Junk

Endless rows of bright autumnal sails line the Taru docks, and remain a symbol of traditional Taruan seafaring culture. While some may disregard the ship as woefully outdated, junks were essential for Taru's miracle success in ultimately defending themselves in the The Second Armada, and are still maintained and used for work and travel to this day.

Attributes

In Sea Hears, junks are wooden ships that may contain a single sail, or a number of sails that are especially flexible due to being battened, which makes them conducive to creating a streamlined aerofoil for sailing smoothly across the Taruan sea. Junks have strong manuavability and may have compartments below and above deck, but will not store much in the way of supplies or valuables. Usually, there are no nests, and sailors will rely on their eyesight, monocular telescopes, and their instincts to detect potential danger in the sea.

Terrible creatures under the sea may appear suddenly alongside a tidestorm of their own making. All humans have a natural ability to potentially detect the incoming danger, which is akin to feeling a strong bout of nausea, a headache and a cold, sharp sting at the spine.

A few Magi may have a Gift that can improve their ability to detect danger at sea, such as the Gift of Instinct which strengthens detection of animal and natural based dangers, and the Gift of Foresight which can detect potential enemy ships or platoons that may endanger the crew. These members can be particularly valuable on junk boats.

Junks are primarily working ships, rather than ships of war, so traditionally carry few weapons. Crew members are likely to fight themselves using their own bow and arrows, javellins and magic. However a small fleet were fitted with canons after the War of Spears. After the Second Armada, Taru has held a small fleet of ships including junks for defence, but this is an unsteady practice, with pressure from Cantari - Empire to permanently retire them.

Varieties

There are no hard rules for what makes a junk, which creates a great deal of variation of the vessel. Taruan junks are usually crafted by hand, with the knowledge passed down between families. After the Second Armada, many shipbuilding families were lost, and great efforts have been made by Lo Chen to retain a variety of different Taruan shipbuilding methods, rather than maintaining a standardised method.
The simpliest of junks are sometimes referred to as sloops. These will contain a single battened sail with minimal features, and are designed for a small crew of 1 to 12 members. Often used for fishing or discreet transport, they can be surprisingly speedy.
Other junks may contain oars, harpoons, and several private compartments above deck and below to house important guests or for crew to switch places and rest.

Historical Role

It is said that the people from Taru were one of the first to leave the ISAAC ships when humanity first began to return to the land, yet their connection to the sea was still very strong. Junks were created to continue the Taruan desire to explore the seas, find food and trade. Their distinctive shape made it easy for other nations to recognise, and gained Taru a strong seafaring reputation.
During the Second Armada, Taru underwent civil war which much of the battle raging across the sea. Supporters of the Cantari Empire would hoist red flags on the sails, while supporters of Federation would hoist blue flags. Eventually, a third side led by Lo Chen and Qing Chen used grey flags to represent themselves and true Taruan independence. They succeeded in ending the Second Armada by unleashing powerful magic alongside superior navigational strategy, with a little help from allies such as Alice Monaghan.

Myths

There are several myths and Taruan Poetry that reference the precious junk.

There was a genuine ache

in the wind's heart.

A thousand cuts in the golden sail

so death do apart.

'A thousand cuts in the golden sail' is a common saying in Taru which expressess helplessness and dispair.
Occassionally myths such as The Love of Aria and Aries feature a junk, however if such a tale was true it is very unlikely the nymph would use one.

Modern Day Use

Before the Council of Magi revealed itself to the world, people in Taru would keep their magic a secret. During the night, young children would travel via a junk to Yoko Island to attend school and learn how to use their powers. In modern day the general public are aware of magic and magi, yet students still try to discreetly board junks to attend Taru International Academy.
Not only are junks still used for fishing and transport, they can also be used for ferrying tourists around the coast and participating in festivals. Junks also participate in Taruan festivals, and remain a symbol of the recent war and Taruan independence.

Academy Use

The headmaster of Taru International Academy, Alice Monaghan, purposefully hired Lo Chen to teach seafaring to students, to maintain a vital Taruan traditional and introduce it to international students. Seafaring is possibly the least popular subject at the academy, but it is famous for helping students learn to trust one another, build connections and bridge their differences in the cold Taruan seas.

Game Mode

In the visual novel, an optional component is a mini game that will allow you to sail your own junk boat across the Taruan coast. During The Voyage you will be introduced to a tutorial via a kind young boy called Marine. The mini game is turn based, which each turn informing on the sea's nature, your junk's speed and the situation.
You will have access to different options which affects the ship's speed and performance. The key to sailing the junk is to keep your stats balanced. You will undoubtedly take some knocks now and again, but ensure you don't fully destroy the ship beyond repair and you should be good to sail on!

Many things optional!

All mini games are intended to be optional, with small bonuses for those who wish to enjoy them. Lessons are optional too, if you play as a student character, you could choose to skip classes such as Seafaring. There may be some unpleasant consequences though... Don't tell Lo Chen!

Junk ship in the article bannenr and game screenshots belongs to Sailing Ocelot Studios. Other pictures are free for commercial use thanks to Pixabay.com and Pexels.com

Manufacturer

Taru

Duncan's Prologue by Sailing Ocelot Studios

Scene: Duncan's Prologue
Spirits can hide in old wood. Taruan sailors traditionally burn incense, pray and then ring a bell to release the spirits for easier sailing. Students who are not used to being near such a gathering of spirits can find themselves falling ill or experiencing temporary delusions.

Some international students at Taru International Academy will experience sailing on a junk for the first time during the traditional voyage to Yoko Island.

Lo Chen is a playable character in the main visual novel. A veteran of the Second Armada and now Master of Seafaring at the academy, you can choose to guide your students well and/or figure out who the ghostly figure haunting students by the coast really is...

Taru is an incredibly important setting in the visual novel, as the academy for the students is based on one of Taru's secret islands. Many international students experience cultural shock at Taru's laid back attitude.

by Pixabay

by Pexels

by Pexels