Huge steel colossi that cut through the waters of the Western Sea. They are designed solely for the purpose of housing hundreds of Banished, and have little in the way of comforts for the 6 - 8 month long journey. Once they reach the Roil, they are often in dire need of repairs, having toed the sharp stones in the Teeth1.
On board is generally a small crew of repairmen and engineers, and a large number of guards2.
Qualities
Looming tall at around 48 ft, a Barge is a structural marvel architecturally, but thrown together hastily by underpaid and overworked labourers. Each plate weighs multiple tonnes, and was hauled into place by man and machine before being welded into the main hull by a Hearthmage.
The shape of the barge tapers to a sheer, bladelike bow, allowing it to cut through the waters with ease.
Footnotes
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Sailor’s Lore. The Teeth are especially deadly for wooden ships, and considered unsailable by normal means. Even with steel reinforcements, these ships were clearly never designed with the guarantee they’d reach their destination safely. ↩
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Underworld Lore. They are not often paid a wage in real terms - many of the guards are instead absolved of prior crimes, and placed on the Barges as a form of service. ↩