Any advice for running a seaborne/sea-based campaign?

[CarlZog]

The ship construction rules for Living Imatgination are in the Pirates book, although there are some rough and ready rules in the Broadsides!! rules. Can you tell I liked the series? Heh.

Ack! You're right, they're in Pirates! I was going crazy trying to find those rules in Broadsides or Twin Crowns Friday. (hmmm, senility setting in...)

I really like the Living Imagination series too. Pirates! is also mostly packed with....well, pirates. There are a lot of historical, literary and fantasy pirates detailed as NPCs. Many of them serving as representatives of a prestige class detailed as well.

Carl

 

[Aus_Snow]

It's old, and it's for a different version of D&D (i.e. AD&D), but Of Ships & The Sea (by TSR) has a lot of the things you (the OP) seem to be wanting.

I mention this partly because I asked here at ENWorld - not too long ago - about an underwater campaign I'm hoping to run, and when all's said and done, that old AD&D book has been perhaps the most helpful document so far in getting me closer to being able to start my campaign.

It took a bit of tracking down, but more copies are still out there in various places.

I'd personally recommend at least having a look, considering that it's got very in-depth rules for boats (inc. building / costs etc.), naval combat, underwater adventuring and so on. On the other hand, I'm really liking it for my *own* plans, and maybe that's why I'm suggesting it. Anyway, best o' luck.

P.S. If someone's already mentioned this one, sorry.

 

[Aeolius]

For me the joy of the underwater campaign was not that it changed combat or what could be done, but the pleasure of describing an underwater world in all its glory, which for those of you who have SCUBA dived, is frankly magical.

Agreed. While it's been some time since I have gone diving (NC Coastal waters...cold...silt..current...blech!) I have a few saltwater aquariums. I use them as inspiration for my own undersea campaign.

...I asked here at ENWorld - not too long ago - about an underwater campaign I'm hoping to run...

You might also look at The Deep , by Mystic Eye Games.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Something that comes up in coastal scenarios are reefs and sandbars. Draft (the necessary depth of water for the vessel) is important.

If your ship system doesn't document the ship's draft you can guesstimate it with the ship's total tonnage. This assumes the ship's width is 1/4 the length and highly simplifies the ship's footprint.

Draft (feet) = Tons x 128 / length^2
Draft (meters) = Metric Tons x 4 / length^2

Be sure to keep in mind "total tonnage" refers to the ship's weight + current cargo.