Aerships

Aerships, the finest vessels to fly across the skies. From the dinghies of the troposphere to the flagships of the mesosphere, Aerships are the primary and cheapest method of transportation between islands.
The pilot fitted with a chronometer, barometer, and thermometer, the environment can be safely monitored from the helm - making nautical travel a breeze. The ships come in all shapes and sizes, utilised by both civilians and military. The aership is the crowning achievement of the Chartered Sky; they be found near and far across the Cluster.

Power Generation

The ship is powered by a central engine, sometimes tied to the ship's method of propulsion, but often a standalone device found near the centre of the vessel. These engines can be powered by natural fuel-sources, but this method has grown outdated in more recent cycles. 
The invention of the Magnus Core has made airships in the Cluster some of the most desirable, the core not only provides airships with the ability to move, but also to stay aloft if systems of propulsion fail. Cores are not only highly expensive but well-sought.

Propulsion

The primary method of propulsion used by most airships consists of Aether-Sails; a fine silken material which naturally fill with a steady wind when raised. However, the shape and form of the sails can vary from ship-to-ship. Many modern ships arrange the Aether-Sails to resemble that or large balloons, with additional aether being pumped into them from mounted tanks.
Occasionally vessels will be fitted with a propulsion engine, a machine capable of using various fuel-sources as a method of combustion, providing aerships with greater speed and more tactile manoeuvres - typically reserved for larger military frigates.

Weapons & Armament

Aerships, when armed, feature the popular Thunderstone cannons. Typically a main gun will be mounted around the bow of the ship, with smaller armaments affixed to the sides and starboard for matters of flanking defence. 
Many aerships will sometimes use simpler gunpowder canons, however these can be more deadly as the ship requires a store of gunpowder to sustain them.

Armor and defense

Aerships are known for typically being made of wood and therefore vulnerable to most attacks, as well as the elements of temperature, humidity, and weather.
Expensive methods have been utilised to protect ships however, including magical shielding as well as metallic reinforcement of the hull. Some higher-end military vessels have been more recently fitted out with Ironglass hulls, an effective but expensive method to protect ships from enemy fire, made popular by the Svirken Iconoclast fleet

Communication Tools & Systems

Aerships communicate with one another with the use of a double-flag-based language called "skywave." Flags can also be affixed to the mast for general purposes, usually on a more commercial level, though some span into military use. 
Disregarding flags representing diplomatic factions, some mast-bound flags can relate to friendliness, approach, hostility, isolation, and/or warnings.

Price

On the market for 500 - 20,000gp

Length

Various

Height

Various

Weight

Various

Speed

Various