The Emberstone Fleet Rating System: Simplicity by Design (Updated Details) King Masdrin's fleet operates on principles of pragmatic efficiency and strategic flexibility, designed to project Emberstone's influence globally. His classification system is clear, size-based, and purpose-driven, aligning with his “copy-paste” standardization ideal. Every vessel, from the largest frigate to the smallest riverine tender, is engineered to project a formidable presence, ensuring Masdrin's trade and exploration efforts are backed by undeniable capability.
Core Principles:
Size-Based Classification: Simple tiers defined by overall length.
Modular Design: Hulls, powerplants, and internal layouts are standardized within classes, enabling efficient conversion between armed and cargo configurations.
Dual Propulsion: All ships are primarily sail vessels for oceanic endurance, supplemented by auxiliary biodiesel steam engines (twin-screw for larger, single-screw for smaller). Biodiesel provides extended range, quiet operation, and reduced visible emissions.
Fleet-Wide Liftable Screws (Power Trim): Every ship in the fleet is equipped with a liftable/retractable propeller system, akin to modern “power trim.” This serves multiple vital functions:
Facilitating en route repairs without needing divers.
Providing extra clearance (a few feet) in shallower waters.
Protecting propellers from damage.
Emberstone's Edge: All vessels feature strategic Aspuenyx plating for enhanced defense. They are armed with the standardized .43 NAP (pistol/.43 caliber) and 6.9mm (rifle/6.9 caliber) cartridges across pistols, rifles, and 50mm breech-loading cannons, including hand-cranked gatling swivel guns.
Emberstone Ship Classes:
1. Type I (Dominion-Class Frigate): * Description: The “REALLY BIG ships” of Masdrin's fleet, serving as multi-role capital vessels. These are large frigates or light armored cruisers by contemporary standards, designed for command, extended influence projection, and decisive engagements. They embody luxury and menacing presence. * Length: Approximately 90-100 meters (295-330 feet). * Propulsion: Primary sail, powerful auxiliary twin-screw biodiesel engines, with liftable propeller systems. These are oceanic vessels, benefiting from the propeller clearance in coastal operations. * Role: Flagship (like the Nightfang), squadron command, long-range exploration, deep-sea patrol, diplomatic presence, and heavy escort for convoys. Capable of winning a blue-water fight. * Command: Captained by the leader of a highly experienced Shadow Team, whose team forms the senior crew. * Crew: Approximately 50 Marines, plus full ship's crew (all souls on board). All have pistols and Talon 2 rifles. Enough crew for three shifts. * Masdrin's Touch: Masdrin himself captains his flagship, engaging with the crew with inappropriate sea shanties and occasionally unsettling them with Drow songs from his youth. * Canoes: Carries 4 custom cedar Expedition Canoes racked as lifeboats/utility craft.
2. Type II (Vanguard-Class Corvette): * Description: The versatile backbone of the fleet, these are medium-sized, fast, and heavily armed vessels. They balance speed, firepower, and cargo capacity. * Length: Approximately 60-80 meters (200-260 feet). * Propulsion: Primary sail, auxiliary single or twin-screw biodiesel engines, with liftable propeller systems. Primarily oceanic and coastal vessels. * Role: General purpose escort, rapid response, coastal patrol, medium-range armed trade, convoy duty, and supporting Barra D'aron coastal operations. * Command: Captained by the leader of a Shadow Team, whose team forms the senior crew. * Crew: 20-30 Marines, plus full ship's crew. All armed. Enough crew for three shifts. * Canoes: Carries 4 custom cedar Expedition Canoes each.
3. Type III (Pathfinder-Class Cutter): * Description: This class represents the smallest dedicated coastal and light patrol vessels in Masdrin's fleet that are primarily designed for oceanic and near-shore operations. They are smaller than a Corvette but larger and more robustly ocean-going than the riverine Type IV, serving as fast responders for coastal defense, reconnaissance, and swift support missions. * Length: Approximately 40-55 meters (130-180 feet). * Propulsion: Primary sail, auxiliary single-screw biodiesel engines, with liftable propeller systems. * Role: Coastal patrol, reconnaissance, light escort, fast courier duties, anti-smuggling operations, and supporting Barra D'aron operations in coastal zones where larger vessels might be impractical but deep river penetration isn't required. * Command: Captained by the leader of a Shadow Team, whose team forms the senior crew. * Crew: Smaller crew complements, all armed. Enough crew for three shifts. * Canoes: Can accommodate 2 custom cedar Expedition Canoes, one on each side, racked for utility and lifeboat purposes.
4. Type IV (Voyageur-Class Riverine Tender): * Description: This is the smallest ship in the fleet overall. While ocean-capable (designed to keep up with the main fleet at sea, and would be fairly unladen to sit higher for speed and better handling in open water), its primary and dedicated purpose is deep riverine penetration. Think “tugboat with attitude and speed” when not performing river duties. * Length: Approximately 25-35 meters (80-115 feet). * Propulsion: Smaller sail rigs optimized for river winds, primarily relying on powerful single-screw biodiesel engines, with liftable propeller systems. * Armament: Designed for harassment and close-quarters river combat. Equipped with a few .43 NAP and 6.9mm hand-cranked gatling swivel guns, and potentially one 50mm cannon mounted on the bow for punching above their weight. * Cargo: Carries a small amount of supplies and ammunition for its mission, but its main goal is to tow the Expedition Canoes up rivers, harass enemies, and perform “river shit,” not to haul significant cargo. * Role: Dedicated to towing the Expedition Canoes up rivers, deep inland exploration, riverine trade routes support, and direct support/insertion of Barra D'aron teams in continental interiors. * Command: Captained by the leader of a Shadow Team, whose team forms the senior crew. * Crew: A minimum of 11 souls on board (all souls included), all armed. Enough crew for three shifts. * Ideal River Deployment: Two Type IVs, each towing four Expedition Canoes (two off port stern, two off starboard stern) in a daisy chain, powered by sail or engine (no paddling unless necessary).
Universal Canoe System: The Expedition Canoe
Description: These are Masdrin's custom-designed, very large cedar canoes, inspired by the historical freight canoes used by fur traders (like the “Canot de Maître” or “Montreal Canoe,” now less common terms). They are built for robust utility and crew safety.
Dimensions: Substantial in size, typically around 10-12 meters (35-40 feet) or more in length, with a wide beam and high gunwales to handle significant loads and rougher waters.
Capacity: Designed to carry considerable cargo and personnel. In a jammed, gear-free emergency, a single Expedition Canoe can safely hold up to 30 people.
Purpose: Multi-purpose. They serve as essential lifeboats for all ships, crucial for extending reach beyond where even the Type IVs can go, and are capable of portaging goods or personnel around obstacles. This system ensures Masdrin's fleet carries significantly more lifeboat capacity than was standard for the era, with a target of being able to rescue at least 90% of his crew from a sinking vessel (assuming they escape the initial event). This embodies the “US Marines meets Voyageurs” ethos.
Deployment: Racked on Type I, II, and III ships for transport and deployment. Primarily deployed and towed by the Type IV Riverine Tenders during inland expeditions.