Eagalleon
Description
The largest class of ship within the entire fleet of The Escarpês and their golden ticket to naval supremacy, if it weren't for these The Maritime Republics would have a much more difficult time maintaining as tight a leash on the seas as they do. Multi-decked and square-rigged, they are capable of weathering even the mightiest of squalls while carrying the greatest of loads. The latter point is of note, as it's what an Eagalleon carries that defines it's role in matters of both coin and combat. A relatively recent development, orginally consisting of retrofitted cargo ships there has since been dedicated vessels constructed after the initial idea proved such a success. It is now not uncommon to see them patrolling around the various waters in Terra Speculae, their great raptorial figureheads basking in full glory, ever on the lookout for their next mark.
The Cargo
Native to the archipelagos of The Republics lives a species of social predatory raptor, which The Aguàla have since domesticated over the course of centuries. It is these very birds alongside falcons that are less "domesticated" and more so "tamed" that nest within the various nooks and crannies of the craft. Although they prefer to perch on the masts and rails weather permitting, which has the added benefit of intimidating any ships passing by. Should one of those vessels prove to have more mettle than mind and make the foolish decision in engagement then the signal is given and the birds are released.
Tactics
Escaping out of every conceivable exit, they begin flying in formation until they reach their target at which point a cacawphony of feathers and fury is unleashed upon the unwary. After an initial incendiary run, the eagles begin dragging men overboard with their serrated talons whilst simultaneously instinctually coalescing the rest into a tighter and tighter ball, making them easier prey for the next eagle. All the meanwhile, falcons shred the sails with razor-sharp wing-blades and pick off random individual targets at nearly four hundred kilometres per hour. Very few are able to endure such an ordeal and make it out alive.
Some Kriegfeldans thought they would be clever and decided to provoke an Eagalleon while donned in plate. Hearing tall tales of the riches within and believing their armour to be far too thick for the eagles' talons to pierce through, they figured it would be like finding the sun at high noon, money for old rope. The Eagalleon simply responded by destroying their sails, leaving them stranded. At least the others were given the mercy of a relatively quick death.
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