Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Pirate Campaign Compendium (5E)
Pirate Campaign Compendium (5E)
J. Rigg
Lead Designer: Jason Nelson 5E Editing and Development: Ismael Alvarez,
Authors: Alex Augunas, Jeff Gomez, Matt James-Levi Cooke, Richard Crookes, Robert J.
Goodall, Jim Groves, Tim Hitchcock, Victoria Grady, Jeff Ibach, Matt Kimmel, Jeff Lee, John
Jaczko, Jonathan H. Keith, Lyz Liddell, Thomas Lynch, Megan Maricle, Mike Kimmel Marshall,
J. Phillips, Alistair J. Rigg, Alex Riggs, Loren Michael Mifsud, Alex Riggs, David N. Ross, Scott
Sieg, Neil Spicer, Todd Stewart, Rachel Ventura, D. Young
Michael D. Welham, Linda Zayas-Palmer. Design and Layout: Liz Courts
Additional Material By: James F.D. Graham, James Legendary Games Team Members: Anthony Adam,
Jacobs, Rob McCreary, Joshua Root, Geoffrey Roy Alex Augunas, Kate Baker, Jesse Benner, Clinton
Artists: Simon Aan, Luka Arh, Hanyo Arte, J. Boomer, Robert Brookes, Benjamin Bruck,
Bruno Balixa, Kenneth Camaro, Tyler Clark, Carl Cramer, Paris Crenshaw, Joel Flank, Jeff
Art Deepmind, Ivan Dixon, Carlos Eulefi, Tawny Gomez, Matthew Goodall, Jim Groves, Amanda
Fritz, Michele Giorgi, William Hendershot, Frank Hamon Kunz, Steve Helt, Thurston Hillman, Tim
Hessefort, Jacqueline Hines, Cristian Huerta, Hitchcock, Victoria Jaczko, Jenny Jarzabski, N.
Michael Jaecks, Jason Juta, Chris Kimball, Tim Jolly, Jonathan H. Keith, Michael Kortes, Jeff Lee,
Kings-Lynne, Matthias Kinnigkeit, Jethro Lentle, Lyz Liddell, Nicolas Logue, Will McCardell, Julian
Mike Lowe, Dio Mahesa, Matthew Manghi, Chris Neale, Jason Nelson, Jen Page, Richard Pett, Tom
McFann, Andrea Montano, Evan Surya Nugraha, Phillips, Alistair Rigg, Alex Riggs, David N. Ross,
Tamires Para, Beatrice Pelagatti, Peyeyo, Dylan Wendall Roy, Amber Scott, Mark Seifter, Tork
Reader, Arrahman Rendi, Julio Rocha, Tanyaporn Shaw, Mike Shel, Loren Sieg, Neil Spicer, Todd
Sangsnit, Banu Satrio, Chris Smith, Bob Storrar, Stewart, Russ Taylor, Greg A. Vaughan, Rachel
Takashi Tan, Jon Tonello, Rian Trost, Justin Ventura, Mike Welham, George “Loki” Williams,
Tumey, Steve Wood Linda Zayas-Palmer, and Clark Peterson
Cover Artist: Luka Arh Publisher: Jason Nelson
Cartography: Pedro Coelho, Jason Juta, Michael Executive Partner: Neil Spicer
Tumey Business Director: Rachel Ventura
ii
Special Electronic Features
We've hyperlinked this product internally from the Table of Contents and externally with references
to the official System Reference Document (SRD) and 5eSRD. If it is in the core 5E rules, we generally
didn't link to it unless the rule is an obscure one. The point is not to supersede the game books, but
rather to help support you, the player, in accessing the rules, especially those from newer books or that
you may not have memorized.
Open Content: Subject to designation as Product Identity (see below), the only portion of this Legendary Games
product designated as Open Game Content is the rules content (creature stat blocks and names of skills, etc., taken
from the Srd) as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a Section 1(d). The front and back cover, back matter,
introduction and Credits page, as well all other parts of this product including all text not specifically designated as
Open Game Content is not Open Game Content. No portion of this work other than the material designated as Open
Game Content may be reproduced in any form without written permission.
Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License
1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: Legendary Games, Legendary Planet, the Legendary Games Logo,
Adventure Path Plug-In, Pirate Campaign Compendium (5E), as well as all trademarks, registered trademarks, proper
names (including the names of each character, location, item or monster unique to this product), dialogue, plots,
storylines, locations, characters, artworks, and trade dress, but excluding any content that is Product Identity of
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declaration.)
Reference in non-Open Game Content (thus not covered by the Open Game License) in this work to content owned by
others is not a challenge to their ownership and is used under Fair Use.
iii
What You Will path or take your own home game to sea in search
iv
Pieces of Eight
Many perfidious pirates participated in the
production of this particular publication,
but some went over and above in plumbing
the depths of the briny blue to make this
book a reality. With an avast, an ahoy, and
a hearty yo ho ho me hearties, we offer
our thorough thanksgiving to the saltiest
seadogs that ever sailed the seven seas!
Pirate Captain
Karamu Phoenix
v
Table of Contents
Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Dockside Brawler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Eye for Plunder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Peg Leg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Pirate Queen’s Blessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Special Electronic Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii Port Native . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
About Legendary Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii Ship’s Surgeon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
What You Will Find Inside the Touched by the Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Pirate Campaign Compendium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Pieces of Eight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v CHAPTER 2: NAUTICAL SPELLS . . . . . . . . . 32
Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
THE DRUNK GUARDSMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
CHAPTER 3: TREASURY OF THE FLEET . . 50
CHAPTER 1: CHARACTER OPTIONS . . . . . .10 Armor and Shields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Pirate Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Specific Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Axe, Boarding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Weapon Special Abilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Belaying Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Rods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Bayonet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Wondrous Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Boarding Pike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Artifacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Grappling Hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Harpoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 CHAPTER 4: SHIPS AND SAILING . . . . . . . 64
Hook Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Shipboard Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Rules for Shipboard vs. Ship-to-Ship Combat . . . . . . . . . . 66
Early Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Ship-to-Ship Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Scattering Shot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Simple Ship-to-Ship Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Firearm Ammunition and Accessories . . . . . . 13 Sinking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Archetypes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Ship Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Aquanaut (Wizard Archetype) . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Advanced Ship-to-Ship Combat . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Boarder (Fighter Archetype) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Ship Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Path of the Carcharodon (Barbarian Path) . . 16 Naval Siege Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Debonair Fighting Schools (Fighter Feats for Firing Siege Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Master of Battle Archetype) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Siege Engine Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Oath of Pearl (Paladin Oath) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Special Siege Engine Ammunition . . . . . . . . . 89
Privateer (Ranger Archetype) . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Shore Bombardment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Sargasso Siren (Warlock Pact) . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Spell Effects in Naval Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Ship Mage (Wizard Archetype) . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Ship Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Steaming Spell (Sorcerer Metamagic) . . . . . . 23 Ship Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Merfolk Druids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Ship Improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Feats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Sample Modified Sailing Ship . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Agile Swimmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Fleet Battles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Amphibious Adaptation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Fleet Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Breaching Leap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Fleets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Corsair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Squadrons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Eel Strike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Hear the Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Building a Fleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Hoist the Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Flagships and Significant Characters . . . . . 107
Naval Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Running Fleet Battles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Sea Shooter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 CHAPTER 5: PIRATES AND PLUNDER . . . 114
Sea Sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Aquatic Adventuring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Sea Singer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Drowning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Share Breath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Deep Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Ship Sage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Moving Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Submarine Skirmish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Coastal Terrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Pirate Backgrounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Beaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Ancient Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Reefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Barroom Talespinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Shipwrecks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Buccaneer’s Blood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Waves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
vi
Reputation and Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 CHAPTER 6: NAUTICAL HEROES . . . . . . . 142
Reputation and Influence Points . . . . . . . . . 120 Aethan Calder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Good or Bad Reputation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Cathran Tyvirian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Gaining Reputation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 “Fairweather” Lumis Prindle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Plunder and Reputation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Miriel "Miri" Kalantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Recruits and Reputation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Ondirra Shirahz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Reputation Thresholds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 "Rookroost" Evon Bloodbeak . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Plunder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Silvio "Silvertongue" Devaulis . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Winning Plunder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Taren Torrenato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Buying and Selling Plunder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Crews and Plunder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A
Storms at Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 PYGMY HALFLING? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Pirate Miscellany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 CHAPTER 7: PIRATE CODEX . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Flags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 CHAPTER 8: CUTTHROATS & CREW . . . . 208
Sea Sickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 The Seagrave’s Fang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Letters of Marque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Plot Hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 The Crew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 The Cutthroats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Unwilling Passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 CHAPTER 9: PIECES OF EIGHT . . . . . . . . . 232
Peg Legs and Eye Patches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Captain Beryl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Pirate Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Captain Falthren Pullusilva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Arm Wrestling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Captain “Firehawk” Dante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Cannonball Toss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Captain Grillana Skitterdown . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Heave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Captain Jonathon Wilder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Grog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Captain Josiah Mercurio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Rum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Captain Lorros Zyldan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Rum (Ingested) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Captain Mergar the Deathless . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Pirate Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Captain Sayar the Short . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Pirate Punishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Captain Trett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Rope Bash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Captain Vivienne Stormheart . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
The Lash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Don Miguel Felipe Santiago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Cat-o’-Nine-Tails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 CHAPTER 10: MONSTERS OF THE SEA . . 250
Confined to the Sweatbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Creatures by Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Keelhauling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Creatures by Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Marooning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Aboleth, Veiled Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Walking the Plank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Adaro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Hanging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Ape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Roles Aboard a Pirate Ship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Asquenti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Boatswain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Benthonir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Cabin Boy/Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Bone Ship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Captain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Charybdis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Carpenter/Surgeon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Clockwork Leviathan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Conch Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Helmsman/Coxswain/Pilot . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Deep One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Master-at-Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Draugr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Master Gunner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Eel, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Quartermaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Eel, Giant Moray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Rigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Fish, Bladefish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Swab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Fish, Dinichthys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Giant, Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Golem, Coral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Hippocampus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Invertebrate, Deep Tiger Anemone . . . . . . . . . 278
Invertebrate, Mindclaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
vii
Invertebrate, Dire Seastar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Scourge of the Steaming Isle: A 9th-level
Leshy, Seaweed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Linnorm, Fjord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 Adventure Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Lycanthrope, Wereshark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Approaching the Steaming Isle . . . . . . . . . . 353
Merfolk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 Raider’s Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Nereid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Scylla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 Scaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Sea Serpent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 Fort Scurvy: A 14th-level adventure . . . . . . . 372
Seaweed Siren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Selkie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Part 1: Fort Scurvy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Shark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 Part 2: The Seacaves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Shrimp, Giant Mantis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 Part 3: The Greedy Ghost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Siren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 Last Stand of the Pirate King . . . . . . . . . . . . 416
Squid, Giant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297 Concluding the Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
Star-spawn of Cthulhu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
CHAPTER 12: DISTANT SHORES . . . . . . . . 420
Whale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Arabia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
OUR SPRIGHTLY SHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
CHAPTER 11: ADVENTURES Magic Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 425
Spices and Flesh: A 4th-level adventure . . . . . 304 Arctic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Adventure Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Frostbite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Part 1: Easy Pickings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Rigging and Rime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
The Tamarind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 Severe Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
Part 2: Delivering the Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 Polar Night and the Midnight Sun . . . . . . . . 431
We Lost One Mate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
Tarin’s Crown: A 6th-level adventure . . . . . . 320 Scrimshaw Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432
Adventure Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Far East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
Crown Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 Magic Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 Gifts of Dragons, Gifts of Nirvana . . . . . . . . 438
The Crew of the Silver Narwhal . . . . . . . . . . 332 South Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
R aid on the Emperor’s Hand: An 8th-level Taonga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .441
Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336 Spell Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 Bard Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337 Cleric Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Ransacking the Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338 Druid Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342 Paladin Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
The Emperor’s Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342 Ranger Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Crew of the Emperor’s Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Sorcerer Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Scaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350 Warlock Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Ransacking Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 Wizard Spells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
viii
The Drunk Guardsman
To the tune of “The Drunk Scotsman”
10
Table 1-01: Pirate Weapons
Simple Cost Damage R ange Weight Properties
Bayonet 5 gp 1d6 piercing — 1 lb. two-handed, special
(see below)
Boarding pike
Belaying pin
8 gp
1 sp
1d8 piercing
1d4 bludgeoning —
— 9 lbs. heavy, reach, two-handed
2 lbs. finesse
1
Belaying pin, brass 1 gp 1d4 bludgeoning — 4 lbs. finesse
Hook hand 10 gp 1d4 slashing — 1 lb. light, special (see below)
Martial Cost Damage R ange Weight Properties
Axe, boarding 6 gp 1d6 slashing — 3 lbs. versatile (1d8), special
(see below)
Cat-o’-nine-tails 1 gp 1d4 slashing — 1 lb. finesse
Harpoon 5 gp 1d8 piercing 10/30 ft. 16 lbs. grappling, special (see below)
I mprovised Cost Damage R ange Weight Properties
Grappling hook 3 gp 1d6 piercing 10/30 ft. 14 lbs. special (see below)
11
Appendix: Early Firearms Hook Hand
The Pirate Codex assumes that firearms are
more common than they are in many other A hook hand replaces a hand that is lost below the
fantasy settings, but not all types of guns wrist. A hook hand cannot normally be disarmed or
are available. The setting uses a version of
removed in combat. It takes one minute to attach or
the firearms rules presented in official 5E
Rules for
Everywhere.” If you wish to use this
book without such access to firearms,
Early Firearms
you can simply replace any firearms with
bows or crossbows without needing to
alter the attack and damage statistics for
the characters in the Pirate Codex.
Early firearms are flintlock, black powder weapons.
Early Guns Everywhere: Early firearms
are commonplace. Firearms are simple They work differently from other ranged projectile
weapons, and early firearms are bought or weapons, such as bows and crossbows.
crafted for 10% of the normal cost listed in
Firearms, Black Powder, and Water: Black
the 5E Master’s Guide. Advanced guns are
not available. powder becomes useless when exposed to water.
Use with Trail of the Apprentice (5E): If Powder must be stored in powder horns or other
you use the gunslinger class for 5E presented
sealed containers. You cannot load or fire a firearm
in the Trail of the Apprentice Adventure
Path, gunslingers lose the gunsmith class while underwater.
feature and instead gain the gun training Misfires: Firearms have a chance to misfire,
class feature at 1st level.
called a misfire chance. When you shoot a firearm,
if you roll a 1 on the attack, the weapon misfires. A
misfired weapon automatically misses and becomes
reaction to attack with a harpoon, you can make You can fire scattering shots! The blunderbuss can
only one attack regardless of the number of attacks be loaded with a single shot or with pellets to fire
you can normally make. The weight of the harpoon a scattering shot. The damage listed is for firing a
includes 50 feet of hempen rope. single shot.
12
Table 1-02: Early Firearms
Name Damage Properties
Blunderbuss 1d10 bludgeoning and piercing Ammunition (range 15/30) , loading
Carbine 1d8 bludgeoning and piercing Ammunition (range 80/320) , loading
Light Pistol
Rifled Musket
1d8 bludgeoning and piercing
1d12 bludgeoning and piercing
Ammunition (range 20/60, loading
Ammunition (range 150/600) , loading
1
Swivel Musket 1d8 bludgeoning and piercing Ammunition (range 15/30 or 80/320) , loading
Bayonet 1d6 piercing Light
13
BAYONET 2 GP Aquatic Apparatus
Damage 1d4 piercing
Range Melee At 2nd level, an aquanaut can craft an alchemical
Properties light and technomagical apparatus to help extend her
A bayonet is a simple weapon. It is a blade designed underwater explorations. Preparing an aquatic
Aquanaut (Wizard Archetype) related magic item they’ve crafted. Treat this as the
Wondrous Invention ability of an artificer, but she
While elder things and alien entities often predated may only choose from: cap of water breathing, ring
the rise of civilization, many were known and even of swimming, folding boat, decanter of endless water.
venerated in long-fallen antediluvian civilizations At 14th level, she gains another item from this list.
whose cities and nations have long since vanished
Submersible Suit
beneath the waves in legendary cataclysms long
past. Aquanauts are scholars and explorers of At 14th level, the aquanaut becomes comfortable
the abyssal deeps of the world's oceans, probing adapting heavier armor protection with built-in
the oozy rifts of the ocean floor to find the lost submersible apparatus and maneuvering surfaces.
relics of ancient cultures touched by visitors from She gains proficiency in heavy armor, and any
beyond, often becoming tainted themselves by their heavy armor she wears does not have a Strength
discoveries of secrets better left buried beneath the requirement as long as she is underwater (or
waves. submerged in a similar liquid). When she is wearing
14
1
Nautical Expertise
heavy armor and crafts an aquatic apparatus (as
above), she can add one of the following bonus Boarders gain proficiency with water vehicles, and
effects to the aquatic apparatus: darkvision 60 ft., their proficiency bonus is doubled when making
tremorsense (in water only) 30 ft., resistance to Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Strength (Athletics)
cold, swim speed equal to land speed. This bonus checks aboard a ship, or within 30 feet of a ship
effect lasting as long as the apparatus does. if they are in the water, on a dock, or in a similar
Bonded Ship
A terror of the seas, a boarder is a warrior to be
feared both on his own ship and when boarding At 3rd level, a boarder can bond with a ship. To
others. Unlike other archetypes, the boarder bond with a ship, the boarder must be on board
archetype must be taken at 1st level. the ship for 24 hours. A boarder can only have one
bonded ship at a time.
Light Armor
While within 30 feet of his bonded ship, a boarder
Unlike other fighters, a boarder is not proficient has advantage on initiative rolls and his movement
with medium or heavy armor and may not choose is not hampered by difficult terrain, including loose
a suit of chain mail as part of their starting equipment, ropes, crates, nets, or crowded decks.
equipment. Such obstructions provide him cover, granting
15
Boarding Leader
At 10th level, a boarder learns to lead
his fellow adventurers in a boarding
charge. When a boarder makes a
16
slightly shark-like, though you’ll never be mistaken your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity
for anything other than the race you are. modifier (your choice).
If you already have supremacy dice, you gain
Savage Bite
one more; otherwise, you have one supremacy die,
At 3rd level, you gain a bite attack when raging. which is a d6. These dice are used to fuel your
This is a natural attack that deals 1d6 points of
damage. At 10th level, the damage from a savage
maneuvers. A supremacy die is expended when you
use it. You regain your expended supremacy dice 1
bite increases to 1d8. when you finish a short or long rest.
Debonair Fighting Schools can make an unarmed attack against your attacker,
dealing 1d6 bludgeoning damage. This attack has
(Fighter Feats for Master the finesse property.
17
base damage of 1d6. You add the supremacy die to
Leveling the Field
the attack’s damage roll
When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you
Blinding strike
may spend spend a supremacy die to inflict a leg
As a reaction to a melee attack, you expend a wound, forcing that creature to make a successful
18
to avoid as much damage as possible. If the attack
Eat Shield
hits you, reduce the attack’s damage by double the
You may spend a supremacy die to as an action or roll of the supremacy die. In addition, you add the
bonus action to make a shield smash melee weapon result of your supremacy die to your AC against any
attack against a creature. This attack deals 1d6 further attacks made by your attacker for until the
bludgeoning damage. You add the supremacy die
to this attack’s damage roll. A creature hit by this
end of its turn.
Alternatively, you can spend two superiority dice
1
attack must make a successful Constitution saving as a reaction to treat the critical hit as a normal hit.
throw or gain disadvantage on all attacks until the
end of its next turn.
Oath of Pearl (Paladin Oath)
A paladin who takes the Oath of Pearl follows a code
Grace Cover
devoted to the protection of the seas. He follows
You obscure your weapon with your shield, allowing but a few simple tenets.
you to spend a supremacy die to gain advantage on k Shelter the Innocent: Defend the peaceful and
a single melee weapon attack you make before the the defenceless. Ensure that there will always
end of your turn. You add the supremacy die to that be somewhere beneath the waves to live for
attack’s damage roll. the kind, the merciful, and the devoted.
k Shine Brightly to All: Let your good deeds be
Protector
visible to all, so that you may set an example
As a reaction to an enemy attacking an ally, you for all who see you.
may spend a supremacy die to move up to your k Envelop the Coarse: Make the realms beneath
speed to a square adjacent to that ally. If you end the waves inhospitable to those would abuse
the move adjacent to the ally, the attack is made and exploit them and avenge those who are
against you instead, and you add the supremacy harmed. Punish especially the wrongdoers
die’s roll to your AC. If the attack hits you, you who are land-dwellers, who need not live
reduce the damage dealt to you by an amount equal among the damage they cause.
to your supremacy die roll.
Oath Spells
Iron Whip
3rd: create water, animal friendship
You may spend a superiority die to add a whipping 5th: calm emotions, misty step
motion to a melee weapon attack, with the increased 9th: wall of water, water breathing
momentum adding 1d6 points of bludgeoning 13th: freedom of movement, watery sphere
damage on a successful hit, plus additional 17th: conjure elemental*, mass cure wounds
bludgeoning damage equal to the result of your *Water elementals only.
superiority die roll.
Channel Divinity
House Seal (Bonus Maneuver)
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the
Requires knowing all four of Cavalcante's School
moves and teaching from a style master. following two Channel Divinity options.
k Nacreous Blessing: As a bonus action, each
When a critical hit is scored against you with
creature of your choice within 30 feet is
a melee or ranged weapon, you may spend a
bathed by pearlescent light, turning their
supremacy die as a reaction to sense the best way
19
Aquarian Aura
Beginning at 7th level, you and friendly creatures
within 10 feet of you gain advantage on saving
throws against effects that would cause confusion,
Pearlescent Armor
Beginning at 15th level,
you gain resistance to
slashing damage.
Shining Champion
At 20th level, you
gain the ability to
emanate pearlescent
light. As an action, you
can magically become an
avatar of pearl, choosing
one of following benefits at the start of each of
armor and garments
your turn for 1 minute:
white and shiny. They each
k A creature within 30 feet must succeed on
receive a +2 bonus to AC for
a Wisdom saving throw (DC equal to your
the next minute. The pearly
spell save DC) or be restrained for 1 minute
sheen remains for a full 24 hours, causing
by solidified pearly light. Taking any damage
the affected items to be immune to rust or
ends this condition.
corrosion, and removes any penalty they
k You may use Sacred Waters this turn. It does
might impose on any check made to swim.
not count against your Channel Divinity
Additionally, the items count as weightless
uses, it deals double damage and the radius
during this period as long as they’re
increases to 30 feet.
underwater.
k Any creature attacking you this turn must
k Sacred Waters: You transmute waters in
succeed on a Wisdom saving throw (DC equal
a 20-foot radius into holy water until the
to your spell save DC) or be blinded for up
beginning of your next turn. It has all the
to 1 minute. A blinded creature gains a new
normal effects of holy water, but also affects
saving throw each round at the end of its turn
evil aquatic creatures in the same way as
to end this blindness.
fiends and undead. Good aquatic creatures
who touch the holy water gain the benefit of
an aid spell for 1 minute.
20
Privateer (Ranger Archetype) of a ship you are on if you are within reach of ropes,
a mast, rigging, or a similar ship feature you can
The privateer is an expert at navigating the open
use for balance.
ocean and tracking down enemy ships.
No Quarter
Privateer Magic
You learn an additional spell when you reach
At 15th level, your weapon attacks score a critical
hit on a roll of 19–20. The first time each round you
1
certain levels in this class. The spell counts as a
deal a critical hit, you may immediately make one
ranger spell for you, but it doesn't count against the
additional attack against that target.
number of ranger spells you know.
k 3rd: disguise self Sargasso Siren (Warlock Pact)
k 5th: rope trick
A siren is a scornful merfolk looking for love. That
k 9th: fear
is their desperate goal. They use their beautiful song
k 13th: greater invisibility
to pull others close enticing them to stay. When the
k 17th: seeming
object of their affection attempts to leave the siren
Scourge of the Seas loses control and lashes out using the water as their
personal weapon. Betrayal and heartbreak motivate
At 3rd level, you add vehicles as a favored enemy.
these powerful merfolk.
You also gain a +1 bonus on attack and damage
The ancestors of sargasso sirens once had beautiful
rolls against your favored enemy if the target is an
feathers and wings and lived in the heavens. When
aquatic creature or water vehicle.
the gods asked them to compete with the muses
Ripple Tracking in song they lost. The muses plucked the siren’s
feathers to make crowns and cast them to the sea.
At 3rd level, you track creatures across, over, or
The sirens passed down the power and magic of
through water as if it were normal hard ground.
song as a curse to those who would not love them.
Fast Swimmer Slowly living in the oceans, the sirens evolved into
merfolk replacing their featherless wings with tails.
At 7th level, you gain a swim speed of your base
Special: Only merfolk can make the sargasso
speed as long as you are wearing light armor or
siren pact.
no armor. If you successfully make an appropriate
You can choose to have your Eldritch Blast spell
swim check equal to the DC of swimming in the
deal cold or thunder damage instead of its normal
same conditions without a swim speed, you may
damage type each time you cast it.
instead move your full speed.
Eldritch Blast no longer has somatic components,
Rigging Monkey but its verbal component becomes a song. This song
has no mechanical effect, but cunning foes may
At 11th level, you can cast spider climb as an innate
recognize this as a siren’s song.
spell once per day. You may cast it an additional
number of times per day equal to your proficiency
bonus with water vehicles, though these additional
uses apply only when climbing ropes, masts,
rigging, the hulls of ships, and similar surfaces.
You do not suffer any penalties for the movement
21
link to remotely operate the ship as if he was its
pilot (as long as he’s within 150 feet). The ship still
requires a crew to man the rigging, propulsion, and
siege weapons.
If another character is piloting the bonded ship
Improved Bond
At 6th level, a ship mage’s control over the ship
grows. The bonded ship moves with a life of its
own, tying ropes, unfurling sails, and adjusting the
rudder. The bonded ship requires 10 fewer crew
to operate. Every level thereafter, the ship mage’s
power provides a substitute for 10 additional
crew, up to 90 at 14th level. These phantom crew
members have a Strength score of 10 and use your
22
check related to the piloting or operation of
your ship. This may also apply to your crew
Merfolk Druids
substitute effect. Merfolk druids often favor aquatic or at least
k Repair: Your bonded ship regains 1d6 hit amphibious creatures while in their underwater
points per level of the spell sacrificed. home, but they also excel with avian forms. Methods
k Speed: Your bonded ship’s speed increases
by 10 ft. per level of the spell sacrificed. This
of travel such as soaring in the sky or swimming in
the ocean’s depths both require a certain amount
1
effect lasts for one round. of three-dimensional thinking that land-walkers
do not possess, but merfolk excel in such thought
Perfect Bond
naturally. They use the following table for wild
At 14th level, you may also operate all of your shape:
bonded ship’s siege weapons by magic without any L evel Max. CR L imitations E xample
crew. 2nd 1/4 No flying or land speed Crocodile
4th 1/2 No land speed Eagle
Steaming Spell 8th 1 — Wolf
(Sorcerer Metamagic)
Your mastery of magical manipulation merges fire
and water into boiling steam. You may select this
Feats
The following feats are uniquely well suited for
metamagic option at 3rd level or above, and you
a campaign on the high seas and through the
may use it in any of the following ways.
riverlands, coastal marshes, and even the dark
k When you cast a spell that deals fire damage
depths of the ocean floor. Some are focused on
that targets creatures or an area in the water,
ships and sailing while others are tailored for
you can spend 1 sorcery point to have your
aquatic adventurers and some for the spectacular
spell bypass the resistance to fire normally
sea monsters lurking below.
gained by creatures immersed in water.
k When you cast a spell that deals fire damage Agile Swimmer
that affects an area outside of water, you can
You flip, twist, and turn in the water with grace.
spend 1 sorcery point to fill the area with thick
Benefit:
clouds of steam for a number of rounds equal
k Increase your Dexterity score by 1, to a
to the spell’s level. This steam is identical to
maximum of 20.
a fog cloud.
k You gain a swim speed equal to your walking
k When you cast a spell that creates or controls
speed. If you already have a swim speed, or
water, such as control water, you can spend 1
if you are at least level 10, your swim speed
sorcery point to create a cloud of steam within
increases by 10 feet.
10 feet of the water’s surface across the spell’s
k You may hold your breath twice as long before
area that lasts for a number of rounds equal
suffocating, and if you start suffocating, you
to the spell’s level. This steam is identical to
can survive for an additional 2 rounds before
a fog cloud. If this water spell deals damage,
dropping to 0 hit points.
like watery sphere, it deals 1 additional point
of damage per die; this additional damage is
fire damage.
23
speed that is less than 20 feet, your speed on
land increases by 5 feet.
k You can walk across the top of unstable mats of
seaweed, kelp, lily pads, and the like, requiring
a DC 5 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check for large,
Breaching Leap
You can hurl your body out of the water up and
over obstacles and creatures, and even crash down
on those below.
Prerequisite: Str 13, swim speed.
You can take the Dash action or Disengage action
as a bonus action on your turn if you are swimming.
If you fall into water, the maximum falling damage
Amphibious Adaptation you may suffer is 3d6 no matter what height you
fall from.
You can survive out of water far longer than your You gain advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics)
aquatic kin. checks made to jump when you are swimming. If
Prerequisite: Aquatic creature that cannot you are swimming and you jump at least 5 feet
breathe out of water. immediately before attacking, you gain a +1 bonus
Benefit: on damage rolls for every 5 feet you jump.
k Increase your Constitution score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
Corsair
k You can survive out of water for a number You are a nimble and dangerous foe aboard a ship.
of hours equal to your Consitution score Prerequisites: Spent at least 1 month working on
before you risk suffocation. If you already a ship.
have the ability to survive out of water for a Benefit:
limited amount of time before suffocating or k Increase your Dexterity score by 1, to a
suffering other ill effects, that amount of time maximum of 20.
is doubled. k You get a +2 bonus on initiative checks made
k If you do not possess a land speed, you gain while on a ship or in an aquatic environment
a land speed of 5 feet. If you possess a land and deal an additional +1 damage when using
24
light or one-handed weapons on a ship or in Benefit:
an aquatic environment. k Increase your Charisma by 1, to a maximum
k While you are on a ship, if an enemy would of 20.
have advantage when attacking you, they gain k You can use Charisma (Intimidation) checks
disadvantage. to demoralize creatures that can see your
25
Sea Sight ability ends while that creature is still underwater,
it may begin to drown.
Your eyes are accustomed to penetrating the murk
of the sea and the creatures lurking in it. Ship Sage
Prerequisite: Perception proficiency, swim speed.
Your blend your knowledge of the natural and the
1 Benefit:
k You can see out to double the normal range in
magical into true nautical expertise.
Prerequisite: Proficiency in Nature or Survival,
the water. If you have darkvision, the range
the ability to cast at least one spell.
of that darkvision is also doubled underwater.
Benefit:
k When your attack misses a creature in the
k You do not have to make concentration
water due to obscurement, you can reroll that
checks as a result of an unsteady ship, even
attack once.
in a storm.
k You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception)
k You gain advantage on checks to identify
rolls when underwater.
aquatic creatures.
Sea Singer k You can spend one week familiarizing yourself
with a specific ship, living and working
Your powerful humming carries your music
aboard it. Once you have done so, spells that
underwater with power.
you cast that deal hit point damage do not
Prerequisite: At least 1 level in bard.
harm the ship. This benefit ends if you spend
Benefit: You can use potent subsonic humming
more than one month away from your ship or
to create bardic performances with auditory
if you familiarize yourself with another ship.
components underwater and cast bard spells with
verbal components while underwater, even while Submarine Skirmish
holding your breath. These spells and effects have
You can flip, twist, and turn in deadly and dangerous
the normal range and effect, save that language-
attacks in the water.
dependent effects do not function in conjunction
Prerequisites: A swim speed.
with this feat (such as the command spell). You
Benefit:
cannot use this feat to cast spells from other classes.
k If you dash when swimming, your swim speed
If you are at least level 10, you can cast spells if
is increased by 10 feet until the end of your
you magically assume the form of a creature with
turn.
a swim speed.
k If you use the disengage action while
Share Breath swimming, you may take a single melee attack
before beginning your movement.
You and your allies can share another's breath
k If you move at least 10 feet before making an
above the waves or below them.
attack, you gain advantage on one attack you
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: The ability to breathe
make during or after that movement.
water
Benefit: As an action, you can imbue an ally with
the ability to breathe water. Your ally must remain
within 10 feet of you. This ability persists until you
revoke it as an action or until the creature moves
farther from you than the above distance. If the
26
Pirate Backgrounds Skill Proficiencies
Persuasion, Performance
Tool Proficiencies
This section expands the standard background One type of gaming set or instrument
rules in 5th Edition, allowing you to create different L anguages
motivations for why the heroes in a nautical One standard language of choice
campaign took to the sea, whether by choice or
being driven by the winds of fate.
Equipment
A written record of a legendary pirate tale (which
1
grants +2 to influence sailors on board a ship),
Ancient Explorer storyteller’s garb, and a purse with 5gp.
Feature
You have a keen interest in seeking out the ruins
Knowledge of the Seas: When making social
of long-lost civilizations that have lain abandoned Charisma rolls against NPCs who sail the
among the scattered isles for thousands of years. seas or live in a settlement with a port,
You’ll do anything to find clues to long-lost ruins, you may add your Wisdom modifier.
even venturing into dangerous dockside haunts in
the hope of finding a treasure map without being
Buccaneer’s Blood
slipped a tainted drink or a rusty knife. One of your ancestors was an infamous Free Captain
Skill Proficiencies of the pirate islands, whose very name struck fear in
History, Investigation the hearts of those who sailed the seas in search of
Tool Proficiencies an honest living. Piracy is in your blood, and you’ve
One type of artisan’s tools.
always longed to follow in your forebear’s footsteps
L anguages
and plunder the shipping lanes. Your ancestor’s
One exotic or ancient language.
name follows you around as surely as their enemies
Equipment
do, and old grudges die hard.
a treasure map of dubious provenance, a set
Skill Proficiencies
of archaelogist’s tools including small picks,
shovels, and brushes, a set of practical clothes History, Intimidation
of your choice, and a bag with 10gp. Tool Proficiencies
Feature Your choice of Vehicle (Water) or Navigator’s Tools
Explorer’s Sense: You gain advantage on any L anguages
Wisdom checks related to locating or excavating One of your choice
historical sites, and on Intelligence checks related
Equipment
to the lore of a historical site you are currently at.
Sailor’s garb, a piece of gold jewelry worth
10 gp, a lucky bandanna, or cap.
Barroom Talespinner Feature
Infamy: You gain a one-time +1 bonus to your
You grew up listening to tales of adventure and Reputation and Influence scores (see Chapter X:
piracy on the high seas and the sea chanteys of old Pirates and Plunder), regardless of whether you
salts in dockside dives. You learned all about what have chosen to become famous or infamous.
it’s like to be a pirate by talking with the sailors
on shore leave and learned how to tell a tale (or
Dockside Brawler
perform some other pirate entertainment) yourself. You grew up on the dangerous docks of one of the
Your big mouth and loose tongue can get you into numerous pirate ports or anchorages, and quickly
trouble, as you don’t know when to stop telling tall learned that fists often make a better point than
tales and attracting attention. fancy words, especially when used the right way.
27
1
28
You love a good brawl, and have a hard time
resisting a challenge to a fight, especially against
boastful braggarts and overbearing officials.
Skill Proficiencies
Athletics, Intimidation
Tool Proficiencies
Pick two of the following: a disguise kit, one 1
type of gaming set, or a poisoner’s kit
Equipment
a set of brass knuckles (treat as a
mace), a pouch containing 5gp.
Feature
Hidden Weapon: You may always hide a set
of brass knuckles on you, undetectable
to all but the most thorough search.
Peg Leg
One of your legs was bitten off below the knee by a
shark when you were just a child and was replaced
with a wooden peg leg. You’ve long since gotten
used to your prosthesis, however, and take none of
the normal penalties from having a peg leg. You’ve
29
1 Pirate Q ueen’s Blessing Port Native
You were born aboard a ship at sea or down by the You grew up in one of the steaming and corrupt
docks in a port city on an auspicious day. Old salts ramshackle cities of the pirate isles, infamous for
and sea dogs nod knowingly and say that the Pirate both the scoundrels who visit it and the smugglers,
Queen, goddess of piracy, sea monsters, and strife, assassins, and even cultists that run the city.
has marked you for a greater destiny. You don’t You’ve been around pirates all your life, but you’ve
know anything about that, but you’ve always felt learned to be wary in your dealings with people,
more at home on the sea than on land, and your as there’s no telling who might be a spy or killer in
keen eyes can easily pick out a sail on the distant disguise. Your suspicion keeps you alert for danger,
horizon. You throw caution to the winds, as you but sometimes your fears run away with you and
trust in your luck to always bring you safely back while you obsess on one potential threat, another
to port. creeps up on you unawares.
Skill Proficiencies Skill Proficiencies
Perception, Survival History, Insight
Tool Proficiencies Tool Proficiencies
Vehicles (water) One type of artisan’s tools
L anguages L anguages
One of your choice One of your choice
Equipment Equipment
a battered spyglass, a pouch containing 5 gp. A purse with a hidden compartment
Feature containing 5 gp, two bottles of rum.
Blessed by the Pirate Queen: Once per week, you Feature
may gain advantage on any one skill check related Good Judge of Character: In any port
to sailing a ship. If you already have advantage, you settlement, you may locate a trustworthy
instead roll three dice and take the best result. merchant or gossipmonger with a DC 10
Wisdom (Insight) check that takes 1d4 hours.
On a failed check, you may try again.
30
Ship’s Surgeon Touched by the Sea 1
On a ship, a sailor often has to learn multiple skills, You’ve always felt the call of the sea and your blood
and this rule certainly applies to you. Your father surges with the ebb and flow of the tides. Perhaps
was a woodworker, and you learned your first one of your parents was a sailor or pirate, or maybe
trade from him. But on your first voyage at sea you one of your ancestors had a bit of aquatic elf or the
quickly found out that a carpenter is often a ship’s blood of another aquatic race in them. Whatever
doctor as well—after all, who knows more about the reason, you’re as comfortable in the water as
sawing off limbs than someone who saws wood for you are on land. You become melancholy when
a living? People are a lot bloodier than wood, that’s away from the sea too long, and even when in port
for sure, but you haven’t had many complaints— or ashore you often spend long minutes or hours
those sailors who have enjoyed your services are gazing longingly at the sea when you should be
either happy to be alive or dead, and there’s old paying more attention to your surroundings.
salts who swear the peg legs you for made them are Skill Proficiencies
better than the real legs they used to have. Despite Athletics, Survival
your tough exterior, you really do have a soft heart Tool Proficiencies
Navigator’s tools
for those in pain or in need, especially a damsel or
L anguages
swabbie in distress, even risking your own safety to
One of your choice
ensure theirs.
Equipment
Skill Proficiencies
a set of light clothing easy to swim
Insight, Medicine
in, a purse containing 10 gp.
Tool Proficiencies
Feature
Carpenter’s tools
Born to the Ocean: You may hold your breath
L anguages twice as long as other characters. For
One of your choice purposes of determining whether you have
Equipment disadvantage on underwater attack rolls,
A healer’s kit and carpenter’s tools you are considered to have a swim speed.
Feature
Sawbones: Inured to the messier side of medical
care by your time spent working with crude
tools and fully conscious patients, you take no
penalties on Medicine skill checks related to
pain experienced by your patients and halve
any penalties for not having proper tools.
31
C ha p t e r 2 :
N a u ti c a l
2
Spells
32
The spells presented here are particularly useful Druid Spells
for aquatic adventuring, including spells that affect
k Cantrips (0 Level): hydraulic push
or are of greatest use on board ships. The ship-to-
k 1st Level: air bubble, animate water, decompose
ship combat rules deal specifically with the effects
corpse, float, murk, quick breath, read weather,
of spells in large-scale combat, but the spells below
restore corpse, sea sight, slipstream, touch of the
are more specifically focused on their utility to
sea, weather eye
heroes going on their quests beyond the sea.
k 2nd Level: depth charge, depth warning, flotsam
In addition to the new spells introduced here and
in Chapter 12: Distant Shores, the following spells
from the 5E SRD and the 5th Edition handbook for
vessel, pernicious poison, sargasso strands, sea
sight, true bearing, vomit swarm 2
k 3rd Level: receding reef, reef growth, turbid
players are of particular interest to those playing
tide, undertow
nautical campaigns.
k 4th Level: air walk, shatterhull, thorn body,
k 5E SRD: alter self, animal shapes, animate
wall of brine
objects, conjure animals, conjure elementals,
k 5th Level: channeled currents, deep diver, sea
conjure minor elementals, control water, control
scrying
weather, create food and water, create or
k 6th Level: aqueous extraction, wall of coral
destroy water, fabricate, find the path, fog cloud,
freedom of movement, gust of wind, incendiary Ranger Spells
cloud, mending, purify food and drink, shatter,
k 1st Level: air bubble, float, murk, quick breath,
storm of vengeance, true polymorph, tsunami,
read weather, sea sight, weather eye
water breathing, water wall.
k 2nd Level: depth warning, flotsam vessel,
k The official 5E guide to everything: control
riversight, sargasso strands, slipstream, true
flames, control winds, gust, maelstrom, mass
bearing
polymorph, shape water, tidal wave, whirlwind.
k 3rd Level: receding reef, reef growth, turbid
Bard Spells tide, undertow
k 4th Level: shatterhull, wall of brine
k 1st Level: read weather, waterproof
k 5th Level: deep diver
k 2nd Level: track ship
k 4th Level: veiled vessel Sorcerer Spells
k 5th Level: sea scrying, unseen crew
k Cantrips (0 Level): hydraulic push
k 6th Level: veiled vessel, greater
k 1st Level: air bubble, animate water, decompose
Cleric Spells corpse, float, murk, restore corpse, sea sight,
shock shield, touch of the sea, waterproof,
k 1st Level: decompose corpse, float, read
weather eye
weather, restore corpse, waterproof, weather eye
k 2nd Level: depth charge, depth warning,
k 2nd Level: depth warning, flotsam vessel, track
pernicious poison, slipstream, track ship, true
ship
bearing
k 3rd Level: sea sight, skeleton crew, undertow
k 3rd Level: turbid tide
k 4th Level: air walk, black spot, hullshock
k 4th Level: black spot, hullshock, shatterhull,
k 7th Level: submerge ship
skeleton crew, veiled vessel, wall of brine
k 9th Level: salvage
k 5th Level: deep diver, sea scrying, unseen crew
33
k
k
k
6th Level: veiled vessel, greater
7th Level: submerge ship
8th Level: caster’s caravel
Spells
AIR BUBBLE
k 9th Level: interplanar voyage, salvage
1st-level conjuration
Warlock Spells Casting Time: 1 action
Range: touch
k Cantrips (0 Level): hydraulic push Components: S, M (a small bladder filled with air)
k 1st Level: murk Duration: 10 minutes
2 k
k
2nd Level: pernicious poison, vomit swarm
3rd Level: turbid tide, undertow
This spell creates a small pocket of breathable air
that surrounds the touched creature’s head or the
k 4th Level: black spot, shatterhull
touched object. The air bubble allows the creature
k 6th Level: aqueous extraction
touched to breathe underwater or in similar airless
Wizard Spells environments. An item is surrounded by the bubble
and is protected from water damage. A firearm
k Cantrips (0 Level): hydraulic push
within an air bubble can be loaded, assuming the
k 1st Level: air bubble, animate water, bomber’s
black powder comes from a powder horn, a cartridge,
eye, decompose corpse, float, murk, restore
or some other protective device. It can also be fired,
corpse, sea sight, shock shield, slipstream, touch
however when shooting such a firearm underwater,
of the sea, waterproof, weather eye
the shot is subject to all normal penalties for
k 2nd Level: depth charge, depth warning,
underwater combat. If a firearm within the air
pernicious poison, track ship, true bearing
bubble explodes, the explosion occurs normally.
k 3rd Level: turbid tide
k 4th Level: black spot, hullshock, shatterhull, AIR WALK
skeleton crew, veiled vessel, wall of brine 4th-level transmutation
k 5th Level: deep diver, sea scrying, unseen crew Casting Time: 1 action or reaction
k 6th Level: veiled vessel, greater Range: Touch
Components: V, S
k 7th Level: submerge ship
Duration: 10 minutes
k 8th Level: caster’s caravel
k 9th Level: interplanar voyage, salvage You can tread on air as if walking on solid ground.
Moving upward is similar to walking up hill. The
maximum upward or downward angle possible is
45 degrees, at a rate equal to half the air walker’s
normal speed.
As the caster is walking on the air, it can be
affected by the wind if it is strong. If the wind is
particularly strong the caster may be carried along
with it even if unwilling, although they can make
a Strength (Athletics) each round to negate the
winds effect. Additionally, if they are driven into a
solid object by the wind they may suffer damage, a
strong wind may deal 2d6 damage, while a howling
34
gale could deal anything up to 8d6 damage, with a and at 4th level to Challenge 4. There are no
Dexterity Save vs DC 15 halving the damage. further benefits to using higher spell slots than
this. At each level the water required to cast
Should the spell duration expire while you are the spell successfully increases by 2 cu. ft.
still aloft, the magic fades out slowly, you float
AQUEOUS EXTRACTION
downward 60 feet per round for 1 minute. If you
6th-level transmutation
reach the ground in that amount of time, you land Casting Time: 1 action
safely. If not, you fall the rest of the distance, Range: 30 feet
taking falling damage as normal. Since dispelling Components: V, S, M (an empty vial
a spell effectively ends it, you also descend in this
way if the air walk spell is dispelled, but not if it is
and a pinch of sea salt)
Duration: Instantaneous 2
negated by an antimagic field.
You violently draw forth the moisture from a target
You can cast air walk on a mount so it can be
creature, causing it to pour forth from every orifice
ridden through the air, however you must make a
and pore. The target must make a Constitution
DC 20 Animal Handling check to do so. You can
saving throw. It takes 10d6 necrotic damage on a
negate the need for this check if you take the time
failed save, or half that much damage on a successful
to train the animal you intend to cast air walk on,
one. Oozes and creatures who have the aquatic or
this training takes 1 week and a DC 25 Animal
amphibious trait, or outsiders that are formed of
Handling check.
water increase this damage to 10d8. If the target is
This spell can be cast as a reaction to falling.
killed by aqueous extraction, the water drawn forth
ANIMATE WATER takes on a semblance of life as a water elemental
1st-level transmutation of a challenge rating equal half that of the target.
Casting Time: 1 round This water elemental is under your control, but it
Range: 30 feet survives only for a number of rounds equal to half
Components: V, S, M (a vial of fresh
the slain creatures Hit Dice.
spring water mixed with seawater)
Duration: concentration, up to 1 minute Creatures that have immunity to fire damage;
outsiders or elementals formed of either air or
Targeting a body of water of at least 4 cu. ft. you earth are immune to this spell.
form it into an amorphous watery creature that you At Higher L evels
can direct to move and fight as a water elemental When you cast this spell using a spell slot of
7th level or higher the damage increases by
of Challenge 1/2, this watery form is a construct 3d6 (3d8) for each slot level above 6th..
rather than an elemental and in addition to normal
water elemental traits gains immunity to psychic BLACK SPOT
damage. If you lose concentration, your watery 4th-level necromancy
construct collapses. If there is not enough water in Casting Time: 1 action
range, the spell fails. Range: Touch
Components: V, S
The GM has the creature’s statistics, which are
Duration: Permanent
typical Armor Class, hit points, and attacks for a
creature of its Challenge level. The black spot is a specific and feared pirate
At Higher L evels curse. If the target fails a Wisdom saving throw an
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd intangible, illusory black spot manifests above the
level the water elementals Challenge increases
to 1, at 3rd level this increases to Challenge 2, target’s head and remains until the target dies or
35
the curse is lifted. The black spot cannot be covered The extract loses its potency if it has not been
or hidden by any means, including other illusions. consumed within 24 hours of the casting of this
The black spot radiates a cursed aura in a 10-foot spell.
radius around its target. Anyone within the aura
CASTER’S CARAVEL
gains a +2 bonus on weapon attack and damage
8th-level conjuration
rolls against the target. In addition, the target has Casting Time: 10 minutes
disadvantage on saving throws against spells of Range: 120 feet
the necromancy school and also on death saving Components: V, S, M (a miniature ship carved
2 throws.
