Expert Dungeon Master Competition #12 Design a Vehicle!

It's nearing the end of summer vacation, so you don't have much time to get in a little traveling. To do that, you're going to need a vehicle! The purpose of this competition is to design a vehicle that can transport the player characters on an entertaining adventure.

Welcome to the twelfth Expert Dungeon Master Competition!

The contest will run from today through Friday, September 4, 2009. All entries must be submitted no later than 12:00 midnight on that day (Eastern Standard Time). You can submit an entry by creating a new wiki page in this group with your entry name and then linking it below.

Be sure to read the rules of the XDMCs before submitting your entry!!

Required Elements

In order to enter the competition, your entry must fulfill the following required elements:

1. Design a stat block for a vehicle that includes all the information found in the vehicle stat block in the 4e System Reference Document. The vehicle must be able to transport no fewer than 5 small or medium sized characters. The vehicle need not be, but can be, a unique mode of transportation. (For example, the pirate Greybeard's ship Jagged Edge, could be an entry, even though, stat-wise, it is a standard sailing ship. Also, a druid-enchanted tree that serves as an elevator to a giant's floating cloud kingdom could be an entry.)
2. Briefly describe the appearance and history of the vehicle, as well as a brief history of the type of vehicle, if that type is unique.

Optional Elements

In addition, the entry must include at least three of the following optional elements:

1. Although Small and Medium passengers may ride on the vehicle, the vehicle was designed to be piloted by creatures that are Tiny, Large, Huge or Gargantuan in size.
2. Some aspect of the vehicle’s method of transportation is responsible for significant damage to the environment through which it travels.
3. The entry describes specific NPCs who occupy the vehicle (as crew and/or passengers) when encountered by the adventurers. A full stat block is not required, but enough description should be given so DMs could easily use the vehicle in an encounter or adventure.
4. The vehicle can transport passengers (and perhaps the passengers’ gear), but not cargo.
5. The vehicle exists as a result of a naturally occurring phenomenon or was not intended as a vehicle by its creators.
6. The vehicle is considered absolutely invincible, safe, and unsinkable, but has an unseen, yet critical design flaw.
7. The vehicle is designed to travel within a fantastic location or other plane(s) (such as the Astral Sea and/or the Elemental Chaos), and its operation relies upon some peculiar feature of that location’s terrain.
8. The vehicle is only used during a portion of a natural cycle (on full moons or during winter, for example).
9. The vehicle requires a beast of burden that is not of natural origin for propulsion.
10. The vehicle utilizes a new ritual (described in the entry) to function.
11. The vehicle’s cargo space typically carries one or more smaller vehicles or mounts (described in the entry).
12. The vehicle’s passenger accommodations are ridiculously opulent.
13. Traveling on this vehicle is dangerous to the passengers, but offers other benefits that may make it worthwhile.

List of Entries

1. Far Realm Falling Star, by Veok
2. Swamp Walker by Coarsedragon
3. Cannonball Run Travel Agency by Captainseyo
4. Rrhâtelee by Jailbreaker
5. Sunken Ship by Dulsi
6. Tybalt's Mechanical Island by Felldraw
7. The Mine Train by ClanBattlerage
8. The House of Gevexon Norll by Gelf
9. Miniature Giant Space Hamster Experimental Killer Craft Delta (AKA MiGSHXKCD) by DaigotsuRezan
10. Carrier Worm by Nonei
11. The Quantum Pole by Johnathan_Vagabond
12. Bone Gondola by Whitman
13. Hamsterball of the Gods by Pluisjen
14. Chariot of Pelor's Favored by PBN
15. The Grand Sedan of Prince Raul by Barmp
16. The Flarewing by Lord Ventnor

Contest Q&A

Q. What constitutes a "vehicle" for purposes of this contest?

A. Anything that one would reasonably use the vehicle stat block to describe and that wouldn't be more appropriate to describe using a different stat block, such as a NPC stat block, monster stat block, magic item stat block, or artifact stat block.

Q. Where can I find some free examples of vehicular stat blocks published by Wizards of the Coast?

A. Wizards of the Coast has published on its website a stat block for a spelljammer and an airship.

Q. For purposes of optional element 1, can the crew, but not the pilot for whom the vehicle is designed, be Tiny, Large, Huge or Gargantuan?

A. No. The element specifically references how the vehicle is "piloted" . Thus, the vehicle must be designed to be piloted by a creature that is Tiny, Large, Huge or Gargantuan to meet this element. (The element is silent as to the size of the crew.)

Q. For purposes of optional element 9, may the "beast of burden" also be the vehicle's pilot?

A. Yes. To qualify as a "beast of burden" the vehicle's propulsion must rely on the "beast" physically pushing or pulling the vehicle. Propulsion by means of other forms of movement, such as telekinesis, sails, or internal combustion engines, would not satisfy this element.

Judges

The judges of this contest are Koradzi, TwinBahamut, and wrecan, and the coordinator of this contest is wrecan. Good luck and have fun!!