The Caravel is a spelljamming ship built and used by groundling humans.[1][2][3]
Description[]
Not designed for use in space, the Caravel is one of the most common craft used by groundlings who first discover space travel and acquire a spelljamming helm. While more suitable for space travel than some other groundling ships, the Caravel suffers from the same drawbacks as most groundling ships taken into space. The Caravel has poor maneuverability and armour, little capacity to carry more crew than the minimum required to operate it, and insufficient weaponry to make up for these drawbacks in combat. Most spacefarers using a Caravel will upgrade to a more suitable spelljammer as soon as they can; assuming that they survive long enough.
Crew[]
When used as a spelljamming vessel, the number of crew required to operate the Caravel is somewhat lower than the crew required to operate it as a sailing ship, however it is still high relative to the ship's size. Whereas a seafaring Caravel will usually have a crew of about 20 men, and may even have a crew as large as 40 with as many as 20 passengers, a Caravel which carries this number of men into space will quickly foul its air envelope. Most spelljamming Caravels carry a full crew of 10 men, although for shorter voyages double this number is frequently carried. The intent is that the extra crew will be able to help fend off any attackers.
Ship Uses[]
Trader: Most Caravels in space are used as trading vessels. The only advantage that such a ship has over more capable ships designed for spelljamming is the fact that a Caravel can land in the water, and trade with groundling ports without attracting undue attention. In some of the safest areas of space using a Caravel as a trading vessel is actually a viable option; however, most of wildspace is not safe for the Caravel.
Other Configurations[]
Modifications to the Caravel are rare, since it is usually more cost-effective to simply purchase a better ship.
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Concordance of Arcane Space, 1989, (TSR Inc.), chapter 3: Ships of Wildspace, page 28
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Lorebook of the Void, 1989, (TSR Inc.), chapter 2 Spelljammers, page 17
- ↑ Dale "Slade" Henson, Ship Recognition Manual, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Ships of the Spelljammer Universe, page 12