With the Advanced Ship Construction Rules (available somewhere at the 7th Sea Website, I changed most of these stats. Many of them came out more or less the same, and some of them changed radically. I even added a couple of new classes (although I don't remember where offhand as I type this). In the process, I only used the modifications that would make sense for a stock ship -- if you want to put Cathay Silk Sails on one of these, you can make the appropriate modifications to these base stats.
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Chapter One: Crew Skill Ratings
The various naval powers of Theah have varying levels of skill, which to this authors mind affects the running of a ship.
The following are approximate skill bases (Finesse ratings) for the various ships.
Avalon: 3
Brotherhood of the Coast: 4
Castille: 3 (can vary from 2 to 4 -- the Armada fiasco hurt Castille in this area.)
Cresent Empire: 4 (apparent from corsair raids, anyway.)
Montaigne: 2
Posen: 2
Sea Dogs: 3
Ussura: 1
Vendel League: 3
Vesten Raiders: 4
Wische: 1
Note: I am leaving these here, even though I have Finesse ratings from the Advanced Construction Rules.
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Chapter Two: Ship Tactics
The primary naval formation is the line -- a group of ships arranged bow to stern, so that their broadsides will be open for use against the enemy. There are those who believe in the melee theory, involving breaking the enemy's line and moving betweent the ships, raking the ships with broadsides, resembling most small engagements. The best position for line combat is currently considered "crossing the T," putting your own ships broadsides facing bow or stern of the enemy
line.
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Chapter Three: Some Generic Ships
These are three commonly found ship types on the six known seas. With slight modification, they can fit whatever you have in mind.
This represents a large cargo ship. Hull size can be adjusted for smaller (or larger) cargoes or passengers. It is mostly used for moving men and supplies, and isn't an able fighter on its own.
This is a more capable fighter than the merchantman, but obviously doesn't carry as much due to the additional gunnery and ship supply. It is also a fairly common privateer ship.
This is a fishing vessel much like those Ussura sails on the Mirror. It does not generally go armed, but this could be changed with a little work. Nevertheless, it is really not a capable fighter.
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The typical Avalon sloop of war, the Brig sacrifices speed for upgraded cannons and a somewhat larger hull. This was the ship primarily responsible for the Avalon victory against the Castillian Armada in the shallows around the Three Kingdoms.
The lower grade Avalon ship-of-the-line, the frigate is the beginnings of a heavy Avalon fleet.
The heaviest Avalon ship type, these are recent constructions. They signal a possible agressive future for the Avalon fleet.
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Chapter Five: Castillian Ships
This Castillian ship is fast but not terribly maneuverable. They are primarily a reaction to the Armada fiasco, but their effectiveness is yet to be seen. Mostly they seem to be used for patrols.
Another light Castillian ship, one of the redeemers of what remained of the Armada.
This ship-of-the-line didn't see use in the Armada, as many in the Castillian court felt that the old Galley would take its place with the advent of the Galleon. With so many Galleons destroyed in the Avalon shallows, the frigate has been given a new lease on life.
The main line ship of the Castillian navy, it has proved effective in many engagements in the last century or so. It remains to be seen what effect the skill drain of the Armada losses will have on the fleet.
This heavy ship-of-the-line made its combat debut in the attack on Avalon, in which most of them were lost by foundering in the shallows while Avalon sloops picked them apart. Nevertheless, Castille is embarking on a rebuilding project to replace the Armada losses.
P.S. Yes, I know this technically violates the maximum size rules. That's the whole point. -- MK
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Chapter Six: Empire of the Crescent Moon Ships
Since the Crusades, very little contact has been made with the Empire of the Crescent Moon. The only contacts, given the Vaticine Church ban on association with the Crescents, have been raids on Thean coastal villiages, apparently for slave labor. This ship is typical of those used in said raids.
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Chapter Seven: Montaigne Ships
This ship is somewhat similar to the Castillian cutter, and some speculate that the cutter is an attempted copy of the Montaigne sloop. It sees a lot of use as a privateer and commerce raider.
This ship is slower than the typical brigantine, and if the Montaigne Lord of the Admiralty ever tried using the fleet, they might figure that out.
The Montaigne frigate seems to be an adequate ship-of-the-line.
Another relatively underarmed heavy ship-of-the-line. Nevertheless, it is quite capable of taking a beating, and has been an effective part of the Montaigne navy for centuries.
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A relatively light and fast ship; we conjecture it is used primarily for carrying captured booty, as it is not nearly armed well enough to assault another ship.
The Sea Dogs seem to use this as their primary strike ship, despite its limitations. It is nevertheless a capable fighter.
This "frigate" is only capable of carrying as much cargo as the much smaller brigantine. Nevertheless, its additional firepower is often a surprise for those hunting the pirates.
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Chapter Ten: Vendel League Ships
The Vendel sloop is not as capable as those of other nations. Considering the lack of attention to them by Sea Dogs, and the seemingly even poorer shipping of the Vesten Raiders, though, it seems sufficient for the moment.
The brig is the primary defensive ship of the Vendel League.
A Vendel attempt at a line ship... at least, we think that's what this is. It has the advantage of being the most agile ship in the Vendel fleet.
The Ambuscade is named for its primary function -- to lure pirates with the appearance of a helpless cargo ship, and the surprise them with lots of hidden guns and a substantial boarding force. The Vendel League is currently the only user, although rumors are circulating of sales to other nations. The big question here is, "When will the pirates follow suit?"
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Chapter Eleven: Vesten Raider Ships
This is a small ship meant mainly for transport. It is rarely found on the high seas, but is common on the coasts believed to be held mainly by the Vestenmannavnjar.
The Vesten longship is a curiousity in that it is primarily rowed, lending to the relatively high maneuverability. The cannon seem to be a nod to realism by the otherwise traditional Vestenmannavnjar (although some have attempted to mount ballistae on their ships, according to some sea captains familiar with them.) Unlike many other raiding ships, it does not carry dedicated boarding forces -- instead, the entire crew fights, to startling effect.
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There are few examples of this ship left, given the devastation that comprises the Konigreich of Wische. They seem to be mostly hobbled together for coastal defense, but like the Posen sloops, would seem to stand little chance against a determined raid by another power, especially given their low numbers.
Mark Kinney / alberich@iglou.com