"Titanic" airship [Archive] - Wizards Community

"Titanic" airship [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
allenchan
10-24-05, 07:02 PM So I'm going to be incorporating a brand-new airship in an upcoming eberron campaign, the first of its kind, bigger then anything before. Think the RMS Titanic... And guess whose on the maiden voyage? (Sharn to Stormreach :devil: ) Yup, the PCs.

Anyways, I was looking in the ECS and the stat block from the explorer's handbook excerpt, and I had some Q's. First, I wanted the ship to be roughly twice the size as the normal airships, and powered by an Omnimental (hence why things go oh-so terribly wrong). Now, would an airship twice as large have twice as many crew? Doubling the size quadruples the space, right?Would you make it's speed increase, or decrease? (The Titantic went 26mph, which would be 130ft/round, so that'd be +30ft over an average airship).

Any other opinions/thoughts?

ps: Anyone have cool names to recommend for the ship?
blargney the second
10-24-05, 07:16 PM Fun idea!

Maybe call it the Lusitania?
-blarg
maollelujah
10-24-05, 07:18 PM Some kind person created a large ship with floor plans: you might already know of it, but here is the site...http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1350&PN=1&TPN=1 (http://http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1350&PN=1&TPN=1)
zambuka
10-24-05, 10:45 PM Just think about what crew are needed to run such a ship.

You need:

Captain
1st Mate
Helmsmen (3 for 24 hour operation or 2 if the captain can take the helm)
Navigator
Cook
Quartermaster
Bosun
Sawbones (healer)
Carpenter/Engineer/Magewright
Cabin boy

Airmen: 6 (if it is a larger vessel, otherwise the main roles can do the grunt work when coming in to dock)
Not many are really needed to run an airship, most of the work happens with docking and loading/unloading cargo. Same goes for seagoing Lyrander vessels. These guys can also double as assistants and backup for various other roles including watch.

For guests, if there are typically a lot and it is a luxury cruise then:
Entertainer/Morale officer
Cabin officer (not sure the correct term for this, the guy that makes sure everyone is comfortable)
Barman
Laundry (for the long cruises)
Animal handler/Butcher (if you bring fresh produce rather than preserved)

Not many crew are needed for a ship that doesn't have much in the way of rigging so most of the crew are going to have idle time so they can easily double up on many roles. A larger airship wouldn't neccessarily need a larger crew.
Edymnion
10-24-05, 10:59 PM ps: Anyone have cool names to recommend for the ship?The EBV (thats Elementally Bound Vessel) Behemoth.
The EBV Colossal.
The EBV Tremendous.
PsionicMonk
10-25-05, 12:41 AM I think becuase its a new gen ship the biggest of its kind,
EBV Eberron
EBV Siberys (I think that would be for a more speicalized ship)
Isran_Imrador
10-25-05, 08:17 AM Anyways, I was looking in the ECS and the stat block from the explorer's handbook excerpt, and I had some Q's. First, I wanted the ship to be roughly twice the size as the normal airships, and powered by an Omnimental (hence why things go oh-so terribly wrong). Now, would an airship twice as large have twice as many crew? Doubling the size quadruples the space, right?Would you make it's speed increase, or decrease? (The Titantic went 26mph, which would be 130ft/round, so that'd be +30ft over an average airship).

Maybe not twice the crew but more than a regular on. Depends on how many passangers & cargo you got...

I think Seed would go down a littal bit from normal or just add a few Air elemental to get what ever you want...

Actually you could have 4 elemental (Titanic got 4 smoking tower on top right)

LES (Lyrandar Elemental Ship) Terrasque ;)
Galahad_Knight
10-25-05, 08:24 AM Of course, the airship can't 'sink' even in the air because the explorer's handbook retconned soarwood from being "Very light" to "Lighter than air" so that even without an elemental, an airship will still float in air.

That really ticked me off when I read it.

