The Planar Vagabond's Guide to the Multiverse

Heroic Old-School Roleplaying
Core Rules: Water Vessels

Additional Vessel Statistics

• Draft: The depth that a water craft extends below the surface.
• Requires Captain: Vessels that are so large that they require someone to oversee operations.

Carrying Capacity

When carrying creatures as cargo:

• Up to 5 human-sized passengers can be carried comfortably for every ton of cargo space.
• For short hops and special use cases (ex: troop deployments or civilian evacuations), up to 10 human-sized creatures can be carried per ton of cargo capacity (in addition to crew).

Water Vessel Statistics

Boat, River

A small boat that can be either rowed or pushed with poles.

• Most can have a roof added for an extra 1000 gp.

Boat, Sailing

A small, single-mast sail boat typically used for fishing along coastal waters and lakes.

Canoe

A tiny boat, weighing 50 lbs, constructed of a wooden frame wrapped in canvas or hide.

Caravel

A small, single-mast sailing ship.

Caravel, War

Same stats as caravel except as noted:

A caravel adapted for warfare and troop transport, typically armed, and often featuring large hatches for mounts and/or artillery.

Galleon

A large sailing vessel with up to three masts.

• Typically features multiple decks and raised areas at bow and stern (“castles”).

Galleon, War

Same stats as galleon except as noted:

A galleon adapted for transporting troops and mounts, often featuring large hatches for horses, livestock, and/or artillery.

Galley, Large

A long ship with a shallow draft, dozens of oars, and a single mast with a square sail.

Galley, Small

A small ship with a shallow draft, dozens of oars, and a single mast with a square sail.

Galley, War

A large galley built for warfare, with two masts, and a full deck above the rowers.

• Always fitted with a ram (included in cost).
• 10-20’ wide wooden towers at bow and stern, each standing 15-20’ tall.

Lifeboat

A small boat with a collapsible mast typically stored on larger ships for emergencies.

• Weighs 500 lbs, takes up 1/2 ton of cargo space.
• Typically stocked with 1 week’s rations for 10 passengers.
• Can hold up to 15 passengers (plus pilot), although it will be crowded.
• Small ships typically have 1d2 lifeboats, while larger ships typically have 1d2+2.

Longship

A narrow, versatile ship, which may be rowed or sailed, depending on needs and conditions.

• Crew typically fulfill all required roles (oarsmen, sailors, fighters) as needed.

Raft, Makeshift

Given enough wood, a makeshift raft can be built in 1d3 days per person working on it, per 10’ square section (up to 30’ square total).

Raft, Professional

A well-made wooden raft with raised sides, a steering oar, and some type of simple cover.

• Often broken down and sold for wood at 1/4 value.

Mounted Weaponry

Weapon	Cost (gp)
Catapult	100
Catapult shot	5
Catapult shot, pitch	25
Ram, large galley	10,000
Ram, small galley	3000

Catapult

A ballistic device capable of hurling projectiles a great distance, such as large rocks or flaming pitch.

• Cargo space: A catapult plus 20 rounds of shot occupies 1 ton of cargo capacity.
• Range: 150-300 yards
• Attack rolls and rate of fire: Depends on the number of crew manning the catapult:
  • 2 crew (minimum): Attacks at +0, and can fire every 10 rounds.
  • 3 crew: Attacks at +0, and can fire every 8 rounds.
  • 4 crew (maximum): Attacks at +2, and can fire every 5 rounds.
  • Up to one PC may assist in the firing, adding their attack bonus to the roll.
  • Attack modifiers may also be affected by weather conditions, vessel maneuverability, etc.

Types of Shot

• Basic (rock): Inflicts 3d6 hit points of damage.
• Pitch: Inflicts no impact damage, but sets a 10’ square area of target vessel on fire.
  • Burning does 1d6 hit points damage per turn, and will spread to adjacent areas if not dealt with.
  • Time to extinguish fire varies by crew involved:
    • 3 crew (minimum): extinguishes fire in 3 turns.
    • 6 crew: extinguishes fire in 2 turns.
    • 9+ crew: extinguishes fire in 1 turn.

Ram

A pointed, reinforced attachment to a vessel, allowing it to run into other vessels without taking as much damage.

• Attacking vessel must move 30’ or more before ramming.
• Only other vessels and huge (or bigger) creatures may be targeted.
• Attack roll: Pilot or captain makes a melee attack to hit.
  • Attack modifiers may also be affected by weather conditions, vessel maneuverability, etc.
• Damage
  • Galley, large or war: Deals 6d6 hit points against creatures and 4x as much against other vessels.
  • Galle, small: Deals 3d8 hit points against creatures and 4x as much against other vessels.