- Built By: Humans
- Used Primarily By: Humans
- Tonnage: 100 tons
- Hull Points: 100
- Crew: 40/100
- Maneuver Class: D
- Landing-Land: No
- Landing-Water: No
- Armor Rating: 5
- Saves As: Thick wood
- Power Type: Major helm
- Ship's Rating: As for helmsman
- Standard Armament:
- 6 heavy catapults; Crew: 5 each
6 heavy ballistae; Crew: 4 each
2 heavy jettison; Crew: 4 each
Blunt ram
Grappling ram - Cargo: 50 tons
- Keel Length: 250'
- Beam Length: 40'
The eagle class ship is the largest ship in the Space Fleet. Like the elven armadas, the eagle ships are reserved for use by the S.F. alone. Anyone else possessing such a craft will by subject to attack.
The re-enforced wings of the eagle ship are flat on top to provide a landing surface for sparrows and birds of prey. The earliest designs set the landing platforms almost 40 feet above the battle deck, but latter versions have lowered the platforms to only 10 feet above the deck. This has improved both efficiency and safety.
Crew
Like any naval vessel, the eagle ships have a strong chain of command and a rigid military crew. Because they are often at the heart of naval actions, eagles are more likely to carry higher-ranking officers than the average war bird.
Ship Uses
Military: The main function of the eagle ships is to act as a base for aggressive action against an enemy. Defense is the primary mission for the Space Fleet, and the eagle ship is the most fearsome craft in the sphere (next to the mighty elven armadas that guard the interests of the local elven communities).
Each eagle ship typically carries 4 birds of prey or 8 to 12 sparrows, 3 of each being equipped with spelljamming helms. The remaining depowered craft are ornithopters powered by mussel engines: large, light-sensitive mollusks linked to the wings to make them flap. These were invented by a mutator with the fleet's light ships in mind.
The eagle ship often serves as the head of S.F. offensive fleets, being backed up by 10 war birds and around 100 birds of prey and sparrows.
Explorer: A very small number of eagle ships work as exploration vessels, pushing out into new spheres and making contact with other races and cultures. These craft return home every few years to report their findings.
Other Configurations
Flag ship: Eagle ships that carry a fleet commander and his staff are fitted with a special command center-structure between the wings. The command center comes equipped with everything a fleet commander needs: a battle room, chart room, communications center, lounge, and lush accommodations.
Illustration
Deckplans
