Just how far can we take it?
So, i was browsing through some sorc/wiz spells and gave a long pause, when i came across the spell "Launch Item". Now, im a weirdo, so naturally, rather than thinking of what kind of weapons i could launch with it, i instead thought "Hey, if i were a Petal, or some other tiny/diminutive creature, can i launch myself?" But unfortunately, you cant target yourself with the spell, it must be an item. So i -could- for instance target my vest, or clothing, and launch that, but then chances are my arms, legs, and head will be ripped off by the sudden force of the launch, sending my petal torso soaring through the air in excess of 100mph... Yeah... Not a pretty sight...
Then i started thinking, "Hmm well, maybe i can create a paper airplane, and ride that while launching it." And thus begun my theorizing of creating a Mach 1+ air plane for faeries... (collective face-palm from the TO community) Anyway, it would most likely require a crafting skill, (which one im not sure). Here is the spells information.
The Spell:
Launch Item (Magic of Faerun, p. 105)
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 1
Components: S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Long (400ft + 40ft / level)
Target: One Fine item in your possession, weighing up to 10 lb.
Duration Instant
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
You cause a Fine item in your possession to Fly at great speeds to a target or location specify. The spell protects the item from any damage caused by this launching (for example, an egg would not crack from being hurled by the spell, a flash of alchemist's fire would not break from the sudden acceleration) but does not protect it from damage caused by striking the target. This spell is normally used to launch dangerous items (flasks of acid, thunderstones and so on) farther than you could normally throw them. Even strange magical effects (such as the glowing bead from a delayed blast fireball spell) can be safely launched by this spell.
So, lets assume we have the CL of 10. That gives us a range of 800ft. Each round is a 6 second time frame (i think). 5280 feet in a mile. It would take 6.6 casts, or 6.6 turns to travel this distance (5280 / 800 = 6.6). This means it takes (6.6*6 = 39.6) 39.6 seconds for an object to travel 1 mile with this spell at CL 10. To figure out the speed in MPH, we take 3600 (3600 seconds in 1 hour) and divide it by the number of seconds it takes us to travel 1 mile. So this gives us (3600 / 39.6) = 90.90mph, or 91 mph. So, with a single cast, this petal plane is launched at 90 miles per hour... -instantaneously- now, i don't know bout you, but id tend to think there would be some serious health problems involved with this. Not to mention if you make the wrong turn.. you'll end up with a serious case of petal pancake syndrome.
There are a few obstacles that would need to be overcome:
1) The plane needs to be impervious to damage (if even just for a single round through spells, or through special materials/enchantments)
2) The pilot even more so than the plane needs to be impervious to damage from collision, yet still remain seated in the plane. (If only just for a single round through spells)
3) 91 mph is a far cry from breaking the sound barrier
#3 i believe can be addressed with a high CL, arcane fusion, twin spell, repeat spell, or any combination thereof. Whats got my stumped (and admitted is my less knowledgeable area of D&D) is 1 and 2. The general concept, is to build magical (or psionic) traps into the cockpit of the plane to act as the propulsion system and controls. For #2 either timeless body (psionic, 9th level) or Indomitability (SpC sorc/wiz 5th) could work, but not sure.
Any thoughts?