Airships; impact on a world?

[DrunkonDuty]

Depends on how heavy they are and how fast they were going at the time of the impact. Sorry. But as everyone else above seems to have beaten me to the useful advice I couldn't resist chucking in something.

I love Zepplins. They are just cool.

I want to see them in the real world. They could be solar powered (put solar panels all over the top of the balloon.) How fast do zepplins go? Signifcantly faster than sea travel? How cool would that be, doing the London to New York run on a zepplin. I envisage sophisticated cocktail hours and witty reparte in the first class gondola. (don't mention coach, god don't even think about it.)

Back to your game: I could see them being used for the most valuable cargoes and passengers. ANd news. Not just official communications either but the sort of news traders traditionally bring, but at a much faster rate over much greater distance. Less 'Chinese whispers' effect too.

I see the various nations would want to court the Shalani (while at the same time be trying to discover their secret.) At any one time some nations might be desperate for the use of an airship while some others have decided to take out these disruptions to the status quo once and for all. Many sided skull duggery and espionage.

And do the Shalani try to maintain a careful neutrality or do they join in the political games? Sell their services cheaper to one or another?? PLain refuse to do business with some nations? And are there factions within the Shalani? I'd say yes. So many nations would be courting them that some people would get turned by the money.

Oh I want to play some Pulp. Have the HERO books. Have the urge. Have no-one to do it with.

 

[Gilladian]

Well, I've decided to go with Airships in a limited way: I'm running a "non-canon" play-by-post game, and I'm adding them to it. That will help me see the effect if I decide to add them to the whole campaign world.

They will be slow, and awkward, certainly no faster and maybe less maneuverable than sea-going vessels.

I can definitely see the Shalani breaking into two or more factions, and they will inevitably take sides as various groups court them/feud with them/attack them.

THANKS to everyone for giving me lots to think about!

 

[Cyronax]

Hi again. I mentioned that several aspects of my campaign are being built up around a more advanced tech levels (vice traditional D&D). That includes airships, as well as teleportation circles and a few other things.

Here's a link if interested:

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