Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Reighnhell 05-08-05, 02:49 PM	I'm using the Aquatic elves as a major race in a setting I'm creating, and I wanted some idea's on what sort of equipment ( both mundane and magical) such race would employ. Considering they come from an undersea environment, they will most likely have unrefined metal work ( unless their is a way forging metal can be done underwater) and probably rely on other materials for their equipment. also take into account that slashing and bludgeoning weapons are less effective under water ( as per DMG 3.5 pg. 92).
Pippa 05-08-05, 04:04 PM	I tried to draw an underwater warrior once; I gave her armour made of crustacean-armour; picture that of a sturdy crabfish, and the lamellae that protect the backs of lobsters (for the joints of the armour suit: giving a nice freedom of movement). As for weapons, trained poisonous fish and shelfish are the first I can think of, but you might not like 'm. Spears with their heads made of coral or stone, and coral armour are my boyfriend/assistant's ideas. Ranged weapons won't be of much use I suppose, since their range decreases severely underwater, but this might fill the gap: Squid-ink. Kind of a non-magical obscuring mist, verry nice combined with those spears and trainded fish. And one of those electrical eels, are they of any use? Killer-whale mounts. If your aquatic elves choose to trade with fishermen, they might actually have a few metal weapons and such. (Pearls! Nice deal for a landlubber...!) Is heat produced by underwater volcano's useful? For smithing? Let us know what you end up with!
primemover003 05-08-05, 05:05 PM	Spears, Tridents, Crossbows work underwater, Barbed or weighted nets. Crustacean armor, sharkhide armor, Coral, sharpened shell. And the abundance of poisons would be astounding!!!
Ssussunriyh 05-08-05, 11:49 PM	Piercing/thrusting/stabbing weapons are really the only types that work at their full effectiveness underwater, since the resistance of the water would slow down your swing with a slashing or bludgeoning weapon. Tridents, spears, and daggers are most prevalent, along with nets to entangle and immobilize an opponent. Some bows and crossbows have been specially designed to work underwater, although their range would be much less than their land counterparts... Most weapons would be crafted from bone and coral, but I've read that certain aquatic races forge metal in air-filled caverns underwater. And they also trade with surface-dwellers occasionally for metal weapons and tools. (Bronze would probably be predominant here, since iron and steel would rust away fairly quickly in seawater. A mithral weapon would be especially prized.) Instead of brewing potions that you drink (since the liquid would be diluted by the water and likely ruined as soon as you uncorked it), they use pastes that you swallow, apply to the body, or rub into a wound, depending on its effect. For the same reason, alcoholic beverages are not made or partaken in the realms below. (Personally, I would think that they do practice fermentation, except that they make a sort of paste that is eaten, or a pulp that is chewed for the same effect...) Instead of coins, pearls are used as currency. The denomination is based on various sizes, colors, shapes, and what creature produced them. Their value in the aquatic realm is significantly less than what a surface-dwelling gem merchant would pay for them.
Borris 05-09-05, 07:48 AM	If you can, check out the equipment section at the end of Races of Faerūn. it has stats for an aquatic longbow and at least two types of armor used by the aquatic elves of the Forgotten Realms.