SDC (Lance, Illithid)

Lance, Illithid

Built By: Illithids
Used Primarily By: Illithids
Tonnage: 15 tons
Hull Points: 15
Crew: 1/15
Maneuver Class: B
Landing- Land: No
Landing- Water: Yes
Armor Rating: 6
Saves As: Thick Wood
Power Type: Series Helm (65%), Lifejammer (20%), Pool Helm (15%)
Ship's Rating: 2-5 (series Helm), as Per victim (Lifejammer), 5 (Pool helm)
Standard Armament:
         1 Medium Ballista (2 Crew)
         1 Shearing Lance  (4 Crew)
         1 Piercing Ram
Cargo: 7 tons
Keel Length: 145'
Beam Width: 20'
Cost: 20,000 Gold Pieces

Description:
      The Illithid Lance is the most recent addition to the Illithid line
of ship designs perhaps heralding an attempt at resurgence.  The smallest
Illithid design thus far, the Lance retains the shell design of the
Nautiloid and Dreadnought.   Beneath and aft of the typical piercing ram is
an adjustable Shearing Lance.  Designed to cut away the rigging and masts
of opposing ships, the Shearing Lance holds with the Illithid tactics of
taking prisoners instead of destroying opponents outright.
      Although normally outfitted with a Series Helm, occasionally a
Lifejammer or a Pool helm is installed to limit the need of
helmsmen.  Slaves serve as weapons crew and as lookouts.  As on all
Illithid ships the Slaves also serve as rations on long voyages.
Crew:
      Though the ship can be handled by a single helmsman/captain, its
usual compliment of Crew consists of 7 Illithids (Captain, First
officer/navigator and five helmsmen for the Series Helm) and up to 8
slaves.  Sometimes in service as an escort (See below) the slaves are
dispensed with and the Illithid numbers are increased to 15.
Ship Uses:
      Escort/Support Vessel: The most common use of the Lance is in the
form of a close escort and support vessel for the Nautiloid and
occasionally the Dreadnought.  As an Escort the Lance has no need of a
Ballista crew.  It uses its often superior maneuverability to shear away
the rigging of enemy vessels while the Nautiloid pounds away with its
weapons.  As a support vessel it retains its usual crew compliment and is
used to facilitate crew transfers between the larger vessels.
      Courier: In Illithid-held space the Lance sees use as a courier
vessel.  It's small size and minimal crew requirements make it perfect for
the job.  Often a Courier lance has only a Captain/Helmsman and two slaves
to man the ballista.
Other Configurations:
      Smuggler: In this configuration sails are added to top out the
rigging increasing the Maneuverability to Class A but it adds 2 to the
minimum crew requirements.  The slave quarters are gutted to increase the
cargo capacity to 10 tons although the Armor Rating becomes 7.  Illithids
rarely use this configuration themselves but other races, particularly the
Neogi find them useful to transport illegal goods through unfriendly space.
      'Heavy Lance' Raider Class: This configuration of the basic Lance has
seen use in some of the areas the Illithid are advancing into.  The hull is
thickened and plated with steel giving it an Armor Rating of 4.  The
Maneuverability drops to class C and the cargo capacity becomes 5
tons.  The medium Ballista is removed and replaced with a Heavy Ballista.
This reduces the Cargo space to 3 tons.  Heavy Lances are rarely long range
vessels due to the limited space for supplies.