The Nyuki ka Djinn - a 14 meter, cross-rigged Yalubo skiff fitted with with an oil cooled 25cm duster core. An exceptionally fast sailcraft used as a contraband smuggler in the northern Bara Kusini. Reported to have been destroyed by the Kathira'an guard in the sand flats outside the capitol.
The Sailing Vessels of Sayarii
In the expansive realm of Sayarii, where the sky blazes with prolonged summers, sailing vessels are not merely modes of transportation; they are the vital arteries connecting isolated citadels of civilization. As Sayarii journeys through its unique 900-day celestial cycle, marked by two distinct peaks of relentless heat, these ships become indispensable. They are the crucial links that bind far-flung city-states, each a sanctuary in a world where hospitable land is as rare as arcane artifacts.
The Eastern Sultanate and the Bara Kusini stand as contrasting focal points in this intricate landscape. While the Sultanate enjoys the relative comfort of higher altitudes and a less harsh climate, it is starved for essential resources like black platinum and technomagical relics. These coveted materials are more abundant in the Bara Kusini, a region marked by the remnants of an ancient, mysterious calamity. This uneven distribution of resources elevates the role of sailing vessels to a near-sacred level, as they facilitate the exchange of not just commodities, but also knowledge, culture, and the very essence of survival.
As you delve deeper into this guide, you'll encounter an array of sailing vessels uniquely adapted to the challenges and opportunities presented by Sayarii's long summers. From traditional ships capable of lifting out of water to the revolutionary Cadence Class Wind Runners that defy elemental boundaries, each vessel contributes its own chapter to the unfolding saga of Sayarii.
The Four Cornerstones of Sayarii's Nautical Lore
In the sun-scorched lands of Sayarii, where the heavens blaze with unyielding summer heat, four types of sailing vessels emerge as the key to survival and prosperity. Each is a marvel of craftsmanship and arcane engineering, designed to conquer the unique challenges of this unforgiving realm.
Traditional Nautical Vessels of Sayarii
From the humble fishing skiffs to the mighty galleons that rule the waves, these are the time-honored sea vessels that have plied Sayarii's waters for generations. Crafted for durability and versatility, they serve as the backbone of coastal trade, exploration, and naval warfare.
Jahazi Sand Vessels
A triumph of thaumaturgic artifice, these specialized ships sail the endless deserts as if they were oceans. Armed with arcane Jahazi Keels, they glide effortlessly over liquified sands, becoming the lifeline of the resource-rich but arid lands of the Bara Kusini.
Cadence Wind Runners
The cutting edge of nautical innovation, these skyward vessels are powered by the enigmatic Cadence Engines. Defying gravity itself, they soar through the air, reaching the most remote and inhospitable corners of Sayarii. They come in forms as varied as their purposes, from agile sky-skimmers to foreboding war machines.
Cross-Rigged Nautical Wind Runners
A harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation, these hybrid vessels combine the reliable designs of classic sea ships with the revolutionary capabilities of Cadence Engines. Capable of both waterborne and airborne travel, they offer unparalleled versatility and adaptability, making them a favorite among adventurers and traders alike.
Jahazi Sand Ships
Jahazi sand ships are specialized vessels designed for traversing the vast deserts of Sayarii. Unlike their ocean-going counterparts, these ships are equipped with thaumaturgic Jahazi Keels, usually imbued with the magic of Ash Worms or, more rarely, Remoraz. These keels generate a unique vibration that liquifies the surrounding sand, allowing the ships to sail across the desert as if it were water.
Due to the limitations of the keel's thaumaturgic radius, Jahazi ships are generally smaller, with a maximum length of 60 feet, and rarely a draft of over 2 feet. However, they can carry considerable weight without becoming bogged down, thanks to the higher density of sand compared to water. These ships are versatile, used for various purposes including human transport, exploration, maono mhosa harvesting, mining, salvage, hunting, trade, and even piracy.
The risks of sailing a Jahazi are unique. Damaged hulls quickly fill with liquified sand, and if the keel isn't shut down in time, the ship can become engulfed in the desert. Shipwrecks in this context are hazardous zones of unstable, liquified sand that can last for years.
