Ship classes

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====== Ship classification =======

There are more ship designs to be discovered in the [[Ardemare]] 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

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==== Overview table ====
^Purpose^Class^  Crew  ^  Size  ^  Weaponry  ^  Speed  ^  Maneuver  ^  Range  ^
|Military|[[ship classes#Warden]]|  2-5  |  Small-Med  |  Light  |  Very Fast  |  Medium  |  Very Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Corvette]]|  2-5  |  Small-Med  |  Light-Med  |  Fast  |  Good  |  Medium  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Destroyer]]|  6-12  |  Med-Large  |  Med-Heavy  |  Medium  |  Medium  |  Medium  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Carrier]]|  12-30  |  Large-Huge  |  Med-Heavy  |  Slow  |  Poor  |  Very Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Phalanx]]|  30-60  |  Large  |  Medium  |  Medium  |  Poor  |  Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Dreadnaught]]|  60+  |  Huge  |  Very Heavy  |  Medium |  Very Poor  |  Very Long  |
^Purpose^Class^  Crew  ^  Size  ^  Weaponry  ^  Speed  ^  Maneuver  ^  Range  ^
|Fighter|[[ship classes#Striker]]|  1-2  |  Small  |  Light  |  Very Fast  |  Excellent  |  Short  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Bomber]]|  1-2  |  Small  |  Medium  |  Slow  |  Medium  |  Medium  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Scout]]|  1-3  |  Small  |  Minimal  |  Extreme  |  Excellent  |  Short  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Interceptor]]|  1-5  |  Small-Med  |  Light  |  Very Fast  |  Good  |  Long  |
^Purpose^Class^  Crew  ^  Size  ^  Weaponry  ^  Speed  ^  Maneuver  ^  Range  ^
|Piracy|[[ship classes#Marauder]]|  3-12  |  Medium  |  Light  |  Fast  |  Excellent  |  Medium  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Corsair]]|  6-18  |  Large  |  Medium  |  Medium  |  Good  |  Long  |
^Purpose^Class^  Crew  ^  Size  ^  Weaponry  ^  Speed  ^  Maneuver  ^  Range  ^
|Merchant|[[ship classes#Sprinter]]|  1-2  |  Small  |  Minimal  |  Very Fast  |  Excellent  |  Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Tanker]]|  2-6  |  Med-Large  |  Minimal  |  Slow  |  Poor  |  Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Freighter]]|  2-6  |  Med-Large  |  Minimal  |  Medium|  Poor  |  Very Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Frigate]]|  6-12  |  Large  |  Medium  |  Medium  |  Medium  |  Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Envoy]]|  6-12  |  Medium  |  Minimal  |  Fast  |  Good  |  Med-Long  |
^Purpose^Class^  Crew  ^  Size  ^  Weaponry  ^  Speed  ^  Maneuver  ^  Range  ^
|Explorers|[[ship classes#Sherpa]]|  1-3  |  Small  |  Minimal  |  Fast  |  Extreme  |  Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Venture]]|  1-8  |  Small-Med  |  Minimal  |  Very Fast  |  Excellent  |  Med-Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Voyager]]|  2-5  |  Small-Med  |  Light  |  Very Fast  |  Good  |  Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Outlander]]|  3-9  |  Medium  |  Light  |  Fast  |  Excellent  |  Very Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Pathfinder]]|  6-12  |  Medium  |  Light  |  Fast  |  Good  |  Extreme  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Enterprise]]|  6-18  |  Med-Large  |  Med-Heavy  |  Fast  |  Medium  |  Long  |
|:::|[[ship classes#Pioneer]]|  60+  | Large-Huge  |  Medium  |  Medium  |  Poor  |  Long  |

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==== Player ships ====
~~TOC~~
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

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==== Ship attributes ====
  * **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

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===== Military =====

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==== Warden ====
**Crew Complement**: 2-5\\
**Ship size**: Small to Medium\\
**Weaponry**: Light\\
**Speed**: Very Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Medium\\
**Range**: Very Long\\
**Description**: Warden Class Starships 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\\

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==== Corvette ====
**Crew Complement**: 2-5\\
**Ship size**: Small to Medium\\
**Weaponry**: Light to Medium\\
**Speed**: Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Good\\
**Range**: Medium\\
**Description**: Corvette Class starships are fast warships built with a balance of speed and weaponry in mind. They are designed to be accompanied by larger fleets but do have the capacity for shorter interstellar jumps. While not as fast as the [[ship classes#Warden|Warden Class]], Corvette Class starships have good speed and are the only Small-to-Medium class capable of fitting Medium weaponry. Owing to their small crew requirement and outsized weapons, this class appeals to adventuring crews operating in dangerous areas\\

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==== Destroyer ====
**Crew Complement**: 6-12\\
**Ship size**: Medium to Large\\
**Weaponry**: Medium to Heavy\\
**Speed**: Medium\\
**Maneuverability**: Medium\\
**Range**: Medium\\
**Description**: Destroyer Class starships are a relatively small battleship designed to escort [[ship classes#Carrier|Carrier]] and [[ship classes#Phalanx|Phalanx]] Class starships, 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\\

