Sailing ship for table top games (Saltmarsh DnD)

thingiverse

A detailed model ship is being designed specifically for tabletop gaming at a scale of 28mm, with one inch equalling five feet in real-life terms. Printing the ship on a full-scale basis yields an impressive length of two feet in total. The deck grid pattern resembles that found in excellent OpenForge tiles, available online. This is the Sea Ghost ship, famously featured in the classic Dungeons and Dragons adventure module, "The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh". My fellow adventurers and I have recently been exploring the realm with our 5th edition D&D game, capturing the smuggler ship during the conclusion of this enthralling adventure. Given our intention to set sail, we wanted a grand and fitting vessel, hence my design. The model is created in precise accordance with the original deck plan outlined in "The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh" module. Future adventurers may also find it beneficial for the impending release of "Saltmarsh" module slated for May 19th. Printing without supports requires attention to orientation due to its considerable size; we broke down the design into smaller sections for easier printing - bow, midsection, and stern sections respectively. If you desire an even larger ship, consider printing multiple central sections. Key considerations for proper alignment during printing: Hull pieces must have the bottom side facing down, ensuring they adhere correctly to the bed; the main mast, along with bowsprit, is printed parallel to the print surface. Crow's nest and support pieces need to be placed with the up pointing part touching down on the surface - much like how anchors rest. Special attention is needed for printing capstan: this part needs to be placed upside-down for an error-free printing experience. The sail also requires a specific setup, featuring a flat spot cut from the underside allowing for it to sit securely and smoothly in place. Initially, I overlooked this aspect resulting in unsuccessful prints. Grooves within masts will help to firmly hold sails while anchor chains require additional handling - these are available for purchase, sliced to the exact needed length after that point. We also took care of a potentially cumbersome task by adding loops in corners on the sail allowing for a secure yet flexible connection at some future date. In a notable update from 1/23/16: we've come across excellent resources for fifth edition D&D nautical adventures that could add much value and playfulness to your campaigns - specifically here.