Apparatus of the Crab

• Category: Wondrous Item
• Rarity: Legendary

This item first appears to be a sealed iron barrel weighing 500 pounds. The barrel has a hidden catch, which can be found with a successful DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check. Releasing the catch unlocks a hatch at one end of the barrel, allowing two Medium or smaller creatures to crawl inside. Ten levers are set in a row at the far end, each in a neutral position, able to move up or down. When certain levers are used, the apparatus transforms to resemble a giant lobster.

The Apparatus of the Crab is a Large object with the following statistics: AC 20; HP 200; Speed 30 ft., Swim 30 ft . (or 0 ft . for both if the legs aren't extended); Immunity to Poison and Psychic damage.

To be used as a vehicle, the apparatus requires one pilot. While the apparatus's hatch is closed, the compartment is airtight and watertight. The compartment holds enough air for 10 hours of breathing, divided by the number of breathing creatures inside.

The apparatus floats on water. It can also go underwater to a depth of 900 feet. Below that, the vehicle takes 2d6 Bludgeoning damage each minute from pressure.

A creature in the compartment can take a Utilize action to move as many as two of the apparatus's levers up or down. After each use, a lever goes back to its neutral position. Each lever, from left to right, functions as shown in the Apparatus of the Crab Levers table.

Apparatus of the Crab Levers

Lever	Up	Down
1	Legs extend, allowing the apparatus to walk and swim.	Legs retract, reducing the apparatus's Speed and Swim Speed to 0 and making it unable to benefit from bonuses to speed.
2	Forward window shutter opens.	Forward window shutter closes.
3	Side window shutters open (two per side).	Side window shutters close (two per side).
4	Two claws extend from the front sides of the apparatus.	The claws retract.
5	Each extended claw makes the following melee attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft . Hit: 7 (2d6) Bludgeoning damage.	Each extended claw makes the following melee attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft . Hit: The target has the Grappled condition (escape DC 15).
6	The apparatus walks or swims forward provided its legs are extended.	The apparatus walks or swims backward provided its legs are extended.
7	The apparatus turns 90 degrees counterclockwise provided its legs are extended.	The apparatus turns 90 degrees clockwise provided its legs are extended.
8	Eyelike fixtures emit Bright Light in a 30 -foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 30 feet.	The light turns off.
9	The apparatus sinks up to 20 feet if it's in liquid.	The apparatus rises up to 20 feet if it's in liquid.
10	The rear hatch unseals and opens.	The rear hatch closes and seals.

Tactical Applications

Exploration Strategy: Provides unparalleled underwater exploration capabilities and serves as a mobile fortress. Essential for deep-sea adventures and aquatic dungeon exploration.

Class Synergies:

• Rangers and Druids: Enables exploration of aquatic environments normally inaccessible to land-dwellers
• Artificers: Can understand and potentially modify the apparatus's mechanical systems
• Any Class: Provides protection and mobility in hostile underwater environments

Build Considerations: Most valuable for campaigns featuring significant aquatic elements. Requires teamwork between pilot and passenger for optimal effectiveness.

Acquisition Methods

Crafting Requirements: Requires master-level mechanical and magical engineering, rare metals, and underwater construction capabilities. Estimated cost: 100,000+ gp and years of specialized work.

Common Sources:

• Ancient underwater civilizations and their ruins
• Legendary artificers' workshops and vaults
• Deep-sea treasure hoards guarded by powerful aquatic creatures
• Commission from the most skilled artificers and enchanters (extremely rare)

Alternative Acquisition: Some underwater cities maintain small fleets of these devices, occasionally lending them for important diplomatic or rescue missions.

Value & Trade

Estimated Value: 75,000-150,000 gp, making it one of the most expensive legendary items due to its unique capabilities and rarity.

Trade Considerations: Extremely valuable to underwater civilizations, explorers, and merchant companies operating in coastal regions. May be considered a strategic military asset.

Character Integration

Roleplay Elements: Ownership suggests access to incredible wealth or connections to powerful underwater entities. The apparatus may become a signature element of the character's identity.

Character Concepts:

• Deep-sea explorer mapping unknown oceanic territories
• Heir to a lost underwater civilization seeking to reclaim their heritage
• Former submarine captain adapting their skills to magical underwater vessels
• Treasure hunter specializing in deep-sea salvage operations

Adventure Hooks

The Sunken City: An entire civilization lies drowned beneath the waves, accessible only by apparatus, containing treasures and dangers in equal measure.

The Abyssal Rescue: A diplomatic mission to the deepest ocean trenches requires the apparatus to transport negotiators safely to an underwater conference.

The Mechanical War: Multiple apparatus vehicles have been discovered, leading to underwater conflicts between various factions seeking to control them.

The Living Sea: The apparatus begins showing signs of sentience, raising questions about the nature of its creation and the consciousness of mechanical beings.

Variants & Customization

Enhanced Apparatus (Artifact): Increased depth tolerance, faster movement, additional weapons, or magical enhancement capabilities.

Specialized Apparatus Models: Different configurations for specific purposes such as research, military operations, or heavy construction.

Apparatus Swarm (Legendary Set): Multiple smaller apparatus vehicles that can coordinate actions and share resources.

Specialized Variants:

• Arctic Apparatus: Modified for polar operations with ice-breaking capabilities
• Stealth Apparatus: Enhanced with magical concealment and quiet operation
• Cargo Apparatus: Larger storage capacity but reduced combat capabilities

Lore & History

Origins: Created by ancient underwater civilizations as a means of safe travel through the ocean's most dangerous depths. The original creators may have been aquatic artificers or surface dwellers adapting to underwater life.

Historical Significance: Several major underwater discoveries and diplomatic missions throughout history have relied on apparatus vehicles, including first contact with deep-sea civilizations.

Cultural Impact: Different underwater societies view the apparatus differently - some as sacred relics, others as tools of exploration, and some as weapons of war.

Technical Marvel: The apparatus represents the pinnacle of magical-mechanical engineering, combining complex mechanical systems with protective enchantments.

Balancing Notes

Introduction Timing: Best introduced at levels 15+ when characters can handle the responsibilities and challenges that come with such a powerful vehicle.

Campaign Impact: Fundamentally changes the scope of aquatic adventures, potentially making any underwater location accessible. Requires Creator preparation for underwater encounters.

Operational Complexity: The lever system creates interesting tactical decisions and learning curves for players operating the apparatus.

Encounter Design

Recommended Challenges:

• Underwater environments with pressure, temperature, or magical hazards
• Large-scale aquatic creatures that can threaten the apparatus itself
• Underwater cities or structures requiring careful navigation
• Mechanical puzzles or repairs needed while submerged

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may attempt to damage specific systems, force the apparatus into dangerous depths, or use the cramped interior against the occupants.

Related Items

Aquatic Equipment: Items that enhance underwater survival, provide water breathing, or improve swimming capabilities.

Mechanical Constructs:

• Animated objects with similar control mechanisms
• Golems and other magical constructs
• Vehicles and transportation devices

Complementary Equipment: Navigation tools, underwater communication devices, and items that function effectively in aquatic environments.

Roleplay Opportunities

Technical Mastery: Learning to operate the apparatus provides ongoing character development and team coordination opportunities.

Underwater Politics: The apparatus may serve as diplomatic transport or mobile embassy when dealing with aquatic civilizations.

Exploration and Discovery: The vast unexplored ocean depths become accessible, opening entirely new adventure possibilities and geographical discoveries.