Cloud Glider
When the Starfall cataclysm sundered the world, blasting continent-sized landmasses aloft and fixing them in the sky, the vast open-air spaces between them became known as The Expanse.
These hovering landmasses were essentially separated from one another (and the wasteland below) until the year 701 A.D. (Astral Descent) when the first aerial sailing ship was constructed.
'Cloud Glider' was a tartane-style craft. Triangular sails protruded at angles from three equidistant points around the hull, connected by a mess of complicated rigging. It was constructed by Mestril Tobiasson of the Skyfront Republic and capable of limited gliding upon updrafts and air currents in The Expanse.
This primitive prototype proved airship flight was attainable, leading to innovations such as Withrock-fueled magical propulsion which: created independence from wind currents; enabled larger ships to remain aloft; and introduced levitation-style hovering. It would be years before a square rigged brigantine-style ship would make a pioneering first successful crossing of the Expanse, making contact with the Aetheria Dominion. A further decade would pass before sky-piracy was introduced alongside galleon-sized aerial warships fighting for control of the Expanse's shipping lanes (and control of Witchrock trade.) Some of Mestril's pioneering design innovations persist to this day.
Skyships allowed for greater trade, mobility, and exploration - reconnecting the sundered world. As international trade developed, it permitted the spread of culture and innovation across the known world.
Tobiasson would go on to found Skyforge Shipworks, the largest shipwright and vessel building outfitter to this day. His invention and subsequent iterative improvements provided the Skyfront Republic with the competitive advantage of the largest naval fleet to conduct and protect trade.
These hovering landmasses were essentially separated from one another (and the wasteland below) until the year 701 A.D. (Astral Descent) when the first aerial sailing ship was constructed.
'Cloud Glider' was a tartane-style craft. Triangular sails protruded at angles from three equidistant points around the hull, connected by a mess of complicated rigging. It was constructed by Mestril Tobiasson of the Skyfront Republic and capable of limited gliding upon updrafts and air currents in The Expanse.
This primitive prototype proved airship flight was attainable, leading to innovations such as Withrock-fueled magical propulsion which: created independence from wind currents; enabled larger ships to remain aloft; and introduced levitation-style hovering. It would be years before a square rigged brigantine-style ship would make a pioneering first successful crossing of the Expanse, making contact with the Aetheria Dominion. A further decade would pass before sky-piracy was introduced alongside galleon-sized aerial warships fighting for control of the Expanse's shipping lanes (and control of Witchrock trade.) Some of Mestril's pioneering design innovations persist to this day.
Skyships allowed for greater trade, mobility, and exploration - reconnecting the sundered world. As international trade developed, it permitted the spread of culture and innovation across the known world.
Tobiasson would go on to found Skyforge Shipworks, the largest shipwright and vessel building outfitter to this day. His invention and subsequent iterative improvements provided the Skyfront Republic with the competitive advantage of the largest naval fleet to conduct and protect trade.
Name: 'Cloud Glider'
Hull Class: Tartane
Number Produced: 1-Prototype
Hull length: 65 feet
Crew: 1-2
Cargo/Passenger Capacity: None
Shipyard: Skyforge Shipworks
Commission Date: 15 Auroralis 701 A.D.
Flagged: Skyfront Republic Home Port: Cloudhaven
Flagged: Skyfront Republic Home Port: Cloudhaven
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