation room, complete with navigation charts, sextants, and other tools essential for plotting courses through the planes. The Ley Lines observatory, a key feature for interplanar navigation, is also situated here. Additionally, this deck includes the officer quarters, providing living and private working spaces for the ship's higher-ranking crew members.

Galley

The Galley is equipped with facilities to prepare and cook meals for the entire crew. The kitchen is designed to function efficiently even during the rigors of space travel, with secure storage for ingredients and utensils to prevent disarray during turbulent conditions. Adjacent to the kitchen is the carpenter's shop, a vital area where ongoing maintenance and necessary repairs of the ship are managed. The Galley also houses the Surgeon's Cot, a compact medical space where crew members receive medical attention and care. This deck is a communal area where crew members gather, not only for meals but also for social interaction, making it a vital part of daily life aboard the ship.

Forecastle

The Forecastle of 'The Rorqual' is located at the front of the ship. It is a raised deck that gives an unobstructed view forward, crucial for lookout duties and navigating through celestial obstacles. This area also houses the foresail and the anchor wheel, essential for the ship's sailing operations. The Forecastle is equipped with two front chaser bolt turrets, providing a formidable offensive capability against any threats encountered ahead. The figurehead, a once-detailed representation of a whale, though now weathered and nearly unrecognizable, adds a touch of historical character to the ship. The Forecastle is not only a functional space but also a vantage point offering crew members a chance to gaze into the vastness of space during their journey.

Poop Deck

The Poop Deck, located at the stern of 'The Rorqual', is an elevated platform that provides an extensive view of the ship's wake and the space beyond. This deck typically includes the ship's wheel, the primary control mechanism for steering the vessel. A single back chaser bolt turret is strategically placed here, offering defensive capabilities against any threats approaching from behind. T

Crow's nest

The Crow's Nest, a high lookout point where crew members can observe distant objects or approaching vessels. This deck is not just a crucial area for navigation and defense; it's also a place where crew members can take a moment to reflect on their journey and the vastness of the cosmos they traverse.

Power

The Rorqual has an extended anima bank rated at 100,000 anima. x10 10,000 anima rod crystals. Brocollium Anima Distribution conduits from the rods to the core and the weapons

Maneuverablity and Propulsion

The ship's levitation is possible due to a 3rd generation Ether core that requires in average height 24 anima / hour

Weapons

The Rorqual is armed with 19 guns. 14 front loading 24-pounder cannons and 5 bolt shooters.

24-pounders

The 24-pounder cannons are placed on the broadsides of the ship on the 3rd deck of the ship (gun deck) right under the sailing deck of the ship. Each gun requires a minimum of 3 marines to be operated at all, but it is recommended to have a crew of 6. (When operated as a military vessel the Rorqual had a compliment of 90 marines and 10 officers)

Bolt Shooter Turrets

Bolt shooters are guns that make use of anima to hurl magical bolts of energy to enemy ships. They require no gunpowder but use the anima stored in the anima rods (4 - 12 anima per shot). Bolt shooters, contrary to cannons can be operated by a single marine. The 2 bolt shooters are bow chaser turrets (turrets in the front of the ship), four are placed in the middle of the ship, midship turret and other one is a bow chaser turret (at the back of the ship).

Armament

Gunpower

The Rorqual has a gunpowder magazine is a 2 cubic meters heavily armored (wood and metal platee) compartment placed safely in the middle of the second deck able to store, 5000 lb of gunpowder. (2230kg) in 50 100 lb kegs (each keg is roughly 12x12x12 inch (30cm). The gunpowder stored there gives the ship in averate the ability to shoot each gun around 30 times (420 shots).

Ammunition

The ships's Shot Locker is located at the Orlop deck close to the main chute. It's able to hold around 12000lb (about 5 tonnes) of Ammunition. The Shot Locker (or Ordnance Safe) is a space dedicated to storing cannonballs and other types of ammunition. It is located near the gun deck for easy access during battle, but far enough to minimize the risk in case of an accidental explosion or fire.

