Mantis

The Mantis is a Scro spelljammer and one of the most deadly warships active today in wildspace.

Weapons & Armament

The Mantis was created solely to counter the Man-O-Wars used by the Imperial Elven Navy (IEN). It's two large front blades are designed to grapple enemy vessels while also tearing at its hull. In the event an enemy vessel dodges, the large blade bisecting the back of the Mantis or the two runners underneath it can sheer into their hull. Each of these weapons were crafted with the intent of destroying the wings of the various IEN warships, severely cutting down their manuverability.
Once grappled, a boarding crew slides down the arms and sides of the Mantis to attack the enemy vessel's crew directly. The slides on the side of the Mantis are slick, designed to allow Scro to quickly board an enemy vessel while frustrating attempts by the enemy to do the same to them.
Notably, while the Mantis can safely support 50 within its air envelope, Scro in wartime put as many as 75 Scro on board, 50% more than common sense would allow for. This danger is offset by accompanying war priests, who regularly cast fog cloud to keep the air breathable.
Traditionally, Mantis ships are equipped with only 2 ballistas and 1 mangonel. There is room on the Mantis for more, but Scro consider warfare to be an art form and value capturing enemy vessels over destroying them from a distance.

Armor and defense

The exterior of the Mantis is covered in heavy plating. Both the armor and the various blades on the vessel's exterior are regularly buffed and burnished to keep them in top condition.

Class

Spelljammer

Manufacturer

Scro

Price

175,00 gp

Width

30 ft.

Length

150 ft.

Weight

50 tons

Complement / Crew

12 (minimum) ; 50 (maximum) ; 75 (wartime standard)

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

20 tons

by Kelly Freas

A Mantis tearing the wings of an elven Man-O-War