There are more ship designs to be discovered in the Ardemare galaxy galaxy than there are stars. Each ship is designed with a particular purpose in mind, whether that is hauling water to distant outposts, holding its own in a chaotic battle, or exploring dense rock gardens for scientific discoveries. The classification system below is the most commonly used throughout the galaxy, though some cultures use their own naming systems

This system can help players better understand the range of what ships are available to them in their adventures, and how their ship fits into the galactic fleet. Player characters (or NPCs) may wish to customize, improve, or design their own ships. With expert modifications or a sublime ship design, a vessel could exceed its class traits by a level in one or possibly two categories. A ship can be expanded to accommodate more crew/cargo/weapons, but this can impact speed and maneuverability. If players want to improve something on their ship without sacrificing anything, the skill required to design and execute such changes should not come cheap

Game masters may consider granting modifications, or even a legendary ship as a reward in place of money, experience, or keystones. Modifications might include:

• Unique keystone that allows the living engine to boost speed or maneuverability
• Keystone that uses desimancy to lighten the weight of your water tanks for more range
• Modifications from a genius engineer to your sail plan for more speed or control
• Mechanical weapon upgrades
• Keystone based energy weapons (at GM discretion) such as a column of flames or light
• Keystone based binding detection systems with alarms

• Crew Complement - How many crew can operate a typical vessel of the respective class. Minimum crew represents the smallest number of people needed to crew the ship under normal circumstances. Maximum crew numbers represent how many crew a ship can typically bunk without resorting to additional measures
• Ship Size - Small ships are usually crewed by 1 or 2 people, and are typically about 30 feet long. Some smaller ships are not capable of interstellar travel. Medium ships require 2 or more crew and are typically 30-60 feet long. Large ships require 3 or more crew and are typically 60-180 feet long. Huge Ships are typically longer than 180 feet and require significant crew to operate
• Weaponry - Deck cannons, ballista, petramancy/desimancy powered rail guns, etc. Light weaponry includes 1 or 2 smaller models of the basic weapon types. Medium weaponry will typically have 3-6 heavier models, and Heavy weaponry will have several of each model in various sizes
• Speed - Ship speed is how fast ships can travel in within stellar systems, and whether or not the ship can maximize its speed within galactic currents. Medium ships can eventually get reasonably close to the sound barrier within interstellar currents, slow ships cannot. Fast ships can get very close
• Maneuverability - Ships with poor maneuverability cannot navigate in asteroid fields and near planetary surfaces, while Medium ships have difficulty navigating close quarters
• Range - Short range vessels are usually limited to a planet's surface or tethered to a mother ship. Medium range vessels can make most interstellar voyages but must usually resupply at each new system. Long range ships can make multiple stellar jumps without resupply. Extreme range ships can cross the dead space between branches

Crew Complement: 2-5
Ship size: Small to Medium
Weaponry: Light
Speed: Very Fast
Maneuverability: Medium
Range: Very Long
Description: Warden Class vessels are smaller warships built to patrol stellar systems and interstellar space when necessary. These ships are typically equipped with powerful telescopes not typically seen even on larger warships. Warden class ships often have a sizeable map room and a full time crew member dedicated to navigation and record keeping. If still intact, their optical equipment and configuration makes these vessels unique candidates for adventuring crews to repurpose

Crew Complement: 2-5
Ship size: Small to Medium
Weaponry: Light to Medium
Speed: Fast
Maneuverability: Good
Range: Medium
Description:

Crew Complement: 6-12
Ship size: Medium to Large
Weaponry: Medium to Heavy
Speed: Medium
Maneuverability: Medium
Range: Medium
Description: Destroyer Class vessels are a relatively small battleship designed to escort carriers, phalanx, and provide combat mobility. Destroyers have a large weapon complement for their size, and their smaller size can make them difficult targets for larger, slower ships. Destroyer class vessels are sometimes used to provide range extension to small fleets of corvettes

Crew Complement: 18-30
Ship size: Large
Weaponry: Medium to Heavy
Speed: Slow
Maneuverability: Poor
Range: Very Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 30-60
Ship size: Large
Weaponry: Medium
Speed: Medium
Maneuverability: Poor
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 60+
Ship size: Huge
Weaponry: Very Heavy
Speed: Medium
Maneuverability: Very Poor
Range: Very Long
Description: The Dreadnaught Class is a mobile weapons platform with reasonable speed given its immense size. These are typically the flagship of an armada and serve as forward base of operations. They typically have a complement of fighters, though smaller than that of an average Carrier class. They have accommodations designed for a large crew operating on a long term basis

Crew Complement: 1-2
Ship size: Small
Weaponry: Light
Speed: Very Fast
Maneuverability: Excellent
Range: Short
Description:

Crew Complement: 1-2
Ship size: Small
Weaponry: Medium
Speed: Slow
Maneuverability: Medium
Range: Medium
Description:

Crew Complement: 1-3
Ship size: Small
Weaponry: Minimal
Speed: Extreme
Maneuverability: Excellent
Range: Short
Description: The Scout Class are typically included as fighters due to their size and function, but typically have minimal ship weapons. They usually scout for larger fleets, leaving longer term patrols and reconnaissance to the Warden. Due to their excellent speed and maneuverability, scouts are often refurbished after military service by adventuring crews who wish to evade piracy. While the range is a limiting factor, some Scout Class vessels are capable of shorter interstellar journeys

Crew Complement: 1-5
Ship size: Small to Medium
Weaponry: Light
Speed: Very Fast
Maneuverability: Good
Range: Long
Description: The Interceptor Class is a unique vessel class, intended for small-crew missions at range. The Interceptor is a sister ship to the Scout that trades a bit of speed and maneuverability for range, weaponry, and a larger crew capacity. Like the Scout, the Interceptor is a favorite of adventuring crews, and has less limitations on its range

Crew Complement: 3-12
Ship size: Medium
Weaponry: Light
Speed: Fast
Maneuverability: Excellent
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 6-18
Ship size: Large
Weaponry: Medium
Speed: Medium
Maneuverability: Good
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 1-2
Ship size: Small
Weaponry: Minimal
Speed: Very Fast
Maneuverability: Excellent
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 2-6
Ship size: Medium to Large
Weaponry: Minimal to Light
Speed: Slow
Maneuverability: Poor
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 2-6
Ship size: Medium to Large
Weaponry: Light
Speed: Medium
Maneuverability: Poor
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 6-12
Ship size: Large
Weaponry: Medium
Speed: Medium
Maneuverability: Medium
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 6-12
Ship size: Medium
Weaponry: Minimal
Speed: Fast
Maneuverability: Good
Range: Medium to Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 1-3
Ship size: Small
Weaponry: Minimal
Speed: Fast
Maneuverability: Extreme
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 1-3 (+ up to 5 scientists)
Ship size: Small to Medium
Weaponry: Minimal
Speed: Very Fast
Maneuverability: Excellent
Range: Medium to Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 2-5
Ship size: Small to Medium
Weaponry: Light
Speed: Extreme
Maneuverability: Excellent
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 3-9
Ship size: Medium
Weaponry: Light
Speed: Fast
Maneuverability: Excellent
Range: Very Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 6-12
Ship size: Medium
Weaponry: Light
Speed: Fast
Maneuverability: Good
Range: Extreme
Description:

Crew Complement: 6-18
Ship size: Medium to Large
Weaponry: Medium to Heavy
Speed: Fast
Maneuverability: Medium
Range: Long
Description:

Crew Complement: 60+
Ship size: Large to Huge
Weaponry: Medium
Speed: Medium
Maneuverability: Poor
Range: Long
Description: