Sailing - Aodh

Aodhians are not exactly avid sailors, but sailing is nonetheless an important part of the culture of some areas - namely Harborside, where whaling and other fish products are important to the local economy and culture. These working ships are generally small, nimble vessels, not suited for long distance travel due to lack of space to store provisions, but resilient on the open oceans. ‘Finer’ Aodhians generally don’t have the most positive opinions of sailors, but they are understood to be a necessity.

There is some holiday sailing culture in Aodh, although it is not a particularly popular pastime. These are generally luxurious ships set up with amenities to entertain guests, sailing up and down a set, safe route. All such operations are currently on hold due to kirins, but when in operation, would commonly sail up Eithne’s western coast from New Valore.

Aodhians have mastered steam engines, but are yet to put them to good use on ships. A few very experimental, small steam ships currently exist, but are more prototypes than anything else. There is some interest in the technology, as it promises faster travel times via the sea trade routes.

Vessels of New Valore
New Valore is home to one of Hireath’s largest ports, and as such, can dock many large trading vessels at once. This state of the art harbor has a fully equipped dry dock for ship construction and repair.

Canal ships are one of the main methods of cheap public transport within New Valore, as the city is split apart by deep rivers. The most common type of canal ship is a simple barge that can fit about 20 horses - the journey often costing a shard or two - and act almost like busses, stopping at specific “stations” across the system. They are operated either by slaves or paid workers, as they require oars to move.

Smaller, more private vessels exist, both for transportation and relaxation.

Trade Vessels
Although most Aodhians have never been on a ship, the herd has mastered the technology required for creating large mercantile ships to facilitate their global trade networks. Aodhian trade vessels sail to ports in Onea, Sedo and the Isles.

Most Aodhian ships are large - massive galleons for transporting a large number of goods either to or from Eithne. Fresh goods are transported by using Ice Manipulation imbued cargo holds to let produce keep over the sea journey. Being so large, Aodhian vessels aren’t the shiftest on Hireath’s seas, but they are reliable and formidable. Any Aodhian merchant ship carrying trade goods is likely to be protected by more than a few Chevaliers, and are not easy targets for any would-be pirates. These large ships may be accompanied by smaller warships, armed with archers and devastating fire cannons (spouts shooting a stream of fire via a secret chemical reaction).