Ship Movement in Skulls and Shackles Campaign

[Thunderslash]

Good morning. I have a quick question. I am currently DMing the Skull & Shackles Pathway. According to the text it takes 'several weeks' to get from Port Peril to the Island of Empty Eyes. However as per the measurements the Isle lies about 200 miles north-west. As per the Movement Rules a sailing ship travels 48 miles a day (sailing for 24 hrs a day) making the trip in approximately 4 days sailing with average weather. As the PCs are on a time limit in this module does it actually take them 'several weeks' to get to the Island? As it is I am going to let them take 3 weeks to get there (due to hazards) minus -1 day per 5pt successes on Sailing Check DC10. Thank you.

[Cronax]

Maybe the wind is working against them and they need to tack. Sail ships don't always have the luxury of moving as the crow flies.

[General Dissa Ray.]

Hi!

Yeah, I let my PCs move as fast as they move. I haven't arbitrarily held them to any timelines, which I found more of an issue in the previous book.

Tempest Rising Timelines:

Why would the PCs go to Port Peril, learn of the Free Captain's Regatta, and then do a bunch of sleuthing around the Shackles.

It's also unfortunate that all the sleuthing leads to dead ends, with no consideration for timelines and days lost. I chopped most of the dead-ends out of the adventure, as the time sailing would have forced them to miss the regatta.

Island of Empty Eyes Timelines:

In general, the amount of time necessary for Island of Empty Eyes is irrelevant. If the PCs have 3 months to clear and prep an island, even several weeks doesn't matter. The time to explore, clear, and refurbish the island is likely one week to one month. My PCs cleared the abandoned fort in one day, and purged most of the rest of the island on day 2. Day 3 they'll ransack the Cyclops temple, and I may just hand-wave the remaining encounters on the island.

The interesting issue is how "deluxe" do the Pirate Council expect it to be?

My PCs will use a Lyre of Building with about 82 days to prepare. They purchased the materials and crafted it themselves on the voyage from Port Peril to the Island. I would assume the island will be pretty impressive.