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Libelnon
Acolyte
United Kingdom
12 Posts |
 Posted - 06 May 2014 : 21:52:31
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So, the party in my present game may well be travelling toward or around Luskan soon, and I was wondering: what is naval combat like in the realms? Are cannons commonplace, or are they reserved for the best equipped ships? Rams? Other artillery?
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Looking for someone to bounce ideas off regarding a first-time campaign in the FR universe, using 3.5 and set in 1372DR.
If you're willing to help out, feel free to PM me. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2014 : 22:38:40
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Cannons, what world are you in?
While it is possible that enough smoke powder could be carried, there clearly still remains the problem of on a cannon of good enough metal to not blow apart.
In general naval combat involves ramming, grappling and/or boarding, however some warship do carry ballista (or other missile fire weapons) and even rarer a catapult or a spell caster with something that could be worst then a cannon.
Edit: Fixed some typing errors. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
Edited by - Kentinal on 06 May 2014 23:48:45 |
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idilippy
Senior Scribe
USA
417 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2014 : 22:38:56
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Had a long post, stupid phone caused me to click reset form instead of the keyboard letter I want. Long story short since I'm not writing it all again: according to limited knowledge from Drizzt books and other reading cannon are unreliable and dangerous, not to mention very rare. If you have a powerful magic user and they don't you win, otherwise it is ancient naval combat with ramming, boarding, arrows, and maybe a small catapult or trebuchet, with boarding the other or ramming and sinking being the end goal. Fire might be useful too, alchemist's fire could do a good stand in for Greek fire if you get enough of it.
My bet would be galleys driven by oars are more common than exclusively sail driven ships, so galley tactics of breaking the enemy's oars to leave them helpless against ramming is probably popular. You could draw inspiration from the way naval warfare was fought from Ancient Greece through the Hundred Years' War and probably be justified, but I'd steer clear of age of sail style cannon broadsides and tall ships. That said, if that sounds more fun to you and your players then in your realms let cannon be more prevalent and go for it! |
Edited by - idilippy on 06 May 2014 22:42:24 |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3738 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2014 : 23:30:43
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-A halfway decent magician in probably the best thing for a naval vessel, both offensively and defensively. At a relatively low level (3e), a magician might be able to cast these spells, all of which would help sway a battle slightly or in a major way:
Animate Rope (1st Level)
Darkness (2nd Level)
Grease (1st Level)
Fog Cloud (2nd Level)
Flame Arrow (3rd Level)
Flaming Hands (1st Level)
Fireball (3rd Level)
Invisibility Sphere (3rd Level)
Lightning Bolt (3rd Level)
Major Image (3rd Level)
Rope Trick (2nd Level)
Silent Image (1st Level)
Sleet Storm (3rd Level)
Spiderwalk (2nd Level)
Stinking Cloud (3rd Level)
Water Breathing (3rd Level)
Wind Wall (3rd Level)
Better and cheaper than a cannon. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11701 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2014 : 23:53:40
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| The naval combat rules that are written in some 3.5e sources don't take into account certain factors that drastically change naval combat due to spells. The chief issue is that ships are a confining space. Wizards have area effect spells. Typical sailors have very few hit points. So, if you can find a low damage but high area effect spell (or metamagically enhance a spell for such with widen or enlarge) you can decimate another ship. Back in 2e, snilloc's snowball swarm had a 30 foot radius (so its total area was more than twice that of a fireball), so it was a great spell to use against a ship to wipe its sailors and not destroy the ship. In 3.5e, an enlarged cone (like cone of cold) can have similar effects if shot directly down the bow of a ship. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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idilippy
Senior Scribe
USA
417 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 00:34:33
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Taking area of effect spells into account would add to the oar-driven galley as the norm, as pretty much every area of effect spell is stopped by walls. Having a two, three, or more decked galley allows the crew to be protected from spells as there would be no line of effect or sight for an enemy wizard. Alternately, if a nation was able to develop even basic cannon the need for protection from magical attacks could develop something similar to the Korean turtle ships.
One thing I wonder about, are there enough large nations in the Realms willing and able to invest in a large navy? Ships tend to be pretty expensive to build, develop, and maintain, and the Realms always seemed to me to be a world with many more city states and smaller nations than large ones. I could see Amn, Tethyr, and Calimshan in the south (particularly Tethyr with it's massive forests) having the manpower, wealth, and desire to build large navies, and Cormyr and Sembia on the Sea of Fallen Stars, but when you're talking about the north the potential sea powers are city-states like Baldur's Gate, Luskan, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep. Given that, I wonder if naval development in the northern Sword Coast involves a whole lot of time, money, and manpower spent on warships. I'd imagine most every sailing ship is designed as a merchant ship first, since even for a massive city like Waterdeep it'd be very expensive to keep a large complement of ships that are only there to fight other ships. Rather I'd imagine if war was brewing the fleets of merchant ships would be stocked with soldiers and provisions instead of cargo, maybe weapons would be added to some of them, and if the city could afford it adding mages to each ship.