Basically the only way to crash an airship is to have the elemental drive it into the ground, or to completely blow it up or break it into enough parts that the non-soarwood parts weigh down the soarwood and slowly fload the bits of wreckage to the ground.
Mmmm, thrilling
Sereno
10-25-05, 10:07 AM Of course, the airship can't 'sink' even in the air because the explorer's handbook retconned soarwood from being "Very light" to "Lighter than air" so that even without an elemental, an airship will still float in air.

That really ticked me off when I read it.

Basically the only way to crash an airship is to have the elemental drive it into the ground, or to completely blow it up or break it into enough parts that the non-soarwood parts weigh down the soarwood and slowly fload the bits of wreckage to the ground.
Mmmm, thrilling

Of course, you're free to disregard any sourcebook data that doesn't jive with your view of the world. Especially when you consider the (relatively) high number of misconceptions and errors in the books that aren't written by Keith.

In MY Eberron, an airship without it's elemental drops like a stone -- like in the beginning of Keith's first DD novel.

Name suggestion:
The EBV Monolithic
ieattrollsforbreakfast
10-25-05, 10:12 AM I wrote an article about a new, huge airship for the Korranberg Chronicle. It didn't use a bound Omnimental, but made use of several bound elementals of different types. But the important bit...it was called the Hope of Syrania.
Thwyvylyn
10-25-05, 03:01 PM The LAV (Lyrandar Aerial Vessel) Khyber :schemes:
Galahad_Knight
10-25-05, 08:12 PM Trust me, I ignore that too. Just pointing ot how dumb it is.
Anyhow,I'm fond of "Ginormous"
Edymnion
10-25-05, 09:20 PM Of course, the airship can't 'sink' even in the air because the explorer's handbook retconned soarwood from being "Very light" to "Lighter than air" so that even without an elemental, an airship will still float in air.

That really ticked me off when I read it.

Basically the only way to crash an airship is to have the elemental drive it into the ground, or to completely blow it up or break it into enough parts that the non-soarwood parts weigh down the soarwood and slowly fload the bits of wreckage to the ground.
Mmmm, thrillingWhich was again changed back by Magic of Eberron when on one of the very first pages describes an airship crashing because it's elemental ring was damaged and couldn't hold it up anymore.

I would say that the "lighter than air" bit should only apply to very special ships, like have it be a costly upgrade rather than the norm.
Radkres
10-25-05, 10:05 PM Well hard rain, sleet, snow covering the ship and the added weight dragging the ship down sinks ships even today so I could see strong winds and heavy rains dragging a airship down.
Deadguy
10-26-05, 05:48 AM Well hard rain, sleet, snow covering the ship and the added weight dragging the ship down sinks ships even today so I could see strong winds and heavy rains dragging a airship down.
That's a very good point Radkres - there are a number of ways for a ship to acquire extra weight in flight, from precipitation to the literal crashing of objects or creatures into the ship.

I also wonder if the 'lighter-than-air' aspect is a property solely of the wood, or a property of the vessel? That is, is soarwood itself lighter than air, or is it very very light which is enhanced by the magics that create the vessel? Even if it's the first, presumeably at least some parts of the vessel are made from non-soarwood. So damage enough soarwood hull - by sheering it off, or burning it away - and the vessel still sinks, as the lift is lost. If it's the latter, than perhaps damage to the hull undermines the delicate balance of forces that make the vessel float.

Back on topic: I love the idea of a new luxury liner. It fits the need for optimism that the Five Nations have right now, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Houses. Whether she becomes a Titanic, a Lusitania or even a Marie Celeste, theres loads of story potential. Consider the idea yoinked! :)
Save-vs-DM
10-26-05, 06:00 AM I wouldn't have this ship sink like a stone - rather sink roughly 50 feetish a round. Let the players panic a bit but give them rounds to maybe try and fix things.

For the crew, I'd say 1 and 1/2 the normal crew to run the ship, but you'd need to add quite a few "servant" types.

