Rules for Space Fantasy Environments

Although the Pathfinder RPG core rulebook provides mechanics for many of the environments that PCs face in traditional fantasy scenarios (see Chapter 13), adventures in space present new types of hazards. To that end, this article details rules for situations such as fluctuations in gravity, temperature and air quality.

Beyond Extreme Heat

This represents the kind of heat one faces when passing too close to a star, or on the surface of worlds with think atmospheres such as Freya. It works similar to the heat rules as detailed on page 444 of the core rulebook, except that characters must make Fortitude saves every round during such exposure. Failure means they suffer 1d6 damage. What is more, flammable objects must also make checks or catch on fire.

Beyond Extreme Cold

While the weather on planetary surfaces can be downright frigid, the depths of space are even colder. This is similar to the rules for cold detailed on page 442 in the core rulebook, except that characters must make Fortitude saves every round or suffer damage.

High, Low and Zero Gravity

Some planets have very little gravity when compared to Homeworld, and deep space has none at all save what is provided by an aethership. Others, of course, have a much stronger pull. These variations act as multipliers on various game mechanics—distance for ranged attacks; movement from Acrobatics checks to jump; carrying capacity; and the like—as detailed on the chart below. For reference, Homeworld's gravity is considered to be the standard when compared to other planets and bodies in space.

Note that movement in zero gravity requires either a surface from which a character can push off, or magical aid from a spell like fly or something similar. What is more, movement and other actions on worlds with crushingly high gravity can become impossible.

Gravity Level      Movement      Attack Bonus (vs. Standard)      Effects            or Penalty 0-10%                   x10                  None 10-30%                 x5                    None 31-50%                 x3                    None 51-70%                 x2                    None 71-90%                 x1.25               None 91-110%               None               None 111-150%             x3/4                  -1 151-200%             x1/2                 -2 201-300%             x1/3                 -5 301-500%             x1/5                 -10 501% and up        Special             Special

Fouled Air/Vacuum

If, for some reason, the air aboard an aethership or in a similar location becomes fouled—such as when the flying sails and wind cordage are damaged by enemy attacks, or when the magic in an elemental obelisk fails—then it should be handled with the same rules used for drowning (see page 445 in the core rulebook). It takes a DC 30 Perception check to recognize that the air is fouled, with a cumulative +1 bonus to that check for every round spent in the fouled air.

Note also that characters who are exposed to vacuum stand a good chance of suffering extreme cold, too.

High and Low Pressure

Just as there are no rules to govern the potentially crushing effects of deep water during exploration of that terrain, this article does not present mechanics for those elements.

A Storm of Sails Review

This scenario, Part 5 of the Return to Freeport campaign, was released back in February, but I've taken my time getting to it because I'm still waiting to see the sixth and final adventure in the series be published. I read it, though, and enjoyed it; here's the breakdown. 

On a positive note, this scenario includes a lot of ship-to-ship combat—something that has not been all that common in a campaign setting based around pirates. Indeed, there are two different engagements between the fleet that the PCs assembled in The Freebooter's City and the attacking Mazin armada. The rules involved are a simpler version than those presented in Ultimate Combat, and even the ones in the Player's Guide for the Skull & Shackles adventure path, and it seems like they'll work well for fast fleet action. My only concern is that they might seem a little too simplified, perhaps causing players who like crunchier mechanics to be frustrated. Should that be the case, though, then the GM can always fall back on more complicated rules. 

My only real frustration is that this adventure, like previous ones in the series, uses stat blocks from books such as the NPC Codex, requiring access to that text rather than repeating the stats in the module itself. It's a small complaint, I know. Now it just remains for the last adventure to be published, taking the action back to Freeport so the PCs can confront the traitor who's been working to undermine their heroic efforts; let's hope that it's been worth the wait.

-Nate 

Sahuagin Lair

In an isolated area of relatively shallow saltwater one can find this excavated mound. It is home to a team of sahuagin scouts, ones who are always on the lookout for lost travelers, foundering vessels and other easy prey. To that end, they use this lair as a launching point for raids against their enemies, and eventually move their ill-gotten gains back to the tribe's stronghold.

Refer to the map above for the following location descriptions.