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==== Carrier ====
**Crew Complement**: 12-30\\
**Ship size**: Large to Huge\\
**Weaponry**: Medium to Heavy\\
**Speed**: Slow\\
**Maneuverability**: Poor\\
**Range**: Very Long\\
**Description**: Carrier Class starships are large ships characterized by heavy defensive weaponry and the ability to house, repair, and launch the [[ship classes#Fighters|fighting]] class vessels. Depending on their size, Carriers can manage anywhere from 2 all the way up to 30 Fighters for the most massive vessels\\

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==== Phalanx ====
**Crew Complement**: 30-60\\
**Ship size**: Large\\
**Weaponry**: Medium\\
**Speed**: Medium\\
**Maneuverability**: Poor\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Phalanx Class starships are designed to carry personnel and supplies needed to create temporary outposts and forward bases of operation on planets and planetoids. Very similar in specification to [[ship classes#Pioneer|Pioneer Class]] vessels, the Phalanx is usually a little smaller, has fewer crew capacity, and favors quick deployment over permanent living arrangements\\

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==== Dreadnaught ====
**Crew Complement**: 60+\\
**Ship size**: Huge\\
**Weaponry**: Very Heavy\\
**Speed**: Medium\\
**Maneuverability**: Very Poor\\
**Range**: Very Long\\
**Description**: Dreadnaught Class starships are mobile weapons platform with reasonable speed given their immense size. They 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 [[ship classes#Carrier|Carrier Class]] starship. Their accommodations are designed for a large crew operating on a long-term basis\\


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===== Fighters =====

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==== Striker ====
**Crew Complement**: 1-2\\
**Ship size**: Small\\
**Weaponry**: Light\\
**Speed**: Very Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Excellent\\
**Range**: Short\\
**Description**: Striker Class ships are designed for short range combat, supported by air fields, convoys, or [[ship classes#Carrier|Carriers]]. They are typically capable of mounting any weapon types, and their speed and maneuverability make them difficult targets\\

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==== Bomber ====
**Crew Complement**: 1-2\\
**Ship size**: Small\\
**Weaponry**: Medium\\
**Speed**: Slow\\
**Maneuverability**: Medium\\
**Range**: Medium\\
**Description**: Bomber Class ships are fighters designed to heavily favor bombardment weaponry, and can be further sub classed into Bombers designed against planetary targets and those designed against larger starships\\

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==== Scout ====
**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 [[ship classes#Warden]]. Due to their unrivaled speed and excellent maneuverability, scouts are often refurbished after military service by smaller adventuring crews prioritizing speed. While the range is a limiting factor, some Scout Class vessels are capable of shorter interstellar journeys\\

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==== Interceptor ====
**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 long range. The Interceptor is a sister ship to the [[ship classes#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\\

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===== Pirates =====

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==== Marauder ====
**Crew Complement**: 3-12\\
**Ship size**: Medium\\
**Weaponry**: Light\\
**Speed**: Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Excellent\\
**Range**: Medium\\
**Description**: Marauder Class starships are designed to board and capture other vessels. Designed and used by militaries and repurposed by pirate crews. Their relatively shorter range is complemented by the [[ship classes#Corsair|Corsair Class]] for pirate crews with wider areas of operation\\

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==== Corsair ====
**Crew Complement**: 6-18\\
**Ship size**: Large\\
**Weaponry**: Medium to Heavy\\
**Speed**: Medium\\
**Maneuverability**: Good\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Corsair Class starships are designed to provide longer term support and firepower to pirate armadas. Corsairs have similar specs to [[ship classes#Enterprise|Enterprise Class]] vessels, but with a stronger focus on combat and with the additional benefit of ship-to-ship resupply infrastructure\\

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===== Merchants =====

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==== Sprinter ====
**Crew Complement**: 1-2\\
**Ship size**: Small\\
**Weaponry**: Minimal\\
**Speed**: Very Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Excellent\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Sprinter Class starships are small even within their size class, highly specialized to transport special cargo with a minimal crew over long distances if needed. They typically have evasion as a core design tenet, rarely engaging with assailants. The Sprinter is second to the [[ship classes#Scout]] and [[ship classes#Voyager]] in speed, and second only to the [[ship classes#Sherpa]] in maneuverability\\

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==== Tanker ====
**Crew Complement**: 2-6\\
**Ship size**: Medium to Large\\
**Weaponry**: Minimal to Light\\
**Speed**: Slow\\
**Maneuverability**: Poor\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Tanker Class starships are cargo ships that are specially designed to transport liquids across the vast wilderness of space. While most tankers are designed to carry water to refueling outposts, they can be designed to carry other liquids. Tankers construction typically heavily favors metal to avoid interference from [[Hydromancer|Hydromancers]]. Tankers typically have minimal defenses, relying on convoys with [[ship classes#Frigate|Frigate Class]] starships for defense\\