LAS (Lyrandar Air Ship) Galifar
LAS Opulence
LAS Gala Express

Possible reasons for crashing:

A trio of Ashbound druids mounted on giant eagles use call lightning storm to attack the vessel in an attempt to free the elemental.

A Trust agent dominates the captain and forces him to crash his own ship and sends out a ransom to stop the crash.

A Dragon Cultist frees the elemental with harmful magic - for a while it's half escaped and the ship is falling a bit slowly.

I can just see some unscrupulous rogue on the deck of the ship selling feather fall tokens for an outrageous sum and a mob ensuing.

Cheers,
Save vs DM
Musrum
10-26-05, 08:02 AM Actually I would use the confusion about Soarwood's properties as a plot device. There is a new type of processed Soarwood that is supposedly lighter than air, and thus the LEV Patna (my suggestion) is "unsinkable"...
MrFilthyIke
10-26-05, 08:22 AM I wouldn't have this ship sink like a stone - rather sink roughly 50 feetish a round.

And what's on YOUR mind SvDM?? ;)

I like a lot of these ideas, including the Omnimental "breaking down" idea.
Just remember, the Gnomish Balladeers must continue playing as the ship
crashes to the ground. :D

And I say it should be: HMS (His Majesty's Service - funded by Boranel and all) Colossus or Boundless
LuciferNietzsche
10-26-05, 08:39 AM If you used a single omnimental, or perhaps several air and/or fire elementals...it's no inconceivable that a certain balance must be maintained with them. The omnimental would be a better choice in that regard, otherwise you have to establish whether a single wheel can command multiple elementals at a time, find some way of doing so, or have multiple individuals using multiple wheels... Either way, upsetting that balance could possibly send the ship into the ground whether it floats or not. If it's the omnimental, perhaps their control is not nearly as absolute as they thought, and the unstable nature of the being overwhelms their capacity to control it, driving the vessel to earth. I personally like that idea, and it keeps things down to one elemental.

Sounds like a fun adventure though, I hope your group enjoys it.

As for a ship name...how about, Grandeur of Dawn? Yes, I happen to like Andromeda...so sue me...
MrFilthyIke
10-26-05, 08:50 AM Yes, I happen to like Andromeda...so sue me...

The lawyers are on their way. :D
Saurenda
10-26-05, 08:54 AM Actually I would use the confusion about Soarwood's properties as a plot device. There is a new type of processed Soarwood that is supposedly lighter than air, and thus the LEV Patna (my suggestion) is "unsinkable"...

That sounds alot like the rare element "Upsadasiem".
Saurenda
10-26-05, 09:00 AM Of course, the airship can't 'sink' even in the air because the explorer's handbook retconned soarwood from being "Very light" to "Lighter than air" so that even without an elemental, an airship will still float in air.

That really ticked me off when I read it.

Basically the only way to crash an airship is to have the elemental drive it into the ground, or to completely blow it up or break it into enough parts that the non-soarwood parts weigh down the soarwood and slowly fload the bits of wreckage to the ground.
Mmmm, thrilling

Perhaps it meant that soarwood is "lighter than air" much like a House Gallandra muffin.
MrFilthyIke
10-26-05, 09:11 AM That sounds alot like the rare element "Upsadasiem".

Perhaps it meant that soarwood is "lighter than air" much like a House Gallandra muffin.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
PsionicMonk
10-28-05, 09:48 PM IMO, the soarwood is probly a really light sturdiy wood. Something that is probly about the weight of Balsa, but even lighter. I bleave it is the magic that they put into it that makes it 'lighter than air" I mean I would think even minor levitation spell.