Every day in which the creature bears a
of exotic wood with silken sails worth 500
gp, which the spell consumes)
Duration: Instantaneous
black spot, it must make a
Constitution saving throw or You call into being a small double-decked
take 2d10 necrotic damage sailing ship that functions in all respects
and have their maximum hit a s an ordinary caravel. It
points reduced by the same amount can take on the normal
until the black spot is removed. If the amount of cargo, crew, and
creature’s hit points are reduced to passengers, and even have
0, it dies. Pirates killed by this weapons mounted on it
spell often return as ghosts, but if you wish. The ship
that is not a direct effect of this does not require a full
spell. crew, as it is staffed
The black spot cannot be with a compliment
dispelled, but it can be of invisible
removed with greater deckhands similar
restoration , remove to unseen servants
curse, or wish. that perform all
ordinary functions
BOMBER’S EYE
necessary for
1st-level
transmutation sailing the caster’s
Casting Time: 1 action caravel, though they
Range: Self cannot steer it. These unseen
Components: V, S, M (a small vial of alcohol) servants have a speed of 30 feet and a climb speed of
Duration: 1 minute 15 feet, and they respond to the spoken commands
of the caster or any creature she designates as the
Casting this spell infuses the vial of alcohol with
ship’s pilot. If there is no living pilot, the ship steers
magic turning it into what is known as a magical
itself in whatever direction it was last directed,
extract which once consumed allows you to throw
but it cannot adjust its course to avoid hazards,
weapons farther and more accurately. While the
compensate for severe weather, etc.
extract is in effect, you increase the range of any
The caster’s caravel also contains an
thrown weapon by 10 feet. In addition, you receive
extradimensional space reached through a
a +1 bonus on attack rolls made with thrown
shimmering panel similar to the entrance of a
weapons.
magnificent mansion. Like that spell, only those
36
designated by you can enter the portal. It is invisible and entities gain 2 mph to their travel speed, or 40
to others, who pass down the aft deck ladder that feet to their swim speed in combat. This spell does
leads to it and into an ordinary cargo hold. Within not grant a swim speed to creatures without one,
the extradimensional space, which can fill up to 25 however creatures without a swim speed affected
cubes, each cube being 10 feet on each side, you can by smooth current gain 20 feet of swimming
create any deck plan you desire. All cabins within movement.
the space are furnished and its galley contains Doldrums. By setting the current in opposition
food and water sufficient to feed 25 Medium- to the direction of a vessel or entities travel you
sized creatures each day, a staff of uniformed and
transparent but visible servants wait upon all guests
becalm it. It loses 2 mph from its travel speed, or
half from its swim speed in combat to a minimum 2
within the extradimensional space and sees to their of 10 feet. With a successful DC 10 navigate check
needs. Like magnificent mansion, outside conditions (for vessels) or swim check (for entities) they can
do not affect those within. Even if the ship sinks, negate the penalty for a round in combat, or ten
those within the space remain unharmed, though minutes in travel.
they must leave through the same portal by which Calm Current. Allows you to counteract the
they entered, even if it lies at the bottom of the sea. effects of another strong or violent current. This
The caster’s caravel lasts for 15 days, after which allows you to negate any penalties for navigating
time there is a cumulative 5 percent chance per or controlling the vessel or entity due to the waves
day that the spell’s effect ends. If the spell is cast or dangerous currents. It will also counteract
again during this time the duration is reset to 15 the Vortex effect of control water and can also
days. When the spell ends, any creatures inside counteract the Clashing Current effect of channeled
the extradimensional space are expelled into the currents.
nearest open space to the caravel’s last position. Clashing Current. You set up clashing currents
that make piloting a vessel, or swimming through
CHANNELED CURRENTS
the area difficult in the extreme. All attempts to do
5th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action so are performed with disadvantage.
Range: 1000 feet DECOMPOSE CORPSE
Components: V, S, M (a small 1st-level necromancy
metal canister or sphere)
Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of dried toadstool)
Until the spell ends you can generate a current in an
Duration: Instantaneous
area up to 100 feet cube either centered around you
or on any point up to the range of the spell. If cast Using this spell, the caster rapidly decomposes the
onto a point on a ship, entity, or other moving item flesh from a single corpse of size Huge or smaller,
the point will move with it as long as it remains leaving behind a perfectly cleaned skeleton. This
within the range of the spell. You can choose from spell has no effect on a living creature, however if
any of the following effects when you cast this cast on a non-skeletal corporeal undead, it must
spell. As an action on your turn, you can repeat the make a Constitution saving throw. If failed, the
same effect or choose a different one. creature has disadvantage on all rolls and -2 to its
Smooth Current. You call a current into being Armor Class.
which aids travel or swimming. Affected vessels
37
The effects of this spell can be reversed by restore charge deals no damage to creatures or objects that
corpse. They also can be removed with a create are not in the water.
undead spell, which binds undead flesh back onto Rather than hurling a depth charge for immediate
the creature’s bones. When cast in this way, create detonation, you may drop the depth charge into the
undead does not require onyx stones as a material water and allow it to sink at a rate of 30 feet per
component. round, delaying its explosion by up to 3 rounds. A
creature in the water can pick up the depth charge
DEEP DIVER
and move it, though there is a 25% chance each
4th-level transmutation
2 Casting Time: 1 action
Range: touch
round it is handled that it detonates immediately.
At Higher L evels
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd
Components: V, S, M (a bit of stone or
level or higher the damage increases by 1d8 for
mud from a deep ocean trench)
each slot level above 2nd, and you can delay the
Duration: 12 hours detonation of a dropped charge by an extra round.
38
FLOAT created by the spell is roughly 5 feet square and can
1st-level transmutation carry two Medium-sized passengers or 300 pounds
Casting Time: 1 action; see below of cargo. The vessel functions as a normal raft,
Range: 30 feet with an AC of 15, a Damage Threshold of 5 points,
Components: V, S, M (a bit of cork)
and 50 HP. The raft is not slowed or damaged
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
by non-magical river hazards such as rapids or
You make a single Medium-sized or smaller creature shallows and is always considered to be traveling
or object buoyancy, causing it to float safely at the downstream for the purpose of calculating travel
surface even in heavy seas and to rise steadily
to the surface at 50 feet per round if underwater
speed, regardless of its actual direction.
At Higher L evels 2
unless the creature strikes an obstacle that blocks When you cast this spell using a spell slot of
3rd level or higher you may add an extra section
its upward movement. While affected by float, the 5-foot square section to the raft as above.
target gains additionally gains advantage on all
swim checks on the surface. HULLSHOCK
A creature affected by float can voluntarily dive 4th-level evocation
or swim downward, using its movement, if it can Casting Time: 1 action
make a DC 10 swim check to which the advantage Range: touch
Components: V, S, M (a silver nail worth 50 gp)
granted above does not apply. If it stops swimming,
Duration: 8 hours or until discharged
or fails the swim check, the float spell causes the
creature to drift upwards again. Air-breathing and You infuse a ship’s hull with tremendous power,
water-breathing creatures both can breathe while which discharges if a Large or larger creature
at the surface using this spell. attack the ship or attempts to climb the ship’s hull
An unattended item up to 50 ponds can be raised without first uttering a password chosen by the
to the surface with a float spell. Floating objects caster at the time of casting. When the hullshock
simply remain at the surface but may drift around is discharged, the creature triggering it takes 8d6
the area, moving as wind and wave action dictate. lightning damage, or half as much on a successful
Float may be cast as a reaction although this Dexterity save. In addition, any other creature
reduces the duration to 1 minute. climbing on the ship’s hull and all creatures in the
At Higher L evels water within 60 feet of the hull take half damage
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd from the hullshock, or no damage on a successful
level or higher you may target another Medium-
sized or smaller creature or object. All of the Dexterity save. The target ship itself is not damaged
targets must be within 30 ft. of each other. by the hullshock nor is any creature on board the
ship’s deck.
FLOTSAM VESSEL
Once triggered, the spell’s magic dissipates. The
2nd-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 minute focus component must be nailed into the target
Range: 30 feet ship’s keel. If the spell expires without being
Components: V, S, M (driftwood discharged, the focus can be removed and reused.
branch or river rat’s tail) If the spell triggers, the focus is consumed. Despite
Duration: 8 hours the name, hullshock also can be cast on a wooden
pier, wharf, or similar structure made of wood,
This spell assembles a sturdy raft and oars from
vines, and similar materials
driftwood, reeds, and shoreline detritus. The raft
39
At Higher L evels
the end of the casting, however, so such creatures
When you cast this spell using a spell slot
of 5th level or higher the lightning damage is may find themselves stranded in the sea.
increased by 2d6 for each spell level above 4th.
MURK
HYDRAULIC PUSH 1st-level transmutation
Conjuration Cantrip Casting Time: 1 action
Casting Time: 1 action Range: Self (20-foot radius)
Range: 30 feet Components: V, S, M (a handful of mud or silt)
Components: V, S Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
2 Duration: Instantaneous
You fill the water around you with silt and algae,
You call forth a quick blast of water that knocks over decreasing visibility as if the area is heavily
and soaks one creature or 5 ft. square. An affected obscured, though the spell’s effect does not extend
creature must make a Dexterity saving throw or be out of the water. A fast current (including those
knocked prone. Hydraulic push extinguishes any created by spells) disperses the murk in 1 round,
normal fires on a creature, object, or in the targeted while slower moving currents clear the water in 4
square. Magical fires are unaffected. rounds.
You draw the target vessel and all creatures aboard You weaken the target’s defenses against poison.
it through an interplanar portal, arriving at a new On a failed Constitution saving throw the target
plane in a manner similar to plane shift. During the has disadvantage on saving throws against poison,
casting of the spell, the target vessel is surrounded and poisons affecting the target are more virulent
by wisps of mist 20 feet thick that gradually become increasing the damage die by 1 (for example, 1d8
opaque (as if heavily obscured) at the conclusion of becomes 2d8).
casting, after which the ship and all aboard vanish If the Constitution saving throw is failed, another
and reappear in the plane you designate. The ship should be made, if this also failed the target loses
appears on a body of water large enough to bear it if resistance to poison (if it had any) and any poison
possible, or upright on land if the target plane has immunity is reduced to poison resistance.
no such bodies of water. The ship and all creatures
QUICK BREATH
aboard it gain resistance to one damage type of
1st-level conjuration
the caster’s choice: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or Casting Time: 1 reaction
thunder. This protection lasts for 24 hours, though Range: Self
creatures that leave the ship for more than 1 hour Components: S
forfeit this protection. Duration: 1 minute
Unwilling creatures can resist the spell with
You fill your lungs instantly with fresh air, and this
a successful Charisma saving throw, remaining
air supply is continuously refreshed so that you do
behind. The ship and other passengers disappear at
not need to breathe. When the spell expires, you are
40
2
41
You can exclude one or more areas of any size RESTORE CORPSE
within the spell’s area from being affected. 1st-level necromancy
If you cast this spell over 8 hours, you blight the Casting Time: 1 action
reef. All reefs in a half mile radius centered on a Range: Touch
Components: V, S
point within range become blighted for 1 year.
Duration: Instantaneous
The reef does not grow, and fishing provides only
half the normal amount of food when harvested. This spell causes flesh to grow on a decomposed
Receding reef dispels reef growth. or skeletonized corpse of a Medium or smaller
2 REEF GROWTH
creature, providing it with sufficient flesh that it
can be animated as a zombie rather than a skeleton.
3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action or 8 hours The corpse looks as it did when the creature died.
Range: 150 feet The new flesh is somewhat rotted and not fit for
Components: V, S eating. A druid can only use this spell on a beast of
Duration: Instantaneous size Large or smaller.
42
or within the river as if you were present at that shoots to the surface, erupting with a great splash
location, or you can observe anything within 15 feet before settling on the water.
of the river’s banks as if peering from the water’s Though the spell requires time to repair the
surface. Moving your point of view to a different ship, its effects are instantaneous. A salvaged ship
location along the river is an action, though your cannot be dispelled to return it to a shipwreck.
perception can follow something moving along the However, before the spell’s duration ends and
river as a bonus action. while the ship is still being repaired, salvage can
The range of this spell is affected by whether you be dispelled to interrupt the repair process. The
are attempting to gaze up of downriver. If viewing
a location downriver, you can view any spot within
ship remains in the condition it was in when the
spell was interrupted until a new salvage spell is
2
8 miles; if viewing upriver you can view any spot cast (but continues to age and suffers the effect of
within 2 miles. The magical sensor created by this its environments). A new salvage spell’s duration is
spell can travel only as far along the river as your modified by any repairs already begun.
range and the river permits; obstructions such
SARGASSO STRANDS
as dams and reservoirs halt the sensor, as does
2nd-level conjuration
an estuary flowing into the sea or other body of Casting Time: 1 action
saltwater. Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a small piece of dried kelp)
SALVAGE
Duration: Concentration, up to one minute
9th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action You fling strands of tangled kelp and seaweed
Range: 1000 feet at a target within range, making a spell attack
Components: V, S, M (a shipwreck)
against them. If the sargasso strands hit, the target
Duration: see text
must make a Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
An invisible force pulls together the remains of (Acrobatics) against your spell save DC or be
a shipwreck. Bits of hull, tattered sails, broken grappled. If the target is grappled, it can attempt a
masts, and smashed figureheads knit themselves Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check
back together. Rotten wood turns solid once more to escape as an action on its turn. The DC to escape
and sails re-weave themselves as the rigging snakes the sargasso strands is reduced by 1 per round as
across the masts. It takes a variable amount of time the strands start drying out and becoming brittle.
for the ship to rebuild itself, depending on its size. Allies can also cut a grappled creature free with a
Size Duration slashing weapon, the strand has damage threshold
Rowboat 1 minute of 2 and hit points equal to 5 + your spellcasting
Keelboat 10 minutes ability modifier.
Longship 1 hour If you cast this spell while ocean water is within
Sailing ship 2 hours range, you gain advantage on your spell attack, the
Warship 3 hours DC to escape is not reduced by the passage of time,
Galley 4 hours and the strands have their hit points increased to
10 plus your spellcasting ability modifier.
At the end of the duration, an air bubble forms At Higher L evels
around the repaired ship. If submerged, the ship If you cast this spell using a spell slot
of 3rd or higher you may target another
43
creature with a strand per spell slot. Components: V, S, M (a sliver of wood
and a bit of broken glass)
SEA SCRYING Duration: instantaneous
5th-level divination
Casting Time: 10 Minutes You cause a wooden structure immersed in water
Range: self to buckle and collapse. The target object takes 16d6
Components: V, S, M (a focus worth at bludgeoning damage, and if the target is a ship it
least 1000gp, such as a crystal ball, a gains the broken condition, or the sinking condition
silver mirror, or a golden sextant)
if its hit points are reduced to 0 (see page 78). If
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
2 This spell functions as scrying, but you must be
the structure or ship succeeds on its saving throw,
it takes 5d6 points of damage instead.
touching a body of water at least 5 feet across to In addition to the immediate damage, the wooden
use this spell, and the target of your sea scrying structure is weakened, reducing its damage
must be on board a ship or within 30 feet of a body threshold by 5; this reduction persists until all
of water as well. A target touching the water takes damage to the structure or ship is repaired. If the
a -2 penalty on its saving throw; if it is touching the structure or ship remains immersed in water, it also
same body of water as you (GM’s discretion), this springs numerous small leaks, causing the structure
is increased to -4. In addition, if the initial target to take an additional 1d6 bludgeoning damage every
of your sea scrying succeeds on its saving throw or 10 minutes (ignoring damage threshold) until the
is otherwise unable to be scried, you can turn your leaks are plugged. This damage is doubled during
mind to another potential target near a body of any 10-minute period that the ship is moving at full
water. Concentrating to find a new target for your speed or engaged in combat.
sea scrying requires 1d3 rounds, and the save DC Shatterhull affects animated objects as described
is reduced by 2 for each additional target after the above but otherwise does not affect creatures made
first you attempt to scry. of wood.
At Higher L evels
SEA SIGHT If you cast this spell using a spell slot of
1st-level transmutation 5th level or higher, the damage is increased
Casting Time: 1 action by 3d6 for each such spell level.
Range: touch
Components: V, S, M (a drop of clear water) SHOCK SHIELD
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour. 1st-level abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action or reaction, which
You touch a target and grant it the ability to see you can take when you are hit by an attack
out to twice the normal range underwater, whether or targeted by the magic missile spell
in clear or in murky water, and grants advantage Range: Self
Components: V, S
on Perception checks made underwater. When you
Duration: 1 round.
attack a creature in the water and the target gains
a bonus to AC due to concealment, you reduce the An invisible barrier of magical force appears and
concealment by one step. protects you. Until the start of your next turn,
you have a + 2 bonus to AC, including against the
SHATTERHULL
triggering attack, and you take no damage from
4th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action magic missile. At any time, as a bonus action, you
Range: touch may dismiss your shock shield, at which point it
44
deals 1d6 points of lightning damage to all creatures creatures again before the current spell ends. This
within a 15-foot cone on a failed Dexterity saving use of the spell reasserts your control over up to
throw or half as much on a success. It immediately twenty creatures you have animated with this spell,
detonates if used to block a magic missile. rather than animating new ones.
At Higher L evels The skeleton crew member can only be created
If you cast this spell using a spell slot of from mostly intact humanoid corpses. The corpses
2nd level or higher, the lightning damage is
increased by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st. must have bones. When you cast this spell, any
flesh left on the corpses melts away into fog.
SKELETON CREW
4th-level necromancy
At Higher L evels
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of
2
Casting Time: 1 action 5th or higher you can create a further two
skeletons per spell level or control a further four
Range: touch skeletons you have already created. To create
Components: V, S, M (a humanoid corpse or corpses) further skeletons, you must have a corpse for
Duration: 24 hours each additional skeleton you wish to create.
45
the sphere proving substantial enough that
such creatures may choose whether to enter
it or to slip away along its sides. At the end of
the spell’s duration the bubble pop’s causing
a ship still underwater at that time to gain the
sinking condition. This spell has no effect if cast
upon a ship in water that cannot cover the vessel
entirely.
2 Although largely beneficial, this spell can be cast
on a ship whose pilot does not want to submerge her
vessel, which allows the pilot to make a Charisma
saving throw to avoid having the spell affect her
ship.
THORN BODY
4th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
46
TRACK SHIP hard to move through, Ranged attacks are useless
2nd-level divination within the turbid tide and creatures attacking in
Casting Time: 1 action melee take an additional -2 penalty to attack and
Range: see text damage rolls. The area also counts as difficult
Components: V, S, M (a piece of ship)
terrain for the duration of the spell. Unlike murk,
Duration: concentration, up to eight hours
a turbid tide’s duration is not reduced by natural or
In order to cast this spell, you must have a piece magical currents in the area.
of the ship you wish to track. Merchants often
preserve slivers from their trade ships specifically
for this purpose. You also need a nautical chart.
UNDERTOW
3rd-level transmutation 2
Casting Time: 1 action
When you cast this spell, an icon of the targeted Range: 30 feet
ship appears on the nautical chart. The icon moves Components: V, S
as the ship moves for the duration of the spell. If Duration: Concentration, up to one minute
the ship is not within the area delineated by the
You target a creature in the water with a powerful
chart, the spell fails. If the ship is reduced to 0 hit
riptide dragging them below the surface unless
points, its icon changes from a ship to a skull and
they can succeed at a strength saving throw.
crossbones.
Each round you can attempt to drag them under
TRUE BEARING again, forcing them to repeat the save as long as
2nd-level divination you maintain concentration. Creatures dragged
Casting Time: 1 action down by the undertow can move on their turn but,
Range: self whether swimming or moving along the seafloor;
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of iron filings)
however, Strength (Athletics) checks they make
Duration: concentration, up to ten minutes
to swim upwards against the undertow are made
You can pinpoint the direction from your current at disadvantage. This penalty does not apply to
location to a familiar landmark or geographical creatures using freedom of movement.
site. The target must be a location you have actually At Higher L evels
visited and it must be on the same plane. The target If you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 4th or higher, you can target
must be a location, not an object or creature, and it another creature per spell level.
cannot be screened from divination. If this spell is
cast at least 1 mile away from land, its duration is UNSEEN CREW
increased to four hours. 5th-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
TURBID TIDE Range: 500 feet
3rd-level transmutation Components: V, S, M (a piece of string
Casting Time: 1 action and a piece of wood from a ship)
Range: 120 feet Duration: 1 week
Components: V, S, M (a handful of mud or silt)
Duration: Concentration, up to a minute Once cast this spell creates ten unseen crew
members. An unseen crew member is an invisible,
You fill a 20 ft. radius with silt and algae,
shapeless force that performs the duties of one crew
decreasing visibility as murk. In addition, the heavy
member. It can tie off ropes, hoist sails, swab decks,
silt congeals the water, making it thick, heavy, and
and other such duties. An unseen crew member
47
possess no other skills. It cannot fight, speak, or VEILED VESSEL, GREATER
even defend itself. 6th-level illusion
An unseen crew member has a strength score of 10 Casting Time: 1 action
and is proficient with Navigators tools, Carpenters Range: touch
Components: V, S, M (a drawing, carving, or
tools, and all water vessels. It has a skill level equal
model of the ship you wish to imitate)
to your spellcasting ability modifier. It cannot fly, Duration: 8 hours
but it can climb, swim, or walk with a speed of 20
feet. This spell functions as veiled vessel but you can
2 An unseen crew member cannot be killed, but it
dissipates if it takes more than 10 points of damage
cause your ship to appear as a vessel up to two
size categories larger or smaller, and you also can
from area attacks (it gets no saving throws against disguise the appearance of up to 10 creatures as
attacks). If you attempt to send and unseen crew if you had cast seeming. The illusion affecting a
member beyond the spell’s range (measured from creature ends if it leaves the veiled vessel, even if
your current position), the crew member ceases to they later return to it.
exist.
At Higher L evels
VOMIT SWARM
2nd-level conjuration
If you cast this spell using a spell
level of 6th or higher you may add an Casting Time: 1 action
additional 5 crew per spell level. Range: self
Components: S
VEILED VESSEL Duration: 1 minute
4th-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 action You vomit forth a swarm of insectsSRD that attacks
Range: touch all other creatures within its area. The swarm
Components: V, S, M (a drawing, carving, or begins in one of the squares adjacent to you, but if
model of the ship you wish to imitate) no living creatures are within its area, it moves in
Duration: 8 hours one direction of your choosing at its normal speed.
You can move the swarm or change the swarm’s
You shroud the target vessel in a cloak of illusion
direction by spending a bonus action to concentrate
that causes it to appear as a completely different
on the swarm, otherwise it continues moving in its
vessel up to one size category larger or smaller
current direction.
than its actual size. The details of its appearance,
including the color and condition of its hull, WALL OF BRINE
sails, oars, flags or similar insignia, and all such 4th-level conjuration
similar details are up to you. You also may create Casting Time: 1 action
illusory cargo or weapons, or disguise existing Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S, M (a bit of coral)
weapons or cargo. Creatures aboard the ship are
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
not changed in appearance. A creature that uses
its action to examine the image can determine You conjure a 5-foot-thick wall of seawater up to
that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence 80 ft. long with a powerful current flowing toward
(Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If one side of the wall, selected by you; a creature
a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the attempting to swim against this current must spend
creature can see through the veil. 20 feet of movement to enter an area covered by the
48
wall. A creature that begins its turn in the wall is
ejected in the direction just before it acts. The wall
provides half-cover against attacks from out of the
water. The water and the currents deflect physical
ranged attacks into or through the wall, unless
the weapon used is exceptionally massive (such as
a siege engine). A creature submerged in the wall
takes the usual penalties for underwater combat.
The wall blocks the passage of gases and liquids 2
and prevents water from mixing at its edges.
49
C ha p t e r 3 : Table 3-01: Magic Items
Item Name Price
u r y of
lookout’s eyeblack 400 gp
Tr e a s
captain’s cutlass uncommon*
castaway’s flare uncommon
t
earring of farseeing uncommon
th e F l e e
pirate brand uncommon
skimming uncommon
tracer uncommon
whispering wheellock uncommon*
3 chaining
ensign of parley
rare
rare
eye patch of adjustment rare
gloves of certain grip rare
gullwing cape rare
mutable hook rare
roperunner sandals rare
shanty shiv rare
sharkskin suit rare
spiral saker rare
spiral saker (fiend’s mouth cannon) rare
stormshaft rare
admiralty parade kit very rare*
bore cannon very rare
bullet buckler very rare
cannonball breastplate very rare*
hateful hook very rare*
raven’s perch very rare
sails of extinguishing very rare
sea lord’s tricorne very rare*
shadow sextant very rare
sharpshooter’s carabine very rare
treacherous hook very rare
golden gun legendary
hurricane harpoon legendary*
rod of the ebb tide legendary
wavebreaker legendary*
Pirate Queen’s pearl — (artifact)
* requires attunement
50
Armor and Shields damage) fired by you. The cannonball
dissolves into smoke after dealing damage.
BULLET BUCKLER VERY RARE When you activate this ability, smoke pours forth
Shield (buckler) from the cannonball breastplate and momentarily
This small shield provides a +3 bonus to AC. This forms the semblance of a cannon, exploding as the
bonus is in addition to the shield’s normal bonus to cannonball is launched into a cloud of smoke in a
AC. It has a rounded boss of adamantine alloy, often 10-foot sphere that spreads around corners, and
showing scorch marks and powder burns upon its its area is heavily obscured. It lasts for 1 minute
surface. A bullet buckler imposes disadvantage on or until a wind of moderate or greater speed (at
all non-magical range attacks against you including least 10 miles per hour) disperses it. Any creature
those from gunpowder-based weapons (including adjacent to the wearer takes 11 (3d6) points of fire
siege class weapons) and grenade-based attacks. In damage and 11 (3d6) points of bludgeoning damage 3
addition, it provides a +3 bonus to any Dexterity and is deafened for 1 minute; a successful DC 14
saving throw against gunpowder-based attacks that Constitution save negates deafness and reduces
allow a saving throw. damage by half. Your body and gear are turned to
smoke in this explosion, leaving you trapped in
gaseous form for 6 minutes, though you can reform
your body, by succeeding on a DC 14 Constitution
save at the end of your turn. The cannonball
breastplate reforms on you when your body does.
51
bleeding and in the water you have advantage on along its blade and its elaborate basket hilt-guard
this skill check. that resembles interlocking anchors. This guard
52
3
the weapon by one die (from 1d10 to 2d10 in this
example). Refilling 1/2 pound of gold into the grip’s
reservoir is an action. The weapon is particularly roll, the target takes an extra 7 piercing damage
dangerous against humanoids. When you roll a 20 against any creature that has attacked the wielder
on an attack roll made with this weapon against a since the end of his last turn. This ability also
humanoid, the humanoid must succeed on a DC 10 applies against any creature that has designated the
Constitution saving throw or die. wielder as its prey in some way (GM’s discretion, by
way of example, via Hunter’s Mark or an oathbow’s
HATEFUL HOOK VERY RARE
Weapon (dagger) Requires attunement
sworn enemy ability). If a creature using such an
ability has damaged the wielder since the end of its
This jagged hook straps onto your forearm and
last turn, the hateful hook's automatically deals an
functions as a +1 weapon. Hit points lost to the
additional 7 necrotic damage on a successful hit.
hateful hook’s damage can be regained only through
A hateful hook works best if the wielder has lost
a short or long rest, rather than by regeneration,
a hand; if strapped on over an existing hand, the
magic, or any other means.
wielder has disadvantage on attack rolls made with
Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an
it.
attack using the hateful hook, you can wound the
target. At the start of each of the wounded creature’s HURRICANE HARPOON LEGENDARY
turns, it takes 1d4 necrotic damage for each time Weapon (javelin) Requires attunement
you’ve wounded it, and it can then make a DC 15 This harpoon (treat as a javelin) has a head of
Constitution saving throw, ending the effect of all mithral and barbs of coral or whalebone, and is
such wounds on itself on a success. Alternatively, a +1 magic weapon with the stormshaft weapon
the wounded creature, or a creature within 5 feet property (see page 57). When you hurl it, and
of it, can use an action to make a DC 15 Wisdom speak its command word, it transforms into a bolt
(Medicine) check, ending the effect of such wounds of lightning, forming a line 5 feet wide that extends
on it on a success. out from you to a target within 120 feet. Make a
Finally, a hateful hook is imbued with a spirit of ranged weapon attack against the target. On a hit,
bitter vengeance. When you roll a 20 on your attack the target takes damage from the harpoon plus 4d6
53
lightning damage. In addition, each creature in the of your next turn. While so shrouded, whenever
line excluding you and the target must make a DC a creature within 5 feet of you hits with a melee
15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 lightning attack, the shield erupts with lightning. The
damage on a failed save, and half as much damage attacker takes 2d8 lightning and thunder damage.
on a successful one. The lightning bolt turns back This effect consumes the wielder’s reaction.
into a harpoon when it reaches the target and Each effect once used can’t be used again until
reappears in your hand. the next dawn. In the meantime, the harpoon can
The hurricane harpoon can shroud you in a still be used as a magic weapon.
whirling screen of strong, howling wind. While
SHANTY SHIV RARE
this effect is active attack rolls against you are at Weapon (dagger)
a disadvantage and all melee attackers (including
3 those using reach weapons) must make a DC 15
This thin-bladed weapon is a +1 dagger that hums
menacing pirate war chants, mournful dirges of
Strength saving throw or be pushed back 10-feet
loss, and muttered imprecations with every stroke,
and be knocked prone. This effect lasts 1 minute.
granting advantage on any Charisma (Intimidate)
In addition, once per day you can control winds
skill check.
within 5 miles of you. This acts as a control weather
If you have the Bardic Inspiration class feature,
spell but only effects wind conditions. Any ship
you can make a DC 15 Charisma (Performance)
upon which you stand are unaffected by this effect
skill check as part of your bonus action. If you
unless you wish otherwise.
succeed, the melee attacks of those you inspire do
Finally, if you are targeted with an effect that
an additional 1d4 psychic damage. This damage is
deals lightning or thunder damage, you become
increased by 1 for each 5 points you beat the skill
shrouded with gale-force winds riddled with
check DC by.
crackling lightning and peals of thunder. The
In addition, you may make a DC 15 Charisma
effect provides damage resistance to both lightning
(Performance) skill check as a bonus action to
and thunder to the triggering attack until the end
change shanty shiv's tune to bawdy ballads and
jaunty jigs granting allies within 60-feet of you
advantage on saving throws against fear effects.
54
your next attack and scoring a critical hit on a 19 above process repeats itself and a third target could
or 20, as long as it is completed by the end of your potentially be attacked, though with three-quarters
current turn. cover against the spiral saker. Its movement ends
If you use tracer bullets in a sharpshooter's carabine, after the third critical hit.
the duration of the tracer effect is increased to 1 A creature that has been shot through by the
minute. drilling ammunition of a spiral saker has its AC
reduced by 4 to a minimum of 10. Any armor reduced
SPIRAL SAKER RARE
Weapon (cannon)
to 10 is ruined. An object shot through loses 4
points of damage threshold and any resistance to
A spiral saker is a +1 cannon (5th Edition Game
bludgeoning damage until it has been repaired.
Master’s Manual pg. 255) with double the normal
A spiral saker is sometimes built to a larger scale
range whose spiraling barrel grooves impart greater
accuracy to ammunition and causing it to animate
by fiendish armies—in particular devils (or those 3
who serve them). These cannons—sometimes called
upon impact, drilling into any Large or larger
fiend’s mouth due to the cannons’ aesthetics—are
creature or object for 1d4 rounds, inflicting 3 (1d6)
very rare and do twice the amount of damage as
points of piercing damage per round and sickening
a standard spiral saker and their damage type
the target with pain imposing disadvantage on
is changed from bludgeoning to fire. They are
the target’s attack rolls, skill and ability checks.
otherwise identical.
A successful DC 20 Constitution save negates
this pain but not the ongoing damage. Objects
take double damage per round, ignoring damage
thresholds. Finally, the target takes an additional
1 point of necrotic damage per round the drilling
continues; this necrotic damage is cumulative and
can be stopped by any heal spell or equivalent effect
or a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) skill check.
An adjacent creature can attempt to remove the
drilling ammunition as an action with a DC 20
Strength check, taking 3 (1d6) points of slashing
damage regardless of whether the check succeeds.
Dispel magic causes the embedded ammunition to WAVEBREAKER LEGENDARY
cease boring. Weapon (heavy crossbow) Requires attunement
A successful critical hit from a spiral saker Wavebreaker is a +1 heavy crossbow without the
inflicts 1 level of exhaustion but does not drill into loading trait. It is typically carved from whalebone
the target for ongoing damage. Instead, it drills or the shell of a titanic mollusk or crustacean,
completely through the target and continues in a decorated with intricate scrimshaw and nacreous
straight line until it hits another target or reaches inlay and with a bow and mechanism of gilded steel
the limit of its range; if its path intersects another or similar rust-resistant metal. Ammunition shot
target, the wielder of the spiral saker can make from a wavebreaker is antithetical to any aquatic or
another attack roll against that target, which gains watery creature (any creature with a swim speed).
the benefits of half-cover against the attack. If this If an aquatic creature takes damage from an arrow
second attack results in another critical hit, the shot from the wavebreaker the creature must make
55
a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking an extra
Weapon Special
6d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as
much extra damage on a successful one. This bane
effect once used can’t be used again until the next
Abilities
CHAINING RARE
dawn. In the meantime, the wavebreaker can still be Weapon (any thrown)
used as a magic weapon. Additionally, water does
A chaining weapon allows you to conjure a metal
not provide any situational benefit (for example
chain that trails behind a weapon that you hurl.
extra cover or disadvantage) against attacks made
The chain has a maximum length of 30 feet, and
with a wavebreaker.
the end of the chain is in the hand that was used
Finally, you can target a creature or spell that is
to throw the weapon. If the weapon misses, you
watery by nature within 30-feet as an action. You
3 automatically hit if it is a spell. If the target is a
can retrieve the weapon as a move or bonus action;
the chain disappears after the weapon is retrieved.
creature you must make a normal attack roll against
If the weapon hits, the target takes the weapons
the creatures AC. On a hit, wavebreaker deals no
normal damage and is entangled as if struck by a
damage but acts as dispel magic against the spell
net (see the 5th Edition Handbook for Players for
or a banishment against non-native creatures (for
details, except the chain has a damage threshold of
example a summoned water elemental). You can
10). An entangled target cannot move farther than
use this ability as often as desired but a creature
30 feet from you unless it succeeds at an opposed
or spell that is not dispelled or banished becomes
Strength check; if it succeeds, you can release the
immune to this effect for 24 hours.
trapped creature as a reaction or can hold onto the
WHISPERING WHEELLOCK UNCOMMON chain and allow yourself to be pulled behind the
Weapon (pistol) Requires attunement creature.
A whispering wheellock is a +1 pistol of compact Escaping a chaining weapon follows the rules for
construction, with a dull matte black finish. Its escaping a net. The Strength check DC to escape
slim profile grants you advantage on Dexterity the chaining weapon is increased by an amount
(Sleight of Hand) checks made to hide the weapon equal to the weapon's magical bonus. If the chain
on your person. A whispering wheellock makes no is destroyed or burst, the chaining weapon falls to
noise when fired. Bullets fired from it likewise the ground and this property is suppressed until
make no sound when they hit, instead drawing the next dawn.
sound into them, and this sudden inverted cascade
SKIMMING UNCOMMON
of sonic energy deals an extra 1d8 thunder damage Weapon (any thrown or ranged)
on a critical hit and deafens the target if it fails
A skimming weapon skips across the surface of
a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. You may also
liquid when thrown, or slices cleanly through it
target an unattended object within range and
when thrown at a target below the surface. Water
fire the whispering wheellock, creating an area of
provides no protection against attacks with a
magical silence centred on that location and lasting
skimming weapon, and if you also are fully or
1 minute if the target is within 30 feet, or 5 rounds
partially submerged a skimming weapon returns
if the target is more than 30 feet away.
to you after the attack. If there is a liquid surface
between you and your target when the weapon is
thrown, you can spend a bonus action to skip the
56
weapon off that surface, allowing you to either a magical mark, stating an action or behavior that
increase the weapon's range increment by 10 feet will activate the mark. You designate some sort of
for that attack or to alter the weapon's trajectory in undesirable behavior that activates the mark, but
mid-flight, allowing you to treat any square of the you can pick any act you please. While typically
liquid's surface within range as the weapon's point used to foreswear the target from committing the
of origin for the purpose of determining whether type of criminal activity for which it was found
the target has cover. guilty (piracy most famously, giving the brands
their common name), the proscribed activity can
STORMSHAFT RARE
Weapon (any thrown or ammunition)
be anything you dictate. In cultures with less of a
focus on piracy, pirate brands are also called legate
Attacks made with a stormshaft weapon are not
brands and typically feature a royal or imperial
adversely affected by wind effects (GM’s discretion
as to what a wind effect is but examples include the
symbol, embellished to indicate the type of crime 3
each brand is used to punish.
effects of the gust of wind spell or an air elemental’s
whirlwind attack), whether natural or magically
created. A stormshaft weapon deals additional
damage in an area of strong or stronger winds,
adding +1 damage of the weapons type per category
of wind strength above calm (use the control weather
ROD OF THE EBB TIDE LEGENDARY
Table: Wind as a guide). Rod
57
k All creatures within 1 mile of the rod of the So long as the rod of the ebb tide remains
ebb tide gain a +2 bonus to AC and advantage stationary the hallow spell’s duration is changed to
on saving throws against aquatic effects or indefinite. It must remain stationary (relative to its
effects created by aquatic creatures. surroundings; it can be used to create this effect
k A creature attempting to use a spell that is while mounted on a ship) while serving as a focus
related to water (even a harmless effects) in this way. If it is moved and not replaced within 1
must succeed at a DC 20 spell attack check round, the effects are suppressed until it is restored
or the effect fails. Even if the effect succeeds, to its position. If not replaced within 1 minute or if
the caster must repeat this check every round the rod of the ebb tide is destroyed, these effects end
at the beginning of its turn or the effect is immediately.
3
dispelled; this does not apply to instantaneous
effects.
k Aquatic creatures cannot be summoned into
Wondrous Items
ADMIRALTY PARADE KIT VERY RARE
the area of the rod of the ebb tide, and if they Wondrous item Requires attunement
enter the area by other means they must
This tailored formal dress uniform includes a
succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom save once per
woolen long coat, polished buckles and clips, and
minute or be banished. A creature holding the
aiguillettes and epaulettes of golden braid. An
rod of the ebb tide automatically succeeds on
admiralty parade kit can be worn over light armor,
checks to overcome its power.
completely concealing the armor's appearance if
you wish. While wearing an admiralty parade kit you
are surrounded by an aura of power and authority,
granting advantage on Charisma based skill
checks. At the same time, allies that can see and
hear you are inspired by your presence, whenever
it makes an attack roll or a saving throw before
the spell ends, your ally can roll a d4 and add the
number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw. If
you are in aquatic terrain or on board a ship and
you have an ability that allows the declaration of
a quarry, or smite ability (or an equivalent ability,
at the GM's discretion), that ability functions as if
you had empowered it by casting it one spell level
higher than normal (for example hunter’s mark is
cast using a 1st level spell slot but it has the effect
of being cast using a 3rd level spell slot).
58
the hour, the light slowly fades as the globe gently
falls to the ground. A castaway’s flare can be reused
after the next dawn so long as it was submerged in
sea-water the entire time between its last use and
the next dawn. If the flare is activated inside, it
stops when it reaches the ceiling. The light from the
flare illuminates as bright light within 30 ft. and
dim light within 60 ft.
to another vessel within sight (even if only sighted These fingerless gloves of sail canvas and hemp
through a spyglass). This message must be 25 words twine grant advantage on Strength (Athletics)
or less and can travel as slow as 1 mile in an hour, or checks to climb when using a rope as well as on any
as fast as 1 mile in ten minutes. The spoken words saving throw granted to avoid falling (for example,
can be as soft as a whisper audible in a 10-foot if you take damage while climbing). You also can
radius from a designated point on the target ship apply your proficiency bonus when using a rope as
or a declaration in a normal tone of voice to every an improvised weapon (including rope like weapons
creature on board the target ship. The message can like a lasso) and creatures you tie up with a rope or
be used to deliver a single Charisma (Persuasion), net have disadvantage on their escape attempts.
Charisma (Deception) or Charisma (Intimidate)
GULLWING CAPE RARE
against the creatures hearing it; however, because Wondrous item
of the brevity of the message the check is made
This simple cloak is trimmed with gray gull feathers
with disadvantage.
that shed water and wind. You are able to step and
fight with exceptional balance and caution, gaining
advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatic) checks related
59
skilled or fine workmanship such as theives’ tools
lockpicks or similar can be duplicated if you have
the appropriate tool proficiency.
makes you immune to the blindness condition for These sandals of braided rope and leather help you
12 hours. During this time, you also gain advantage to keep your balance in the kinds of precarious
to Wisdom and Intelligence saving throws made and unstable conditions you find aboard a ship at
to disbelieve illusions, and as an action you may sea. You gain advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics)
expend the power of the lookout's eyeblack to checks while aboard a ship.
automatically see through any illusion within 60
SAILS OF EXTINGUISHING VERY RARE
feet. This does not dispel the illusory effect. Doing Wondrous item
so destroys the lookout's eyeblack, which crumbles
This lightweight cotton sail draws the air away
and falls from your skin.
from shipboard fires and snuffs them out before
MUTABLE HOOK RARE they can spread. Twice per day, the ship’s captain
Wondrous item or a spellcaster they designate can use an action to
This metal hook is a lower arm prosthesis, which extinguish any non-magical fire in a 10-foot radius
cannot be used by a character that still has a hand or cast dispel magic to end a magical fire effect,
on that arm. As a move action, you can change the or as a reaction can cast counterspell to negate a
hook to a +1 dagger, a 3-ft. length of chain, an eating fire spell (or grant resistance to all creatures and
utensil, or any other small metallic item. The item objects on board against a single non-spell fire
remains attached to your stump but can be used effect). This affects only fires or fire effects that
as you had the use of a hand. Items that require are somewhere on the ship or that target or affect
60
creatures on board. The sails must be rigged and and then reappear in a location on Material Plane
unfurled in order to function. When the power of (or another connected plane) effectively moving
the sails is used, the sails fill with air, doubling the more rapidly between points. A shadow sextant can
the ship's movement for 1 round; this has no effect be used only at night, and charting the ship's course
if the ship is anchored or moored. takes 1 hour. Once preparations are complete, you
must make a DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) skill
SEA LORD'S TRICORNE VERY RARE
Wondrous item Requires attunement
check to shift a vessel into the Shadowfell. The DC
increases by 5 each time the ship size increases
This feathered three-cornered hat is typically worn
above that of a caravel (for example, the DC for a
by accomplished sea lords, both naval and piratical.
carrack would be 25, and a galleon would be 30).
You gain advantage on skill checks related to sailing
If the check fails, no course can be found and the
including checks made to predict the weather, avoid
natural hazards, determine direction, and avoid
shadow sextant cannot function until the next dusk. 3
If the check succeeds, the ship and all creatures on
getting lost when on board a ship, and your vision is
it slip into the Shadowfell and can travel through
not impeded by natural or magical fog, mist, smoke,
it to other planes or to other locations on the
and weather effects. If you are steering a ship, you
Material Plane. Creatures unwilling to travel into
can attempt a DC 20 skill check to treat storms,
the Shadowfell can elect to remain behind if they
sea conditions, and any harmful wind effects as one
succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw, though
category less severe (GM’s discretion as to what skill
if the ship departs they may be stranded at sea. The
is applicable in the particular situation). If you are
ship can remain in the Shadowfell until the sun
not in the midst of dangerous weather conditions,
rises in its equivalent location on the Material Plane
you can instead double your ship's speed for 1 hour
or for a maximum of 12 hours in any case. After a
with a successful DC 20 skill check.
shadow sextant has been used, a DC 30 Intelligence
When you are aboard a ship you command, you
(Arcana) skill check is required to activate it if at
gain immunity to fear and any mind-affecting effect
least one night has not passed between uses.
that would compel you to leave your ship. You also
allow any affected ally on your ship a saving throw TREACHEROUS HOOK VERY RARE
against the mind-affecting effect every round if Wondrous item
they can see or hear you. If you have a class ability This supple silken sleeve fits over one of your
that allows you to inspire allies (like a bard’s Bardic hands like a glove, rendering your hand invisible
Inspiration) this ability functions at the next level and replacing it with the illusory appearance of a
of power when aboard your ship (for example, a hook, which may be shabby, ornate, or have any
level 1 bard’s bardic inspiration functions as if you appearance you wish. The illusion includes visual,
are level 5). auditory, and tactile elements (DC 14 Wisdom saving
throw to disbelieve if interacted with). Any actions
SHADOW SEXTANT VERY RARE
Wondrous item
you take with your hand appear to observers to be
taken with your hook, but because your hand is not
This black-lacquered navigational device, chased
visible you gain advantage on Dexterity (Sleight
with silver, can be used to plot a course for a ship
of Hand) checks and on related skill checks under
through the benighted seas of Shadowfell. A ship
other circumstances (for example checks made to
equipped with the shadow sextant allows the ship to
steal or to disarm), as long as such checks are made
move 50 miles an hour while on the shadowy seas
using your invisible hand.
61
Artifacts and if a pirate cannot keep ahold of a plundered
treasure, then that is hardly her concern.
The continent that held the first human empire The Pearl eventually ended up in the hands of
sank beneath the waves countless millennia ago. a pirate captain named Malika who possessed
The antediluvian people of this great empire an iridescent spindle ioun stone, which she often
were renowned for their mastery of many types used to dive down to loot sunken ships. The first
of magic, one of the most distinctive being the night Malika held the Pirate Queen’s pearl, she
arcane crystals known today as ioun stones. Long felt a strange compulsion to orbit her ioun stone
ago, a rare crystalline masterpiece, unheard of around the figurine’s head. The stone was
by modern scholars, survived the fall of the first absorbed into the statuette, which took
empire. It lay buried for untold on an iridescent shine and conveyed the
3 centuries under an island that was ioun stone’s power to whoever carried the
once part of the lost continent. An pearl. Excited by this discovery, Malika
underwater earthquake dislodged began looking for more ioun stones
the long-hidden stone and it sank in earnest, but only found one more
down into the depths of the ocean. stone—a dark blue rhomboid—to add
The Goddess Queen of Piracy to the pearl, before being killed and the
became aware of this remarkable pearl claimed by a new owner.
underwater treasure and a
PIRATE QUEEN’S PEARL ARTIFACT
giant mollusk swallowed the Wondrous item requires attunement
stone. The divine influence
Formed from shimmering pearl, this 1-foot
of the Pirate Queen intermixed
tall statuette has the smooth stylized
with the magic of the stone,
form of a female human (or possibly
working to create an
half-elven) pirate. The Pirate Queen’s
odd-shaped pearl
pearl functions as a holy symbol of
of great size.
the Goddess of Piracy, usable for
When the Pearl
spells and class features requiring a
was fully formed, the Goddess
divine focus. If your patron deity is the
sent holy visions of it to many
Goddess of Piracy, then your caster level
of her faithful followers. One of
counts as 1 higher when determining the
these devoted pirates retrieved
effects and number of divine spells you
the blessed pearl, but died
may know and cast. You also gain a +1
bringing it to the surface.
bonus to spell attack rolls and
The Pirate Queen’s pearl,
spell save DCs.
a lustrous pearl figurine
Once per day you can ask
shaped in the image of
whether taking a particular
the Goddess herself,
ship by force is worth the
became a legendary prize
effort. If the you and your crew
of the Pirate Isles, passing from
could defeat the ship, and it is a valuable
the hands of pirate to pirate, usually with
enough prize to be worth the risk, the statue glows
violence. The Pirate Queen does not play favorites
a bright white for several seconds. If the ship meets
62
Table 3-02: Known Supplementary Powers
Name Effect
Clear spindle Grants a +1 bonus to Wisdom (Survival) checks when
using the skill to forage for food and water.
