D&D Equipment & Supplies
Waterborne Vehicles
Ships come in a large variety of shapes and sizes, are built for specific needs, and are equipped with many different kinds of sails. Below are several ships with standard statistics. A DM should feel free to change each ship's stats as needed. To see an image comparison of ship size, click here.
Crew: Under each ship listed is a crew size. If the number of crew members is less than half the required crew size, then the ship will move at half it's speed.
Speed: Each ship has a listed average speed, which is what most DMs should use. However, a creative DM can use the following factors to make a journey faster/slower (as needed). The weather may cause problems, or push a ship off course. Lack of wind would certainly affect any sailing vessel. The experience of the captain and crew could cause delays, or speed up a journey significantly. The ship itself, or its condition could also cause travel problems (or perhaps it was sabotaged and is taking on water!).
Ship Varieties: Not every kingdom/city/shipyward may build a type of ship the same way. Some kingdoms may have lighter wood for speed, while others may use stronger wood reinforced with metal. For example, some galleons are built specifically for maneuverability and speed, while others may be armored and have docks for cannons and ammunition storage. Trade galleons, on the other hand, may be adapted for holding large amounts of cargo. A DM may even allow a party to modify a large ship and use it for their stronghold.
In addition, for simplicity, we chose a set size for each specific ship type. However, most ship types can be built in a variety of sizes. For example, we recommend a Schooner to be 100 feet long, but historically there were schooners as small as 60 feet long, and as large as 160 ft. If a DM adjusts the ship size, the DM should make adjustments to the ship's cost, speed, cargo, etc.
Item
Cost
(Norm)
Cost
(Low)
Cost
(High)
Speed
Main Uses
Waterborne Vehicles (Boats/Ships)
Cost:
50 gp
Cheap:
40 gp
Expensive:
100 gp
Speed:
1.5 mph
Main Uses:
A rowboat is a small open boat propelled by oars alone. It is probably the most common type of boat found around waterfronts and at most fishing camps and docks on inland waters. Rowboats are often used by larger ships to transport crew, passengers and cargo to shore, when the water is too shallow for the large vessel to navigate. They are also popular vessels among poor fisherman.
If going downstream, add the speed of the current (typically 3 miles per hour) to the speed of the vehicle. This vehicles can't be rowed against any significant current, but they can be pulled upstream by draft animals on the shores. A rowboat weighs 100 pounds, in case adventurers carry it over land.
View Image[Crew: 1; Passengers: 3; Cargo: --; AC:11; HP: 50; Damage Threshhold: --]
Cost:
3,000 gp
Cheap:
2,400 gp
Expensive:
6,000 gp
Speed:
1 mph
Main Uses:
A raft/keelboat is a type of usually long, narrow cigar-shaped riverboat or water barge. These boats are built for the navigation of rivers, shallow lakes, and canals. Some have a small cabin in the middle or at the rear, but most are constructed with an open deck. They are typically propelled and steered with oars or setting poles.
If going downstream, add the speed of the current (typically 3 miles per hour) to the speed of the vehicle. This vehicles can't be rowed against any significant current, but they can be pulled upstream by draft animals on the shores. A rowboat weighs 100 pounds, in case adventurers carry it over land.
View Image[Crew: 1; Passengers: 6; Cargo: ½ ton; AC:15; HP: 100; Damage Threshhold: 10]
Cost:
5,000 gp
Cheap:
4,000 gp
Expensive:
10,000 gp
Speed:
1 mph
Main Uses:
A keelboat is a type of usually long, narrow cigar-shaped riverboat or water barge. These boats are built for the navigation of rivers, shallow lakes, and canals. Some have a small cabin in the middle or at the rear, but most are constructed with an open deck. They are typically propelled and steered with oars or setting poles.
If going downstream, add the speed of the current (typically 3 miles per hour) to the speed of the vehicle. This vehicles can't be rowed against any significant current, but they can be pulled upstream by draft animals on the shores.
View Image[Crew: 2; Passengers: 12; Cargo: 1 ton; AC:15; HP: 100; Damage Threshhold: 10]
Cost:
10,000 gp
Cheap:
8,000 gp
Expensive:
20,000 gp
Speed:
3 mph
Main Uses:
A longship is characterized as graceful, long, narrow and light, with a shallow-draft hull designed for speed. The ship's shallow draft allows for navigation in waters only one meter deep and permits arbitrary beach landings, while its light weight enables it to be carried over portages or used bottom-up for shelter in camps. Longships are also double-ended, the symmetrical bow and stern allows the ship to reverse direction quickly without turning around. Longships are fitted with oars along almost the entire length of the boat itself. Some have a rectangular sail on a single mast, which is used to replace or augment the effort of the rowers, particularly during long journeys.
