Naval Vessels of Arkland

*"Finest fleet in the world. I built her myself, after all. It'll never sink. Trustworthy and built of Ironwood and sweat. That ship there, she's my finest work. She can carry 500 soldiers, armed to the teeth with the finest Ironwood ballistae. She's not afraid of a thing."* - **Old shipbuilder.**

## Types of Naval Vessels

There are three basic types of fighting ships in the fleets of Arkland. Ships are designed to last for a very long time, with some ships nearly a century in age still in use. This is because of the cost of construction. Older ships are still pressed into service even as newer ships are built to replace them.

**Vessel de Armille**

Small troop transports, built for boarding operations and for escorting trading vessels while at sea. The capacity of these ships is generally 50 marines on board exclusive of crew. These ships are designed for speed and are generally near 100 feet in length and about 30 feet wide. They are rigged for speed, allowing for the ship to quickly close with enemy vessels or to sail to the rescue of a trading vessel. Most ships are also designed with rams, intended to puncture the side of enemy ships, especially those that are not constructed of Ironwood. This is their main form of sinking an enemy vessel, but the preferred method is to simply sail beside and board the enemy vessel via ladders, hook lines, or moving across with boarding planks.

**Vessel de Octrois**

Designed for both sail and in a pinch, rowing, the Vessel de Octrois is the primary war ship of Arkland. With hulls reinforced by steel, these ships can carry a contingent of 150 marines. Slower than the Vessel de Armille, these larger ships carry on board weaponry in the form of a forward mounted, swivel based catapult and several ship mounted ballistae lining either side. These weapons can be used to puncture holes in enemy ships but also to latch onto the ships so that boarding actions can take place. With a much larger military complement, the Vessel de Octrois serves both a function of naval warfare but also for naval invasion.

**Vessel de Cavloux**

This ship is the largest ship design that the Arkland navy produces. These ships primarily serve as capital vessels, intended to bring large troop compliments and act as the primary vessels of a sailing fleet. They are armed with three swivel mounted catapults and several ballistae, but for the most part, attacking a Cavloux is unheard of us the large marine compliment, as much as 500 men, would simply overwhelm any attacker. The primary purpose of this vessel is actually naval invasion or as a show of force while in a foreign harbor. Two massive Cavloux belong to the crown and are commonly seen stationed in the harbor. At 350 feet in length, these enormous flag ships hoist massive sails and fly the flag of Arkland in full glory over the harbor of King's Crossing.

## Naval Warfare

Actual battles at sea are rare as it is difficult to catch a fleet, let alone attack it. Arkland ships, however, are quite fast in comparison to many other nations, and with a good wind, are capable of running enemy ships down should they be able to spot them.

The primary means of attacking another ship is through boarding. All Arkland ships carry marine contingents who are trained to board enemy vessels and either kill or capture the crew. From there, captured vessels can either be scuttled or sailed back to port. There are a variety of means of boarding an enemy vessel. Typically, this involves coming abreast of the ship and tossing anchored hooks onto the enemy vessel to effectively latch the ships together. From there, marines can climb ropes, use hooked ladders, boarding planks, or a variety of other means to make the perilous crossing from ship to ship. All naval vessels also maintain high stoops up on the masts where archers can rain arrow fire down on the enemy vessel to clear the deck of enemy soldiers, allowing for an easier crossing.

Other implements used are burning oil canisters, which can be thrown onto the deck of an enemy vessel to burst and spread burning oil across the deck, used to clear it of soldiers, javelins, useful for fighting at range, and other ranged implements. Arkland marines are highly trained, often engaging in exercises around ship boarding. In history, this level of skilled training has seen Arkland defeat much larger navies simply by being well trained and capable in the heat of battle.

Small catapults, ballistae, and similar weapons of war can be mounted on a vessel and used for relatively short range bombardment of an enemy ship. Although generally ineffective at puncturing Ironwood, ballistae can be used to bury hooks into the hull of enemy ships, create explosive splinters on impact, and create fear. Ballistae can also be used to attack rigging with specially designed ball and chain ammunition or to launch long range grappling hooks to snag enemy ships. Catapults are useful at killing enemy crew and destroying rigging. In a similar vein, having the ability to toss burning oil or mast destroying objects at a longer range is useful in slowing an enemy ship down and forcing their crew to seek shelter below deck.

Some ships are also equipped with steel rams which can be used to literally ram and puncture an enemy vessel. The sheer mass of a ship ramming another ship causes tremendous damage, even able to puncture or disable Ironwood vessels. Ramming, however, isn't easy and generally requires oarsmen. Once two ships have been rammed together, boarding operations also become easier.

Ship to ship combat is still rare. The majority of naval engagements more involve forcing a fleet to seek shelter in a harbor and then attacking the harbor via naval invasion.

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--Neil (talk) 20:38, 21 October 2016 (AST)