Enchanting The Hull

The following enchantments are invested into the hull of the ship.

Shape of the Coastal Buss

Re(Mu)He(Te) 43

Pen: +0, 6/day

R: Personal, D: Concentration, T: Structure

This effect allows The Hermes to change shape; its keel, deck, and strakes can transform from one design to another, in this case to a coastal buss able to navigate shallower waters and travel further upriver than a cog.

Triggered by the captain or a crewman holding firm to the ship and calling for it to change, the ship reshapes itself, strakes pulling themselves free, decks folding themselves, planks stretching and contracting, and nails loosening themselves before finding new homes. At the end of the transformation the original cog is replaced by a smaller coastal buss. The effect is total, such that, where required, the construction of the ship can also change, from clinker-built to carvel, or vice versa. The ship's rigging is also affected by these shape-changing spells, changing the sails in size and shape where needed.

While the Rego technique governs the movement and control of the component parts, the Muto requisite changes them in size and shape, so that no new material is required and none is lost through the transformation. The Hermes itself maintains concentration on the transformation and the effect is ended either by command or by the vessel taking on another shape.

The transformation is likely to be unnerving to first-timers, but the center of the top deck near to the mast is quite safe. Those at the side of the ship must take their chances.

A distinct effect using the same level is required for each shape that the vessel can take, which means the same laboratory text cannot be used for subsequent shapes.

(Base 5, +1 Concentration, +3 Structure, +1 Muto requisite, +1 intricacy; +3 for 6 uses per day, +5 device maintains concentration)

Required Lab Total: 1 season (86), 2 seasons (65), 3 seasons (58), 4 seasons (54)

The laboratory bonus of +10 for ships applies to this effect, as does the +4 bonus to affect dead wood. While the aim of the effect may be to make the ship easier to sail in certain circumstances, the +5 bonus to sailing does not apply. Magi who experiment in creating this effect may see the effect warped, for instance through the new shape being obviously mystical (perhaps expressing magical symbols in its hull) or they may find the ship's new shape capable of traveling further and faster than anticipated.

Magical Ballast

ReHe 24

Pen: +0, Constant Effect