I'm kinda turning this into a wildly swaying, stream of consciousness post, but one thing I remember about wizards is, for less powerful wizards, concentration checks to cast while on a ship in the middle of combat could be tough. There are also distance worries for some spells, a wizard casting some things has to be close enough to be in danger of enemy archers, or just an enemy apprentice with a wand of magic missile readying to disrupt enemy casters. I know cloud sort of spells are less effective at sea given the speed of the ships involved.
Finally, to cap this wildly swerving post off, if you can check out Stormwrack for 3.5e naval and sea adventuring rules. It's a pretty awesome book, and probably deals with these mechanics way better than we can think up.
EDIT: One thing to add regarding magic. If you are dealing with double digit leveled casters, or worse with epic or near epic level casters, pretty much anything related to real world naval combat has to be scrapped. You get someone capable of pulling off greater invisibility, passwall or a wood shaping spell, water breathing (or polymorphing into a water elemental), and flight and you end up with just random holes appearing below waterlines. And that's just one possible application of a fairly powerful spellcaster. With epic spellcasting you might have a spell capable of destroying an entire fleet in one go from half a continent away. |
Edited by - idilippy on 07 May 2014 00:44:29 |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 01:01:51
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Magic use in combat should be rare, maybe 1 of 10,000 can cast any spell. Of those that would take the chance of being a sailor the odds of any spell caster being on a ship are very low. Even warships unless very wealthy could not afford to have a spell caster on every warship. Civilian, merchant ships at best there might be one the knows herbs or so field healing.
Magic clearly changes a battle and greatly, however magic often would not be available to most ships, raiders or raided. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Ilmarinnen
Acolyte
Ukraine
29 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 09:26:13
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I made once a DnD naval combat compendium for myself and my company. Unfortunately in Russian and I am currently not in a mood to translate it completely.
In short, you can represent in in on of three styles.
Low-magic style (1-4 CL)
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Traditional ship types. Galleys for internal sea and carracks (like "Great Harry") for high seas. Extensive use of alchemical fire weapons. Dragonbreath arrows and bolts, firebombs and firepots, flamethrowers for close combat. In equal conditions ships are expected to follow the "linear tactics", sending swarms of incendiary arrows and bolts, causing multiple fires, while special units attempt to put them out.
Most powerful spell - web. From 130ft (if you are allowed you can wrap a great part of enemy's crew in a net, then burn them..)
Mid-magic style (5-8 CL)
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Very, very destructive! Fireball, blistering radiance, energy ball, scintilating sphere.. One, who manages to hit first often wins the war. Clerics can attempt to upset enemy's ship using control water. Etc. Use-activated magical ammunition, carrying the listed spell are expensive but extend the range greatly.
You are encouraged to use magical propulsion, like theurgeme from stormwrack, or magical wind to fill the sails.
Use "stealth technology", through disguise ship spell of Veil of obscurity.
In short, numbers do not matter here but the ship design and optimization.
High-magic style (9+ CL)
---------------------------
You do not need naval combat here. Scry and teleport.
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Edited by - Ilmarinnen on 07 May 2014 09:30:31 |
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Ilmarinnen
Acolyte
Ukraine
29 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 09:30:11
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Also using naval aviation can change the tactics greatly. If not directly throwing firebombs and flechettes onto enemy's decks, then at least for recconnaissance.
If you can not employ a rider with a griffin, try at least to recruit into a crew an aaracocra or avariel.
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2388 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 11:58:51
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There were "Of Ships and Sea" and FR "Pirates of Fallen Stars", try to get yer paws on 'em. 
quote:
Originally posted by Ilmarinnen
If you can not employ a rider with a griffin, try at least to recruit into a crew an aaracocra or avariel.
Where you'd get an Aaracokra on the Western coast of Faerun? Let alone Avariel. Now, in the Fallen Stars even the latter is somewhat plausible, and there's an Aaracokra colony almost within the sight of the water. |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Libelnon
Acolyte
United Kingdom
12 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 19:12:13
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Thanks for all the replies guys, the pointer toward Stormwrack was incredibly useful.
