Commercial Airships
Commercial airships are designed for function and ease of travel, making them easy rides as well as fast. The hull is something akin to a sailing ship. However where there would be sails, a giant blimp holds the ship aloft. In the back, Propellers push the ship along, steering it this way and that.
Commercial airships come in a variety of forms, from a light small transport ship, to a large scale cruise ship. These are only examples of each, since there are a multitude of designs and ways to keep an airship afloat. Many of them branch off of these simpler ideas, however.
Most airships are placed at goblin kiosks scattered all over the world. Some goblin villages have even been formed around several airship huts, since it happens to be the best means of bringing a constant flow of money in for goblin and ogre alike.
Light Ships: Traveling on the lighter ships is far less expensive, but so is the quality of travel. Built much the same as a large commercial airship, one would have a hull of 30-40 feet long, with an equal sized blimp keeping it in the air. A single propeller would steer the ship at the back. Below deck are cramped quarters with hard beds. A small galley cooks food, which one must eat in one’s room. Above deck, there is a small navigation room, with a metal tube running directly below it to the "engine" room. Here, one or maybe two air magi would be running the propellers. This ship is often used by the poor who need to travel far, and is staffed by goblins. The ship can carry about 20 people before becoming too cramped to take on any more.
Medium Ships: Designed for the moderately well to do, these ships are a bit higher quality than light ships, with a larger hull, about 60 feet long. The hull would be deeper and wider as well. Quarters would be a bit larger, maybe a desk for reading. There would also be a small dining room for one to enjoy one’s food. The ship would then have two propellers, for a faster and smoother ride. Above deck in the aft is a medium sized room for navigation. In it are the rudder controls for the propellers and maps on the walls. A metal tube for communication runs down to the Engine room below, staffed by up to 5 magi. This ship is for the moderately well to do, and is staffed by goblins, one or two ogres would accompany for heavy work. The ship can hold around 60-80 people before being cramped.
Cruise ships: For the rich only, these ships lazily float thousands of feet in the air. Humongous hulls would be used, and a number of extra hot air balloons would be necessary to keep it aloft. Dozens of propellers move these ships. Inside the ship there would be grand stairways, large suites with wonderful canopied beds. A grand dining hall with a dance floor would be where the wealthy customers would enjoy their gourmet meals, and dance their nights away. Twenty chefs, making specialty meals from all of the continents, would staff the galley. Above deck would have many attractions, including a stage for concerts and plays, several Kogala tables, and some of the larger ones may even have a Ricochet arena. Directly below deck there is a massive bridge, staffed by a large crew. In the center of the room the captain rests, commanding the ship. An illusionist is always on hand to give them a view of the outside of the airship. Behind the room with an open door is the engine room, staffed by up to 20 magi, keeping the propellers moving. This ship is for the rich, staffed by a large number of goblins and ogres behind the scenes, but humans are used for waitressing and other jobs in which they come in contact with the patrons. It is much more pleasing to the eye than compared to the other two.
There are also privately owned airships, of course, which are slightly rarer and very expensive to own and maintain. Goblins may use them for their own personal trading. They are usually smaller than the light ships, and can be run by maybe one or two goblins at a time.
