Smokers

Ship on the horizon! South by southwest! Either it's on fire or it's a Smoker!

Smokers, as they are colloquially known in Eynorian Common, are large ocean faring ships from beyond the Ikarrian Sea. They obtain their names from the plumes of black smoke spewing forth from the two mid-ship chimneys while underway. They are faster than any vessel from Eynoria, owing their speed to two large side-mounted wooden paddles and five tall sail masts.
They are built of wood sheathed with copper, with an iron keel and inward curving prow. The forecastle and aftcastle are covered with curved roofs, with wooden tiles lacquered with red, purple, green or orange.
Visits occur in late spring every two to three years, with the first occurring occurring on the 14th of Spirit's Glow, 972 Era of Spirits. Vessels arriving off the coasts of Ignei and eastern Aaltiera were originally treated with suspicion. After goods and silver changed hands, these strangers were suddenly treated warmly, despite the language barrier. They faced outright hostility in Dragaeyn, the one vessel that attempted to enter a harbour there was met with cannon fire after being unable to identify themselves. Despite taking some damage, the Smoker's high speed allowed it to escape.
The appearance of such vessels on the horizon are often a cause for celebration for the merchants of Ignei and eastern Aaltiera. These ships bring with them exotic herbs, spices, fabrics, and sometimes live ornamental fishes and flightless birds, all goods which merchants will pay good silver for. One good steadily growing in demand in Eynoria is one particular type of dried leaf, popular when steeped in hot water for a while. Eynorian merchants will pay a great deal of silver to the Smokers for hot-leaf, which they can then re-sell at ludicrous prices.
Smokers are especially interested in the Ignei markets, buying up as many fireworks as they can get their hands on despite the danger. They haven't been able to acquire flintlocks or raw Powder however, despite their attempts to barter for them.

Power Generation

There appears to be a large fire burning beneath the decks, possibly burning coal or pitch based on the plumes of black smoke and soot while underway. This may be somehow driving the two paddles.

Propulsion

Smokers are primarily propelled by two large wooden paddles, 10m in diameter, one mounted either side of the ship, inline with the ship's forward profile. These are responsible for the ship's impressive top speed.
They have five masts with battened sails rigged in a schooner configuration for auxiliary propulsion and stability in rough seas.

Weapons & Armament

There are numerous hatches along the length of the upper hull, presumably firing ports for cannons, though no-one's ever seen them to confirm or deny this.

Rarity

Rare

Width

17.5 m

Length

71 m

Weight

2050 tonne displacement

Speed

7.9 knots

Complement / Crew

60 crew