And yeah, the blunder with the cannons is because the old campaign I was running was set in a 16th-century based setting, where blackpowder was a lot more commonplace than the realms, and I believe historically cannons were quickly adopted in naval warfare. |
Looking for someone to bounce ideas off regarding a first-time campaign in the FR universe, using 3.5 and set in 1372DR.
If you're willing to help out, feel free to PM me. |
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Ilmarinnen
Acolyte
Ukraine
29 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 19:12:26
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I did not mean exactly this endevour. It's a general recommendation. One may use a flying carpet, a hawk or raven familiar with a Chain of eyes spell, or guess something another to provide air surveillance.
If respected Libelnon will tell the ECL of the party, the sources allowed\restricted, other travel conditions - is the ship their property, do they simply rent cabins in a merchant ship, is it a specially despatched warship? we'll be able to provide some more exact recommendations. |
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Ilmarinnen
Acolyte
Ukraine
29 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 19:15:45
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In FR smokepowder is very, very expensive. Shot from a small bombard (just the gunpowder, without a bomb) costs 64gp, from a bigger one 320gp.
Thus the shot must be really, really worth of it! Simple cannonballs and grapeshot are not worth of such expensive stuff as smokepowder.
historically cannons were quickly adopted in naval warfare.
Google "siege of Chioggia". 1380. However not yet for ship vs ship, but to bombard ground fortifications. |
Edited by - Ilmarinnen on 07 May 2014 19:18:42 |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11701 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 23:06:30
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quote:
Originally posted by idilippy
Taking area of effect spells into account would add to the oar-driven galley as the norm, as pretty much every area of effect spell is stopped by walls. Having a two, three, or more decked galley allows the crew to be protected from spells as there would be no line of effect or sight for an enemy wizard. Alternately, if a nation was able to develop even basic cannon the need for protection from magical attacks could develop something similar to the Korean turtle ships.
One thing I wonder about, are there enough large nations in the Realms willing and able to invest in a large navy? Ships tend to be pretty expensive to build, develop, and maintain, and the Realms always seemed to me to be a world with many more city states and smaller nations than large ones. I could see Amn, Tethyr, and Calimshan in the south (particularly Tethyr with it's massive forests) having the manpower, wealth, and desire to build large navies, and Cormyr and Sembia on the Sea of Fallen Stars, but when you're talking about the north the potential sea powers are city-states like Baldur's Gate, Luskan, Neverwinter, and Waterdeep. Given that, I wonder if naval development in the northern Sword Coast involves a whole lot of time, money, and manpower spent on warships. I'd imagine most every sailing ship is designed as a merchant ship first, since even for a massive city like Waterdeep it'd be very expensive to keep a large complement of ships that are only there to fight other ships. Rather I'd imagine if war was brewing the fleets of merchant ships would be stocked with soldiers and provisions instead of cargo, maybe weapons would be added to some of them, and if the city could afford it adding mages to each ship.
I'm kinda turning this into a wildly swaying, stream of consciousness post, but one thing I remember about wizards is, for less powerful wizards, concentration checks to cast while on a ship in the middle of combat could be tough. There are also distance worries for some spells, a wizard casting some things has to be close enough to be in danger of enemy archers, or just an enemy apprentice with a wand of magic missile readying to disrupt enemy casters. I know cloud sort of spells are less effective at sea given the speed of the ships involved.
Finally, to cap this wildly swerving post off, if you can check out Stormwrack for 3.5e naval and sea adventuring rules. It's a pretty awesome book, and probably deals with these mechanics way better than we can think up.
EDIT: One thing to add regarding magic. If you are dealing with double digit leveled casters, or worse with epic or near epic level casters, pretty much anything related to real world naval combat has to be scrapped. You get someone capable of pulling off greater invisibility, passwall or a wood shaping spell, water breathing (or polymorphing into a water elemental), and flight and you end up with just random holes appearing below waterlines. And that's just one possible application of a fairly powerful spellcaster. With epic spellcasting you might have a spell capable of destroying an entire fleet in one go from half a continent away.
I was about to point out that flight and invisibility can get rid of advantages like forecastles in the case of area effects. There was also a spell that teleported (limited range) you in and auto teleported you out X rounds later in 2nd edition. However, yes, if you have "layered" ships where not all of your rowers are exposed, then it becomes harder to decimate the ships. However, once the top crew is removed, the ship is effectively blind. This does make me wonder though if things like periscopes might have come into use in the realms |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Ilmarinnen
Acolyte
Ukraine
29 Posts |
Posted - 07 May 2014 : 23:37:24
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There is a ship you've described in Stormwrack. A dwarven ironclad. With a speed of 1 knot it is unable to struggle most winds and currents.
