The Targans
The Targans were a riverine culture that grew into a powerful empire along the south-eastern coast of the Venarian Sea; due to the waterways and
fertility of their region the empire was able to increase its wealth and technological superiority over other cultures within the region. Due to the
region’s climate, terrain and contact with the Mafanese to the east the dominant vessel types used during this time were reed bundle and log boats
along with some rafts. Even before the date given for its inception (3,100 BT) the region had been settled by various indigenous peoples who made a
living off of the rivers and the sea. Even so, the coming of Mafanese traders and maybe even settlers would change the way the peoples of this region
looked at the waters surrounding them; the result being an empire based on their ability to move about on these bodies of water.
By 3,000 BT the Targans had improved upon the reed bundle boat’s design by converting them into large reed galleys of up to 60 feet in length.
Even though these vessels were larger and more stable, they were still more suited to river traffic than the open sea due to their main propulsion being
predominantly paddles and/or a sail which were adopted from the Mafanese; the A-frame mast also being borrowed from the Mafanese.
By 3,000 BT the Targans were also constructing vessels of small timbers which came in two forms, galleys and round ships; both types having been derived
from elements found in the construction of their reed and log boats. There is no doubt that the Mafanese Empire had a significant part to play in the
advancement of building wooden ships. At first the vessel’s hull was constructed in the Mafanese manner described above; however, by 2,500 BT
Targan ships were being constructed using mortises and pennons to fasten the hulls together using more substantial internal frames treenailed and lashed
into place instead of the old method using cross-beams and light framing material.
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The Targan round ships took in the shape of spoon’s bowl, and were often referred to as round ships. The round ship was the principle cargo
vessel of the ancient Venarian Sea, having a large beam to length ratio that provided a more stable platform for carrying cargo. These vessels were
primarily sailing vessels although most still carried a number of oars for use in calm winds, ports and rivers. They were steered by multiple
steering oars or a single steering oar suspended over the rear of the vessel.
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The first galleys were nothing more than large pleasure boats for the rulers of individual city-states and ceremonial craft for religious groups.
The shape of the galley was to take on the form of the reed boats they supplanted. Like all early wooden vessels they were constructed of short
timbers and had to have additional support in the form of a cable running from stem to stern to keep it from hogging. As Targan power grew the
galley came to be used as a purely military vessel used to project Targan power and authority throughout its sphere of influence. These early
galleys were more troop carrier and fighting platform than actual combat vessels since they lacked a ram. The construction methods employed were
very similar to the round ship described above.
Around 2,000 BT the Targans began incorporating a keel into their vessel designs in place of the central plank. This allowed them to build larger, and
more seaworthy, ships. In addition, it allowed the implementation of the ram on their galleys; thus giving them the first true naval weapon within the
region. Even so, their vessels were still caravel planked and of shell-first construction. Because of this it is assumed by many that the ram was more
of a decorative device instead of an actual weapon. This would not change for another millennium when a more improved internal support system was
devised by Venic shipwrights.
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With the adoption of the keel Targan merchantmen could be built up to 90 feet with a breadth of 30 feet. The hull itself was rounded or semi-
papyriformed and a substantial amount of its stem and stem hanging above the water. To counter distortion these overhangs could cause to the hull a
large hogging-truss cable was run from the bow to the stern. These ships carried two small platforms, one in the bow and one aft, for lookouts and
helmsmen. The ship was controlled by two large steering oars, one per each side in the stern. Propulsion was accomplished either by oars or a large
sail. The mast was a single pole and was rigged with a yard, but no boom, for the sail. When not in use the sail would be raised and tied off to the
yard. These vessels could only use their sail when the wind was from behind or no more than 30 degrees off the stern; otherwise, the ship must be
rowed. Oars were usually provided one for every five to six feet per side.
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In addition to the larger merchantmen, the Targan also built smaller coastal and riverine craft used to move goods, people and to act as fishing
vessels. These vessels rarely exceeded 30 feet in length and were usually shaped like the bowl of a spoon. The horizontal section being a long ovoid
shape and the vertical being either round or flat bottomed. It was also common for these working vessels to have blunt bows and sterns. Like the
merchantmen above these smaller vessels were propelled by oar and/or sail. Examples of these ancient boats still ply the coastal waters and rivers
of Dalkesh and neighboring regions.
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Targan galleys also acquire a keel allowing them to be built up to 80 feet in length and 13 feet in breadth. The hull is very similar to the
merchantman above; however, the bow extends out in front of the vessel forming a ram that is usually decorated with an animal head. Since the
galley’s hull is not as rounded as the merchantman it does not have the hogging-truss installed. The galley still has the fore and aft
platforms as the merchantman and the same steering oars to both sides of the stern platform. Propulsion is provided by oars and/or a sail. The main
difference between the mast and rigging of the galley from that of the merchantman is that the sail was not attached to a lower boom and was raised
and tied to the yard when not in use. In addition, the Targans introduced a crow’s nest at the top of the mast. Oars were provided in the same
ratio as the merchantman. In order to protect the oarsmen during a battle the gunwale was built up to provide a protective wall for them, the oars
being placed through a slot left open between the gunwale and the hulls side. Down the middle of the vessel between the two platforms was a raised
platform from which archers and spearmen could attack other ships. Since the ship did not have a hogging-truss it is possible the platform aided in
this area. Although it has a ram, the internal structure of these galleys would have precluded their regular use. However, as new building methods
were developed its use would become a common place thing.
