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The Bloatfly is a spelljamming ship built and used by Lizardfolk.[2][3]

Description[]

Bloatflies are typically found in close orbit around fire bodies, such as a systems' primary sun. They are used primarily by lizardfolk as egg incubators, in the hopes that the next generation of lizardfolk that hatch will be smarter and stronger.

Bloatfly ships represent the pinnacle of lizardfolk ship design, and incorporate all the advanced technology they could devise, purchase or steal. Their metal hulls have a distinctive spindle shape, tapering at the bow and stern, and are studded with 18 blisters, each concealing a turret-mounted dual-ballista. Two pairs of ribbed wings or outriggers protrude from the flanks of the vessel, mounted amidships and then just aft of that.

The ship's metal skin is usually tarred, which melts and flows in the heat of the sun, producing streamers of smoke and creating a hazard for any intruders attempting to board the ship. Inside, the eggs are kept very warm as they float in the fetid, nutrient-rich swamp water in the ship. Because lizardfolk are greatly prized as slaves, they have taken to guarding the incubation ships very closely. However, because their resources are spread so thinly, an enterprising lizard king hit in the idea of using space spores as a kind of active deterrent against those raiders who are desperate enough to try and seize a ship. In addition, a number of beholders were slain, at great loss, and transformed into death tyrants, which were sprinkled here and there among the guardian gas spores. The word soon got out when an arrogant boat load of illithid raiders came to grief when the encountered one among the gas spores.[4]

Crew[]

A Bloatfly requires a minimum of six crew members to operate the vessel, but customarily at least a dozen guards are employed to operate both the weapons and the incubation systems onboard. A Bloatfly is typically commanded by a warleader, who is usually assisted by at least one shaman , who will serve as healer and spiritual leader for the crew. Bloatflies are usually helmed by hired human mages, and are equipped with minor helms, but some are powered by furnaces.

Layout[]

A Bloatfly broodship's coating of black tar ensures the maximum amount of heat radiated by the sun is retained by the ship. The bulk of a broodship's interior is taken up by a labyrinthine network of transparent glass piping (reinforced by glassteel spells) punctuated by various small chambers where the crew store their food and weapons, as well as the various plants and spores used to maintain the chemical balance of the water filling the incubation tanks, as well as the larger swimming tubes linking the smaller rooms with the weapon's blisters and the observation deck. The interior of a bloatfly is hot and humid, like a steam room, with an atmosphere that's thick with the choking odor of smouldering tar.

Primary Uses[]

  • Broodship - Bloatflies are primarily used as egg incubation ships for new generations of lizardfolk. No other uses are currently known.
  • Colonization ship - Some spacefarers report that some Bloatflies have been converted into colonization ships by removing all piping and loading them with food, plants and lizardfolk colonists. Such ships are typically unarmed and are escorted by armed Wasp ships.
  • Mobile bases - Other races, such as humans and giff, have been known to convert captured or abandoned Bloatflies into mobile bases or repair stations. At least one Bloatfly has been modified to serve as a weapons platform, defending a pirate enclave, and is absolutely bristling with heavy weapons.[5]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The incubating lizardfolk eggs consume the equivalent of 8 hours of air, limiting the maximum crew that can be safely accommodated to 40, and reducing the total available days of air by 960 man-days.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Ship Catalog chapter, page 42
  2. Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Ship Catalog chapter, pages 42-44
  3. Dale "Slade" Henson, War Captain's Companion, Ship Recognition Manual, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Ships of the Spelljammer Universe, page 11
  4. Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Slither Around the Sun section, Adventures 2: Amid The Stars, pages 13-14
  5. Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Ship Catalog chapter, page 44
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