Airships

Aairships are flying ships. They helped to keep humanity alive during the Uncertain Era by providing the necessary mobility across the icy wastes. Airships allowed for the flow of ideas and the sharing of supplies where they could be spared. As the Age of Reclamation started, they became vital to the new nations to keep things running smoothly.

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Typology

They are classified into four types: Type 1 is the traditional style of airship lifted by wizardry, Type 2 uses gasses to keep itself aloft in soft sided balloons with no rigid structure, Type 3 uses the same lifting structure as Type 2 but with a rigid structure to protect the balloons, Type 4 uses alchemical substances and processes to fly.

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History

No one is sure who invented it or when the first airship was invented. All that is known is that they were common place during the Aeon of Guidance. From archeological records the first airships were all Type 1. When the Age of Uncertainty entered there were only a few surviving examples. These were then used as inspiration for the creation of the first Type 2 airships. The problem with Type 2 airships is weight. As they are lighter than air and fragile they were dangerous and were susceptible to the weather. Type 3 came into being to protect the lifting bags and allow for safer operations in bad weather. These appeared relatively early in the Uncertain Era, so few records about their invention and early adoption have survived to this day.

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Utility

As airships can be designed to fulfill many different roles however the Type of the airship will have the most impact on what role they will be fulfilling. Type 1 and Type 4 airships are used for long range and heavy duty work, jobs like as passenger liners, cargo ships, warships and yachts. Type 3 craft are usually smaller than the average Type 1 or Type 4 vessel and will be things such as sky cranes, local passenger service, inspection and policing. Type 2 vessels have all but disappeared with Type 3 taking over the majority of the work they historically did. However due to them only having a small rigid portion they are often life boats, observation craft, and shuttles for larger vessels.

Manufacturing

Like their water based counterparts airships are built in shipyards. Airshipyards are often built in cities near rail, ship or another connection to help get the materials in to build the airship efficiently. Yards that build Type 2 and Type 3 vessels need to be enclosed so that inclement weather doesn’t damage them while they are under construction. Type 1 and Type 4 vessels don’t require the protection of an enclosed space and are often built in the same yards used for ships.