Balloons

A hot-air balloon has a canvas envelope and a wicker gondola, with Toughness 1, Structure 16, and space for about 6 occupants and their cargo (which is generally tied to the outside of the gondola). 

Hot-air balloons drift along the windcurrents of the Skysea, generally traveling the same languid circuits as floating islands. A balloon is slow and almost impossible to maneuver. But by carefully controlling a balloon’s ascent and descent, a skilled pilot can catch faster or slower windcurrents to change trajectory.

Rigging connects the gondola and the envelope to a central bronze brazier, in which wood from specially cultivated olive trees is burned. This olivewood, when burned, reacts with ambient Rephaim to produce a green flame, smokeless and more efficient at producing lift than normal fire. Most occupied islands in Tel-Kanan hold caches of olivewood, and the Mazrian Empire controls its distribution and trade. 

Repairing a Balloon

You can repair a damaged balloon as a rest activity if you know this lore or the Crafting lore. Roll Maneuver and add the result to the balloon’s Structure (up to its max). If you also know Crafting, roll twice and use the higher result. An ally who knows either lore can also help as a rest activity, rolling Maneuver and adding it to your result. 

The balloon must be anchored on the ground, however—unless you have a means to float near the airborne balloon while repairing it, such as a monster mount or a magical effect. 

Your Balloon

If you start the game with this lore, choose the balloon envelope appearance, or roll on the table below.