Adventurer's Vardo

A hardtop wooden wagon that doubles as a cozy living space. Developed by Traveller peoples to ease the frictions of nomadic life, vardos are the precursor to similar vehicles common among performing troupes, but with greater cross-country durability. This one has been outfitted with several enchantments tailored to support the adventuring lifestyle.

The Adventurer's Vardo has the following characteristics:

Marvelous Ornamentation. Built for artistic expression as much as practicality, the vardo is covered inside and out with intricate woodcarvings, painted in bright colors and accentuated with gold leaf. These embellishments are the height of craftsmanship, with designs refined over hundreds of years, and double as the runic casting medium of its various enchantments.

100 hit points, 15 AC, and Resistance to: Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing, and Fire dmg. If reduced to 0 hitpoints, the vardo immediately expels all its cargo onto the road, and its enchantments become unusable until repaired by a qualified Artificer. Otherwise, the vardo automatically regains full hitpoints at the next Stopover (long rest in a town or city).

Well-Lit. The vardo's exterior is fitted with several carriage lamps that cast warm amber light up to 30 feet in all directions. The lanterns can be dimmed or brightened via controls at the forecarriage, never need refueling, and cannot be removed.

Self-Driving. Imbued with low-level transmutation magic, the vardo is capable of traveling under its own power, at the pace of a leisurely walk. Its route and destination can be set with a thought by anyone attuned to it. It can also be given simple instructions, such as "follow me" or "keep going that way."

Draft Hitch. The vardo can be harnessed to beasts of burden (either one or a team), allowing it to move faster. Multiple vardos can be caravanned together.

Bigger on the Inside. The vardo is fitted with a standard demiplane enchantment, making its interior twice the size of its exterior. However, the enchantment only functions while the vardo is encamped, with brake-arms applied and wheels chocked. Preparing the vardo to encamp or disembark is a complex process that typically takes about half an hour.

Home Away from Home. The vardo is fitted with a number of domestic amenities. Some are available on the move, including a pantry, dining table, cook-stove, and one bed. Greater comforts are stowed inside the walls, and become available while encamped; these include (but are not limited to) a desk/workbench, full oven, claw-foot tub, and additional beds. Generally speaking, the vardo is best suited to short rests while moving, and long rests while encamped.

Hard to Spot. When preparing to leave the encamped vardo behind, a player may activate its magical camouflage. The vardo assumes an appearance fitting its surroundings, and emits an aura that discourages curiosity. Any creature who has seen it before can locate it with ease, but it is unlikely to be chanced upon by accident, e.g. by bandits.

Anything You Need (Within Reason). Before leaving a town or city, players may declare how much gold they set aside for supplies. This money is added to the vardo's Supply Budget. While traveling, if a player wishes to access an item, one of two things happens.

• If it's an item of low to middling rarity that anyone might pack for a trip, and could easily have been obtained at a recent Stopover, the vardo contains as much as the player might reasonably need. Deduct a fair price (e.g. as listed in the PHB) from the Supply Budget. Examples: 20 feet of rope; climbing hooks; a simple cloak.

• If it’s an unusual item that demands explanation, or is unlikely to have been easily available at a recent Stopover, the player in need makes a retroactive Intelligence or Wisdom check. The DC is set by the GM, representing the character's foresight and resourcefulness. Examples: a cask of fine wine; a telescope; a book of dwarven poetry.

◦ On a success, deduct the price from the Supply Budget. The player may describe in flashback how and why they acquired the item.

◦ On a fail, the item is not in the vardo, and no one may roll for that item again until the next Stopover.

Modular by Design. The vardo is built for versatility. It may be upgraded over time or as the situation demands, adding additional features and enchantments, e.g. all-terrain wheels, reinforced armor, arrowslits, river pontoons, sleigh rails, etc.