Thushtas Glider
Thushta was a scholar of The Southern Dragonborn, a member of the Magi tribe, born and raised before the Treaty of Peace. Shortly after her choosing, she decided to travel to Hajdib to study at the Great Library in order to learn the fine arts of warfare. For years she read of the ways of dragons themselves and of other flying creatures. Thushta believed that warriors could soar over the mountains like the huge birds of prey seen there.
Studying the anatomy of the great mountain birds, and of sea birds that hovered effortlessly over the post walls of Hajdib, Thushta started work on designing a set of manufactured wings strong enough to allow a warrior to rise into the air and attack from above with weapons such as bows and javelins. After a few years of testing ways to bend wood, lighten the frame and stretch the finest linens with strengthening resins over the constructions, a final form was ready to test.
Thushta had the glider built by craftsmen in Kurata and transported by pack animals to the high sheer mountain passes above the city of her birth. With many family and scholarly witnesses, as well as warrior generals and mage lords watching with interest, Thushtas first tests were carried out. A young warrior was instructed on how to launch and control the glider and after a few moments, the maiden flight was taken. The glider soared successfully from the cliff, gaining height from thermals as the studies of the birds had predicted. The young pilot swooped and fired arrows expertly into targets, then javelins, each hitting squarely in the bullseye as the glider swept away. Lastly, the dragonborn breath weapon of fire was brought down upon a target from the air. The invention was deemed a great success.
For many skirmishes, the gliders were used to gain an airborne advantage over the rivals as well as being used defensively against raiding bandits and wild animals. The gliders did not work so well at night due to the cold, still, desert air and poor visibility. A small sect of warrior dragonborn who were skilled pilots became known as the Varmtryra. At the coming of the Treaty of Peace, the attacks from the air were no longer required and were too expensive to be maintained, so the skill became lost.
A replica of Thushtas original machine is housed in the War Hall of the Great Library of Hajdib, and is often studied by those seeking to regain the power of winged flight.
Studying the anatomy of the great mountain birds, and of sea birds that hovered effortlessly over the post walls of Hajdib, Thushta started work on designing a set of manufactured wings strong enough to allow a warrior to rise into the air and attack from above with weapons such as bows and javelins. After a few years of testing ways to bend wood, lighten the frame and stretch the finest linens with strengthening resins over the constructions, a final form was ready to test.
Thushta had the glider built by craftsmen in Kurata and transported by pack animals to the high sheer mountain passes above the city of her birth. With many family and scholarly witnesses, as well as warrior generals and mage lords watching with interest, Thushtas first tests were carried out. A young warrior was instructed on how to launch and control the glider and after a few moments, the maiden flight was taken. The glider soared successfully from the cliff, gaining height from thermals as the studies of the birds had predicted. The young pilot swooped and fired arrows expertly into targets, then javelins, each hitting squarely in the bullseye as the glider swept away. Lastly, the dragonborn breath weapon of fire was brought down upon a target from the air. The invention was deemed a great success.
For many skirmishes, the gliders were used to gain an airborne advantage over the rivals as well as being used defensively against raiding bandits and wild animals. The gliders did not work so well at night due to the cold, still, desert air and poor visibility. A small sect of warrior dragonborn who were skilled pilots became known as the Varmtryra. At the coming of the Treaty of Peace, the attacks from the air were no longer required and were too expensive to be maintained, so the skill became lost.
A replica of Thushtas original machine is housed in the War Hall of the Great Library of Hajdib, and is often studied by those seeking to regain the power of winged flight.
Propulsion
Gliding, air currents, steered by shifting weight.
Weapons & Armament
The pilot can use bows and arrows, crossbows and javelins, as well as their breath weapon.
Armor and defense
The glider is vulnerable to ranged attacks and spells just as any other inanimate object.
Motto
Death from above!
Price
3000GP
Rarity
Rare
Width
50ft
Length
35ft
Height
10ft
Weight
100lb
Speed
60ft flying
Complement / Crew
1 man
Cargo & Passenger Capacity
Bow, 20 arrows and 5 javelins.
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