Building a Submarine for Skulls and Shackles

[Ivanna Cheeseburger]

I am currently in a S&S game, and the DM has said that if we can work it out, he is more than happy to let us build a submarine of some kind for the campaign.

Now, I've looked into things and so far the best thing I have found is the alchemical engine, however there is nothing listed for price or even a direct line for how much movement you get from each square of engine.

Also, there is zero precedent for a completely enclosed hull.

I'm wanting to stay as true to the books as I can, as per DM request.

With the S&S rules, I'm guessing that an alchemical engine could be considered cost wise as magically treated sails for the size of the boat. Then for the hull, perhaps something priced along the lines of the narrow hull, just in reverse. costing roughly the same.

Then of course there is the other thing, alternate materials for the ship. Again, using the same rules, for this we could base it off of the armor plating, only take it a step further, (reinforced armor plating?), with an increase in cost based on the material.

I'd appreciate any ideas that you have, as I've looked through some threads but most of them were old and had come up with nothing. I'm hoping a good discussion here will prove fruitful.

[Moxie]

An Alchemy engine is an interesting concept! Wish I had seen this when you wrote it!!! Are you still interested because I am working on a story based on a character I played in a group in a homebrew and the DM let me captain a submarine it was really fun. I have treid to use the rules to keep it as game coherent as possible and am LOVING where it is going!

[Indagare]

Well, there is a long history of folks trying to go underwater so a submarine is completely believable.

I'm not too familiar with Skulls and Shackles, but the free download for players measures ship movements in 30 ft. increments so I'd suggest using that. It looks like the max speed of the ships is 90 ft. with a 30 ft. acceleration. It probably would make sense for your submarine to go at that speed.

I might suggest using the stats and cost presented for a warship:

Submarine:

Colossal ship
Squares 4 (20 ft. by 100 ft.) Cost 25,000 gp

DEFENSE
AC 2; Hardness 10
hp: 1,200
Base Save: +7

OFFENSE
Maximum Speed: 90 ft. (alchemical engine); Acceleration 30 ft.
CMB +8; CMD 18
Ramming Damage: 8d8

STATISTICS
Propulsion: alchemical engine
Sailing Check Diplomacy or Intimidate (when using muscle);
Profession (sailor) (when using wind or current)
Control Device tiller
Means of Propulsion: alchemical engine
Crew: 20
Decks: 1
Cargo/Passengers 50 tons/10 passengers

You'll at least need some way of keeping fresh air in it. There could be some magical lighting sources. I'm not sure what weapons it might have, and you might want to work that out with your DM.