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| Torvaldsland Ships |
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| The ships of Torvaldsland are different from most of the other Gorean ships that exist. Their ships are smaller craft, clinker built, with overlapping, bending planking. They are also known as serpent ships. They are more seaworthy than other Gorean ships. They must be baled frequently and are not well suited for cargo. They are better raiding vessels. Their sails are square and cannot sail as close to the wind as lateen sails. But, the square sail makes it possible to do with a single sail. You can take in and let out the canvas as needed. The ships have a prow on each end, making it easier to beach them. The steering oar, on the starboard side, is most effective in the normal "forward" direction. It is very hard to ram their ships because of their small size and ability to rapidly reverse direction. Torvaldsland ships are fast. With a fair wind, they can cover 200 to 250 pasangs in a day. On some light raiding galleys, the tarnhead at the prow is hinged. This helps to remove the weight from the prow's height and gives greater stability in high seas. It is always at the prow in harbor or when the ship enters an inlet or river so it can make its strike. A white shield hung on the mast is a sign of truce. |
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