Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Voidjammer: Citadel Ships

Citadels are asteroids (celestial bodies) that have been converted into voidships. The process of conversion is a long one, requiring the installation of a massive helm of one kind or another, and the hollowing out of tunnels, living spaces and other features. Several races construct Citadel Ships, each with a slightly different look to the overall design. But the end result is much like a mobile, mini-world that is as much home as vessel.

Azer Citadels
The fiery Azer are close cousins to the Dwarves, and so it is small wonder that they have access to Dwarven Forges. Azer citadels are often found close to a crystal spheres sun (see Hot Orbital Zones), or near volcanic planets. Such citadels have shining towers and relatively smooth surfaces.

Dwarven Citadels
These flying mountains are similar in look and appearance as any number of Dwarf strongholds in most campaign worlds. These vessels all sport beautiful and functional craftsmanship and are home of entire Dwarf clans, often with room for other races for the purposes of trade. Glow moss and other subterranean plants are cultivated on Dwarven Citadels to help supply air, as well as a potential food source.

Fraal Citadels
The mysterious Fraal have their own citadels which they call Nationships. Such vessels are covered in observatories, greenhouse domes and all manner of wonderful structures, though these are always utilitarian rather than flamboyant. The forges themselves are replaced with laboratories, meditation chambers (for psychic discipline), and lecture halls. Weaponry on Fraal Nationships should be replaced with gadgets devised via the scientist class, firing a nasty assortment of weird energies rather than cannonballs and such.

Gnomish Citadels
The Minoi Gnomes of Wildspace also build citadels. However, while dwarf citadels are awe-inspiring structures of exquisite craftsmanship, Gnomish citadels are a riot of ungainly mechanisms and structures. Often, very little of the original asteroid is visible on a Gnomish Citadel, being liberally covered in elaborate devices, domes, spired and other attachments.


Citadel, Lesser
Awesome Vehicle
HD:  150, 800 hp
AC: 20, Hardness 25
Speed: As Helm
Atk: 4 Heavy Catapults (6d6), 8 Heavy Cannon (10d6), 12 Light Cannon (5d6), 3 Heavy Jettisons (3d8)
SV: 10 (Stone)
----------
Crew: 100/300
Air Capacity: 36,000 man-days
Landing: N/A
Power Type: Forge Helm or Gnomish Helm (see Helms)
Cargo: 150 tons
Keel/Beam Length: 150ft/120ft
Cost: 1,230,000 gp

These (max 300-ton) citadel is the smallest that a forge can power, and as a result, the most frequently encountered citadel in space. The majority of a citadel's space is taken up by the forge and the living quarters for the crew. Lesser citadels are usually mining ships, roving asteroid belts of the less hospitable regions of the spheres, harvesting ores and other treasures. Lesser citadels are usually outer colony ships serving a Greater Citadel or a stationary asteroid base.
Deckplans of any citadel ship should be handled as though mapping out a dungeon, and should be handled with care.

Citadel, Greater 
Titanic Vehicle
HD:  350, 2,100 hp
AC 20, Hardness 40
Speed: As Helm
Atk: 8 Heavy Cannon (6d6), 16 Light Cannon (5d6), 24 Ballista (3d8), 6 Heavy Jettisons (3d8)
SV: 10 (Stone)
----------
Crew: 235/700
Air Capacity: 84,000 man-days.
Landing: N/A
Power Type: Forge Helm or Gnomish Helm (see Helms)
Cargo: 350 tons
Keel/Beam Length: 150ft/250ft
Cost: 2,870,000 gp

Greater Citadels are truly immense vessels, more like small mobile moons that voidships. At a maximum of 3,000 tons, Greater Citadels are amongst the largest and most powerful vessels in space. Like the Lesser Citadel, the  majority of a citadel's space is taken up by the forge and the living quarters for the crew. However, these vessels sport even more elaborate structures both inside and outside its main body. Massive domes of glassteel, stout towers and a terrifying array of weapons all cover these ships.
Deckplans of any citadel ship should be handled as though mapping out a dungeon, and should be handled with care.


No comments:

DISNEY & DRAGONS: D&D in Fantasyland

Many times, in recent years I have encountered would-be players of Dungeons and Dragons whose sole experience with the fantasy genre h...