Dust Crosser

Dust Lakes are incredibly dangerous places travel across.   The usual Towerways that keep travelers safe across the terrain of Dust can't be built in the lakes as the water itself will erode the rock pillars. The constant maintenance and danger for workers that would have to upkeep the was proven ineffective and the new normal become the Dust Crossers.   These are small, long canoe-like vessels that carry mostly goods and non-passengers.   As the weather of Dust can be erratic, the sail is not often utilized, and not for long, as it has been known to be torn off with suddenly changes in the wind. Instead, 3-4 sailors are on the crosser, mostly utilizing small engines or stone and bone oars that will replaced as they weaken in the Dust Water.   The ships can stay in the water for limited amounts of time, they coat the bottom with a product similar to Stogrow Plaster, which under the strength of the water usually gives them three hours of safe usage. The lakes have set up spaces along the lakes for the crossers to rest and switch to a new crosser. Sometimes depending on the distance, new sailors will take over as well. Dust Crossers are a faster option to send goods and cargo over large bodies of water across dust lakes.    While Bridge Carriages can take up to three times as long, they are usually a safer option, as the dangers for crossers include compromising weather, any injuries from the sailors that prevents them from going the speed they need to, and the ever-present dangers of working in the Dust. Becoming Fogworn, encountering any activity form Ancestral Species and the like.
Rowing on a Dust Crosser is not a lifelong profession for many sailors.
"I'm going to need a new profession soon, my arms tend to cramp and ache halfway through the crossing these days."
-concerned Commonform
Aboard the crossers, are three spots for the sailors to sit and row, equipped with an extra oar, they keep under their bench seat in case of emergencies. They carry little else to keep the crosser as light as possible save for the cargo itself.   The cargo is located at the back of the ship, tied down with rope and latches alongside the sides to secure it to the ship. The crosser is shroud with a thin veil similar to a Bridgeway carriage to keep the chances of catching Fogworn to a minimum. Depending on the typical weather, some crossers have sails that will pierce the veil in case of emergencies where the crosser needs more power and the weather permits. A signal is sent out when this happens, to alert the landing crew of the higher chances of fogworn and other possible emergencies.

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Oct 7, 2021 20:46

first paragraph it looks like you dropped a word "upkeep the was"   over all very interesting article, but it left me wanting a little bit more. Things like the length and width of the boat can go a long way. as can its cargo capacity.   How do they get spare boats and sailors to the switching stations?   how fast are the boats if unloading and re-loading the cargo every 3 hours is faster than the bridge carriage?   just some things I was wondering after reading the article. Keep up the good work.

Check out some of my summer camp articles, like the dangerous flying jackalope or dragon wasps. Or, for something more light-hearted, there is the whimsical language Gobbledygook and Jaden's interesting job as a guano polisher.