In the gritty, retro-future setting of Hostile, Ekranoplans represent the perfect middle ground between a slow-moving cargo ship and a high-maintenance aircraft. Utilizing Ground Effect—an aerodynamic phenomenon where a wing traveling close to a flat surface experiences increased lift and decreased drag—these "Wing-in-Ground" (WIG) craft are the workhorses of frontier ocean worlds like Poseidon or any colony with vast, flat salt flats.
Here is a breakdown of how to integrate Ekranoplans into your campaign.
## The Role of the Ekranoplan
In the Hostile universe, aerospace fuel is expensive and orbital shuttles are overkill for regional transport. Ekranoplans fill specific niches:
Heavy Lift: They can carry significantly more weight than a VTOL or conventional plane of the same size.
Speed: They easily outpace hydrofoils and hovercraft, cruising at speeds between 250–500 km/h.
Sensor Evasion: By flying just 3–10 meters above the waves, they often disappear into the "clutter" of planetary radar systems—perfect for smugglers or corporate black-ops.
## Typical Stats & Models
While you can customize these using the Hostile vehicle construction rules, here are two standard templates:
| Feature | "Albatross" Class (Cargo/Civic) | "Vulture" Class (Military/Strike) |
| Crew | 2 (Pilot, Engineer) + 20 Passengers | 3 (Pilot, Navigator, Gunner) |
| Cargo | 50 Tons | 5 Tons + Weapon Hardpoints |
| Max Speed | 400 km/h | 650 km/h |
| Altitude | 2–5 Meters (Ground Effect only) | 2–10 Meters (limited jump to 100m) |
| Armor | 2 (Lightweight Alloy) | 8 (Reinforced Composite) |
| Weapons | None (Usually) | Twin Autocannons / Anti-Ship Missiles |
## Operational Hazards (The "Fun" Part)
Running an Ekranoplan isn't like flying a Cessna. It’s high-stakes "driving" in three dimensions.
The Surface Constraint: If the water gets too rough (Sea State 5+), the Ground Effect becomes unstable. One rogue wave can clip a wing, leading to a catastrophic "cartwheel" crash.
The "Jump" Ability: Some advanced models can "pop up" to clear obstacles or islands. This consumes massive amounts of fuel and is incredibly taxing on the airframe.
Mechanical Wear: Saltwater spray is the enemy of turbines. Frequent Engineering (Power Plant) checks are required to prevent engine flame-outs during long trans-oceanic hauls.
## Adventure Hooks
The Ghost Ship: A corporate Ekranoplan carrying high-level biological samples has "settled" in the middle of a dead sea after an engine failure. The players are hired to recover the cargo before the tide—or something in the water—gets to it.
The Low-Level Run: To bypass a planetary blockade, the players must pilot an Ekranoplan through a narrow, jagged canyon system or across a stormy sea to deliver supplies to a rebel cell.
The Salvage Op: A massive, derelict Soviet-style "Caspian Sea Monster" has been found on a deserted colony world. If the players can fix it, they have a mobile base; if they can't, it’s a very expensive pile of scrap.
Referee's Note: When players are piloting at high speeds, treat any "Effect" of -2 or worse on a Pilot check as a Hull Strike. Because they are so close to the surface, there is almost zero time to recover from a stall.Here is the specific deck plan for the A-312 POSEIDON (Albatross-Class Frontier Transport), detailing the internal layout of the weathered Ekranoplan you specified. This plan is designed for use on a standard combat grid (1 square = 1.5 meters / 5 feet).
A-312 POSEIDON: Interior Deck Plan
The POSEIDON is a rugged, industrial workhorse. The interior is cramped, functional, and shows significant signs of wear, oil stains, and ad-hoc repairs. Lighting is dim, often provided by harsh, caged overhead units.
Main Deck (Grid 22 x 10 Squares)
This single long deck spans the entire fuselage, from the nose cockpit to the rear tail access.
[1] Nose Cockpit / Bridge (2x3 Squares) This is the command center of the A-312. It features two heavily reinforced pilot seats facing an array of bulky, obsolete CRT monitors, analog dials, and physical switches.
Access: Cockpit seats slide back for egress; access door to the rear.
Details: Scattered navigational charts, a cracked coffee mug, and a visible hydraulic leak on the left control column.
[2] Forward Crew Stations / Navigator (2x2 Squares) Directly behind the cockpit, this area holds two additional stations (Navigator and Engineer). It is densely packed with sensor readouts, communication gear, and a complex fuel management panel.
Details: Loose wires hanging from the ceiling, a heavy bulkhead door leads to [3].
[3] Central Engineering & Power Core (2x4 Squares) A narrow corridor splits this room, flanked by massive, thrumming internal components of the primary fuel-distribution system. It is noisy and hot.
Details: Heavy oil smell. A narrow ladder in the corner leads up to [8] and down to the bilge access (not mapped). A small toolkit is left open on the floor.
[4] Cargo Bay (10x6 Squares) This massive, echoing space occupies the bulk of the fuselage. It is reinforced for heavy-lift capacity and is generally kept cold.
Access: Two large, sliding cargo bay doors on the port and starboard sides allow for side-loading at appropriate docks.
Details: The floor is marked with faded loading lines. The image shows the current load: standard industrial shipping containers stacked two-high (marked with "POSEIDON LOGISTICS" decals, echoing the text on the hull). Several cargo tie-down straps are visible.
[5] Main Aft Access Corridor (2x4 Squares) A functional hallway connecting the cargo bay to the rear crew facilities and external access.
Details: Walls lined with emergency fire extinguishers, breathing apparatus, and a schematic of the vessel (mostly unreadable).
[6] Aft Crew Quarters & Bunks (3x2 Squares) Cramped sleeping quarters with four stacked, fold-out aluminum bunks, two lockers, and a folding table.
Details: Personal items are visible, including a worn paperback book, a set of keys, and a photograph taped to a locker door. It smells slightly of sweat and stale food.
[7] Aft Galley / Workshop (3x2 Squares) A dual-purpose room. The "Galley" consists of an ancient microwave, a small refrigerator, and a standard instant-coffee dispenser. The "Workshop" is a workbench covered in tools, disassembled parts, and welding equipment.
Details: A half-disassembled pump component sits on the workbench. A visible grease stain is on the floor.
Upper Observation / Access (Grid 4 x 4 Squares)
This small area is accessed via the ladder in Central Engineering [3].
[8] Upper Observation Platform (2x3 Squares) A small, raised observation deck with thick, forward-facing plexiglass viewports, looking directly out over the massive engine nacelles. It provides a strategic view, especially during ground-effect flight.
Access: Via ladder from [3]. A pressure-sealed hatch leads to [9].
Details: Contains rudimentary navigation equipment, a handheld searchlight, and a few outdated technical manuals.
[9] External Tail Access Hatch A reinforced, heavy-duty pressure hatch leading to the external hull.
Details: This is the primary access point for technicians conducting maintenance on the tail structure and the eight engines during docking operations.
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