My group will start The Sea Wyvern's Wake tonight and I have a Minotaur in the group (using level progression from Savage Species). He is also the proficeint sailor of the group so he will captain the Sea Wyvern. My question is since as a minotaur he never gets lost, what does that mean to the sailor/navagation checks to stay on coarse? Would you just not bother with the checks or maybe add a +5 racial bonus to the checks? I'm curious what other's opinions on it are. I'm inclined to not bother with checks because really how often will the ability be able to be used and what is really lost by not bothering with the checks.
My group will start The Sea Wyvern's Wake tonight and I have a Minotaur in the group (using level progression from Savage Species). He is also the proficeint sailor of the group so he will captain the Sea Wyvern. My question is since as a minotaur he never gets lost, what does that mean to the sailor/navagation checks to stay on coarse? Would you just not bother with the checks or maybe add a +5 racial bonus to the checks? I'm curious what other's opinions on it are. I'm inclined to not bother with checks because really how often will the ability be able to be used and what is really lost by not bothering with the checks.
IMHO, you can probably forego the navigation checks (though that role is implied in SWW as being handled by someone other than the captain, his innate gift for navigation would mean he could multitask easily enough methinks). With the written hazards that will occur on the voyage anyway, I think the whole 'getting lost' angle is just for individual DMs to add more sidequests as needed to their own storylines.
Besides, the mechanical advantage gained by his senses could be offset by the roleplaying disadvantage that the Sea Wyvern would need some costly modifications to accomodate his large size (or eventual large size, if he hasn't gotten that far in his savage progression yet). Because being stuck in a space too small for him for three months would be, well, just abysmal... ;P
And just out of curiousity - are you planning on arranging an encounter with some minotaur pirates for your PCs during the voyage? I know that's one boarding party I'd never want to see coming over the rails...
Just my two coppers - hope that helps!
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
I'm just going to ignore the daily gettin' lost checks. IMO, they just force additional rolls for the chance to slow the story down.
(I'm still planning to make the captain make checks as the party makes their way through the current near the end of the journey, as a way to build a bit of tension -- will the stores hold up? -- and to suggest that nature itself is starting to become their enemy, after being so kind for the first part of the voyage.)
I hadn't really put much thought to the size issue. He increases to size large at 6th level so it will change partway through the voyage. I'll have to look at the map of the Sea Wyvern to see which areas will be a problem. He may spend a lot of time on deck after his growing pains, so I guess it's good that Lavina choose a nice time of year to make the voyage.
As far as minotaur pirates, I hadn't planned on it. The minotaur player originally planned on taking a level of rogue then Scarlet Corsair. He has since joined the Church of the Whirling Blades and will most like take barbarian levels and then the Champion of Gyw.... PrC from Book of Exalted Deeds.
I hadn't really put much thought to the size issue. He increases to size large at 6th level so it will change partway through the voyage. I'll have to look at the map of the Sea Wyvern to see which areas will be a problem. He may spend a lot of time on deck after his growing pains, so I guess it's good that Lavina choose a nice time of year to make the voyage.
As far as minotaur pirates, I hadn't planned on it. The minotaur player originally planned on taking a level of rogue then Scarlet Corsair. He has since joined the Church of the Whirling Blades and will most like take barbarian levels and then the Champion of Gyw.... PrC from Book of Exalted Deeds.
I brought up the size issue because I had to deal with a similar problem with my Sea Wyvern crew - in the form of two goliaths. They used a magic solution and purchased Armbands of Reduction (2000 gp, Arms & Equipment Guide, P.129 I think). Not a perfect fix, but probably faster than overhauling a ship (and useful when off-ship as well).
If your PCs have already started the voyage, you could always make it a gift to the minotaur from Lavinia, given after he has his 'growth spurt' at 6th level. It would be a thoughtful gesture that helps cement the PCs' bond to her, and a good roleplaying twist to the normal mechanics of item buying.
And I love the idea of a minotaur Champion of Gwynharwyf - that's just a beautiful thing :)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
Technically, any large creature can squeeze, as per the rules, through a medium space. It goes at half speed, and takes a -4 to AC and attack. This came up a bit in my game, because it meant the party Ice Troll fighter was almost always last to the fight, and the brawl with Rowyn in the hold was ridiculous, as the penalties allowed her to hold her own against him.
I agree that it would suck to have to be the large creature in the situation, but the real question is, what parts of the ship are small enough that medium creatures have to squeeze? Because thats where the large person gets in real trouble.
Technically, any large creature can squeeze, as per the rules, through a medium space. It goes at half speed, and takes a -4 to AC and attack. This came up a bit in my game, because it meant the party Ice Troll fighter was almost always last to the fight, and the brawl with Rowyn in the hold was ridiculous, as the penalties allowed her to hold her own against him.
I agree that it would suck to have to be the large creature in the situation, but the real question is, what parts of the ship are small enough that medium creatures have to squeeze? Because thats where the large person gets in real trouble.
Good question, Black Bard - the only places that come close might be the two small 'rum closets' in the lower hold of the Sea Wyvern. But he could still fit into them (though nobody else could I think).
I guess my thoughts are more along the lines of the character being comfortable over the duration of the voyage versus the occasional combat encounter. (The example that pops in my mind: you can squeeze a linebacker into a subcompact car, but how happy is he going to be after 8 hours...?) However, your example of fighting Rowyn in the hold serves as an excellent illustration of what 'complications' could happen once his PC gets bigger.
And sorry for wandering off topic, Chris - we'll try to bring it back around now :P
Your Friendly Neighborhood Dalesman
"Bringing Big D**n Justice to the Bad Guys Since 1369 DR"
No worries about wandering, it's all been good stuff. ;)
Would minotaurs make for a great cab driver?
Considering they never get lost and they charge through the nose.....
Does it get any worse than bad D&D humor?