View Image[Crew: 40; Passengers: 150; Cargo: 10 tons; AC:15; HP: 300; Damage Threshhold: 15]
Cost:
10,000 gp
Cheap:
8,000 gp
Expensive:
20,000 gp
Speed:
2 mph
A sailing ship is a sea-going vessel that uses sails mounted on masts to harness the power of wind and propel the vessel. Some ships carry square sails on each mast (the brig). Others carry only fore-and-aft sails on each mast (schooners). Still others employ a combination of square and fore-and aft sails (barque, barquentine, and brigantine).
Note: "Sailing Ship" is a broad term, used to define a large number of ships, of various sizes. We recommend that you use our "unofficial" ship prices when determining a specific "sailing ship's" price, crew, cargo etc.
[Crew: 20; Passengers: 20; Cargo: 100 tons; AC:15; HP: 300; Damage Threshhold: 15]
Cost:
12,000 gp
Cheap:
9,600 gp
Expensive:
24,000 gp
Speed:
5 mph
Despite being a small sailing ship, a sloop is still the most popular ship among pirates. Sloops are fast, highly maneuverable, and have a shallow hull (easily sailing over shoals). Without wind, the ship could easily be powered by a few pair of oars.
A sloop has a single mast, usually with a headsail and a large mainsail. The mainsail can be a triangular sail, or a gaff rigging (with or without a top sail). The ship only required a small crew, but could hold a small boarding party for raiding.
Sloops tend to be anywhere from 45-70 ft long, and 15 ft wide.
View Image[Crew: 15; Passengers: 40; Cargo: 100 tons; AC:15; HP: 250; Damage Threshhold: 15]
Cost:
12,000 gp
Cheap:
9,600 gp
Expensive:
24,000 gp
Speed:
5 mph
Main Uses:
These fast sailing vessels were often used for illegal purposes, such as smuggling, or by the authorities attempting to thwart smugglers. The term cutter describes this ships hull type. It is basically a single-masted sloop, with two or more headsails (which allow for quick tacking and maneuverability).
Cutters can be anywhere from 40-70 ft long, and are 15 ft wide.
View Image[Crew: 15; Passengers: 20; Cargo: 100 tons; AC:15; HP: 250; Damage Threshhold: 15]
Cost:
13,500 gp
Cheap:
10,800 gp
Expensive:
27,000 gp
Speed:
3 mph
Main Uses:
A Caravel is a small ship meant for trading. They are seaworthy and capable of deep sea voyages.
The Caravel is typically a single-masted ship with two or more triangular lateen sails, which allowed for greater maneuverability (although there are caravels that have square sails). A caravel is typically 70 ft long by 20 ft wide, but the length can range from anywhere between 40-120 ft (DM discretion on adjusting the price).
A typical caravel takes three months to build within a small shipyard.
Historically, the caravel was popular among the Spanish and Portuguese for exploration during the 15th century.
View Image[Crew: 15; Passengers: 40; Cargo: 120 tons; AC:15; HP: 250; Damage Threshhold: 15]
Cost:
20,000 gp
Cheap:
16,000 gp
Expensive:
40,000 gp
Speed:
4 mph
Main Uses:
A favorite ship among pirates and gentlemen of fortune.
This 2-mast sailing ship has a very narrow hull and shallow draft, making it small enough to navigate the shoal waters and hide in remote coves. In addition, it was quick and could hold a solid amount of cargo.
The length of a schooner is typically 100 ft long and 20 feet wide. Smaller schooners are only 60 ft long, and the larger 3-mast schooners can be over 160 ft long.
View Image[Crew: 60; Passengers: 10; Cargo: 100 tons; AC:15; HP: 500; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
20,000 gp
Cheap:
16,000 gp
Expensive:
40,000 gp
Speed:
3 mph
Main Uses:
This sailing vessel has 2 masts, and the smaller sail behind the main mast allows for better control in harsh weather and rough seas, making it a favored ship for traders and carrying passengers. Smaller Ketch ships are often used by fisherman.
Ketch vessels can range from as small as 25 feet long, to 140 feet long.
View Image[Crew: 40; Passengers: 60; Cargo: 100 tons; AC:15; HP: 500; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
22,500 gp
Cheap:
18,000 gp
Expensive:
45,000 gp
Speed:
2 mph
Main Uses:
The word
brig is an 18th-century shortening of the word brigantine, and refers to a different type of sail rigging. Unlike a brigantine, a brig has square-rigged on both masts. And like the brigantine, the ship is also equipped with 8-12 oars on each side, and can be oar-driven when necessary.
Brigs tend to be anywhere from 90-130 feet long, and are 25-30 feet wide.
View Image[Crew: 40; Passengers: 30; Cargo: 200 tons; AC:15; HP: 500; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
25,000 gp
Cheap:
20,000 gp
Expensive:
50,000 gp
Speed:
3 mph
Main Uses:
The brigantine is a maneuverable sailing vessel, making it a popular choice with pirates and spies.
It is a two-masted ship with a square sails on the foremast, and a triangular mainsail behind the mast. The ship is also equipped with 8-12 oars on each side, and can be oar-driven when necessary.
