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Message: <blockquote data-quote="The Amazing Dingo" data-source="post: 1852986" data-attributes="member: 23353">(1) The average size of a war ship.  And just to point out, I've seen references to Junk ships being in excess of 150 meters in length (yes, 150 meters).  Perhaps they were wrong, but I have seen this.I consider Eberron to be a somewhat "advanved" setting in terms of technology, so I would be tempted to use a vessel of a later date then the medieval galleys and such.  A schooner (first used in the 15th century) could contain up to 6 or 7 masts and be well over 300 feet in length.  They had a lot of sail which would let them carry a lot of stuff (and being that big provides a lot of area to investigate and search).If you want a war ship, look at frigates.  They were very versitile (and could be used as fast merchant ship though couldn't carry as much as a schooner).  Their top area was about 175 feet in length and 43 feet across.  They had a large compliment but that was to accompany their large amount of cannons (over 500 people on one vessel).Just some ideas.(2) Attacking without cannons.  Why?Ships are made with at least two, if not three hulls by the 17th and 18th centuries.  War ships could easily take one heck of a beating (as in dozens of hits and still keep going - they would have people scurrying between the hulls to repair damage as best as they could).  As pirates (as that sounds like what the PCs would be doing) the best thing they could do at first is sink those ships.  They want the reputation of sinking ships so that ships will stop and even give up their cargo.  The threat of a sinking (and when you're in an ocean in those times, there was almost no change of rescue) is the best threat you can make.But if you don't wish to use cannons to damage the ship, you use them loaded with two balls connected by a chain and aim at the sails.  The objective is to rip the sails to shreds and bring the ship to a halt.  From there you come alongside, board the ship, and do everything else the good old fashioned way.(3) If I remember right (and do not take me word on this), but a fast ship back in those days could make 7 to 9 knots, which is about 15 kilometers an hour.  Of course, with a mobile Gust of Wind or such, you could move much faster.(4) Answered above to the best of my knowledge, though I know a schnoor required a lot fewer people then most other ships their size (I'd put it at no more then 8-10 at a minimum, though not sure of that number).***As for anything else, I've never run a naval battle.  However, space on ships is a very precious commodity.  Even in today's navies, the crews (not the officers) often hotbunk with one another.  Back in the day, the crew would sleep in the mess on hammocks that got rolled up into the rafters when they woke up.  Generally speaking, from reality, speed is the key to naval battles.  In order to engage, your ship has to be faster then the prey just in order to catch the target.Other things to consider are shallows and reefs that the prey might try to lose the hunter within, hoping the later doesn't know them well enough or will screw up.  Otherwise, good luck with it!</blockquote>

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