Berra's Impulse

Description of Vessel:

  Berra's Impulse is an attractive sailing ship with large green sails and a body made of pine. The ship is able to carry 50-60 crew comfortably, but requires at least a crew of 20 to operate at its fullest. With hammocks for the crew, and beds for the officers, captain, and guest cabins, there are plenty of beds to accommodate a large crew. There are four floors to this vessel offering numerous storage opportunities. In its present state, there are thorny vines grappling the ship to the shores of The River Rage, northeast of Bevyl in The Royal Fiefdom of Rhennen.    

History of Vessel:

  Berra's Impulse is most renown for its time used under the pirate captain, Bear Boulderson, a fearsome firbolg. While exploring The River Rage, the crew of the Berra's Impulse stumbled upon a forest druid who they attempted to rob. The druid proved a worthy match for the crew of the Berra's Impulse as he used his abilities to grapple the ship and send the crew fleeing into the woods. It is said that the druid refuses to release the vessel or permit any transports to pass through his section of the river until the pirates pay for their unwarranted attack.  

Stat block of Vessel:

   

Berra's Impulse has the following features:

  Enclosed Spaces: The ceilings in the lower deck, holds, and cabins are 8 feet high with 6-foot-high doorways. There are 4 floors to Berra's Impulse; The Hold, The Lower Deck, The Main Deck and The Forecastle/Quarterdeck.   Doors: Every door on the ship is made of wood and has an AC of 15, 19 hit points, and is immune to poison and psychic damage. These locks can be picked with a DC 15 Dexterity check made with thieves' tools, or the door can be forced open with a DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check.   Footlockers: Every hammock on the bed is accompanied by a Footlocker. These footlockers are made of iron and have an AC of 19, 18 hit points, and are immune to poison and psychic damage.   Hammocks There are enough hammocks on this vessel for 1/2 of the crew to be resting at any the given time.   Light: There are a number of hanging lanterns placed around the ship, ensuring that the entire ship is cast in bright light.   Rigging:The Rigging on Berra's Impulse can be climbed without an ability check.   Sails:Berra's Impulse has three 85-foot-tall masts and 5 large sails. The sails are mostly cream in color with a lavender perimeter.  

The Main Deck of Berra's Impulse has the following features:

  Mangonel: There is one Mangonel (DMG, Ch.8) attached to the deck of Berra's Impulse, and a stack of 10 mangonel stones is stacked and secured nearby.   Hatch: This covered, 10-foot-square frame leads to the lower decks.   Railing: The main deck of Berra's Impulse has a 3-foot-high railing that runs the perimeter of the ship. Medium creatures gain 1/2 cover when behind the railing, and Small Creatures gain 3/4's cover.   Row Boats: There are two rowboats stacked one on top of the other. Ropes and pulleys can be used to hoist these boats in and out of the water.  

Officers' Quarters:

There are four beds available in the officer's quarters and iron footlocker at the foot of each bed.

 

Captain's Quarters:

The Captain's quarters hold a double bed with a footlocker at the foot of it There is a large desk with an impressive leather chair on one side, and two wooden chairs on the other. Beneath the desk is a lockbox where valuables can be stored. This Lockbox can be picked with a DC 16 Dexterity check made with thieves' tools, or the door can be forced open with a DC 22 Strength (Athletics) check.

 

Ammunition:

Shelves and rope on the walls of this cabin secure mangonel stones and ballista arrows.

 

Supplies:

This area holds tools, barrels of tar, rope, extra material to repair sails, and other supplies needed to maintain the ship.

 

The Forecastle has the following features:

  Ballista:A ballista (DMG, ch. 8) is attached to the deck and there are ten ballista arrows secured nearby.   Figurehead: The figure head of Berra's Impulse depicts the skeleton of a man with a sword drawn and pointed forward. This figurehead serves as the ship's naval ram.   Railing: The main deck of Berra's Impulse has a 3-foot-high railing that runs the perimeter of the ship. Medium creatures gain 1/2 cover when behind the railing, and Small Creatures gain 3/4's cover.  

The Quarterdeck has the following features:

  Ballista A ballista (DMG, ch. 8) is attached to the deck and there are ten ballista arrows secured nearby.   Railing: The main deck of Berra's Impulse has a 3-foot-high railing that runs the perimeter of the ship. Medium creatures gain 1/2 cover when behind the railing, and Small Creatures gain 3/4's cover.   Wheel: The ship's wheel stands at the aft of the quarterdeck.  

Oar Deck

Twenty-two benches are built into the deck of the lower deck, each with a 20-foot-long oar. When the ship is rowed, crew members sit on these benches to work the oars. Ten spare oars hang on the walls of the ship.

 

Privy

Benches line the walls of this room. Four holes carved in them house chamber pots.

 

Medical Cabin

Hooks and shelves on the walls hold medical instruments, bandages, balms, tonics, jars of leeches, and more, ready to treat injuries from combat or sailing mishaps.

 

Guest Cabin and Brig

This cabin is meant for guests and visiting high-ranking officials along for the journey. Since warships often have a greater need to house prisoners rather than guests, each bed aboard such a vessel also has a set of manacles (see chapter 5 in the Player's Handbook) attached to its frame.

 

Hold

This area houses both passengers and cargo. The ship's off-duty crew sleep on bedrolls among the crates and barrels of food, water, and other supplies.

 

Armory

The ship's supply of weapons and armor is held in this cabin. Its walls are fitted with built-in weapon and armor racks. The door to this cabin is usually locked, the key kept by one of the ship's officers.

 

Standard Crew:

 

One captain

Four other officers: a first mate, a bosun, a quartermaster, and a cook (nobles)

Sailors: 25

 

A warship typically includes the following additional crew to augment its fighting ability:

 

Forty soldiers

Eight siege engineers

One priest (the ship's surgeon)