Re: Tech & SJ

I agree! But "tech" does not necessarily mean *EARTH* tech, again, this
is what folk get caught up on, because...all we know is our own tech ;)

Since steam power and gunpowder are impractical (and steam requires
precision machining, that's another problem), what other things can be
done?
Elven ship tech, yes, very good point! So are Accelerators, alas I don't
have the Hackjammer book, but magical or unusual things can be used.

Ever seen the old British film, "The First Men on the Moon" (if I get
the name correct), based off an H G Wells (?) novel? The idea is a
peculiar material cancels or reverses gravity...now why not take such a
thing into SJ but with a twist...Imagine exotic material applied to a
ship that increases its maneuverability, maybe this is the elves'
secret, the plant "sails" on the Man-O-War give it added responsiveness,
that is their "tech".

One thing I mentioned before I'd like to see though, is each of the main
ship types should have some special ability, built into it, as a major
design point.
For example, the Man-O-War could be said to have a *specific* inherent
bonus to Manouverability.
I say this after looking at the Hammership and Squidship, really, they
are much the same, I've yet to build the Hammership, but I suspect it's
actual mass isn't greatly different from the Squidship...so all you get
is a blunt of piercing ram as their design points, which is a bit sad,
really.

I'd think that the Squidship should do extra damage from it's massive,
tri-headed ram, and the Hammership be very sturdy (extra AC, hullpoints,
or whatever)

Another point is, SJ ship design would be a blend of technology, magic
and experience. The classic SJ ship types offer benefits?

:)

-----Original Message-----
From: Spelljammer Setting Discussion
[mailto:SPELLJAMMER-L@??????.???????.com] On Behalf Of Matt Hoffman
Sent: 27 August 2007 02:00
To: SPELLJAMMER-L@??????.???????.com
Subject: Re: [SPELLJAMMER] Tech & SJ

You're forgetting the most significant drawback to steamships in SJ.

How do you plan on moving a ship powered by a boiler fire through  
phlogiston?

Without the ability to pass between crystal spheres, there really is  
no point to having Spelljammer rules at all.

This isn't to say there isn't a place for limited use of firearms,  
bombards and even non-magical engines (the furnace golem comes to  
mind). But in terms of practicality there is a huge tradeoff to be  
made, and it's not one that the majority of spelljammer captains (nor  
the major fleets of space) find a worthwhile exchange.

Still, the idea of a practical steamer using SJ mechanics is  
intriguing. It even has a Twain-esque sentimental appeal to it. I  
wonder if it were possible to design smokestacks such that they could  
extend beyond a ship's air envelope? I notice that the masts of most  
vessels are often included in a ship's air bubble, but is it possible  
to extend something beyond the bubble? That would, for a steam engine  
at least, provide some method to power a non-magical local-wildspace  
civilian mode of transport without fouling the air. But given the  
costs that are likely involved in developing something like that, it  
might end up being cheaper to just hire spellcasting pilots  :-p

 

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