Using Ptolemaic Coordinates

The Hesperides chapter in the Ancient Magic supplement presents a system of coordinates devised by Claudius Ptolemaeus that can be integrated with Hermetic magic. Ptolemy's system can be used to derive coordinates from a set zero point that then describes a given location. The coordinates work according to the law of Names rather than the law of Contagion, so they do not need to

be collected but can be derived through study, learned from a teacher or a book, or gained through direct observation of the heavens.

The zero point for Ptolemy's system is within the Purple Islands of the west coast of Africa, and searching for their secrets is a whole series of stories that especially fit the captain and crew of an enchanted ship.

R: Personal, D: Sun, T: Structure

Weight and its distribution through the ship is vital to its handling. This effect ensures that The Hermes always comes to rest true and level in the water. The Hermes is treated as carrying a constant load, evenly distributed across the ship, no matter what cargo it is loaded with. This ensures that the crew can handle the ship as easily fully loaded as they can with an empty hold.

Exceeding the ship's tonnage causes the effect to fail and the ship's handling to degrade, though it reasserts itself when the load has been reduced.

(Base 3, +2 Sun, +3 Structure; +1 2/ day, +3 triggered at sunrise/set)

Required Lab Total: 1 season (48), 2 seasons (36), 3 seasons (32), 4 seasons (30)

The +10 bonus for ships and the +1 bonus for Rego from the laboratory both apply. The +5 shape bonus to sailing also applies as does +1 for prior Rego and/or Herbam effects. If the magus experiments while instilling this effect, it could fail when the ship sails under certain conditions, when cargo is loaded into certain areas, or could increase or decrease the ship's base tonnage.