Captained by Gerrard and carrying a crew of heroes into Rath, the flying ship Weatherlight is unique among such craft both in its design and in its ability to planeshift. Of mysterious origin, the 300-foot ship is 400 to 500 years old, and seems to have been designed as a pleasure schooner, though while under Sisay's command it has been used to regain parts of the Legacy. It carries a crew of approximately 40, with most of the crewmembers assigned to tending the ship's massive and complex engines.

Staterooms and officer's quarters are conjoined around the last room on the main deck level, near the stern. Two decks in the forecastle split the complement of able-bodied sailors between them, and double as additional storage space for ship's goods. Those without seniority among the crew sleep in the cargo hold, in a series of secured hammocks.

Manipulation of the sails is the primary way the weatherlight steers at low velocities. At higher speeds the sails convert to airfoils, wraping to allow steering, in addition to the vane that splits the ship's exhaust. The weatherlight's engine provides the main power for the vessel. Its power plant, the core of which is a massive crystal that transforms mana into fuel, creates the levitation field, and enables planar travel. Two rudders are fitted into the stern, flanking the exhaust manifold and conforming to the curve of the hull.

In its present configuration the weatherlight is capable of attaining speeds approaching 110 mph in a straight line, 40 miles an hour in full reverse. A "storm shield" created by the ship's engine and generated by the ship's magically powered lights offers some protection from the elements on the ship's deck, but at higher speeds this area is no place to be. Under most circumstances its sails are deployed in windship fashion, assisting in the forward momentum.

Although the weatherlight may look like a seagoing ship, water is not its natural environment. Seafaring sailors regard it with a skeptical eye, the porthole gratings are right on the waterline, and it steers like a block of stone when at sea.

Scattered though the weatherlight are odd bits of architecture and machinery, obvious gaps in the interior hull or needless constructions. These are the most obvious pieces of evidence that the weatherlight has a greater purpose than its current use. New hardpoints or mountings are occasionally revealed when existiong equipment is shifted, features that weren't seen before. Some of its crew think that the ship itself seems more like a living creature than any other craft they've sailed in.
The Predator, the nasty 500 foot cousin to the weatherlight, is Volrath's flagship. Comprised of metal and Phyrexian technology, it is the main battleship of the realm, and under Greven il-Vec's command, it is respected and feared across Rath. Though not as maneuerable as the weatherlight, the predator is heavily armored and excessively armed. It is easily capable of impaling wooden airships without damaging itself whatsoever.

The predator's design suggests that it is quite ancient. The masts are dirty ivory tusks hoarded from an unimaginably large and powerful beast. The junklike sails are rumored to be taken from the hide of that same creature. (Other rumors claim that the sails are made from the hides of disloyal subjects!) One stabilizing sail sits above, two stretched in a "v" shape below for added propulsion when winds are favorable. When not needed, the bottom ventral mast folds flat between the side sails.

Its main propulsion comes from a Phyrexian engine powered by a dimensional aperture, spewing a high pressure, toxic gas. This semi living abomination, housed in the ship's  lowermost deck, supplies the most of the energy needs of the ship, primarily the motive thrust. If needed, the engine can crawl out of the ship when it needs maintenance. When not walking, its legs plug into the bulkheads. A metal rudder directs the twin exhaust for horizontal steering, and internal vent fins in the cowlings control vertical ascent, descent, and roll.

The masts and rigging dont feature chains or ropes like other ships, but a flowstone like mimetic black metal. When landing, the cabling bends the side masting slightly upwards. A blade on the bottom forward section of the ship can be used as a ripping weapon on other ships, and also serves as a landing blade that can dig into soft earth.
More about the predator and the story after.....
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