And it was always a good question of how does an airship not set fire to a tower. But also I'm sure that not everything in the ship is made out of soarwood. The food, the glass, elemental ring, beds, floors (maybe), chairs, ballrooms, everything in the cargo bay. So I'm sure a elemtal ship that is brand new, probly have about equal bounyce so it would float, but when you add everything else, including passagers, that it would sink, without the elemental being active.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
allenchan 10-24-05, 07:02 PM	So I'm going to be incorporating a brand-new airship in an upcoming eberron campaign, the first of its kind, bigger then anything before. Think the RMS Titanic... And guess whose on the maiden voyage? (Sharn to Stormreach :devil: ) Yup, the PCs. Anyways, I was looking in the ECS and the stat block from the explorer's handbook excerpt, and I had some Q's. First, I wanted the ship to be roughly twice the size as the normal airships, and powered by an Omnimental (hence why things go oh-so terribly wrong). Now, would an airship twice as large have twice as many crew? Doubling the size quadruples the space, right?Would you make it's speed increase, or decrease? (The Titantic went 26mph, which would be 130ft/round, so that'd be +30ft over an average airship). Any other opinions/thoughts? ps: Anyone have cool names to recommend for the ship?
blargney the second 10-24-05, 07:16 PM	Fun idea! Maybe call it the Lusitania? -blarg
maollelujah 10-24-05, 07:18 PM	Some kind person created a large ship with floor plans: you might already know of it, but here is the site...http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1350&PN=1&TPN=1 (http://http://www.dundjinni.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1350&PN=1&TPN=1)
zambuka 10-24-05, 10:45 PM	Just think about what crew are needed to run such a ship. You need: Captain 1st Mate Helmsmen (3 for 24 hour operation or 2 if the captain can take the helm) Navigator Cook Quartermaster Bosun Sawbones (healer) Carpenter/Engineer/Magewright Cabin boy Airmen: 6 (if it is a larger vessel, otherwise the main roles can do the grunt work when coming in to dock) Not many are really needed to run an airship, most of the work happens with docking and loading/unloading cargo. Same goes for seagoing Lyrander vessels. These guys can also double as assistants and backup for various other roles including watch. For guests, if there are typically a lot and it is a luxury cruise then: Entertainer/Morale officer Cabin officer (not sure the correct term for this, the guy that makes sure everyone is comfortable) Barman Laundry (for the long cruises) Animal handler/Butcher (if you bring fresh produce rather than preserved) Not many crew are needed for a ship that doesn't have much in the way of rigging so most of the crew are going to have idle time so they can easily double up on many roles. A larger airship wouldn't neccessarily need a larger crew.
Edymnion 10-24-05, 10:59 PM	ps: Anyone have cool names to recommend for the ship?The EBV (thats Elementally Bound Vessel) Behemoth. The EBV Colossal. The EBV Tremendous.
PsionicMonk 10-25-05, 12:41 AM	I think becuase its a new gen ship the biggest of its kind, EBV Eberron EBV Siberys (I think that would be for a more speicalized ship)
Isran_Imrador 10-25-05, 08:17 AM	Anyways, I was looking in the ECS and the stat block from the explorer's handbook excerpt, and I had some Q's. First, I wanted the ship to be roughly twice the size as the normal airships, and powered by an Omnimental (hence why things go oh-so terribly wrong). Now, would an airship twice as large have twice as many crew? Doubling the size quadruples the space, right?Would you make it's speed increase, or decrease? (The Titantic went 26mph, which would be 130ft/round, so that'd be +30ft over an average airship). Maybe not twice the crew but more than a regular on. Depends on how many passangers & cargo you got... I think Seed would go down a littal bit from normal or just add a few Air elemental to get what ever you want... Actually you could have 4 elemental (Titanic got 4 smoking tower on top right) LES (Lyrandar Elemental Ship) Terrasque ;)