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==== Freighter ====
**Crew Complement**: 2-6\\
**Ship size**: Medium to Large\\
**Weaponry**: Light\\
**Speed**: Medium\\
**Maneuverability**: Poor\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Freighter Class starships are designed for general cargo hauling. Freighters are often designed for efficiency and specialized for the sector of the galaxy in which they operate. Freighters typically have minimal defenses, relying on convoys with [[ship classes#Frigate|Frigate Class]] starships for defense\\\\

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==== Frigate ====
**Crew Complement**: 6-12\\
**Ship size**: Large\\
**Weaponry**: Medium\\
**Speed**: Medium\\
**Maneuverability**: Medium\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Frigate Class starships are designed to serve as merchant marines, protecting convoys of [[ship classes#Tanker]], [[ship classes#Freighter]], and [[ship classes#Envoy|Envoy Class]] ships. Their weaponry and general design is skewed heavily in favor of defense, and will occasionally accommodate docking a single fighter or a pair of fighters. Frigates are also typically outfitted with ship-to-ship refueling apparatus\\

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==== Envoy ====
**Crew Complement**: 6-12\\
**Ship size**: Medium\\
**Weaponry**: Minimal\\
**Speed**: Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Good\\
**Range**: Medium to Long\\
**Description**: Envoy Class starships are designed primarily as luxury passenger vessels. They typically rely on escort ships in dangerous regions as they have little to no combat capacity. Many Envoy vessels never leave their planet or star system, but some are outfitted for interstellar travel\\

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===== Explorers =====

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==== Sherpa ====
**Crew Complement**: 1-3\\
**Ship size**: Small\\
**Weaponry**: Minimal\\
**Speed**: Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Extreme\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Sherpa Class starships are unmatched in their ability to comfortably navigate cluttered regions of space and tight canyons when planetside. They serve as guide ships for larger fleets, scouts, and mapping ships for treacherous skies. Sherpas have complicated rigging and sail plans to help them navigate with alarming precision and speed. Some Sherpas even have grapping hooks and telescopic push poles. Their complex design has its drawbacks, sacrificing open sky top speed to gain their legendary maneuverability\\

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==== Venture ====
**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**: Venture Class starships are designed primarily for scientific study and exploration, prioritizing crew quarters, working/laboratory space, and specialized scientific equipment. Venture class ships also regularly serve as mobile medical facilities serving remote locations. Their design is also a good fit for adventuring crews whose work does not require ship combat\\

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==== Voyager ====
**Crew Complement**: 2-5\\
**Ship size**: Small to Medium\\
**Weaponry**: Light\\
**Speed**: Extreme\\
**Maneuverability**: Excellent\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Voyager Class starships are designed to prioritize speed without losing range or maneuverability. They are second only to the [[ship classes#Scout|Scout Class]] for speed, sacrificing crew space and weaponry to achieve maximum speed in a larger form factor. The Voyager is a favorite among adventuring crews looking for maximum speed\\

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==== Outlander ====
**Crew Complement**: 3-9\\
**Ship size**: Medium\\
**Weaponry**: Light\\
**Speed**: Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Excellent\\
**Range**: Very Long\\
**Description**: Outlander Class starships are similar to [[ship classes#Voyager|Voyager Class]] vessels, trading the Voyager's intense speed for additional crew capacity, longer range, and better maneuverability. Outlander ship layout focuses on crew comforts for long-haul expeditions in a wide range of climates and conditions, without the need to rely on resupply stations\\

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==== Pathfinder ====
**Crew Complement**: 6-12\\
**Ship size**: Medium\\
**Weaponry**: Light\\
**Speed**: Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Good\\
**Range**: Extreme\\
**Description**: Pathfinder Class starships prioritize range to an extreme degree. Sister to the [[ship classes#Outlander|Outlander Class]], the pathfinder sacrifices some maneuverability and comfort for increased range and crew capacity. Pathfinders are often purpose built to handle specific voyages, though generalized Pathfinder designs do exist to cope with exploration of the unknown\\

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==== Enterprise ====
**Crew Complement**: 6-18\\
**Ship size**: Medium to Large\\
**Weaponry**: Medium to Heavy\\
**Speed**: Fast\\
**Maneuverability**: Medium\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Enterprise Class starship design prioritizes heavy weaponry and crew capacity over speed and maneuverability. They are designed with long-term living and comfort in mind, and in many cases they have a luxury aesthetic not usually found in ships designed for frequent combat. The Enterprise Class is a favorite among larger adventuring crews that operate in combat zones or regions known for piracy\\

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==== Pioneer ====
**Crew Complement**: 60+\\
**Ship size**: Large to Huge\\
**Weaponry**: Medium\\
**Speed**: Medium\\
**Maneuverability**: Poor\\
**Range**: Long\\
**Description**: Pioneer Class starships are niche vessels designed to carry large passenger complements as well as ample cargo capacity to accommodate everything needed for a community of people to relocate and establish a small village on a distant world. Pioneer Class vessels often convoy together to accommodate larger communities, and are often accompanied by combat ships which can serve as defense once the community has settled, or be repurposed as working ships\\
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