Spurona

The term Spurona refers to two types of vessels employed by the Otheiae: the Half-Spurona and the later Full-Spurona.

The Spurona is perhaps the most confusing of all Otheiae types of vessels. Spurona was more of a use than a type name, for almost any vessel could have been a Spurona or tender to a larger one.

### Entymology

The word *Spurona* in the Otheia language is derived from the word for tree, "*Spor*". However, the word Spurona, when it was originally used, could refer to any vessel. As such, even as the class grew in size and diverged from each other, the name remained, and was still used, even for boats which the class had no relation to, such as the Gozonar.

The term "Full-Spurona" originates from its deck, which is full, while the half-spurona is typically only half-decked. In addition, many larger Full Spurona have more than one deck.

The name Spurona has generally come to mean "A ship or boat which is smaller than, and can serve as a tender to, larger vessels"

## Half-Spurona

The Half-Spurona is a type of small merchant craft originating from Otheia which is used in the CHannel Estuary and further along the coasts of North Nomos. The vessels usually have no deck and only one mast, often with a lateen or sprit sail. Some larger vessels have a half deck or up to three masts.

Half-Spuronas typically have a length of 7-9 meters, though the largest may be up to 18 meters in length. Most have a single mast, but larger vessels may possess more. They are generally crewed by a 4 to 6 men, along with the ship's master, who handle the oars as well as managing the sails. Most have a lateen sail and a jib. As is typical with Otheiae vessels, they are carvel-built

They are common in the trade between Rasek and Aslock, and they also travel to other ports in northern Nomos. They are used to carry passengers or merchandise and they are often involved in smuggling. In some cases, the boats are also used for fishing, corsairing or as gunboats.

Some spuronas see limited use in the navis of the Coastal Realms. In 1618, three speronaras were pressed into service alongside the Order's galleys to participate in an attack against enemy ships in Susa. A speronara accompanied a galley squadron in 1663, and in 1733 one speronara spied on Talensi shipping in Janiko. Spuronas were also used for guard duties in the Grand Harbour in Rasek. The vessels often fall prey to Berlon and Skiratti pirates, and there are also instances of Otheiae corsairs using spuronas to capture small enemy vessels. Other roles for spuronas include smuggling and fishing.

They had a high prow with a beak at the bow, and like other traditional Otheiae vessels, they had little sheer except at the bow and stern. The side of the boat has washboards, and the vessels were often brightly colored, as is traditional of Otheiae shipping.

The half-Spurona has been in use for several centuries in the Channel Estuary, and can even be found in regions as far afield as the Warm Sea and the Northern Ice Wastes, though they cannot carry many supplies and must thus stay close to the coastline.

## Full-Spurona

A full spurona is distinguished from its smaller cousin by its full deck, its larger size, and its rear cabin. There are two types of Full Spurona, the smaller "Tender" type vessel, which tends to operate in a support role to a larger ship, such as a Falun, and the larger type, which is larger and capable of operating independent of a fleet.

Generally speaking, full-spuronas are lightly built, single-decked, carvel-built, square-sterned vessels suitable for exploring, trading, and light naval duties. On equal lengths, Spuronas tend to be narrower than other types of vessels. Although primarily sailing vessels, many spuronas carry sweeps for moving in calms or around harbors. Their sailing rig is made up of fore-to-aft lateen sails, as well as a jib. The larger Spurona 'type' was often much larger than the smaller tender type, and frequently carried enough cannon to be considered an armed merchantman, or fast and maneuverable small warship. Some Full-Spuronas near the size of Falun in their tonnage.

The full spurona developed in the 250s, as the Otheiae of the Coastal Realms began to explore beyond the Channel Estuary. The open waters proved difficult for the half-spurona, and a larger ship allowed for the carriage of more cargo, thus increasing profits. Full-Spuronas are capable of carrying plenty of supplies, and are thus naturally well-suited toward long voyages and exploration. They typically displace 100 tons, and can carry between 5 and 16 guns.

Full-Spuronas are commonly used as merchant ships, as they are smaller, and therefore cheaper to build, than a full sized Falun. They are also used by naval forces as tenders or fast, maneuverable warships, and by pirates, who make use of their qualities as good sailors to outspeed most enemy ships and to hunt their targets.