Salmon Skiff

Overview

A salmon skiff is a boat used to travel along rivers. They are pulled by one or more animals that swim ahead of the boat, giving it the nicknames salmon or river tug. These style of boats are common trading and passenger vessels around the Dawn Seas since they are an easy way to travel to riverside settlements.

Vessel

Salmon skiffs have shallow hulls to easily navigate shallow parts of the rivers and be beached. They are relatively tiny boats with a small cargo hold or cabin. The helm of the boat has enough room to hold both the driver and any animals used to pull the boat when they are not currently swimming. Most skiffs have a top overhead to protect from rain.

Animals

The most common animal used to pull salmon skiffs are alligator drakes, colloquially known as river dogs. Because they are often easy to train and are fiercely loyal, making them perfect for the task. Those who can't afford to have a drake or would prefer a more easy going animal usually opt for a giant long-tailed turtle.
One to two animals are used depending on the wealth of the owner and size of the boat. When the boat is heading downstream and has no need to be pulled, the animals will stay in the helm with the driver.
When landed, the animals are either supervised by someone on the boat or brought to a specialized stable to be kept temporarily. The river animals used in salmon rarely enjoy being brought inside a town or kept out of the water too long.
If the boat doesn't have access to usable animals, they are capable of being rowed or traveling to a downstream. Extended journeys without animals are not advised.

Usage

While some people use their skiffs as small houseboats, most salmon skiffs are merchant vessels. They have enough cargo room for transporting goods from one settlement to another. In addition, boats with alligator drakes have innate protection from monsters both in and out of rivers.
Bloodhaven is known for their usage of salmon skiffs, capable of traveling with ease between the Major and Minor Dawn Seas. Despite the success of these boats near the Dawn Seas, they have seen little if any use in any other area of the world.

Notable Ships

Though few salmon skiffs get a reputation, a couple have enough fame to noteworthy.

Sailor & Mudskip

Named after the two drakes that pulled it, Sailor & Mudskip was the first salmon skiff. It was sailed by the designer, Andrea Coastelle. He decided to design a boat that would take him upriver without much effort by oarsmen. Alligator drakes were chosen due to their agility in the water and their partial domestication already, making them easier than other river creatures to control.
Sailor & Mudskip was a success, taking Coastelle all the way up the Gateway River within a fortnight. After this feat, the ship continued to sail for multiple years before it eventually got caught in rapids and crashed. Coastelle and Mudskip died in the crash but Sailor was later found collecting what remained of the boat.

Resounder

During the height of the Elven Empire, Resounder served as a scout and messenger ship that informed multiple rebellious alliances of Imperial movements and news. It was a pivotal part of the River Rebellion, allowing quick reactions to the Empire's strikes.
Multiple drivers and alligator drakes were used over the years the Resounder was in service. The most famous drake pair was Rippling Water and Cascade due to their speed and nimbleness in the water, especially during the many times the small ship infiltrated an enemy port under cover of night.
After the fall of the Empire, the boat was retired and is now kept as a trophy in the city of Viscathy.