Lyre

Lyre
Size (W×H×L)	40m×40m×210m
Cargo capacity	0 TC
Cargo bay extension	N/A
Maximum speed	0.15 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 1.8 Pitch: 0.8
Energy banks	Unknown
Energy recharge rate	Average (3.0)
Gun mounts	None
Missile slots	0
Shield boosters available	No
Military shields available	No
Hyperspace capable	Yes
OXP or standard	OXP
Available to player	No
Base price	N/A

The Lyre, styled among its devotees The Blessed Barque, is a unique ship model constructed under strict specifications by hearse-manufacturers Blewitt & Beasley for the CGC foundation, The Church of Giles The Creator. The moderate fleet of barques serves the congregation of followers as a beacon of procession with the aim to move across The Eight while spreading the word of Giles.

The Blessed Barque features frequently in CGC publicity artwork.
Note the use of the term "teh" on the poster. This acronym stands for "the Theologically Enhanced Holy" within the CGC

Overview

The Lyre represents a solid achievement of shipbuilding, as its design needed to take into account the considerable disparity between length and thickness. The hull adornment was commissioned to be set in damascus steel, but technological developments in the field of laser design printing led the foundation to opt for the more elaborate "black lace" expression.

A typical Lyre procession sighting.

Designed with the strain of log distance in mind, a Lyre on its compulsory trek across the Eight Galaxies will draw scores of devotees in its wake. Though usually great in numbers, if the convoy is attacked, the CGC followers are unfortunately less than impressive as escort protection, their inherent pacifism coming to the fore.

Notable features

An unusually long ship, the Lyre can hold 256 passengers. When not engaged in processional journey, a Lyre might be used for weddings, funerals and special social events (The Blessed Barque Bacchanal Banquets are a crowd favourite).

Normally a few dozens of ships form a tail, though a record attendance was set upon a passage through the Bemaeran system, as its several hundred denizens attended to show their appreciation for a symbol of one of the greatest ambassadors of Bemaeran walnut industry.

Lore

The helm of the Lyre is endowed with great meaning within the CGC. Saint Giles himself is frequently depicted as "standing at the helm".

Disdaining the use of a joystick, the direction of the ship is instead controlled by a specially blessed Bemaeran walnut wood tiller positioned behind the helmsman. The viewscreens are festooned with bobbleheads of the more famous saints of the pantheon. These function as icons in times of need.

Famous helmsmen include Saint Nic of the Nether Worlds (who captained the famous mission across The Great Rift in the seventh galaxy) and The Holy Cim (who sailed from Xeer to Xeer, and then disappeared: there are occasional rumours of sightings accompanied by profound digressions into the nature of the Ooniverse, but these are sporadic and cannot be relied upon).

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• The Lyre appears in the Iron Ass Missionaries OXP