Steampunk Chronicles: Ep. 2 - A little bit about airships...

Having some trouble sleeping, so I thought I'd post a little more Steampunk.  This time we're talking transportation.  The transportation that defines Steampunk fantasy: airships.

Now, you may ask, "But airships are real.  What do they have to do with this fantasy genre?"

Yes, airships, zeppelins, blimps, hot air balloons, they shaped our history in a big way.  They're sleek, pretty and massive.  But are they outrageous enough for Steampunk?  Oh ho ho no, my friends!

Now THIS! my friends, is an airship!

When you think Steampunk airship, think a classic wooden ship (maybe metal reinforced) with a big-ass balloon on top.  Most will have either mizzen sails along the ship sides or propellors and underneath for stability/propulsion.

One requirement for all airships as well, is a huge boiler room.  Whether your airship runs on steam, some form of liquid fuel, or even magic (either elemental or electrical), you are obligated to have a boiler room with a hardcore or nerdy engineer.

Now, what exactly were these ships used for?  Well, how many uses do traditional ships have?  There were passenger and luxury ships, merchant ships, personal crafts, and ESPECIALLY pirate ships!

Because you can't have a good steampunk without pirates and/or some evil scientist!

We'll talk more about smaller steampunk machines later, especially the support vehicles for the airships.