Dusty rose prism Grants a +1 bonus to AC against attacks of opportunity.
Deep red sphere Grants a +1 bonus to two Dexterity-based skills.
Incandescent blue sphere Grants a +1 bonus to two Wisdom-based skills.
Pale blue rhomboid Grants a +1 bonus to two Strength-based skills.
Pink rhomboid Grants a +1 bonus to Constitution ability checks.
Pink and green sphere
Scarlet and blue sphere
Grants a +1 bonus to two Charisma-based skills.
Grants a +1 bonus to two Intelligence-based skill. 3
Dark blue rhomboid Grants a +1 bonus to Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Insight) checks.
Iridescent spindle Protects against underwater damage caused naturally by
terrain effects (for example, water pressure).
Pale green Once per day you may use the regenerate spell.
neither of these criteria, then the pearl turns black stone. See Table 3-02: Known Supplementary
as pitch for the same length of time, and if the ship Powers for a list of known powers.
only meets one of the criteria then the pearl does You can remove an absorbed ioun stone by holding
nothing. Treat this as a divination spell with a 10% the statuette and touching it to your forehead. The
chance of failure, but if the percentage roll fails absorbed stone comes out of the pearl and takes up
then the pearl does nothing, and you don’t know orbit around you. The Pirate Queen’s pearl currently
whether this was because the percentage roll failed has a dark blue rhomboid and a clear spindle inside,
or because one of the conditions of the question giving it a glittering sheen and a cerulean tinge.
wasn’t met. Destruction of the Pearl
If you attempt to orbit an ioun stone around the The Pirate Queen’s pearl is destroyed if a pirate
statue’s head, the stone spirals inward and sinks captain who, of their own free will, truly renounces
into the Pirate Queen’s pearl. The statuette takes on their piratical ways, surrenders their ship and crew,
a color tone reminiscent of the color of the absorbed and gives the pearl to a lawful authority opposed
stone, blending with any other colors already to piracy. The pearl cracks apart when this occurs,
present. The Pirate Queen’s pearl can absorb up to releasing any absorbed ioun stones.
six stones in this manner. Anyone with the statuette R andom Properties
on their person gains the benefits of all these ioun The Pirate Queen’s pearl has the following random
stones. The pearl also augments these ioun stones properties:
granting the bearer a supplementary power for each k 1 major detrimental property.
k 2 minor detrimental properties
63
C ha p t e r 4:
Ships and
Sailing
4
64
Nautical campaigns have a different rollicking feel
to them, and a ship can be as much of a character
as the scoundrels crewing it, and once the PCs get
Table 4-01: Typical
their own ship, it will likely see as much action
as do the PCs themselves. Whether the PCs are Shipboard DCs
Dexterity (Acrobatics)
fighting rival pirates in hand-to-hand combat on
DC Task
the deck of a sailing rig, attacking a merchantman
5 Move at normal speed
with a hold full of riches to plunder with their on a cluttered deck
own pirate ship, or sending an entire fleet of ships 10 Stand or move, heeling deck (a
against an enemy armada, naval combat plays a sloping or slanted deck, such as
significant role in a nautical campaign, and this in high winds or sharp turns)
chapter provides a wealth of rules for nautical 10 Swing on ship’s rigging to another
location on the same ship.
combat of every kind. Generally speaking, battles
13 Swing on ship’s rigging to land
at sea are handled in one of three ways: shipboard
combat (normal combat on board a ship), ship-
on a different ship grappled
or rammed by your ship. 4
to-ship combat (combat between two or more 15 Stand or move, rolling deck
individual ships), and fleet combat (combat (violently rocking back and
forth, as in a severe storm)
between two or more fleets of multiple ships
18 Swing on ship’s rigging to
each). Rules for these three types of naval combat
a nearby ship that has not
are detailed in the following sections. been grappled or rammed.
65
New Tool: Ship’s Helm capturing enemy ships than in sinking them.
Characters may become proficient with the After all, if they sink a ship, they can’t plunder its
ship’s helm, in the same way as with artisan’s
cargo, ransom its crew and passengers, and sell (or
tools, in order to add their proficiency
bonuses to checks to pilot a ship via the use) the ship themselves. So once a ship has been
helm. boarded, ship-to-ship combat ends and shipboard
combat begins on whichever ship was boarded first.
Shipboard combat is normally a battle between the
“primaries” of the two ships—usually meaning that
the PCs fight the enemy ship’s captain and any other
major NPCs on the enemy ship in normal combat.
with spray must succeed on Dexterity (Acrobatics)
Meanwhile, the two ships’ crews are assumed to be
checks. The DC of such checks depends on how
fighting each other in the background.
severe the wave and weather conditions are and
Whoever wins the “primary” combat (either the
how great a challenge you want the environment to
4 be. Experienced sailors and aquatic races may have
advantage on such checks, while creatures unsuited
PCs or the enemy NPCs) wins the entire battle.
In other words, a ship’s crew is victorious over
an enemy crew if their captain defeats the enemy
to shipboard combat like horses or large creatures
captain. While a ship’s crew will likely take losses in
may have disadvantage. The following sample DCs
a battle, it is assumed that enough members of the
and modifiers can be used to adjudicate movement
defeated crew join the victorious crew to replenish
on board a ship.
any losses. This keeps the PCs from having to play
If a combatant falls overboard, use the standard
out combat between large numbers of low-level
rules for aquatic terrain and water dangers from
opponents, and from needing to track exactly how
swimming and possibly drowning. In all other
many casualties their crew takes in each battle.
ways, shipboard combat functions no differently
The PCs earn normal XP for the foes they defeat
than combat on land.
in shipboard combat. In most circumstances, a ship-
Shipboard vs. Ship- to ship battle just serves as a prelude to the main
to-Ship Combat combat. If, however, the PCs decided to fight out an
entire ship-to-ship battle and they sink or destroy
a ship without ever fighting the ship’s captain and
A typical nautical campaign presupposes that
key NPCs, then they should be awarded XP based
assumes that the PCs are more interested in
on the captain’s Challenge level, as the captain is
the only one piloting the enemy ship in ship-to-ship
combat).
Ship-to-Ship
Combat
When ships themselves become a part of a battle,
combat becomes unusual. The following rules
are not meant to accurately simulate all of the
complexities of ship-to-ship combat, only to provide
66
you with a quick and easy set of rules to resolve such man siege engines. Siege engines attack on the
situations when they inevitably arise in a nautical captain’s initiative count.
adventure, whether it be a battle between two ships A ship can also attempt to ram a target if it has
or between a ship and a sea monster. These rules its minimum crew. To ram a target, the ship must
represent an attempt to strike a balance between move at least 30 feet and end with its bow in a
verisimilitude and ease and speed of play during square adjacent to the target. The ship’s captain
combat and can be applied to a vessel of any size, then makes an attack roll— if this check equals
from a simple dinghy to a multi-deck man-o’-war. or exceeds the target’s AC, the ship hits its target,
These rules focus only on piloting and fighting inflicting damage as indicated on the ship statistics
with a ship on the water. table to the target, as well as minimum damage to
Simple Ship-to-Ship Combat the ramming ship. A ship outfitted with an actual
ram siege engine inflicts an additional 3d6 points
Decide what type of ships are involved in the combat of damage to the target (the ramming vessel suffers
(see Table 4-02: Simple Ship Statistics). Use a large,
blank battle mat to represent the waters on which
no additional damage).
Sinking 4
the battle occurs. A single square corresponds to
30 feet of distance. Represent each ship by placing A ship gains the sinking condition if its hit points
markers that take up the appropriate number of are reduced to 0 or fewer. A sinking ship cannot
squares (miniature toy ships make great markers move or attack, and it sinks completely 10 rounds
and should be available at most hobby stores). after it gains the sinking condition. Each hit on
Starting Combat: When combat begins, allow the a sinking ship that inflicts damage reduces the
PCs (and important NPC allies) to roll initiative as remaining time for it to sink by 1 round per 25
normal— the ship itself moves and attacks on the points of damage inflicted. A fabricate spell can
captain’s initiative result. If any of the ships in the repair a sinking ship, repairing a number of hit
battle rely on sails to move, randomly determine points equal to 4d12 + your spellcasting ability
what direction the wind is blowing by rolling 1d8, modifier. If the ship’s hit points are raised above 0
with each value corresponding to a cardinal or by this repair, the ship loses the sinking condition.
intercardinal direction (N, E, S, W, NE, NW, SE, Generally, non-magical repairs take too long to
SW). save a ship from sinking once it begins to go down.
Movement: On the captain’s initiative count, the
ship can move its current speed in a single round as
Ship Statistics
a move for the captain (or Dash to move further), as A vast variety of boats and ships exist in the
long as it has its minimum crew complement. The real world, from small rafts and longboats to
ship can increase or decrease its speed by 30 feet intimidating galleons and swift galleys. To represent
each round, up to its maximum speed. Alternatively, the numerous distinctions of shape and size that
the captain can change direction (up to one side of exist between water-going vessels, Table 2 describes
a square at a time) as an action. A ship can only several standard ship sizes and their respective
change direction at the start of a turn. statistics. Just as the cultures of the real world have
Attacks: Crewmembers in excess of the ship’s created and adapted hundreds of different types of
minimum crew requirement can be allocated to seafaring vessels, races in fantasy worlds might
create their own strange ships. GMs might use or
67
Table 4-02: Simple Ship Statistics
Ship Type AC hp Base Save Maximum Speed Arms R am Squares Crew
Keelboat 12 60 +4 30 feet* 1 2d6+6 2 4/15+100
Longship 14 75 +5 60 feet* 1 4d6+18 3 50/75+100
Sailing ship 15 125 +6 60 feet* (sails only) 2 3d6+12 3 20/50+120
Warship 18 175 +7 60 feet* 3 3d6+12 4 60/80+160
Galley 16 200 +8 90 feet* 4 6d6+24 4 200/250+200
alter the statistics below to suit the needs of their Ram: The amount of damage the ship inflicts on
4 creations and describe such conveyances however
they please. All ships have the following traits.
a successful ramming attack (without a ram siege
engine).
Ship Type: This is a general category that lists Squares: The number of squares the ship takes
the ship’s basic type. up on the battle mat. A ship’s width is always
AC: The ship’s base Armor Class. To calculate a considered to be one square.
ship’s actual AC, add the captain’s Wisdom modifier Crew: The first number lists the minimum crew
to the ship’s base AC. complement the ship needs to function normally,
hp: The ship’s total hit points. In addition, all excluding those needed to make use of the vessel’s
ships have a damage threshold based on their weapons. The second value lists the ship’s maximum
construction material (damage threshold 5 for most crew plus additional soldiers or passengers. A ship
wooden ships). At 0 or fewer hit points, a ship gains without its minimum crew complement can only
the sinking condition as described above. move, change speed, change direction, or ram if
Base Save: The ship’s base save modifier. All its captain makes a DC 12 Charisma (Persuasion or
of a ship’s saving throws have the same value. To Intimidation) check. Crew in excess of the minimum
determine a ship’s actual saving throw modifiers, have no effect on movement, but they can replace
add the captain’s Wisdom modifier to this base fallen crewmembers or man additional weapons.
value.
Maximum Speed: The ship’s maximum tactical
Advanced Ship-to-Ship Combat
speed in combat. An asterisk indicates the ship has When ships themselves become a part of a battle,
sails and can move at double speed when it moves combat becomes unusual. The following rules
in the same direction as the wind. A ship with only are not meant to accurately simulate all of the
sails can only move if there is some wind. complexities of ship-to-ship combat; rather, they
Arms: The number of siege weapons such as represent an attempt to strike a balance between
catapults or ballistae that can be fitted on the ship. verisimilitude and ease and speed of play during
A ram uses one of these slots, and only one ram combat and can be applied to a vessel of any size,
may be fitted to a ship. from a simple dinghy to a multi-deck man-o’-war.
It is important to note that while ships can be
attacked in combat, it is difficult to significantly
68
damage such large vehicles. In addition, a captured Size and Space
ship is usually worth more as a prize to be towed
Ships have sizes and spaces different from creature
or sailed home than sunk to the bottom of the sea.
sizes and spaces. In order to play out ship-to-ship
As a result, most ship-to-ship combat ends when
combat on a Flip-Mat or battle mat, a single square
the crew of one ship boards another to fight the
on the map corresponds to 30 feet of distance,
enemy crew in hand-to-hand combat (see Boarding
rather than 5 feet. Most ships are long and thin;
and Grappling).
rather than taking up a space of an equal number
Ship Basics of squares per side like creatures do, a ship’s width
is always considered to be one square.
The following overview presents more extensive
rules for ship-to-ship combat. All ships use these Facing and Movement
rules for movement and combat.
Ships do not move like creatures, even when they
Pilots use creatures for propulsion. They tend to move
Crews
Most ships require a crew. A ship without a full
crew complement, but with at least half its crew
gains disadvantage on all sailing checks. A ship
needs at least half its crew complement in order
to be piloted at all. If more than half of a ship’s
crew is killed, restrained, incapacitated, stunned,
or rendered unconscious, the ship can only take
the “uncontrolled” action. Crew members can
take no action while the ship is in motion except
to aid in that ship’s movement. Any crew required
to operate siege engines are in addition to those
crew needed to operate the ship.
69
directions. When piloted correctly, ships can move using two means of propulsion at the same time,
straight ahead, diagonally, or a mix of both within such as wind and muscle, the pilot chooses which
the same movement. Skilled pilots can make a ship skill to use, and takes a –2 penalty on all sailing
zigzag in a forward direction with ease. checks. Outside of combat, the base DC for all
sailing checks is DC 5. In combat, the base DC for
Movement
all sailing checks is DC 15. A ship without a full
Ships have a maximum speed and an acceleration crew complement, but with at least half its crew,
listing. The maximum speed is the fastest rate gains disadvantage.
the ship can travel per round (though a wind-
Help
propelled ship sailing in the direction of the wind
can double this speed). A ship cannot usually start Just as with other skills, a character can spend
at its maximum speed. Each round, the pilot can an action to use the Help action. This represents
attempt to accelerate the ship or decelerate it by an extra pair of eyes observing the enemy, giving
70
affects the speed and maneuverability of a ship, Table 4-03: Control Devices
but more importantly, determines the required Control
skill needed to control the ship. Controlling a ship Device AC Hit Points Threshold
Oars* 12 10 per oar 5
takes common sense, awareness, intuition, and
Steering 10 25 5
often some amount of skill in the ship’s means wheel
of propulsion. In the case of wind or current Tiller 10 25 5
propulsion, it is about using the current and tools Magically — ×2 ×2
like sails, oars, or a rudder to move the ship. In treated*
the case of muscle propulsion, it is about guiding * Oars are treated as at half hp if at least
creatures to move the ship. The following are the half the oars on a ship are destroyed.
** More information on magically treated control
general methods of ship propulsion, along with the devices can be found in Ship Modifications.
skills typically needed to pilot ships propelled by
the specified means.
Current 4
All boats and ships can use water currents for the propulsion are friendly, Diplomacy sailing
propulsion, but ships that only rely on currents for checks are made with advantage. An average crew is
propulsion are somewhat limited. These vehicles considered indifferent, though a particularly loyal
can only move in the direction and at the speed of a crew might be considered friendly. Intimidation is
current unless they also employ some other means used for intelligent creatures with an attitude of
of propulsion or manipulation, and thus often have hostile, such as captive rowers on a slave galley.
an additional form of propulsion, such as muscle Animal Handling is used if the creatures providing
in the case of a rowboat, or wind in the case of a the propulsion are not intelligent.
sailing ship. A current-propelled ship requires a The maximum speed and acceleration of a
Wisdom check, adding one’s proficiency bonus if muscle-propelled ship depends on the number
proficient in the ship’s helm. of creatures providing the propulsion, but most
A current-propelled ship’s maximum speed muscle-propelled ship have a maximum speed of 30
depends on the speed of the current (often as high feet and an acceleration of 30 feet. Larger muscle-
as 120 feet). The acceleration of a current-propelled propelled ships with many rowers have a maximum
ship is 30 feet. speed of 60 feet and an acceleration of 30 feet.
Muscle Oars
Muscle-propelled ships use oars and rowers to All muscle-propelled ships require the use of oars.
push the ship forward. Sailing skills for muscle- Oars have their own statistics.
propelled ships tend to be Persuasion, Intimidation,
Wind
or Animal Handling, depending on the intelligence
and attitude of the creatures supplying the muscle Wind-propelled ships use sails to harness the power
for the propulsion. of the wind for propulsion. A wind-propelled ship
For intelligent creatures, use Persuasion if the requires a Wisdom check for the sailing check, on
creatures providing the propulsion have an attitude which ship’s helm proficiency applies.
of indifferent, or friendly. If the creatures providing
71
Small wind-propelled ships can move at a the GM’s discretion, a faster ship can always catch a
maximum speed of 30 feet. Larger ships that are slower ship, but even slow ships can take advantage
also muscle-propelled often have a maximum speed of favorable winds, currents, or coastal terrain to
of 60 feet when using only wind propulsion. Large make good their escape.
ships with multiple masts and many sails can have When two ships first encounter one another, the
maximum speeds of up to 90 feet. The acceleration pilots of the two ships must make three opposed
of a wind-propelled ship is 30 feet. sailing checks. Whichever pilot wins at least two
All wind-propelled ships can move twice their out of three of the opposed checks is victorious. If
normal maximum speed when moving in the the pursuing ship wins, it catches up to the fleeing
direction of the wind. A ship using wind propulsion ship and ship-to-ship combat begins. If the fleeing
cannot move in the opposite direction from the ship wins, it escapes. If the result is a tie, the pilots
wind. should begin a new series of three opposed checks.
72
ship’s sails is a good way to capture a vessel. Sails Table 4-04: Propulsion
take double the normal damage from acid and fire Propulsion Base AC Hit Points Hardness
attacks (multiply the damage roll by 2). If all of a Oars 12 10 per oar 5
ship’s sails are destroyed, the ship can no longer Sails 6 4 per 5-ft. 0
square
use wind propulsion and must rely on current or
Magically — ×2 ×2
muscle propulsion only. treated*
Withdrawing * More information on magically treated
means of propulsion can be found in the Ship
Modifications section. Such chases can take
Once in ship-to-ship combat, a ship can withdraw days, as one ship struggles to outmaneuver
from combat by simply moving off the edge of the the other. At the GM’s discretion, roll 1d4 to
determine the number of days a chase lasts.
battle mat, ending ship-to-ship combat immediately.
At the GM’s discretion, the ship has either escaped
completely, or the two ships can go back to the
evasion and pursuit rules above.
73
a turn determined by the GM. If they wish to take action forcing the ship to become uncontrolled, the
actions in combat, the PCs (and important NPCs ship moves. If a ship has less than half its crew or
involved in the combat) should roll initiative at this has no pilot, or if the pilot takes no action, takes
time as well. some other action instead of piloting the ship,
or delays or readies an action, the ship takes the
The Upper Hand
“uncontrolled” action.
At the beginning of every round, each pilot makes
Full Ahead action
an opposed sailing check to determine who has
the upper hand that round. This represents the With a successful sailing check, the ship’s current
vagaries of luck, skill, and the environment, speed increases by its acceleration (usually 30 feet),
whether catching a favorable gust of wind, taking but no higher than its maximum speed. The ship
advantage of a fast current, sliding down the back can move forward or forward diagonally. In other
of a large wave, or disrupting an opposing ship’s words, each time a ship enters a new 30-foot square,
4 wind with your own ship’s “dirty air.” The pilot who
succeeds at the check gains the upper hand and can
it can choose any of its forward-facing squares—
the one directly in front or either of the squares
immediately reposition her ship by one square in directly forward and diagonal. This allows the ship
any direction as a free action. For every 5 by which to swerve. A pilot who fails her sailing check does
the successful pilot’s check exceeds the opposing not accelerate and can only move into a square
pilot’s check, the pilot with the upper hand can directly in front of the ship’s forward facing.
reposition her ship by an additional square. On a
Hard to Port or
tie, neither pilot gains the upper hand.
Alternatively, the pilot who wins the upper hand
Hard to Starboard action
can change the heading of her ship by 90 degrees. The pilot can turn the ship while it moves forward
For every 5 by which the successful pilot’s check at its current speed. With a successful sailing check,
exceeds the opposing pilot’s check, the pilot with the pilot can change the ship’s forward facing
the upper hand can change the heading of her ship either left (port) or right (starboard) by 90 degrees
by an additional 90 degrees. at any point during the ship’s movement. Do this
A ship that is upwind of another ship (closer by pivoting the ship so that the rear square of the
to the direction of the wind) is said to “hold the ship takes the place of the ship’s former forward
weather gage,” and gains a +2 bonus on the opposed facing square. If a ship’s current speed is twice its
check to gain the upper hand. acceleration, the pilot takes a –3 penalty on the
sailing check. If a ship’s current speed is three
Movement
times its acceleration, the pilot takes a –6 penalty
At the start of a pilot’s turn, she can take any of the on the sailing check. If its current speed is four or
following sailing actions (except the “uncontrolled” more times its acceleration, the pilot takes a –10
action) by making a sailing check to control penalty. On a failed check, the ship does not turn,
the ship. The pilot must take whatever action is but can be moved forward diagonally during its
required before doing anything else that turn. Just movement. Note: A wind-propelled ship that turns
as in normal combat, a pilot can perform a standard into the wind (its forward facing is pointed in the
action and a move action each round. Once the opposite direction from the wind) is said to be “in
pilot has selected an action, or takes some other
74
irons” and takes the uncontrolled action until its Uncontrolled no action
pilot turns it to face another direction.
When the pilot does nothing, if there is no pilot,
Heave To action or if the ship has less than half its crew, the ship
is uncontrolled. An uncontrolled ship does nothing
With a successful sailing check, the ship’s current
except take the uncontrolled action until it stops
speed decreases by 30 feet. On a failed check, the
or someone becomes its new pilot. An uncontrolled
ship does not decelerate. Either way, the ship can
ship moves forward only (it cannot move forward
move forward on its current facing and can move
diagonally) and automatically decelerates by 30
forward diagonally. If deceleration reduces a ship’s
feet. Even if a ship does nothing, it can still perform
speed to 0, some amount of inertia will continue
ramming maneuvers (see Ramming).
to move the ship forward. The ship moves forward
(either directly forward or forward diagonally) Attacks
1d4×30 feet before coming to a complete stop.
Ships typically don’t have attacks and do not
Make Way action threaten any area around them, though some
ships can be fitted with rams. Some ships also
4
With a successful sailing check, a pilot can make a
carry siege engines. Provided that the ship has
tricky or difficult maneuver that forces an enemy
enough additional crew to operate them, these
pilot to react. The result of this sailing check then
siege engines can make attacks. While individuals
becomes the DC of the enemy pilot’s next sailing
aboard a ship generally don’t play a significant role
check. On a failed check, the ship’s speed remains
in ship-to-ship combat, important characters such
constant, but the ship cannot move forward
as PCs might still become involved if they wish to
diagonally, and the enemy pilot makes his next
fire siege engines or if an enemy ship is in range
sailing check at the normal DC.
of their ranged attacks or spells. When attacking a
Stay the Course move ship, you can attack the ship’s structure, occupants,
propulsion, or control device. You can also attempt
With a successful sailing check, the pilot can
to grapple and board a ship. In addition, a ship can
move the ship forward on its current facing at its
make a ramming maneuver or shearing maneuver
current speed, and it can move directly forward
as part of its movement.
or forward diagonally. Failing the check keeps the
speed constant, but the ship can only move directly Attacking the Structure
forward, not forward diagonally.
This is an attack against the ship itself. If the attack
Full Astern move and action is successful, the ship takes damage normally.
With a successful sailing check, the pilot can move Attacking an Occupant
the ship backward at a speed of 30 feet, moving
This is a normal attack against a ship’s occupant—
either directly backward (the reverse of its forward
any creature that is a passenger, pilot, crew, or
facing) or backward diagonally. On a failed check,
providing propulsion on a ship. Occupants get
it does not move backward. A ship may only be
half cover (+2 to AC and Dexterity saving throws)
moved in reverse if its current speed is 0.
or greater against attacks coming from outside of
the ship. Occupants in a forecastle or sterncastle
have three-quarters cover (+5 to AC and Dexterity
75
saving throws), while those inside a port or hatch A single light catapult deals 4d10 points of damage,
have total cover (can’t be targeted). In general, for an average of 22 points of damage. If the attack
once combat begins among the occupants of two hits, the broadside deals 22 × 10, or 220 points of
ships (such as when boarding), ship-to-ship combat damage.
should be replaced with shipboard combat.
Grappling and Boarding
Attacking Propulsion
When the crew of one ship wishes to board an enemy
A ship’s means of propulsion usually has its own ship and attack its crew, they must first grapple the
set of statistics, while creatures propelling a ship other ship. To grapple, the two ships must be within
use their own statistics. See Attacking an Occupant 30 feet of one another (in other words, they must
above if crew members providing propulsion are be in adjacent squares on the battle mat). If both
attacked. Individual ship stat blocks detail their pilots want to grapple, grappling is automatically
means of propulsion. successful. The two crews throw out grappling
76
for the first round of combat, due to the difficulty maneuver, and ignores the damage for the first
of climbing over the ships’ rails and finding footing square of a solid object it enters, and all damage
on the enemy deck. Characters using a corvus from ramming creatures or other objects (such as
to board another ship do not grant advantage on other ships). A ram can be added to a Large ship for
attack rolls. 50 gp, a Huge ship for 100 gp, a Gargantuan ship for
300 gp, and a Colossal ship for 1,000 gp.
Ramming
If a ship has less than its full crew complement, but
To ram a target, a ship must move at least 30 has at least half its crew, the pilot gains disadvantage
feet and end with its forward square in a square on his check to make a ramming maneuver. A ship
adjacent to the target. The ship’s pilot must make without at least half its crew complement cannot
a sailing check against the target’s AC plus the make a ramming maneuver.
target’s pilot’s sailing check modifier. If the check
Combat After Boarding
is successful, the ship hits its target, dealing its
ramming damage to the target. The ramming ship
takes half that damage. A ship’s base ramming
Ship-to-ship combat assumes that the PCs are more
interested in capturing enemy ships than in sinking 4
damage is listed in its stat block. If the pilot’s them. After all, if you sink a ship, you can’t plunder
sailing check exceeds the target’s Cmd by 5 or more, its cargo, ransom its crew and passengers, and sell
the target takes twice the ship’s ramming damage. (or use) the ship yourself. So once a ship has been
If the combat maneuver check exceeds the target’s boarded, ship-to-ship combat ends and shipboard
sailing check by 10 or more, the target takes twice combat begins on whichever ship was boarded first.
the ship’s ramming damage and the target’s speed is Shipboard combat is normally a battle between the
immediately reduced to 0. Regardless of the result “primaries” of the two ships—usually meaning that
of the check, the ramming ship’s speed is reduced the PCs fight the enemy ship’s captain and any other
to 0. major NPCs on the enemy ship in normal combat.
If a ship collides with another ship or a solid object Meanwhile, the two ships’ crews are assumed to be
(an immobile structure with a damage threshold fighting each other in the background.
of 5 or more), it also makes a ramming maneuver, Whoever wins the “primary” combat (either the
regardless of the pilot’s intent. There is no sailing PCs or the enemy NPCs) wins the entire battle.
check for this ramming maneuver; its effects happen In other words, a ship’s crew is victorious over
automatically. When a ship makes a ramming an enemy crew if their captain defeats the enemy
maneuver against a solid object, to determine how captain. While a ship’s crew will likely take losses in
much damage both the solid object and the ship a battle, it is assumed that enough members of the
take, allow the ship to enter the solid object’s space. defeated crew join the victorious crew to replenish
The ship will only travel through that space if the any losses. This keeps the PCs from having to play
damage is enough to destroy the solid object; in all out combat between large numbers of low-level
other cases, the ship takes the damage and its speed opponents, and from needing to track exactly how
is immediately reduced to 0 as it comes to a sudden many casualties their crew takes in each battle.
stop directly in front of the solid object. The PCs earn normal XP for the foes they defeat
A ship can be outfitted with a ram on its forward in shipboard combat. In most circumstances, the
facing. A ship equipped with a ram deals an ship-to-ship battle just serves as a prelude to the
additional 2d8 points of damage with a ramming main combat. If, however, the PCs decided to fight
77
out an entire ship-to-ship battle and they sink When a new creature becomes the pilot, the ship
or destroy a ship without ever fighting the ship’s moves on the new pilot’s turn, but not on the new
captain and NPCs, then they earn XP based on the pilot’s first turn after taking control of the ship.
captain’s challenge rating (as the captain is the only
Damaging a Ship
one piloting the enemy ship in ship-to-ship combat).
Ships have hit points and hardness based on
Shearing
their primary components. Most ships are made
A ship may attempt to shear off the oars of an of wood (15 hit points per 5-foot-square, damage
opposing ship, if the target ship uses oars for muscle threshold 5). When a ship is reduced to below half
propulsion. To attempt a shearing maneuver, a ship its hit points, it gains the broken condition. When it
must be adjacent to the target’s forward or rear reaches 0 hit points, it gains the sinking condition.
square and move along the side of the target for
Broken Condition
a number of adjacent squares equal to the target
78
4
79
New Feat: Siege Naval Siege
Engineer
Long trained with siege engines, you gain
the following benefits:
Weapons
k Increase your Intelligence score by 1, Siege weapons (also called siege engines) assault
to a maximum of 20. structures and people from a distance by propelling
k When you fire a siege weapon, it does
ammunition in some fashion. All siege engines in
not suffer a mishap on a roll of 1.
k When you aim a siege weapon, you a pirate campaign use the following basic rules,
gain advantage on any intelligence unless stated otherwise in an individual siege
checks to aim.
engine description.
Proficiency: Siege engines are martial weapons.
A character able to gain proficiency with martial
weapons can become proficient with one kind of
crew can attempt to extinguish the flames as an
siege weapon with proficiency. A creature with
4 action for the entire crew, allowing the ship to
make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 10 + the number
the Siege Engineer feat is proficient with all siege
engines.
of rounds the ship has been on fire). A successful
Crew: The sheer size of a siege engine often
saving throw means the fire has been put out. A
necessitates a crew for its use. One person of
failed saving throw results in the ship taking the
that crew is the crew leader. Usually the crew
normal 2d6 points of fire damage for the round.
leader controls the movement of a siege engine or
A ship must take the “uncontrolled” action each
designates its targets; sometimes the crew leader
round that its crew attempts to put out a fire, as
does both. Often the crew leader is required to take
they are not sailing the ship at this time.
actions and make specific checks in order for a siege
Creatures can attack ships with spells. Ships are
engine to function. The rest of the crew members
objects, so spells that can only target creatures
are required to spend actions and make checks in
have no effect on ships. However, because a ship
order for a siege engine to function. The crew of a
is actively crewed and piloted, it can make saving
siege engine is in addition to the crew needed to
throws against spell effects. Ships are immune to
operate the ship.
most spells that require a mental (Intelligence,
Magical Siege Engines: Siege engines can
Wisdom, Charisma) saving throw. A ship without
be enchanted like any other weapon, and their
cannot make saving throws.
ammunition can enchanted as well. However,
The effects of most spells on ships can be
not all enchantments lend themselves as well to
determined normally. However, certain spells have
catapult stones as they do to arrows. A cannonball
different effects in naval combat. The effects of
of slaying should be a very rare and esoteric item, if
these spells are detailed on in the Spell Effects in
it exists at all.
Naval Combat section. GMs can use these examples
Disabling Siege Engines: A siege engine is a
as guidelines for determining how other spells not
difficult device to disable, requiring 2d4 rounds of
listed here affect ships. For the most part, these
effort and a DC 15 Dexterity check with thieves’
effects only apply during ship-to-ship combat, not
tools to do so. When a siege engine is disabled,
during normal combat aboard a ship, though some
it either doesn’t work or is sabotaged and stops
affects (such as starting fires), could still apply, at
working after 1d4 minutes of use.
the GM’s discretion.
80
Repairing Siege Engines: Repairing a broken or engine with a diminished crew doubles the amount
disabled siege engine requires a DC 15 Intelligence of time it takes to aim the siege engine. Each time
check. It takes 10 minutes to fix the device, and the a new target is chosen as the target of a siege
check can be retried if the fix fails. engine’s attack, that siege engine must be aimed
Defense and Hit Points: All siege engines are anew. For example, a light catapult aimed by one
objects, typically crafted out of wood.A siege creatures would have to spend a turn aiming the
engines typically has an AC of 15. and a further catapult in order to fire it on the next round, since
penalty based on its size. Each type of siege engine a light catapult takes an action actions to aim. If
has its own hit points. the same light catapult were instead crewed by two
Assembling Siege Engines: Siege engines can be creatures, one could spend an action aiming it and
broken down for storage or transport and can be the remaining creature could fire it using their own
reassembled on a ship’s deck. A Large siege engine action.
requires 1 hour and four workers to assemble. A
Direct-Fire Siege Engines
Huge siege engine requires 2 hours and six workers
to assemble. Each assembly worker must make a Direct-fire weapons launch their projectiles on a 4
DC 10 Intelligence. If an assembly worker fails, he relatively flat trajectory, allowing them to more
makes no progress towards assembly but assembly is easily target creatures or pummel barriers directly
not set back in any way. Assembly can be performed in front of them.
with at least half the required number of workers A direct-fire weapon uses a normal ranged attack
by doubling the time required. If fewer than half roll based on the siege engine. The crew may take
are available, the siege engine cannot be assembled. advantage of any relevant feats or abilities. The
Firing Siege Engines crew takes a -2 penalty on the attack roll for each
size category difference between them and the siege
Siege engines hurl massive projectiles in one of weapon. However, each crew member beyond the
two ways: direct fire or indirect fire. Both take a first reduces this penalty by 2 as long as they are
number of actions to load or aim, and the basic no more than 3 sizes smaller. For example, a Huge
rules are described below. ballista fired by a Medium creature that is part of a
crew of two (one more than the minimum number
Load Ammunition
of crew members required) takes only a –2 penalty
In order for a siege engine to fire, it must be loaded on attack rolls, and a crew of three would negate
with ammunition. Loading ammunition takes a the penalty altogether.
number actions depending on the siege engine. For
Indirect-Fire Siege Engines
example, a heavy ballista loaded by two creatures
takes 1 round to load the siege weapon, since Indirect-fire weapons launch projectiles in high
the creatures each take one of the two necessary arcs toward their targets. They typically lob heavier
actions to do so. missiles and payloads than direct-fire weapons,
but they are harder to aim accurately. Indirect-fire
Aiming a Siege Engine
weapons can bypass many forms of fortification,
Siege engines must be aimed in order to attack a delivering their payloads of solid shot, scatter shot,
desired target. Aiming takes a number of actions or even disease-ridden offal to targets on other
depending on the siege engine. Aiming a siege ships.
81
squares clockwise around the target square. Roll
Table 4-05: 1d4 for every 200 ft. at which the attack was made,
Indirect Attack rounding up (1d4 if the target square is within the
Check Modifiers first 200 ft., 2d4 if the target square is within 400
Condition Modifier ft., and so on). The total is the number of squares
No line of sight Disadvantage by which the attack misses. The ammunition deals
to target square
its damage and any other effects in the square it
Successive +1* (crew can see where
shots most recent miss landed) lands on.
* Cumulative +1 per previous Critical Hits
miss (maximum +4)
Successive +1* (crew can’t see Siege engines can score critical hits as normal.
shots where most recent For the purposes of relevant abilities or feats, the
missed shot landed,
but observer is character firing the siege engine is the character
4 providing feedback)
* Cumulative +1 per previous
who scores the critical hit.
82
Table 4-06: Siege Weapon Statistics
Ships can mount Large or Huge siege engines; Gargantuan siege engines are included
here for the purpose of shtore-based fortifications that might be armed with such weapons
to defend against attacks from enemy ships.
Direct Fire E ngines
Large Cost Dmg Range Type1 Crew Aim Load Speed
Cannon 6,000 gp 6d6 100 ft. B and P 2 1 1 10 ft.
Huge Cost Dmg Range Type1
Crew Aim Load Speed
Ballista, heavy 800 gp 4d10 200/800 ft. P 3 1 2 0 ft.
Cannon, fiend’s 9,000 gp 12d10 600/2400 ft. B and P 4 2 2 0 ft.
mouth
Firedrake
Gargantuan
4,000 gp 6d6
Cost Dmg
–
Range
fire
Type1
3
Crew
1
Aim
2
Load
10 ft.
Speed
4
Ballista, gate breaker 1,200 gp 6d10 200/800 ft. P 4 1 3 0 ft.
Firewyrm 6,000 gp 6d6 – fire 4 1 3 0 ft.
I ndirect Fire E ngines
Large Cost Dmg Range Type1 Crew Aim Load Speed
Bombard, light 6,000 gp 4d10 600/2400 ft. B and P 2 1 1 10 ft.
Catapult, light 550 gp 4d10 120/480 ft. B 2 1 1 10 ft.
Trebuchet, light 800 gp 4d6 200/800 ft. B 2 1 1 0 ft.
Huge Cost Dmg Range Type1 Crew Aim Load Speed
Bombard, standard 8,000 gp 6d10 600/2400 ft. B and P 3 1 2 0 ft.
Catapult, standard 800 gp 6d10 120/480 ft. B 3 1 2 0 ft.
Springal, arrow 1,000 gp 3d8 150/600 ft. P 3 1 2 0 ft.
Springal, rocket 6,000 gp 3d10 150/600 ft. fire 3 1 2 0 ft.
Trebuchet, standard 1,000 gp 6d10 200/800 ft. B 3 1 2 0 ft.
Gargantuan Cost Dmg Range Type1 Crew Aim Load Speed
Bombard, heavy 16,000 gp 8d10 600/2400 ft. B and P 4 1 3 0 ft.
Catapult, heavy 1,000 gp 8d10 120/480 ft. B 4 1 3 0 ft.
Trebuchet, heavy 1,500 gp 8d10 200/800 ft. B 4 1 3 0 ft.
Other
Cost Dmg Range Type Crew Aim Load
Corvus 100 gp — — — 1 1 —
1
A weapon with two types of damage is both types (split evenly) if the entry specifies “and.”
83
Damage: This entry gives the damage typically used as torsion springs driving a pair of adjustable
dealt by the siege engine. Unlike normal ranged arms. A cord attached to both arms is winched back
weapons, siege engines deal full damage to objects. and a projectile is loaded into a grooved slider for
Siege engines do not deal sneak attack damage or release. Ballistae are direct-fire siege engines.
any other kind of precision damage.
HEAVY BALLISTA
Range: Any attack made closer than the first Huge object
range number given suffers disadvantage. A siege Armor Class 15 Hit Points 75
engine cannot attack beyond the second range Damage Immunities poison, psychic
number.
These Huge siege engines are commonly used as
Type: Like weapons, siege engines are classified
castle defenses, as well as on large warships. It
according to the type of damage they deal: B for
requires two actions to load, one action to aim, and
bludgeoning, P for piercing, or S for slashing. Some
one action to fire.
siege engines deal energy damage. In those cases,
Bolt. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range
4 the type of energy damage is listed instead.
Crew: This column gives the number of Medium
200/800 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d10) piercing
damage.
creatures needed to properly operate the siege
engine. GATEBREAKER BALLISTA
Aim: This column gives the number of actions Gargantuan object
Armor Class 15 Hit Points 125
required to aim a siege engine. If the siege engine Damage Immunities poison, psychic
is being controlled by less than its normal crew
complement, the number of actions it takes for the This massive ballista fires specially weighted
crew to aim the siege engine is doubled. quarrels with blunt metal tips. These are used as
Load: This column gives the number of actions long-range battering rams, shot at walls or the
required to load a siege engine. gates of castles. It requires three actions to load,
Siege Engine Descriptions one action to aim, and one action to fire.
Bolt. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range
The following siege engines are available for use 200/800 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (6d10) piercing
on board ships and in shore fortifications where damage.
their defenders may return fire to ships attacking
Bombard
them from the water. Bombards, cannon, and
rocket springals are gunpowder weapons, and Resembling either large cauldrons or more
so their availability depends on whether the traditional cannons, these firearms lob their
campaign features firearms and similar gunpowder ammunition in an arc in order to deliver their deadly
technology. In a more purely medieval-style payloads over troops or castle walls. Bombards are
campaign, such weapons might be unknown, or normally fired indirectly but also can be fired as
might be an exclusive secret held by a far-off island direct-fire siege engines. When they are used for
nation or a society of mad tinkers. direct fire, they disadvantage on attack rolls and
have their range halved. Bombards have a misfire
Ballista
chance.
A ballista resembles a massive crossbow, and its
power is provided by twisted skeins of animal sinew
84
LIGHT BOMBARD
Large object
Armor Class 15 Hit Points 50
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
STANDARD BOMBARD
Huge object
Armor Class 15 Hit Points 75 these firearms come in two pieces connected by a
Damage Immunities poison, psychic screw mechanism. The bombard is unscrewed to
be loaded, and then the main part of the muzzle is
These bombards feature the greatest diversity of
screwed back on to the barrel section in order to be
forms. Many take the cauldron shape of the light
fired. Heavy bombards are too large and powerful
bombard, but they may also take the forms of more
to mount on vehicles. They require three actions
traditional cannons, albeit featuring stabilizing
to load, one action to aim, and one action to fire.
mechanisms that allow them to fire at a much
Aiming requires a DC 15 Intelligence check. On a
steeper incline. They require two actions to load,
natural roll of 1, the bombard misfires and must be
one action to aim, and one action to fire. Aiming
cleared (2 actions) before being reloaded.
requires a DC 12 Intelligence check. On a natural
Bombard Ball. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to
roll of 1, the bombard misfires and must be cleared
hit, range 600/2400 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10)
(2 actions) before being reloaded.
bludgeoning damage.
Bombard Ball. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to
hit, range 600/2400 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (6d10) Cannon
bludgeoning damage.
Cannons are crafted of metal—some are cast in one
HEAVY BOMBARD piece, others welded with iron bands—and mounted
Gargantuan object either in the ground or on wooden frames. Cannons
Armor Class 15 Hit Points 125
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
use black powder to propel their projectiles with
great force.
These massive siege engines are often fixed to
positions on high hilltops or atop massive keeps,
raining death down on a valley or strait. Often
85
FIEND’S MOUTH CANNON STANDARD CATAPULT
Gargantuan object Huge object
Armor Class 19 Hit Points 125 Armor Class 15 Hit Points 75
Damage Immunities poison, psychic Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Cannon Ball. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to These Huge catapults are too large to be transported
hit, range 600/2400 ft., one target. Hit: 66 (12d10) in one piece and require assembly. Standard
bludgeoning damage. catapult stones cost 15 gp and weigh 75 pounds
These massive cannons are usually crafted in each. They require two actions to load, one action
multiple pieces, and sometimes feature the heads to aim, and one action to fire. Aiming requires a DC
of demons, devils, or other fiends at their mouths. 12 Intelligence check.
Like normal canons, they propel their projectiles Catapult Ball. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to
with great force. A fiend’s mouth cannon has a hit, range 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (6d10)
misfire chance. Fiend’s mouth cannon balls cost 45 bludgeoning damage.
Catapults
HEAVY CATAPULT
Gargantuan object
Armor Class 15 Hit Points 125
Catapults are stone-throwing siege engines powered Damage Immunities poison, psychic
86
if the corvus is attached to a ship, the pilot of dealing its damage to all creatures within a 30-foot
either ship can make a sailing check as an action radius (DC 18 Dexterity save halves). Firewyrms
to dislodge the corvus (a check that succeeds by have a damage threshold of 10 and 125 hit points.
5 or more destroys the corvus). The base DC for One use of firewyrm ammunition costs 400 gp and
either of these checks is 10, and the DC increases weighs 40 pounds.
by 2 for every Small or Medium creature currently
Springal
standing on the corvus. If a corvus is disengaged
while creatures are standing on it, those creatures A springal uses a torsion-cranked composite paddle
must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or fall. to strike a firing rack containing multiple arrows,
Succeeding at the saving throw allows them to which rain down in an arc over a burst area.
move to the nearest area of safe ground, but such Springals are indirect-fire siege engines that affect
movement provokes opportunity attacks. A corvus the targeted square and a 15-foot radius around
cannot be armored. A corvus does not count toward that square.
a ship’s maximum number of siege engines.
Firedrake
ARROW SPRINGAL
Huge object
4
Armor Class 15 Hit Points 75
These Huge siege engines are often mounted on Damage Immunities poison, psychic
87
Trebuchet STANDARD TREBUCHET
Huge object
Trebuchets are similar in form to catapults, with Armor Class 15 Hit Points 50
the payload placed into a basket, cup, or sling at the Damage Immunities poison, psychic
88
Special Siege Engine Table 4-7: Special Siege
Ammunition Engine Ammunition
A mmunition Cost Weight
The following kinds of ammunition can be used Alchemist’s fire 200 gp 10 lbs.
in select types of indirect-fire siege engines. The Chain shot 50 gp 30 lbs.
ammunition description specifies which types Liquid ice 400 gp 20 lbs.
of siege engines can use the special ammunition. Plague bundle 80 gp 20 lbs.
The costs and weights on Table 4-7: Special Siege Smoke shot 250 gp 20 lbs.
Engine Ammunition are for individual uses of special
ammunition.
Alchemist’s Fire: This is either a hard, ceramic
container of Alchemist’s fire that can be used as Liquid Ice: This hard, ceramic canister
ammunition in catapults, or a ceramic bulb of filled with alchemical liquid ice can be used
Alchemist’s fire mounted on the tip of a ballista bolt
to be fired from ballistae. When it hits its target
as ammunition in catapults. When it hits its target
square, it deals 4d6 points of cold damage to each 4
square, it deals 4d6 points of fire damage to each creature within 5 feet of the target space, and each
creature and wooden structure within 5 feet of the creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving
target space, and each creature must make a DC 16 throw or become restrained for 1 round. Every
Dexterity saving throw or catch on fire (wooden creature within the area between 5 and 30 feet of
objects automatically catch on fire). Every creature the target space must make a DC 15 Constitution
and wooden object within the area between 5 and saving throw or take half damage. On a siege
30 feet of the target space must make a DC 16 engine mishap, this ammunition explodes before
Dexterity saving throw or take half the fire damage it is launched, dealing its damage to all nearby
but does not catch on fire. On a natural 1 on the creatures as if one of the spaces of the siege engine
attack roll, this ammunition explodes before it is (crew leader’s choice) were the target square.
launched, dealing its damage to the siege engine Plague Bundle: This hard, ceramic canister is
and all nearby creatures and wooden objects as if filled with a noxious mass of diseased carrion and
one of the spaces of the siege engine (crew leader’s offal that can be used as ammunition for a catapult.
choice) were the target square. This alchemical fire It deals only half damage, but every creature hit by
ignores the damage threshold of wooden objects. it is exposed to sewer plague. A Gm might allow a
Chain Shot: Made of two small catapult stones plague bundle to inflict other diseases.
chained together, this ammunition can be fired from Smoke Shot: This hard ceramic sphere contains
catapults. Chain shot is especially good at tearing two alchemical substances separated by a thin
through sails and rigging, dealing double its normal barrier, much like a smoke pellet in larger form.
damage to that form of propulsion. It deals normal It can be used as ammunition in catapults. When
damage to a creature, and if hit, the creature must smoke shot hits the target space, it deals 2d6 points
succeed at a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be of bludgeoning damage to any creature in that
knocked prone. Chain shot is relatively ineffective space, and the substances mingle and then create
against ships themselves, dealing only 2d6 points an area of foul but harmless yellow smoke radiating
of damage for a light catapult, or 4d6 points of 30 feet from the target square. Treat the effect as
damage for a standard catapult. a fog cloud spell. On a natural 1 on the attack roll,
89
Table 4-08: Buildings
Hit Points
Material AC Threshold L arge Huge Gargantuan
Wood 15 5 120 270 960
Stone 17 8 200 450 1,600
Iron or steel 19 10 400 900 3.200
Adamantine 23 20 560 1,260 4,480
4 Iron or steel
Adamantine
10
20
200
280
500
630
800
1,120
the ammunition explodes before it is launched. Its When any of these structures reach 50% hp, their
effect is centered on one of the spaces of the siege damage threshold is halved.
engine (crew leader’s choice).
