Table of Contents
Water Vessels
Seaworthy Vessels
| Vessel | Cost (gp) |
|---|---|
| Lifeboat | 1,000 |
| Longship | 15,000 |
| Sailing ship, large | 20,000 |
| Troop transport, large ‡ | 26,600 |
| Warship, large ‡ | 26,600 |
| Sailing ship, small | 5,000 |
| Troop transport, small ‡ | 6,600 |
| Warship, small ‡ | 6,600 |
‡: A large/small sailing ship with additional capacity for mercenaries or mounted catapults. See vessel descriptions.
Unseaworthy Vessels
| Vessel | Cost (gp) |
|---|---|
| Boat, river | 4,000 |
| Boat, sailing | 2,000 |
| Canoe | 50 |
| Galley, large | 30,000 |
| Galley, small | 10,000 |
| Galley, war | 60,000 |
| Raft, makeshift | – |
| Raft, professional | 1gp / sq. ft. |
Water Vessel Stats
| Miles/Day — MV | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vessel | Cargo (Coins) | Sailing | Rowing | Armour Class | Hull Points | Crew and Mercenaries |
| Boat, river | 30,000 | – | 36 miles 180′ (60′) | 8 [11] | 20–40 | 8 rowers |
| Boat, sailing | 20,000 | 72 miles 360′ (120′) | – | 8 [11] | 20–40 | 1 sailor |
| Canoe | 6,000 | – | 18 miles 90′ (60′)† | 9 [10] | 5–10 | None required** |
| Galley, large | 40,000 | 72 miles 360′ (120′) | 18 miles 90′ (90′)† | 7 [12] | 100–120 | Captain, 20 sailors, 180 rowers, up to 50 mercs. |
| Galley, small | 20,000 | 90 miles 450′ (150′) | 18 miles 90′ (90′)† | 8 [11] | 80–100 | Captain, 10 sailors, 60 rowers, up to 20 mercs. |
| Galley, war | 60,000 | 72 miles 360′ (120′) | 12 miles 60′ (60′)† | 7 [12] | 120–150 | Captain, 30 sailors, 300 rowers, up to 75 mercs. |
| Lifeboat | 15,000 | 18 miles 90′ (30′) | – | 9 [10] | 10–20 | None required** |
| Longship | 40,000 | 90 miles 450′ (150′) | 18 miles 90′ (90′)† | 8 [11] | 60–80 | Captain, 75 crew* (60 crew for rowing only) |
| Raft, makeshift | 50 / sq. foot | – | 12 miles 60′ (30′) | 9 [10] | 5 per 10′ square | None required** |
| Raft, professional | 100 / sq. foot | – | 12 miles 60′ (30′) | 9 [10] | 5 per 10′ square | None required** |
| Sailing ship, large | 300,000 | 72 miles 360′ (120′) | – | 7 [12] | 120–180 | Captain, 20 sailors (‡ plus 50–100 mercs.) |
| Sailing ship, small | 100,000 | 90 miles 450′ (150′) | – | 8 [11] | 60–90 | Captain, 10 sailors (‡ plus 25–50 mercs.) |
*: Crew act as rowers, sailors, and fighters.
**: Can be piloted by unskilled characters.
†: Increased rowing speed during encounters. See Rowed Water Vessels.
Crew and Mercenaries
Vessels are propelled by rowing or sailing, with some able to use either means. The necessary crew and the resulting speeds are listed in the Water Vessel Stats table. Some vessels require a skilled captain, and others have extra space for mercenaries (or other passengers). The pay rates for crew are listed under Specialists.
Miles/Day — Movement Rate
The Water Vessel Stats table notes the number of miles a vessel can sail or row per day, as well as its base and encounter movement rates.
Vessel Terminology
A ship’s beam is its width and its draft is the depth it extends beneath the water. Bow is the front, and stern the rear.
Vessel Descriptions
Boat, River
Usage: Rivers, lakes (unseaworthy)
Size: 20′–30′ long, 10′ beam, 2′–3′ draft
Riverboats are either rowed or pushed with poles. A roof can be added to protect passengers and cargo, costing an additional 1,000gp.