1. Entrance

In the front of this hollowed-out mass of rock and dirt there is a single passageway that grants entrance. It is concealed by a mass of weeds, requiring a DC 20 Perception check to notice.

2. Tunnels

Beyond concealment, the next line of defense for the lair is this network of winding tunnels. They are intended to slow any attackers, forcing them to waste precious air while exploring. For that reason most of them loop around until ending abruptly or reconnecting with other paths; only one ends in a hole that passes up to the next level. As a general rule, the tunnels are as tall as they are wide.

3. Main Chamber

This broad, open hollow has narrow slots dug into its side walls, allowing the sahuagin to look out but not letting others see inside. (In game terms, treat them like arrow slits.) The floor is littered with bones from past meals, and concealed among them are the valuables that the patrol possesses. Note, too, that they keep a sizable supply of heavy crossbows and bolts at the ready, to help repel an attacking force.

Sahuagin: Refer to page 239 in the Bestiary for stats.

Sahuagin Scout: Refer to page 190 in the Monster Codex for stats.

At the GM's discretion, more powerful sahuagin characters could also be present; refer to pages 186-197 in the Monster Codex to find additional options for, and information about, these foes.

Using the Sahuagin Lair in an Aetherial Adventures Campaign

This underwater dwelling and its wicked inhabitants can tie into all sorts of adventures, including the following possibilities.

• As the sahuagin prey upon local inhabitants and passing vessels, someone before long would hire adventurers to deal with their threat.
• The PCs could, of course, be on a vessel that is attacked by these vile shark-men.
• Knowing that they've been staging their attacks for some time, the PCs should also recognize that their lair can contain a sizable cache of valuables.
• Of course, the fickle nature of maritime law could mean that certain lucrative items are claimed by those who lost them, leading to legal troubles.
• As mentioned above, this lair is but an outpost from which they lead ambushes; questioning the sahuagin could lead back to a larger stronghold—one that is filled with more treasure, but also fraught with greater peril.

PDF #12

Here's a link to a PDF compilation of the most recent articles and stories.

Aetherial Adventures 12

-Nate

A Remote Island

This small, relatively remote island is home to various natural features, along with two different settlements: a trading company fort and a lizard folk village. 

The Island

Claw Island takes its name from its distinctive shape, with a broad natural harbor enclosed by jutting stretches of land. The western half of the island, along with the narrow southern peninsula, is hilly and covered with scrub forest. The eastern half, including the larger “claw” peninsula, gives way to swampland and sandy shoreline. A stream runs from the central highlands in an arc to the northeast and then southwest, finally emptying into the bay. 

Refer to the map above for the following location descriptions.

A. Trading Fort

Detailed in the previous article, the Royal Interplanetary Company uses this small settlement for buying from and selling to the local lizard folk and those who wish to keep their dealings discreet. The island's broad natural harbor ensures that numerous ships can ride safely at anchor in its confines, ferrying their goods and passengers to the fort's pier.

B. Lizard Folk Village

Also detailed in a previous article, this village sits inside the treeline close to the swampy part of the island. From here the lizard folk hunt, fish, and gather other foodstuffs. They trade with the agents in the fort, obtaining metal goods and other conveniences in exchange for consumables.

Refer to the appropriate article to find the layout of a typical village and information about the folk who inhabit it.

http://d20pirates.blogspot.com/2018/04/lizardfolk-of-great-river-delta.html

C. Sahuagin Lair

This is marked on the map above more as an approximation than as any truly known location. It is believed to be an underwater lair somewhere in the sea surrounding the island, a place from which sahuagin warbands stage raids against unsuspecting vessels.

Using Claw Island in an Aetherial Adventures Campaign

This landmass can tie into all sorts of adventures, including the following possibilities.

• As a relatively remote location that is close to more civilized areas, it's an ideal place to conduct illicit business, such as buying or selling an illegal cargo, careening a ship used for piracy, or even just hiding from the powers that be while recovering from injuries and enjoying the spoils after a successful raid.
• The PCs could be hired to come here in search of another adventurer whose expedition never returned. That just begs the question, though: What was that person seeking, and does it remain to be found?
• Agents of the trading company, or even the lizard folk themselves, might recruit the PCs to help find and eliminate the sahuagin raiding parties.
• For some reason conflict erupts between the normally peaceful lizard folk and the trading company's agents; cooler heads are needed to resolve the dispute before it turns bloody.
• When a vessel from beyond the heavens crashes nearby, bringing it with an otherworldly plague, this island becomes the epicenter of spreading infection; it takes a brave band of adventurers to explore the island, find the source, and sterilize it.

