Not quite spelljammer

[nomotog]

So I was thinking of doing a spelljammer campaign, but I had a hard time finding information and ended up not liking stuffed I found out. In then end, I just made the choice to do my own space sailing setting. (I got time to kill afterall.)

The first change I want to make is removing spelljammeing helms. Instead I'm just going to fill space with air and trade winds. Once you get into space, it's crazy easy to get around. You can even swim in it. Just not very well. The question I'm grappling with is can people make it to space and back without using magic? Any ideas?

 

[Sekhmet]

If you're uninterested in having "space" be a theme, but instead want trade winds, swimming, and air, perhaps consider homebrewing a "plane of water" that connects all realms.
Every realm would have a stream/river/lake/ocean that connected to the plane of water, which would allow you to travel from one plane to another, much like a wormhole in space might.

Then, you could have travel by boat be the preferred method of interplanar travel.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I imagine such a world having very high towers or roads up very high mountains with buildings constructed at the highest points to serve as junctions.

I also imagine someone taking advantage of such an environmental condition by constructing floating castles or propelling large chunks of land into that layer to make floating islands.

 

[lordxaviar]

adding air and water... makes it not-space, just calling a fish a cow...

 

[the Jester]

adding air and water... makes it not-space...

But no less valid or fun.

For that matter, you can argue that Spelljammer isn't really space, but that's not relevant either.

 

[nomotog]

adding air and water... makes it not-space, just calling a fish a cow...

It's the aether theory. Back before we knew space was just a big black void, the idea was that it was filled with an air like substance called aether. I added aether winds because it let me replace spelljamming helms. I also opened the door to things like aether sharks or birds. It also allows people to use gliders as starfighters. All without magic too.

 

[TheYeti1775]

The only thing about helm removal I don't like in practice is the how does it differentiate between normal boats and those that can escape the planet's gravity well?

I would alter how the helm is used though. I hated the fully drain all spells just touching it. Spell points might be more what your looking for for powering it or something like it.

 

[nomotog]

I imagine such a world having very high towers or roads up very high mountains with buildings constructed at the highest points to serve as junctions.

I also imagine someone taking advantage of such an environmental condition by constructing floating castles or propelling large chunks of land into that layer to make floating islands.

I think I will use that idea. Though it dose kind of limit the planets you can land on to ones with towers or some kind of natural feature that extends above the gravity carpet. Maybe that's a good thing though.

The only thing about helm removal I don't like in practice is the how does it differentiate between normal boats and those that can escape the planet's gravity well?

I would alter how the helm is used though. I hated the fully drain all spells just touching it. Spell points might be more what your looking for for powering it or something like it.

Well right now no boat can escape the gravity well. I'm thinking some ships would use elemental sails that allow them to fly, but that would be an optional upgrade.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Hmmm...

Liftwood (Space:1889), Diapson Crystals (Terry Brooks) and Cavorite (HG Wells) all give lift, with the last one capable of leaving the gravity well.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I think I will use that idea. Though it dose kind of limit the planets you can land on to ones with towers or some kind of natural feature that extends above the gravity carpet. Maybe that's a good thing though.

Why not have the equivalent of ferry ships that pass the barrier? I'd imagine a Carpet of Flying could do the job.

Also, feel free to make something of my Pocket Airship Design.