Boat, Sailing
Usage: Lakes, coastal waters (unseaworthy)
Size: 20′–40′ long, 10′–15′ beam, 2′–3′ draft
A small boat typically used for fishing.
Canoe
Usage: Rivers, swamps (unseaworthy)
Size: 15′ long, 3′ beam, 1′ draft
A small boat made of hide or canvas stretched over a wooden frame. Because of its small size and lightweight construction, a canoe can be carried by two people (weighing 500 coins).
Galley, Large
Usage: Coastal waters (unseaworthy)
Size: 120′–150′ long, 15′–20′ beam, 3′ draft
A long ship with a shallow draft and a single, square-sailed mast. (Historical example: trireme.)
Weaponry: A ram and up to 2 catapults can be added.
Galley, Small
Usage: Coastal waters (unseaworthy)
Size: 60′–100′ long, 10′–15′ beam, 2′–3′ draft
A ship with a shallow draft and a single, square-sailed mast. (Historical example: bireme, penteconter.)
Weaponry: A ram and up to 2 catapults can be added.
Galley, War
Usage: Coastal waters (unseaworthy)
Size: 120′–150′ long, 20′–30′ beam, 4′–6′ draft
A large galley often specially constructed as a fleet’s flagship. War galleys are always fitted with a ram (comes with the basic cost) and have a full deck above the rowers. They have two masts and 10′–20′ wide wooden towers rising 15′–20′ above the bow and stern. (Historical example: quinquereme.)
Weaponry: War galleys have a ram built in (included in the cost). Up to 3 catapults can be added.
Lifeboat
Usage: Any (seaworthy)
Size: 20′ long, 4′–5′ beam, 1′–2′ draft
A small boat with a mast that collapses down for storage. A lifeboat weighs 5,000 coins and reduces the cargo capacity of the ship on which it is carried by this much. 1–2 lifeboats are usually purchased for small ships, 3–4 for larger ships. A lifeboat is stocked with a week’s rations for ten human-sized characters.
Longship
Usage: Any (seaworthy)
Size: 60′–80′ long, 10′–15′ beam, 2′–3′ draft
A narrow ship that can be rowed or sailed, depending on the conditions. The crew typically fill the role of rowers, sailors, and fighters, as needed. (Historical example: Viking longship.)
Weaponry: 1 catapult can be added.
Rafts, Makeshift and Professional
Usage: Rivers, lakes (unseaworthy)
Size: Length and beam vary, 1/2′ draft
Makeshift: Given sufficient wood, characters can build a makeshift raft in 1–3 days per 10′ × 10′ section (up to a maximum size of 20′ × 30′).
Professional: A professionally built raft has raised sides, a basic steering oar, and some form of shelter for goods or passengers. Such a raft may be up to 30′ × 40′. Professionally built rafts are sometimes floated downstream with cargo and then broken down and sold for the value of their wood (25cp per square foot).
Sailing Ships, Large
(Including large troop transports and large warships)
Usage: Coastal waters, open seas (seaworthy)
Size: 100′–150′ long, 25′–30′ beam, 10′–12′ draft
A large, seaworthy vessel with up to three masts. Usually has multiple decks and raised “castles” at the bow and stern, providing a good vantage point for archers. (Historical example: great cog.)
Conversion: A large sailing ship can be converted into a large warship or troop transport at a cost of 6,600gp.
Troop transport: Adapted for the mass transportation of up to 100 mercenaries and mounts. Often include large hatches allowing horses to board. Large troop transports have 160–240 hp.
Warship: Adapted for warfare, with space for up to 50 mercenaries. Up to 2 catapults may also be added to a large warship.
Sailing Ships, Small
(Including small troop transports and small warships)
Usage: Coastal waters, open seas (seaworthy)
Size: 60′–80′ long, 20′–30′ beam, 5′–8′ draft
A small, seaworthy vessel with a single mast. (Historical example: cog.)
Conversion: A small sailing ship can be converted into a small warship or troop transport at a cost of 1,600gp.
Troop transport: Adapted for the mass transportation of up to 50 mercenaries and mounts. Often include large hatches allowing horses to board. Small troop transports have 80–120 hp.
Warship: Adapted for warfare, with space for up to 25 mercenaries. A catapult may also be added to a small warship.