The Crymuster required a tractor with the ability to quickly deliver a heavy gun where
it was most needed while traversing most common terrain types. The first prototypes
were built in 1768 and production models were being field tested within a year.
The tractor houses two of the same 134 cp engines used in the Chyweethl. The rush to
field the Paerydyn did not allow for the development of a reliable transmission; instead of
a single gearbox the tractor uses two, also re purposed from the Chyweethl. This requires
the driver and gearsquar to work in close concert. The main hull has extremely light armor.
The Paerydyn instead relies upon a series of steel plates attached to the track system for its
armor. These plates can be quickly swapped out when damaged, provided there are spares
available and time enough to perform the work. Enterprising rhyflers have been known
to strip plates from crippled tractors and employ them as makeshift bunkers and
firing positions.
The Paerydyn employs a large caliber gun and its primary role is hunting enemy
tractors. The SA Rifled Gun has, for the most part, been refitted from Crymuster naval
vessels blockaded in Coftyr’s ports. It is a relatively modern design, as the Coftyran
navy underwent a general refit in the mid 1750s.
Organization
To date, fewer than 1200 Paerydyn have been built.
Recently, resources have been rededicated towards
producing as many of these fighting tractors as
possible, as they have shown to be very effective in the
field.
Early in Coftyr’s involvement in the Crusade,
Paerydyn tractors were organized along more traditional
lines. Now so few machines remain that they tend to
operate in pairs or trios whenever possible. New
machines are crewed and sent straight to the front.
The main gun is not the only thing repurposed
from the Coftyran navy. The Mechanical Corps has
taken incredible casualties and has not been able to
train enough replacements in a timely manner. To
that end, the enlisted crew of each tractor is made up
primarily of naval recruits. The blockaded navy
provides the perfect supply of quar already familiar
with general mechanics, functioning in tight, loud
confines and, of course, a working familiarity with
the Paerydyn’s main weapon. Each tractor is lead by a
veteran Mechanical Corps is-Caerten or Yawdryl and
whatever other Mechanical Corps veterans that may
be on hand. Any remaining holes in the roster are then
filled by naval enlisted quar. There are thousands of
former sailors already trained on the tractor’s operation
that are now waiting for Coftyr’s factories to produce
enough tractors.