Re: Blimps in space - a question

Well Adam, If it's your game simply decide as you see fit.  Just stick to
your decision long term.

But remember if you allow items such as a blimp, some bright eyes will use
it as a frame and pour/paint thin layers of concrete over it, instant
spelljammer hull.  But to specifically address the printed spelljammer
rules, tonnage is defined as volume (50 or 100 cubic yards per ton
(depending on the source, there are conflicts))  So, it would be tonnage....
But, a spelljammer brings a air envelop around it as well.  I'd say if the
helm was placed as to allow the air envelop to encompass the blimp, then I'd
say it's rigging.  In my game, anything that sticks out of the spelljamming
field is dead weight and greatly hinders a ship at tactical speeds and
disallows hi speed travel.

Clint



-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for the Spelljammer campaign setting
[mailto:SPELLJAMMER-L@??????.???????.com] On Behalf Of Night_Druid
Sent: June 7, 2004 7:57 PM
To: SPELLJAMMER-L@??????.???????.com
Subject: Re: [SPELLJAMMER] Blimps in space - a question


Catching up with some past emails.

> I had an idea and was drawing it out: blimps and dirigibles with
> spelljamming helms on board.  I drew up deck plans and was trying to work
> out some specs, and I wondered about the tonage. would you consider the
> airbag with the tonnage? It makes up most of the ship's size.
>
> I figure it would count for a dirigible, but since on a blimp could be
> deflated and put away like a sail, you would just consider it part of the
> rigging.

    I'd consider it part of the rigging, mainly because I don't see much
benefit of a blimp in space beyond added air.  In fact, the blimp itself
would be a huge hindrence to combat, basically blocking most of the arcs of
fire, blimps generally aren't all that fast or maneuverable, and the balloon
would be especially vulnerable to ramming attacks.  It might prove useful
for a long-range fleet to have a blimp as a support craft (lots of extra
air!) but in general the ship wouldn't be well-armed; let the other ships
handle that!

Adam

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