Buildings
Shore Bombardment Buildings are sizable structures with many hit
While most of the rules for siege engines given points. When a building is reduced to half its
above are intended to facilitate ship-to-ship hit points, it is broken—it still stands, but only
combat, ships armed with siege engines also can partially. It can be easily entered, and for all intents
attack fortifications or buildings on land, pounding and purposes it has been breached. Reducing a
them to rubble and demoralizing their defenders to building to 0 hit points completely destroys that
the point of surrender. The following rules give the building. Creatures inside the building suffer the
statistics for various buildings and barriers that are effects of a cave-in.
often the targets of siege engine attacks. They are All these building statistics assume that the
split up into three different categories: buildings, structure’s inside is somewhat hollow but sturdily
gates, and walls. built, with enough space for its occupants to
walk around inside. Flimsy buildings have half
90
the hit points of the buildings detailed in Table: Squares of walls can be magically treated. Doing
Buildings. Buildings can be magically treated, like so doubles the damage threshold and hit points.
dungeon walls and doors can. Doing so doubles Magically treating wall squares costs 500 gp per
their hardness and hit points. Magically treating a wall square.
building costs 5,000 gp for a Large building, 10,000 Destroying a section of wall allows it to become
gp for a Huge building, 20,000 gp for a Gargantuan breached. When a square of wall is breached, any
building, and 40,000 gp for a Colossal building. sections directly above it fall onto the missing
For larger buildings, put together multiple section of walls. Doing this reduces the falling wall
buildings of these sizes and add the hit points section to half its current hit point total –1. A wall’s
together. The damage threshold is subtracted from damage threshold is subtracted from damage dealt
the damage dealt by any attack (minimum 0). by any attack (minimum 0).
Gates
Spell Effects in
Gates serve as the entrances and exits to fortified
structures, and are typically the weakest spots
Naval Combat 4
in any fortification’s defenses. Gates are at least Creatures can attack ships with spells. Ships are
Large, but can be as large as Colossal. It typically objects, so spells that can only target creatures
takes three moves and actions to open or close a have no effect on ships. However, because a ship
Large gate (up to three creatures can work together is actively crewed and piloted, it can make saving
to close a Large gate as a move and an action), and throws against spell effects. Ships are immune to
larger gates typically take at least a minute to close most spells that require a mental (Intelligence,
or open. Wisdom, Charisma) save. A ship without a crew is
Gates can be magically treated. Doing so doubles considered an unattended object and cannot make
the hardness and hit points. Magically treating a saving throws.
gate costs 2,000 gp for a Large gate, 4,000 gp for The effects of most spells on ships can be
a Huge gate, 8,000 gp for a Gargantuan gate, and determined normally. However, certain spells have
16,000 gp for a Colossal gate. A spellcaster with the different effects in naval combat. The effects of these
Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat can magically spells are detailed on the following page. GMs can
treat gates. use these examples as guidelines for determining
Gates can be attacked and damaged, or they can how other spells not listed here affect ships. For
become broken as a result of ramming. When a gate the most part, these effects only apply during ship-
reaches 50% hp, it is effectively breached, and can to-ship combat, not during normal combat aboard
be moved through as if it were an opening one size a ship, though some affects (such as starting fires),
smaller. The gate’s damage threshold is subtracted could still apply, at the GM’s discretion.
from damage dealt by any attack (minimum 0). Animate Objects: A ship under the control of a
pilot cannot be animated with this spell without
Walls
the pilot’s consent. An animated ship moves as
The walls that guard castles and cities are sturdy the caster directs. It needs no crew other than
fortifications, usually constructed in a series of the caster, who is considered the ship’s pilot. An
5-foot squares. A square of wall has an AC of 5, and animated ship’s statistics, such as its hit points, do
damage threshold and hit points equal to its type. not change.
91
Black Tentacles: This spell can be cast on the Globe of Invulnerability, Tiny Hut, Wall of Ice, Wall
surface of the water or on a ship’s deck. The of Thorns: The effects created by these spells move
tentacles do not attack ships. with a ship.
Blade Barrier, Cloudkill, Fog Cloud, Pyrotechnics, Magnificent Mansion, Rope Trick: The entrances to
Stinking Cloud, Storm of Vengeance: The effects the extradimensional spaces created by these spells
created by these spells do not move with a ship. do not move with a ship.
Call Lightning, Chain Lightning, Lightning Bolt, Magic Weapon: These spells also affect siege
Scorching Ray, Storm of Vengeance: These spells do engines and siege engine ammunition.
not start fires on a ship. Mirage Arcana: Ships are considered structures
Control Water: A ship cannot leave the area affected for the purposes of this spell.
by this spell and must take the “uncontrolled” Ice Storm, Sleet Storm: The sleet, snow, and ice
action for the duration of the spell. created by these spells do not move with a ship,
Control Winds: The area of winds created by this but the deck is considered icy. These spells also
92
fires. Otherwise, the wall does not move with the Dexterity of 0 (–5 penalty to AC), and an additional
ship, and does not start on-board fires. –2 penalty to its AC.
Whirlwind: Most ships are too large to be affected hp: The ship’s total hit points. At 0 or fewer hit
by this spell, but loose objects and creatures on the points, a ship gains the sinking condition. A ship
ship’s deck may still be affected. that sinks completely is considered destroyed.
Wind Wall: The effects of this spell move with a Ships do not have ability scores, and are immune to
ship if it is anchored to the ship. ability score damage or drain. They are also immune
93
(when using muscle); Intelligence using
ship’s helm (when using wind or current)
Control Device tiller
Means of Propulsion 140 oars, 80
squares of sails (two masts)
Crew 200 (60+140 Medium rowers)
Decks 3
Cargo/Passengers 150 tons/250 passengers
94
Base Save +6 Defense
Offense AC 6; Damage threshold 5
Maximum Speed 90 ft. (wind); Acceleration 30 ft. hp 600 (oars 80, sails 80)
Ramming Damage 8d8 Base Save +4
Statistics Offense
Propulsion wind or current Maximum Speed 30 ft. (muscle), 30 ft. (wind), or
Sailing Check Intelligence using ship’s helm 60 ft. (muscle and wind); Acceleration 30 ft.
Control Device tiller Ramming Damage 4d8
Means of Propulsion 90 squares Statistics
of sails (three masts) Propulsion muscle, wind, or current
Crew 10 Sailing Check Charisma (Persuasion or Intimidation)
Decks 2 (when using muscle); Intelligence using
Cargo/Passengers 100 tons/100 passengers ship’s helm (when using wind or current)
Control Device tiller
This flat-bottomed sailing ship has two or three Means of Propulsion 8 oars, 20
squares of sails (one mast)
masts with junk-rigged sails, allowing it to be easily
sailed by a small crew. Junks typically have a high
Crew 15 (7+8 Medium rowers)
Decks 1
4
poop deck and a flat bottom with no keel, and so
Cargo/Passengers 50 tons/100 passengers
rely on daggerboards, leeboards, or large rudders
for stability. A junk’s hull is divided into several This flat-bottomed ship has a few oars to supplement
watertight compartments, like a stalk of bamboo, its single mast with a square sail. It can make both
which strengthen the hull and slow flooding. Junks sea and river voyages. Keelboats are designed
are capable of ocean travel, and have a waterborne to carry cargo, rather than for fighting. Types of
speed of 2 miles per hour or 48 miles per day. keelboats include the cog, hoy, hulk, karve, and
Weapons: Up to 12 Large direct-fire or indirect- knarr.
fire siege engines in banks of six positioned on the Weapons: One Large direct-fire or indirect-fire
port and starboard sides of the ship, or up to four siege engine positioned on the forward or aft side
Huge direct-fire siege engines in banks of two on of the ship. This siege engine can be swiveled to fire
the port and starboard sides of the ship. These siege out either side of the ship, or either forward or aft,
engines may only fire out the sides of the ship that depending on its position.
they are positioned on and cannot fire toward the
LONGSHIP 10,000 GP
forward or aft sides of the ship. In addition, up to
Colossal ship
two Large direct-fire or indirect-fire siege engines Squares 3 (15 ft. by 75 ft.)
may be positioned one each on the forward and aft Defense
sides of the ship (one Huge direct-fire or indirect- AC 2; Damage threshold 5
fire siege engine may be positioned on the aft side hp 675 (oars 400, sails 120)
of the ship instead, but the forward side can only fit Base Save +5
a Large siege weapon). These siege engines can be Offense
swiveled to fire out either side of the ship, or either Maximum Speed 30 ft. (muscle), 60 ft. (wind), or
90 ft. (muscle and wind); Acceleration 30 ft.
forward or aft, depending on their position.
Ramming Damage 8d8
KEELBOAT 3,000 GP Statistics
Gargantuan ship Propulsion muscle, wind, or current
Squares 2 (15 ft. by 50 ft.) Sailing Check Charisma (Persuasion or Intimidation)
95
(when using muscle); Intelligence using
ship’s helm (when using wind or current)
oflogs lashed together, using two to four oars for
Control Device tiller propulsion. Rafts are not designed for ocean travel.
Means of Propulsion 40 oars, 30 A raft cannot carry any siege engines.
squares of sails (one mast)
Crew 50 (10+40 Medium rowers)
ROWBOAT 50 GP
L arge ship
Decks 1 (with small cargo area under the deck)
Squares 1 (5 ft. by 10 ft.)
Cargo/Passengers 50 tons/100 passengers
Defense
This long and relatively narrow boat has a single AC 9; Damage threshold 5
mast with a square sail and 40 oars. It can traverse hp 60 (oars 20)
lakes, oceans, and deep rivers. This stat block can Base Save +1
be used to represent Norse longships such as the Offense
karvi, snekkja, and skei, as well as the balinger and Maximum Speed 30 ft. (muscle); Acceleration 30 ft.
birlinn. Ramming Damage 1d8
Weapons: Up to two Large direct-fire or indirect- Statistics
96
Ramming Damage 8d8
Statistics
Propulsion wind or current
Sailing Check Intelligence with ship’s helm
Control Device steering wheel
Means of Propulsion 90 squares
of sails (three masts)
Crew 20
Decks 2 or 3
Cargo/Passengers 150 tons/120 passengers
97
boats, such as cutters, gigs, jolly boats, launches, positioned on and cannot fire toward the forward
longboats, or pinnaces, as well as other small, open or aft sides of the ship. These siege engines cannot
boats such as faerings, sampans, and whaleboats. be used while the warship is being rowed.
For an additional 8,000 gp, a warship can be
WARSHIP 25,000 GP
fitted with a ram and castles with firing platforms
Colossal ship
Squares 4 (20 ft. by 100 ft.) fore, aft, and amidships. Each of these firing
Defense platforms can hold a single Large or Huge direct-
AC 2; Damage threshold 10 fire or indirect-fire siege engine. Siege engines on
hp 1,200 (oars 600, sails 320) the fore and aft firing platforms can be swiveled to
Base Save +7 fire out the sides of the ship or either forward or
Offense aft, depending on their position. A siege engine on
Maximum Speed 60 ft. (muscle), 30 ft. (wind), or the amidships can be swiveled to fire out either side
90 ft. (muscle and wind); Acceleration 30 ft.
of the ship.
Ramming Damage 8d8
4 Statistics
Propulsion muscle, wind, or current
Ship Modifications
Sailing Check Charisma (Persuasion or Intimidation) Not all ships are created equally. Players looking
(when using muscle); Intelligence using
for a ship that is faster, tougher, or more agile might
ship’s helm (when using wind or current)
Control Device tiller consider adding modifications to their vessels.
Means of Propulsion 60 oars, 40 squares Each of the following ship improvements must
of magically-treated sails (one mast) be planned, built, or installed (as appropriate) by
Crew 80 (20+60 Medium rowers) someone an Intelligence check using appropriate
Decks 2 artisan’s tools (carpenters for woodwork, smiths
Cargo/Passengers 50 tons/160 passengers for metalwork and so forth). In order to alter a
This ship is crafted of reinforced wood with a ship with one of the following modifications, the
single mast and magically treated sails, although shipwright must make a skill check, with the final
oars can also propel it. A warship is used for short- DC dependent upon the overall complexity of the
distance forays and troop deployment, as it does desired modification. A failed check means that
not have cargo space to carry supplies for large this particular ship-builder is unable to install
numbers of passengers over a long distance. Like that feature, though 1/2 of the cost of the feature
galleys, warships are not designed for sea voyages is nonetheless expended on wasted parts. Another
and tend to stick close to the coast. A warship is not shipwright must be consulted to complete the
used for cargo. The largest Norse longships, called work, but the DC for his check is increased by 2 if
drekar or drakkar, as well as very large galleys such any previous modifications were made by another
as galleasses and lantern galleys, are all considered shipwright (different builders have different
warships. techniques).
Weapons: Up to 20 Large direct-fire siege
engines in banks of 10 are positioned on the port
Ship Improvements
and starboard sides of the ship, or up to six Huge The following ship improvements can be added to
direct-fire siege engines in banks of three on the a ship.
ship’s port and starboard sides. These siege engines
may only fire out the sides of the ship that they are
98
Additional Crew Quarters Requirements: Intelligence DC 8; Cost: 100 gp
per port (in addition to the cost of the weapons)
The ship’s sailors have more space to sleep and eat.
Benefit: The ship may support 10% more Extended Keel
passengers, but its cargo capacity is decreased by
The ship’s keel is longer than usual for a vessel of
10%.
its type.
Requirements: Intelligence DC 12; Cost: 20% of
Benefit: The ship’s measurements from bow to
base ship cost
stern are 10% longer than normal, though cargo
Armor Plating capacity is not appreciably affected. The ship is
more stable, and grants a +1 bonus on all sailing
Your hull is reinforced so that attacks may bounce
checks. This improvement must be installed at the
right off.
time of the ship’s construction and cannot be added
Benefit: By attaching metal plates to the ship,
later.
the hull’s hit points are increased by +15% and
its damage threshold is increased by +4. This
modification reduces a ship’s cargo capacity by
Requirements: Intelligence DC 9; Cost: 10% of
base ship cost 4
15%. The armor plating slows the ship, imposing a Figurehead
–1 penalty on all sailing checks. The ship’s tactical
Some ships sport fanciful carvings on their
speed in ship-to-ship combat is not affected, but its
bowsprits.
waterborne speed is reduced by 20%.
Benefit: This modification is strictly cosmetic,
Requirements: Intelligence DC 18; Cost: 30% of
with no real impact on game play. Players are
base ship cost
encouraged to design their own custom figureheads,
Broad Rudder such as dolphins, mermaids, and other such
creatures of myth.
Your wide rudder makes your ship more
Requirements: Intelligence DC 8; Cost: 100–
maneuverable.
1,000 gp, depending on the port and the craftsman
Benefit: A wide rudder makes a ship nimbler,
granting a +1 bonus on all sailing checks. Glass Bottom
Requirements: Intelligence DC 8; Cost: 500 gp
The bottom of the ship is inset with wide windows,
Concealed Weapon Port permitting those inside to gaze into the ocean.
Benefit: This has no effect on ship performance,
Your ship hides the danger it poses with cleverly
other than making the ship’s bottom only as strong
disguised weapons.
as thick glass
Benefit: The ship’s belowdecks area undergoes
Requirements: Intelligence DC 12; Cost: 5% of
major reconstruction in order to house Large
base ship cost
direct-fire siege engines, such as light ballistae
or cannons, if they are in use in the campaign. A Increased Cargo Capacity
concealed weapon port can only be recognized on a
An efficient remodeling of the ship’s layout means
successful DC 15 Perception check. Each concealed
more room for the ship’s stores.
port reduces a ship’s cargo capacity by 5 tons, in
Benefit: The ship’s cargo capacity is increased by
addition to the space required by the weapon itself.
10%.
99
Magically Treated Sails
Your sails are enchanted to be especially durable.
Benefit: The ship’s sails are magically treated,
doubling their hit points and threshold. This
improvement can only be added by a spellcaster
capable of ritual casting.
Requirements: Ritual spellcaster, Intelligence
DC 15; Cost: 500 gp per 5-foot-square of sails
Movable Deck
The features of the ship’s decks are designed to be
Requirements: Intelligence DC 13; Cost: 15% of moved in order to disguise the ship as an altogether
base ship cost different vessel.
4 Magically Treated Control Device
Benefit: After pulling up dozens of kingpins, the
crew can slide the sterncastle forward on hidden
Your tiller or other control mechanism is resilient rails, rearrange the position of the masts, extend
and hard to damage. the gunwales, lower the poop deck, transfer the
Benefit: The ship’s steering wheel or tiller is ship’s wheel, and make other cosmetic changes
magically treated, doubling its hit points and such as a new figurehead and different-colored
damage threshold. This improvement can only be sails. The secret pins, levers, and tracks can only
added by a spellcaster capable of ritual casting. be found with a DC 20 Perception check during a
Requirements: Ritual spellcaster, Intelligence close examination of the ship.
DC 15; Cost: 1,000 gp Requirements: Intelligence DC 18; Cost: 40% of
base ship cost
Magically Treated Hull
Narrow Hull
Your hull is enchanted to be incredibly strong.
Benefit: The ship’s hull is magically treated, The ship has been intentionally designed with a
doubling the ship’s hit points and damage slenderer hull, enabling it to slip through smaller
threshold. This improvement can only be added by spaces.
a spellcaster capable of ritual casting. Benefit: The ship’s beam (width) is decreased
Requirements: Ritual spellcaster, Intelligence by 20%, and cargo capacity is reduced by 10%.
DC 18; Cost: 4,500 gp per square of ship However, the ship gains a +2 bonus on all sailing
checks. This improvement must be installed at the
Magically Treated Oars
time of the ship’s construction and cannot be added
Your oars are enchanted to be nearly unbreakable. later.
Benefit: The ship’s oars are magically treated, Requirements: Intelligence DC 22; Cost: 15% of
doubling their hit points and damage threshold. base ship cost
This improvement can only be added by a spellcaster
Ram
capable of ritual casting.
Requirements: Ritual spellcaster, Intelligence The ship bears a standard ram, usually sheathed in
DC 8; Cost: 100 gp per oar bronze or iron, mounted on its bow.
100
Benefit: A ship equipped with a ram deals an Benefit: This does not change a ship’s cargo
additional 2d8 points of damage with a ramming capacity. A smuggling compartment can hold
maneuver, and ignores the damage for the first anything that fits within a 5-foot cubic space. If
square it enters of a solid object, and all damage you are using the plunder rules, in general, two
from ramming creatures or other objects (such as smuggling compartments are required to hold
other ships). 1 point of plunder. A DC 20 Perception check is
Requirements: Intelligence DC 8; Cost: 50 gp required to locate smuggling compartments in a
(Large ship), 100 gp (Huge ship), 300 gp (Gargantuan search of the ship.
ship), or 1,000 gp (Colossal ship) Requirements: Intelligence DC 11; Cost: 500 gp
per 5-foot-square compartment
Rapid-Deploy Sails
Sturdy Hull
The ship’s rigging undergoes a wholesale change as
improvements in engineering enable the sails to be The ship’s body has had additional supports and
raised and lowered much faster than normal.
Benefit: Any sail adjustments can be made in half
layers of wood added to it, making it thicker and
more resilient. 4
the normal time, granting a +1 bonus on all sailing Benefit: The hull’s damage threshold is increased
checks. by 2, but the ship’s cargo capacity is reduced by
Requirements: Intelligence DC 15; Cost: 10% of 10%.
base ship cost Requirements: Intelligence DC 8; Cost: 10% of
base ship cost
Silk Sails
Wooden Plating
Few ship improvements are as beautiful as the
addition of silk sails. These sails can be designed For protection during naval combat, this ship has
in whatever color the player desires; they are often received additional wooden planks nailed to its
embroidered with striking images of the sea. Such hull.
sails are usually imported from faraway lands. Silk Benefit: The hull’s hit points are increased
sails give the ship superior rates of movement, as by 5% and its damage threshold is increased by
they capture and displace the wind more efficiently. 2. However, this reduces cargo capacity by 10%
Benefit: A ship with silk sails gains a +1 bonus as extra room must be made inside for beams to
on opposed sailing checks to gain the upper hand. support the reinforcements. The ship’s tactical
The ship’s tactical speed in ship-to-ship combat is speed in ship-to-ship combat is not affected, but its
not affected, but its waterborne speed is increased waterborne speed is reduced by 10%.
by 10%. Requirements: Intelligence DC 15; Cost: 20% of
Requirements: Intelligence DC 10; Cost: 15% of base ship cost
base ship cost
Sample Modified Sailing Ship
Smuggling Compartments
PIRATE BRIG (SAILING SHIP) 14,500 GP
The ship’s bulkheads are modified so that gaps Colossal ship
between them can serve as hidden cargo storage Squares 3 (30 ft. by 100 ft.)
areas. Initiative +8
Defense
AC 16; Damage threshold 5
101
Fleet Battles
hp 1,620 (sails 240)
Base Save +13
Offense
Maximum Speed 90 ft. (wind); Acceleration 30 ft. Historically speaking, battles at sea were nearly
Ranged 6 light ballistae +10 (3d8), as important as battles on land just because of the
4 light catapults +15 (4d6) outsized importance that control of the waterways
Ramming Damage 10d8
has always had on commerce, communication,
Statistics
and transport. Cities and fortifications sprang up
Propulsion wind or current
around water both to take advantage of the natural
Sailing Check Intelligence using ship’s helm
barriers they provide but also to deny free passage
Control Device steering wheel
Means of Propulsion 60 squares of sails (two masts) to their rivals. Control of the waters, whether on
Decks 3 rivers, lakes, or ocean sea-lanes, is a critically
Cargo/Passengers 150 tons/120 passengers important element in a holistic view of warfare.
Crew Naval engagements are a much closer
4 Captain NE female human rogue 11
Other Crew CN female dwarf bard 5
approximation in a fantasy Rpg to their real-world
equivalents, with the primary anachronisms being
First Mate CN male human sorcerer 8 the decision of whether to incorporate gunpowder
CN male human rogue 2 weapons and how to integrate magical artillery
NE female half-orc barbarian 6
alongside weapons powered by tension and torsion.
N male human rogue 6
More tellingly, of course, naval combat requires the
45 pirate cutthroats (CE human fighter 6)
integration of traditional ships under oar and sail
Equipment
Armaments 6 light ballistae (port and starboard) and the crews and soldiers that inhabit their decks
with 200 light ballista bolts; 4 light catapults with savage sea monsters of every description. The
(fore and aft) with 50 light catapult stones presence of water-breathing sentient races and
and 10 alchemist’s fire canisters
monsters also brings the realities of submarine
Modifications ram, rapid-deploy sails, silk
sails, 2 smuggling compartments warfare into play in an Rpg campaign in an
Cargo 4 points of plunder analogous way to the elevation of aerial combat
through various elevation levels. A battle at sea may
take place primarily at the surface, but it may be
joined on multiple levels by battles in the heavens
above and the deeps below.
For players and GMs who wish to integrate fleet
battles and naval combat into a broader uniform
system for building and managing kingdoms of their
own, building up their militaries, and engaging
in large-scale warfare, the rules presented in
Kingdoms, Ultimate Rulership, Ultimate Battle, and
(especially) Ultimate War for 5th Edition. Ultimate
War deals specifically with naval combat above and
below the waves, integrating it with mass combat on
land and in the air and with siege warfare; however,
the rules presented there depend on the use for the
102
4
other products in that line. While those rules are be of the same ship type, such as a longship, junk,
engaging and exciting in their own right, not all sailing ship, or warship. Each squadron must have
GMs and players want that level of detail. The fleet at least one ship, with a maximum number of ships
rules here occupy a middle space, between fully equal to 3 + the commodore’s Charisma modifier.
detailed military expeditions between rival nations Likewise, the fleet as a whole must have at least
using the Kingdoms rules and its expansions, but one squadron and can have a maximum number
that are larger than a skirmish between just a few of squadrons equal to 3 + the admiral’s Charisma
ships, which are best handled with the ship-to-ship modifier. A character with a Charisma modifier
combat rules in the previous section. If you want of -3 or worse cannot serve as a commodore or
to be able to pull together a short series of fleet admiral. If using rules such as Fame or Infamy for
battles without a ton of prep time, these rules are PCs in a nautical campaign, as described in the
for you. Pirate Campaign Compendium, the PCs (or specific
Fleet Basics NPCs with a Fame or Infamy score) can use this
score divided by 10 plus their chosen admiral’s
A fleet consists of multiple ships organized under Charisma modifier.
a single admiral. A fleet is made up of squadrons, Command Bonus: Many rolls in fleet combat
each led by a commodore. Each individual ship in use a simple statistic for admirals or commodores
a fleet is crewed by a captain and her crew. For the called their Command Bonus, which has a base
sake of simplicity, all ships in a squadron should equal to the commander’s proficiency bonus (if any)
103
with water vehicles, or a base of 1 for every 5 Hit Some fleets may have all unique squadrons (this is
Dice or levels if the commander is not proficient likely to be the case for the PCs’ fleet) while others
with them. To this base the command bonus might simply have multiple essentially identical
is increased by 1 for each of the following that squadrons (as far as game statistics go).
apply: Intelligence modifier +2 or greater, Wisdom Configuration: This lists the number and type of
modifier +2 or greater, Charisma modifier +2 or ships in the squadron.
higher, or each background, feat, class feature, Commodore: This lists the name of that
or similar characteristic that is relevant to ships, squadron’s commodore, the commodore’s Charisma
sailing, or the ocean, at the GM’s discretion. modifier, and her proficiency bonus for driving
Command Checks: A Command Check is water vehicles.
determined by rolling 1d20 and adding the Hits: The amount of damage a squadron can take
Command Bonus, plus any other relevant modifiers before all of its ships sink.
based on flagship boons or other factors determined Morale: This lists the squadron’s morale score.
4 by the GM.
Fleets
Defense Value: This is the DC of any attack
against the squadron in order to cause significant
damage.
A fleet is represented in text as a stat block, as Attack Value: This lists the squadron’s attack
follows: roll modifier.
Name: This lists the fleet’s name. Damage: This lists the damage the squadron
XP: This lists the number of experience points deals on a successful hit.
earned by the PCs for defeating the fleet. Experience Morale Check: This lists the squadron’s morale
point awards for defeating a fleet should be tailored check modifier.
to match a Challenge roughly equal to the party’s
average level at the time the battle took place. For
Terminology
particularly tough or easy battles, the GM can Listed below are key terms for describing fleet
adjust this award upward or downward as she sees battles.
fit. Admiral: Commander of a single fleet. An admiral
Admiral: This lists the name of the fleet’s influences a fleet’s morale score and determines
admiral, followed by the admiral’s proficiency the fleet’s maximum size.
bonus for driving water vehicles and the fleet’s Battle Phase: Period during which each squadron
initiative modifier. attacks the enemy fleet.
Flagship: This lists the name of the fleet’s Captain: Commander of a single ship.
flagship. Commodore: Commander of a single squadron.
Significant Characters and Boons: This lists the A commodore primarily influences a squadron’s
fleet’s significant characters, their location in the Attack Value and Defense Value.
fleet, and the boons they provide to the fleet. Disabled: A ship that has taken an amount of
104
Flagship: The ship in a fleet on which that fleet’s
admiral is located.
Fleet: A number of squadrons that are commanded
by a single admiral.
Hits: Every ship in a squadron takes up a certain
number of squares—this number represents the
number of times the ship can be damaged during
fleet combat before becoming disabled and is
referred to as its hits.
As long as the amount of damage a ship has taken
does not equal its number of hits, the damage is
automatically repaired at the end of the fleet battle.
a sunken ship is subject to the GM’s discretion and
A squadron has a number of hits equal to the sum
how quickly and successfully the PCs undertake
of its ships’ hits.
Morale: Every squadron has a morale score
rescue attempts (in the case of a player fleet).
4
ranging from 1 to a maximum of 10. When a Building a Fleet
squadron’s morale score drops to 0, that squadron
The point of these rules is not to create multiple
mutinies and is lost.
small fleets under PC control, but rather to create
Morale Check: This check is made during the rout
one single large fleet—as such, any one party might
phase of a fleet battle and requires rolling a d20 and
only ever control a single fleet at a time in a typical
adding the squadron’s morale check modifier. This
nautical or pirate campaign, though if desired you
check determines whether a squadron mutinies and
could create a number of squadrons which might
is removed from play.
operate independently if the campaign demanded
Round: A round consists of a battle phase and a
it. In this way, the heroes might fight a rival pirate
rout phase. A single round of mass naval conflict
lord’s fleet in one area of the campaign while their
generally accounts for 10 minutes of open warfare
allies fought off an invading flotilla sent by a
in game time.
hostile nation or merchant consortium, with those
Rout Phase: Period after a battle phase when
squadrons recombining into a large fleet or trading
each squadron must make a morale check to avoid
squadrons between them for later actions. Generally
mutiny.
speaking, though, much as a party of heroes tends
Ship: A single ship in a fleet, which is commanded
to stick together during the course of an adventure
by a single captain.
rather than separating and pursuing their own
Significant Character: A Pc (in the case of a
subplots independently, so too should they stick
player fleet) or a named unique NPC (in the case
together when running fleet battles. Regardless of
of a GM-controlled fleet) whose presence in a fleet
how you organize fleets, use the following steps to
grants additional boons and bonuses.
get the fleet organized.
Squadron: A number of similar ships commanded
by a single commodore. Step 1: Fleet Name, Home
Sunken: When a ship sinks, it is removed entirely Port, and Flagship
from a fleet. A new ship must be purchased or
The name the PCs choose for their fleet and the
recruited to replace it. Survival of any characters on
names of their home port and the fleet’s flagship
105
controlled fleet) or unique, named NPCs (in the
Table 4-11: Ship Types case of a GM-controlled fleet). Record the names
The number of hits it takes to sink a ship
and how much damage a squadron of ships of the significant characters here, as well as their
of each type does in fleet combat is listed location in the fleet (either on the fleet’s flagship,
below.
or in a squadron). If a significant character is an
Hits/
admiral, he must be located on the flagship—if a
Ship Size Dmg Ship Ships
Boats 1d2 1 raft, rowboat, significant character is a commodore, she must be
ship’s boat located in the squadron she commands. Finally,
Small 1d3 2 keelboat each significant character grants the fleet a boon—
Medium 1d4 3 junk, longship, record that significant character’s boon here. See
sailing ship Flagship Boons on below for more details.
Large 1d6 4 galley, warship
Step 5: Begin Recruiting Squadrons
A fleet can have only one admiral. Whether this Creating a Squadron
is a PC or an NPC ally is in large part irrelevant,
A squadron consists of a number of individual
but you should explain to the PCs that a fleet
ships, each commanded by a captain. The squadron
admiral should have a strong mental ability scores
(and its captains) are in turn commanded by a
(especially Charisma) and should possess skills,
single commodore. A squadron can have no more
talents, or knowledge about ships and the sea.
ships than its commodore’s Charisma modifier +
Note that nonadmiral PCs can still bolster a fleet
3. Each squadron and its statistics is listed in its
by granting flagship boons (see Step 4). Record the
fleet’s stat block under a separate subheading.
admiral’s name and his or her command bonus on
k Name the Squadron: Record the squadron’s
the sheet.
name at the top of the box—this name can be
Step 3: Determine Maximum Squadrons whatever you want.
k Determine the Configuration: Record the
A single fleet can consist of a maximum number
number of ships in the squadron, along with
of squadrons equal to the party’s Infamy score
the type of ships in the squadron. Record
divided by 10 (rounded down)—this initial value is
how many hits each ship contributes to that
increased or decreased by the admiral’s Charisma
squadron’s total hits. Ship type determines
modifier. For NPC fleets, this maximum is 3 + the
how many hits each ship contributes. All
admiral’s Charisma modifier.
ships in a squadron must be the same type of
Step 4: Assign Significant Characters ship. The types of ships available for use in a
fleet are listed in the sidebar, including the
Each fleet possesses a number of significant
hits for each ship of that type.
characters—either PCs (in the case of a player-
106
k Select Commodore: List the name of the (round down), with a minimum morale
squadron’s commodore, along with her score of 1 and a maximum score of 10.
Charisma modifier and Profession (sailor) k Determine Defense Value: A squadron’s
skill modifier. An admiral can never serve Defense Value (DV) is equal to 10 + the
as a commodore. If a commodore is also commodore’s Command Bonus, further
a significant character (either a PC or a increased by some flagship boons.
significant named NPC), that squadron gains k Determine Attack Value: A squadron’s Attack
a +2 bonus on all attack rolls, damage rolls, Value is equal to its commodore’s Command
and morale checks. (As a general rule, most Bonus. This value can be increased by
NPC fleets should have 2–4 significant named flagship boons or the presence of a significant
NPCs serving as commodores.) commodore.
k Determine Hits: A squadron’s hits equals the k Determine Damage: A squadron’s base
number of ships in the squadron multiplied damage is determined by the size of the ships
by the number of hits each ship contributes.
For example, a squadron of five rafts would
in the squadron, plus an additional point of
damage per ship in the squadron. This damage 4
have only 5 hits (since a raft is only a 1-hit can be further modified by flagship boons
ship), whereas a squadron of five warships and the presence of significant commodores.
would have 20 hits (since a warship is a 4-hit k Determine Morale Check: A squadron’s base
ship). This number is temporarily reduced by morale check is equal to its commodore’s
disabled ships and permanently reduced by Charisma modifier, further modified by
sunken ships. flagship boons and the presence of significant
k Determine Morale: Morale for each squadron commodores. Each time that squadron has
fluctuates during a battle. A newly created a ship become disabled, add +1 to its loss
or recruited squadron has a starting morale count. Each time a squadron has a ship sink,
score of 3. A typical NPC fleet’s squadron add +1 to its loss count. Each time an entire
has a starting morale score of 3 points. squadron is destroyed or mutinies, add +1
Inexperienced crews or sailors press-ganged to each surviving squadron’s loss count. A
or enslaved into service might have a lower squadron’s total morale check is equal to its
starting morale of 2 or even 1, while veteran base check minus its loss count.
or elite crews might have a morale score of
4 or 5. If a squadron’s morale score is ever
Flagships and Significant
reduced to 0, the squadron mutinies and is Characters
lost—it cannot be “repaired” in this case and
A flagship is the ship on which the fleet’s admiral
can only be replaced by a new squadron. A
is located. A flagship moves around during a fleet
single squadron’s morale score can never be
battle, issuing orders and providing support as
higher than 10.
needed, but does not itself belong to a specific
k Special: If using the Infamy rules in the
squadron. A flagship cannot be damaged or sunk
Pirate Campaign Compendium, a newly
during a fleet battle and is generally regarded as
consigned squadron’s morale is equal to
a prize or trophy of any conflict. See the Victory
the party’s Infamy score divided by 10
section for more details on the fate of a flagship
once a fleet battle is resolved.
107
A flagship’s primary purpose in a fleet is to grant Intelligence (History), Intelligence (Nature),
boons to the fleet. Boons are advantages granted Wisdom (Insight), Wisdom (Perception), Wisdom
by the fleet’s significant characters. For a party- (Survival), Charisma (Deception), or Charisma
controlled fleet, each PC counts as a significant (Intimidation).
character. A Gm-controlled fleet’s significant
Defensive Tactics
characters are unique NPCs—a GM-controlled fleet
generally has four significant characters. At the start of a battle phase, select a squadron.
A fleet gains one boon for each significant That squadron gains a +2 bonus to its Defense
character who travels with the fleet. If the Value for that battle phase.
significant character associated with a particular Requirement: None.
boon is not present in the fleet (either because that Special: This boon may be taken multiple times.
character was elsewhere at the time of the battle or Each time it is taken, you may add a +2 bonus to a
because that character’s squadron was destroyed), different squadron at the start of the battle phase.
Flagship Boons
(This bonus does not stack if it is placed on the
same squadron.)
Divine Protection
Flagship boons must be chosen when the fleet is
created, and once chosen, they cannot generally At the start of a battle phase, select a squadron
be changed. Adding a new significant character in the fleet. That squadron takes 1 fewer point of
to the group allows a new boon to be selected, but damage than it normally would when attacked by a
otherwise, you must decommission the current squadron in the other fleet.
flagship and place a new flagship in command of Requirement: Significant character with the
the fleet in order to be able to pick different boons. channel divinity or lay on hands class feature.
Decommissioning a flagship in this way deals 1d4 Special: This boon may be taken multiple times.
points of damage to each squadron’s morale score— Each time it is taken, it must be applied to a
which can result in the need to replace squadrons different squadron at the start of the battle phase.
if mutinies result from this morale damage. The (This bonus does not stack if it is placed on the
available flagship boons are as follows. A boon same squadron multiple times.)
cannot be taken more than once for a fleet unless
Loyalty
otherwise noted.
Whenever you recruit a new squadron, all squadrons
Advanced Tactics
gain a +2 bonus on morale checks (this bonus does
At the start of a battle phase, select a squadron. not stack if multiple squadrons are recruited).
That squadron gains a +2 bonus to its Attack Value. Requirement: Significant character with a
Whenever that squadron deals damage during that Charisma score of 15 or higher.
battle phase, you can determine which enemy ships
Magical Artillery
take the damage, rather than the damaged fleet
doing so. All squadrons gain a +1 bonus on damage rolls and
Requirement: Significant character with a a +1 bonus on morale checks.
proficiency bonus of at least +5 with water vehicles Requirement: Significant character capable of
and at least 4 of the following: siege weapons, casting at least one 6th-level spell.
108
Overwhelming Requirement: Significant character capable of
casting at least one 4th-level spell.
The fleet’s maximum number of squadrons
increases by 1. If this boon is lost, the squadron Swift to Battle
with the lowest morale (determined randomly
The admiral gains a +4 bonus on Command Bonus
if multiple squadrons have equally low morale)
checks made to determine initiative.
immediately mutinies.
Requirement: None.
Requirement: Significant character with
Special: This boon may be taken multiple times—
Charisma score of 15 or higher.
its effects stack.
Special: This boon may be taken multiple times—
its effects stack. Vengeance
Reckless Maneuver The first time one of the fleet’s ships sinks in a battle
phase, all allied squadrons become overwhelmed
At the start of a battle phase, select a squadron in
the fleet. That squadron gains a +4 to its Attack
Value for that round, but these maneuvers leave it
with a need for vengeance and gain a +2 bonus on
attack rolls and morale checks for the rest of that 4
battle phase.
open to attacks. The selected squadron takes a –2
Requirement: None.
penalty to its Defense Value until it acts in the next
battle phase. Running Fleet Battles
Requirement: None.
A fleet battle begins as a result of two fleets
Special: This boon may be taken multiple times.
encountering each other on the high seas. During a
Each time it is taken, it must be applied to a
mass naval conflict, players do not draw upon their
different squadron at the start of the battle phase.
characters’ abilities—instead, they use their fleet’s
(This bonus does not stack if it is placed on the
squadrons to make attacks against the enemy,
same squadron multiple times.)
with their characters serving as commanders on
Remorseless Advance the ships. A mass naval combat plays out over
the course of multiple rounds, with each round
At the start of a battle phase, select a squadron.
consisting of a battle phase and a rout phase. At
That squadron gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls and
the start of a combat, place each fleet’s ships on the
damage rolls for the duration of that battle phase.
table as representations for the attack, using any
Its morale increases by +1 at the start of the battle
tokens, miniature ships, or other similar markers
phase.
you wish. For each squadron, place a number of
Requirement: Significant character with a
appropriately sized ship counters on the table
proficiency bonus of +4 or greater with all martial
so that they are adjacent to each other. For ease
weapons.
of reference, you can use a card (of any kind) to
Swift Repairs indicate each squadron, with a number of counters
on that card equal to the number of ships in the
At the end of a battle phase, roll 1d6. You may remove
squadron. Alternately, a square of graph paper with
this amount of damage from any combination
the name of the squadron at its top and a number of
of non-sunken ships from any single squadron,
rows marked to indicate the ships in the squadron,
including disabled ships.
so that squares of the graph paper or tally marks
109
4
can be used to indicate damage to the ships in gets to make the first attack, using any one of his
battle (see below). Actual placement on the table squadrons. The other fleet then makes its first
is irrelevant as the placement of ships in the battle attack, using any one of its squadrons. Attacks
is purely abstract using these rules. The allocation with squadrons go back and forth during the battle
of damage represents the ships maneuvering and phase until all squadrons able to attack have done
shifting position during the battle. so—a single squadron can only attack once per
battle phase. If one fleet has more squadrons than
Battle Phase
the other, the additional squadrons attack at the
At the start of a battle phase, each fleet’s admiral end of the battle phase after the other fleet has
makes a Command check to determine initiative. used up all of its attacks for that round.
The admiral whose result is higher gains the upper
Attacking
hand in that battle phase, which grants all of his
squadrons a +1 bonus on attack rolls. This Command When you attack with a squadron, pick one of the
check is repeated at the start of each battle phase. enemy fleet’s squadrons as your target. Roll 1d20
Each fleet then takes turns making attacks with and add that squadron’s attack value. If the result
their squadrons. The winner of the initiative roll equals or exceeds the enemy squadron’s Defense
110
Value, you deal damage as appropriate for your damage equal to its hits, it becomes disabled. A
squadron. If you miss, you still deal damage to the disabled ship does not count toward its squadron’s
target squadron, though your base damage die is damage rolls when it attacks, and it increases that
reduced by one size and you subtract 1 point and squadron’s loss count by +1. A ship that takes
apply no other increases from any boon or effect. damage while it is disabled sinks and is removed
Hence, a squadron of 4 warships deals 1d6+4 hits entirely from the fleet, increasing that squadron’s
to the target on a successful attack, 1d6 for its loss count by an additional +1.
Large ship size plus 4 for the number of ships. On
Losing a Squadron
failed attack, it deals 1d4-1 points of damage (1d4
for smaller ship size, with no bonus for the number Each time you lose an entire squadron (as a result
of ships and applying an additional -1). Small ships of either damage or mutiny), increase the loss count
and boats deal no damage on attacks that fail to for each surviving squadron by +1.
overcome the target squadron’s Defense Value.
Abandoning Ship
This damage is an abstract combination of siege
weapons, ramming, spellcasting, missile fire, and For simplicity’s sake, you can assume that a 4
even boarding actions against enemy crews. commodore’s ship is the last to sink in any squadron.
Note that not all characters on a sinking ship
Assigning Damage
automatically perish. Typically, a ship sinks slowly
The damaged fleet normally gets to assign its enough that officers and crew can abandon ship,
damage by marking (either by crossing out of by and there’s usually ship’s boats and other pieces of
placing a marker such as a die, penny, or some other wreckage to grab onto. Once a battle is over, you
counter) the amount of damage on the targeted can assume that any significant characters who
squadron. This damage doesn’t all have to be on were on a sinking ship survive, either by escaping
the same ship—you can spread it out in any way in a boat, by clinging to flotsam, or by fleeing via
you wish among all of the non-sunken ships in your magical means. The ultimate fate of a significant
squadron. character on a sunken ship depends more on the
results of the actual battle itself. If the imperiled
Critical Hits and Fumbles
character’s fleet wins, she can be rescued after the
A natural 20 on an attack roll always hits and battle, but if her fleet loses, the best she may be able
allows you to assign damage to the enemy as you to look forward to is capture by the enemy—more
wish, rather than allowing the defender to allocate often, such victims are merely left to perish via the
it (you do not deal double damage with a critical countless methods the sea presents for death.
hit, though). A natural 1 always misses entirely
Rout Phase
(and results in no damage at all to the enemy
fleet). Every time a squadron scores a critical hit, A rout phase occurs after each battle phase. At this
its morale score increases by 1; each time it rolls a point, each surviving squadron must succeed at a
fumble, its morale score decreases by 1. DC 10 morale check by rolling 1d20 and adding its
morale check modifier. Failure indicates that the
Effects of Damage
squadron takes 1d4 points of damage to its morale
Each point of damage reduces a squadron’s total score. A squadron whose morale score is reduced to
hits. When a particular ship takes an amount of 0 immediately mutinies and is removed from play.
111
Mutinied squadrons that have fled can be brought and abilities of such creatures, such as granting
back into the fleet later if the admiral of the fleet a squadron of krakens the advanced tactics boon
survives and can persuade them to rejoin. due to both their high Intelligence and their siege
monster ability that makes their attacks especially
Fleeing a Battle
devastating to ships and similar objects.
At the end of a rout phase, an admiral can attempt
Shore Fortifications
to flee the battle entirely. When he does so, the
other fleet immediately gets one free attack using Fleet combat assumes an engagement on the high
any one of its squadrons and can target any one of seas, but if one fleet is defending a port, you could
the fleeing fleet’s squadrons. The fleeing admiral allow a portion of the fleet to remain sheltered
makes Command check with a –4 penalty, opposed within the harbor. Possession of the harbor could
by the other admiral’s Command check. If the grant one squadron the benefits of the defensive
fleeing admiral’s check result is higher, his fleet tactics or swift repairs boon (or even both, for a
112
Wind and Weather wish to create. In general, the enemy captures
the PCs’ flagship and seeks to take them captive
The effects of high winds or severe weather
or execute them. Allies or NPCs on their crew are
generally are not addressed by these rules either,
considered to have surrendered or been overcome
as they are assumed to affect both fleets equally.
by their enemies and defeated in combat. You
If that is not the case and such conditions offer an
could play out a boarding action on board the
advantage to one side or the other, you may add a +2
PCs’ flagship, assuming that PCs have taken 1d6 x
bonus on Command checks to determine initiative
10% of their hit points in damage throughout the
during a battle phase, and an additional +1 bonus
course of the battle. If the PCs surrender or escape
on Command checks made to attack.
before their fleet is destroyed, every squadron in
In addition, in conditions of fog, darkness, or
their fleet takes 1d8 points of damage to its morale
heavy weather that similarly obscures vision, attack
score, in most cases causing their fleet to disband.
rolls take a -2 penalty for dim light, light fog, or
Squadrons that do not mutiny may keep fighting
typical rain and heavy weather. In total darkness,
heavy fog, or severe storms, all attack rolls have
disadvantage, and any attack has a 50% chance
even without the PCs in command or may flee and
seek shelter with allies remaining loyal to the PCs 4
(and perhaps even trying to recruit other mutinied
to miss entirely, dealing no damage. The above
crews to reform the fleet and seek to effect a ransom
penalties apply instead as a bonus on Command
or rescue).
checks made to flee from battle.
