Boat, Folding: A folding boat will always be discovered as a small wooden "box''—about one foot long, one-half foot wide, and one-half foot deep. It will, of course, radiate magic if subjected to magical detection. The "box'' can be used to store items like any other box. If a command word is given, however, the box will unfold itself to form a boat of 10 feet length, four feet width and two feet depth. A second (different) command word will cause it to unfold to a 24-foot long, 8-foot-wide, and 6-foot deep ship.

In its smaller form, the boat has one pair of oars, an anchor, a mast, and lateen sail. In its larger form, the boat is decked, has single rowing seats, five sets of oars, a steering oar, anchor, a deck cabin, a mast, and square sail. The first can hold three or four people comfortably, the second will carry fifteen with ease.

A third word of command causes the boat to fold itself into a box once again. The words of command may be inscribed visibly or invisibly on the box, or they may be written elsewhere—perhaps on an item within the box. The words might have been lost, making the boat useless (except as a small box) until the finder discovers the words himself (via legend lore, consulting a sage, physical search of a dungeon, etc.).

Table of Contents