Round Shot

Round shot is a solid iron ball, round shot it is the most common type of cannonball. It is used to smash through the hulls of ships, destroy rigging, and cause structural damage. Round shot can also be effective against fortifications and infantry formations. When fired, it will travel in a relatively straight trajectory, inflicting damage primarily through its kinetic energy and the force of impact.

Cannister Shot

Canister shot is essentially a tin can filled with small iron or lead balls, similar to a large shotgun shell. When fired, the can would burst open, and the small balls would spread out, functioning like a shotgun blast. This type of ammunition is particularly effective at short range. Canister shot is used primarily against enemy personnel, causing devastating injuries. It is less effective against structures or ships but was lethal against boarding parties or soldiers in tight formations.

Chain Shot

Chain shot consists of two smaller, sub-caliber iron balls connected by a short chain. It is specifically designed to destroy rigging, masts, and sails of ships. When fired, the chain would extend, spinning and cutting through anything in its path. This could effectively disable a ship by damaging its ability to maneuver or sail.

Armor & Defenses

The rorqual is separated into 14 hull compartments (H1-H15, 11 Sails (S1-S11), 4 Masts(M1-MR) and the rudder (S0). Each type compartment has a different Damage Reduction (DR), Armor Class (AC), Hardness and Hitpoints (HP). The Rorqual has no armor plating or an anima shield generator.

The Hull of the Rorqual is made of a Medium thickness (25cm) Dark Oak lumber. Although it is posisble, the Rorqual has no additional armor plating on top of its hull.

Hull (H1-H17)

Hull Profile

DR 15/bludgeoning;

AC: 22 (10 + 16 Natural - 4 Size

Hardness: 30

Hit Points/compartment: 100

Hull Sections

H1-2 Ether Core

H3 Orlop Cargo Hold 1

H4 Orlop Cargo Hold 2

H5 Orlop Cargo Hold 3

H6 Berth Quarters 1

H7 Berth Quarters 2

H8 Berth Launch

H9 Gundeck Stern

H10 Gundeck Midship 1

H11 Gundeck Midship 2

H12 Gundeck Bow

H13 Quarter Deck

H14 Main Deck

H15 Galley

H16 Poop Deck

H17 Forecastle

Masts (M1-M4)

Masts Profile

DR 15/bludgeoning

AC: 26

Harness: 35

Hit Points: 50 / mast

Masts Sections

M1 Main Mast Spanker

M2 Main Mast

M3 Fore Mast

M4 Bowsprit

Rudder (S0)

DR 15/piercing

AC: 12

Hardness: 5

Hit Points: 50

Sails (S1-S12

Sails Profile

DR 15/piercing

AC: 12

Hardness 5

Hit Points: 75 / sail

Sails Sections

S1 Spanker

S2 Main Sail (Main Course)

S3 Lower Main Top Sail

S4 Upper Main Top Sail (Upper)

S5 Main Top Gallant

S6 Fore Course

S7 Lower Fore Top Sail

S8 Upper Fore Top Sail

S9 Main topmast Staysail (Staysail)

S10 Flying Jib

S11 Inner Jib

S12 Outer Jib

Anima Points Stored

30,000/100,000

Gunpowder

1,500/5,000lbs

Ammunition

x80 24lb Round shot
x20 Cannister Shot
x10 Chain Shot

Related Technologies

• Anima Levitation Core

Beam

9m

Length

40m

Height

8.5m (under main deck) , 11m (Poop and Forecastle, +17m Main Mast

Speed

16 Knots (30km/18miles/1hex) / hour

Complement / Crew

Berth for Captain, 10 Officers, 100 Marines

Cargo

2300 Mandays of Food

20 Caskets of Rum

40 tons of Dark Oak 10inch thick lumber

500m Heavy Rope

100m Brocolium Cable