In stormy conditions, you may require PC Victory
commodores to make proficiency checks using
If the PCs win the battle, they capture the enemy
their water vehicle proficiency modifier for their
flagship. In most cases, the fleet’s commanders
squadrons at the end of each rout phase, with a
refuse to go down without a fight. At this point, the
DC set by the severity of conditions. A failed check
PCs resolve the conflict by engaging in shipboard
results in 1d3 hits of damage to their squadron.
combat against the enemy, but because of their
This damage may be increased if there are reefs
recent triumph, all PCs and their allies gain a +2
or shoals, and if land or a harbor is nearby ships
bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, and saving
retreating from battle may be able to take shelter
throws made during this shipboard combat.
or beach themselves to avoid damage or potential
Each surviving squadron gains 1d4 points of
sinking.
morale with a fleet victory, minus 1 point for
Victory every ship in that squadron that was sunk during
battle (minimum 0 morale gain). After a battle, any
A fleet wins a battle once all of the enemy’s ships are
damage to non-disabled ships are repaired at the
removed from play, either by disabling or sinking all
rate of 1 hit per hour as the crew works to recover
the ships in play or by causing squadrons to mutiny
from the battle. disabled ships must be towed back
and flee. When victory is secured, the enemy fleet’s
to a harbor for repairs (unless the fleet has the Swift
flagship is rendered defenseless, allowing the
Repairs boon). A disabled ship is reduced to 5% of
victors to board the flagship at once.
its total hit points. Sunken ships and ships that
PC Defeat fled a battle after their squadron was reduced to 0
morale cannot be repaired—they must be replaced.
If the PCs are defeated, the repercussions of that
defeat depend on the course of the adventure you
113
C ha p t e r 5 : This chapter presents a treasure trove of
optional rules to make nautical exploration,
Pirates
aquatic adventuring, and sailing the seven
seas more interesting and exciting for you and
your players. From seasickness and storms at
sea to rum, raiding, and so much more, you’ll
e r
find a ton of interesting options for your
and P l u n d
campaign here!
114
Aquatic
Adventuring
Aquatic terrain is the least hospitable to most PCs,
because they can’t breathe there. Aquatic terrain
doesn’t offer the variety that land terrain does.
The ocean floor holds many marvels, including
undersea analogues of any of the terrain elements
described earlier in this section, but if characters
find themselves in the water because they were
pushed off the deck of a pirate ship, the tall kelp
beds hundreds of feet below them don’t matter.
Accordingly, the only important distinction for
dealing with aquatic terrain is generally whether
it is flowing water (such as streams and rivers) and
non-flowing water (such as lakes and oceans).
The basic rules for aquatic terrain and combat
underwater are presented in the 5E System Reference
5
Document but are presented here in summary for
ease of reference.
Swimming: Lakes and oceans simply require
the water is clear, and 1d8 × 10 feet if it’s murky.
a swim speed or successful Strength (Athletics)
Moving water is always murky, unless it’s in a
checks to move through (DC 10 in calm water, DC 15
particularly large, slow-moving river.
in rough water, DC 20 in stormy water). Characters
Invisibility: An invisible creature displaces water
need a way to breathe if they’re underwater;
and leaves a visible, body-shaped “bubble” where
failing that, they risk drowning. When underwater,
the water was displaced. Being invisible underwater
characters can move in any direction. Any character
gives a creature advantage on Dexterity (Stealth)
can wade in relatively calm water that isn’t over his
checks, but on a failed check opponents can see
head, no check required. Similarly, swimming in
the invisible creature’s location and size (though
calm water only requires Strength (Athletics) skill
not its appearance or specific features). Creatures
checks with a DC of 10. Characters proficient in
attacking an invisible creature have disadvantage
Athletics can swim easily in calm water without
on their attack rolls.
needing to make checks.
Falling and Diving into Water: If the water is at
A creature without a swimming speed must
least 10 feet deep, the first 20 feet of falling do no
succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw for
damage. A fall of up to 30 feet deals 1d3 bludgeoning
each hour it spends swimming or gain one level of
damage, while a fall of 40 feet or more deals 1d6
exhaustion. If a creature has a swimming speed, it
bludgeoning damage, plus 1d6 for every additional
uses the standard travel pace rules in the Srd.
10 feet fallen.
Stealth and Detection Underwater: How far you
Characters who deliberately dive into water at
can see underwater depends on the water’s clarity.
least 10 feet deep (20 feet deep for fall over 60 feet)
As a guideline, creatures can see 4d8 × 10 feet if
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can reduce falling damage from a dive, treating Creatures and objects that are fully immersed in
the fall as 10 feet shorter with a successful DC water have resistance to fire damage.
11 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics)
check, plus an additional 10 feet shorter for every 1
Drowning
point by which they exceed the DC. A creature can hold its breath for a number of
Underwater Combat: When making a melee minutes equal to 1 + its Constitution modifier
weapon attack, a creature that doesn't have a (minimum of 30 seconds).
swimming speed (either natural or granted by When a creature runs out of breath or is choking,
magic) has disadvantage on the attack roll unless it can survive for a number of rounds equal to its
the weapon is a dagger, javelin, shortsword, spear, Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 round). At
or trident. the start of its next turn, it drops to 0 hit points
A ranged weapon attack automatically misses and is dying, and it can't regain hit points or be
a target beyond the weapon's normal range. Even stabilized until it can breathe again.
against a target within normal range, the attack roll For example, a creature with a Constitution of
has disadvantage unless the weapon is a crossbow, 14 can hold its breath for 3 minutes. If it starts
a net, or a weapon that is thrown like a javelin suffocating, it has 2 rounds to reach air before it
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Deep Water Dexterity (Stealth) checks. A creature that is prone
in flowing water must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity
Very deep water is generally pitch black, requiring
saving throw each round or be pulled 5 feet away
darkvision or other exceptional senses to navigate
from shore and 10 feet downstream (20 feet for
unless a light source is provided. In addition, in
fast-moving water) by the current. Creatures with
deep water the pressure of the water can impact
a swimming speed have advantage on this saving
traveling. A creature traveling at a depth greater
throw.
than 100 feet but less than 200 feet treats every
A creature trying to swim in rapids must succeed
two hours of travel as if suffering from a forced
on a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check each round to
march as detailed in the System Reference Document
move where it wants. Each time a creature fails this
5.1. A creature traveling at a depth greater than 200
check, it is pushed up to 30 feet further down the
feet treats every hour of travel as if suffering from
river than where it started. Each round a creature
a forced march.
swims through rapids, it must succeed on a DC 15
The Bends: If a creature is more than 100 feet
Dexterity saving throw or take 3 (1d6) bludgeoning
below the surface and ascends more than 100 feet
damage. Creatures with a swimming speed have
in 1 minute, gas bubbles develop in its bloodstream
advantage on the Strength (Athletics) check and
from the rapid depressurization. The creature must
make a Constitution saving throw at the end of that
the Dexterity saving throw.
5
minute. The DC is 10 + 1 for every 10 feet it moved
past 100 feet in 1 minute. On a failure, a creature
Coastal Terrain
suffers one level of exhaustion. Creatures naturally Coastal areas range from rocky cliffs to muddy
adapted to living in the ocean depths automatically tide marshes. The following special rules apply in
succeed on this saving throw. coastal areas.
Cold Water: A creature more than 100 feet below
the surface of the water must succeed on a DC 10
Beaches
Constitution saving throw each minute or take 2 Beaches vary from sandy to rocky, and but while
(1d4) cold damage. Creatures with resistance or beautiful they offer dangers where the land meets
immunity to cold damage or creatures naturally the sea.
adapted to living in cold or deep water automatically
Pebbles
succeed on this saving throw.
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knocked prone. You can dash or charge across wide passes 1d4 x 10 feet wide, or narrow crevasses
loose sand, but it is very tiring; if the number of 5 feet wide and dropping 1d4 x 5 feet.
times you dash or charge within 1 minute exceeds If the coral is within 5 feet of the surface,
your Constitution bonus, you must make a DC creatures can walk across it, treating it as difficult
10 Constitution saving throw to avoid becoming terrain. Such coral spans can form natural bridges
fatigued. You can end this fatigue with a new DC 10 from eaches to rocky offshore outcrops and may
Constitution saving throw at the end of any round hide entrances to stony rifts or caves below the
in which you do not dash, attack, cast a spell, or water’s surface. Medium or smaller swimming
move more than half speed. creatures can move through a reef, treating it as
difficult terrain, but reefs are impassable to Large
Sand, Packed
or larger swimmers.
Wet sand is typically well-packed and comparatively
Striking a Reef
easy to traverse, similar to solid ground.
A ship takes 10 (3d6) piercing damage for every
Sand Dunes
10 feet it moves within an area covered in reefs.
Along windy coastlines, mounded dunes of loose Each reef within 5 feet of the ship is destroyed after
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5
119
Reputation and or tread a path of skulduggery and perfidy. At the
Good or Bad Reputation Even the most devoted (or intoxicated) fans
don't want to hear the same stories over and over
A group should decide whether they want to pursue a again. To represent this, the group can increase
positive or negative reputation. Generally speaking, their reputation score by a maximum of 5 in any
a strong reputation has the same effect whether the particular location. This limitation resets each
PCs choose to embrace benevolence and altruism time the group reaches a new reputation threshold.
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Plunder and Reputation
Proof of a group's deeds in the form of plunder
can help the group increase its reputation whether
that be buying drinks for the listeners or using
the plunder to aid locals in need. The characters
can spend 1 plunder to gain advantage on the next
Charisma check the characters make to increase
their reputation. In addition, if the characters fail
a Charisma check to increase their reputation, they
can spend 1 plunder to reroll the check. They can
only spend plunder to reroll the check once per day.
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Table 5-01: Reputation and Influence Benefits
N oted/D isgraceful R eputation
Cost Benefit
2 Loyal to the Cause. For 1 minute, the characters and each member of the organization within 30 feet of them have
advantage on saving throws and ability checks against being charmed, frightened, grappled, or restrained.
5 Attention! The characters can reroll their initiative checks during one combat
encounter. This benefit can only be used once per week.
5 Dead Men Tell No Tales. For 1 minute, the characters and each member of the organization
within 30 feet of them have advantage on death saving throws.
10 Get Up! The characters and each member of the organization within 30 feet of them
regain 10 (3d6) hit points. This benefit can only be used once per week.
H onorable /D espised R eputation
Cost Benefit
5 Wind at Our Backs. The characters can travel at a fast pace without penalty for 1
day. If the characters are on a ship, its speed is doubled for 1 day.
5 Eyes and Ears Everywhere. The characters have advantage on Intelligence (Investigation)
and Wisdom (Perception) checks in their favored locations for 1 hour.
10 Better Together. For 1 round, the characters and each member of the organization within 30
feet of them have advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one other member
of the organization is within 5 feet of the creature and isn’t incapacitated.
10 You Might Have Heard of Us. For 1 day, the organization’s recruiter has advantage on its next Charisma
check to recruit new members and, if successful, recruits 2 (1d4) additional members.
Famous /I nfamous R eputation
5 Cost
5
Benefit
You’ll Listen! The characters have advantage on Charisma checks when interacting
with local law enforcement in their favored locations for 1 hour.
5 Honor the Code. The characters have advantage on Charisma checks when interacting with members of
other similar organizations for 1 hour. For example, a crew of pirate characters would have advantage when
interacting with other pirates or sailors, but not when interacting with members of a city’s thieves’ guild.
10 Together as One. For 1 round, the characters and each member of the organization within
30 feet of them deal an extra 3 (1d6) damage when hitting a creature with any weapon if at
least one other member of the organization is within 30 feet of the creature.
15 Call to Arms! The characters can call 2 (1d4) NPCs of challenge rating 1 or lower to aid them in combat.
If the characters are at sea or in the wilderness, they instead call local wildlife of challenge rating
1 or lower such as sharks, hawks, or wolves. The creatures called are not under the control of the
characters and disperse after the combat ends. This benefit can only be used once per week.
G lorious /N otorious R eputation
Cost Benefit
5 Look Out! One character can move up to its speed as a reaction without provoking opportunity attacks.
10 You’ll Listen and Like It! The characters have advantage on Charisma checks when interacting
with nobility or any political figures or officials in their favored locations for 1 hour.
10 Get Up and Fight! The characters and each member of the organization within 30 feet of them regain 21 (6d6) hit points and
have advantage on attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks for 1 round. This benefit can only be used once per week.
20 Enemy of the Cause. The characters choose one enemy to curse for 1 week. The characters and each
member of the organization within 30 feet of them have advantage on one saving throw or ability
check each round against the cursed enemy. The enemy is aware of the curse *and who cursed it and
can end the effect with a remove curse spell. This benefit can only be used once per week.
L egendary R eputation
Cost Benefit
10 Hell on Our Heels. The characters can travel for 16 hours at a fast pace without penalty for 1 day. Each additional hour traveled
after 16 hours is treated as a forced march as normal. If the characters are on a ship, its speed is quadrupled for 1 day.
15 Zealot of the Cause. For 1 minute, the characters and each member of the organization within 30 feet of them have
advantage on saving throws and ability checks against being incapacitated, paralyzed, stunned, or knocked unconscious.
20 No One Left Behind. The characters and each member of the organization within 30 feet of them regain 42 (12d6) hit
points and are cured of any diseases and curses affecting them. This benefit can only be used once per week.
25 Even the Gods Have Heard of Us. The characters can summon one celestial or fiend with a Challenge of 5 or lower, which
appears in an unoccupied space within 30 feet of the characters. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 hit points
or after 10 minutes. The creature is friendly to the characters and members of their organization, and it acts on initiative
count 20 each round. It obeys any verbal commands the characters issue to it as long as those commands don’t violate
the creature’s alignment or its connection to the deity who sent it to aid the characters. If not directed, it will defend itself
and the characters from hostile creatures but otherwise takes no actions. This benefit can only be used once per week.
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5
as their favored location, usually their home city character can maintain a modest lifestyle without
or port, and gain a +2 bonus on Charisma checks having to pay 1 gp per day while in their favored
to increase their reputation score made while in location. At this threshold, the characters gain 10
that location. Each character can maintain a poor (2d6 + 3) influence points each day.
lifestyle without having to pay 2 sp per day while
Famous/Infamous
in their favored location. At this threshold, the
characters gain 7 (2d4 + 2) influence points each
30–39 Reputation Levels 8+
day. Characters can spend influence points on Table 10-3
and all lower threshold tables. Noted/Disgraceful
Honorable/Despised
Reputation benefits can be purchased for half
20–29 Reputation Levels 5+ price. The characters can choose a second favored
Characters can spend influence points on the Table location and gain a +4 bonus on Charisma checks
10-2 and lower threshold tables. The characters have to increase their reputation score made in either
advantage on Charisma checks when interacting favored location. At this threshold, the characters
with people in their favored location. Each gain 13 (2d8 + 4) influence points each day.
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Plunder
There’s a difference between plunder and the gold
pieces in a pirate’s pocket. While gold doubloons and
fabulous jewelry can be plunder, pirates are rarely
lucky enough to encounter a ship with a hold full
of such treasures. Typically, there are trade goods,
foodstuffs, spices, and valuables of a more mundane
sort. Such takes can fetch significant prices, but
for scallywags more interested in looting than the
specifics of what they loot, this system provides
Glorious/Notorious a way for parties to track their plunder without
40–49 Reputation Levels 11+ getting bogged down by lists of commonplace cargo
and their values down to the copper piece. Aside
Characters can spend influence points on Table 10-4
from streamlining the collection of riches, this
and lower threshold tables. Honorable/Despised
system also allows characters to increase their
benefits can be purchased for half price. Characters
5 can sell plunder in their favored locations for 550
gp per plunder instead of the standard 500 gp. Each
infamy, paying off crew members and spreading
their wealth with more appealing dispensations of
loot than whatever was aboard the last merchant
character can maintain a comfortable lifestyle
ship or royal treasury they robbed.
without having to pay 2 gp per day while in either
favored location. At this threshold, the characters Winning Plunder
gain 16 (2d10 + 5) influence points each day.
It is largely up to you to decide what plunder
Legendary your characters receive throughout their career.
50+ Reputation, Levels 14+ Typically, any time the characters claim a ship's
cargo, conquer an enemy's hideout, or find a
Characters can spend influence points on Table
significant treasure, there's the potential for a
10-5 and lower threshold tables. Famous/Infamous
portion of that wealth to translate into plunder.
Reputation benefits can be purchased for half price
Plunder means more than five wicker baskets, a
and Noted/Disgraceful Reputation benefits are
barrel of pickled herring, three short swords, and a
free. The characters can choose a third favored
noble’s outfit; it’s a generalization of a much larger
location and gain a +6 bonus on Charisma checks to
assortment of valuable but generally trade-focused
increase their reputation score made in any of their
goods, helping to avoid bookkeeping on lists of
favored locations. Each character can maintain a
random goods. A cargo ship carrying construction
wealthy lifestyle without having to pay 4 gp per day
timber, dyed linens, crates of sugar, animal furs,
while in any favored location. At this threshold, the
and various other goods is a ship full of plunder.
characters gain 19 (2d12 + 6) influence points each
Plunder is not meant to serve as a replacement for
day.
more standard forms of treasure, such as potions
Table 5-01: Reputation and Influence Benefits
or magical items. It is meant to serve as a useful
lists sample benefits the characters can gain from
shorthand for what varied mundane treasures
spending influence points at each threshold.
are discovered and can be sold for values in gold.
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Characters can also buy plunder if they wish, Table 5-02: Types of Storms
though those who do so risk becoming known as Storm Severity Navigation DC
merchants rather than pirates. Heavy fog or rain 5
Storms at Sea check. If the pilot's check fails by 5 or more, use the
Disaster table to determine the result of the pilot's
More than terrible pirates and vicious sea monsters failure. If the pilot's check fails by 10 or more, use
menace those who sail the deadly seas of the pirate the Major Disaster table. Some disasters affect
isles. Hurricanes and monsoons lash the tropics every creature on board, while others only affect
with regular seasonal cycles, but even lesser those on deck or those in the rigging. The pilot is
storms can spell the destruction of a vessel and its considered to be on deck for the purposes of these
unprepared crew. Deadly weather is a fact of life disasters. It is up to you to decide how often a check
for most who regularly sail beyond the horizon, will be needed from the ship's pilot.
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respect for that nation’s sovereignty and marks the
ship as a guest in foreign waters.
Private Signal: A private signal is the personal
flag of a particular ship or captain. This flag is
usually the captain’s personal insignia or the
emblem of an organization. A captain seeking work
as a privateer must register her personal emblem
with a nation before obtaining letters of marque
from them; this emblem appears on her private
signal, and helps the government track her ship.
Flag Positions: Ships use several common flag
positions to signal their intentions. In domestic
waters, a ship flies its ensign at the top of the
mast. Beneath the ensign appears the ship’s private
signal.
A private signal flown alone means the ship
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Table 5-03: Disasters
d6 Disaster
1 Rudder Jam. The rudder jams, making steering difficult. The pilot has
disadvantage on its next Wisdom (Survival) check to navigate the storm.
2 Water on Deck. All movement on the deck of the ship is difficult terrain for 1 minute.
3 Loose Rigging. The wind tears ropes loose from the rigging. Each
creature not below deck must succeed on a DC 10 + 1 per Storm Severity
Dexterity saving throw or take 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage.
4 Shaky Sea Legs. A giant wave crashes into the ship, rocking it. Each creature on the ship must
succeed on a DC 10 +1 per Storm Severity Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
5 Ruined Provisions. Saltwater sloshes into the dry food provisions, ruining 1 weeks' worth of food.
6 No Prey, No Pay. Cargo secured on the deck breaks free, spilling
overboard. The ship's plunder is reduced by 1.
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Barnacles DC is 5 for the sixth day and increases by 1 for each
additional day. Creatures that have proficiency
Barnacles are underwater creatures with hard
with navigator's tools or water vehicles have
external shells that attach themselves permanently
advantage on this saving throw. Characters driven
to structures, such as docks and ships. Each week
mad by sunstroke and exposure in the doldrums
a ship is in seawater, it gains barnacles. If the
often hurl themselves into the sea or give over to an
barnacles on a ship have not been removed within
irresistible compulsion to drink seawater, but while
the past 4 weeks, the barnacles create drag on the
others might plot a murderous spree of cannibalism
ship, halving its speed.
against other survivors.
Dead Calm
Gasping Water
Some areas of calm water attract undead that take
Some areas of water are depleted of oxygen content,
advantage of those trapped on immobile ships.
whether due to natural conditions or supernatural
These are known as "desecrated doldrums" or
effects that leach the live-giving elements from
“dead calms” and can be discovered with a detect
the water. A pocket of gasping water is visually
evil and good spell. Undead in desecrated doldrums
indistinguishable from ordinary water, though
have advantage on all saving throws. These
5 areas are usually desecrated by the presence of a
particularly powerful undead creature or unholy
its presence can be noted with a successful DC
20 Intelligence (Nature) check after swimming in
it or observing another creature swimming in it.
object. Putting the creature to rest, destroying the
Within an area of gasping water, an amphibious or
object, or bathing the object in holy water removes
water-breathing creature (whether naturally able to
the desecration from the calm water. Alternatively,
breathe water or through using magic) can’t breathe
a hallow spell cast on the ship prevents the undead
and must hold their breath or
in the desecrated doldrums
begin suffocating.
from climbing aboard
and attacking those Phantom Fog
on the ship.
Though fog is common
Doldrums at sea, phantom fog is
hard to detect and,
Areas of calm air
thankfully, rare. It
and flat water
appears as ordinary
are known as
fog until a creature
doldrums and
enters it. A creature
are hazardous to
inside of phantom fog
ships powered by
must make a DC 10 Wisdom
sails. A ship powered by
saving throw. On a failure, the creature
sails is unable to move in an area
becomes convinced the fog is filled with the ghosts
of calm water for 2d10 days. A creature on a ship
of drowned sailors and is frightened for 1 minute
made immobile by calm water for more than 5 days
as it sees visions of drowned, bloated, and decaying
must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw at the
sailors floating in the mist. A creature that spends
end of each day after the fifth or gain 1 long-term
an hour in phantom fog must make a DC 15 Wisdom
madness until the ship is able to move again. The
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saving throw. On a failure, the creature gains 1 no longer has to make the saving throw for the
long-term madness and another long-term madness remainder of that voyage. Creatures that have
for each additional hour it spends in the fog after proficiency with navigator's tools or water vehicles
that as the visions of drowned sailors get closer and are accustomed to life on ships and don't have to
make physical contact with the creature. Creatures make this saving throw.
that have proficiency with navigator's tools or water
Typhus
vehicles have advantage on these saving throws.
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Navigation
In a typical nautical campaign, the PCs will sail
their ship to a variety of destinations. In order to
do so, they must successfully plot a course and
follow it to their destination. When at sea, a ship's
pilot determines where and how to navigate the
ship. Sometimes the captain is the pilot, but this
is not always the case. The pilot makes a Wisdom
(Survival) check to navigate the ship when you
decide its appropriate. Use the Navigating the Sea
table to determine the DC. Ships traveling at a fast
pace take a -5 penalty on this check, while ships
ships of enemy nations as a privateer. It is not an
traveling at a slow pace grant a +5 bonus.
uncommon practice for maritime nations to issue
letters of marque and reprisal to ships that operate Maps
near their own home waters, where their writ
5 is strongest, but they also may issue such letters
authorizing actions of pillage and prize-taking in
Maps can vary greatly in quality, with some
providing a wealth of detail and others being little
better than vague outlines with a few landmarks.
more distant seas, especially in areas where pirates
Some may be outright misleading, whether
reign supreme. Letters of marque may be granted
deliberately or through lack of skill in creating
to specific ships, regardless of who commands the
them. A typical map of good quality may grant a
ship, or may be granted to a specific captain and his
+1 or +2 bonus on Wisdom (Survival) checks to
or her officers. The bearer gains the legal authority
navigate a ship, while one of exceptional accuracy
to seize or destroy cargo, incarcerate or slay crew
instead may grant advantage on such checks. A
and passengers, and sink or capture ships from
poor-quality or inaccurate map may impose a
other nations, mercantile or otherwise.
penalty or disadvantage on such checks instead.
Within pirate-dominated areas, a letter of marque
Good-quality maps generally cost 10 gp for those
serves as a sign of fealty to the ruling pirate council
that grant a +1 bonus, 50 gp for those that grant
or pirate lords, and the manifold privileges it
a +2 bonus, and those granting advantage 100 gp.
affords also apply against any ships or captains
Poor-quality maps typically cost 10 gp as well but
who haven’t sworn loyalty to a known pirate lord
can only be detected as such with a successful DC
or who doesn’t carry their own letter of marque. Of
15 Intelligence check. You may add your proficiency
course, bearing a letter of marque is no guarantee
bonus if you are proficient with ships, if you are
of safety from other pirates, who frequently strike
familiar with the area shown in the map, or if you
first and ask questions later. Possession of a pirate
have expertise with maps and geography due to
letter of marque is a crime in most civilized nations
your background or other factors.
and regularly carries a penalty of death by hanging.
An intentionally created fraudulent map may be
Most pirate lords keep accounts of which ships
harder to detect, with a DC equal to the Intelligence
and captains have letters of marque, making it
check result of the creature that created the map.
extraordinarily difficult to forge these documents
or steal them to perpetrate a deception.
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This functions like trying to forge a document or Table 5-05:
spot a forgery. Navigating the Sea
Unwilling Passengers Location
N avigation
DC
Familiar waters, land in sight 5
Sometimes in a nautical campaign, PCs may be
Familiar waters, no land in sight 10
press ganged into joining a crew or otherwise
Unfamiliar waters, land in sight 15
kidnapped or taken on a voyage where they don’t
Unfamiliar waters, 20
know where they are going. In such a case, trapped
no land in sight
characters can attempt a Wisdom (Survival) check
as above, though the DC may be increased if they
are only allowed above decks at night. Success on
the check enables them to identify the country
with powerful magical healing such as the heal
or region their ship passes on its voyage, while a
spell, while lost limbs can only be healed by the
DC 20 check enables them to identify individual
regenerate spell.
islands or settlements.
A character that loses a limb might want to
This assumes the PCs are in an area with which
compensate for the loss by replacing it with a
they have some familiarity. The DC increases by
1 for every 100 miles away they are from familiar
prosthetic. The Prosthetics table lists the types of
prosthetics available.
5
territory (GM’s discretion).
Eye Patch: An eye patch is a patch of cloth or
Peg Legs and leather that covers a single eye or eye socket and
Eye Patches ties behind the head. While wearing an eye patch
you have disadvantage on ranged attack rolls, as
if you had lost an eye. If you are already missing
This optional system gives GMs a way to assign
an eye and cover that eye socket with the patch,
scars and major wounds to their PCs. Before
the eye patch doesn't cause any further hindrance.
implementing this system, consider these rules
In addition, you have advantage on Charisma
carefully. Major wounds can have major effects
(Intimidation) and Charisma (Persuasion) checks
upon play, and some groups may not appreciate
when interacting with anyone associated with or
such debilitations, preferring the threat of death
fearful of pirates.
and an unscarred resurrection over a thematic
Hook Hand: A hook hand is a metal hook with
crippling.
a socket built on the base of the hook to fit over
Life on the sea isn't always easy or safe, and,
a wrist. If you aren't missing a hand, you have
though they may have a medic on board, not
disadvantage on Dexterity checks that require
all ships have magical healing on-hand. Pirates
precise control and coordination and can't use
and sailors routinely sport peg legs, eye patches,
items that require two hands while wearing the
and hook hands, evidence of rough life on the
hook hand. Your unarmed strikes with the hook
high seas. A major wound might happen when a
hand deal piercing damage instead of bludgeoning
creature suffers a critical hit, when it drops to 0 hit
damage.
points, or when it takes over half its hit points in
Peg Leg. A peg leg is a wooden stump with a socket
damage. To determine the wound, roll on the Major
built on one end to fit over your knee. If you aren't
Wounds table. Most major wounds can be healed
missing a leg, using a peg leg reduces your speed by
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10 feet. You can carve a hidden compartment into 0. Peg legs assume your knee is mostly intact. If it
your peg leg and hide items weighing up to 2 pounds isn't, you must use a prosthetic leg instead.
in it. If you are missing a leg, your speed is only Prosthetic: A prosthetic is a realistic simulation
reduced by 10 feet instead of halved when using a of your missing hand, arm, leg, or foot. It is usually
peg leg. If you are missing all your legs and replace carved of wood and painted to match your skin
them with peg legs, your speed is halved instead of tone. Prosthetic legs allow you to walk with halved
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speed and prosthetic hands and arms allow you to Arm Wrestling
hold an item, such as a shield or holy symbol, in a
More dangerous than most land-based arm wrestling
fixed position. You can carve a hidden compartment
matches, ship-based arm wrestling often involves
in your prosthetic limb. A prosthetic hand or foot's
sharp objects covering the table or barrel top where
compartment can hold one item weighing less than
the wrestling happens. These objects can include
1 pound. A prosthetic arm or leg's compartment
knives, broken glass, caltrops or any other small,
can hold items weighing up to 2 pounds.
sharp objects. The two participants must make
133
Rum k Every sailor must do her fair share of work,
and neither shirk her duty nor pass off work
As the least expensive drink in ports across the
to another, lest she face 20 lashes. A ship’s
world, rum is the drink of choice for pirates and
primary entertainer may rest 1 day per week
sailors. On longer voyages, many captains institute
but must stand ready to entertain on all
a half-pint ration of rum each evening for every
others.
member of the crew. This ration helps keep the crew
k Every sailor receives an equal share of food
more sated and focused on recreational activities
and drink, and 1 ration of liquor every day.
rather than infighting. Many captains have
k Any sailor found drunk on duty shall face
punishments for crew members selling, spilling,
10 lashes. Any sailor too drunk to function
or otherwise not drinking their rations once the
effectively during battle shall be keelhauled.
captain has made the ration mandatory.
k A sailor who suspects a hazard, be it storm
Rum (Ingested) cloud, sea monster, or enemy ship, must raise
the alarm immediately. Any sailor who sees
A creature that ingests rum must succeed on a DC
an unfamiliar sea creature must inform the
13 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned
captain immediately.
for 1 hour. If a creature fails the save by 5 or more
5 while poisoned, it falls unconscious for 1 hour or
until cured of the poisoned condition.
k A sailor shall not speak to any creature of the
sea without the captain’s permission.
k A sailor must not speak ill of the dead lest
134
still counts as a strike, much to the amusement of taking 7 (2d6) slashing damage on a failed save, or
the crew. half as much damage on a successful one.
Confined to the Sweatbox may force the offender, at sword point, to walk off
the boat as a demonstration to the rest of the crew
The sweatbox is a small, metal box left on the of what happens when committing such offenses.
deck and exposed to the sun, creating a confined Particularly cruel captains may chum the waters
space with unbearably hot conditions. The victim first to attract sharks that devour the offender as
is placed in the sweatbox for 1 hour per two lashes. the crew watches.
Each hour a creature is in the box, it must make a
DC 10 Constitution saving throw, taking 5 (2d4) fire
Hanging
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on Captured pirates are regularly hanged by naval
a successful one. officers after being taken prisoner. Any captain,
135
5
136
Listed here are some of the standard roles aboard vessel. Carpenters are chiefly responsible for
a typical pirate ship. Not all of these roles might maintaining the ship below the deck, finding and
be represented on every vessel, but such details plugging leaks, repairing damage, and replacing
can help players understand their characters’ daily masts and yards. As the crew member most skilled
duties. with the saw, the carpenter typically serves as a
Cabin Boy/Girl
such trauma.
Helmsman/Coxswain/Pilot 5
Servant to the captain and other officers, this low- An officer who steers the ship. The captain may take
ranking and typically young crew member assists the helm when on deck or may shout commands to
other sailors in their duties and runs various the helmsman to direct them.
errands across the ship, requiring him or her to
gain a measure of understanding of almost all the
Master-at-Arms
ship’s roles. Concerned with the security of the ship, the fitness
137
Q uartermaster Bilge: The filthy, musty lowest part of a ship’s
interior, usually the first place for leaks to show
The quartermaster oversees the supplies and items
up and collect foul water. Also used to indicate
stored aboard the ship. She maintains the supplies
nonsense or foolish conversations.
of food and weaponry, oversees the disbursement
Bilge Rat: Rats living in the bilges of a ship,
of food to the cook and doles out the rum ration to
the lowliest vermin on board the ship (though
the crew.
sometimes eaten in times of emergency). Also used
Rigger a serious insult.
Binnacle: A glass-topped box fixed to a stand on
Riggers work the rigging and unfurl the sails. In
the deck. The binnacle houses a compass.
battle, next to that of a boarding party, the riggers’
Black Jack: A large drinking cup made of leather.
job is one of the most dangerous, as they pull enemy
Black Spot: A black mark on a piece of paper with
vessels near enough to board.
a threatening message, usually a death threat.
Swab Boom: A horizontal beam attached to a mast to
hold the bottom of a sail.
Any sailor who mops the decks. Also used as slang
Booty: Treasure.
for any low-ranking or unskilled crew member.
5 Terminology
Bow/Prow: The front end of a ship.
Bowsprit: An angled horizontal mast stretching
out from the front of the ship.
Pirates and sailors use many technical terms and Brig: Barred cells below decks for captives.
also develop their own slang and verbal shorthand Bubbles: A person who can’t swim.
at sea. Many of the terms below have become Bulkhead: A dividing wall inside a ship’s hull.
common on ships and in port cities, particularly in Bung Hole: A hole in a wooden barrel sealed with
dock districts. a cork, used to pour out drinks.
A C
Adrift: Floating loose at sea. Can also mean Capstan: A revolving upright cylinder used for
someone who has run away or gone missing. winding rope, cable, or chain, with lever-handles
Aft/Abaft: Towards the rear of a ship. for several sailors to work together to turn it.
Ahoy: A greeting. Made more friendly by adding Captain’s Dance: When two ships meet in open
“matey.” water and wish to parlay, each ship sends out a
Anchor: A person who wears heavy metal armor. boat. The two captains meet on one ship; the two
Astern: Trailing behind a ship. first mates meet on the other.
Avast ye: “Pay attention.” Chase: A ship that is being pursued by pirates.
Coaming: A raised lip around a hatch to keep
B
water from spilling belowdecks.
Ballast: Rocks or other heavy objects place in a Crow’s Nest: A raised lookout stand, usually atop
ship’s hold to make it more stable. the highest mast in larger ships or in the bow in
Batten Down the Hatches: Prepare the ship for smaller boats.
an upcoming storm.
Beam: The width of a ship.
138
D H
Dance the Hempen Jig/Dance with Jack Ketch: Hands: The crew of a ship.
Death by hanging. Head: Toilet on board a ship.
Draft: The depth below the waterline of a ship’s Hearties/Mateys: A familiar and friendly term of
keel. address between sailors.
Draught: The amount of liquid taken in a single Heave Ho: An admonition to push or pull harder,
act of drinking. with all your strength.
Duffle: A sailor’s belongings. Heel: A ship leaning to one side, especially when
making a turn or in high winds.
F
Helm: The steering mechanism of a ship, either a
Fancy Jacket: Someone who dresses and talks tiller or wheel controlling a rudder.
like a pirate but has no real sailing experience. Hold: A large open area inside a ship’s hull for
Fast Colors: A country’s flag. Privateers holding cargo.
sometimes fly pirate or merchant flags to lure Holystone: Bars of sandstone used to scrub the
pirate ships close, then raise their true flags when deck.
combat begins. Hornswoggle: To cheat or trick someone.
Fathom: A measurement of six feet, used primarily
to measure water depth.
Hulk: A ship that has been gutted but remains
afloat. Too old or damaged for battle, hulked ships
5
Fishslicer: A small blade, like a dagger. might be rebuilt for other purposes, including as
Following Sea: Waves going in the same direction floating prisons.
as a ship. Hull: The body of a ship.
Freeboard: The height of a ship’s deck above the
J
waterline.
Frenzy: A fight, particularly a tavern brawl. Jack Ketch: A hangman.
Jack Tar (or tar): A pirate or sailor.
G
Jolly Boat: A light boat carried at the stern of a
Gallows Jumper: Someone who has died and then larger sailing ship.
come back to life, such as through a raise dead spell.
K
Gangplank: A removable ramp for boarding or
disembarking a ship. Keel: The wooden beams that form the spine
Gangway: An open walkway along the side of a running down the center of the ship’s hull.
ship’s upper deck. Also used as an exclamation for
L
people to clear a path.
Gunwale: The top edge on the side of a boat, Lad/Lass: A younger male/female.
often with a reinforced rail or band above the level Ladder: Stairs on board a ship.
of the gun deck. Warships might have openings in Lateen: A triangular sail.
the gunwale for cannons. League: A measure of linear distance equal to
three miles.
Lights: Lungs. (The “lights” in famous
exclamations like “I’ll have your liver and lights!”
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5
140
R Strike the Colors: Lower a ship’s flag, usually to
signal surrender.
Rigging: Ropes, chains, and tackle used to operate
Sutler: A merchant in port who sells items needed
the masts, sails, booms, and yardarms of a ship.
for ships to make repairs and resupply.
Rudder: A flat piece of wood turned by the helm
to help turn the ship. T
Running Lunch: A rat or large insect. Sailors
Tack: To reposition a sail to change how the wind
sometimes joke that a new crewman must “catch
catches it, often used in a zig-zag movement to sail
himself a running lunch.”
partially against the wind by sailing back and forth
S across it.
The Cat’s out of the Bag: A punishment has been
Scallywag: Sometimes used as an insult, but
ordered and it is going to be administered without
sometimes to affirm that someone is a genuine and
mercy. It also can mean a plan of action has begun
legitimate pirate worth his salt.
and it is too late to turn back.
Scaly: A fish. Can also refer to a sea monster.
The Sweet Trade: Piracy.
Scuppers: Openings along the gunwales bordering
Three Sheets to the Wind: Someone who is very
a ship’s deck allowing water on deck to drain back
off the deck into the sea rather than draining into
the ship’s hull.
drunk.
Transom: Horizontal beams across the stern of 5
a ship.
Scurvy: A disease common to sailors caused by
vitamin C deficiency. Also used as a derogatory W
adjective to amplify an insult.
Windbound: Unable to set sail because of wind
Scuttle: To intentionally sink a ship you are on.
conditions. Can mean any situation in which a
Sea Legs: The ability to maintain balance on a
person cannot act because of outside circumstances.
rolling deck.
Windlass: A revolving horizontal cylinder used
Shark Bait: Someone who is going to die soon.
for winding rope, cable, or chain, with lever-handles
Shiver Me Timbers: An expression of shock,
for several sailors to work together to turn it.
surprise, or fright.
Windspinner: A spellcaster, specifically one who
Skeleton Crew: A small crew, barely enough to
possesses weather magic.
operate the ship.
Sounding: Taking the depth of the seafloor near X
land, typically with a rope and lead weight.
X-er: A treasure hunter—someone always looking
Spar: A general term for all rigging poles on a
for “the X that marks the spot.”
ship, including masts, booms, and yardarms.
Splice the Main Brace: Hoist a drink in celebration Z
of a hard day’s work or a hard-won battle.
Yardarm: The main horizontal boom holding the
Squiffy: Tipsy or mildly drunk.
top edge of a sail. Hanging is sometimes done from
Starboard: The right side of a ship when facing
a yardarm.
its bow.
Yo Ho/Yo Ho Ho: An exclamation of cheer or to
Stern: The rear of a ship.
draw attention to the speaker.
141
C ha p t e r 6 :
N a u ti c a l
H e r o es
142
6
Aethan Calder
143
Aethan Calder hit, thrown (range 20/60), one target.
Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack. +5 to hit,
ammunition (range 80/320), loading, two-handed,
one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
“My father sailed these seas—a scourge to any Bonus Actions
who crossed his path. He heard the pirate’s Second Wind. You have a limited well of stamina
call at an early age and made many enemies that you can draw on to protect yourself from
over the years. It proved his undoing in the harm. On your turn, you can use a bonus action
end, betrayed by a crew which despised him to regain hit points equal to 1d10 + your fighter
more than those he pillaged. But I’ll tack to a level. Once you use this feature, you must finish
different wind. I believe winning the hearts of a short or long rest before you can use it again.
those who sail with you gains their friendship
and loyalty to the end of their days...and not
just your own. For me, that’s more valuable Background
than any plundered cargo or buried treasure.
And you can carry it proudly, unashamed and Aethan Calder (AY-thun CAWL-duhr) grew up in the
unafraid someone stronger will try and take it Pirate Isles as the unrealized son of a well-known
from you.” pirate named Alexander Calder. When making port,
—words of camaraderie by Aethan Calder, son
of deceased pirate lord, Alexander Calder his father would woo his young mother, Emelyn
Tace, owner of a local tavern called the Tempest's
Brew. For years, Aethan had no idea of his father's
AETHAN CALDER identity as Emelyn sought to protect him from
144
mother's disapproval. For Aethan, the attraction pay for goods or services (up to a maximum of 5gp
was more than a means to rebel against his mother. in value).
He fell in love with Cathran, but their time together
was merely a dalliance to the half-elf. Her research
Physical Description
and exploration of the Cyclopean ruins among the Just 19 years old, Aethan has a lean, athletic build,
Pirate Isles left little room for putting down roots, having honed his muscles and reflexes through
and she had no interest in long-term attachments rigorous exercise and martial training. He stands 5
she'd eventually outlive. feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 170 lbs., keeping his
Cathran finally decided to leave, taking passage dark hair trimmed in a rakish cut so it hangs down
on a ship bound for a more distant shore. Running just in line with the thin beard and goatee tracing
away from home, Aethan followed her with youthful his hard-set jaw. His eyes are the color of the storm-
determination, childishly imagining he could ridden sky, and he dresses in matching colors of
leave behind his boring life while simultaneously gray and white. He wears a brown, polished, studded
winning Cathran's heart and convincing her to let leather breastplate with greaves for his shoulders,
him adventure by her side. The half-elf sought to arms, and legs over his normal clothes. Aside from
dissuade him, and while arguing, they unexpectedly the ornate rapier constantly belted at his waist, he
ran afoul of a dockside scallywag running a press also straps a well-used buckler to his left forearm,
gang for a local pirate crew. Falling into his trap, keeps a trusty dagger in his boot, and carries a light
they now find themselves looking out for one crossbow with a small quiver of bolts on his back
another in a situation which promises to bring
them together through hardships neither could
when expecting trouble.
Personality
6
have imagined.
Aethan has a devil-may-care attitude about most
Skill Proficiencies
things. He chafes at any sense of authority which
Athletics, Perception. others try to wield over him, preferring to chart
his own course and heed his own conscience.
Tool Proficiencies
Inherently good at heart, he recognizes a lot of
Vehicles (water). injustice exists in the world, including the tyranny
which outside interests want to wield over those
Feature: Buccaneer’s Blood
living in the Pirate Isles. He abhors a bully, often
One of Aethan's ancestors—Captain Alexander getting in over his head when coming to the aid
Calder—was an infamous raider from the Pirate of others, but relishes the conflict, eagerly pitting
Isles whose very name struck fear in the hearts of himself against evil-minded men with the same
those who sailed the open sea. Piracy is in Aethan's adventurous heart his father held as a pirate. But in
blood, and despite his good heart, he's always Aethan's mind, he measures himself by his heroic
longed for adventure on a sailing ship. When deeds and derring-do more than any personal gain
Aethan reveals his heritage in any port town, he he receives for his efforts.
can get away with minor transgressions of the law,
since most people will be afraid to report him to the
authorities. Examples of such minor crimes include
breaking furniture during a brawl or refusing to
145
Note Roleplaying Ideas
For maximum roleplaying impact, if there’s
another charismatic, wildhearted PC in the k Aethan clings to his romantic feelings for
group (and no one plays Aethan’s love interest, Cathran Tyvirian despite their difficult
Cathran), that character, with their player’s circumstances at sea. He comes to her aid
consent, should be chosen as the recipient of
his romantic interest instead. in any battle, caring little for himself if it
means keeping her safe and winning her
heart by displaying the bravery and honor he
legitimately feels inside himself.
k While Aethan never desired a pirate's life, he
146
6
Cathran Tyvirian
147
Actions
148
civilization from her dreams. She never anticipated Note
Aethan would chase after her. And, when he caught For maximum roleplaying impact, if there’s
another wide-eyed, youthful PC in the
up to her on the seedy docks of a distant port, she
group (and no one plays Cathran’s would-
argued with him to turn back. In that moment be paramour, Aethan), that character, with
of distraction, both were unexpectedly accosted their player’s consent, should be chosen
as her potential love interest instead.
by a press gang for a local pirate crew. Knocked
unconscious and dragged aboard the pirates’
ship, Cathran and Aethan now find themselves
in dire circumstances, forced to look out for one
father, instantly drawing in those who speak with
another as they begin an entirely different journey
her. She stands 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 135
together.
lbs., dressing in faded green leggings, a plain, white
Skill Proficiencies tunic, and knee-length, brown leather boots. She
wears studded leather armor over this ensemble and
History, Investigation
wields a narrow mace with a light wooden shield in
Tool Proficiencies battle. She also keeps an ever-sharp handaxe belted
at her waist and a wooden butterfly charm on a
Cartographer’s tools
leather cord around her neck.
Feature: Lucky Explorer
Personality
Cathran has studied ancient history for much of
her life and came to the Pirate Isles to explore the
Cathran has a confident optimism about her,
always steadfast, loyal, and supportive of her
6
myriad, vine-choked ruins of an ancient Cyclopean
friends, believing she can overcome any problem
civilization. During her travels, she has become an
with sufficient planning, patience, and flexibility.
expert in finding things out, and has learned the
She roots this conviction in her faith, relying on the
ancient Cyclops tongue as a bonus language. When
Goddess of Stars, Luck, and Dreams to guide her
Cathran devoted her life to the priesthood, the
path and keep her safe. An ever-curious loreseeker,
Goddess of Stars, Luck, and Dreams sensed her love
she's also eager to travel and experience the world,
of exploration and promised she would always find
valuing her freedom above all else. Genuinely
her way home no matter how far she sailed. As a
interested in new people, new lands, and ancient
result, as a bonus action Cathran can automatically
mysteries, she projects a friendly demeanor to
determine where true north lies.
earn the trust of those she meets. But, despite her
Physical Description positive outlook, Cathran wisely faces the world
with open eyes, always prepared to defend herself
Cathran bears the glow of a sun-kissed traveler,
and those close to her.
having spent most of her 30 years wandering
the open sea from one port to another. Her once Advancement
chestnut brown hair has lightened considerably
With each new level, Cathran advances as a cleric.
over the years, giving it almost a sandy-blonde
At 2nd level, she gains the Channel Divinity and
appearance now, but it's her deep blue eyes which
Divine Domain features, choosing the Luck Domain
capture the most attention. They bear a stronger
(see sidebar) or another available domain based on
resemblance to her human mother than her elven
luck, dreams, or the stars. She also gains healing
149
Luck Domain word as a 1st level cleric spell. At 3rd level, she adds
The Luck domain focuses on the seemingly- command as a 1st level spell and prayer of healing
random acts of chance that define an
and spiritual weapon as 2nd level spells. At 4th level,
individual’s life. Whether the luck is good
or bad, these tiny threads of fate weave Cathran’s Wisdom score increases by two, and she
through the world, influencing the shape gains locate object as a 2nd level cleric spell.
of events yet to come. Deities that claim
influence over the Luck domain range from
those who represent inevitable fate, to
Roleplaying Ideas
those who personify randomness and chaos. k Cathran's headstrong obsession with the
Clerics with the luck domain seek to bestow
ancient ruins and sunken treasure of the
good luck to their allies and bad luck to their
foes, or to see the fate of a creature before Pirate Isles may lead her into situations which
it occurs. put her and her friends in undue danger. This
could foster further tension, concern, or even
Luck Domain Spells guilt depending on the outcome. Regardless,
Cleric L evel Spells
1st bless, bane she feels something pulling her onward. It
3rd augury, warding bond even affects her dreams and she wonders
5th beacon of hope, blink if her goddess is leading to her something
7th divination, freedom of movement important—one of the main reasons she won't
9th confusion, dream allow herself to settle down.
k While Cathran may ultimately rebuff the
Bit of Luck: At 1st level, you gain a +1
6 bonus to all saving throws.