Common Jahazi Sand Vessel Types in the Bara Kusini
Mazula (Up to 30 feet, single "twin-sheet" masts)
Common Use: Primarily used for short-distance mining and salvage operations.
Description: Mazula is a compact vessel designed for quick trips to mining sites. Its small size and single mast make it agile and easy to manage.
Lirawi (25-40 feet, 1 mast)
Common Use: Often used for trade and human transport.
Description: Lirawi is a versatile ship, ideal for carrying goods and passengers across short to medium distances.
Tuviro (30-50 feet, 1 mast)
Common Use: Suitable for exploration and hunting.
Description: Tuviro is a robust vessel with reinforced hulls, designed to withstand the harsh conditions of desert exploration.
Wanjala (40-60 feet, 1 or 2 masts)
Common Use: Used for long-distance trade and sometimes piracy.
Description: Wanjala is a larger Jahazi ship, capable of carrying significant cargo. It's often armed and used for more dangerous ventures.
Yomazi (35-55 feet, 1 or 2 masts)
Common Use: Mainly used for specialized mining operations.
Description: Yomazi is built for endurance and is often equipped with specialized mining equipment.
Simbazi (40-60 feet, 2 masts, Catamaran Style)
Common Use: Popular for hunting and piracy due to its speed and stability.
Description: Simbazi is a catamaran-style Jahazi ship with multiple hulls and usually two keels. It's favored by hunters and pirates for its speed and stability.
Nautical Ships of The Bara Kusini and Taur Norui
The Taur Norui, and Bayt il'Zaytun are famous for extraordinary ship building. Most of the western ship styles are either built in Bayt il'Zaytun, or are based on designs from this ship building capitol.
The Safuzi Ka Zhamilo - The Grand Safuzi, is the most common hull design, similar in lines to a schooner, these versatile ships are made in a wide range of sizes and are extremely popular in the Bara Kusini. Sailmakers in Il-Wāāt ul'Ihāt Kathira make make sails from the famous spider silk produced and woven in the city, allowing for the larger, stronger sails used in these beautiful vessels.
Common Nautical Vessel Types in the Bara Kusini
Yalubo (12-30 feet, single "twin-sheet" masts)
Common Use: Primarily used for short-distance fishing and coastal exploration.
Description: The Yalubo is a small, agile vessel, perfect for navigating shallow waters. With just one mast, it's easy to manage but not built for long voyages.
Zikawi (28-45 feet, 1 mast)
Common Use: Often used for trading and transporting goods over short distances.
Description: The Zikawi is a versatile sloop, capable of carrying a moderate amount of cargo. Its single mast makes it relatively easy to sail.
Tumiso (35-55 feet, 1 or 2 masts)
Common Use: Suitable for both fishing and trading, especially in deeper waters.
Description: The Tumiso is a junk-type ship that offers a balance between size and maneuverability. It can have either one or two masts, depending on the need for speed or stability.
Wazula (55-100 feet, 1 or 2 masts)
Common Use: Typically used for naval patrols and privateering.
Description: The Wazula is a frigate-class vessel, designed for speed and agility. It's often armed and used for military purposes, boasting one or two masts.
Yikoro (65-125 feet, 3 or 4 masts)
Common Use: Mainly used for long-distance trading and exploration.
Description: The Yikoro is a cutter that's built for endurance and cargo capacity. With up to four masts, it's well-suited for long voyages.
Balimu (100-200 feet, 3 or 4 masts)
Common Use: Used for large-scale trading, naval warfare, and colonization.
Description: The Balimu is a galleon that's both formidable and versatile. With its multiple masts, it can carry a significant amount of cargo and is often heavily armed.
Safuzi (65-225 feet, 2 to 4 masts)
Common Use: The most common ship in Sayarii, used for a variety of purposes from trading to fishing to exploration.
Description: The Safuzi is a schooner that's a jack-of-all-trades. Its variable size and number of masts make it adaptable to many different roles.
Kilazo (150-275 feet, 3 to 5 masts)
Common Use: Used for rapid, long-distance trading and sometimes for diplomatic missions.
Description: The Kilazo is a clipper designed for speed above all else. With up to five masts, it's one of the fastest ships on the seas, ideal for covering long distances in a short amount of time.