Still, I guess? it may be used in lakes? |
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Mapolq
Senior Scribe
Brazil
466 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2014 : 05:08:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Ilmarinnen
In FR smokepowder is very, very expensive. Shot from a small bombard (just the gunpowder, without a bomb) costs 64gp, from a bigger one 320gp.
Thus the shot must be really, really worth of it! Simple cannonballs and grapeshot are not worth of such expensive stuff as smokepowder.
historically cannons were quickly adopted in naval warfare.
Google "siege of Chioggia". 1380. However not yet for ship vs ship, but to bombard ground fortifications.
Yup. I don't see many cannons in naval warfare in Faerūn, but that's mostly because smokepowder technology is still highly restricted and expensive in the late 1300s. If one has the money, though, and no obvious alternative, it'd be as good a solution as it was in the late Middle Ages. |
Never sleep under the jackfruit tree.
Tales of Moonsea - A Neverwinter Nights 2 Persistent World. Check out our website at http://www.talesofmoonsea.com and our video trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am304WqOAAo&feature=youtu.be, as well as our thread here at Candlekeep: http://www.forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12955
My campaign thread: http://www.forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16447 |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1842 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2014 : 07:47:53
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| Just want to point out tha John Flannagans 'Brotheband Chronicles' deals with a Skandian (his Scandanavian/Viking folks) who develeops the first triangular sail. It's excellent source for really capturing the feel of naval combat and adventuring on the sea. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Cbad285
Learned Scribe
160 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2014 : 08:34:01
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| I see a lot of people here saying how cannons and the like are not possible. Thats just not the case. There is plenty of information out there to develop rules for cannons. You as a dm just have to decide if black powder is available in your game or not. Im playing in a 15th century realms game now and cannkns are availble. However they are extreamly expensive. |
"Beware the Dream Fever!" |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1600 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2014 : 12:34:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Cbad285
I see a lot of people here saying how cannons and the like are not possible. Thats just not the case. There is plenty of information out there to develop rules for cannons. You as a dm just have to decide if black powder is available in your game or not. Im playing in a 15th century realms game now and cannkns are availble. However they are extreamly expensive.
Cbad285, the point is that Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Realms, said that physics work differently in the Realms, and gunpowder doesn't work there. However, a magical variant known as smoke powder works, but being a magical item, it is extremely rare. Of course you can opt not to follow these guidelines in your game, but that is what is officially written. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 08 May 2014 : 13:38:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Cbad285
I see a lot of people here saying how cannons and the like are not possible. Thats just not the case. There is plenty of information out there to develop rules for cannons. You as a dm just have to decide if black powder is available in your game or not. Im playing in a 15th century realms game now and cannkns are availble. However they are extreamly expensive.
Cbad285, the point is that Ed Greenwood, the creator of the Realms, said that physics work differently in the Realms, and gunpowder doesn't work there. However, a magical variant known as smoke powder works, but being a magical item, it is extremely rare. Of course you can opt not to follow these guidelines in your game, but that is what is officially written.
It's actually written canon, too --
quote:
The physics of the Realms are slightly out of synchronization with the rest of the planes, so that many technological devices which operate on electronics do not function. Equivalent devices may be developed by player characters. DMs should put some thought into what they will allow into their campaign worlds. DMs may choose to eliminate the use of gunpowder (or its magical equivalent, smoke powder) from the Realms, at their option.
-- Page 9 of Running the Realms, in the 2E FRCS
quote:
The physics of the Realms are slightly out of sync with the rest of the planes, so that gunpowder and many technological devices which operate on electronics do not function. Equivalent devices may be developed by player-characters. DMs judgment is advised as to what may be allowed into the world.
-- Page 9 of DMs Sourcebook of the Realms, in the 1E FRCS |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
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Mapolq
Senior Scribe
Brazil
466 Posts |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6353 Posts |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11701 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2014 : 00:04:27
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| just to note, in regards to cannons, there are bombards.... admittedly a poor and unreliable cousin.... brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Thayan. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2014 : 01:12:52
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| Thayans also have a ship that has several cannons. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2014 : 03:41:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Dalor Darden
Thayans also have a ship that has several cannons.
Ah, yes, the Thayvian bombards. [As per Forgotten Realms Adventures and Pirates of the Fallen Stars.]