Channel Divinity: Starting at 2nd level,
romantic feelings Aethan Calder holds for her,
their shared principles and spirit for adventure
you can use your Channel Divinity to bestow could still establish a solid foundation for
a bit of luck—good or bad—on those near lasting friendship. Their relationship could
you. As an action, you can grant either
advantage or disadvantage to one creature take all manner of twists and turns as they
within 30’, which applies to the next d20 roll seek their fortunes together on the high sea.
they make. Jealousy and bitterness could form if Cathran
Good Fortune: At 6th level, once per day
you can see dimly into the future and use or Aethan show affection for an NPC during
your luck to guide you to a better outcome. the campaign. Or, true love could blossom as
You can choose to reroll any single die roll each is forced to sacrifice something to keep
that you make before the outcome has been
determined. the other safe.
Strike True: At 8th level, the first critical k The stars, and astrology in general, have
hit you score automatically does maximum always guided Cathran's life. She feels they
damage (as if you had rolled the maximum
amount on the appropriate damage dice). represent the will of her goddess, written
You can opt to not use this ability when it across the sky for all to see. But sometimes,
occurs, but if you do you cannot use it again Cathran might misread their intent, leading to
later in the day.
Lucky Hit: At 17th level, once per day you interpretations both dangerous and humorous.
can alter the result of any d20 to either a 1
or a 20. You can make this choice after the
result of the die roll is known, but before
the effects are applied. For example, you
can use this to turn an enemy’s successful
attack to an automatic miss by changing the
roll to a 1, or convert a failed saving throw
into a success by changing the die roll to a
20. You can apply this effect to a d20 rolled
by any creature and not just yourself.
150
6
Fairweather Prindle
151
“Fairweather” Actions
Short Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
6
use this ability up to 3 times between long rests.
“FAIRWEATHER” LUMIS PRINDLE Lucky. When you roll a 1 on the d20 for an attack
Small humanoid (halfling), chaotic good bard 1 roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can
Armor Class 15 (studded leather) reroll the die and must use the new roll.
Hit Points 9 (1d8 + 1)
Speed 25 ft. Background
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Lumis Prindle (LOO-miss PREN-duhl)—also
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 16 (+3)
known as "Fairweather" to his friends—came to the
Saving Throws Dexterity, Charisma (has advantage Pirate Isles as a wandering musician and storyteller
on saving throws to avoid being frightened)
five years ago. Narrowly avoiding a group of slavers
Skills Deception +5, Perception +2, Performance
+5, Persuasion +5, Stealth +5 (can attempt
wanting to add him to their ship's 'cargo,' he
to hide even when obscured only by a realized he'd better make lots of friends to assure
creature that is at least Medium size) his continued freedom and safety. Since then, he's
Senses passive Perception 12 worked hard at knowing someone he can count on in
Languages Common, Halfling every port of call—law-abiding or not—by making
Spellcasting. Lumis is a 1st-level spellcaster.
himself indispensable as an informant, diplomat,
His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell
save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). and entertainer. As a result, he's learned quite a bit
He knows the following bard spells: about the local politics of the Pirate Isles, all while
Cantrips (at will): mage hand, prestidigitation steering clear of associating too strongly with any
1st level (2 slots/day): charm person, healing particular faction. He holds a healthy respect for the
word, hideous laughter, longstrider
lords of the Pirate Council—especially those who
Gear Studded leather armor, short sword, dagger,
sling w/ 10 bullets, backpack, bedroll, rations (5 do well by the ones they protect—even spinning
days), waterskin, whetstone, 10 pp, 6 gp, 1 sp, 5 cp. barroom tales to heighten their legends.
152
Unfortunately, Lumis once embellished a tale of And, while he shuns footgear altogether, his feet are
two pirates who turned on one another over a golden as tough as the studded leather armor he dons when
idol. He painted one of them in a more favorable expecting trouble. He also straps a well-maintained
light than the other and unknowingly insulted the short sword and dagger to his belt, alongside his
remaining pirate and his crew who were drinking favorite sling and a pouch of pebbles collected from
at the same bar. Under the guise of buying him a the many beaches he's visited.
few drinks for his performance, the pirates took
revenge by drugging him and hauling him off to
Personality
become an unwilling member of their crew. Now Lumis has a hearty laugh and smile for everyone he
Lumis laments his plight alongside his fellow press- meets, naturally winning over friends and would-be
ganged shipmates, hoping his legendary halfling enemies alike. Many consider him a good luck charm
luck will somehow see him out of his predicament. for warding off evil spirits and bad weather—a
welcome conclusion he does little to discourage,
Skill Proficiencies
even reminding those who consider leaving him
Perception, Persuasion behind that they should always stick close to their
'lucky halfling.' He also has a tremendous love for
Tool Proficiencies
stories and adventure, especially anything involving
Musical Instruments legends about pirates on the high sea. Their tales
resonate with the wanderlust deeply rooted in his
Feature: Barroom Talespinner
Lumis grew up on tales of adventure and piracy
psyche, as well as his willingness to set aside the
rule of law to do right by his friends. He's always 6
shared in dockside dives and the sea shanties of eager to reach a new port of call so he can savor the
old salts who sailed the high seas. He's learned hospitality of acquaintances both old and new. And
all about what it's like to be a pirate by talking he's as steadfast and loyal as the day is long.
with sailors on shore leave, and learned how to
tell a good tale. He has advantage on Charisma
Advancement
(Performance or Persuasion) checks which involve Lumis advances as a bard with each new level. At
piracy, sea shanties, lost treasure, or legends of 2nd level, he gains the Jack of All Trades and Song
nautical origin. of Rest bard abilities, and learns the thunderwave
Physical Description spell. At 3rd level, Lumis selects the College of Lore
bardic college (gaining proficiency in Athetics,
As a lightfoot halfling, Lumis Prindle takes History, and Nature), and applies his Expertise
exceptional pride that his height still eclipses the bonus to Perception and Persuasion. Also at third
3-foot average of his kin by a full inch—a fact he level, Lumis learns the suggestion spell. At 4th level,
readily announces to any who would question it. Lumis increases his Charisma score by 2, and learns
Weighing just 35 lbs., his frame resembles that the enhance ability spell. (If other bardic Colleges
of a small child rather than the veteran, 25-year are available in the campaign, Lumis should select
old talespinner he's become, and his curly brown one which reflects his seaborne upbringing.)
hair, long sideburns, and wizened eyes also help
belie that image. He dresses in brown pants with
a maroon surcoat over a long-sleeved, white tunic.
153
6
Roleplaying Ideas
k Lumis has a story for every occasion, often regaling his friends with comical tales and fables which
provide social commentary. Sometimes these prove entirely made up, though the halfling never
lets on to the truth, using them as much to entertain as educate.
k Despite continued sensitivity over his short stature, Lumis recognizes the value in sticking close
to someone larger than himself. As such, he may seek a supporting role alongside capable leaders
like Aethan Calder, Taren Torrenato, or Silvio Devaulis.
k Lumis prides himself on being a resourceful ally who can “get things” (legitimately or otherwise),
constantly fussing over the perfect items to provision a ship's stores so it has more creature
comforts for the captain and officers of the crew (including himself). As such, he serves quite
capably as a quartermaster or first mate.
154
6
Miri Kalantee
155
Miriel "Miri" Actions
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, light, reach
156
the pirates soon tracked her down and carried her Note
off to their ship. Now she plots her escape and an Miri uses the witch base class, as detailed in
Legendary Games’ compilation of the Trail
extra special revenge for those who dared treat her
of the Apprentice adventure path. A witch is
in such an unruly manner. similar to a wizard, but a witch has access
to a different list of spells and doesn’t
Skill Proficiencies record them in a spellbook. Instead,
Miri’s familiar, the osprey Caramina,
Arcana, Persuasion learns spells, and communes with her
master to allow Miri to prepare them each
Tool Proficiencies day.
All rules required to play Miri through level
Herbalism kit 4 are presented here. Further advancement
will require the full rules found in Trail of
Feature: Touched by the Sea the Apprentice. If you don’t have access
to these rules, you can make Miri another
Miri's blood surges with the ebb and flow of the tides. magic-using class like a warlock or wizard
An aquatic elf impacted her bloodline somewhere instead, or choose another pregenerated
character to play.
in her ancestry, and now she's as comfortable in the
water as she is on land. She always has advantage
on ability checks to swim, and can hold her breath their guard with her flirtatious behavior, often
for twice as long as normal. Miri also gains Aquan convincing even the most ill-intentioned enemies
as a bonus language. to side with her point of view or to cater to her
157
Additional Rules:
The Witch class
Familiar
You have a familiar, a loyal animal that
helps connect you to the source of your
magic. Your familiar visits you each day
when you prepare spells. It does not assist
you in combat, scout ahead, or perform
other tasks for you. You can teach your
familiar new spells by allowing it to study a
spellbook containing that spell, or asking
it to talk to another witch’s familiar who
knows it. Your familiar can be any kind
of animal.
Roleplaying Ideas
Witch Spell List k Miri may occasionally engineer playful
k Cantrips: dancing lights, druidcraft,
guidance, light, mending, message, affairs or romantic situations with her
minor illusion, resistance, speak with companions, which could create difficult
animals, thaumaturgy
circumstances for the unrequited love
k 1st level: burning hands, charm
person, comprehend languages, cure interest between Aethan and Cathran.
158
6
Ondirra Shirahz
159
Ondirra Shirahz Dagger. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to
hit, thrown (range 20/60), one target.
Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5
to hit, ammunition (range 80/320), loading,
“There’s an ebb and flow to everything. The tide two-handed, one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3)
rolls in and pulls away. It’s a fact of life and the Chameleon. You can alter the color of your skin to
way I choose to see the world around me. Friends match any human skin tone. This grants advantage
today may be enemies tomorrow. The wisest among on Deception checks to disguise yourself as human.
us move with the currents rather than against them. Bonus Actions
By doing so, if you take the right angle, you can still Chameleon. When you have activated your
reach your goals, even if it takes you further off- chameleon ability, you may revert to your
course than you intended. As long as you avoid being natural coloration as a bonus action.
dashed on the rocks or pulled down by an undertow,
you’ll reach shore eventually. What you do after that
is up to you. In my experience, far more dangers
Background
await inland than at sea. That’s because more people Born to an insular family of aquan tieflings,
live there to betray you. So you have to stay aware,
Ondirra Shirahz (ON-deer-Uh Sheer-RAHZ) has
always ready to push forward or recede—whatever
the situation warrants.” lived her entire life in the Pirate Isles. Her bloodline
—words of wisdom by the undine wanderer, Ondirra Shirahz traces back a thousand years to a water djinn’s
supposed influence on the local islanders, but her
generation never benefited from the creature’s
ONDIRRA SHIRAHZ
power over wishes. Instead, Ondirra spent her early
6 Medium humanoid (aquan tiefling),
lawful neutral monk 1
Armor Class 15 (none)
years struggling to survive on the docks of a well-
known port for smugglers, pirates, and assassins.
Hit Points 10 (1d8 + 2) She considered a similar path to earn money for
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft. her family, even training with an ex-assassin for
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha several years before abandoning that dream when
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) their guild branded her mentor a heretic and put
Saving Throws Strength, Dexterity her to death.
Skills Acrobatics +5, Insight +5, Since then, Ondirra has distanced herself from
Nature +2, Survival +5 her family to protect them. Though she fiercely
Senses passive Perception 12 misses them, she feels she can fend for herself—
Languages Aquan, Common
and being apart, means one less mouth to feed so
Gear Dagger, light crossbow with case of
20 bolts, backpack, bedroll, rations (5
her brothers and sisters have a better chance at
days), waterskin, whetstone, wooden survival. In her subsequent adventures, Ondirra
holy symbol, 10 pp, 6 gp, 3 sp, 8 cp spent much of her time in the wild, living off the
Actions coastland and hunting the shoals along the island
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: shore. One day, while swimming at sea, she became
+5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage. caught in a net and hauled aboard a fishing vessel.
Martial Arts. Melee Weapon Attack: +5/+5 The drunken fisherman thought he’d captured
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target per attack. an exotic sea creature, and after bludgeoning
Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage. the entangled “mermaid” unconscious, he sold
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
Ondirra to a passing slave ship. She wasted little
ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
time escaping her captors, but struggled to make
160
the long swim back to shore. Eventually, a pirate
Additional Rules:
ship happened upon her and fished her from the Variant Race
water, intending to loot her body. To their surprise,
Ondirra still lived and they kept her aboard as a
Aquan (Tiefling)
The tiefling described in the Srd is only
newly press-ganged recruit. Now she plots yet the most common type of creature
another escape, seeking allies who might mutiny infused with the blood of an extraplanar
entity. Humans in particular seem to be
alongside her.
susceptible to pacts, trysts, and other
mingling with the exotic creatures from
Skill Proficiencies beyond. In theory, variant tiefling exist with
characteristics that match every inner and
Insight, Survival
outer plane.
An aquan tiefling derives its nature from
Tool Proficiencies the Elemental Plane of Water. They have the
same traits as a standard tiefling, with the
Poisoner’s Kit
following differences:
k Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity
Feature: Native Islander score increases by 2, and your Wisdom
score increases by 1. This modifies
Ondirra grew up in a pirate port infamous for both
the tiefling’s standard ability score
the scoundrels who visit it and the feared assassins increases.
who run it. She's been around pirates and killers k Water Affinity: You gain a swim
speed of 30 feet, and gain advantage
her entire life, and she's learned to be wary in her
dealings with people, as there's no telling who
might be an assassin or a raider in disguise. Ondirra
on Strength (Athletics) checks while
swimming. You can also hold your
breath twice as long as normal.
6
This replaces the tiefling’s Hellish
always makes passive Wisdom (Insight) checks to
Resistance trait.
determine whether a given individual that she can k Chameleon: As an action, you can
see will become hostile before it happens. If she alter the color of your skin to match
any human skin tone. This grants
succeeds in this check, she is not surprised when
advantage on Deception checks to
combat begins. disguise yourself as human. This
161
Additional Rules:
Circle of the Sea
Druidic Circle Sea Legs: Starting at 6th level, you gain a
Just as the Circle of the Land watches over swim speed equal to your base walking
the dry areas of the world, the Circle of the speed (or +10 to your swim speed if you
Sea are caretakers of the mighty oceans that already have one). Swimming through
make life possible. Few land-dwellers choose nonmagical difficult terrain costs you no
to associate with this circle, which is made extra movement. You have advantage on all
up primarily of aquatic elves, merfolk, and checks to swim, and can hold your breath
other sea-dwelling creatures. As a member underwater twice as long as normal.
of this circle, your magic is influenced by Amphibious Ambassador: Starting at
the rise of the tide, the currents which are 8th level, you gain the ability to breath
the lifeblood of the seas, and the deepest underwater (if you normally breath air)
depths of the ocean where light does not or air (if you normally breath water. While
penetrate to reveal the wonders—and underwater, you gain darkvision 60’ (or
horrors—hidden below. blindsight 30’ if you already have darkvision).
Hydrated Vitality: While submerged in While above water, you are immune to
water, you can absorb the life-giving waters Sunlight Sensitivity or similar racial traits
to heal some of your wounds. Any time you which provide penalties for being in bright
are completely submerged in fresh or salt light.
water, you regain 1 hit point at the end of Scion of The Sea: At 14th level,
your turn. If the water you are submerged aquatic creatures recognize you as
in is polluted or poisoned beyond its natural a champion of the waves, above
Circle Spells
the natural food chain of predator
and prey. You have advantage on any
Charisma check to persuade aquatic
Druid L evel Circle Spells creatures, and can use Persuasion even
on non-intelligent creatures or plants. When
3rd blur, misty step
an aquatic beast or plant creature attacks
5th water breathing, water walk you, that creature must make a Wisdom
7th control water, saving throw against your druid spell
hallucinatory terrain save DC. On a failed save, the creature
must choose a different target, or
9th conjure elemental (water
the attack automatically misses.
only), coral stride (as
On a successful save, the creature
tree stride, but works
is immune to this effect for 24 hours. The
with underwater plants
creature is aware of this effect before it
or coral reefs only) makes its attack against you.
162
Personality Advancement
Ondirra has an incredibly patient attitude about As Ondirra gains experience, she seeks to perfect
everything, knowing full well the ocean can wear her flowing style of martial arts in addition to her
down even the mightiest rocks and bring swift deep, spiritual connection to the sea. At 2nd level,
change with the next tide. She's exceptionally she chooses to multiclass as a druid. This grants
cautious, no doubt owing to her many interactions her spellcasting ability and the ability to speak the
with plunderers and killers among the Pirate Isles. secret Druidic language. She prepares druidcraft
She has an independent, survivalist streak to her, and guidance as 0-level cantrips, and cure wounds
having learned to look after her own needs and and speak with animals for her 1st level spells. At 3rd
defend herself in a fight even with her bare hands, level, Ondirra takes another level in druid, gaining
if necessary. She absolutely reveres the God of the Wild Shape ability and selecting the Circle of
Nature, finding her truest joy in the setting sun, the Sea druidic circle (see page 162). She also
the wind and water on her skin, and the stunning gains thunderwave as a prepared spell. At 4th level,
beauty of tropical plants and creatures living Ondirra takes another level as a monk and selects
among the undersea grottoes she likes to visit along the Way of the Open Hand monastic tradition to
the shore. guide her. She gains +10 to her base walking speed,
and gains 2 Ki points which she can use to fuel the
Flurry of Blows, Patient Defense, and Step of the
Wind Ki features.
6
163
6
Roleplaying Ideas
k Ondirra’s past includes martial training with an ex-assassin from her native port. This mentor was
hunted and slain as a heretic, and Ondirra lives in fear that the same killers will track her down
and slay her, as well. This makes Ondirra suspicious of any newcomers she encounters, and she
always hides her identity when going ashore by disguising herself with her flesh chameleon ability.
k The deep reverence Ondirra holds for the ocean and the natural cycle of life gives her a unique
outlook. Every conflict becomes another fight for survival and she meets it head on, her normally
calm demeanor exploding into a shark-like savagery heightened by the sight and scent of blood.
k Ondirra soothes the aches and pains of her body every day by going swimming. She holds her
breath while meditating underwater for several minutes, always emerging with a renewed energy
and endurance.
164
6
Rookroost
165
"Rookroost" Evon Gear Studded leather armor, rapier, boarding axe
(treat as handaxe), shortbow and quiver of 20
166
New Race: Tengu
Tengu are crow-like humanoids driven by makes them lean towards chaos and evil,
greed. Their bodies are covered with fine although certainly there are those who remain
black feathers, with claw-like hands and feet neutral. A law-abiding tengu is even rarer than
and a large beak. Their arms are covered an old tengu.
with long feathers reminiscent of the wings Size. Tengu are somewhat frail and lightly
of their crow forebears, and some have built, but stand nearly as tall as a human
learned to glide through the air using these being. Their size is Medium.
rudimentary wings. They are proud to the Speed. Tengu have a base walking
point of arrogance, believing that the world speed of 30 feet.
owes them not just a living, but an opulent Darkvision. Tengu are used to operating
living built on the backs of their lessers in darkness. They can see in dim light within
(which includes all non-tengu). Tengu love 60 feet as if it was bright light, and in darkness
to collect shiny baubles of all kinds, and as if it was dim light. You can’t discern color in
often adorn themselves in gaudy jewelry. darkness, only shades of gray.
Sword-trained. All tengu are trained
Tengu Traits in swordplay from a young age, and are
Ability Score Increase. Tengu are naturally automatically proficient with all sword-like
agile. Their Dexterity score increases by 2. weapons (including daggers, greatswords,
Age. Tengu live short, often violent lives. longswords, rapiers, scimitars, and
A typical tengu is considered an adult at shortswords).
age 16, and may live to reach 50 years old if Natural Weapons. A tengu’s beak is a
nothing cuts their natural life short. An old formidable weapon up close. They gain a beak
tengu, feathers tinged with grey and voice attack (treat as a bite attack) that does 1d3
raspy with the years, is a rare sight and points of damage.
Glide. Many tengu have learned to use their
often a formidable foe.
Alignment. Tengu society does not
encourage adherence to any rules beyond
feathered arms to slow their fall. A tengu can
make a DC 15 Athletics check to fall safely
6
the golden rule: “Whoever has the gold, from any height without taking falling damage,
makes the rules.” Their selfishness a n d as if using feather fall. When falling safely, he
affinity to amass personal wealth may also make an additional DC 15 Athletics
check to move 5 feet laterally for every 20
feet he falls.
167
Physical Description Advancement
Evon resembles a jet-black, humanoid crow with Evon splits time advancing as a rogue and a fighter,
oily, dark feathers and powerful talons. With his eschewing two-weapon techniques to perfect his
hunched posture, he stands just 5 feet tall, and skill with the rapier alone. At 2nd level, he takes his
his hollow bones give him a weight of only 92 lbs. first level as a fighter, taking the Duelist fighting
Despite his small frame, he remains physically style and gaining the Second Wind feature. At 3rd
fit, carrying a number of weapons in addition to level, he takes another level in rogue, gaining the
his studded leather armor, including a shortbow Cunning Action feature. At 4th level, Evon takes
and quiver of arrows on his back and a rapier and another level as a fighter and gains one use of the
wicked-looking boarding axe belted at his waist. To Action Surge ability, often using it to attack a second
set himself apart from other tengu, Evon likes to time. As Evon continues advancing in experience,
paint his broad beak with the blood of his enemies, he alternates levels in rogue and fighter, using
believing it gives him a more fearsome aspect in sneak attack and focusing on improving his skill
battle. At 19 years old, he's more than ready to with the rapier in combat.
carve his way to the top.
Roleplaying Ideas
Personality k Evon's unending appetite for plunder leads
Evon has the instincts of a predator, always eager him to pursue every ill-gotten gain. From
to draw blood whether with his weapons or beak. simple pickpocketing and clandestine
6 He has a strong desire to prove himself the best
at swordplay and martial combat, gliding into
burglary to active piracy and chasing down
rumors of buried treasure and valuable
any melee so he can take down his enemies with artifacts, his greed knows no bounds. He may
a well-placed strike. He's also filled with avarice, even filch small items from his adventuring
possessing a keen instinct for acquiring and companions, provided he can quickly fence
evaluating the most valuable loot. He often quarrels them.
with those who would seek to deprive him of the k Because of his long-term goals and innate
shiny baubles he covets. And he doesn't mind a bit avarice, Evon is the most likely adventurer
of deception or skullduggery to take what he wants. to sponsor or lead a mutiny, always eager to
One day, he'd like nothing more than to acquire a gather more power to himself or overthrow
ship and crew loyal only to himself and then raid those he resents or questions.
the seas as one of the most bloodthirsty pirates in k Evon has an active desire to make a name
history. for himself as a pirate with unmatched
swordsmanship. On the rare occasions he
doesn't outright kill an opponent during a
performance challenge or duel, he likes to
carve the symbol of a crow in the flesh of his
victims so their scars can spread word of his
prowess.
168
6
Silvio Devaulis
169
Silvio hooded lantern, ink and ink pen, map case,
oil (2 flasks), parchment (5 sheets), peg leg,
Devaulis Actions
Mace. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage.
“I may be showin’ my age, friend...and a bit o’ wear and Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack:
tear fer an old sea dog on one leg. But don’t be mistakin’ +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., ammunition (range
that fer weakness. I can still put a bolt through yer thick 80/320), loading, two-handed, one target.
skull from a fair range. And odds are, ya won’t even see Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
it comin’. Now, I hear yer also the one with a map ta Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to
some buried treasure. Yer crew’s been talkin’ about it in hit, light, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
every ale-swillin’ dive on the docks, and it’s a shame ya 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
didn’t think to invite a few more o’ us skilled, capable, Dagger. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
trustworthy mariners ta share in yer enterprise. That light, thrown (range 20/60), one target.
kind o’ slight got me and the boys here talkin’ it over, Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
and we be thinkin’ it might be best if we just relieve Reactions
ya o’ that map and take the treasure fer ourselves. If’n Dark One’s Blessing. When you reduce a
ya hand it over without a fuss, we’ll part ways on good hostile creature to 0 hit points, you gain
terms. But if’n ya keep it from us, I’m afraid we can’t temporary hit points equal to your Charisma
be guaranteein’ yer safety on this lovely, starry night.” modifier + your warlock level (minimum of 1).
—an opportune moment engineered by the ever-
enterprising, silver-tongued pirate, Silvio Devaulis
Background
6 SILVIO “SILVERTONGUE” DEVAULIS
Silvio Devaulis (Sihl-vee-OH duh-VAW-lus)
earned the nickname "Silvertongue" by successfully
Medium humanoid (human),
chaotic neutral warlock 1 arguing his innocence—and that of his entire
Armor Class 14 (leather) crew—when an imperial corsair boarded his ship
Hit Points 10 (1d8 + 2) and accused them of engaging in piracy. Guilty as
Speed 30 ft. sin, he bluffed his way through the overzealous
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha captain's questions and even convinced him to
11 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) resupply their ship's stores for a supposed long-term
Skills Arcana +4, Deception +5, journey along the northern trade route. He and his
Investigation +4, Persuasion +5 men celebrated their success and proceeded to raid
Saving Throws Wisdom, Charisma three different merchant ships the next morning,
Senses passive Perception 11 expanding his legend even more.
Languages Common; telepathy 30’
Regrettably, however, Silvio's fortunes always
Otherworldly Patron. Silvio has the
Fiend otherworldly patron.
have tended to rise and fall. Subsequent forays
Spellcasting. Silvio is a 1st-level spellcaster. proved less successful and brought him into conflict
His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell with the same curse-worthy imperials. This time,
save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). they captured his ship and hanged his crew. Silvio
He knows the following warlock spells:
himself barely saved his own life by convincing the
Cantrips (at will): mage hand, prestidigitation
captain to strand him on a desert island instead—
1st level: charm person, command
Gear Stylish leather armor, mace, dagger, light all so he could 'contemplate' his misdeeds while
crossbow w/ 20 bolts, backpack, bedroll, slowly starving to death. While delirious from heat
170
and lack of water, Silvio dreamed of a titanic sea Feature: Peg Leg
serpent named Father Dagon that visited him and
Silvio replaced his sacrificed leg with a peg leg years
offered him salvation… for a price. After accepting
ago, and plays up his limp for onlookers. He has
the dream offer, Silvio awoke floating on a crude
long since gotten used to the prosthesis, however,
raft just outside a port city, his right leg bitten off
and suffers no penalties due to it.
below the knee and thoughts of the deepest ocean
depths filling his mind. Physical Description
Destitute and crestfallen, it took a year for Silvio
Silvio is a bit heavyset for a 44-year old man with so
to work his way out of the gutter. He convinced a
much sailing experience, weighing 215 lbs., while
merchant captain to take him on, all while making
standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall. He proves nimble
plans to influence his down-trodden sailors to
despite his girth and the worn-down peg leg he
mutiny and select him as their new captain. He
hobbles around on. His primary ensemble includes
shared this idea over drinks at a local tavern, but
a stylish, armored coat which he can slip on more
offended the sailors who knocked him unconscious
easily when expecting trouble. He also counts a
in disgust. Things became hazy after that, but
well-crafted crossbow and light mace among his
someone dragged him from the bar and onto a ship
most prized possessions, but, in truth, his vanity
at the docks. When Silvio came to, he found himself
holds the highest value to him. While he keeps his
press-ganged among several new pirate 'recruits'—a
gear in good repair, he also meticulously combs
fitting enough irony which Silvio intends to turn in
his scraggly hair and heavy beard each morning
his favor.
Skill Proficiencies
before donning his handsome, tricorn hat with its
signature red plume.
6
Deception, Persuasion Personality
Tool Proficiencies Silvio is quite simply a skilled conversationalist,
experienced sailor, and all around scallywag. He
Disguise Kit
exults in outsmarting those he considers worthy
Feature: Silver Tongued challenges for his keen intellect and underhanded
schemes, and he handsomely rewards those he can
Silvio always found trouble as a child and quickly
influence into helping him with such endeavors.
developed a silver tongue to extricate himself from
Life is a high-stakes game to him, played out on
situations when caught. Silvio is exceptionally adept
the challenging seas and mysterious ports of
at manipulating others and putting even sworn
call. Whether looting the holds of trading ships,
enemies at ease. He gains a +2 bonus on Diplomacy
reclaiming buried treasure, or crossing swords
and Bluff checks against those who would do him
while engaging in a battle of wits with his enemies,
harm.
he's almost always a step ahead of everyone, calling
upon the divine aid of the Pirate Queen to see him
through life's challenges.
171
6
Advancement Roleplaying Ideas
As he gains experience, Silvio advances both as a k Silvio excels in putting others at ease. Even
warlock and a rogue, combining his otherworldly in the middle of a heated argument, he finds
pact with stealth and guile. At 2nd level, he takes the right words or motivation to turn such
his first level as a rogue and replaces his mace with a moments to his advantage. A natural leader,
rapier. He also acquires proficiency in Investigation he hopes to captain another ship of his own so
and with Theives’ tools, applies his Expertise bonus he can keep playing the games of manipulation
of +2 to Persuasion and Deception, and gains the he enjoys—whether escaping those pursuing
Sneak Attack ability. At 3rd level, he takes another him or simply keeping one step ahead of a
level in warlock, adding burning hands to his known larcenous crew.
spells (as provided by his Otherworldly Pact). He k Legendary myths and treasure always draw
also gains two eldritch invocations: Armor of Silvio's interest. Whether divine, arcane, or
Shadows and Fiendish Vigor. At 4th level, Silvio natural in origin, he enjoys solving mysteries
increases his Dexterity by 2 while adding another and being the first to reclaim or discover
level as a rogue, granting him the Cunning Action something distinctive and valuable. This
ability. If the campaign introduces gunpowder, could bring him into competition with fellow
Silvio works to replace his crossbow with a brace adventurers like Cathran Tyvirian and Evon
of pistols. Bloodbeak.
172
6
Taren Torrenato
173
Taren Torrenato Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, light, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
Dagger. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
light, thrown (range 20/60), one target.
Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
“There’s an entire ocean between me and my
countrymen, but still they chase after me. I’ve been
branded a murderer, a thief, and now a pirate. All Background
unintended and undeserved. Instead, I just think of
Taren Torrenato (TAYR-in Tor-uh-NAH-Toh) once
myself as the unluckiest person alive. Despite that,
at least I am alive. A wise woman in port once told made his home in a land of industry and invention
me she remembered my family, and even shared far across the sea where he grew up tending his
a berth with us on the crossing to our homeland. father's smithy and ironworks, manufacturing the
She recalled the night I was born at sea—one of
the stormiest on record. They say it was a sign—a components for firearms and gunpowder. Over
blessing from the Pirate Queen herself. Given all time, he became proficient with his own creations,
that’s happened to me, I can’t help but wonder if garnering a reputation as a crack shot with a pistol.
she’s the source of my bad luck. If so, it’s time I did
His success ultimately led to youthful boasting
something to change that. And if it means being a
pirate and honoring her ways, so be it.” and rivalries with his jealous siblings—three
—ruminations of misery and determination from brothers and a sister. An unexpected argument
Taren Torrenato, reluctant pirate and fugitive
on his oldest brother's birthday caused a gunshot
while wrestling over a loaded gun which took the
TAREN TORRENATO latter's life. Witnesses claimed Taren intentionally
174
Skill Proficiencies Note
Taren uses the gunslinger base class, as
Survival, Perception detailed in Legendary Games’ compilation
of the Trail of the Apprentice adventure
Tool Proficiencies path. A gunslinger specializes in the use of
black powder weapons, and draws upon
Gunsmith’s tools, vehicles (water) inner reserves of grit to accomplish
amazing deeds.
Feature: Heart of the Sea All of the rules required to play Taren
through level 4 are presented here.
Taren has always felt drawn to the sea, granting Further advancement will require the full
advantage on Athletics checks to swim and any rules found in Trail of the Apprentice. If you
don’t have access to these rules, you can
skill checks made to sail a ship.
make Taren a ranger specializing in archery,
Physical Description or choose another pregenerated character
to play.
Taren wears the tight-fitting trousers and long-
sleeved doublet of his homeland, as well as a pair of
him unless they've been through mutual struggles
leather boots and a matching tricorn hat to keep his
together first.
shoulder-length brown hair in check. Just 20 years
old, his steel-gray eyes have already seen a number Advancement
of ports across the sea lanes and tradeways. He
Taren advances as a gunslinger with each new level.
stands 6 feet tall and weighs 175 lbs., clean-shaven
for all but a simple goatee and shortened sideburns.
A battered pistol and powder horn hang next to an
At 2nd level, he gains 2 grit points and the Deadeye,
Gunslinger’s Dodge, and Quick Clear deeds. At 3rd 6
level, Taren takes the Pistolero shooting archetype,
ornate rapier belted at his waist. And he wears a suit
granting him the Deadly Dodge ability. At 4th level,
of hand-tooled, leather armor to protect himself,
Taren increases both his Strength and Constitution
in addition to a narrow bracer embossed with the
by 1 point to increase his damage output with a
image of a growling lion's head on his left arm.
blade.
Personality Roleplaying Ideas
Taren always has a determined look about him,
k Taren sometimes drinks away the troubles of
intently focused on the task at hand to assure he
his past, leading some to question his focus.
and his friends can face down any challenge. If
Strangely enough, alcohol has the opposite
idle, his hands often stray to the hilt of his rapier
effect on him, steeling his nerves, sharpening
and the pistol he designed at his father's smithy. He
his aim, and leaving him more emboldened
rarely talks about the life he left behind, searching
than ever when it comes to confrontations
instead for a new home as he follows the open sea
and risky endeavors.
to distant lands and cultures. He longs to meet
k Tenacious agents from Taren's homeland still
someone like himself, starting over in an effort
search for him in an effort to bring him home
to leave their past behind. Any friends he makes
to stand trial for his crimes, but their true
while sailing the seas earn his undying support, as
desire is the weapon design he carries with
he stands ready to come their aid any way he can.
him. These single-minded bounty hunters
But he's looked after himself for so long, he finds
could join forces with any enemies Taren
it difficult to trust the motives of those around
175
Additional Rules:
The Gunslinger class or creatures with a total Challenge Rating of
Way of the Gun: At 1st level, you begin your character’s level or greater, you regain
play with a battered pistol. This gun only 1 grit point. The combat counts whether you
works normally for you. Anyone else who win by yourself or with the aid of others. Only
tries to use it suffers disadvantage on attack combats against enemies count, practice
rolls. Any other firearms you purchase cost fights or sparring with allies do not restore
the normal price and work just as well for grit. You win a combat when all foes have
anyone else. surrendered, fled, or are defeated.
Rapid Reload: Starting at 1st level, you Deeds: You can use grit points to accomplish
treat firearms as if they did not have the deeds, acts of great skill and cunning for which
loading property. gunslingers are famous. At 2nd level, grit
Dueling Gun Style: Starting at 1st level, points allow you to use the following abilities.
while wielding a firearm in one hand, you k Deadeye: When making an attack with
gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that a firearm within that firearm’s normal
weapon. range, you may spend 1 grit point to
Grit: Starting at 2nd level, you gain 2 gain advantage on that attack.
grit points which you can use to accomplish k Gunslinger’s Dodge: After an opponent
amazing deeds. This is your maximum grit declares a ranged attack against you
points and after each long rest, you restore but before the attack is rolled, you can
your grit points to this maximum. You can immediately spend 1 grit point to give
also regain grit in the following ways. that attack disadvantage.
Critical Hit with a Firearm: When you k Quick Clear: You may spend 1 grit point
score a critical hit on a creature with a to clear a fouled firearm as a bonus
firearm attack while in the heat of combat, action.
you regain 1 grit point. (Confirming a critical Deadly Dodge: Beginning at 3rd level, if a
hit on a dying creature or a creature with creature attacks you with a melee weapon
a Challenge Rating less than half your attack and misses, you can use your reaction
character’s level does not restore grit. ) to move five feet, then make an attack
Win a Fight against Worthy Opposition: against that creature with a firearm you
When you win a combat against a creature wield in one hand.
makes over the course of the campaign, a memento of his past, he also sees it—and
bringing more danger to the lives of him and firearms, in general—as the key to making
his friends. a new life for himself in the Pirate Isles. He
k Taren has an eye for the ladies, and a pleasing obsesses about maintaining and caring for
demeanor about him which more easily the weapon, continuously experimenting with
draws their attention. Companions like Miri, replica designs and ammunition while also
Cathran, or even the undine Ondirra could helping train his friends and fellow crew in
develop romantic feelings toward him. In the use of such weapons. This may lead to in-
the case of Cathran, this could also lead to game reasons for his adventuring companions
a jealous rivalry between Taren and Aethan. to purchase their own firearms.
k The pistol Taren stole from his father's smithy
means more to him than anything. Aside from
176
What Do You Do with
a Pygmy Halfling?
To the tune of “What Do You Do with a Drunken Sailor”
What do you do with a pygmy halfling? (x3)
Early in the morning?
d e x
soldiers.
Pira t e C o
178
Reactions
ARCANE NAVIGATOR
Shield. The arcane navigator may use a 1st level
Medium humanoid (human), neutral spell slot to cast shield. Until the start of its next
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor) turn, the arcane navigator gains +5 to AC.
Hit Points 54 (9d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft. This canny arcanist combines nautical know-how
Str Dex Con I nt Ws Cha with a readiness to bring its magical powers to bear
10 (+0) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) against any threat to its ship, whether to attack or
to defend.
Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +3
Tools navigator’s tools, water vehicles ARTILLERIST
Skills Arcana +6, Nature +6, Insight +3, Survival +3 Medium humanoid (half-elf), neutral
Senses passive Perception 11 Armor Class 16 (chain shirt)
Languages Aquan, Common, any three other Hit Points 78 (12d8 + 24)
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Speed 30 ft.
Sculpt Spells. When the arcane navigator casts Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
an evocation spell, he may choose a number 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 13 (+2) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 8 (-1)
of creatures equal to 1 + the spell’s level.
Those creatures automatically succeed on Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +4
saving throws against the spell, and they Skills Acrobatics +5, Insight +4, Perception +4
take no damage if they would normally Senses passive Perception 11
take half damage on a successful save.
Languages Common, any two other
Sextant Savvy. The arcane navigator
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
makes any ability or skill check with
advantage to avoid getting lost. Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra
die of its damage when the artillerist
Wind Ritual. While on the deck of a ship,
hits with it (included in the attack).
the arcane navigator can attempt to create
moderate strength winds for up to four hours.
The arcane navigator performs a special 10
Duck & Cover. If the artillerist is adjacent to another
artillerist and they are forced to roll a Dexterity
saving throw, each artillerist may make the roll and
7
minute ritual, at the end of which it casts
gust of wind without expending a slot. treat the highest result as if each had rolled it.
Special Gear. Scroll of spider climb, scroll of fly. Siege Master. The artillerist adds double
its proficiency bonus (+4) to any attack
Spellcasting. The arcane navigator is a 4th-level
rolls with ballistae or cannons.
spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence
(spell save DC 16, +6 to hit with spell attacks). Special Gear. alchemist’s fire
The wizard has the following spells prepared: Actions
Cantrips (at will): dancing lights, Multiattack. The artillerist makes two melee attacks.
mage hand, message Morningstar. Melee Weapon Attack: +3
1st level (5 slots): burning hands, mage to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10
armor, magic missile, shield (2d8 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
2nd level (3 slots): gust of wind, mirror image Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack:
3rd level (1 slot): fireball +5 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target.
Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage.
Actions
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 Reactions
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 Parry. The artillerist adds 3 to its AC against
(1d6 + 0) bludgeoning damage. one melee attack that would hit it. To do
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 so, the artillerist must see the attacker
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one and be wielding a melee weapon.
target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
179
Dead Shot. The buccaneer does an extra die of
These skilled warriors are expert technicians damage with pistols (included in its attack).
with the operation and repair of their ship's heavy Evasive. The buccaneer takes half damage
weapons, but are also skilled fighters at need when on a failed dexterity saving throw,
called upon to repel boarders in close combat. or none on a successful one.
Quickload. The buccaneer loads both
BLACK-BEARDED BUCCANEER its pistols as a bonus action.
Medium humanoid (human), neutral Special Gear. Potion of extra healing,
Armor Class 19 (+1 studded leather) potion of invisibility, spyglass, clear
spindle Ioun stone of sustenance.
Hit Points 195 (26d8 + 78)
Actions
Speed 30 ft.
Multiattack. The Buccaneer makes four
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
attacks, two with each pistol.
10 (+0) 22 (+6) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 12 (+2) 18 (+4)
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5
Saving Throws Str +4, Con +7 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 6) slashing damage.
Tools water vehicles Pistol. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach
5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 15
Skills Acrobatics +10, Insight +6,
(2d8 + 6) bludgeoning and piercing damage.
Intimidation +8 Stealth +10
Condition Immunities frightened This legendary buccaneer is a pirate other pirates
Senses passive Perception 12 fear, with a legendary name and an ensign that
Languages Common other vessels fear to see on the far horizon. He
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
carries two pistols, and always attacks with both.
Bleeding Wound. A creature that takes
its treasures are legendary, but so too are its wrath
damage from a pistol attack from the black-
bearded buccaneer takes the same amount and its thirst for grog and plunder alike.
of damage again the next round.
BLOODTHIRSTY BUCCANEERS
7 Dead Eye. The buccaneer ignores
half or three quarters cover. Large troop of Medium humanoids, neutral evil
Armor Class 17 (studded leather)
180
Hit Points 170 (20d8+80)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
18 (+4) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)
181
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
12 (+1) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+1) 10 (+0)
CRAFTSMEN SRD
Challenge 0 (200 XP)
hp 4
7 Craftsmen use commoner statistics, but they have
proficiency with 2 tools.
DARING SWASHBUCKLER
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic neutral
Armor Class 19 (+1 studded leather)
Hit Points 143 (22d8 + 44)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
10 (+0) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2)
182
adds its Charisma bonus to its AC.
DRUNKEN RABBLE
Practiced Talent. Whenever making an
ability or skill check that allows the daring Large troop of Medium humanoids, chaotic neutral
swashbuckler to add its proficiency bonus, Armor Class 12
treat any d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10. Hit Points 75 (10d8+30)
Precise Attack. The daring swashbuckler adds twice Speed 30 ft.
its dexterity bonus to attacks (included below). Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Weapon Theft. The swashbuckler has 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 9 (-1) 10 (+0) 11 (+0)
advantage on disarm attacks.
Special Gear. Bottle of cheap rum, feather token Saving Throws Str +4, Con +5
(anchor), reinforced glass bottle containing Skills Intimidation +6
cryptic instructions to hidden treasure (“Where
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
earth splits and ashes fall/smoke rises over the
grappled, paralyzed, prone, restrained, stunned
sea/falling on islands three/follow blood-signs
on shark's tooth /and rich ye be”), 48 gp Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Common
Actions
Multiattack. The daring swashbuckler makes Challenge 3 (700 XP)
two attacks one with its cutlass and one with Drunk and Disorderly. The rabble always has
its dagger or two attacks with its crossbow. disadvantage on its attack rolls. However,
Cutlass. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 their rowdy and unpredictable actions cause
ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d6 + 8) slashing damage. all creatures within 5 ft. to have disadvantage
on Dexterity checks. The rabble has a +4
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
bonus on Intimidation (already factored in).
one target. Hit: 10 (1d4 + 8) slashing damage.
Malicious Mischief. Any creature hit at least
Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
once by drunken rabble must make a DC 12
reach 5 ft. or range 100/400 ft., one target.
Dexterity saving throw. Unless they succeed,
Hit: 13 (1d10 + 8) piercing damage.
they must roll a d4 and apply the following:
Reactions k 1—pushed 5 ft. away from the rabble
Riposte. If a melee weapon attack against
the daring swashbuckler fails to hit, it can
make one attack against that creature.
k 2—blinded for 1 turn
k 3—drops their primary weapon if possible
7
k 4—fall prone
This swashbuckling pirate captain has recently Troop. The troop can occupy another
gained the acknowledgment of a powerful assembly creature’s space and vice versa, and the
troop can move through any opening large
in the Pirate Isles, and she is itching to prove enough for a Medium humanoid.
herself. A devout follower of the Pirate Queen, she Actions
will loot first and ask questions later. Those who Brawl. Melee weapon attack: +4 to hit, 5 ft.
allow her to take their plunder without significant reach. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
Every target within reach takes 1d3 attacks.
resistance may be sent on their way, but she is more
than willing to sell those who take up arms against ELITE CANNON ARTILLERIST BATTERY
her as slaves. She prefers to capture her opponents Large troop of Medium humanoids, neutral evil
alive rather than killing them, seeing their deaths Armor Class 16 (leather armor)
as a waste of profit. Hit Points 170 (20d8+80)
Speed 10 ft.
DRUNKARDS SRD Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) 13 (+1) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 10 (+0)
hp 32
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
Drunkards use thug statistics from the 5E SRD. grappled, paralyzed, prone, restrained, stunned
183
Senses passive Perception 14 Challenge 11 (7200 XP)
Languages Common Artillery Troop. The troop can occupy another
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP) creature’s space and vice versa, and the troop
can move through any opening large enough
Artillery Troop. The troop can occupy another
for a Medium humanoid. The troop can move
creature’s space and vice versa, and the troop
at 30 ft. but in doing so leaves its artillery
can move through any opening large enough
behind and generally only does so to flee.
for a Medium humanoid. The troop can move
at 30 ft. but in doing so leaves its artillery Gunports. If deployed on a rooftop or above
behind and generally only does so to flee. deck on a ship, the battery has half cover
from attacks coming from the same elevation
Gunports. If deployed on a rooftop or above
or lower. If deployed within a fortification or
deck on a ship, the battery has half cover
below decks on a warship, the battery has three
from attacks coming from the same elevation
quarters cover against attacks from outside.
or lower. If deployed within a fortification or
below decks on a warship, the battery has three Actions
quarters cover against attacks from outside. Heavy Barrage. The battery fires a barrage at a
Actions point farther than 50 ft. but less than 300 ft.
Each creature within 20 ft. of that point suffers
Heavy Broadside. The battery fires a line 120 ft.
56 (16d6) fire damage, and may make a DC 17
long and 5 ft. wide. All creatures in that line take
Dexterity saving throw to take half damage.
56 (16d6) bludgeoning damage and may make a
DC 15 Dexterity saving throw to take only half.
ELITE PIRATE SNIPER
ELITE INDIRECT ARTILLERIST BATTERY Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
Large troop of Medium humanoids, neutral evil Armor Class 17 (studded leather)
Armor Class 20 Hit Points 169 (26d8 + 52)
Hit Points 170 (20d8+80) Speed 30 ft.
Speed 10 ft. Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha 12 (+1) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 8 (-1)
184
Actions 3rd level (2 slots): counterspell,
Multiattack. The pirate sniper makes two sleet storm, stinking cloud
attacks with its rifled musket. Actions
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 Multiattack. The triton makes three attacks
ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage. with its trident or two with its crossbow.
Rifled Musket. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, Trident. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
reach 5 ft. or range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d8 + 2) piercing damage.
14 (3d8 + 5) bludgeoning and piercing damage. Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 100/400 ft., one
EXILED TRITON CONJURER target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
Medium humanoid (triton), neutral
Armor Class 16 (scale mail) While many tritons are good aligned, this wizard
Hit Points 149 (23d8 + 46) is an outcast from triton society who grudgingly
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft. has had to learn to work together with land
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha dwellers. This triton may serve as a seagoing
14 (+2) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) 15 (+2) 11 (+0) scout, investigating wrecks or dark harbors with a
summoned ally.
Saving Throws Dex +5, Cha +3
Skills Animal Handling +5, Athletics FREEBOOTING GAMBLER
+5, Arcana +7, Perception +5 Medium humanoid (elf), neutral
Damage Resistances cold Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 Hit Points 66 (12d8 + 12)
Languages Aquan, Common, Primordial, Sylvan Speed 30 ft.
