Wind Skiffs
Wind skiffs are a very popular item amongst the thrill-seeking youth of Iridica. The skiff consists of a board of Aerowood approximately 2 metres long and 30 centimetres wide. Towards the front of the board, a mast extends upward to a similar height, to which a lightweight cloth sail is attached.
The aerowood construction of the skiffs gives them the property of being lighter than air, and so they are usually secured by a chain or heavy wrap while not in use. Many a first-time skiff rider has left their board unsecured, only to be left watching it rise skyward into the threads of the Iridescence, never to be seen again.
A wind skiff should always be customised to the weight of its rider, with slats along the underside of the board to add additional counterweights if required. Ultimately, the total weight of the board and rider should be just enough to achieve minimal buoyancy.
When airborne, the rider must seek out air currents, catching these within the sail and allowing them to ride the paths of these winds. Amateur riders tend to seek out calmer currents to enjoy the feeling of Aeris' embrace and the skies' freedom. The more adventurous riders will seek out the strongest currents, with some even attempting to ride the unforgiving maelstrom of the Stormrift Valley, though these daredevils rarely survive the event.
Due to the requirement of stable air currents, wind skiff riding is most popular around the high altitdue nations of Aerolithica and the Arcanum, though the wealthy of the Obsidian Isles have given the hobby a competetive edge, creating high-adrenaline wind skiff races, in which riders will travel from all across Iridica to compete.
The aerowood construction of the skiffs gives them the property of being lighter than air, and so they are usually secured by a chain or heavy wrap while not in use. Many a first-time skiff rider has left their board unsecured, only to be left watching it rise skyward into the threads of the Iridescence, never to be seen again.
A wind skiff should always be customised to the weight of its rider, with slats along the underside of the board to add additional counterweights if required. Ultimately, the total weight of the board and rider should be just enough to achieve minimal buoyancy.
When airborne, the rider must seek out air currents, catching these within the sail and allowing them to ride the paths of these winds. Amateur riders tend to seek out calmer currents to enjoy the feeling of Aeris' embrace and the skies' freedom. The more adventurous riders will seek out the strongest currents, with some even attempting to ride the unforgiving maelstrom of the Stormrift Valley, though these daredevils rarely survive the event.
Due to the requirement of stable air currents, wind skiff riding is most popular around the high altitdue nations of Aerolithica and the Arcanum, though the wealthy of the Obsidian Isles have given the hobby a competetive edge, creating high-adrenaline wind skiff races, in which riders will travel from all across Iridica to compete.
Item type
Miscellaneous
Creation Date
2385 AS
Rarity
Commonly found around Aerolithica and the Arcanum. There is a small Wind Skiff racing community in the Obsidian Isles, and their use has been seen on rare occasions around the Verdant Isles.
Weight
<1lb
Dimensions
200cm x 30cm
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