Duneskiff

Operation and Components

Propulsion

Standard Duneskiffs operate using a series of cooperating propulsion systems. The first is a series of technomantically enhanced, carefully carved magnetite, available in abundance on Yridos mounted in swivelling housings on the underside of the ship that provide levitation, and assist with acceleration and deceleration, controlled from the helm. The second is a varying number of rear-facing engines. Both of these are steered using a kind of rudder-like apparatus at the held that is chained down to complicated mechanical components below deck.

Utility

Duneskiffs began as an industrial vehicle used on Yridos to ease the transportation of people and goods across the expanses of sand more easily and quickly. They come in a variety of sizes, including large, flat cargo platforms to smaller, personal modes of transportation.

All Duneskiffs rely on a series of grav-lev repulsors underneath that interact with gravitational forces, repelling them to create lift. They achieve forward propulsion using a combination of sails, arcane engines, beasts of burden, and oars, having anywhere from one to all of them.

Social Impact

A cultural cornerstone of life on Yridos, many people have taken to modifying their Duneskiffs, using them as representation of themselves and their personality. The culture of modification initially led to local events where people would come together to display the unique designs, decorations, or performance enhancements they had made. These events often included small races by those into the performance aspect.

Slowly, Duneskiff racing became more commonplace, and official races sprung up in every region, accepting winners from the rural races to the regional competitions. Winners walked away with money, and an invitation to the second largest race, The Spiremaw Rally in Afasit. Winners there took greater prices, and were invited to the Lost Dunes Championship, hosted by the Grand Heirophant of Yridos in Spirehold.

Access & Availability

Duneskiffs are the most common form of powered transportation on Yridos, with all successful merchants, travellers, and those of an upper middle class income owning one.

Discovery

A common vehicle during the time of the Empire, the vehicles were scattered around Yridos, and after the Fall they were picked up as they were found. It is believed they were created by a Technomancer from the guild who had once called Yridos home, although the information has been lost to time.