Brigantine's tend to range from 60-120 ft long, and are 25-30 ft wide.
View Image[Crew: 40; Passengers: 50; Cargo: 200 tons; AC:15; HP: 500; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
25,000 gp
Cheap:
20,000 gp
Expensive:
50,000 gp
Speed:
3 mph
Main Uses:
This three-masted ship was popular among merchants, allowing for a smaller crew and large cargo. The ship is similar to a brigantine, having square sails on it foremast, but has gaff-rigged sails on it two rear masts, requiring fewer crew.
A barquentine or schooner barque can range from 80-180 feet long.
View Image[Crew: 25; Passengers: 60; Cargo: 300 tons; AC:15; HP: 500; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
25,000 gp
Cheap:
20,000 gp
Expensive:
50,000 gp
Speed:
2.5 mph
Main Uses:
A warship is a naval ship that is built and primarily intended for naval warfare. Usually they belong to the armed forces of a state, though they have also been operated by individuals, cooperatives and corporations. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuverable than merchant ships. Unlike a merchant ship, which carries cargo, a warship typically carries only weapons, ammunition and supplies for its crew.
[Crew: 60; Passengers: 60; Cargo: 200 tons; AC:15; HP: 500; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
30,000 gp
Cheap:
24,000 gp
Expensive:
60,000 gp
Speed:
4 mph
Main Uses:
The galley is characterized by its long, slender hull, shallow draft, and low freeboard (clearance between sea and railing). The ship is propelled mainly by rowing, but also has sails that can be used in favorable winds, but human effort was always the primary method of propulsion.
As warships, galleys carried various types of weapons throughout their long existence, including rams, catapults, and cannons, but also relied on their large crews to overpower enemy vessels in boarding actions.
Historically, galleys were the warships used by the early Mediterranean naval powers, including the Greeks, Illyrians, Phoenicians, and Romans. They remained the dominant types of vessels used for war and piracy in the Mediterranean Sea until the last decades of the 16th century.
View Image[Crew: 80; Passengers: --; Cargo: 150 tons; AC:15; HP: 500; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
30,000 gp
Cheap:
24,000 gp
Expensive:
60,000 gp
Speed:
4 mph
Main Uses:
A Tern Schooner is large trading ship, and sometimes used by large fishing companies. This schooner is a long, thin sailing vessel that has 3 (sometimes 4) masts, and requires a small crew.
Historically, most cargo carrying Tern Schooners were built between 1870 and 1920 along the coast of North America.
View Image[Crew: 20; Passengers: 20; Cargo: 300 tons; AC:15; HP: 500; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
50,000 gp
Cheap:
40,000 gp
Expensive:
100,000 gp
Speed:
2.5 mph
A large, multi-deck ship which operates as armed cargo carrier. Galleons have three or more masts and use square sails on the foremast and mainmast and triangular sails on the aft-mast. A Galleon is typically 100-160 ft long by 30 ft wide.
Historically, galleons were carriers by European states from the 16th to 18th centuries. During the age of sail they were the principal vessels drafted for use as warships until the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the mid-1600s
View Image[Crew: 100; Passengers: 100; Cargo: 500 tons; AC:15; HP: 1000; Damage Threshhold: 20]
Cost:
100,000 gp
Cheap:
80,000 gp
Expensive:
200,000 gp
Speed:
2 mph
Main Uses:
The ship of the line evolved from the galleon, a three- or four-masted vessel that had a high superstructure on its stern and usually carried heavy guns along two decks.
Ship of the lines could be as long as 200 feet, hold 120 cannons and carry a crew of over 1000 soldiers if needed.
A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed from the 17th through to the mid-19th century to take part in the naval tactic known as the
line of battle, in which two columns of opposing warships would maneuver to bring the greatest weight of broadside guns to bear. Since these engagements were almost invariably won by the heaviest ships carrying the most powerful guns, the natural progression was to build sailing vessels that were the largest and most powerful of their time.
Ship of the Lines were primarily military vessels, so few were owned by common citizens. It would also be unlikely that average citizens or adventurers would have access to a shipyard capable of building such ships.
View Image[Crew: 200; Passengers: 200; Cargo: 1000 tons; AC:15; HP: 2000; Damage Threshhold: 25]
Cost:
20,000 gp
Cheap:
16,000 gp
Expensive:
40,000 gp
Speed:
8 mph
Main Uses:
An airship is a type of "lighter-than-air" aircraft that can navigate through the air under its own power. They gain their lift from a buoyant gas that is less dense than the surrounding air. Common airships are balloons, blimps and zepplins.
[Crew: 10; Passengers: 20; Cargo: 1 ton; AC:13; HP: 300; Damage Threshhold: --]
Trade: |
Pirate: |
Smuggler: |
Fishing: |
War: |
Transport:
Ship Size Comparison
