Vanavarian Griffon
- Typical features Length 120ft, Beam 22ft, Depth 11ft. Tonnage: 300 tons Crew: 150-250
- Average Base Cost to Build 1,015,000 true
- Average Time to Build 24-36 months
As the name suggests, Griffon vessels come from the island nation of Vanavar. The shipwrights and naval engineers there have tried to design a vessel that combines formidable firepower with speed and versatility. The Griffon design has been looked at with interest by other shipwrights around the world, and it will not be long before an attempt to copy them is made.
Several unique features make the Griffon vessels formidable offensive opponents in the water. One of these features is the addition of banks of oars to the lower deck. When manned, the oars can propel the ship forward with a significant burst of speed, though only for a short time. This ability is crucial when the Griffons go on the offensive; the short bursts of speed enable the ships to use their dangerous bronze rams, each of which is shaped like a griffon's talon. Another defining feature of these vessels is their long, single upper deck in lieu of a fore or aft castle. Underneath this deck is the room for the rowers, which is narrower than the deck above it. This difference in width allows for easier boarding of enemy vessels once they have been rammed. The Griffon ships are not only offensive vessels, though, and are very resistant to any attacks with which their enemies might retaliate. Elven spellgrowing magic is thought to be used in the crafting of the timbers of the hull, and this secret method ensures an iron-hard hull, even though the hulls of these ships are fashioned from wood.
Currently, only ten of these vessels are in service with the Vanavar navy. However, a handful of Griffons have also found their way into non-Vanavarian hands through devious means. Queen Miranda has issued an edict proclaiming that any of these ships found to be serving someone outside of Vanavar should be destroyed on sight. The Vanavarian queen will then pay a handsome reward of 25,000 True to the destroyer. Needless to say, those in possession of the stolen Griffons don't tend to advertise this fact.
