Ships in the Shackles

The Shackles is one of the few areas of Golorion where you will find people, and ships, from across the world. You may come across vessels from a varity of different nations, and in a number of different building styles, however, they will all conform to one of the basic categories described below.

• Galleys - Massive warships, with banks or oars and sails! They are horrendously powerful and often carry a large complement of marines - but fortunately don't travel very far from the shore.
• Warships - Slightly smaller than a galley, they also use oars and sails to achieve their top speed. They, too, are well armed and carry marines - but not in the same numbers as galley. However, they can travel a bit further …
• Men-o-War – Often with four masts and heavily armed, these major naval vessels are the kings of the deep seas, but are normally only found in national navies.
• Sailing Ships – The traditional three-masted vessel favoured by merchants, pirates and navies. More lightly armed than Men-o-War, these are the most common vessels found on the open sea.
• Sailing Ships (Light) – Two masted ships, sometimes known as brigs, are smaller than standard sailing ships, carry less cargo and fewer armaments. However, they are cheaper, and just as fast.
• Junks – These oriental ships are slightly smaller than sailing ships, and carry less cargo. However, they are as fast as any other ship, and can be well armed.
• Long Ships - originally from the north, their large crews mean they are great for raiding. About as long as a junk, and as low as a keelboat, they are powered into battle by a company of rowers. They are rarely used as merchant vessels.
• Coasters - About the same size as junks, but often with a single mast, they can sail in open water, but perform better close to the coast. They are slow and rarely carry valuable cargo.
• Keelboats – Slower and smaller vessels, which can venture into deep water, but often fare better close to the shore. They serve as deep water fishing ships, local merchant ships or as vessel for shore based pirates.

There are any number of smaller vessels that might be found in and around settlements - small fishing boats, harbour tenders or auxiliary vessels on ships. However, they are rarely worth the effort of stopping or raiding. You can find full technical specifications of all of those vessels here.