The Shipyard


Ships on World of Legends

Due to the medieval fantasy setting,

Ship

s found around Isilendor would be the classic variations of sailboat. Each of the 4 realms sport at least 1 major port where ships come and go on a daily basis. Braitheld and Eldathren would be best known for seafaring, due to Eldathren's scattering of islands and Braitheld's naval efforts. The island of Elekas in Eldathren is famed for their shipbuilding. While Delvheim and Akasuna do have a sea presence, their harsh landscape and less of a coastline lessen the port cities. Akasuna has a long history of piracy around the coasts of the desert realm, and Delvheim currently has 2 major port towns, Westport being the most prominent.

If you reach Rank 5 of Trade and Negotiations, you will get to learn all there is about ships and trading at sea.

Parts of the Ship

If you were to spend a long time at sea, it is important to understand the different components of the ship. The above image would be the typical design of a fully rigged ship such a Galleon or Carrack, with 3 masts.

Ship

s don't always contain everything in this image and some shipwrights are keen to experiment and create new vessels.

Types of Ship

Throughout history, there have been many constructs of sailing vessels of different sizes. Not everyone got to experience the enormous war

ship

s, many chose the smaller fishing vessels and speedy sloops to travel quickly and safely. Here is just a glimpse of the types of ships that were known around the world.
  • Sloop - A small, single-sail ship built for speed. Some sloops did carry weapons, designed for war. They are closely related to the Cutter, another swift sailing vessel for sweeping across the waves, not too hindered by the wind.
  • Brigantine - The Brigantine was favoured among merchants and pirates. It is a large ship but still possessed some speed and manoeuvrability compared to the larger Galleon. Merchants favour this ship as it has a nice balance between safety and speed, helping to protect against attack. The Brigantine usually had 2 masts, foremast and mainmast.
  • Galleon - Large, fully rigged ships designed primarily for war. A Galleon was wide and typically square shaped with a forecastle that rose high behind the bow. Galleons sported 3 to 4 masts with square sails and were usually equipped with plenty of cannons.
  • Carrack - Designed by the Portuguese, the Carrack was a medium sized ship with 3 to 4 masts, and a mixture of square or triangular sails. The mix of sails allowed the ships to take full advantage of the winds, even sailing against the wind. Carracks had potential for warfare but were primarily designed for the age of exploration.

Jobs on a Ship

Especially on larger ships, it is important for each member of the crew to adhere to their roles. On a ship there are hierarchies and jobs that must be done to ensure safe passage across the sea.
  • Captain - The person in charge of the ship, they give the orders. There are many ways to become a captain. They can be appointed as captain by the navy, they could be voted in by a community, or some earth their title by purchasing/owning the ship.
  • Quartermaster - The person who looks after supplies and rations aboard the ship. They assist with trade and possess a lot of power on a ship.
  • Sailing Master - Navigation is primarily the job of the sailing master. They review the maps and navigation equipment to ensure they are travelling on the safest and quickest route. Sailing Masters are typically well educated with astronomy and assessing the weather.
  • Boatswain - This person is largely experienced with repairs and maintaining the ship, including the stores are available and prepared for the Quartermaster.
  • Master Gunner - This role is not often seen on smaller vessels. The Master Gunner oversees the defense and makes sure the ship is equipped with gunpowder or cannonballs. They take command during attacks and signal for the crew to shoot.
  • Able Bodied Seaman - The most common job on the ship, able to take on many tasks aboard. A strong crew of able bodied seamen will almost guarantee a safe journey.
  • Rigger - The rigger is responsible for maintaining the sails, directing the sails using ropes, and often climbing the masts to fix patches in the fabric.
  • Cabin Boy - A ships servant, running small jobs on behalf of the captain and quartermaster.

Do you like seafaring?
What ships do you prefer?