| Category | skyships |
| Class | transport |
| Builder | varies |
| Commissioned | varies |
Gnomish dirigible airships are among the most venerable varieties of aerial vessels. They employ pockets of gas that are less dense than the surrounding air, one of the numerous manifestations of air motes. The construction of dirigible airships is a costly endeavor due to the substantial quantity of fabric required to contain the gas, which would otherwise dissipate into the atmosphere. This gas is non-flammable, and like all motes, it cannot be entirely eradicated, instead fragmenting into smaller components when "destroyed".
Callarduran pioneered the inaugural dirigible airship. Many additional aerial crafts emerged during the Demon Spawn War as a means of evading the relentless onslaught of Jurusalax's demonic legions. Those who departed by air became known as the Forstneblin. Dispersed to the winds, these airborne vessels came to rest in diverse locales.
Gnomish dirigible airships are not renowned for their offensive capabilities or sturdy defenses. They are primarily utilized as modes of transportation, and when faced with a threat, they rely on their agility and speed for evasion. Some of these airships are equipped with devices that function akin to wands imbued with the spell Gust of Wind. This spell can provide the pilot with bursts of speed far exceeding those of any other vessel, and for a well-trained crew, it allows the ship to execute a complete turn-about in a single round.
A full turn-about is typically performed while the airship is stationary, as attempting such a maneuver while moving at high speed would necessitate that all aboard be securely fastened down or situated in crew compartments with safety harnesses.
Grimrock, from his literary work Overland - "Rapid Gnomish Turn-About"
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Hit Points | varies by size |
| Size | 30' - 150' long |
| Engine | steam - coal or oil |
| Lift | air motes |
| Speed | 15 - 25 knots by size |
| Crew | varies |
| Cost | 150,000 - 300,000 GP |