T.W. Ley Line Longboat / Ocean vessel:

During the age of sail, most large sailing ships embarked several smaller vessel for various purposes. Most were a combination of rowed and mounted with sails. The longboat was one of these and was normally rowed by eight to ten crewmen although is was equipped with folding sails as well. Longboats were open hulled but were considered to be seaworthy vessels for their size. The longboat performed a variety of services including acting as a life boat. They were used for several centuries before they were replaced by steam propelled vessels.

As with sailing vessels of the past, techno-wizard ley line vessels have need to carry some type of "craft" to allow the crew to travel without the need of a fly spell. This is partially taken care of with the use of "Line Boards" but in some cases a larger craft is needed. This might include carrying passengers who are not skilled in the use of a Line Board or to carry small loads of cargo around. They can also be used to pull a damaged line ship which has lost all of its sails. As a result of their utility, most larger line ship carry one to four longboats. As well some techno-wizards use longboats for personal transportation. Of course like all smaller ley line craft, it is not as fast as larger vessels.

Most longboats are constructed in traditional styles similar to the way that the original boats were built. Some are high quality crafted boats which the builders are artists while others are of fairly poor quality. Some are not extremely seaworthy although most of the better built boats are surprisingly capable in the water as well as when used as line boats. The same craftsmen who create the larger ley line vessels often produce the smaller ley line longboats as well. They usually use traditional materials such as wood while some other builders will substitute high tech materials.

Even when made by the better craftsman, Ley Line Longboats are fairly simple vessels. The boats are usually anywhere from twenty-five to thirty feet long. The vessel has a single folding mast and have a top speed on ley lines of around one hundred miles per hour. They can carry up to sixteen passengers beyond a crew of four or can carry up to around a ton of cargo. This is reduced if the vessel is carrying a full set of rowers.

Wooden designs for the longboat are enchanted with the spell “Ironwood” so that they can withstand the damage which can be inflicted in the Rifts World. Those constructed from high tech alloys and composites can take a comparable amount of damage although traditionalist will tell you that they lose some of the feel of the original design. The boat is enchanted so that it is a Ley Line vessel by a techno-wizard and few other enchantments are added.

Virtually all longboats are unarmed although the crew in most cases will be armed with various small arms including techno-wizard weaponry. As well, most Ley Line Longboats are not fitted with any defenses although some carry techno-wizard enchantments with “Impervious to Energy”and "Invisibility: Superior" being the most common. They can be purchased and some crews will put the enchantments on the longboats themselves to save money. There are no techno-wizard optics or a magical energy battery carried on longboats.

Model Type: Ley Line Longboat
Vehicle Type: Ocean & Sky Sail Longboat
Crew: Four (ten to twelve if carrying rowers)
Troops / Passengers: sixteen (eight to ten if carrying rowers)

M.D.C. by Location:

	[1] Folding Mast:	60
	Sail:	40
	Oars (8 to 10):	10 each
	Rudder:	40
	[2] Main Body:	250

Notes:
[1] Destruction of the mast prevents movement in the ocean except by rowing ocean and cannot move on a ley line although will still float.
[2] Destroying the main body causes the ship to lose structural integrity, causing the boat to sink if in the water.

Speed:
Ocean Surface: On sail, eight knots (9.2 mph / 14.8 kph) or higher depending on the wind. When rowed, around six knots (6.9 mph / 11.1 kph). Only seaworthy vessels of the vessel can operated on the water.
Ley Lines: 100 mph (160.9 kph). Requires the Telekinesis Spell (cost 8 P.P.E.) or 10 I.S.P. to initiative take off and Telekinesis Spell (cost 8 P.P.E.), Levitate Spell (cost 5 P.P.E.) or 10 I.S.P. to land the ship. Otherwise, the ship will float away slowly (2 mph) at about 100 feet (30.5 meters) off the ground. The ship can only travel through the air along ley lines and can switch directions at ley line nexus points.
Height: While Flying, maximum of 1000 feet (305 meters) and minimum of 200 feet (61 meters) without landing.
Maximum Effective Range: Effectively Unlimited. The boat can carry up to two weeks worth of supplies on board. Rowers will fatigue at normal rate when being rowed.

Statistical Data:
Length: 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 meters)
Beam: 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters)
Draft: 2 feet (0.6 meters)
Displacement: 4 tons
Cargo: One ton if not carrying passengers or rowers.
Power System: Magic and sails (or oars).
Market Cost: Basic versions cost around 12,000 credits. High Quality versions cost around 25,000 to 40,000 credits. Increase cost of vessel for any techno-wizard enchantments added to vessel with chameleon costing 220,00 credits, impervious to energy costing 800,000 credits, and invisibility costing three million credits. Crews will often place these enchantments on the vessel themselves.

WEAPON SYSTEMS (None Standard):

Techno-Wizard Modifications (Optional): The longboat can have following techno-wizard modifications built into the boat. These require P.P.E. or I.S.P. from the vessel's crew. Other techno-wizard enchantments are optional as well but these are the most common. Chameleon is often chosen instead of Invisibility due to the enchantment's lower cost.
Optional Special Features:

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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