Sky Sloop - Magic Item or Artifact


Homebrew and House Rules


The Sunhawk (Sky Sloop)
Aura strong transmutation; CL 16th
Slot none; Price ?; Weight 36 tons

DESCRIPTION
The Sunhawk is a sleek 75 feet long and 15 feet wide ship, made from weathered hardwood. It does not have a mast, instead roughly two-thirds of the way down from the prow of the ship, a pair of wing-like contraptions of brass and silk and affixed to the hull. These can be unfurled to serve as sails, using a complex system of ropes and pulleys, when the ship is in flight.
On the deck, near the prow, a trapdoor allows for access to the cargo hull and a heavy ballista is located near the middle of the deck, while the rear fourth of the deck-level is given over to the captain’s cabin, the roof of which serves as the bridge, where the ship’s wheel is located.
Below deck, the cargo hull takes up most of the space, but the ship’s kitchen and three small cabins are also located here. Access to the cargo hull is possible through the deck trapdoor or through a pair of large sliding gates located on either side of the hull.
The enchantments used in the Sunhawk’s construction make the ship naturally buoyant, allowing it to levitate up to a distance of 500 yards above the ground, but never higher than 2.000 yards above sea level. The same magic also allow the ship to fly at speeds up to 25 mph, though with the sail-wing deployed it may sail even faster, if the wind allow it.
The ship’s hull can hold up to 25 tons of cargo or 50 passengers.

VEHICLE STATS
Colossal air vehicle
Squares 45 (15 ft. by 75 ft.)
DEFENSES
AC 2; Hardness 25
hp 1350
Base Save +10
Resistance acid 10, fire 10
Immunity electricity, cold
OFFENSE
Maximum Speed 180 ft. (current) or 120 ft. (magic); Acceleration 30 ft. (current) or 15 ft. (magic)
CMB +8; CMD 18
Ramming Damage 8d8
DESCRIPTION
Propulsion current (air; two sail wings, 30 squares of sail, hp 150) and magic
Driving Check Profession (sailor) or Profession (nature) +10 to the DC
Forward Facing the ship’s forward
Driving Device steering wheel
Driving Space the nine squares around the steering wheel
Crew 4
Decks 2
Weapons 1 heavy ballista on a swivel on the upper deck.
Heavy ballista (Direct-Fire Siege Engine)
Damage 4d8 Critical 19-20/x2 Range 180 ft. Type P Crew 3 Aim 2 Load 3

So would you say that this is a magic item, and in that case, what would be a fair prize, or it is a lesser (or major) artifact?

RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

It depends on how common flying ships are in your campaign and how easily people can create them. If airships are ancient technological curiosities, then it's an artifact. Otherwise, it's a magic item. You can price them based on the alchemical dragon from the core rulebook (100k).

I'm a little perplexed why it has a hardness of 25 and energy resistances. Objects innately gain resistances against ranged attacks and energy damage. A hardness of 25 means it's denser than adamantine, the hardest material known.


Its for Golarion and the hardness thing is a typo - it should be 5, as for all wooden ships.


I think it should probably be an artifact, since it is one of a kind. Golarion doesn't have other airships.

RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

I think Nexian city of Quantium would have an occasional flying ship.


There's still a flying city in the air in Golarion and more than one functioning magocracy. Airships are only a big deal if you want 'em to be.

Flip side, Golarion's magitechnological schizophrenia means it totally CAN be a big deal if you want it to be.

Ultimate Combat has an airship for 50k, but it's a bit slower. Ultimate Magic let's you create an Animated Object that is a LOT slower (unless you house-rule some reasonable brand of speed-booster) and costs 60k (but flies itself, follows commands, and can do other things like swim or burrow if you really want).

It seems like it has a lot of hit points and damage immunities, but for all I know that is normal for vehicles, I'm not that familiar with vehicle rules. Most of my adventures are on foot and on dry land.

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