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Carpet of Flying

Carpet Of Flying
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Very Rare

You can make this carpet hover and fly by taking a Magic action and using the carpet's command word. It moves according to your directions if you are within 30 feet of it.

Four sizes of Carpet of Flying exist. The GM chooses the size of a given carpet or determines it randomly by rolling on the following table. A carpet can carry up to twice the weight shown on the table, but its Fly Speed is halved if it carries more than its normal capacity.

1d100SizeCapacityFly Speed
01-203 ft . \times 5 ft.200 lb .80 feet
21-554 ft . \times 6 ft.400 lb .60 feet
56-805 ft . \times 7 ft.600 lb .40 feet
81-006 ft . \times 9 ft.800 lb .30 feet

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Provides excellent aerial mobility for groups and heavy equipment. Most effective for transportation and elevated positioning rather than direct combat.

Class Synergies:

  • Party Transportation: Universal benefit for group aerial travel and logistics
  • Ranged Combatants: Excellent elevated platform for archers and spellcasters
  • Support Characters: Ideal for maintaining safe distance while providing assistance

Build Considerations: Most valuable for parties that need group mobility or transportation of heavy equipment. Size determines passenger capacity and tactical applications.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires rare fabrics imbued with flight magic, master-level weaving, and extensive enchantment work. Typically costs 20,000-35,000 gp.

Common Sources:

  • Rewards from aerial kingdoms or flying creature alliances
  • Inheritance from wealthy merchants or explorers
  • Commission from master enchanters specializing in transportation magic
  • Trade agreements with organizations requiring aerial logistics

Alternative Acquisition: Some desert kingdoms and mountain cultures create these carpets for trade and diplomatic purposes.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 25,000-40,000 gp, with price varying significantly based on size and regional demand for aerial transportation.

Trade Considerations: Extremely valuable and sought after by wealthy merchants, explorers, and military organizations requiring aerial logistics.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests wealth, connections to aerial magic, or experience with exotic transportation. May indicate Middle Eastern or desert cultural influences.

Character Concepts:

  • Wealthy merchant or noble with access to exotic magical transportation
  • Explorer who specializes in reaching remote or elevated locations
  • Character with cultural connections to carpet-weaving traditions
  • Party leader who values group mobility and logistical capabilities

Adventure Hooks​

The Aerial Expedition: A mission requires transporting the entire party and equipment to locations accessible only by flight.

The Merchant's Route: Trade missions require rapid aerial transportation across dangerous or difficult terrain.

The Group Evacuation: Emergency situations require evacuating multiple people or heavy equipment quickly.

The Sky Palace: Adventures in aerial cities or floating castles require reliable group transportation.

Variants & Customization​

Luxury Carpet of Flying (Legendary): Includes comfort features, weather protection, or enhanced speed and capacity.

Combat Carpet of Flying (Very Rare): Provides defensive capabilities or stability benefits for aerial combat.

Stealth Carpet of Flying (Very Rare): Offers silent flight or concealment benefits while airborne.

Specialized Variants:

  • Merchant's Carpet: Enhanced cargo capacity and protection for valuable goods
  • Explorer's Carpet: Additional benefits for wilderness travel and navigation
  • Royal Carpet: Luxury features and impressive appearance for diplomatic missions

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient civilizations that mastered the combination of textile arts and aerial magic.

Historical Significance: Several famous explorations and trade routes were established using these carpets for transportation.

Cultural Impact: In many societies, flying carpets represent luxury, magical sophistication, and mastery over the elements.

Textile Magic: The carpets reflect advanced understanding of how to weave magical properties into functional objects.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Best introduced at higher levels (12+) when the party can benefit from group aerial transportation without trivializing exploration.

Campaign Impact: Provides significant utility for transportation and exploration while requiring tactical thinking about positioning and logistics.

Size Considerations: Different sizes serve different party needs and create interesting choices about capacity versus speed.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Exploration scenarios requiring transportation of groups or equipment
  • Aerial encounters where the carpet serves as a mobile platform
  • Logistics challenges involving moving people or supplies across difficult terrain
  • Situations where elevated positioning provides significant advantages

Tactical Adjustments: Enemies may include aerial threats, ranged attacks targeting the carpet, or environmental hazards affecting flight.

Aerial Transportation: Other items that provide group flight or transportation capabilities.

Luxury Equipment:

  • Items that provide comfort and convenience for wealthy or high-status characters
  • Equipment that enhances group logistics and travel capabilities
  • Tools that improve long-distance transportation and exploration

Complementary Equipment: Items that work well with aerial platforms, such as ranged weapons or group protection magic.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Wealth Display: Characters can demonstrate status and resources through ownership of such valuable transportation.

Group Leadership: The carpet owner often becomes the party's transportation coordinator and logistics planner.

Cultural Exploration: Flying carpets may introduce Middle Eastern or desert cultural elements into the campaign setting.