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Folding Boat

Folding Boat
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Rare

This object appears as a wooden box that measures 12 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 6 inches deep. It weighs 4 pounds and floats. It can be opened to store items inside. This item also has three command words, each requiring a Magic action to use:

First Command Word. The box unfolds into a Rowboat.

Second Command Word. The box unfolds into a Keelboat.

Third Command Word. The Folding Boat folds back into a box if no creatures are aboard. Any objects in the vessel that can't fit inside the box remain outside the box as it folds. Any objects in the vessel that can fit inside the box do so.

When the box becomes a vessel, its weight becomes that of a normal vessel its size, and anything that was stored in the box remains in the boat.

Statistics for the Rowboat and Keelboat appear in "Equipment." If either vessel is reduced to 0 Hit Points, the Folding Boat is destroyed.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Transforms between box and 24-foot boat form, providing instant water transportation and potential floating platform for combat. Can carry significant cargo and passengers across water obstacles.

Class Synergies:

  • Any Class: Universal utility for water travel and transportation challenges
  • Naval Specialists: Essential for characters operating in aquatic environments
  • Exploration Builds: Perfect for expeditions involving rivers, lakes, and coastal areas
  • Cargo Managers: Excellent for transporting heavy equipment and supplies

Build Considerations: Requires water body large enough for deployment. Most useful in campaigns featuring significant water travel or amphibious operations.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires master shipbuilding, magical miniaturization techniques, and dimensional folding magic. Creation cost 8,000-15,000 gp and takes 3 months.

Common Sources:

  • Naval supply depots and maritime magical workshops
  • Treasure hoards of sea captains and marine adventurers
  • Commission from specialized magical shipwrights
  • Found in the collections of water elemental allies
  • Rewards from grateful coastal communities

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in shipwrecks or obtained from aquatic creature encounters.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 10,000-18,000 gp, with premium pricing in coastal regions and island communities.

Trade Considerations: Extremely valuable in water-heavy campaigns and coastal regions. Limited demand in landlocked areas without significant water features.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests maritime experience, naval background, or specialization in aquatic exploration and transportation.

Character Concepts:

  • Former naval officer or sea captain
  • Merchant specializing in coastal and river trade
  • Explorer focused on aquatic expeditions and island adventures
  • Character with experience in amphibious military operations

Adventure Hooks​

The River Expedition: Exploring dangerous waterways where reliable boat access provides crucial advantages for mission success.

The Island Quest: Reaching remote islands or underwater ruins where conventional transportation is inadequate.

The Naval Mission: Military operations requiring rapid deployment across water barriers and coastal infiltration.

The Smuggling Operation: Covert transportation of goods or people across water borders using the boat's discreet storage form.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Folding Boat (Rare): Larger boat form (40-foot) with enhanced cargo capacity and faster transformation.

Armored Folding Boat (Rare): Enhanced durability with built-in defenses against aquatic threats.

Swift Folding Boat (Rare): Magical propulsion for faster travel speeds across water.

Specialized Variants:

  • Military Transport: Enhanced for troop movement and tactical water operations
  • Cargo Hauler: Optimized for maximum carrying capacity and merchant operations
  • Explorer's Boat: Includes navigation aids and survival equipment

Lore & History​

Origins: Developed by maritime civilizations needing portable transportation for expeditions into uncharted waters.

Historical Significance: These boats enabled exploration of previously inaccessible waterways and coastal regions.

Cultural Impact: Revolutionized maritime exploration and allowed small groups to undertake ambitious aquatic expeditions.

Magical Craft: Represents mastery of dimensional magic and the integration of transportation with miniaturization techniques.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 4-10 when transportation challenges become significant and water travel is common.

Campaign Impact: Provides major advantages in water-heavy campaigns but limited utility in landlocked adventures.

Environmental Dependency: Value depends heavily on campaign setting and frequency of water-based challenges.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Water crossing obstacles that require reliable transportation
  • Aquatic combat scenarios where the boat provides tactical platform
  • Exploration missions to remote islands or coastal locations
  • Cargo transportation challenges involving valuable or sensitive materials

Tactical Adjustments: Water-based encounters may need adjustment when reliable boat transportation is available.

Transportation Items: Carpet of Flying, Boots of Speed, and other items that provide movement and travel advantages.

Aquatic Equipment:

  • Items that enhance water travel and aquatic survival
  • Equipment for underwater exploration and marine combat
  • Tools for naval operations and boat management

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance water navigation, weather resistance, or aquatic survival capabilities.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Maritime Leadership: Characters develop skills in boat management and aquatic expedition leadership.

Naval Connections: Using the boat effectively creates relationships with maritime communities and coastal organizations.

Exploration Spirit: The boat enables ambitious expeditions and develops appreciation for aquatic exploration.