T.W. "Hawke" class Light Ley Line Schooner / Ocean vessel:
There is a small industry of various Ley Line vessels, some large and others comparatively small. Among the largest is New Ironsides with a variety of smaller vessels. Ley Line vessels can be incredibly expensive with the largest being only able to be afforded by a few. One of the smallest vessels which is still considered a warship is the "Hawke" class light schooner. The Hawke class does not appear to be based on any actually historic vessel although it seems to barrow design features from a variety of vessels. It is just a bit larger than many vessels which were considered gunboats. The ship is even smaller than the Vixen class Ley Line schooner.
Like many Ley Line vessels, these ships can be considered works of art. The techno-wizards who make these vessels can only be considered craftsman of the highest order. The plans for these ships is believed to be incredibly detailed and while the creators are quiet about their work, some speculate that all plans are done on paper instead on a computer. As well, it is said that all parts are hand carved instead of done through a computerized cutting and carving system. The suggestion is that it is more authentic that way as well as making the ships more unique than they would otherwise be.
As they are smaller than the frigates and sloops, the schooner designs are more affordable than the larger designs although they are still far from really being cheap. These ships are also more common than their larger brethren although they still are produced in tiny numbers. In fact, the techno-wizards producing these ships cannot keep up with demands. It is believed that these ships require almost three to four months to build, just a little less than the Vixen class ley line schooner.
As previously mentioned, these ships are built using traditional methods as much as possible. One item with construction is that some of the wood is magically created through elemental forces. In some cases, the wood used for the ships simply is not available otherwise. This includes many of the longer planks and the wood of the masts. Once the ship is complete, the wood is also enchanted through the spell "Ironwood" to make it stronger. If not enchanted, these ships could be destroyed by a single hit from virtually any modern weapon. As well, the enchantment makes the ship virtually immune to corrosion. While primarily designed to operate on Ley Lines, these ships are built so that they are quite seaworthy for their size. Some techno-wizards creating Ley line ships are not as careful. Such ships may be so poorly crafted that they may sink if someone tries to land one in the water. It is believed that the Hawke class are actually tested in the water to make sure that they are properly built. Only then is it believed that they ships are enchanted to be able to fly on a Ley Line.
The main weaponry of this ship are eight guns with four on each side and one gun able to be maneuvered to fire forward and one able to be fired behind the schooner. This is less than the slightly larger Vixen class which carries a total of twelve mounts. Due to weight limitations, each gun is a shorter range carronade although they are of the eighteen pound variety. These carronades inflict incredible damage when within range. Each uses telekinesis to fire the cannon balls instead of gun powder. This has several advantages including that the cannons can fire faster and there is no risk of explosion. Several different types of ammunition can be fired from the mounts including thunderball, thunderfire, and enchanted grape shot. The ship also carries a single telekinetic Gatling mount. This mount is primarily used for defense against missiles and other small targets. The ship has a variety of other enchantments including a force field to help protect the vessel. The force field can be activate up to three times per day. Also, to power the enchantments, the ship has a powerful magic energy battery.
All Ley Line ships based on old wooden naval vessels require comparatively large crews. Still, it requires a much smaller crew than most larger Ley Line vessels which are similar. The Hawke requires a crew of around sixty five. In addition, the ship is designed to be able to carry up to a dozen troops. Some are all may be equipped with mystic power armor or other magic. Wooden ships during the age of sail were incredibly primitive as far as crew quarters. Through magic, the attempt was made to make this still seem to be part of the ship but to to actually give comparatively decent sanity and other facilities. The crew still sleeps in hammocks although the officers have more space. Officer's quarters are almost luxurious and are located in the fantail.
Model Type: "Hawke" Ocean & Sky Ship
Vehicle Type: Ocean & Sky Sail Light Schooner
Crew: 65 with at least two techno-wizard, two air warlocks,
and two other spell casting types recommended but not absolutely needed.
Troops: 12 (Normal of 4 pilots for Mystic Power Armors, 8 soldiers
in body armor)
Robots, Power Armors, and Vehicles:
| 12 | Mystic Power Armors (Possible) |
M.D.C. by location:
| 18 pounder Carronades (8, 46 each side): | 100 each | |
| T.W. Gatling Cannons (1): | 100 each | |
| [1] Foremast (Forward Mast): | 160 | |
| [1] Mizzenmast (Rear Mast): | 200 | |
| Sails (10): | 40 each | |
| Rudder: | 160 | |
| [2] Main Body: | 1,150 | |
| [3] Armor of Ithan Force Field (Three Times per Day): | 400 |
Notes:
[1] Destruction of a mast reduces ocean and ley line speed by 1/2 for
each mast lost.
[2] Destroying the main body causes the ship to lose structural integrity,
causing the ship to sink if in the water. There are enough life preservers
and inflatable life boats (one of the few items of technology added) to
accommodate everyone on the ship. The ship does have the Techno-Wizard
addition of impervious to energy. Specifics are listed in Weapon systems.
[3] Each activation lasts for 30 minutes.
Speed:
Ocean Surface: 15 knots or higher depending on the wind (approximately
17.27 miles per hour or 28 km per hour)
Ley Lines: 150 mph (240 kph). Requires the Telekinesis Spell
(double cost at 16 P.P.E.) or 20 I.S.P. to initiative take off and Telekinesis
Spell (double cost at 16 P.P.E.), Levitate Spell (double cost at 10 P.P.E.)
or 20 I.S.P. to land the ship. Otherwise, the ship will float away slowly
(2 mph) at about 100 feet (30.5 meters) off the ground. The ship can only
travel through the air along ley lines and can switch directions at ley
line nexus points.
Height: While Flying, maximum of 1000 feet (305 meters)
and minimum of 200 feet without landing
Range: Effectively Unlimited. The ship carries two months worth
of supplies on board.
Statistical Data:
Length: 78 feet 8 inches (23.98 meters)
Beam: 21 feet 6 inches (6.55 meters)
Draft: 9 feet 2.5 inches (2.81 meters)
Displacement: 105 tons
Cargo: 15 tons of nonessential equipment and supplies. Most
of the ships spaces are take up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons,
sails, and other equipment.
Power System: Magic and sails.
Market Cost: 65 million credits, there is a long waiting period
and the cost to get one will often involve many extra costs as well.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
Special Systems:
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Palladium Books Inc. ]
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By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright © 2008, Kitsune. All rights reserved.
