The Captain's Logbook: 5E High Seas Adventure & Shipbuilding
Created by William Martin
Set Sail, Solve Mysteries, and Claim Your Bounty with new Character Subclasses, Monsters, Sea Combat Mechanics and Ship Customization
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Advancement Progress Update - 2
almost 2 years ago
– Tue, Jun 11, 2024 at 01:19:14 PM
Hello Valiant Crew!
We've been hard at work on the supplement's development, and no ifs, ands, or buts about it—we're behind in responding to your messages. While this is due to our deep dive into development over the last 10 days, know that we are following up on your messages. For those who have dropped a question or comment, we’ll have answers to all questions before the end of the week.
The Deep Dive These past two weeks have seen explosive levels of content creation and testing. Many areas of content have shot up in overall completion, especially the logbook which went from 25% written to nearly complete!
We promise our fingers only cramped up a little…
So let’s get right into what’s new…
The Logbook The Logbook is nearly complete. Up to 99% in fact! Initially, we had targeted only needing the logbook's written content to be around 50 document pages, but with the additional details and stretch goals, we actually saw 90 pages of text! Thankfully, the final layout and formatting will determine a more concise actual page count, but it’s going to be quite a packed book!
Next Steps: Right now we’re focusing on putting the final touches on the content and incorporating the extra puzzle you unlocked through the stretch goals.
In addition, we’ve added even MORE hints for DMs than we’d originally included. Since investigation abilities can vary from player to player and table to table, we wanted to make sure that DMs were well-prepared with hints to offer to their players.
Ship Rules and the Combat System The combat system has moved from its initial alpha version into a completed beta for additional playtesting! To increase ease of use we’ve decided to maintain the familiar turn-based combat structure players and DMs are accustomed to. We’ve also honed in on three ship classes, each with its own distinct roles. Tied in with the special maneuvers to enhance strategic options and crucial positioning methods, each ship offers a different method of combat. We also cleaned up the optional rules for weather and morale. We found that the alpha versions were still causing too much of an increase in combat length when added, so these were tweaked so that they added depth without overly extending combat length.
Speaking of, here are a few of the goodies you’ll find (minor changes may still occur):
Ship Classes Ships come in three basic classes: - Sloops, which are small and maneuverable - Brigantines, which offer a balance of speed to weaponry, and - Man-O’-Wars, which sacrifice maneuverability for firepower
Ship Hardpoints Ships have a number of prime features that allow them to perform well. These "hard points" can be specifically targeted during battle, and clever captains know that destroying enemy hard points can be the difference between failure and success. Hard points are listed in a ship's stat block, as are the debuffs associated with their destruction.
When players or crew members make an attack against an enemy ship, they may choose to target a specific hard point. If they do so, the opposing ship's AC is increased by 2 for the attack, reflecting the difficulty of a called shot. When an attack is successful against a hard point, the hard point takes all of the damage from that attack, and damage is not subtracted from the enemy ship's full hit points. When a hard point is reduced to 0 hit points, it ceases to function, resulting in a massive debuff for the opposing ship. For example, if a mainsail hardpoint is destroyed, the ship's speed is halved, and all special maneuvers requiring speed are made at disadvantage.
Ship Maneuvers - Turn and Catch the Wind
Turn. You attempt to recharge your ship’s ability to turn. Make a Special Maneuver check. On a success, you may turn as a bonus action this turn. The DC for this check is 10 for Sloops, 14 for Brigantines, and 18 for Man-O’-Wars. This ability is represented as a rechargeable ability in enemy ship stat blocks and does not require a special maneuver by an enemy navigator.
Catch the Wind. You push the ship’s propulsion system (whether it be sails, oarsmen, or an engine) to its limits, attempting to put on a burst of speed. Make a DC 14 Special Maneuver check. On a success, your speed is doubled this turn.
Overall June Progress Update Here’s where we currently stand in the development of this expansive project: - Story: 100% written. Playtesting now in progress. - Archetypes: 100% completed. Playtesting now in progress. - Backgrounds and Races: 100% completed. Playtesting now in progress. - Island Descriptions: 90% completed. - Logbook Entries: We went from 25% to 99% completed. Playtesting pending. - New Monsters: We went from 10% to 15% completed. - Magic Items: We went from 80% to 85% completed. - Ship Rules: We went from 25% to 100% completed. Playtesting now in progress. - DM Screen: Yet to be started.
