Introducing the USS Champion, a Continental Navy xebec from 1777, now reimagined as a TaleSpire slab for your role-playing adventures, shared with the Tales Tavern community. Launched during the American Revolution, the USS Champion was commanded by Captain James Josiah and operated on the Delaware River alongside a mixed force of Continental and Pennsylvania State Navy vessels. This swift xebec was part of a squadron that bravely contested British efforts to control sea lanes to Philadelphia in the fall of 1777. After months of fierce resistance against superior forces, the Champion met its end on November 21, 1777, when its own officers burned it to prevent capture as tides and winds turned against their escape attempt past Philadelphia.

Historically, xebecs like the USS Champion were small, agile Mediterranean-inspired ships adapted for American use, typically displacing 150–250 tons. While exact measurements for the Champion are not well-documented, xebecs of this type generally ranged from 80 to 100 feet (24–30 meters) in length, with a beam of 20 to 25 feet (6–7.6 meters) and a shallow draft of 3 to 6 feet (1–2 meters), allowing maneuverability in coastal waters. The Champion was armed with 8 guns—likely 4- or 6-pounders—and carried a crew of around 50–100, smaller than the larger corsair xebecs of the Mediterranean, reflecting its role in riverine and coastal skirmishes.

In this TaleSpire version, the USS Champion has been scaled up from its historical size to enhance gameplay functionality. Deck Plan taken from DnD Spelljammer Xebec’s. The enlarged deck and hull provide ample space for movement and tactical play, making it ideal for naval battles, smuggling runs, or revolutionary war scenarios in your RPG campaigns. This slab blends historical flair with practical design, offering a unique vessel for your Tales Tavern adventures.