Bismarck

RNS Bismarck was the largest and grandest ship of the Royal Navy. It was designed by one of the most brilliant naval designers from the Westlands, Hayao Heihachiro. Bismarck was the first gunpowder ship built for the Royal Navy and was launched in 299. It was built to deter any possible naval invasions into Edelmaa from Olia or the Westlands.

The Bismarck was detonated by Revoiles Mittelhoss in an attempt to blow up the rest of the Glory Fleet during the Siege of Armug Massacre.

## Historical Background

The Borian War frightened King Jiri and made him think that his grip over his realm could slip at any given time. As a result King Jiri began a rapid militarization of Workhold. These rapid militarization policies were also heavily focused on the much forgotten Royal Navy, which was for a long time an overlooked part of the Armed Forces. This was largely due to the poor naval warfare tradition of the Waldisians, Alaronians and the Worvians. So far all ships relied on ramming techniques and archers, but almost all Royal Navy ships were Cogs, a type of sailing ship which were purpose built for trading and transporting. When the Borian War began, the Royal Navy was inadequately equipped with archer equipped cogs almost all of which were deployed in the Teryuan War with King Jiri. The Royal Navy didn't participate in the Borian War at all, but the War revealed to King Jiri the importance of navies. Jiri thought that if only the Royal Navy should have been adequately equipped they could have stopped the forces of Samuel Berghof from landing in the mainland.

When the Borian War ended the continent was largely unified and military planners in Workhold realized that the largest threats to the realm would be foreign threats and as Workhold was an island nation, they could defeat any enemy force before they could even reach the shores of Workhold. Sir Lothbrok Voorst, the Regent of Workhold decided to invest in the Naval programme and sent men to hire professional shipwrights and naval engineers. They found a Westland man by the name of Hayao Heihachiro who used to engineer ships for the Yopeian Imperial Court but was banished. At first the Worvian envoys were unsure as to hire Hayao, but Lothbrok gave his approval of Hayao and the envoys employed him.

## Designing progress and Construction

Hayao was quick to work. He first consulted the Royal Navy officers. He wanted receive insight on what type of a warship would best fit the Worvian navy. The Royal Navy officers were disoriented and in Hayao's words:

*"I most certainly need to find a man practiced in the Art of Naval War, for these Worvians seem to be mentally challenged when engaged about the topic."*

Subsequently Hayao personally met with Lothbrok and requested that they should hire a proper naval tactician, since without a genuine naval doctrine Hayao couldn't design a ship. Lothbrok grudginly agreed as he was afraid of the cost of this endeavour. However, to their aid came Jimer Degetur, younger brother of King Jiri. Degetur was willing to lend his personal Naval Tactician, Filiki Caradore. Filiki was a veteran of the numerous wars waged in Olia. Filiki sought information from the Worvian RN Officers, to find out their previous primitive tactics. The RN Officers said proudly: "We ram 'em". Filiki was baffled at first but burst out laughing. RN Officers took no harm and laughed with him ready to discuss doctrine. Filiki devised a doctrine suitable for the Worvians which included ramming as a central part. Filiki then relayed his doctrines to Hayao who immediately began working on the design of the ship. He instantly envisioned the outline of the Keel and the stern. Hayao then strolled in forests of Edelmaa in the search of the highest quality trees possible. He even traveled to the dreaded Rape Forest from where he found the trees.

It took 1 Week for Hayao to sketch the perfect bow to the ship and the sizes of the masts and sails. He designed this armor plating for the ship's prow and sharpened it. Then he also plotted the ships mass and that it would be heavy enough to pierce through other vessels with its sharper steel bow armor and heavy weight and good speed. Ideal ship for ramming. Because this ramming required a lot of speed, Hayao had to cut some weight from the stern and the deck. This made it so that the ship would be limited in the amount of cannons it could field, another new weapon to the Worvians. The ship would be fitted with around 86 cannons, 43 on each side. When testing the wooden armor of the ship the armor was perfect. It could bounce small cannon balls and be sturdy enough to go through roughest of weathers. The masts were built sturdy and strong, though they had to be quite tall to be able to handle the large sails produced.

Four ships of Bismarck-class were built:

* **Bismarck** - The Current Flagship of the Fleet.
* King Levi - Extra cannons added
* King Jiri - Extra cannons added
* Berghof