No replies to this topic

[Ash]

The use of magite as a quick, efficient and universal power source has enabled civilisation to advance technologically at an alarming rate. Unburdened by a number of technological hurdles, inventors have been able to bring otherwise previously unthinkable unrealities to life.

One of the most prevalent and societally important of these inventions was, of course, the Skyship, which has revolutionised the world socially, economically and militarily. The first seeds of such a creation can be attributed initially to the use of a magite-powered missile designed to increase artillery range in 1712, however naval scientists and civilian researchers alike latched onto the idea of using the same principle to power ships rather than making use of the wind (or of a mage with the power to direct air into the sails, affording more control and the ability to sail into the wind). Before long, the vast majority of seagoing vessels were magite-powered, eschewing sails in favour of large internal magite engines.

Within fifty years, engines had been developed which were powerful enough to provide enough lift and drive to completely remove the ship from the water and allow it to fly through the air, a development commonly attributed to the minds of Michael and James Hock, though their names have largely been forgotten through history; they did not apply for the patent and soon over a dozen companies had begun to forge designs of their own for these flying ships.
Being unburdened by the need to travel through water allows radical designs and shapes to appear, although much of a nautical ship's configuration is retained. The tapered bottom of a regular boat is both unnecessary and a greater burden when it comes to potentially landing the vessel, although a sleek appearance is generally favoured. Sure enough, the conquest of the skies by humanity led inevitably to its attempted conquest by groups of people. Consequently, nearly all nations possess a sky navy of some description. And just as pirates lurk the seas, so too do they raid the skies for plunder.

Military skyships serve much the same purpose as their seaborne forebears, though with the added ability to perform their activities over land. Many navies, as well as fitting port, starboard and chase armament, typically include either bomb bays or downward-facing bombards. Other than this, skyship combat is more or less analogous with sea combat, except that missing your target could have more dire consequences, particularly if the battle is taking place near or over a populated region. Likewise, a skyship crash tends to cause collateral casualties that a sinking ship would not.

Some navies are also experimenting with glider-carriers for reconnaisance purposes, though these are rare.