Re: Helm restrictions

Hello all,

In our last episode, Downer, Chris said:
[Snip Re: Large ships]
>I must disagree here. Remember the "Technology" in AD&D is Magic. This
>means that as Magic becomes more advance you will start seeing more
>powerful Magic Items (just like with Technology here on Earth) It makes
>perfect since that a Spelljamming nation would eventually develop bigger
>ships as their knowledge about helms increase. As it stands most
>spelljamming nations buy their helms from the Arcane. This I believe is
>a way for the Arcane to control the advancement of the Spelljamming
>nations. They probably have helms that can power 1000ton ships. 100 ton
>ships are like Old Ironsides are to a Aircraft Carriers.

	Though I agree with what you're saying about tech evolving over 
time, I don't agree with your solution/conclusion.  My approach was to 
consider the "official" stuff to be state-of-the-art, not the average.  
I got sick and tired of my campaigns escallating out of control, and 
this helps keep them balanced.  Instead of making MEGA-HELM -- which 
can power ships up to 1000 tons -- to scare my players, I created a very 
minor helm, which has a power ratio of 1/4, and a weight limit of 30 tons.
(Actually, IMC they're still called minor helms.  "Minor" and "Major" are 
simply categories.)  Make these the standard, give 'em to your players, 
and watch them attempt to run from a squidship with a minor helm.  If they
defeat the squid, imagine how happy they'll be to upgrade to such a cool
helm. :)

	As always, it's your campaign, do what you will.  The above is
just an opinion...

-Static

--
                         "Read more, kill less."

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