They're amongst my favourite fantasy ship-types. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2388 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2014 : 03:43:52
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| Weren't the Thayvian bombards ones that work on liquid propellant and are so ungodly overweight they are good only for coastal artillery? |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Ilmarinnen
Acolyte
Ukraine
29 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2014 : 08:33:36
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quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
Weren't the Thayvian bombards ones that work on liquid propellant and are so ungodly overweight they are good only for coastal artillery?
This is an export variant (as I remember these were mentioned in "Pirates of Fallen Stars"?).
Bombards utilised in Thayan ships and fortresses have weight of 500pounds, rate of fire 10 rpm, utilise telekinesis spell to push the cannonball or bomb and do not require additional supplies. This is the best artillery piece in FR!
Unfortunately, not exported. |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11701 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2014 : 01:47:10
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quote:
Originally posted by TBeholder
Weren't the Thayvian bombards ones that work on liquid propellant and are so ungodly overweight they are good only for coastal artillery?
From Spellbound
The Red Scourge
This vast and terrifying vessel is the new pride of the Thayan navy. Built of shining, enameled red iron, kept afloat by magic, and powered by captive extraplanar beings, the Red Scourge mounts numerous small Thayan bombards and a large crew of human warriors but has yet to be tested in battle. Many nations, especially Aglarond
and the naval powers of the Sea of Fallen Stars, would pay well for information on this mysterious vessel which, if set in motion, could strangle sea trade to a trickle.
<snip>
21. Bombards
This deck contains 24 light Thayan bombards, 12 on each side. Each inflicts 5d10 points of damage. Each bombard requires a crew of two.
A vessel hit by a light bombard must make a seaworthiness check at a +10% bonus. If the check fails, the vessel is hulled and sinks in 1d10 turns unless repairs are made.
Stout iron lockers in the center of the deck contain 500 rounds of ammunition#151; metal spheres containing a flammable alchemical preparation. These lockers are sealed and enchanted with the equivalent of a ring of fire resistance so that fires or enemy attacks will not inadvertently set the ammunition off, a disaster that might destroy the Red Scourge entirely. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2014 : 08:38:15
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| That's the one! |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3738 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2014 : 04:56:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Magic use in combat should be rare, maybe 1 of 10,000 can cast any spell. Of those that would take the chance of being a sailor the odds of any spell caster being on a ship are very low. Even warships unless very wealthy could not afford to have a spell caster on every warship. Civilian, merchant ships at best there might be one the knows herbs or so field healing.
-What? And why? I don't see why magicians operating on board boats would be rare. Magic in the world is generally plentiful, with a huge amount of spellcasters out there, ranging from people that can barely cast little cantrips, to magicians that can snap and make things teleport to other planets. It also represents a distinct advantage over those without access to it, because of its ability to basically rework reality in a variety of ways. When trade or conflict are involved- two of the major uses for boats- those with access to the means are going to do their best to arm themselves with the greatest advantages. That might mean magic. For a few coins, merchants can hire ship magicians to protect their trade flotillas, or maybe sponsor a priest/priestess of a deity to accompany them, giving those vessels distinct advantages. With nothing but an order, military leaders can assign magicians that would be likely found in most standing armies onto vessels, if naval combat needed or is to be expected. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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BandofMisfits
Acolyte
5 Posts |
Posted - 13 Mar 2016 : 21:11:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-A halfway decent magician in probably the best thing for a naval vessel, both offensively and defensively. At a relatively low level (3e), a magician might be able to cast these spells, all of which would help sway a battle slightly or in a major way:
Animate Rope (1st Level)
Darkness (2nd Level)
Grease (1st Level)
Fog Cloud (2nd Level)
Flame Arrow (3rd Level)
Flaming Hands (1st Level)
Fireball (3rd Level)
Invisibility Sphere (3rd Level)
Lightning Bolt (3rd Level)
Major Image (3rd Level)
Rope Trick (2nd Level)
Silent Image (1st Level)
Sleet Storm (3rd Level)
Spiderwalk (2nd Level)
Stinking Cloud (3rd Level)
Water Breathing (3rd Level)
Wind Wall (3rd Level)
Better and cheaper than a cannon.
Historically speaking, the upper range of a 36-pounder long gun was 3,700 meters, with a practical range of 650 meters. So between 2,000 and 12,000 feet.
What's the range of that fireball your mage is about to cast?
I get that "smoke powder" isn't reliable or widely available in The Realms, but the argument that "a mage would be more effective anyways" doesn't really track.
(P.S. Every shipbuilder worth his salt is going to have a permanent Dimensional Lock or Forbiddance cast on ships they build. Only prudent.) |
Edited by - BandofMisfits on 13 Mar 2016 21:21:42 |
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Naval combat in the realms
