Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Mist-Bound Aug 18, 2009 3:32:41	This is just something I was wondering if people could clue me in on, seeing as how I don't have my copy of the Eberron Campaign Guide yet. I know that binding elementals (or spirits from the Elemental Chaos, if you want to get technical) is the basis for Eberron's various transport vessels (airships, lightning rail, etc), but I was wondering: precisely what elementals can be bound into a vehicle to give it the power to move, and what methods of motion are provided by relevant elementals? For example, I know that the lightning rail binds storm elementals (in 4e terms- basically, any elemental with lightning as part as its elemental makeup) and uses them to move in pretty much the same fashion as a modern electric train.
#2 ieattrollsforbreakfast Aug 18, 2009 5:15:02	Actually, the lightning rail operates nothing like a normal modern train. It's probably closer to something like the bullet train: it hovers above the ground for frictionless travel. The elemental is then used to propel the coaches through the air. I also think that it uses an air elemental, not a storm elemental. Airships can use air or fire elementals, from what we've seen. Elemental galleons can use water or air elementals. Earth sleds and land carts use earth elementals. Submarines use water elementals.
#3 Ogiwan Aug 27, 2009 20:05:57	He got it right, to my understanding. Although I would like to take this oppurtunity to brag about one of my players. She's fairly new to 4e, and as we were creating the party, she decided that she wanted to play an Airship Pirate. I was like, well, we already have a rogue, so you'll have to work around that. She chose: a Lyrander shaman. Her airship doesn't use an imprisoned elemental; rather, it is friends with her (i think I will make her take it to a play or opera next session), and by virtue of a ring, it is her spirit companion. Outside of combat, it flouts around her. She described it as wandering all over her cabin cat-like, blowing stuff around.   I'm so proud. It's so funny and awesome.
#4 angelus_obscura Aug 27, 2009 21:20:45	Although I would like to take this oppurtunity to brag about one of my players. She's fairly new to 4e, and as we were creating the party, she decided that she wanted to play an Airship Pirate. I was like, well, we already have a rogue, so you'll have to work around that. She chose: a Lyrander shaman. Her airship doesn't use an imprisoned elemental; rather, it is friends with her (i think I will make her take it to a play or opera next session), and by virtue of a ring, it is her spirit companion. Outside of combat, it flouts around her. She described it as wandering all over her cabin cat-like, blowing stuff around.   I'm so proud. It's so funny and awesome. I've got a similar character, except she is a military captain of the skyship, Clarion's Call. The fire elemental that powers her airship is her friend as well, connected to her soul via her fire mephit familiar, Lambent. Lambent is the avatar of her ship AND her familiar. :D Her airship is an early prototype of the modern airship. It lacks a wheel of wind and water, and instead has a control crystal which the pilot must be in contact with. Fire and air elementals can propel the ship in any direction, with varying maneuverability.
#5 Alex_ Aug 28, 2009 10:06:01	Actually, the lightning rail operates nothing like a normal modern train. It's probably closer to something like the bullet train: it hovers above the ground for frictionless travel. The elemental is then used to propel the coaches through the air. I also think that it uses an air elemental, not a storm elemental.   And when you operate the Lightning Rail, you don't have a wheel or levers or anything.  Instead you have this pair of reins made of lightning.  The driver, which has the mark of storm, reaches out and takes them as if he's driving a coach, and yanks here and there to get the bound elemental to speed up, slow down, lean into curves, etc.
#6 AvonRekaes Sep 02, 2009 13:47:29	Mark of Passage, you mean.