Swift Blade


Swift Blades were originally designed by Half-Elf engineers that wanted to combine the sturdiness and ease of construction of human ships with the grace, elegance, and maneuverability of Elven ships. For the most part, they look like any well built human sailing ship. Their two main defining qualities are the large piercing ram, and the side sails. Swift Blades have a large, metal ram that almost looks like a giant scimitar jutting from the front of the boat. Their normally open topped fore decks are covered with sculpted Walls of Force to help redirect debris over the ship in an all out forward ram.

In place of a mast for the sails, Swift Blades have six articulated wings (three to aside) with the sails rigged into the wings similar to how the Elven Navy ships operate. The main controls for these sails are below decks. They can be set to many different optimal positions to catch the flow of the Phlogiston, or air in different ways. This makes Swift Blade extremely maneuverable for a ship of its tonnage. When ramming, the sails can fold back flat onto the hull to minimize potential damage (unlike masts which would shier off if they struck the right thing.)

Originally the Swift Blade was designed to counter the many Drow raids and the expected Drow war. When the Drow were banished to their home sphere, there was a time of expected peace in the Known Realm. Many Swift Blades were turned into luxury liners. Their sailing maneuverability and smooth ride are legendary. The Force wall at the front provides an excellent and safe viewing area even for those who may fear falling over board. The many crew quarters needed for a war vessel were changed from bunk rooms that held as many as nine crew per room to passenger suites for one or two people. The metal ram is a welcome deterrent for the increasing number of undead raiders as well. There are even rumors of some captains who have had their rams sharpened and use it to cut the rigging lines of other vessels. Since the ship was originally designed for war, there have been an increasing number of privateers who have purchased luxury Swift Blades, only to upgrade them into war ships once more. A raiding pirate will never know if they are attacking a ship filled with rich passengers, or weapons and privateers ready to take them in for the gold.