Galahad_Knight 10-25-05, 08:24 AM	Of course, the airship can't 'sink' even in the air because the explorer's handbook retconned soarwood from being "Very light" to "Lighter than air" so that even without an elemental, an airship will still float in air. That really ticked me off when I read it. Basically the only way to crash an airship is to have the elemental drive it into the ground, or to completely blow it up or break it into enough parts that the non-soarwood parts weigh down the soarwood and slowly fload the bits of wreckage to the ground. Mmmm, thrilling
Sereno 10-25-05, 10:07 AM	Of course, the airship can't 'sink' even in the air because the explorer's handbook retconned soarwood from being "Very light" to "Lighter than air" so that even without an elemental, an airship will still float in air. That really ticked me off when I read it. Basically the only way to crash an airship is to have the elemental drive it into the ground, or to completely blow it up or break it into enough parts that the non-soarwood parts weigh down the soarwood and slowly fload the bits of wreckage to the ground. Mmmm, thrilling Of course, you're free to disregard any sourcebook data that doesn't jive with your view of the world. Especially when you consider the (relatively) high number of misconceptions and errors in the books that aren't written by Keith. In MY Eberron, an airship without it's elemental drops like a stone -- like in the beginning of Keith's first DD novel. Name suggestion: The EBV Monolithic
ieattrollsforbreakfast 10-25-05, 10:12 AM	I wrote an article about a new, huge airship for the Korranberg Chronicle. It didn't use a bound Omnimental, but made use of several bound elementals of different types. But the important bit...it was called the Hope of Syrania.
Thwyvylyn 10-25-05, 03:01 PM	The LAV (Lyrandar Aerial Vessel) Khyber :schemes:
Galahad_Knight 10-25-05, 08:12 PM	Trust me, I ignore that too. Just pointing ot how dumb it is. Anyhow,I'm fond of "Ginormous"
Edymnion 10-25-05, 09:20 PM	Of course, the airship can't 'sink' even in the air because the explorer's handbook retconned soarwood from being "Very light" to "Lighter than air" so that even without an elemental, an airship will still float in air. That really ticked me off when I read it. Basically the only way to crash an airship is to have the elemental drive it into the ground, or to completely blow it up or break it into enough parts that the non-soarwood parts weigh down the soarwood and slowly fload the bits of wreckage to the ground. Mmmm, thrillingWhich was again changed back by Magic of Eberron when on one of the very first pages describes an airship crashing because it's elemental ring was damaged and couldn't hold it up anymore. I would say that the "lighter than air" bit should only apply to very special ships, like have it be a costly upgrade rather than the norm.
Radkres 10-25-05, 10:05 PM	Well hard rain, sleet, snow covering the ship and the added weight dragging the ship down sinks ships even today so I could see strong winds and heavy rains dragging a airship down.
Deadguy 10-26-05, 05:48 AM	Well hard rain, sleet, snow covering the ship and the added weight dragging the ship down sinks ships even today so I could see strong winds and heavy rains dragging a airship down. That's a very good point Radkres - there are a number of ways for a ship to acquire extra weight in flight, from precipitation to the literal crashing of objects or creatures into the ship. I also wonder if the 'lighter-than-air' aspect is a property solely of the wood, or a property of the vessel? That is, is soarwood itself lighter than air, or is it very very light which is enhanced by the magics that create the vessel? Even if it's the first, presumeably at least some parts of the vessel are made from non-soarwood. So damage enough soarwood hull - by sheering it off, or burning it away - and the vessel still sinks, as the lift is lost. If it's the latter, than perhaps damage to the hull undermines the delicate balance of forces that make the vessel float. Back on topic: I love the idea of a new luxury liner. It fits the need for optimism that the Five Nations have right now, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the Houses. Whether she becomes a Titanic, a Lusitania or even a Marie Celeste, theres loads of story potential. Consider the idea yoinked! :)
