The Silver Wind

The Silver Wind was the personal exploring vessel of Sito bel-Yezden a'Jiyar - the great post-Exile explorer who re-mapped the coast of the Lost Continent, and 'rediscovered' the South Isles, the Storm Isles, the Far Isles, and the Cedar Isles (the latter having already been re-contacted by the Welds, but having lost all knowledge of the other island chains).
It was purpose built for this voyage - which would never previously have been undertaken. Before the Empty Invasion, the ports of the Lost Continent were rich and well supplied - large (often slow) ships shuttled between them. Even the longest range ships, travelling from the south coast up to the far north, had ample ports to call in to resupply. In contrast, Sito fully expected that he would find every island uninhabited, and all water polluted. Instead of frequent resupply, Sito faced a journey he estimated at 3,500 miles - later mapping has revised this down to approximately 3,100.
Sito thus needed to design the vessel both to make the transit as speedily as possible - to reduce the supplies needed - but also to carry as many supplies as possible for an undoubtedly long voyage (and the potential for delays). The result was a sleek, sparse, craft. There were two decks of accommodation beneath the topdeck, and a small forecastle and quarter deck at front and rear. Every aspect of the ship was designed either around speed - with side sails deployable to capture every breath of wind (still called the Sito Sail) - or supplies. Sito had several bespoke designs of container created, allowing solid food to be stored along the walls and under hammocks.
In the event, Sito's journey was a resounding success - the ship reached the South Isles within a week, and found them inhabited. Shocked by the arrival of so advanced a vessel, they explained that they had had a period of approximately 100 years isolation, that the community had shrunk considerably with the loss of trade, but that their native sailors had seen the ports fall to Empty attack, and they had understood why they were isolated. The supplies they picked up from a grateful community lasted them almost long enough to reach the Storm Isles (the South Islanders reminding them that they were almost exactly due east - but that they had had no contact with them).
From there, the voyage continued as described in Sito's 'New Writing on the Old World,' taking just over 100 days. The ship itself was feted on arrival, and suggestions were made to keep it in Stoneford. However, the Prince of Jellnev who had sponsored Sito had already laid claim to the vessel and the crew made the return voyage after a few weeks rest and celebration.
First displayed as a trophy in Onnos, the Silver Wind was later used to repeat the voyage with similarly designed ships, as part of failed attempts at colonisation and trade among the islands. It was on the last of these that she was wrecked, and Sito killed in the disaster. Though the wreck had to remain on the Storm Islands (there was no chance of recovery), Sito's body was swiftly preserved and taken to Watch Island (the southernmost of the Far Isles) for burial, as he had requested.

Creation Date

85 AC

Destruction Date

143 AC

Rarity

Unique

Beam

8m

Length

50m

Complement / Crew

200 oarsmen, 10 officers