I am planning an encounter where the party (which is on a small sailing ship) encounter a patch of black sludge, encompassing the bottom of the boat. Some of the sludge is made up of Black Puddings , which according to their stat block eats through 2 inches of metal or wood each round. I am trying to figure out how many rounds it would take before the boat is damaged such that it might start taking on water.
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I think it may depend on the type of ship. Is it a big ship? small ship? what was its purpose, for war, or for travel. A warship will have thicker boards, and probably some reinforcements at key points of the hull, while a merchant ship will most likely be made with thinner boards and less reinforcements. a large ship will need thick boards in place in certain areas, but may use thinner boards in other areas for decreased weight. however the very bottom of the ship will most likely be on of the thicker points, to withstand running aground.
A “boat,” 1 round. A “ship,” anywhere from 1-6 rounds on average. Maybe 10 rounds at most. As people have said, it depends on the ship’s purpose. And please note, it was not unheard of to clad the hull below the water line with copper plates to make the hull smoother for a little additional speed as well as preventing barnacle growth.
To make it more interesting I'd use the Damage Threshold rule from the Ghosts of Saltmarsh book. Basically, the hull doesn't suffer damage until the damage meets or exceeds the Damage Threshold... in the case of a Sailing Ship, that threshold is 15.
This would add some randomness to the encounter. Just roll the 4d8 every round until you roll 15+... could be one round, could be four.
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...cryptographic randomness!
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I am planning an encounter where the party (which is on a small sailing ship) encounter a patch of black sludge, encompassing the bottom of the boat. Some of the sludge is made up of Black Puddings , which according to their stat block eats through 2 inches of metal or wood each round. I am trying to figure out how many rounds it would take before the boat is damaged such that it might start taking on water.
Three-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
Unless you're dealing with a reinforced warship, one round.
I think it may depend on the type of ship. Is it a big ship? small ship? what was its purpose, for war, or for travel. A warship will have thicker boards, and probably some reinforcements at key points of the hull, while a merchant ship will most likely be made with thinner boards and less reinforcements. a large ship will need thick boards in place in certain areas, but may use thinner boards in other areas for decreased weight. however the very bottom of the ship will most likely be on of the thicker points, to withstand running aground.
A quick google shows anywhere from around 2 inches more or less to up to 18 inches. Small sailing ship likely on the lower side of things.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
A “boat,” 1 round. A “ship,” anywhere from 1-6 rounds on average. Maybe 10 rounds at most. As people have said, it depends on the ship’s purpose. And please note, it was not unheard of to clad the hull below the water line with copper plates to make the hull smoother for a little additional speed as well as preventing barnacle growth.
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To make it more interesting I'd use the Damage Threshold rule from the Ghosts of Saltmarsh book.
Basically, the hull doesn't suffer damage until the damage meets or exceeds the Damage Threshold... in the case of a Sailing Ship, that threshold is 15.
This would add some randomness to the encounter. Just roll the 4d8 every round until you roll 15+... could be one round, could be four.
...cryptographic randomness!