Editing Seafaring (section)

==Vessel types==

The inhabitants of Altierra used fore-and-aft sailing rigs, and in fact, their environment makes it particularly advantageous. Here’s a breakdown of why and how:

'''Wind Conditions Encourage It'''

* Dominant Westerlies
** All three islands lie between 30°N and 55°N, where the westerlies dominate — these are strong, steady winds blowing from the west to the east.
** Ships sailing westward (against the wind) need to sail close-hauled or tack into the wind, which square sails are terrible at.
** Fore-and-aft sails (like lateen, gaff, or Bermuda rigs) can sail much closer to the wind — ideal for heading west.

* Frequent Wind Shifts
** Especially near Veridia, storms and oceanic disturbances would cause changing wind directions.
** Fore-and-aft rigs are easier to manoeuvre in variable winds.

'''Geographic & Cultural Rationale'''

* Island Geography & Coastal Trade
** Close manoeuvring in bays, harbours, and archipelagos would favour fore-and-aft rigs for their agility.
** Coastal and inter-island trade could benefit from smaller, faster vessels that can sail efficiently in any direction.

*Ocean Crossings
** While large square-rigged ships dominate downwind trade winds (like Earth’s Age of Sail Atlantic crossings), fore-and-aft rigs allow flexible routes, which is vital in a world where wind may not always be favourable.