Page 235 - Eberron -Rising from the Last War_Neat

The binding struts force the elemental into a ring they remain rare, because the soarwood required for
shape and give every elemental vessel its distinctive their construction is exceedingly scarce and tightly
appearance. From there, the elemental continues to flow controlled.
along the matrix through the hull, appearing as jagged, Soarwood is a form of buoyant timber found only on
snaking lines of living energy that pulse and shift. These the island of Aerenal, and the elves who live there limit
conduits of elemental energy take on an appearance their annual harvest of the precious wood. As a result,
associated with the type of elemental bound into the ves­ production of new airships proceeds at a snail's pace,
sel. A fire elemental, for example, sends tendrils of flame unable to satisfy the fervent demand for new vessels.
along the hull of its ship. The discovery of a new supply of soarwood could liter­
At the command of the vehicle's dragonmarked pilot, ally change the world, and even convincing the elves of
the bound elemental can be suppressed, causing its Aerenal to part with more of it would be an achievement
essence to flow back into the containment chamber and worth a handsome reward from House Lyrandar.
the matrix to disappear from view. A vehicle whose ele­
mental is suppressed ceases to be propelled. How IT WORKS
A standard airship (at least as far as standards have
CONTROLLING THE ELEMENTAL been defined for this relatively new creation) looks simi­
Piloting an elemental vessel requires effective commu­ lar to an oceangoing ship but is rigged with control fins
nication between the pilot and the bound elemental. and rudders rather than sails. An air or fire elemental is
The elemental controls the vehicle's movement, and bound into a ring around the hull, which is suspended
everything from basic propulsion to delicate maneu­ on four struts jutting outward. Most airships are outfit­
vering is dependent on the ability of the pilot to control ted with the finest amenities, including many decorative
the elemental. If the elemental is uncontrolled and not flourishes and creature comforts.
suppressed, the vehicle moves according to the elemen­ Operation. A dragonmarked heir of House Lyrandar
tal's whim until a pilot asserts control again. must pilot a Lyrandar airship, channeling the power of
A dragonmarked heir at the helm of a vessel can com­ the Mark of Storm through the w h eel of wind and water
mand the elemental easily. Without such a pilot, it's very that controls the vessel. The helm is typically situated
difficult to control the vessel. A character who is touch­ near the rear of the ship, inside the shelter of a wheel­
ing either the Khyber dragonshard where the bound ele­ house. Controlling the vessel (without the benefit of
mental is housed or the magic item at the vessel's helm something like the conductor stones that dictate a light­
can try to communicate with the elemental, but with no ning rail route) requires constant attention, so at least
guarantee of success. two pilots typically travel on every journey.
A character can make a DC 20 Charisma (Persuasion Only a dragonmark heir with the Mark of Storm can
or Intimidation) check to persuade the elemental to co­ use the wheel and command the bound elemental.
operate or demand its obedience. On a successful check, House Lyrandar pilots train for months to gain a deep
the elemental obeys the character for 1 minute. understanding of the ship's powers and limitations.
The dominate monster spell can also enable a charac­ Because of this training, a skilled pilot can execute acro­
ter without a dragonmark to control an elemental vessel, batic maneuvers in the sky.
even wresting control away from a dragonmarked pilot. Airships can move in all three dimensions, with or
The charm monster spell (found in Xanathar's Guide to without the aid of the wind. Unlike most flying crea­
Everything) also makes the elemental compliant to the tures, they don't rely on wings for lift thanks to their
caster's wishes, but the elemental remains obedient to soarwood hulls. They are able to fly equally well on their
the commands of a dragonmarked pilot at the helm. sides or even upside down (notwithstanding the risks
that such maneuvers present to passengers and crew).
FREEING THE ELEMENTAL Airships cannot actually land, because the struts that
Shattering the Khyber dragonshard that binds it can hold the elemental ring in place protrude 10 feet from
free an elemental, preventing the vehicle from moving. the bottom of the vessel. Thus, passengers and cargo
On most elemental vessels, the shard is sealed in a are lifted in elevators and loaded at towers in major
protective metal chest with 10 (3d6) hit points, usually cities. Each ship carries rope ladders for use at smaller
made of iron (AC 19) but sometimes of mithral (AC 21) stations, in open terrain, or in cases of dire emergency.
or adamantine (AC 23). The chest is often guarded with A typical airship can reach a speed of 20 miles per
a glyph of warding and housed in a room behind locked hour in clear skies carrying up to 30 tons of cargo.
and possibly trapped doors. The shard itself has AC 17 Airships are most often employed by explorers and by
and 10 (3d6) hit points. wealthy travelers who demand luxury-clients who
have a need to move quickly to places that might not be
N
LYRA D A R A I R S H I P served by the lightning rail.
i
The airship s the most advanced elemental-powered Suppression. Although the elemental bound to the
vehicle on Eberron, the pride of House Lyrandar and the airship is essential for propulsion, the vessel's soar­
forerunner of the magical advances that many hope will wood hull provides its lighter-than-air buoyancy. When
become commonplace in the aftermath of the Last War. the elemental is suppressed, the ship remains aloft but
The first airships emerged from the Cannith and Zilargo can't move. The pilot always suppresses the elemental
workshops and appeared in House Lyrandar's service before docking, then uses ropes to maneuver the vessel
just eight years ago (in 990 YK). For now, though, into position.

C H APTER 4 I BUILDING EBERRON ADVENTURES
234