Trading Company Fort

Detailed below is a trading compound typical of those used in remote locations by organizations such as the Royal Interplanetary Company; refer to that map for the following location descriptions.

A. Main House

The center of activity in the compound is this two-story building, which is home to the RIC representative and his servants; refer to the map below for a detailed layout. The house's front room (1) is two stories tall, with stairs leading to the upper level. From here, a single door leads into the comfortably furnished sitting room (2), which boasts a sofa and armchairs, along with side tables. Double doors lead to the dining room (3), which is dominated by a broad table and chairs. In the rear of the house is the kitchen (4), with a broad hearth and space for preparing food, and a door leading out the back; it is flanked by the pantry (5) and servant's quarters (6). 

The house's upper level consists of bedrooms. Three of them (7) are for visiting agents of the Company and other guests, while the fourth (8), more comfortably furnished, is occupied by the resident agent. All have beds that are comfortable, if not fancy, along with small desks. Finally there is the office (9), with a large desk, bookshelves and a locked, iron-bound trunk.

B. Storage Shed

This broad, single-story structure has double doors at both ends, to facilitate moving goods in and out of it. The interior walls are lined with sturdy shelves, and various containers—crates, barrels, sacks and the like—are arranged in the center of the building.

C. Stockade

Walls built from hewn logs surround the compound, fifteen feet in height. There is also a walkway, ten feet in the air, from which guards can watch the surround area and, if need be, fire missile weapons. The only gap in the stockade is a front gate, which can be barred from the inside.

D. Landing

In front of the compound, a pier—ten feet wide and sixty feet long—juts out over the water. The water around it is deep enough to allow longboats and smaller ships, such as dhows and even barks, to dock. Larger vessels, like merchantmen and galleys, must use their longboats to load and unload passengers and cargo.

Using the Trading Compound in an Aetherial Adventures Campaign

This location can tie into all sorts of adventures, including the following possibilities.

• If the PCs are interested in turning a profit from their travels, then they might want to buy and sell cargo as they travel between different parts of the world. In that case, the trading company agent could become a recurring NPC, one whom they visit between voyages.
• The PCs could also hire the agent to track down magic items or other important equipment for them.
• It could happen that the PCs are tasked with recovering a cargo that is being held inside the trading fort, requiring them to use stealth, guile, force or other means to retrieve it.
• If some hostile force attacked the trading compound while the PCs are visiting it, then they could find themselves pressed into service staging its defense.
• Ambitious characters might even become members of the trading company, working their way up through the ranks and eventually taking command of this facility. In that case, they'd have all kinds of opportunities for buying and selling goods—and, of course, would need to deal with the problems that arise from such dealings.

The Royal Interplanetary Company and the Order of the Lion A previous article provides more information about the organizations mentioned herein. http://d20pirates.blogspot.com/2017/04/factions-royal-interplanetary-company.html

Trading Company Agent CR 2 XP 600 Male human bard 3 N medium humanoid Init +1; Senses Perception +9 DEFENSE AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 armor) hp 13 (3d8) Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +4 Resist Bard abilities OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Shortsword +1 (1d6-1) Ranged Light crossbow +3 (1d8) Special Attacks Bard abilities STATISTICS Str 8, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 12, Cha 14 Base Atk +2; CMB +1; CMD 12 Feats Alertness, Dodge, Persuasive Skills Appraise +8, Bluff +8, Diplomacy +10, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (local) +8, Perception +9, Perform +10, Profession (Sailor) +7, Sense Motive +9 Languages Common, Dwarven, Elven SQ Bard abilities Combat Gear Leather armor, short sword, light crossbow, case of 10 bolts, musical instrument, pouch containing 1d20 for each type of coin, logbook, quills and ink Trading company agents usually lead very comfortable lives, and as such are dedicated to their employers.