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These would be the dominant ship designs for the Targans till the first century TR when they would begin adopting Venic technologies.
The Venic Peoples
The Venic peoples were Azeri tribesmen living on the islands and coastal fringe of the eastern Venarian Sea, which was named after them. The Venic had a
strong maritime culture that thrived and grew on trade, fishing and piracy. As their seamanship and shipbuilding abilities grew the Venic also grew
stronger, establishing colonies throughout the Venarian basin. Some of these colonies blossomed and became kingdoms in their own right, the Azeryani
Empire being the jewel of them all. The Karejian islands, which were originally inhabited by the Venic, are still the dominant trading power throughout
the Venarian Sea.
The vessels used by the Venic are descended from basket and log boats used by the ancient Azeri and boat designs adapted from their Targan neighbors to
the south. From the basket boat emerged a round-hulled vessel with a deep draft. At first they were no more than oversized basket boats, but as the
Venic peoples adopted some of the Targan and Mafanese wood building techniques these vessels would become the dominant trading ships within the Venarian
Sea. From the beginning their log boats were used in raiding and war and it was only natural that they too would develop into formidable fighting
galleys using Targan technology.
By 2,900 BT the Venic were eagerly copying Targan merchantmen and galleys. The Venic were also using mortises and tenons to construct their vessels and
had also adopted the use of the square sail, single pole mast and associated rigging. For the next millennium they would emulate Targan shipbuilding
techniques and design.
Around 1,900 BT the Venic began building a merchantman of their own with many similarities to a Targan merchantman. It had a deep rounded hull and a
length to width ratio of three to one. It was built upon a central keel that terminated in vertical stern and stem posts. Like the older Targan vessels
it had a single mast mounting a square sail. To assist in ascending the mast ladders were place against each on each beam side. Finally, a light wooden
fence was placed around the cargo area to help contain cargo stowed on the deck. Internally, new structural features were being employed to provide more
strength and stability to the vessel’s hull. It was this vessel and numerous smaller coastal traders that the Venic would gain control of most
trading activities throughout the Venarian Sea.
By 1,000 BT the Venic were developing new merchantmen and galleys of their own design. By this time they had established numerous colonies throughout
the Venarian basin and assisted their Azeri cousins in relocating to the Azeryan Peninsula in the face of Ketari inroads to old Azeri tribal ranges
along the northern and central areas of the Eastern Venarian coastal zone. At first the Venic would pull back from the mainland to their islands, but
after regaining strength and arms pushed back into their former lands to take control of the coastal plains just north of the Targans.
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During this time the merchantman began to take on the shape that would persist into the modern era. They were true round ships with well rounded and
deep hulls, a central keel, caravel-straked hull fastened with mortises and pennons, a single mast with no oars and a square sail, and double
steering oars. Most importantly was the new method for framing the hull after its shell was built. The frames were now formed to the hull and then
attached to by copper/bronze nails being driven through the hull into the frame timbers. In addition to the deck timbers that still pierced the
hull, longitudinal timbers were also laid to provide additional strength to the hull. The length to width ratio would still be to the order of three
to one. These building techniques would be well protected by the Venic for the next millennium, preferring to sink a ship than have it taken and the
secrets learned.
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The new Venic galleys adopted the same building techniques as the merchantmen; thus providing them with the superior strength to endure repeated
rammings in a naval battle as opposed to the older galleys. These new naval weapons could range in size from about 70 feet to well over 100 feet
later on. At firs they had one or two rows of oars per side; in time they would acquire up to five levels of oars. The length to width ratio was
around five to one producing a very narrow profile and a shape meant for speed. On the earlier galleys the ram and bow formed a slopping beak that
also assisted the vessel when moving through the water. Later models would have a prominent ram out front of the rounded bow. Like the older galleys
above a fighting deck was placed above the rowers to provide protection and an elevated platform from which to fight. Sails and steering were
similar to the new merchantmen above. With few exceptions, this would be the basic design for the next millennium.
By the end of the fist millennium BT the building techniques had not changed very much, but the designs continued to evolve; round ships were getting
longer and multi-decked and masted and the galleys were also getting larger and acquiring more banks of oars. It was these vessels that would be the
precursors of all maritime vessels in the next age. Although the basic designs were still prominent throughout this period each city state would have a
style of its own to set its vessels apart from the others. Most of the primary designs seen in the modern era are holdovers from the more dominant
shipping communities of the past.
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