Would it be possible to add a little box on the back of the ships to interact with and release a knot line to find out how fast the ship is going? This is always something I have been interested in when seeing the sails full on wind, half and completely against.
I cannot see how this would have any real game changing purpose. It would mostly work as a fun/informational tool.
A speed indicator accessible from the captain's balcony, or even the forecastle deck would be a fun toy. It shouldn't be anywhere the helmsman could use from the wheel, but it would give the crew something to mess around with besides the endless shanties.
Even just having a knot line coiled on the deck which you could activate to toss over the side would be fine.
@capn-light9g @IamPandaMick Yes! This would be a great little addition to experiment with. Also, a line to measure depth would be interesting. Where is the deepest point in the ocean??? How close are we to running aground?
@loopct a line to measure depth would be great for shorelines and reefs. Any time I get near the shoreline, I think of this.
@bran-the-ent
If they wanted to introduce a special event around such a tool, they could add a zone of water where there are treacherous shallow/deep patches, almost like a submerged maze, but not so geometric of course. There could be missions to pass through it in a limited amount of time, or without running aground or damaging the ship
@iampandamick I recall seeing this suggested once before. A few weeks (maybe months) ago. I'm not sure if that was you back then or not but it met with general support from the community.
As you said, it wouldn't impose on the game at all but it would be interesting and perhaps even educational to know exactly what speed your sail configuration produces.
@loopct said in Add a knot line to measure our speed:
@bran-the-ent
If they wanted to introduce a special event around such a tool, they could add a zone of water where there are treacherous shallow/deep patches, almost like a submerged maze, but not so geometric of course. There could be missions to pass through it in a limited amount of time, or without running aground or damaging the ship
That's a brilliant idea, have a time limited challenge to navigate trough reefs and such. Or simply an event that pays according to how quick you achieved the challenge.
I don't know how we could interact with the depth gauge rope. Perhaps someone would need to hold the bottom end of the rope and swim slightly downwards to keep it tight. The top end of the rope could be tied to the bowsprit.
Although this would exclude soloists.
