Ships and boats are only built in ports, whether on seas, lakes or rivers. The maximum size of ship or boat that may be purchased in any port depends on the draught of vessel that may dock there, and the level of maritime sophistication of the locals.
If a ship is built to order, the price is invariably negotiated and it will take some time (dependent on size, the length of the shipwright's order book, season, premium paid, etc.). The prices given below are guidelines only. Vessels may also bought second hand. The price is even more negotiable in such cases, depending on negotiating ability, strength of bargaining positions, condition of the vessel, etc. As a guideline assume one third to two thirds of guideline price, dependent on age and condition of the vessel.
All vessels require a crew. Adventurers with some nautical experience should be able to crew small boats themselves. But large ships will require a crew to be hired. The prices below assume a fully-equipped ship, ready to sail, but without a crew or provisions. A crew may readily be hired in the taverns of any port. It is best to hire a captain first, let him choose a first mate, and then leave them to hire the crew. In the ports of the Great Ocean of the Overworld they will demand at least Seamen's Guild minimum rates, plus a markup for danger and a share of the spoils for adventuring. Provisions cost extra (assume iron ration rates, though discounts may be obtained). The rowers for galleys are either slaves, who may be purchased in the slave markets of the Southern Cities and elsewhere, or free men, who may be hired in Northern ports. Either way, strong rowers command a premium price.
| Vessel | Availability | Guideline Price | Crew / Armament |
| Sailed Warship | Hapral and other major Valdrean ports (with export licence from Imperial Navy), Kuntax, Barrakkizdìn | 100,000GP | 15-20 sailors 40-60 men-at-arms/ Heavy catapult or ballista in castles fore and aft |
| Large Merchant Ship | all major ports | 20,000GP | 20 sailors |
| Small Merchant Ship | all ports | 5,000GP | 15 sailors |
| Longship | Kingdom of the North, Kyr | 8,000GP | 75 sailors (including up to 64 rowers) |
| Elven swanship | Hithlond, Himlond, Gaerlond, Brathilond, Sillond, Ëarlondë | not for sale: an elvish mariner is expected to build his own (and will eventually be cremated in it, so they are not inherited) | 12 elvish sailors up to 24 elvish longbowmen |
| Large Galley | major Valdrean ports (with export licence from Imperial Navy) and Southern Cities (limited to coastal waters, lower River Alma and Lake Zarak) | 30,000GP | 100 rowers 50 marines 20 sailors / Heavy catapult or ballista fore and aft, battering ram |
| Small Galley | Valdrean ports and Southern Cities (limited to coastal waters, River Alma and Lake Zarak) | 10,000GP | 50 rowers 20 marines 10 sailors/ Light catapult or ballista fore, battering ram |
| Small sailing boat | anywhere | 100GP | 1 or 2 |
| Small rowing boat | anywhere | 50GP | 1 |
| Canoe | tribal peoples, scouts and trappers by rivers and lakes | 40GP | 1 to 8 (dependent on size) |
| Raft | rivers and lakes | 20GP (though usually built oneself) | 1 or 2 |
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