Fire Nation cruiser



The "Fire Nation Cruiser" is a formidable steam-powered warship used by the Fire Nation for the bulk of its navy. Heavily armed and armored, the cruiser is the most powerful and advanced warship in use by any of the Four Nations.

History
A version of the Fire Nation cruiser was in use at the beginning of The War. Notably they were used for Southern Water Tribe Raids, during which one cruiser was beached by waterbenders and abandoned. Later a cruiser of this particular class fell into the hands of Prince Zuko, who used it to search for the Avatar, and, upon discovery, to chase after him.

By the time of the Avatar's return, the Fire Navy deployed hundreds of these vessels. Commander Zhao, used a fleet of cruisers in a blockade to try, unsuccessfully, to block Aang from getting into the Fire Nation during the Winter Solstice. Zhao later, as an admiral, used his fleet to prohibit access to a bay he was searching through for the Avatar.

Easily the largest engagement cruisers participated in was the Siege of the North. Realizing that the Avatar was heading to the Northern Water Tribe to complete his waterbending training, Zhao gathered a "massive invasion force" to attack while Aang was there. This grand armada consisted of 121 Fire Navy cruisers, as well as Zhao's larger flagship. First the fleet bombarded the Northern Water Tribe with its trebuchets, then several cruisers closed in to land a force of firebenders, tanks, and Komodo Rhinos. Aang remarked that he took out at least a dozen of the cruisers, but that was not enough to defeat the Fire Navy. Despite this, the battle ended in a disaster for the Fire Nation, as La the Ocean Spirit, merged with Aang, destroyed the entire fleet.

Even after this battle, cruisers remained in heavy use by the Fire Navy. Cruisers were known to patrol the half of Full Moon Bay that the Fire Nation controlled, and after the fall of Ba Sing Se patrolled the whole bay. One of these patrol ships was hijacked by Team Avatar and Southern Water Tribe warriors, who used it to try to escape the bay without notice by the Fire Nation. They were intercepted by another cruiser, and after a fumbled attempt at trickery the second cruiser gave chase. Toph launched boulders at the enemy cruiser to disable its weapons, but the cruiser was able to damage the hijacked ship and latch onto it with a harpoon. Katara finally used her waterbending to break off the harpoon and raise a mist, allowing the hijacked ship to escape. When Aang tried infiltrating the Fire Nation soon after, he passed a blockade of Fire Nation cruisers.

As of Fire Lord Zuko's more peaceful reign, it is unknown what the fate of its large fleet of cruisers will be.

Design
The Fire Nation cruiser is a shining example of the Fire Nation's advanced technology and industry. A cruiser is fueled by the combustion of coal, the exhaust of which comes out of two smokestacks. The power provided by the coal in turn rotates propellers under the stern of the ship, allowing for propulsion not dependent on wind or currents.

Below deck the cruisers have considerable cargo carrying capacity. This allows the ships to function as transports, shuttling soldiers, equipment, even tanks and komodo rhinos, wherever they need to go. Cargo and passengers are usually sent ashore via the spiked bow that lowers to form a ramp. Cruisers can also deploy smaller oceangoing craft from a bay in the back of the ship. Above deck is the impressive conning tower, containing the high-ranking officers' quarters and the bridge.

Above all else the Fire Nation cruiser is a warship, and this is reflected in its heavy armament. Modern cruisers are armed with trebuchets, loaded with boulders covered in a highly flammable oil. Before discharging the trebuchets, firebenders ignite the oil, resulting in a lethal and intimidating projectile. Special crewmembers called Trebuchet Operators maintain and operate the trebuchets. Some variants of Fire Nation cruisers are armed with three trebuchets in a line along the deck, while others are armed with five trebuchets. Cruisers can even be armed with ballistae, which launch harpoons and explosive shells.