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Amphibious. The triton can breathe air and water. 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
Life aquatic. The triton can communicate with
beasts that breathe water as if they shared
a language, and it adds twice its proficiency
bonus (+6) to aquatic Animal Handling checks.
Saving Throws Dex +6
Tools forgery kit
7
Skills Deception +6, Insight, +4, Sleight of hand +6
Special Gear. Potion of invisibility, potion of Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
greater healing, waterproof whalebone scrimshaw
scrolls: scroll of alter self, scroll of identify, Languages Common, Elvish
scroll of unseen servant, scroll of web, 35gp Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Summon Ally (1/Day). The triton can summon Bad reputation. The freebooting gambler has
an aquatic beast of up to CR 1, such as a disadvantage on any Charisma check involving
Giant Octopus (“Oliver”), and the creature will interaction with reputable people aware of its kind.
be an alpha, having maximum hit points. Bluff. The freebooting gambler adds twice
Trident Master. A trident used by the its proficiency bonus (+4) to all Charisma
triton deals one extra die of its damage (deception) checks (included above)
on a hit (included in the attack). Fey Ancestry. The freebooting gambler has
Spellcasting. The triton is a 5th-level spellcaster. advantage on saving throws against being
Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell charmed and can’t be magically put to sleep.
save DC 15, +8 to hit with spell attacks). The Lucky (3/day). The freebooting gambler rolls a
triton has the following spells prepared: 1 on an attack, ability check or saving throw,
Cantrips (at will): acid splash, chill touch, it can reroll but must take the new result.
minor illusion, shocking grasp Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the freebooting
1st level (4 slots): grease, mage gambler deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage when
armor*, magic missile, shield he hits a target with a weapon attack and has
2nd level (3 slots): cloud of daggers, hold person advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is
within 5 feet of an ally of the freebooting gambler
185
GOBLIN GRENADIER
Small humanoid (goblin), neutral evil
Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
Hit Points 99 (18d6 + 36)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
8 (-1) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 6 (-2)
7
Multiattack. The goblin grenadier makes two attacks:
one with its dagger and one with its bomb, or
that isn't incapacitated and the freebooting gambler two with its dagger if a bomb is unavailable.
doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll. Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
Special Gear. Dice set (loaded and normal), reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft, one target. Hit: 7
playing card set, potion of healing, 54 gp. (1d4 + 4) slashing damage and 10 (3d6) poison
Actions damage and the target must succeed on a DC
15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned
Multiattack. The freebooting gambler
until the start of the goblin’s next turn.
makes two attacks: two with its
longsword, or two with its crossbow. Bomb (recharge 4-6). Ranged Weapon Attack: +7
to hit, range 20/40 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (5d6+4)
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach
fire damage, and the target and all creatures
5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+1) slashing damage.
within 5 feet of the target must succeed on a
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or catch on fire.
hit, reach 5 ft. or range 150/600 ft., one Unattended flammable objects automatically fail.
target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
GOBLIN GRENADIER PRO
This vagabond sailor lives by its wits and its luck
Small humanoid (goblin), neutral evil
and rarely remains with any crew for the long haul, Armor Class 17 (studded leather)
preferring to skip from vessel to vessel and port to Hit Points 169 (26d6 + 78)
port always in search of the next big score or run of Speed 30 ft.
luck (or perhaps fleeing a deal or a game gone bad). Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
10 (+0) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 6 (-2)
186
Saving Throws Strength +5, Constitution +7
into a ship’s captain more than these little buggers
Tools Alchemist’s supplies, poisoner’s kit
Skills Arcana +7, Perception +5, Stealth +8 hastily mixing their fiery mutagens while grinning
Damage Resistances fire menacingly.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
HAG SPY
Languages Goblin, Aquan, Common, Ignan
Medium fey, neutral evil
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Nimble Escape. The goblin grenadier pro Hit Points 153 (18d8+72)
can take the Disengage or Hide action as
Speed 30 ft.
a bonus action on each of its turns.
Sharpshooter. Long range doesn’t impose Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
disadvantage on the goblin grenadier pro’s 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
ranged weapon attack rolls, and it ignores
half cover and three-quarters cover. Skills Arcana +5, Deception +6,
Special Gear. Potion of fly, potion of heroism, Perception +6, Stealth +5
potion of greater healing, potion of fire breath. Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Spellcasting. The goblin grenadier pro is a 1st-level Languages Common, Draconic, Sylvan
spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
(spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). Amphibious. The hag can breathe air and water.
The goblin has the following spells prepared:
Innate Spellcasting. The hag’s innate
Cantrips (at will): acid splash, spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save
poison spray, ray of frost DC 12). She can innately cast the following
1st level (2 slots): burning hands, spells, requiring no material components:
grease, magic missile, shield At will: dancing lights, minor
Actions illusion, vicious mockery
Multiattack. The goblin grenadier pro makes Shared Spellcasting (Coven Only). While all three
two attacks: one with its dagger and one with members of a hag coven are within 30 feet of
its bomb, or two with its blunderbuss.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to
one another, they can each cast the following
spells from the wizard’s spell list but must
7
hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft, one target. share the spell slots among themselves:
Hit: 8 (1d4 + 5) slashing damage and 21 (6d6) 1st level (4 slots): identify, ray of sickness
poison damage and the target must succeed 2nd level (3 slots): hold person, locate object
on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be 3rd level (3 slots): bestow curse,
poisoned until the start of the goblin’s next turn. counterspell, lightning bolt
Bomb. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 4th level (3 slots): phantasmal killer, polymorph
20/40 ft., one target. Hit: 26 (6d6+5) fire damage,
5th level (2 slots): contact other plane, scrying
and the target and all creatures within 5 feet of
the target must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity 6th level (1 slot): eye bite
saving throw or catch on fire. Unattended For casting these spells, each hag is a 12th-
flammable objects automatically fail. level spellcaster that uses Intelligence as her
Blunderbuss. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, spellcasting ability. The spell save DC is 12 + the
range 15/30 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10+5) hag’s Intelligence modifier, and the spell attack
bludgeoning and piercing damage. bonus is 4 + the hag’s Intelligence modifier.
Mimicry. The hag can mimic animal sounds
These savage specialists are devastatingly and humanoid voices. A creature that hears
the sounds can tell they are imitations with a
destructive to their enemies and revered as successful DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check.
veritable gods by their pyromaniac goblin kin, but Actions
they can be invaluable assault troops that leave Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
enemy ships a flaming wreck. Few things strike fear one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
187
she wears or carries is invisible with her.
HALFLING STORMBRINGER
Medium humanoid (halfling), chaotic evil
Armor Class 14 (leather armor)
Hit Points 90 (20d6 + 20)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
8 (-1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) 18 (+4)
188
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
13 (+1) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 10 (+0)
Skills Perception +4
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
grappled, paralyzed, prone, restrained, stunned
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Common
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Artillery Troop. The troop can occupy another
creature’s space and vice versa, and the
troop can move through any opening
large enough for a Medium humanoid.
The troop can move at 30 ft. but in
doing so leaves its artillery behind
and generally only does so to flee.
Gunports. If deployed on a rooftop or
above deck on a ship, the battery
has half cover from attacks coming
from the same elevation or lower.
If deployed within a fortification or below
decks on a warship, the battery has three-
quarters cover against attacks from outside.
Actions
Heavy Broadside. The battery fires a line 150 ft.
long and 5 ft. wide. All creatures in that line take
42 (12d6) bludgeoning damage and may make a
7
DC 16 Dexterity saving throw to take only half.
Heavy Barrage. The battery fires a barrage at a of it, can hear it, and not already affected
point farther than 50 ft. but less than 300 ft. by Battle Cry gain advantage on attack rolls
Each creature within 20 ft. of that point suffers until the start of the imperial commander
42 (12d6) fire damage, and may make a DC 17 's next turn. The imperial commander can
Dexterity saving throw to take half damage. then make one attack as a bonus action.
Countercharm. As an action, the imperial
IMPERIAL COMMANDER commander may give allies advantage on saving
Medium humanoid (human), alignment throws against being frightened or charmed.
Armor Class 16 (+1 studded leather) Inspire. As a bonus action the imperial commander
Hit Points 182 (28d8 + 56) can inspire allies. One ally may roll 1d12 and
Speed 30 ft. add the result to a single ability check, attack
roll, damage roll, saving throw, or add to
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
their armor class against a single attack. The
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 20 (+5) bard may use this ability 5 times per day.
Saving Throws Dex +6, Cha +8 Special Gear. Imp familiar (Alakoffolys),
scimitar of speed, +1 studded leather, scroll
Tools Any three musical instruments.
of feather fall, scroll of shield, 45 gp.
Skills Perception +5, Intimidation +8
Tactics. At the start of any naval combat, the imperial
Senses passive Perception 15 commander rolls Intelligence (Investigation)
Languages Aquan, Common opposed by an enemy commander’s Wisdom
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) (Insight). If the imperial commander wins the
Battle Cry (1/Day). Each creature of the imperial opposed check, all ships under its command
commander 's choice that is within 30 feet gain advantage on their initiative rolls.
189
Hand crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit:
5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage and the target must
make on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw,
taking 10 (3d6) poison damage on a failed save,
or half as much damage on a successful one.
190
These clever sailors may command naval vessels or
even flotillas of small craft, but on major ships of
the line they typically serve as executive officers,
first mates, or political and morale officers. They
are most commonly found in the fleets of tyrannical
empires, especially those known to consort with
fiends from the lower planes.
IMPERIAL MIDSHIPMAN
Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 110 (17d8 + 34)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
13 (+1) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
191
attacks coming from the same elevation or
lower. If deployed within a fortification or below These marines are specialized in fighting in the
decks on a warship, the battery has three- sea or under the surface. They often form raiding
quarters cover against attacks from outside. parties that strike up from beneath the ocean,
Actions using the sea to conceal their approach until they
Broadside. The battery fires a line 120 ft. long are ready to launch their attack. While not able to
and 5 ft. wide. All creatures in that line take 24
(8d6) bludgeoning damage and may make a DC breathe water naturally, marines can use specialized
15 Dexterity saving throw to take only half. equipment and a small amount of magic to allow
Barrage. The battery fires a barrage at a point them to remain below the surface for considerable
farther than 50 ft. but less than 240 ft. Each
lengths of time. When battle is joined, the marines’
creature within 20 ft. of that point suffers 24
(8d6) fire damage, and may make a DC 15 fearsome nature comes to the fore, making them an
Dexterity saving throw to take half damage excellent force to spearhead an amphibious assault.
Marines also make competent and capable sailors,
MARINE
but they see this as only an ancillary responsibility.
Medium humanoid (human), any alignment
Armor Class 13 (padded armor) MASTER ARTILLERIST
Hit Points 37 (6d8 + 6) Medium humanoid (half-elf), neutral
Speed 30 ft. Armor Class 16 (chain shirt)
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Hit Points 104 (16d8 + 32)
14 (+2) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) Speed 30 ft.
Skills Perception +2 Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Senses Passive Perception 12 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 13 (+2) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 8 (-1)
Languages Common
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +4
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) Skills Acrobatics +6, Insight +4, Perception +4
7 Boarding Action. When boarding an enemy
ship, on the first round of combat the
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Common, any two other
marine can use Dash as a bonus action.
Loyal. Marines get advantage on all saving Challenge 4 (700 XP)
throws to resist enchantment spells. Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra die
Reckless Attack. When the marine makes its first of its damage when the master artillerist
attack on its turn, the marine can decide to attack hits with it (included in the attack).
recklessly. Doing so gives the marine advantage Duck & Cover. If the master artillerist is
on melee weapon attack rolls using Strength adjacent to another artillerist and they are
during this turn, but attack rolls against the marine forced to roll a Dexterity saving throw, each
have advantage until the marine’s next turn. artillerist may make the roll and treat the
Special Gear. Caltrops, grappling hook, 50 ft. highest result as if each had rolled it.
of rope, signal whistle, snorkel, 2d6 gp. Siege Master. The master artillerist adds
double its proficiency bonus (+4) to any
Actions
attack rolls with ballistae or cannons.
Bayonet. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5
Special Gear. alchemist’s fire (x2),
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
wand of magic missile, 18 gp.
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage. Actions
Musket. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, Multiattack. The master artillerist makes two
range 80/ 160 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d12 melee attacks with its morning star.
+ 2) bludgeoning and piercing damage. Morningstar. Melee Weapon Attack: +4
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10
(2d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
192
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack:
+6 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target.
Hit: 8 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage.
Reactions
Parry. The master artillerist adds 3 to its AC
against one melee attack that would hit it.
To do so, the artillerist must see the attacker
and be wielding a melee weapon.
This highly trained expert combines the martial
with the mathematical to find the proper range to
launch devastating salvos against enemy vessels and
fortifications. They supervise junior artillerists and
rally sailors and soldiers alike in marine clashes.
PIRATE BOATSWAIN
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
Armor Class 14 (studded leather)
Hit Points 104 (16d8 + 32)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
12 (+1) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+1) 10 (+0)
193
target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
press gang of their own, but more often they serve
Disarming Attack. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to
as veteran hands before the mast, keeping the hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: the target must
decks orderly and well maintained and knocking succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or
any newly shanghaied swabbies into shape. drop one item it’s holding of the pirate bosun’s
choice. The item lands up to 10 feet from the
PIRATE BOSUN target, in a spot selected by the pirate bosun.
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil PIRATE CREW
Armor Class 16 Large troop of Medium humanoids, neutral evil
Hit Points 212 (25d8 + 100) Armor Class 16 (leather armor)
Speed 30 ft. Hit Points 85 (10d8+40)
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Speed 30 ft.
20 (+5) 10 (+2) 10 (+4) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
15 (+2) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)
Saving Throws Con +8
Skills Athletics +9, Intimidation +8 Saving Throws Str +5, Con +7
Damage Resistances poison Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +5, Intimidation +3
Senses passive Perception 11 Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
Languages Common grappled, paralyzed, prone, restrained, stunned
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) Senses passive Perception 11
Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra Languages Common
die of its damage when the pirate Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
bosun hits with and doubles its strength In the Rigging. The crew has a 30 ft. climb
bonus it (included in the attack). speed and gain advantage on Athletics and
Bring the Pain. When the pirate bosun takes Acrobatics checks when on a naval vessel.
more than half damage from a melee Sneaking Surround. Any creature ending
194
Skills Animal Handling +6, Athletics Actions
+9, Nature +4, Perception +6 Multiattack. The first mate makes two attacks with
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16 its longsword or two with its heavy crossbow.
Languages Common Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 2) slashing
damage and if the target is a creature it
Brutal Skewer. The enforcer’s spear attacks do extra
must succeed on a DC11 Constitution saving
damage and double its strength bonus (included in
throw or take 10 (3d6) poison damage.
the attack) and scores a critical hit on a 19 or 20.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4
Challenge. The enforcer challenges a creature in
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one
combat. The creature must succeed on a DC 16
target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
Charisma saving throw or must spend all its actions
to move toward and attack the enforcer. At the end These tattooed terrors have carved a path to
of each of its turns the creature can make another
saving throw, ending the effect on a success. leadership on their pirate crews with their deadly
Actions blades and their seamanship alike.
Multiattack. The enforcer makes two attacks
PIRATE GRENADIER
with its lance or its heavy crossbow.
Small humanoid (goblin), neutral evil
Spear. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 23 (2d12 + 10) piercing damage. Armor Class 17 (studded leather)
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 Hit Points 169 (26d6 + 78)
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 100/400 ft., one Speed 30 ft.
target. Hit: 5 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage. Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
10 (+0) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 6 (-2)
PIRATE FIRST MATE
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil Saving Throws Strength +5, Constitution +7
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) Tools Alchemist’s supplies, poisoner’s kit
Hit Points 130 (20d8 + 40) Skills Arcana +7, Perception +5, Stealth +8
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Damage Resistances fire
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
7
18 (+4) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) Languages Goblin, Aquan, Common, Ignan
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
Saving Throws Dex +5
Nimble Escape. The grenadier can take
Tools Navigator’s tools, water vehicles the Disengage or Hide action as a
Skills Perception +4 bonus action on each of its turns.
Senses passive Perception 14 Sharpshooter. Long range doesn’t impose
Languages Common disadvantage on the grenadier ranged
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) weapon attack rolls, and it ignores half
cover and three-quarters cover.
Direct Crew. When a friendly creature is within
hearing distance of the pirate first mate can Special Gear. Potion of fly, potion of heroism,
see makes an attack roll or saving throw, potion of greater healing, potion of fire breath.
the pirate first mate can utter a command Spellcasting. The grenadier is a 1st-level spellcaster.
or warning. The creature adds 1d6 to its roll Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell
provided it can understand the language. save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). The
Special Gear. Two vials of serpent venom, spyglass, goblin has the following spells prepared:
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the first mate deals Cantrips (at will): acid splash,
an extra 10 (3d6) damage when he hits a target poison spray, ray of frost
with a weapon attack and has advantage on the 1st level (2 slots): burning hands,
attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of grease, magic missile, shield
an ally of Name that isn’t incapacitated and Name
doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
195
Actions throw or take 2 (1d4) poison damage.
Multiattack. The grenadier makes two Net. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 5/15
attacks: one with its dagger and one with ft., one target. Hit: the target is restrained.
its bomb, or two with its blunderbuss.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit,
Sometime gladiators and pit fighters, these seafaring
reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft, one target. Hit: 8 soldiers are equally adept at hauling captives off to
(1d4 + 5) slashing damage and 21 (6d6) poison sea as at setting up a defensive perimeter for their
damage and the target must succeed on a DC
commanders.
16 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned
until the start of the grenadier’s next turn. PIRATE OFFICER
Bomb. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
20/40 ft., one target. Hit: 26 (6d6+5) fire damage,
and the target and all creatures within 5 feet of Armor Class 15 (chain shirt)
the target must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity Hit Points 130 (20d8 + 40)
saving throw or catch on fire. Unattended Speed 30 ft.
flammable objects automatically fail. Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Blunderbuss. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
range 15/30 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10+5)
bludgeoning and piercing damage. Saving Throws Dex +5
Tools Navigator’s tools, water vehicles
PIRATE GUARD
Skills Perception +4
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
Senses passive Perception 14
Armor Class 16 (breastplate)
Languages Common
Hit Points 112 (15d8 + 45)
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Speed 30 ft.
Direct Crew. When a friendly creature is within
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha hearing distance of the pirate officer can
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) see makes an attack roll or saving throw,
196
PIRATE PIPER
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
Armor Class 16 (+1 studded leather)
Hit Points 182 (28d8 + 56)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 20 (+5)
197
make on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, Deadeye. The pirate sniper ignores
taking 10 (3d6) poison damage on a failed save, half or three-quarters cover.
or half as much damage on a successful one. Quickload. The pirate sniper reloads its
rifled musket as a bonus action.
PIRATE PORT DEFENDERS
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the pirate sniper
Large troop of Medium humanoids, neutral evil deals an extra 17 (5d6) damage when he hits a
Armor Class 18 (breastplate and shield) target with a weapon attack and has advantage
Hit Points 119 (14d8+56) on the attack roll, or when the target is within
Speed 30 ft. 5 feet of an ally of the pirate sniper that isn’t
incapacitated and the pirate sniper doesn’t
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha have disadvantage on the attack roll.
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) Steady Aim. Before the pirate sniper makes
a ranged attack he may take a -4 penalty
Saving Throws Str +6
to hit to gain a +8 bonus to damage.
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
Actions
grappled, paralyzed, prone, restrained, stunned
Multiattack. The pirate sniper makes two
Senses passive Perception 11
attacks with its rifled musket.
Languages Common
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP) ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.
Shield Wall. At the end of its turn, the Rifled Musket. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
defenders select a direction. They gain reach 5 ft. or range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit:
full cover from all spells and effects from 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning and piercing damage.
that direction until their next turn.
Troop. The troop can occupy another PIRATE SNIPER
creature’s space and vice versa, and the Medium humanoid (human), neutral
troop can move through any opening large Armor Class 17 (studded leather)
enough for a Medium humanoid. Hit Points 143 (22d8 + 44)
Actions
7
Speed 30 ft.
The Best Defense. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
5 ft. reach, targets. Hit: 21 (4d8 + 3) bludgeoning
damage. All targets in reach take 1d3 attacks. 12 (+1) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 8 (-1)
Any target hit at least once must make a DC 14
Tools Thieves’ tools
Dexterity saving throw or be restrained by a net.
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +9
PIRATE SHARPSHOOTER Senses passive Perception 16
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil Languages Common
Armor Class 17 (studded leather) Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
Hit Points 143 (22d8 + 44) Dead Eye. The pirate sniper ignores
Speed 30 ft. half or three quarters cover.
Dead Shot. The pirate sniper does an
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
extra die of damage with its rifled
12 (+1) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) musket (included in its attack).
Tools Thieves’ tools Quickload. The pirate sniper reloads its
rifled musket as a bonus action.
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +9
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the pirate sniper
Senses passive Perception 16
deals an extra 17 (5d6) damage when he hits a
Languages Common target with a weapon attack and has advantage
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP) on the attack roll, or when the target is within
Dead Shot. The pirate sniper does an 5 feet of an ally of the pirate sniper that isn’t
extra die of damage with its rifled incapacitated and the pirate sniper doesn’t
musket (included in its attack). have disadvantage on the attack roll.
198
Steady Aim. Before the pirate sniper makes
a ranged attack he may take a -4 penalty down on a foe with their barrel of their pistol as the
to hit to gain a +8 bonus to damage. edge of their blade.
Actions
RUM-RUNNER
Multiattack. The pirate sniper makes two
attacks with its rifled musket. Medium humanoid (human), chaotic evil
Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 Armor Class 16 (unarmored defense)
ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage. Hit Points 187 (22d8 + 88)
Rifled Musket. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, Speed 30 ft.
reach 5 ft. or range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning and piercing damage. 22 (+6) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) 12 (+1)
199
and not wielding a shield, the rum- runner's
Armor Class equals 10 + its Dexterity
Modifier + its Constitution Modifier.
Actions
Multiattack. Name makes three attacks: two
with its maul and one with its pistol.
Maul. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to
hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13
(2d6 + 6) slashing damage.
Pistol. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to
hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit:
11 (2d8 + 2) piercing damage.
SAILOR
Medium humanoid (human), any alignment
Armor Class 12 (leather armor)
Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
7 Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
11 (+0) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
200
Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage. Spellcasting. The shaman of the waves is
an 11th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting
Sailors make up the bulk of a ship’s crew, carrying ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 16, +8 to
out the essential tasks necessary to see a vessel hit with spell attacks). The shaman of the
waves has the following spells prepared:
perform at its best. Whether serving as deckhand
Cantrips (at will): guidance, poison spray, thorn whip
on a merchant ship or crewing a swift pirate frigate,
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, create
sailors know that the open seas hold many dangers or destroy water, thunderwave
and most have had at least a small amount of 2nd level (3 slots): barkskin, heat metal, hold person
experience in a battle situation. Sailors expect to 3rd level (3 slots): call lightning,
be fairly paid their expertise and for the hazards conjure animals, water walk
they face, even if some sailors fritter away every 4th level (3 slots): dominate beast,
control water, icestorm
single coin at the next port of call. Many sailors
5th level (2 slots): conjure elemental, insect plague
have superstitions and peculiar rituals that a wise 6th level (1 slot): heal, sunbeam
captain tolerates the observance of, because an Actions
unhappy and unpaid crew of sailors is recalcitrant, Multiattack. The shaman of the waves
unruly, and sometimes even ripe for mutiny. makes two attacks with its pike or
two with its heavy crossbow.
SHAMAN OF THE WAVES Pike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
Medium humanoid (human), neutral one target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) slashing damage.
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack:
Hit Points 143 (22d8 + 44) +5 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target.
Speed 30 ft. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
201
Actions
Multiattack. Pontus makes two attacks: one
with its bite and one with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 9 (3d4 + 2) slashing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (4d4
+ 2) piercing damage. The target is
also grappled (escape DC 13). If the
target is Small or smaller, it is also
restrained until this grapple ends.
While grappling the target, Pontus has
advantage on attack rolls against it
and can 't use this attack against other
targets. When Pontus moves, any Small or
smaller target it is grappling moves with it.
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). The
dragon exhales fire in a 5-foot line.
Each creature in that area must make a
DC13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 10
(3d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half
as much damage on a successful one.
202
SLAVE PIT MASTER a thorough beating to enforce discipline is where
Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil these unsavory soldiers can be found.
Armor Class 18 (unarmored defense)
Hit Points 175 (27d8 + 54) TATTOOED PIT CHAMPION
Speed 30 ft. Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
Armor Class 16
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Hit Points 212 (25d8 + 100)
20 (+5) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 18 (+4) 8 (-1)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Con +5 Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Skills Athletics +8, Perception +4 20 (+5) 10 (+2) 10 (+4) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Common Saving Throws Con +8
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) Skills Athletics +9, Intimidation +8
Mighty Blow. When the slave pit master Damage Resistances poison
scores a critical hit, it automatically deals Senses passive Perception 11
maximum damage for the attack. Languages Common
Reckless. At the start of its turn, the slave Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
pit master can gain advantage on all Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra
melee weapon attack rolls it makes during die of its damage when the tattooed pit
that turn, but attack rolls against it have champion hits with and doubles its strength
advantage until the start of its next turn. bonus it (included in the attack).
Unarmored Defense. While the slave pit master Bring the Pain. When the tattooed pit champion
is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, takes more than half damage from a melee
its AC includes its Wisdom modifier. attack, it can immediately attack the
Actions attacking creature as a bonus action.
Multiattack. The slave pit master Fortitude. The tattooed pit champion rolls with
makes three unarmed strikes.
Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +9
advantage against any effect that causes
the following conditions: fear, paralyzed,
7
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + petrified, poisoned or stunned.
5) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Terrifying Visage. The tattooed pit champion doubles
creature, the slave pit master can choose its proficiency bonus on intimidation checks.
one of the following additional effects: In addition it can make an intimidation check
k The target must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity against a target’s charisma roll. If it succeeds it
saving throw or be knocked prone. can make a single melee attack with advantage.
k The target must succeed on a DC 16 Unarmored Defense. The tattooed pit
Constitution saving throw or be stunned champion adds its dexterity and constitution
until the end of the adept's next turn. The modifiers to its armor class.
next round the target must attempt another Wrestler. The tattooed pit champion makes
save, remaining stunned on a failure. all grapple checks with advantage.
Reactions Actions
Deflect Missile. If the slave pit master is hit by a Multiattack. The tattooed pit champion makes two
ranged weapon attack, it deflects the missile. The attacks with its greatsword or its longbow.
damage it takes from the attack is reduced by Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5
1d10+5. If the damage is reduced to 0, the slave ft., one target. Hit: 24 (4d6 + 10) slashing damage.
pit master catches the missile if it's small enough Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to
to hold in one hand and it has a hand free. hit, reach 5 ft. or range 150/600 ft., one
target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Slavemaster, work gang overseer, bosun, taskmaster;
Disarming Attack. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
any job that requires intimidation, brutality, and or reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: the target must succeed
203
Skills Perception +5, Deception +5
Senses passive Perception 15
Special equipment antitoxin (x2), bag of caltrops,
potion of greater healing, potion of invisibility (x2),
Languages Common, Infernal
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Assassinate. During its first turn, the undercover
assassin has advantage on attack rolls against
any creature that hasn't taken a turn. Any
hit the undercover assassin scores against
a surprised creature is a critical hit.
Double-Slice. A melee weapon deals one extra die
of its damage when the undercover assassin hits
with it (included in the attack). Additionally, the
undercover assassin can roll melee weapon damage
twice and use the higher of the two results.
Evasion. If the undercover assassin is subjected to
an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving
throw to take only half damage, the undercover
assassin instead takes no damage if it succeeds on
the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the undercover
assassin deals an extra 17 (5d6) damage when
he hits a target with a weapon attack and has
advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is
within 5 feet of an ally of the undercover assassin
that isn't incapacitated and the undercover assassin
doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.
7 on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or drop one item
it’s holding of the tattooed pit champion’s choice.
The item lands up to 10 feet from the target, in
Spellcasting. The undercover assassin is a
5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability
is Wisdom (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with
a spot selected by the tattooed pit champion.
spell attacks). The undercover assassin
has the following spells prepared:
Whether marked with traditional tribal spirit- Cantrips (at will): guidance, light, mending,
brands or wearing tattoos like trophies of each sacred flame, thaumaturgy
conquest in the ring, these champion battlers know 1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, healing
a variety of exotic combat styles and ply each and word, inflict wounds, shield of faith
every one to keep crew members in line or serve as 2nd level (3 slots): enhance ability,
silence, spiritual weapon
a one-man security detail for their captain.
3rd level (2 slots): bestow curse, dispel magic
UNDERCOVER ASSASSIN Actions
Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil Multiattack. The undercover assassin
Armor Class 18 (breastplate, shield of faith) makes three attacks: two with its
scimitar and one with its dagger.
Hit Points 162 (25d8 + 50)
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach
Speed 30 ft.
5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha damage and 10 (3d6) poison damage and the
7 (-2) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution
saving throw or be poisoned until the start
Saving Throws Dex +7 of the undercover assassin’s next turn.
Tools Disguise kit, forgery kit, poisoners kit Dagger. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit,
204
reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. and it has the following spells prepared:
Hit: 10 (2d4 + 5) piercing damage. Cantrips: mending, prestidigitation, vicious mockery
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 1st-level (4 slots): charm person,
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one disguise self, sleep, thunderwave
target. Hit: 10 (2d4 + 5) piercing damage. 2nd-level (3 slots): cloud of daggers,
This wandering warpriest is a devout professional enthrall, suggestion
3rd-level (3 slots): dispel magic, sending
assassin. He dresses in voluminous robes
4th-level (1 slot): greater invisibility
and pretends to be a harmless and somewhat
Actions
absentminded scholar of religion and shipboard.
Multiattack. The wandering watersinger
He can be hired to kill almost anyone for the right makes two attacks one with its
price. Once he has agreed to kill someone, he will longsword and once with its pistol.
not stop hunting that person until he or she is dead. Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) slashing damage.
WANDERING WATERSINGER Pistol. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5
Medium humanoid (sea elf), chaotic neutral ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d8
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) + 2) bludgeoning and piercing damage.
Hit Points 99 (18d8 + 18) Whenever possible, this bard fights as a part of a
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
team, supporting her allies and using her power
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha over water to harry her foes. If she is outmatched,
10 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 18 (+4)
she will run away into the ocean, trusting her swim
Saving Throws Dex +4 speed to get her out of harm’s way, and find a new
Tools One musical instrument set of allies.
Skills Perception +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13 WAVEMISTRESS
Languages Common, Elvish
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Medium humanoid (human), Neutral
Armor Class 21 (+1 plate mail with shield of faith) 7
Combat Inspiration. The wandering watersinger Hit Points 101 (15d8 + 30)
grants one creature a 1d8 Inspiration die and it Speed 30 ft.
can roll that die and add the number rolled to a Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
weapon damage roll it just made. Alliteratively. 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 20 (+5) 15 (+2)
when an attack roll is made against the inspired
creature, it can use its reaction to roll the Saving Throws Wis +10, Cha +7
Inspiration die and add the number rolled to Skills Medicine +10, Religion +5
its AC against that attack after seeing the roll
Senses passive Perception 15
but before knowing whether it hits or misses.
Languages Aquan, Common
Dead Shot. The wandering watersinger does an extra
die of damage with pistols (included in its attack). Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Shanty of Rest. When the wandering Divine Strike. The cleric causes an extra 2d8 damage
watersinger plays music during a short rest, on any weapon attack (already included).
at the end all friendly creatures who regain Channel Divinity. Twice per day, the wavemistress
hit points regain an extra 1d6 hit points. may choose to use either of the following abilities:
Special Gear. Waterproof book full of bawdy Guided Strike. Add +10 to a single attack roll
pirate songs worth 50 gp, turtle shell hair clip when making an attack, or War God’s Blessing:
worth 10 gp, 11 gp, feather token (fan). When an ally within 30 feet makes an attack
Spellcasting. The wandering watersinger casts roll, use her reaction to grant +10 to that roll.
spells as a 7th level bard (save DC 14, spell Special Gear. Scroll of remove curse,
attack +6). Its spellcasting ability is Charisma, scroll of protection from evil or good,
205
+1 plate mail, healer’s kit, 25 gp. 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0)
Water Sight. The wavemistress can see through
a lightly or heavily obscured area providing Saving Throws Str +9, Dex +5
the source is fog or mist. Additionally, once Skills Animal Handling +6, Athletics
per day the wavemistress can cast the spell +9, Nature +4, Perception +6
scrying and need only use any calm pool of Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
water at least 1 foot in diameter as the focus.
Languages Aquan, Common, Elvish
Spellcasting. The wavemistress is a 15th-level
spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
(spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). The Brutal Skewer. The waverider scoundrel’s lance
wavemistress has the following spells prepared: attacks do an extra die of damage and double
Cantrips (at will): light, mending, resistance, its strength bonus (included in the attack)
sacred flame, spare the dying and scores a critical hit on a 19 or 20.
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, purify Challenge. The waverider scoundrel challenges a
food and drink, shield of faith* creature in combat. The creature must succeed
on a DC 16 Charisma saving throw or must
2nd level (3 slots): calm emotions,
spend all its actions to move toward and attack
hold person, spiritual weapon
the waverider scoundrel. At the end of each
3rd level (3 slots): dispel magic, mass healing word of its turns the creature can make another
4th level (3 slots): control water, locate creature saving throw, ending the effect on a success.
5th level (2 slots): commune, flame Partially Webbed. The waverider scoundrel’s
strike, greater restoration half sea-elf ancestry grants it a swim speed.
6th level (1 slot): blade barrier, heal Special Gear. Necklace of adaptation, shaving
7th level (1 slot): divine word, symbol kit, small steel mirror, banner depicting a
8th level (1 slot): control weather, holy aura hippocampus wearing a crown, collection of
labeled hull fragments from defeated ships, 20 gp.
Actions
Spirited charge. If the waverider scoundrel moves
Multiattack. The wavemistress makes two
7 attacks with its greatsword or its longbow.
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6
at least 20 feet toward a target with a lance
attack while mounted it can continue to move
without provoking opportunity attacks.
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18
Actions
(2d6 + 2d8 + 2) slashing damage.
Multiattack. The waverider scoundrel makes two
Dagger. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit,
attacks with its lance or its heavy crossbow.
reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target.
Hit: 15 (3d8 + 2) piercing damage. Lance. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 23 (2d12 + 10) piercing damage.
A sensitive to the spirits of the seas, these Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7
spiritualists offer advice and omens from the to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 100/400 ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage.
heavens above and the fathoms below, all the while
keeping their vessel save from submerged perils GLORY (HIPPOCAMPUS)
and the wild extremes of wind and wave. Medium beast, chaotic good
Armor Class 14 (natural)
WAVERIDER SCOUNDREL Hit Points 75 (10d10 + 20)
Medium humanoid (half-elf), neutral evil Speed swim 45 ft.
Armor Class 16 (plate)
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Hit Points 195 (26d8 + 78)
12 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)
Speed 30 ft., swim 25 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Senses darkvision 60 ft. Passive Perception 12
206
7
207
C h ap t e r 8 :
C ut t h r o a ts
& C rew
208
The Seagrave’s Plot Hooks
Fang k One of the ship’s crew stole a sacred shark idol
while in port. The idol can grant lycanthropy
If you choose to use these NPCs as a friendly or to the bearer and the school of weresharks the
rival crew, they can serve as the officers of the idol belongs to want it back at any cost.
Seagrave’s Fang, a two-masted brigantine with dark k While searching for buried treasure, the
gray sails, the foremast fully square-rigged and Seagrave’s Fang discovered a desert island
mainmast rigged with both a fore-and-aft mainsail, where a wereshark tribe lairs. The Fang
square topsails, and topgallant sails. Just under fled from the island, but the weresharks are
90 feet long and 25 feet wide, the Fang’s armament stalking the ship and have already picked off
consists of two pairs of side mounted ballista, one several of the crew.
pair mounted on the foredeck and the other on the k The leader of a wereshark pack has become 8
sterncastle. Jutting out below the Fang’s bowsprit enamored with the captain of the Seagrave’s
is a long jagged wooden carving of a sharktooth. Fang. The leader intends to infect her with
When flying the ship’s true colors, the Fang displays lycanthropy and transform her into a fitting
a golden symbol of crowned skull with crisscrossed wereshark consort, but only after the pack
curved blades on a black background. has killed and devoured all of her crew.
In game terms, the Seagrave’s Fang is a sailing ship,
as described in the 5th edition Game Master’s Guide
of the world’s most famous roleplaying game., with
a smuggling compartment in the captain’s cabin.
Currently only the captain knows this smuggling
compartment exists.
209
The Crew Jenna comes from a small but elite dwarven clan
CR Name Crew Role who labor to manufacture siege engines for the
6 Jenna Ironflame Master gunner empire’s main naval shipyards. She spent much of
6 Lachlan Chardet First mate her younger life learning the craft that everyone,
4 Mayjen Ship's mage including Jenna herself, assumed she would follow
3 Redda Amestari Lookout for the rest of her life. Jenna was always passionate
4 Rukaia Ship's surgeon about these mighty engines of war but a secret part
5 "Smiling" Seth Navigator of her longed for the excitement of triggering these
Farharbor gigantic weapons in a real battle rather than just
5 Tylara Ship's mate the mundane job of test-firing them. Jenna grew
6 Valenya Thale Captain into womanhood and she took up studying with
the clan’s weaponmasters, learning the way of the
3 Wivierell Carpenter
dwarven warrior. This was over the loud protests
2 Zugok Boatswain
of her relatives, who questioned why she wanted
to learn these fighting skills when she would
The Crew never need them. The final straw came when her
grandfather informed her that a marriage had been
The following stat blocks represent the crew of the arranged for her and she was to wed a prominent
Seagrave's Fang, dwarf from a neighboring clan to secure an alliance.
After a week of planning, Jenna made her escape
and boarded a ship bound for a distant port. Jenna
spent some time, and much of the marriage dowry
she had taken with her, simply sailing from port
to port as a passenger, but her specialized skills
and upbringing made it difficult for her to find
210
JENNA IRONFLAME New Magic Item
Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful neutral
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) DAREDEVIL BOOTS RARE
Wondrous item Requires attunement)
Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20)
This pair of magical softpaw boots allows the
Speed 25 ft. wearer to gain extra maneuverability while
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha moving through hazardous areas. As a bonus
15 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 14 (+2) action, you can click your heels together to
gain advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics)
Saving Throws Str +5, Dex +5, Wis +3 checks and can avoid attacks of opportunity
Skills Athletics +5, Deception +5 by making a DC 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics)
Damage Resistance poison check for 1 minute. Furthermore, anytime
you successfully move through the space
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
of an enemy without provoking an attack of
Languages Common, Dwarvish opportunity, you gain a +21 bonus on attack
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) rolls against that enemy until the end of
Bullrush. If Jenna moves at least 20 feet straight your turn.
toward a creature and then hits it with her boarding
axe on the same turn, that target must succeed
on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked
prone. If the target is prone, Jenna can make Tactics
one dagger attack against it as a bonus action. Jenna enjoys the thrill of naval combat, whether
Corsair. Jenna has advantage on attack rolls, it is firing siege engines at opposing vessels
Wisdom (Survival), Strength (Athletics) and or leaping into the midst of an enemy boarding
Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks while at sea. party while wildly lashing about herself. She uses
Jenna also does an extra +2 damage against her daredevil boots to tumble into groups of
any creature that has a swim speed. enemies and then uses Great Cleave to strike at
Daredevil. Jenna does not provoke multiple foes. If she gets a chance, Jenna enjoys
attacks of opportunity. pushing opponents over the side of the ship.
Dwarven Resilience. Jenna has advantage
on saving throws against poison. Lachlan Chardet, First Mate
Actions
Multiattack. Jenna makes three melee attacks: two
with her boarding axe and one with her dagger. Or
A swarthy unshaven man with a black
bandana wrapped around his head looks
8
Jenna makes two ranged attacks with her daggers. cagily around himself. A bronze-headed
Boarding Axe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, flail rests in an ornate scabbard at his side.
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 2) slashing
or piercing damage (Jenna’s choice). While
wielding this weapon Jenna has advantage Born and raised a pirate, Lachlan came to be a
on Strength checks when climbing. devoted follower of the goddess, the Pirate Queen,
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 as a child. Lachlan learnt the ‘trade’ serving as
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage. a cabin boy on a ship captained by a treacherous
Great Cleave (1/day). Jenna may make scurvy knave whose duplicity and wily cunning kept
one melee attack against each creature him alive for years, even though most of his own
within reach 5 feet of her. crew wanted him dead. Eventually, however, this
Reactions captain perished in a battle that saw his ship and
Daredevil Boots. Jenna adds 2 to her AC
crew captured by an imperial frigate. While the rest
against one melee attack that would hit
her. To do so, Jenna must see the attacker of the crew was tried and hanged, the commanding
and be wielding a melee weapon. naval officer took pity on the seemingly innocent
child and spared Lachlan.
211
ablaze in one final spiteful act. Rumors spread that
Lachlan was the main instigator of the mutiny and
as almost all the other survivors of the Nye Gull
mutiny are now dead, there is little Lachlan can do
these days to clear his name. Lachlan often plays up
to the part of the wicked scoundrel that many think
him, but he knows that the quickest way to make
it rich is serving under a under a strong captain as
part of a loyal crew.
LACHLAN
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic neutral
Armor Class 14 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 71 (11d8 + 22)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
212
Dirty Trick (1/Turn). Once per turn Lachlan uses
a dirty trick as part of an attack – for example sleep as a child. When Maygen’s sorcerous talents
throwing sand a creature’s eyes blinding them. The manifested in her early adolescence, her parents
target must make a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw or enrolled Maygen in an arcane college so she could
be surprised by the trick. The GM. determines the
exact nature of the trick and its effects All effects
learn to control her magical abilities. Fortunately
only last until the beginning of Lachlan’s next turn. for Maygen, the college was situated in a busy port
Actions city and she spent much of her spare time sailing in
Multiattack. Lachlan makes two melee the nearby bay and exploring the city. A year and
attacks or two ranged attacks. a half before Maygen would have graduated, the
Masterwork Flail. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
news came that her parent’s ship had been lost at
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning
damage. If the target is wielding a weapon, it sea. According to magical divinations, their ship
must succeed on a DC 13 Strength or Dexterity struck a reef during bad weather and went down
saving throw or drop a weapon it is wielding. with all hands lost. After mourning her parents,
Combat Scabbard. Melee Weapon Attack:
Maygen found herself almost destitute; her parents
+6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
7 (2d4 + 3) piercing damage. had practically all their savings wrapped up in
Composite Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: their ship and what little remained would only last
+5 to hit, ranged 150/600 ft., one target. for less than a year, assuming she eked out a very
Hit: 8 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
humble lifestyle.
Reactions
Maygen started looking for employment, but
Swinging Reposition. Lachlan adds 2 to his AC
against one melee attack that would hit him. found that few were willing to take on an untried
To do so, Lachlan must see the attacker, be gnome youngster with dubious magical talents.
wielding a melee weapon and be aboard a The next few seasons were very lean for Maygen,
ship he is familiar with. If the attack misses
with her taking on shady work simply to afford
he may then use the Disengage action.
Tactics
food and a roof over her head. Eventually one of
Always willing to do whatever it takes to win, her disreputable contacts suggested she try looking
Lachlan often starts a battle by swinging in on a for a job in one of the most city’s seedy taverns. As
line and using swinging reposition to charge an
opponent, which allows him to deal sneak attack
damage using scout’s charge. Lachlan then attempts
luck would have it, a pirate captain was urgently
looking for a new entire crew and was willing to
8
to disarm his opponent which enables him to use pay for any warm body. Some of the other recruits
the Catch Off-Guard to make sneak attacks with tried to bully Maygen, but they quickly learnt their
his combat scabbard. In combat, he also makes
mistake when she electrocuted one of them. In spite
good use of dirty trick to hinder his foes.
of her stature, Maygen’s nautical skills stood out
Mayjen, Ship’s Mage in the otherwise green crew and she was quickly
promoted to a ship’s officer. During the next
Clad in colorful silks, this bronzed skinned several years, Maygen served on several ships and
gnome with aquamarine hair and storm gray gained significant maritime experience. She also
eyes stands poised to invoke her destructive
found that being out in the middle of the ocean,
powers against any threat.
especially during a powerful storm, seems to bring
out and enhance her magical powers. Maygen has
Maygen has always had the sea in her blood. Born on
developed a reputation for her eagerness to unleash
the ocean during a terrible storm to parents who were
her destructive spells, with her blue-green hair said
traveling merchants, Maygen could swim before she
could walk and had the sway of the ship rock her to
213
must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or
to stand on end whenever she casts an electricity suffer 10 (3d6) necrotic damage or half as much
spell. damage on a successful save. This damage cannot
reduce the target creature below 1 hit point.
MAYJEN Creatures with a swim speed take double damage.
Medium humanoid (gnome), chaotic neutral Summon Elemental (1/Day). Mayjen magically
Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor) summons a water elemental or air elemental. The
Hit Points 40 (9d8) summoned elemental appears in an unoccupied
space within 60 feet of its summoner and acts
Speed 25 ft.
as an ally of its summoner. It remains for 10
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha minutes, until it or its summoner dies, or until
9 (-1) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 17 (+3) its summoner dismisses it as an action.
Reactions
Saving Throws Cha +5, Wis +3
Vanish. Whenever an attack targeting Mayjen
Skills Arcana +2, Persuasion +5 hits or misses she becomes invisible until the
Damage Resistance lightning, thunder beginning of her next turn. Mayjen becomes
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11 visible if she attacks or casts a spell.
Languages Aquan, Common, Gnome, Sylvan Tactics
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) Before Combat. Maygen casts mage armor
Gnome Cunning. Mayjen has advantage every day, renewing it as needed. She also
on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma casts shock shield if expecting a fight.
saving throws against magic. During Combat. Maygen blasts away at
Storm Sorcerer. As part of the Cast a Spell enemies with damaging spells. She prefers to
action Mayjen may convert the energy type remain at range and uses vanish if enemies
of spells from the original to lightning. For target her in return. She summons air or
example, the damage type of fire bolt becomes water elementals to aid her in battle.
lightning instead of fire. This trait also grants
resistance to lighting and thunder damage.
Redda Amestari, lookout
Innate Spellcasting. Mayjen’s innate spellcasting
ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 10). Disfiguring pox scars cover this tall half-
She can innately cast the following spells, elven woman’s face and skin. She shrewdly
8
requiring no material components: scans the area around her and keeps her
At will: nondetection (self only) longbow ready in hand.
1/day each: blindness/deafness, blur, disguise self
Spellcasting. Mayjen is a 5th-level spellcaster. Redda spent much of her childhood bedridden with
Her spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save
DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). She has an abnormal malady that riddled her skin with
the following sorcerer spells prepared: unsightly sores and blemishes. Over several years,
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, light, mage Redda’s impoverished human mother was able to
hand, mending, prestidigitation scrimp and save up enough money to have priests
1st level (4 slots): mage armor, magic
cast divine magic to cure her daughter’s ailment
missile, shock shield (see page 44)
but the strange and chronic illness resisted these
2nd level (3 slots): misty step, suggestion,
slipstream (see page 45) attempts. While in the throes of heavy bouts of the
3rd level (2 slots): fireball sickness, Redda would often have feverish visions
Actions of being cast adrift on an endless blue sea. When
Masterwork Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Redda reached adolescence, the bizarre disease
Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft.,
faded, seemingly of its own accord, but left Redda
one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
with disfiguring pox scars all over her face and
Dehydrating Touch (Recharge 5–6). Mayjen may
touch a creature within 5 ft. of her and the target body.
