Ship-Of-The-Line

The largest and most recent class of ship, having come into service following the end of The Demon War, Ships-Of-The-Line are the most powerful ships of the navies of both The Kingdom of Vallanna and The Kingdom of Ashalla.
Ships of this class range in size, filling the top four classifications in the Naval Rating system.
Fourth-Rate Ships-Of-The-Line carry a complement of around 300 crew, and are armed with between 50 and 64 cannons. They average at about 150 ft in length, with two lower decks, a forecastle and a quarterdeck. The fastest of the four classifications, they can be found both supporting the larger classifications, and leading their own fleets of smaller vessels.
Third-Rate Ships-Of-The-Line are slightly larger, carrying about 400 crew, between 64 and 80 cannons, and measuring around 170 to 180 ft in length, also with two lower gun-decks, a forecastle and a quarterdeck. Striking a good balance between firepower and manoeverability, when compared the other classifications, this rating-class is perhaps the most versatile.
Second-Rate Ships-Of-The-Line mark a change in the class into much larger ships, boasting three gundecks, plus a forecastle and quarterdeck, and measuring between 180 and 200 ft in length. They typically carry an armament of 90-98 cannons or various bore, and a crew complement of up to 500 sailors. Slower to manoever than the smaller classifications, this is more than made up for by the immense amount of firepower that they can bring to bear.
First-Rate Ships-Of-The-Line; known by some as the 'Royal-class', are the largest, most powerful, and rarest of the ship class. Armed with over 100 guns, spread across three gundecks, an extended forecastle and quarterdeck, they are crewed by up to 600 sailors. Up to 220 ft in length, these massive ships will be the centrepiece of a fleet, and often serve as the flagship for the admiral in command.

Propulsion

As with all ships of contemporary construction, propulsion is achieved through the use of sails.

Weapons & Armament

Boasting a huge number of cannons; exact numbers depending on the rating class which an individual ship falls into; Ships-Of-The-Line can bring a massive amount of firepower to bear against any foe.

Armor and defense

Many Ships-Of-The-Line will be outfitted with iron armour plating to certain sections of their outer hull, to protect vital internal structures and crew from incoming fire. Each ship-of-the-line will carry a large complement of marines, charged with both defending the ship in case of a boarding action, carrying out boarding actions of their own, and conducting security duties for any shore parties. Typically, during such a defensive boarding action, regular sailors will also take up arms in defense of the ship, if they are able.

Beam

40 - 50ft

Length

150 - 250ft (Upper Deck) 120 - 220 (Keel)

Complement / Crew

300 - 600