Trading Company Guards CR ½ XP 200 Various human fighter 1 N medium humanoid Init +1; Senses Perception +1 DEFENSE AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 armor) hp 8 (1d10+2) Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Longsword +4 (1d8+2) Ranged Light crossbow +2 (1d8) Special Attacks None STATISTICS Str 15, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8 Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 14 Feats Cleave, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword) Skills Climb +6, Profession (sailor) +5 Languages Common SQ None Combat Gear Leather armor, longsword, light crossbow, case of 10 bolts, pouch containing 1d6 sp and 1d12 cp These guards are little more than mercenaries, doing their jobs because the pay is pretty good. Should a better offer come along, however, then they might be willing to change their loyalties.

Middle Sea Galley Sailors and Soldiers

Here are stats for the sailors and soldiers that crew a Middle Sea galley. As always, the GM should customize them to fit the needs of an adventure or campaign.

-Nate

Galley Captain CR 3 XP 800 Male human warrior 5 N medium humanoid Init +0; Senses Perception +1 DEFENSE AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex, +1 Dodge) hp 42 (5d10+10) Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +2 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Shortsword +6 (1d6+1) Ranged Light crossbow +5 (1d8) Special Attacks None STATISTICS Str 13, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 9, Wis 12, Cha 8 Base Atk +5; CMB +6; CMD 16 Feats Dodge, Skill Focus (Knowledge, Profession) Skills Climb +5, Knowledge (Geography), Profession (sailor) +8 Languages Common SQ None Combat Gear Masterwork shortsword, master-work light crossbow, case of 10 bolts, logbook, masterwork navigation tools Middle Sea galley captains are skilled sailors and able commanders. Even so, they generally defer to the soldiers—most often from the Order of the Lion—whom they transport.

Galley Crew CR ½ XP 200 Various warrior 1 N medium humanoid Init +0; Senses Perception +1 DEFENSE AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex) hp 6 (1d10+1) Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Shortsword +2 (1d6+1) Ranged Light crossbow +1 (1d8) Special Attacks None STATISTICS Str 13, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 9, Wis 12, Cha 8 Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 12 Feats Skill Focus (Profession) Skills Climb +5, Profession (sailor) +8 Languages Common SQ None Combat Gear Shortsword, light crossbow, case of 10 bolts These sailors live comfortable lives, sailing in relatively calm waters and letting the soldiers do the fighting. Even so, they can handle themselves in combat if forced to do so.

Order of the Lion Lieutenant CR 6 XP 2400 Male human cavalier 7 LN medium humanoid Init +0; Senses Perception -1 DEFENSE AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dodge, +4 chain shirt) hp 57 (7d10+14) Fort +7, Ref +2, Will +1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Longsword +10/+5 (1d8+2) Ranged Light crossbow +7/+2 (1d8) Special Attacks Challenge 3/day, cavalier's charge, banner STATISTICS Str 15, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12 Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 13 Feats Cleave, Dodge, Leadership, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword) Skills Climb +12, Diplomacy +11, Handle Animal +9, Ride +10, Sense Motive +9 Languages Common SQ Mount, order (Lion), tactician, order ability (lion's call), expert trainer Combat Gear Chain shirt +1, longsword +1, light crossbow, case of 20 bolts, signal whistle, cloak of resistance, potion of cure serious wounds The lieutenant has much the same mindset as his underlings, but he is even more fervent in his devotion.

Order of the Lion Soldiers CR 1/2 XP 200 Male human cavalier 1 LN medium humanoid Init +0; Senses Perception -1 DEFENSE AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dodge, +4 chain shirt) hp 12 (1d10+2) Fort +4, Ref +0, Will -1 Resist None OFFENSE Spd 30 ft. Melee Longsword +4 (1d8+2) Ranged Light crossbow +1 (1d8) Special Attacks Challenge 1/day STATISTICS Str 15, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 12 Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 13 Feats Dodge, Weapon Focus (longsword) Skills Climb +6, Diplomacy +5, Handle Animal +3, Ride +4, Sense Motive +3 Languages Common SQ Mount, order (Lion), tactician Combat Gear Chain shirt, longsword, light crossbow, case of 20 bolts, signal whistle The cavaliers who serve the Order of the Lion are dedicated to enforcing the will of their Emperor.