Pledge Manager The pledge manager setup is almost complete. Once finalized an email from Backerkit will be sent with the link to access your pledge. We will also provide another update at that time so you have all the necessary information to make informed selections about your pledge.
Advancement progress update
almost 2 years ago
– Sun, May 26, 2024 at 08:09:14 AM
Ahoy, brave navigators!
As we set sail across the vast ocean of creativity, the muses have been singing sweetly to our ears. It’s an exhilarating journey, and today, I’m thrilled to share the latest artistic treasures from our voyage.
Spotlight on Creativity: The Artwork Journey We're delighted to unveil the latest concepts by our talented artist Matt. His ability to bring the fantastical elements of our world to vivid life is nothing short of magical.
This multi-armed deep-sea monstrosity can be summoned by the BBEG (Big Bad Evil Guy).
We landed on the 2nd option as our chosen monster given its crabby secondary appendages and got two colour variations
Progress Update on The Captain’s Logbook Content:
Here’s where we currently stand in the development of this expansive project:
Story: 100% written, pending playtesting.
Archetypes: 100% completed, pending playtesting.
Backgrounds and Races: 100% completed, pending playtesting.
Island Descriptions: 90% completed.
Logbook Entries: 25% completed.
New Monsters: 10% completed.
Magic Items: 80% completed.
Ship Rules: 25% completed.
DM Screen: Yet to be started.
Artistic Achievements:
Story Illustrations: 80% completed.
Island Maps: Fully completed.
Monster Artwork: 75% completed.
Tokens: 25% completed.
Magic Item Illustrations: Fully completed.
Battle Maps: 60% completed.
DM Screen (The Mysterious Island Theme): 90% completed.
Proofing:
Once content has been completed and playtested, proofing will begin. We’ll have more completion progress once we get started. (Knowing our proofreader though, that won’t be a long wait!)
Logistics: At the end of this creative journey, our next step involves ensuring that these treasures reach you safely and efficiently. We are currently in discussions with various third-party logistics companies to explore our shipping options. Our aim is to find the best possible solution that ensures timely and secure delivery of all goods. It’s crucial to plan these steps well in advance to avoid any potential hurdles down the line.
Project We Like: Ahoy, fellow navigators of fantastical realms! Cast your spyglass towards Worlds at a Glance: Towns & Villages. This nifty tool is a boon for any game master seeking to swiftly conjure towns brimming with shops, NPCs, and secrets, without drowning in detail. Each shop card is a treasure map to items and quests, revealing everything from mysterious potions to hidden side quests as your crew explores.
For a smooth sail through your world-building adventures, look no further than Worlds at a Glance: Towns & Villages. Set your course and explore with ease!
Favorable Skies Receives a Good Omen
almost 2 years ago
– Sun, May 19, 2024 at 01:35:30 PM
Ahoy, adventurers!
Our friend Renaud's Kickstarter campaign, Favorable Skies for 5E, has also just received a prestigious award: Project We Love from Kickstarter.
The Horizon is Full of Favorable Skies
Not only is this project the much-anticipated sequel to his first successful campaign, Exalted Vales, but it is in the final two weeks of the campaign. If you haven’t already embarked, now is the perfect time to join this enchanting journey where mysticism and nostalgia intertwine, rekindling the fairy tales of your childhood with a supernatural flair.
The series offers some unique high fantasy ideas: the powerful Manifestations, such as the Dream Weavers of Drath, who create dreams from the stories told to them by pilgrims to ensure the people of the region can dream and maintain their sanity. Or perhaps you’d rather stroll through the Market of Secrets to glean a one-of-a-kind secret direct from the Manifestation known as the Book of Truth…
It’s overflowing with pioneering storytelling game mechanics, two massive campaigns, fresh character options, two new classes and subclasses (over 20 subclasses between both books!), and intricate mysteries for you and your players to enjoy.
