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Chapter 18: Warfare
Naval Strategy
Several different naval strategies exist. Here,
strategy refers to the planning of an assault when
multiple vessels are involved. Strategy often depends
upon circumstances.
The most common naval strategy is to use
no planned strategy at all -- to rush and attack the
foe. This strategy, if it may be so called, is influenced
by the tenets of chivalry (see Chap. 6: Sociality).
Otherwise, strategies not heavily influenced
by chivalry include the attempt to isolate an enemy
vessel, such as to encircle them. By encircling an
enemy vessel, they may surrender without bloodshed.
Multiple vessels can try to force an enemy
vessel to run aground, or go close enough to land
that siege engines on land can be used.
Fire
In warfare, enemy vessels are often attacked
with flammable weapons, in hopes that the enemy
vessel will catch fire and sink. To determine if a
vessel catches fire, roll 1d100 for each flammable
attack. If the result is 80 or greater, then the vessel
caught fire. Damage occurs as follows over the next
several minutes: 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 1d12, 1d20, 1d100,
1d1000 and 1d10000. Each minute that a vessel is
burning, the crew may attempt to extinguish each
fire. They must roll 3d10 for each fire. The odds
are represented as a TH and correspond to how
long the fire has been burning as discussed above:
TH 9, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 25, 29. As damage accumulates,
consult Sinking Vessels below:
Sinking Vessels
Vessels, as other objects, have Integrity
Points. (For more on Integrity Points, see Chap. 9:
Equipment). Further, since vessels are made of wood,
they are especially susceptible to burning damage.
If a vessel is reduced to 50% of its initial IP, then
the vessel will sink in 5d100 rounds. Once reduced
to 40% of its initial IP, the vessel will sink in 1d100
rounds. Once reduced to 30% of its initial IP, the
vessel will sink in 1d10 rounds. Once reduced to
25% of its initial IP, any vessel is immediately sunk.
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Movement
Traditionally, the rate at which vessels move
is measured in knots. 1 knot equals 6,040 feet per
hour, compared to the otherwise popular measure
of miles per hour, which is 5,280 feet in 1 hour. In
F.A.T.A.L., movement for vessels is the maximum
rate at which a vessel may move in 1 round, and is
represented in feet per round. On the following
table, movement does not include factors such as
current or wind. Vessels may move in 3 ways: rowing,
sailing, and the combination of sailing and rowing.
Consult the table below to determine base
movement:
Vesse l Rowing Wind
Potential
Barge0 -
Bireme35 -
Cog- 40%
Deceres55 -
FishingBoat12 -
Karve15 -
Knarr6 30%
Log0 -
Longship3 5
20%
Quinquereme5 0
10%
Raft0 -
Septireme55 -
Trireme4 5
10%
Unireme30 -
Rowing
The most consistent and laborous means of
propelling a vessel is by rowing. Rowing consists of
oarsmen thrusting oars through the water. Rowing
has the potential of making noise, though it is still a
quieter means of movement than riding on horseback.
Oars are often made of spruce.
Oaring equates to the Sprint skill. However,
each oarsman does not need to pass a Sprint check.
Instead, 1 check is made for the entire crew. Attempting
to race a vessel equates with sprinting, while
ramming or battle speed equates with running. Similarly,
a pace at which rowers work for hours equates
to walking. Attempting to urge a crew beyond 8
hours of rowing per day equates to a Forced March.