Qalguk

The qalguk is a product of a very different shipbuilding tradition than other heavy warships, that of the cities on the eastern edge of Lake Tanaesis. Until recently, both sides of the lake were part of the Empire, and there was little need for ships that could stand in a battle-line. The coming of the Khuzaits from the eastern steppe however brought war to Tanaesis, and the khans demanded fleets that were the equal of any other realm from his new subjects. What they received was the qalguk, a warship made by shipwrights who learned their trade building merchantmen and pleasure-craft for the great lake. Compared to other heavies it is delicate, and finicky, but it can outrun virtually any other vessel on the water. Despite the limitations, the khans appreciated a ship that gave them the same advantage at sea as their horses did on land: the choice to avoid hand-to-handing fighting and pepper the enemy with arrows, or, if they thought they had an advantage, to close quickly and strike a devastating blow.