Airship

## Common Knowledge

Citizens of certain nations, like Aiur, Amerale, Galkador, or Zondros, may have heard of troops serving on airborne vessels. Anyone else might hear a rumor once in a while of pirates in flying machines appearing from nowhere for a raid.

## Further Description and Use

“Airship” is a broad category that can refer to many different styles of airship. Though nearly every airship has some uniqueness in its design, arguably the most important detail in their construction is how much each relies on magic or technology. Some airships use strictly mundane machinery, such as heating or cooling a large balloon to adjust altitude. Some airships rely exclusively on magic or runes, with changes in direction, speed, and altitude merely as a part of the ritual or enchantment keeping them afloat. Some airships use a combination of the two, perhaps through mundane engines powered by magical explosions. Each airship is built differently, and each has its own method of powering itself and any additional features.

## Availability

Airships are rare and usually hard to come by. Though the vast majority of airships are owned by merchants, pirates, or powerful organizations, many large nations maintain small numbers of airships for military use. Constructing an airship is a difficult and lengthy affair, often taking several years from start to finish, sometimes even decades.

## Invention

The earliest airships were, unsurprisingly, an invention of Old Binturia. These ancient airships were hybrids of magic and technology, and were by and large lost completely when the kingdom fell. The only Binturian airship still known to exist is the Valkyrie, a speedy vessel collectively owned by the Binturian Party and their semi-patron William Willson.

It would take millennia for technology and magical understanding to produce great sky-ships once again. The first “modern” airship was built in Galkador in 2698 A.B., which featured little more than a large heated balloon with a rudder for simple propulsion. Since then, airships have developed further in complexity and capabilities, such as increased speed, larger effective range, and a massive array of offensive and defensive modifications.

## History of Use

### Sky Piracy

The practice of sky piracy is very narrowly as old as airships themselves, and is surprisingly lucrative. Most practitioners maintain a high altitude and search for mercantile caravans or ships, and upon spotting one will swoop down to attack and pillage its valuables.

Many sky pirates are known to rest at Casseus, a floating city built from conjoined airships.

### Wars Throughout History

Military powers with access to airships wield an incredible advantage in battle. Generally they fill more of a support role, as other airships or long-distance destruction rituals still pose them a threat, to say nothing of the time needed for repairing or reconstructing a damaged airship.

### Dragon Repellent

Dragons have at various times used force to exact tribute from different countries, but heavily armed and armored airships can negate their advantage of flight. This occurred a large number of times during the so-called “age of dragons” (which lasted roughly from 1000 to 3000 A.B.), and even partially contributed to its end.

### Hofn Massacre (9304 A.B.)

In 9304 A.B., there was a breakdown in diplomatic communication between Malderi and Amerale over the newly-established colony of Hofn on Amerale’s northern coastline. In retaliation, Amerale sent its most powerful airship, the *Cobalt Dragoon*, to launch a surprise attack against the colony. The resulting massacre led to the deaths of roughly 50,000 civilians and military personnel, and even more casualties. Though the leaders of Amerale experienced political backlash, and the *Cobalt Dragoon* was retired, this marks the highest number of casualties caused by an airship.

### Fel Invasion (10,016 A.B.)

During the final battle of the Fel Invasion, many airships belonging to several nations of the Unified Orelisian Army flew towards the Abyssal Tear in order to enter it with the Binturian Party and destroy it from within. Many of these airships were destroyed by incoming projectiles and spells.

### Battle of Binturia (10,019 A.B.)

The allies of the Binturian Party brought their airships to Binturia for the temporary planar collision at the end of the Deathless Days and they were useful in fending off dragons.

## Further Information

* Aiur
* Amrali Republic
* Battle of Binturia
* Fel Invasion
* Galkador
* Magic
* Old Binturia
* Runes
* Zondros
* Zondros Military