Eye ship

These shields, developed by the dwarves millennia ago, before the floods & before their downfall, have nowadays become one of the most common instruments of long-distance travel in the world.

Characteristics

These long, shallow-draft ships can attain high speeds and carry over a large amount of people (or material) over long distances.
The ships have no weapons for defence in the sea, and defence depends on its occupants, or on the ship's speed to get away from dangers.

Power Generation

The ships have two power methods: manpower at the oars, or wind propulsion through the sail.
The oars are used when the wind is not favourable, whereas whenever there is wind, this is preferred, as it allows its occupants to save some strength.

I rather cross the mountain range than take an almond ship. Every damn time the air dwindles, you know they are gonna make you row. You just know it!

Description

Shallow build, tapered planks, fixed oars, single large sail

Etymology

These ships' shape, when seen from above resembles the eyes of many humanoid species in the world.

by Thea Magerand

Encounters with Eye Ships

(Un)dead eye

A ship moving at an unimaginable speed given the low wind approaches you. The long shape and tall position on the water betray the type of ship: an eye.
As it approaches, you can see that every single one of its oars is tirelessly manned by a skeleton, rowing and rowing at full force. Two single alive-looking people can be seen at either end: the captain and the watcher.

If hailed, they courteously approach, open for trade. Their wares are completely unordinary unless you offer bones (any kind and number) for trade.

If attacked, half the skeletons dive into the water and swim towards the attackers, while the other half row the boat away.

If ignored, they continue their way, with the captain and watcher barely acknowledging the presence of the other boat.

Wrong directions

A relatively small eye ship floats aimlessly in the water. It has no sails on, despite the relatively good wind. Soon, the reason becomes apparent: its mast is broken. Many of its oars must be broken too because barely a few people are rowing. They are rowing furiously though, moving towards you while all the other sailors try to catch your attention with gestures.
On a closer look, they are not hailing you asking for help, they are warning you, telling you to turn around and row the other way.

If they turn the boat, use the chase rules to get away (at advantage) from a kraken

If they continue heading towards the danger, they can combat a kraken. PCs can try and convince the other crew to join them in battle.