Save-vs-DM 10-26-05, 06:00 AM	I wouldn't have this ship sink like a stone - rather sink roughly 50 feetish a round. Let the players panic a bit but give them rounds to maybe try and fix things. For the crew, I'd say 1 and 1/2 the normal crew to run the ship, but you'd need to add quite a few "servant" types. LAS (Lyrandar Air Ship) Galifar LAS Opulence LAS Gala Express Possible reasons for crashing: A trio of Ashbound druids mounted on giant eagles use call lightning storm to attack the vessel in an attempt to free the elemental. A Trust agent dominates the captain and forces him to crash his own ship and sends out a ransom to stop the crash. A Dragon Cultist frees the elemental with harmful magic - for a while it's half escaped and the ship is falling a bit slowly. I can just see some unscrupulous rogue on the deck of the ship selling feather fall tokens for an outrageous sum and a mob ensuing. Cheers, Save vs DM
Musrum 10-26-05, 08:02 AM	Actually I would use the confusion about Soarwood's properties as a plot device. There is a new type of processed Soarwood that is supposedly lighter than air, and thus the LEV Patna (my suggestion) is "unsinkable"...
MrFilthyIke 10-26-05, 08:22 AM	I wouldn't have this ship sink like a stone - rather sink roughly 50 feetish a round. And what's on YOUR mind SvDM?? ;) I like a lot of these ideas, including the Omnimental "breaking down" idea. Just remember, the Gnomish Balladeers must continue playing as the ship crashes to the ground. :D And I say it should be: HMS (His Majesty's Service - funded by Boranel and all) Colossus or Boundless
LuciferNietzsche 10-26-05, 08:39 AM	If you used a single omnimental, or perhaps several air and/or fire elementals...it's no inconceivable that a certain balance must be maintained with them. The omnimental would be a better choice in that regard, otherwise you have to establish whether a single wheel can command multiple elementals at a time, find some way of doing so, or have multiple individuals using multiple wheels... Either way, upsetting that balance could possibly send the ship into the ground whether it floats or not. If it's the omnimental, perhaps their control is not nearly as absolute as they thought, and the unstable nature of the being overwhelms their capacity to control it, driving the vessel to earth. I personally like that idea, and it keeps things down to one elemental. Sounds like a fun adventure though, I hope your group enjoys it. As for a ship name...how about, Grandeur of Dawn? Yes, I happen to like Andromeda...so sue me...
MrFilthyIke 10-26-05, 08:50 AM	Yes, I happen to like Andromeda...so sue me... The lawyers are on their way. :D
Saurenda 10-26-05, 08:54 AM	Actually I would use the confusion about Soarwood's properties as a plot device. There is a new type of processed Soarwood that is supposedly lighter than air, and thus the LEV Patna (my suggestion) is "unsinkable"... That sounds alot like the rare element "Upsadasiem".
Saurenda 10-26-05, 09:00 AM	Of course, the airship can't 'sink' even in the air because the explorer's handbook retconned soarwood from being "Very light" to "Lighter than air" so that even without an elemental, an airship will still float in air. That really ticked me off when I read it. Basically the only way to crash an airship is to have the elemental drive it into the ground, or to completely blow it up or break it into enough parts that the non-soarwood parts weigh down the soarwood and slowly fload the bits of wreckage to the ground. Mmmm, thrilling Perhaps it meant that soarwood is "lighter than air" much like a House Gallandra muffin.
MrFilthyIke 10-26-05, 09:11 AM	That sounds alot like the rare element "Upsadasiem". Perhaps it meant that soarwood is "lighter than air" much like a House Gallandra muffin. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
PsionicMonk 10-28-05, 09:48 PM	IMO, the soarwood is probly a really light sturdiy wood. Something that is probly about the weight of Balsa, but even lighter. I bleave it is the magic that they put into it that makes it 'lighter than air" I mean I would think even minor levitation spell. And it was always a good question of how does an airship not set fire to a tower. But also I'm sure that not everything in the ship is made out of soarwood. The food, the glass, elemental ring, beds, floors (maybe), chairs, ballrooms, everything in the cargo bay. So I'm sure a elemtal ship that is brand new, probly have about equal bounyce so it would float, but when you add everything else, including passagers, that it would sink, without the elemental being active.