10 Nautical & Sailing Terms Everyone Should Know

1. Aft - The back of a ship. If something is located aft, it is at the back of the sailboat. The aft is also known as the stern.

2. Bow - The front of the ship is called the bow. Knowing the location of the bow is important for defining two of the other most common sailing terms: port (left of the bow) and starboard (right of the bow).

3. Port - Port is always the left-hand side of the boat when you are facing the bow. Because “right” and “left” can become confusing sailing terms when used out in the open waters, port is used to define the left-hand side of the boat as it relates to the bow, or front.

4. Starboard - Starboard is always the right-hand side of the boat when you are facing the bow. Because “right” and “left” can become confusing sailing terms when used out in the open waters, starboard is used to define the right-hand side of the boat as it relates to the bow, or front.

5. Leeward - Also known as lee, leeward is the direction opposite to the way the wind is currently blowing (windward).

6. Windward - The direction in which the wind is currently blowing. Windward is the opposite of leeward (the opposite direction of the wind). Sailboats tend to move with the wind, making the windward direction an important sailing term to know.

7. Boom - The boom is the horizontal pole which extends from the bottom of the mast. Adjusting the boom towards the direction of the wind is how the sailboat is able to harness wind power in order to move forward or backwards.

8. Rudder - Located beneath the boat, the rudder is a flat piece of wood, fiberglass, or metal that is used to steer the ship. Larger sailboats control the rudder via a wheel, while smaller sailboats will have a steering mechanism directly aft.

9. Tacking - The opposite of jibing, this basic sailing maneuver refers to turning the bow of the boat through the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other side. The boom of a boat will always shift from one side to the other when performing a tack or a jibe.

10. Jibing - The opposite of tacking, this basic sailing maneuver refers to turning the stern of the boat through the wind so that the wind changes from one side of the boat to the other side. The boom of a boat will always shift from one side to the other when performing a tack or a jibe. Jibing is a less common technique than tacking, since it involves turning a boat directly into the wind.

D&D Character Alignment Charts for Dummies

Normal

Defined by Lawful Good

Defined by Chaotic Good

Defined by Lawful Evil

Defined by Chaotic Evil

Defined by True Neutral

Defined by Philosophic Theist

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axsang

6 years ago

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axsang

6 years ago

The Raven - Edgar Allan Poe 1845

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axsang

5 years ago

The Natural Balance of Programming.

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axsang

6 years ago

Here’s an invaluable writing resource for you.

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axsang

6 years ago

Ooze Generator!

I made an ooze generator! You can grab the PDF for it here instead of squinting at these jpegs.

While I was making monsters for ooze week, I discovered that many have similar abilities or themes. So just like rolling up new potions, scrolls, or herbs, I figured I would create an ooze builder that will allow a nearly limitless variety of the generic oozes. I’ve saved the more unique oozes for the true homebrew creatures to be released later in the week.

What was most fun to think about is how the types of oozes differ. Let me know what you think and whether or not you agree!

Jelly. Jellies are fairly viscous and are quite sticky, a middle ground between slimes and puddings. Their consistency is like that of fruit preserves. They can split apart, but often lack the consistency to engulf a creature (though it is possible).

Mold/Algae. A unique creature is the mold or algae, which often form patches on surfaces. Some might be capable of movement but many just serve as static hazards adventurers are to avoid touching.

Ooze. Oozes are highly viscous to the point where they can maintain consistent forms if necessary, like gelatin. They are often capable of engulfing prey in their forms. Some aren’t even amorphous.

Polyp. A rarer type of ooze that is never amorphous is the polyp. Polyps maintain a consistent form and can have a rubbery texture, often being miscategorized as aberrations. They use physical attacks to great effect and may secrete acid or poison.

Pudding. Puddings are very viscous and very sticky, like tar. It can coat the back of a spoon or the back of a creature it intends to eat, and are usually capable of engulfing creatures.

Slime. Slimes are the least viscous of the oozes, dripping and flowing off of surfaces like syrup. Many slimes are highly prone to splitting apart or splattering creatures that hit them.

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axsang

5 years ago