Boatswain

"A bosun's job is to keep the ship running smoothly, like a finely-tuned clock. You've got to have an eye for detail, a steady hand, and a strong sense of discipline. But there's nothing more satisfying than seeing the ship run like a well-oiled machine, and knowing that you're a part of that." - Gruntilda Hacksaw, bosun on Danab's Fury

  The boatswain, or bosun, is the number four sailor on the ship and often the most feared by the crew. They are in charge of the provisions for the ship's repair. They maintain the stores of gunpowder, shot, sails, rope, wood, and tar required to keep the ship fit for action. The boatswain also directs the loading of cargo into the hold to maintain the proper ballast to ensure easy sailing. They are in charge of keeping the watches on the ship and maintaining discipline among the deck crew.   The primary role of the boatswain is to maintain the ship’s cloudworthy status. They often work closely with the carpenter and cook. The boatswain may sometimes have a mate to help them with their responsibilities. In general, the duties are to make certain that all the work of running the ship is done. As such they report to the first mate.   The Boatswain is often the most feared person on the ship because their obligations often make them uncompromising. It is their responsibility to keep everything “ship-shape”. Leniency is something the first mate might give to the crew, but it is not something the boatswain is in the position to give. Day and night, the boatswain drives the crew to do whatever work is required. They maintain the watch log and reported any problems to the first mate.   The best boatswains have strong Strength and Intelligence scores, and are proficient in tools related to repairs such as carpenter’s tools.

Features

Role Proficiency: The boatswain can add their proficiency bonus when making checks to understand the functions of a ship or to make repairs to a ship. If the boatswain is already proficient in the requisite skill to make the check, their proficiency bonus is doubled for that check. The check cannot benefit from more than one feature (such as Expertise) that doubles the proficiency bonus.   Easy Fix: As a tier 1 boatswain, all airship repairs you oversee are performed faster with less expense to the ship. When you participate in a check to make repairs, the check total gains a +2 bonus and the initial resources cost is only 5 gp.   Expert Knowledge: Additionally, at tier 1, your knowledge of the ship’s design and components makes you more efficient at dealing in new parts and upgrades. If you participate in purchasing new parts or upgrades for the ship, or selling used parts, you can replace any Charisma ability checks made to affect the price with an Intelligence check using your knowledge in airships.   Durable Weapons: At tier 2, while you are manning a weapon aboard the ship, you can use your action to reinforce it with materials on hand. For the next minute it gains a +2 bonus to its AC.   Well, Stick It Back Together! Also at tier 2, you can ignore one complication that comes from repairs or ship modification; the ship suffers no penalty from the complication. Once you use this role feature, you can’t use it again for 30 days.   Tough Ship: At tier 3, your ship gains a bonus to its Strength and Constitution saving throws equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum 1).   “Get Her Back Online!” Starting at tier 3, if the helm on your ship takes damage that would reduce it to 0 hit points, it is reduced to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this role feature, you can’t use it again for seven days.   Jury Rig: At tier 4, you can use your knowledge of engineering and ship components to make ad-hoc repairs even if no parts are available. When you make a repair in this manner you can remove a certain number of HP (maxium of 20) from one station and transfer it to whatever station you are repairing.   Improved Hull: Also at tier 4, when you become attuned to a ship, choose one of the following damage types: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder. The ship becomes resistant to that damage type. If you unattune to the ship, it loses the resistance.

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