Join us on this incredible adventure and help celebrate Renaud's well-deserved recognition! Favorable Skies invites you to delve deeper into its enigmatic realms, so enter the Vales now and discover the magic that awaits!
Kickstarter Funds Transferred Plus Next Steps
almost 2 years ago
– Wed, May 15, 2024 at 08:36:03 AM
Kickstarter has successfully transferred all the funds to us!
The next phase for us is to open the pledge manager through BackerKit. We plan to launch it next week and are hopeful that the beta feature will not significantly impact how late backers are transferred to the pledge manager. Our project is the first with Kickstarter’s Late Pledges Beta so we’re making waves with this setup, and BackerKit has already begun its preparations.
If Kickstarter canceled your pledge during the Beta, don't worry—we are still able to get you on board at this stage! If you’ve already reached out to us, we’ll handle your transfer.
What’s on the Go
We are currently hard at work creating illustrations for various monsters and maps. In terms of game design, the subclasses are almost finished, and we are refining the ship system. A more detailed update on our development progress will be provided in the next news release.
Projects we like
Here is an epic voyage with "Secret Dragons" by Roll For Combat. We've charted a course through the mystical realms where dragons rule the skies and the land below. Each of the four treasure-laden volumes reveals a unique dragon family, teeming with both beauty and peril.
Prepare to:
Explore over 400 pages adorned with breathtaking illustrations.
Embrace 20 new playable dragon ancestries, each with its own feats and heroic traits.
Encounter over 100 new dragon stat blocks for thrilling challenges.
Face the fearsome Great Wyrms, foes worthy of legendary tales.
Delve deep into the rich lore that breathes life into each dragon ancestry.
All hands on deck as we set sail into the dominion of dragons. Join this legendary quest where the skies brim with danger and wonder!
Navigating Late Pledges and Preparing for BackerKit
almost 2 years ago
– Sun, May 05, 2024 at 01:26:53 PM
Hello, valiant Backers!
We're now a little over two weeks post-completion of our funding, and we have some important updates and next steps to share with you.
Kickstarter’s Late Pledge Beta Test
The eagle-eyed backers may have noticed that we are collecting late pledges. We were invited to participate in the beta test of Kickstarter's Late Pledge feature. This feature allows additional backers to make pledges and select their add-ons for the campaign. Like with all backers, additional add-ons or changes to your pledge can occur in BackerKit.
Unfortunately, as this is a beta, it’s not without its hiccups! We saw that some late-pledge backers encountered a bug where payment pages were incorrectly displaying that the campaign had ended. We worked fast to address these and this payment problem was solved but this also caused some late pledges to be canceled by Kickstarter. Given these hiccups we’ve decided to roll up our sleeves and also do our part to address this issue:
All affected backers will be able to pledge and complete their payment information through our pledge manager. Most importantly, when?
BackerKit is scheduled to open later this month once Beta late pledges are complete.
Current Step: Fund Collection
As our Kickstarter campaign officially closes, the next step is for Kickstarter to collect all funds, which will occur this month once the Beta Late Pledges finish. Please keep an eye out for confirmation emails from Kickstarter (and an update email from us!) to ensure your payment is processed successfully.
Once the payment process is complete, all backers will receive a questionnaire from BackerKit inviting you to the pledge manager. This will give you the opportunity to update your pledge details or select additional add-ons that you may find interesting. It's a great way to customize your support to match your interests and needs.
Ongoing Communications
Our commitment to keeping you informed remains strong. Our plan is to update you on our progress once per month (+/- a few days), though there may be occasions when we'll reach out more frequently if there's exciting news to share.
In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have!
Project We Like
As we embark on new adventures with our project, we are excited to highlight our friend Renaud’s fantastical series, Exalted Vales, and its next iteration:Favorable Skies! Dive into a world where mysticism and nostalgia blend seamlessly, bringing the fairy tales of your youth to life with a supernatural twist.
The books in this series contain unique rules, enthralling tales, and tons of new character options, including 17+ new archetypes for each 5e class, and 2 brand new classes, the Cartomancer, which uses a tangible, beautifully crafted tarot deck as a core feature.
The project is full of innovative game mechanics and deep mysteries. It has just launched, and there is still an early bird special dice set to claim as an add-on.