214
As soon as she was able, Redda started working
to support her aging mother. Unable to find other
employment, due in part to her looks, Redda
became a guard and then a mercenary. However,
it was only when she first hired on as part of the
bodyguard detail for an affluent merchant taking a
long ocean voyage that her divine magical powers
surfaced. While in touch with the ocean, Redda felt
the pull of the ocean’s waves and learned to call on
her powers and develop her mystical talents.
Redda found herself in seedy and anarchic port
town. Seeking more lucrative employment, she
joined a crew of smugglers where her keen eyes
where often put to good use. From there, Redda
signed on as an able-bodied sailor for a band of
pirates. Many of her crewmates shunned Redda,
believing she was diseased, cursed, or just plain
bad luck, but Redda was unconcerned by this, as
long as she could feel the sway of the ocean beneath
her, she found herself content. After proving herself
Languages Aquan, Common, Draconic, Elven, Sylvan
an excellent lookout, Redda took to sleeping in the
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
crow’s nest, using a canvas for cover during wet Deadly Aim. Once per turn, Redda deals an extra
weather and only going below decks during the 7 (2d6) damage when she hits a target with
worst storms. a ranged attack and has advantage on the
attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet
Despite her peculiarities, any captain she serves
of an ally that isn't incapacitated and Redda
finds her to be a diligent sailor, brave in battle, and
reliable when taking a spell at the helm. Recently
doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.
Fey Ancestry. Redda has advantage on
8
her elderly mother passed on, but Redda does not saving throws against being charmed,
and magic can’t put her to sleep.
intend to struggle to make ends meet as her mother
Lightfooted. Redda can take the Dash or Disengage
did. She aims to make her fortune committing action as a bonus action on each of her turns.
daring acts of piracy upon the high seas. Water Sight Revelation. Redda can see through
fog and mist without penalty as long as there
REDDA AMESTARI is enough light to allow you to see normally.
Medium humanoid (half-elf), neutral Spellcasting. Redda is a 2nd-level spellcaster.
Armor Class 15 (Leather Armor) Her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell
Hit Points 66 (12d8 + 12) save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). She
Speed 30 ft. has following ranger spells prepared:
1st level (2 slots): hunter’s mark, fog cloud
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
12 (+1) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) Actions
Multiattack. Redda makes three attacks: one
Skills Acrobatics +8, Athletics +5, Persuasion with a dagger and two with her cutlass.
+6, Medicine +4, Religion +2 Alternatively she may make 3 longbow attacks.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 Cutlass. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5
215
ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
goddess, the Pirate Queen, in the form of a tengu.
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one She exhaustedly regained consciousness back on
target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage. the raft, with her right claw wrapped tightly around
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 a tiny shining pearl remarkably formed in the
to hit, ranged 150/600 ft., one target
likeness of a skull.
Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Rukaia’s devout prayers to the Pirate Queen were
Tactics
Before Combat Redda uses her thunderstone to answered with divine powers that increased as
quickly raise the alarm or alert her shipmates to Rukaia matured. Rukaia found it easy to secure a
an ambush. She uses her smokesticks to signal position as ship’s priest on a succession of pirate
a distant shore party; each of her smokesticks
vessels and she never returned to the rookery.
produces smoke of a different color. She always
carries this mundane equipment with her. Like many tengu, Rukaia is not overly strong
During Combat Redda prefers to pick off enemies or tough so she prefers to support and heal her
with her bow and always uses her Deadly Aim trait. crewmates rather than wade into the heart of a
She casts fog cloud in battle to make it difficult
for enemies to target her, she can easily see
dangerous naval battle herself. Rukaia has learnt
through the mist with her water sight revelation. much about the healing arts from the series of
pirate officers she has worked with and her strong
Rukaia, Ship’s Surgeon
skills as a physician inevitably lead to her getting
good pay on the pirate ships she joins. She also has
Clothed in a short black dress over black
feathers, this sharp-beaked tengu wields the tengu knack with learning languages and often
a basket-hilted rapier in one claw, holds a serves as a translator during negotiations. Other
buckler in the other, and wears a tricorne priests of the Pirate Queen sometimes feel there is
hat. The tengu’s facial feathers are painted something odd about Rukaia’s cawing prayers and
bone white, depicting the skull and
flapping supplications, but they do not doubt her
crossbones.
devotion to the goddess and to piracy itself.
216
Expert Forger. Rukaia can duplicate another
creatures' handwriting and craftwork. She
has advantage on all checks made to produce
forgeries or duplicates of existing objects.
Mimicry. Rukaia can mimic any sounds she has
heard, including voices. A creature that hears
the sounds can tell they are imitations with a
successful DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check
Pirate Queen’s Glory. As a bonus action, Rukaia
can expend a spell slot to cause her melee
weapon attacks to magically deal an extra 10
(3d6) radiant or necrotic damage -her choice-
to a target on a hit. This benefit lasts until the
end of her next turn. If Rukaia expends a spell
slot of 2nd level or higher, the extra damage
increases by 1d6 for each level above 1st.
Spellcasting. Rukaia is a 5th-level spellcaster.
Her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save
DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). Rukaia
has the following cleric spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): light, sacred flame, thaumaturgy
1st level (4 slots): bless, cure wounds,
divine favor, shield of faith
2nd level (3 slots): lesser restoration,
invisibility, spiritual weapon
3rd level (2 slots): conjure animals, Morale. If Rukaia is reduced below 15 hit
fly, spirit guardians points and all seems lost, she turns invisible
or casts disguise self to get away.
Actions
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., “Smiling” Seth Farharbor, Navigator
one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5
Finely dressed in a loose shirt and baggy
to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage. pants, this cheerful sailor holds an 8-foot
pike in one hand and a well-used hornpipe
8
Reactions
in the other. A multicolored parrot perches
Copycat (1/Day). When hit by an attack Rukaia
jauntily on his shoulder.
may cast mirror image as a reaction. The attack
automatically hits one of the duplicates.
Seth says little of his past, but the truth is that
Tactics
his parents were indentured farmers who worked
Before Combat. Rukaia casts bless, fly, or
shield of faith depending on the nature of an a patch of barren moorland and Seth’s childhood
expected battle. She also casts bull’s strength was one of poverty and near starvation. Seth left
on one of her tougher allies. Just before
his homeland and wound up working as a poorly
combat she casts conjure animals to summon
a shark or several smaller sea creatures. paid seaman on a merchant ship captained by a
During Combat. Rukaia uses her spells to aid her stingy northerner. Pirates took the merchant ship,
crewmates and strike out at dangerous foes. intending to sail it back to their pirate base as a
She also uses her channels to keep her crew
prize ship. Seth and the rest of the captured sailors
healthy. If threatened in melee, she uses her
copycat domain ability or invisibility to maneuver were given the choice to join the pirates or to be set
away. Only if things seem desperate does she adrift in a longboat. With a grin on his face, Seth
cast divine favor and attack with her rapier. was the first to sign on with the pirates.
217
Elven, Giant, Infernal, Orc
Seth found the ordinary tasks on a pirate ship
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
were much the same, but the pay and the conditions
Spellcasting. Seth is a 4th-level spellcaster.
and were far better. The ship was refitted and Seth His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell
started as one of the crew. The ship was initially save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). He
somewhat shorthanded so Seth learnt a wide variety has the following bard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): friends, mage
of tasks, but the one that drew his attention was the
hand, vicious mockery
art of navigation. He was taught map reading and 1st level (4 slots): charm person, heroism,
course plotting by a garrulous old sea dog and Seth read weather (see page 41), sleep
became enamored with idea of sailing to distant 2nd level (3 slots): invisibility, shatter
ports and exotic places. As his experience grew, Sea Shanty. Seth can perform a song while taking
a short rest. Any ally who hears the song regains
Seth became an officer and a skilled navigator.
a level of exhaustion as if they had a long rest.
While Seth had learnt to play traditional pipes as Seth can confer this benefit on himself as well.
a child, he much prefers the merry notes can bring Whistle the Wind (2/Day). Seth can use a
out of the worn hornpipe he found in an old junk bonus action on his turn to invoke a gust of
wind spell. Seth uses his performance skill
store in a busy southern market. Seth’s crewmates
instead of the standard Concentration check
know that his piping can often whistle up a friendly to maintain this effect. In addition, he can
breeze or ease rough waters. extend the duration of the spell by 1 minute
In spite of his upbringing, Seth is an optimistic on a DC 15 Charisma (Performance) check.
Actions
fellow whose affable nature means he gets on
Multiattack. Seth makes three melee
well with almost everyone he meets. Seth loves to attacks or two ranged attacks.
travel, see new sights, and meet interesting people, Boarding Pike. Melee Weapon Attack:
especially those who might be interested in amorous +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit:
liaisons. The wealth gained from plundering 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage.
merchant ships allows Seth to enjoy himself to the Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range
80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) piercing damage
full in these exciting places. Recently Seth acquired
Reactions
8 a rainbow colored parrot in a jungle port, the bird
named Tukama is avaricious and happily calls out
Tukama. As a reaction, Seth’s familiar, a
parrot named Tukama, can cast a verbal
to friend and stranger alike for food and pretties. component only spell from Seth’s list of
spells whenever an attack misses Seth.
Seth and Tukama get along famously, although it
Tactics
sometimes seems that Tukama regards Seth as his
Before Combat. If a battle is imminent,
possession. Seth casts heroism.
SETH FARHARBOR During Combat. Seth plays a lively tune on his
hornpipe or sings a sea shanty to encourage his
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
shipmates and then attacks. He uses his attack
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) spells against enemies who threaten his allies.
Hit Points 97 (15d8 + 30)
Speed 30 ft. Tylara, Ship’s Mate
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
18 (+4) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) 13 (+1) This tall dark-haired woman wears bright
mismatched clothing with a curved blade at
Saving Throws Dex +3, Wis +2 her side. She has pale skin and a striking but
Skills Acrobatics +3, Perception +2, Performance +7 unusual mien, her heterochromatic eyes,
Senses passive Perception 12 one deep blue, one gray, somehow fitting
Languages Abyssal, Common, Dwarven, her perfectly.
218
Tylara never felt that she fitted the clan of saltmarsh
dwellers she was raised by. She somehow always
knew that she was a foundling, abandoned there
as baby in the middle of the night. The only person
Tylara could relate to was Aeya, the community’s
ancient wisewoman, who saw potential in the
unconventional child and enjoyed her company.
Aeya passed on all she could to the eager
young Tylara, teaching her of the old
ways and ancient nature magic, but
more importantly passing on her
timeless wisdom and nurturing
Tylara’s resolute spirit. Old age
caught up with Aeya when Tylara was eight,
but they had both known this would happen
eventually, and Tylara remained dry-eyed at her
mentor’s funeral, preferring to honor Aeya’s life as
the old woman would have wanted.
When she reached puberty, Tylara felt a strange
calling drawing her into the depths of the swamp.
The silent siren’s song was hypnotic but Tylara’s
tenacious will prevailed and she repelled the eerie
compulsion. However, Tylara’s curiosity about the
mystery of her own origins led her to make the
choice to follow the beckoning call of her own Whether this is something to do with her past or
volition. It is said that a changeling who follows
this path is invariably lost to evil forever. However,
that Tylara simply finds herself more comfortable
on water, rather than dry land, only she knows.
8
a month later Tylara did return. She staggered out of
TYLARA
the swamp, her body covered in deep claw wounds,
Medium shapechanger (changeling), neutral
but her mind her own. The only possession she Armor Class 11 (16 with barkskin)
brought back from this grueling trial was a green Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
cat’s eye gem clutched firmly in her hand. Speed 30 ft.
Tylara left the marsh as soon as she recovered, Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
following her intuition and instincts out of the 16 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 10 (+1)
mud of the swamp and to the clean water of the
Skills Deception +4, Medicine +5,
ocean. Tylara started out as a cook’s apprentice Nature +3, Perception +5
on a shabby pirate cog, but determinedly worked Senses passive Perception 15
her way up to better ships and better positions, Languages Common, Druidic, Sylvan
eventually becoming a respected officer. Tylara Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
prefers to remain on the ocean, rarely going ashore, Seastrike. Tylara can attack
even when given ample leave in a friendly port. underwater with no penalties.
219
Shapechanger. Tylara can use her action to
polymorph into a Medium humanoid she has Whether the farfetched tales of Valenya being
seen, or back into her true form. Her statistics, the lost heir to one of the empire’s highest noble
are the same in each form. Any equipment houses and the tragic circumstances that led to her
she is wearing or carrying isn't transformed.
She reverts to her true form if she dies.
becoming a pirate are true or not, Valenya Thale
Spellcasting. Tylara is a 4th-level spellcaster. certainly displays the demeanor of an aristocrat.
Her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell She remains impeccably attired even when
save DC 14, +5 to hit with spell attacks). It boarding an enemy vessel, and deals fairly with
has the following druid spells prepared:
those who surrender to her, often offering warm
Cantrips (at will): druidcraft,
produce flame, shillelagh hospitality to upper class prisoners. Valenya is no
1st level (4 slots): hydraulic push (see page 40), fool however, she is extremely skilled the arts of
longstrider, speak with animals, thunderwave subterfuge and trickery, and those who attempt
2nd level (3 slots): animal messenger, to take advantage of her seemingly genteel nature
barkskin, slipstream (see page 45)
usually find themselves falling into one of her
Actions
well-laid traps. Valenya also runs a tight ship, and
Multiattack. Tylara makes two melee attacks.
those who malinger or attempt to challenge her
Shillelagh. Melee Weapon Attack: +5
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 find that beneath Valenya’s refined deportment is
(1d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. a ruthlessly fierce individual more than willing
Shifter Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach to make good on the dire threats she issues when
5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
roused to anger.
Wild Shape (2/day). Tylara can transform into a
beast she is familiar with of CR ½ or less for up to Valenya came into a substantial amount of gold
1 hour. She gains all the physical statistics of the early in her piratical career, which gave her the
beast but otherwise retains her own traits. She opportunity to obtain and refit a decent ship. She
losses her Spellcasting ability while in animal form.
has changed ships several times since then, having
Reactions
a ship sunk underneath her in a fierce battle but
Tigress. As a reaction, after being hit in melee, Tylara
can make a shifter claw attack against the attacker. also capturing several vessels and refitting them.
8 Tactics
Before Combat. If expecting trouble, Tylara casts
Once Valenya even lost her ship in a high stakes
dice game and then, after an incredible run of
barkskin, longstrider, and shillelagh to give all astonishingly good luck, won an even finer ship, all
her natural attacks an enhancement bonus.
in the same night of gambling.
During Combat. Tylara wildshapes into an appropriate
form, preferably one with claws, and attacks using
Valenya learnt the many of the subtle intricacies
a combination of spells and natural weapons. If of art of fighting with the falcata from a noble
possible, Tylara attempts to lure her foes below the duelist who she captured during a daring raid on an
surface, where the water may hinder her enemies,
imperial galleon. She offered the noble the chance
but she can attack freely using her seastrike ability.
to ransom himself in return for teaching her how to
Captain Valenya Thale fence with the curved blade. Valenya kept her word
and once she could best the duelist, she released
Attired in an elegant jacket, white silk shirt, him in a neutral port with a tidy purse of gold to
black pants, and thigh length leather boots, see him return home. This courtesy, however, has
this commanding piratical woman boldly
done nothing to reduce the hefty reward offered in
wields a curved concave blade. Stylish
jewelry tastefully accents her eye-catching the empire for Valenya’s capture.
appearance.
220
There are rumors that Valenya is secreting away a
trove of the treasures she has plundered. Although
whether she stores this booty onboard ship or on
one of the many islands she visits is anyone’s guess.
Some say that she intends to build up enough wealth
and then attempt to buy an imperial pardon, but
this is pure conjecture.
VALENYA
Medium humanoid (human), neutral
Armor Class 16 (leather lamellar, buckler)
Hit Points 97 (15d8 + 30)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
14 (+2) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1)
221
success the target is shaken and susceptible
to Valenya’s shatter defenses trait. While Wivierell never speaks of the incident, it was
Dazzling Display (1/Day). Valenya’s skill with the during this time that he had his left hand hacked
falcata frightens enemies. Each enemy that is off by the ship’s cruel slavemaster for some spirited
within 30 feet of Valenya and aware of her must act of defiance.
succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or
become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can Pirates attacked the ship, plundering the cargo
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its and freeing the slaves, giving Wivierell his long-
turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. awaited chance to take bloody vengeance on his
If a creature's saving throw is successful or the
effect ends for it, the creature is immune to
oppressors. The pirate’s elven first mate, seeing
Valenya’s Dazzling Display for the next 24 hours. that captivity had not broken this young elf’s spirit,
Reactions took Wivierell under his wing and taught him the
Riposte. Valenya adds 3 to her AC against one arts of dueling and agile swordplay. Wivierell was
melee attack that would hit her. To do so, a quick study, he became a skilled swordsman and
Valenya must see the attacker and be wielding
a melee weapon. If the attack misses due swiftly earned his place as part of the pirate crew.
to the AC increase Valenya may also make a Wivierell’s innate knack for sailing meant that he
masterwork falcata attack against the attacker swiftly learnt the ropes of the pirate’s brigantine,
Tactics even though it was a much larger ship than the
Before Combat. If she has time, Valenya fishing vessels of his childhood. His inherent skill
cast heroism on herself.
and passion for repairing and caring for the ship
During Combat. Valenya uses her Dazzling Display
at the start of a battle to cause her opponents easily landed him the role of ship’s carpenter.
to become shaken and takes advantage of this While Wivierell is somewhat of a loner and
with her Shatter Defenses trait. She also uses sometimes prone to fits of brooding and dark
her hilt bash to keep her opponents shaken, or
possibly even give them the frightened condition. melancholy, this slips away he fights or when
Treasure tending his ship. He holds to his cultural beliefs
Gold earrings worth 80 gp, filigreed silver mirror that each ship has a spirit and is sometimes seen
worth 120 gp, platinum ring worth 150 gp, electrum quietly murmuring to the ship as he works on it. As
Wivierell, Carpenter
part of a pirate raid, Wivierell acquired a magical
device that can replicate any simple tool; he often
attaches this to the stump of his left hand to make
This wiry elf crouches in a fencing stance; use of it while repairing the ship. Wivierell has also
he holds a fine blade in one hand while his fashioned a special prosthesis to allow him to wield
other arm ends in wicked looking hook
a net in his off-hand.
hand.
WIVIERELL
Born in the tropics into a primitive coastal elven Medium humanoid (elf), neutral
tribe of anglers and pearl divers, Wivierell learnt the Armor Class 17 (masterwork hide shirt)
sacred art of crafting and maintaining the village’s Hit Points 66 (12d8 + 12)
Speed 30 ft.
fleet of vessels from his parents. Wivierell’s idyllic
world changed forever when bloodthirsty slavers Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
16 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1)
attacked his peaceful village, slaughtering many,
including both his parents, and enslaving the rest. Skills Acrobatics +8, Athletics +5, Deception
Wivierell was sold, and he languished, chained in +5, Perception +3, Persuasion +3
the hold of a ship as a galley slave, for over a year. Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 13
222
Languages Common, Elven
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
New Magic Item
Lightfooted. Wivierell can take the Dash or Disengage TRAVELER’S ANY-TOOL COMMON
action as a bonus action on each of its turns. Wondrous item
Fey Ancestry. Wivierell has advantage on This tool at first seems to be nothing but a
saving throws against being charmed, and 12-inch iron bar lined with small plates and
magic can’t put Wivierell to sleep. spikes. It can be folded, twisted, hinged,
Tumbler. Once per turn, Wivierell can deals an and bent, to form almost any known tool.
extra 10 (3d6) damage when he hits a target Hammers, shovels, even a block and tackle
with a weapon attack and succeeds on a DC (without rope) are possible. It can duplicate
15 Acrobatics check so long as he does not any tool the wielder can clearly visualize that
have disadvantage on the attack roll. contains only limited moving parts, such
as a pair of scissors, but not a handloom.
Actions
It cannot be used to replace missing or
Multiattack. Wivierell makes three attacks broken parts of machines or vehicles unless
from the options listed below. a mundane tool would have done the job just
Hook Hand. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: as well.
+6 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one
target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage.
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
During Combat. Wivierell nimbly tumbles
one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
into flanking positions to gain sneak attack
Trident. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 opportunities. If fighting alone, Wivierell
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one feints to throw his opponent off guard.
target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Feint. Wivierell is skilled at fooling opponents in Zugok, the Boatswain
combat. The target of this attack must make
a Wisdom (Insight) skill check vs. Wivierell’s
Charisma (Deception) skill check as the DC. A burly looking half-orc with olive skin
If the target fails the check then Wivierell has barks out orders, a scowl darkening his
advantage on attack rolls for the rest of his turn. scarred craggy face. He gestures strongly
Net (Recharge 4-6). Wivierell throws a net, the with his broad curved blade to emphasize
designated target must make a DC 13 Dexterity his point.
saving throw if it is a Large or smaller creature and
is restrained on a fail until it is freed. This attack Born the child of a prostitute in a large pirate base,
8
has no effect on creatures that are formless, or
creatures that are Huge or larger. A creature can Zugok grew up in and around piracy for all of his
use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check, childhood. It was only natural that he would sign
freeing itself or another creature within its reach on as a cabin boy as soon as he was tall enough. He
on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net
spent many of his teenage years at sea, where hard
(AC 10) also frees the creature without harming
it, ending the effect and destroying the net. work made him stronger, and he became skilled
Reactions and confident onboard any ship. The rough and
Net and Stab. As a reaction, Wivierell may tumble pirate life also taught him how to swiftly
make a trident attack against a target that gauge others’ intentions as well as the brazen art of
is restrained due to his net attack.
making threats and showing menace to force others
Tactics
to back down, to do what he wanted, or to give over
Before Combat. Wivierell uses his oil of
slipperiness if he anticipates he’ll be fighting their valuables.
in difficult terrain. If he expects to be fighting Zugok was promoted to boatswain when he was
in or under water, Wivierell switches from twenty and found that it suited his nature. He
his rapier and hook hand to the traditional
weapons of his tribe — trident and net. didn’t have to do the more laborious tasks aboard
223
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Archer’s Eye (3/Day). As a bonus action, Zugok can
roll 1d10 and add the result to his next attack
or damage roll with his composite longbow.
Relentless Endurance (1/Day). When
Zugok is reduced to 0 hit points, he
instead drops to 1 hit point.
Savage Attacks. When Zugok scores a critical hit
with a melee weapon attack, he rolls one of the
weapon’s damage dice one additional time and
add it to the extra damage of the critical hit.
Actions
Multiattack. Zugok makes two attacks
with his composite longbow.
Falchion. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Composite Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack:
+5 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Dazzling Display (1/Day). Zugok’s skill with the
falchion frightens enemies. Each enemy that is
within 30 feet of Zugok and aware of him must
ship and he got paid better simply for ordering succeed on a DC 11 Wisdom saving throw or
the crew around. Being an actual officer seemed become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
like too much hard work though, too many extra
turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
responsibilities and a horde of arduous new things If a creature's saving throw is successful or the
to learn. Zugok likes to fight, but he enjoys spending effect ends for it, the creature is immune to
money far more, and he is more than content to Zugok’s Dazzling Display for the next 24 hours.
Freebooter’s Bane (Recharges after a Short or Long
accept a foe’s surrender. Zugok doesn’t tolerate
Rest). For 1 minute, Zugok can indicate an enemy in
insolence or sloppy behavior from crew under his
8 command, seeing this as insulting to himself, and
combat and rally his allies to focus on that target.
Zugok and his allies gain a +1 bonus on attack
and damage rolls against the target. A creature
he is happy to bang heads together to ‘correct’ the
can benefit from only one Freebooter’s Bane at a
situation. However, Zugok doesn’t hold a grudge time. This effect ends if Zugok is incapacitated.
and leaves it to the ship’s officers to determine the Tactics
punishment for a crewmember’s transgressions. During Combat. Zugok uses freebooter’s bane to pick
out a foe to tackle, directing any pirates under his
ZUGOK command to gang up on this target. He also uses
Medium humanoid (half-orc), neutral his Dazzling Display feat to intimidate a group of
Armor Class 14 (studded leather) enemies, softening them up for his crewmates.
Hit Points 45 (10d8)
Speed 30 ft. The Cutthroats
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha The following stat blocks represent an assortment
16 (+3) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 13 (+1)
of nefarious villains of ill repute that populate
Skills Acrobatics +4, Intimidation +3, Perception +3 the Pirate Isles. They can be used separately as
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13 challenging NPCs, or they can be used in concert
Languages Common, Orc as allies of Harkka Rustfang, the hobgoblin
224
wereshark chieftain, as he follows the plot hooks The Cutthroats
you have chosen for involving the weresharks in CR Name C ampaign Role
the campaign. The weresharks may work in concert 7 Barassa Kraal Witch doctor
with non-lycanthropic pirates, or with hostile and diviner
of the dead
aquatic races like the sahuagin.
11 Harkka Wereshark
Barassa Kraal, the witch doctor Rustfang chieftain
9 Sedale Saboteur and
Barassa Kraal serves an ambiguous role, as he can "Landshark" spy on shore
be a source of information about Harkka Rustfang Silvertooth
and his pack of weresharks, and about pirate history 8 Wereshark Battle leaders
bloodriders and hunters
and lore in general. He can interpret treasure maps
8 Wereshark Battle priests
or perform divinations for them in exchange for
shamans and spies
a share of their treasure, though he is often less
interested in gold than in interesting historical
artifacts or funerary relics, whether from ancient
island civilizations or from noteworthy pirates that
have met their end. He has no particular allegiance
to the party or to the weresharks, willing to sell Barassa can also serve the role of an unambiguous
any information he possesses to the highest bidder. enemy, someone holding a rare treasure the PCs
He is equally happy to direct the party toward the might seek, and overcoming him and recovering
known hideouts and hunting grounds of Harkka's this item may be the event that triggers the hunt
crew, and could even sponsor a mission to negotiate of Harkka Rustfang, who had his own designs on
with or destroy the weresharks in the hope of Barassa's treasure. Barassa could be encountered in
retrieving something stolen by them, but he has league with Sedale the "Landshark" plotting some
no loyalty to the party and, once having gained a mischief together, possibly bringing back undead
bit of their trust, could just as well betray them to
Harkka and his gang.
versions of former enemies of the PCs left for dead
in their wake but now brought back to horrific
8
If PCs have played any of the Islands of Plunder unlife.
series of adventures from Legendary Games, Barassa
BARASSA KRAAL, THE WITCH DOCTOR
can serve as a linking element between those
Medium humanoid (human), neural evil
adventures or between them and the core narrative Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
of the Pirate Adventure Path. He can alert the party Hit Points 84 (13d8 + 26)
to seekers of vengeance, or tip them off to potential Speed 20 ft.
pursuers seeking revenge or opportunities to make Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
a name for themselves. Of course, he is only too 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+1) 11 (+0)
happy to place those pursuers on their trail. As the
Saving Throws Int +5, Wis +4
PCs make a name for themselves in the Pirate Isles,
Skills Arcana +5, History +5
they will attract all manner of attention, and an
Senses passive Perception 11
unsavory character like Barassa Kraal can provide Languages Abyssal, Common, Infernal
valuable assistance with a hint of danger.
225
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Reach Spell. All of Barassa’s prepared spells with
a range of Touch instead have a 30-foot range.
Charnel Manuscript. The soot-black covers of
this large book are crinkled and creased like the
face of a withered crone. The tome’s pages are
of stiff bone-white parchment but dark dried
bloodstains splatter the edges of the pages. The
first half of the manuscript is written in a neat
flowing script with several clinical discourses on
the processes of reanimating corpses. The style
of handwriting as well as the nature of the spells
changes abruptly in the middle of the manuscript
and there are short notes in the margins in the
newer handwriting on how to use certain spells as
part of torture regime. The Charnel Manuscript has
the following necromantic spells that Barassa can
cast innately, requiring no material components:
1/day each: blight, circle of death, false
life, ray of sickness, ray of enfeeblement,
animate dead, vampiric touch
Spellcasting. Barassa is an 8th-level spellcaster.
His spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell
save DC 13, +4 to hit with spell attacks).
Barassa has the following spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, light,
guidance, message, true strike
1st level (4 slots): decompose corpse (see page
37), inflict wounds, mage armor, restore corpse
2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts*,
locate object*, scorching ray
3rd level (3 slots): clairvoyance*, fly, bestow curse
8 4th level (2 slots): air walk (see page
34), black spot (see page 35),
skeleton crew (see page 45)
* Divination spell of 1st level or higher
Macabre Revival (1/Day). By drawing on
the dark powers that created the charnel
manuscript Barassa can instill an unholy
potency into a spell that creates undead
creatures. Undead created by a spell enhanced
with this ability have maximum hit points.
Actions
Finely Crafted Heavy Mace. Melee Weapon
Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4
(1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage, or 5 (1d8 + 1)
bludgeoning damage if used with two hands.
Reactions
Revelation (Recharges after Barassa casts a
divination spell of 1st level or higher). When
Barassa is targeted by an attack that uses a
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to-hit roll he knows what the attack is and Rage. Once per turn, Harkka can deal an
may either take advantage on the related extra 17 (5d6) damage to a creature
saving throw or cast a spell as a reaction. he hits with a weapon attack.
Tactics Scarification. While Harkka is wearing no
Before Combat Barassa casts air walk armor and wielding no shield, his AC includes
and mage armor before battle. his Constitution modifier (included).
During Combat Barassa uses his attack Sea Frenzy. While mounted on a creature that has a
spells to disable his enemies. He also uses swim speed all damage Harkka does with a melee
his Reach Spell trait in combination with weapon is increased by 1 die (for example, 1d8
bestow curse or his inflict spells. becomes 2d8). He may use one of Naanee’s melee
attack options as part of His Multiattack action.
Harkka Rustfang, wereshark chieftain Shapechanger. Harkka, is a wereshark and can
use its action to polymorph into a Large shark-
Scarred both long hours spent astride his titanic humanoid hybrid or into a hunter shark, or back
megalodon mount and by his vicious, bloodthirsty into its true form, which is humanoid. Its statistics,
other than its AC, and its size, are the same in each
gnawing upon his own flesh as he fights with form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t
reckless abandon, the lycanthropic lord Harkka transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Rustfang is a devastating combatant on land but Actions
nigh-unstoppable in the water. The statistics Multiattack. Harkka makes three melee attacks.
Alternatively, he can make two ranged attacks
for Harkka's shark mount, Naanee, include the
with his javelins. In hybrid form, he can
modifiers granted by Harkka raging while using substitute a bite for one melee weapon attack.
ferocious mount and greater ferocious mount rage Bite (Shark or Hybrid Form only). Melee
powers. Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.
HARKKA RUSTFANG, WERESHARK CHIEFTAIN If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed
Large humanoid (hobgoblin, on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or
shapechanger), lawful evil be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy.
Armor Class 16 (natural armor, scarification) Trident (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Melee
or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft.
Hit Points 230 (27d10 + 81)
or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4)
Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft. (in shark form only)
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
piercing damage, or 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage
if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
8
18 (+4) 14 (+2) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 15 (+2) Reckless Abandon (Recharges after a Short or Long
Rest). For 1 minute, Harkka gains advantage on
Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +5, Cha +6 attack rolls but grants advantage to attackers.
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +6 Reactions
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, Destroyer. As a reaction Harkka can make a melee
and slashing from nonmagical attacks attack against a creature he has dropped to 0
not made with silvered weapons hit points or when he has scored a critical hit.
Damage Resistance necrotic Mounted Warrior. As a reaction Harkka can halve the
Senses darkvision 60 ft., blindsense 30 ft. (shark damage of an attack that hits his mount Naanee.
or hybrid form only); passive Perception 15 Tactics
Languages Common, Goblin, Tribal Before Combat He drinks his potion of magic fang
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP) (this potion gives him an additional +1 to hit and
Amphibious. Harkka, as a wereshark, damage in shark or hybrid form for 1 minute).
can breathe air or water. During Combat If alerted, Harkka repeatedly
Blood Frenzy. Harkka, as a wereshark, has uses Sea Frenzy, charging against an enemy
advantage on melee attack rolls against any as often as he can, using Rage and Reckless
creature that doesn’t have all its hit points. Abandon. If prevented from charging, he
227
and his mount will move in for melee.
Morale Harkka never surrenders,
Sedale "Landshark" Silvertooth
fighting to the death.
Sedale Silvertongue is a distant cousin to chief
NAANEE MEGALODON MOUNT Harkka Rustfang, due to a rare intermarriage of
Gargantuan beast, unaligned goblin and hobgoblin, and while Sedale's family
Armor Class 16 (natural armor, was outcast from the goblin clans of the Pirate Isles
studded leather barding)
he has felt a certain kinship for the outcast Harkka,
Hit Points 232 (15d20+75)
shunned by most of his kin for his accursed state.
Speed 0 ft., swim 50 ft.
While not keen to accept the "gift of the blood
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
moon" as Harkka's close bloodriders have, he has
27 (+8) 14 (+2) 21 (+5) 1 (-5) 2 (+1) 10 (+0)
taken on a different role as the shorebound agent
Saving Throws Wis +5 of Chief Harkka, keeping his ear to the ground for
Skills Perception +5 rumors and stowing away aboard ships, engaging
Senses blindsight 60 ft.; passive Perception 15
in stealthy sabotage and poisoning to disable
Languages —
ships and their crews and leave them easy prey for
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Harkka's gang.
Blood Frenzy. Naanee has advantage on
melee attack rolls against any creature
SEDALE "LANDSHARK" SILVERTOOTH
that doesn’t have all its hit points.
Small humanoid (goblin), lawful evil
Water Breathing. Naanee can
breathe only underwater. Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Charge. If Naanee moves at least 20 feet straight Hit Points 55 (10d6 + 20)
toward a creature and then hits it with a bite Speed 30 ft.
attack on the same turn, that target must succeed Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be knocked 7 (-2) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 7 (-2) 8 (-1)
prone. If the target is prone, Naanee can make
one bite attack against it as a bonus action. Skills Perception +2
Actions Damage Immunities poison
228
vomit swarm (see page 48)
3rd level (3 slots): fly, lightning bolt,
Wereshark Bloodrider
thorn body (see page 46)
These vicious sea hunters are a menace both
4th level (3 slots): black tentacles,
above and below the waves, astride their great
greater invisibility
5th level (2 slots): cloudkill hammerhead sharks (treat as a giant shark but with
Actions AC 15 due to leather barding) and bringing doom to
Multiattack. Sedale throws a bomb of his choice those trying to stand against them. The statistics
and then can use a cantrip. He may use the bombs for their shark mounts include the modifiers
listed below or use his alchemist extract trait. granted by their rider raging while using ferocious
Spiked Gauntlet. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack:
mount and greater ferocious mount rage powers.
+6 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target.
Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage, and the target
WERESHARK BLOODRIDER
must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw,
taking 24 (7d6) poison damage on a failed save, Medium humanoid (hobgoblin,
or half as much damage on a successful one. shapechanger), lawful evil
Bomb. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range Armor Class 15 (natural armor, scarification)
15/25 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (5d6) fire damage at Hit Points 142 (19d8 + 57)
the start of each of the target’s turns. A creature Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft. (in shark form only)
can end this damage by using its action to make a Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
DC 10 Dexterity check to extinguish the flames.
16 (+3) 13 (+1) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 6 (-3)
Tanglefoot Bomb. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6
to hit, range 5/20 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d6) Skills Perception +5, Stealth +7
piercing damage and the target is restrained
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing,
for 1 minute. A creature restrained by the
and slashing from nonmagical attacks
tanglefoot bomb can use its action to make a DC
not made with silvered weapons
16 Strength check. On a success, it frees itself.
Damage Resistance necrotic
Force Bomb. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range
5/20 ft., one target and all targets within 10 ft. Hit: Senses darkvision 60 ft., blindsense 30 ft. (shark
12 (5d4) force damage, and the target must make a or hybrid form only); passive Perception 15
DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone. Languages Common, Goblin
Tactics
Before Combat. When encountered, Sedale has
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Amphibious. Wereshark bloodriders
can breathe air or water.
8
already cast mage armor. If he expects combat is
likely to occur, he also uses greater invisibility. Blood Frenzy. Wereshark bloodriders have
During Combat. Sedale uses thorn body (which advantage on melee attack rolls against any
he calls "sharkteeth skin" and can cast as a creature that doesn’t have all its hit points.
3rd-level spell) before entering combat and Rage. Once per turn, a wereshark bloodrider
begins hurling bombs, starting with force can deal an extra 14 (4d6) damage to a
bombs and tanglefoot bombs to immobilize creature he hits with a weapon attack.
enemies. He uses vomit swarm against groups Scarification. While a wereshark bloodrider
of enemies, especially those unable to move, is wearing no armor and wielding no shield,
and uses fly to get around obstacles. his AC includes his Constitution modifier.
Morale. If brought below 20 hit points, Sea Frenzy. While mounted on a creature that has a
Sedale flees using nimble escape combined swim speed all damage the wereshark bloodrider
with either, fly, greater invisibility, or does with a melee weapon is increased by 1 die
touch of the sea as appropriate. (for example, 1d8 becomes 2d8). The wereshark
bloodrider’s mount cannot be targeted separately
while mounted and may use a melee attack as part
of the wereshark bloodrider’s Multiattack action.
Shapechanger. A wereshark bloodrider and can
229
piercing damage, or 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage
if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Javelin (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only).
Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit,
reach 10 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Reckless Abandon (Recharges after a Short
or Long Rest). For 1 minute, a wereshark
bloodrider gains advantage on attack
rolls but grants advantage to attackers.
Wereshark shaman
While all lycanthropes have a certain
affinity for their animalistic side,
these shark shamans take that
communion to an incredible depth.
The blood of the shark flows in their
veins, the selfsame sharks they worship
as a thing divine.
WERESHARK SHAMAN
Medium humanoid (hobgoblin,
shapechanger), chaotic evil
Armor Class 13 in humanoid form,
14 (natural armor) in shark or hybrid
form (16 With barkskin in all forms)
Hit Points 90 (12d8 + 36)
Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft. (in shark form only)
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
use its action to polymorph
8 into a shark-humanoid hybrid or into a hunter
shark, or back into its true form, which is
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 8 (-2)
humanoid. Its statistics, other than its AC, Perception +6, Stealth +5
and its size, are the same in each form. Any
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing,
equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t
and slashing from nonmagical attacks
transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
not made with silvered weapons
Actions
Senses blindsense 30 ft. (shark or hybrid
Multiattack. A wereshark bloodrider makes three form only); passive Perception 16
melee attacks. Alternatively, it can make two
Languages Aquan, Common, Druidic, Goblin
ranged attacks with its javelins. In hybrid form, it
can substitute a bite for one melee weapon attack. Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Bite (Shark or Hybrid Form only). Melee Amphibious. The wereshark shaman
Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one can breathe air or water.
target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage. Blood Frenzy. The wereshark shaman has
If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed advantage on melee attack rolls against any
on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or creature that doesn’t have all its hit points.
be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy. Shapechanger. The wereshark shaman can use
Trident (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Melee its action to polymorph into a shark-humanoid
or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft. hybrid or into a hunter shark, or back into its true
or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 3) form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than
230
its AC, and its size, are the same in each form. on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or
Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy.
transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Shillelagh (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only).
Spellcasting. The wereshark shaman is an 8th-level Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5
spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Wisdom ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning
(spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). damage and 10 (3d6) poison damage.
He has the following druid spells prepared: Summon Elemental (1/Day). The wereshark shaman
Cantrips (at will): druidcraft, poison magically summons a water elemental. The
spray (2d12 damage), shillelagh summoned elemental appears in an unoccupied
1st level (4 slots): entangle, longstrider, hydraulic space within 60 feet of its summoner and acts
push (see page 40), thunderwave as an ally of its summoner. It remains for 10
2nd level (3 slots): barkskin, pernicious poison minutes, until it or its summoner dies, or until
(see page 40), slipstream (see page 45) its summoner dismisses it as an action.
3rd level (3 slots): call lightning, Tactics
conjure animals, tidal wave Before Combat Wereshark shamans often
4th level (2 slots): freedom of patrol wild shaped into the form of 6-inch-
movement, watery sphere long Tiny cat sharks (treat as a quipper).
Actions During Combat Wereshark shamans remain wild
shaped, using tidal wave to capsize boats or
Multiattack (Hybrid form only). In humanoid form,
submerge flying enemies, then using conjure
the wereshark shaman makes two shillelagh
animals to summon 4 reef sharks to flank with
attacks. In hybrid form, he can substitute
their allies and block enemy movement. They use
a bite for one melee weapon attack.
pernicious poison early in a fight, followed by
Bite (Shark or Hybrid Form only). Melee poison spray (and summoning giant lizards rather
Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one than sharks if fighting on or near land). If combat
target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage. is imminent, they cast barkskin before resuming
If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed hybrid form, using their poisoned shillelagh.
231
C ha p t e r 9 : This is the domain of the greatest of Pirate
Captains, and the Pirate Kings and Queens!
Here lie their personal ships, their treasure
of
maps, and their hidden treasures, ready for you
Pi e c e s
to drop into your campaign whenever you need
an extra splash of nautical flavor!
E i g ht
232
Captain Beryl
A privateer rather than a true pirate, this blue-
skinned and water-souled undine assumed the role
of captain after her mother died. She was trained
as the ship medic to ensure her survival if she
ever was captured, and she has mastered the fine
points of commerce from accounting and finance
to contract lawyering, ensuring she had all the
tools she would need to make sure she doesn't get
cheated of ay payments owed to her and her crew.
Of course, she wields her words and writs like
weapons, making sure that any contracts she signs
with others always lead to her advantage, just as
her mother taught her. After all, piracy need not be
at the point of a sword. Beryl is easily irritated, as
she carries a great deal of stress from handling so
many different jobs and also dealing with the often-
uneducated louts in her crew, yet she truly cares
about each one of them. While never a slave herself,
most of her crew were enslaved in the past, and she 9
despises those who would steal the freedom of their
fellow sentient beings. She carries her medical bag
with her at all times, along with her charts, maps,
and ledgers, just in case.
233
Captain Falthren
Pullusilva
Falthren Pullusilva is the “black sheep” of the
Pullusilva Royal House of the hidden kingdom
known as the Shrouded Vale. Falthren is a very
gifted wizard of modest height and slight build,
standing 5’6” tall with violet eyes and raven-black
hair that shines silvery in bright light. He always
keeps himself well-dressed, to an almost foppish
extent, favoring blues and blacks accented by silver
embroidery and jewelry, especially a silver ring
bearing sapphire carved into a minotaur skull on
his right index finger. This ring grants Falthren the boots, loose-fitting pants striped in red and white,
ability to change into a hulking minotaur, the form a thick belt with a sapphire buckle, and a black vest
he most often uses in public view. and coat. He has many rings on his fingers and has
As Falthren is a wanted “man,” he has taken to the his elven longsword at his waist as well as a two-
seas as the Pirate Lord “the Ole Sea Bull.” As the handed axe on his back that most profess they have
Bull, Falthren is a huge grey minotaur with piercing never seen the Ole Bull use.
red eyes and multiple scars. He wears thick black The Ole Sea Bull’s ship is a massive 4-decked,
5-masted galleon named the Raging Bull. While
impressive in its own right as a heavily armed
ship of the line, Falthren also has enchanted his
otherwise spartan captain’s chamber in the transom.
Opening his armoire and speaking the command
word activates a door to a small demiplane large
enough to hold Falthren’s most prized loot and his
true private quarters. When he enters this plane,
9 Falthren creates an illusory image of the Ole Sea
Bull sleeping or looking at map muttering to himself
so that the ruse is never dropped. His enchantments
also extend to the ship’s propulsion system, as
there are two compartments on the lowest deck
that house two water elementals that can drive the
ship through the water when becalmed and keep it
afloat even in the harshest conditions.
Each level of the ship is well appointed for the
crew, as he believes treating them fairly and well
ensures that they never feel the need to mutiny
or leave the service of the Sea Bull. He is strict
but fair, quick to mete out punishment for crimes
234
9
against the crew and their cause but just as quick are trying to right a wrong or are trying to atone
to divvy out treasure to his crew – sometimes even for past sins – as far as pirates and sea rogues go.
more treasure than his share! The crew is told that However, he always keeps at least one halfling chef
we do not murder and only kill as a last resort. aboard to prepare the best meals for him and the
The crew is mix of all races and cultures, but, crew and as a reminder of the happier moments of
Falthren tries his hardest to only recruit sailors his misspent youth in the Shrouded Vale.
and officers that have some sense of nobility and
235
Captain
“Firehawk”
Dante
The Firehawk pirates were born in blood
and fire, in a slave uprising aboard
an exotic merchant ship, The Glorious
Phoenix. Its grandiose name and its
outwardly luxurious appointments gave
the appearance of a decadent pleasure
craft, but its holds were filled to bursting
with illicit humanoid cargo being carried to
the slave markets and flesh pits of the wealthy
and unscrupulous. On its final voyage, however,
the captives turned the tables on their captors
under the leadership of Dante, a fire-blooded ifrit
whose tactical brilliance and unmatched courage
in the face of desperate odds was able to help the
slaves win the day and their freedom.
Electing Dante as their captain, the survivors
branded themselves the Firehawk Pirates and they
236
Pirates can make for a powerful ally or a can make sandbars of a river delta, along a swift-flowing
an extremely deadly adversary. Their primary target river tumbling down from mountains towering
currently is the vicious city-state of Port Piriean, over the town. Ruled by a tyrannical upper class
the so-called “City of Chains,” a large forge town driven by greed and the belief that they’re superior
that has been the chief arms manufacturer for most to the working class, which they treat like slaves,
of the pirate isles. Port Piriean is has proved very the Firehawk Pirates see reducing Port Piriean as a
difficult to assault, its approaches guarded by vast key linchpin in their campaign to unleash freedom
and trackless mangrove swamps and the shifting in the pirate archipelagos.
237
Captain Grillana
Skitterdown
This wererat gnome pirate commands the ship
Black Swarm. She leads a crew of ratfolk pirates,
dire rats, rat swarms, and a rat-king on raiding
everything from large merchant vessels to small
fishing boats, “just to keep things interesting!” Her
flag is red with a fierce black rat in the center.
Captain Jonathon
Wilder
Jonathon Wilder was once just another
traveling dilettante, the scion of a minor
noble line who loved to travel wherever
his wanderlust took him. A tall male
half-elf, he is always well dressed in
black and purple attire, stylish yet
seaworthy, his unruly brown hair
often needs to be brushed aside from
his green eyes to reveal his winning
smile. Despite the roughness of the
seagoing life he often adopted, he
always maintained himself as friendly,
charming, and trustworthy.
Things changed on a fateful voyage as a
passenger aboard the Evening Dream, when the
238
9
surviving crew called for a mutiny and marooned be willing to keep him and the other experienced
the old captain at their next landfall, while inviting sailors on board to show him the ropes. Captain
Jonathan to take the tiller and lead them. Wilder agreed, reluctantly at first, though he soon
He at first tried to dissuade them from appointing found his partnership with William an ideal pairing
him as captain, still thinking of himself as not a of his youthful charisma and wit, his intuitive grasp
true man of the sea. Yet, the second in command of tactics, and the boundless depth of experience of
and first mate, William, voiced his support for his second in command when it came to the sea and
Jonathan on the condition that the young man all its manifold mysteries.
239
Captain Josiah merchants carrying a cargo of adamantine weapons,
240
9
and prone to foundering. Instead, they
strategically replaced metal fittings
and joints with adamantine alloys for
strength and installed cladding along
the prow, the keel, the hull, and the rudder to help
the ship deflect hostile fire and survive collisions.
In fact, its strength proved so formidable that Josiah
now bears down on his foes to ram with abandon,
letting loose broadsides from his 20 guns aboard as
his ship passes by or even through any vessel in its
path.
241
Captain Lorros a corrupt cook, a brutal bosun, and a nefarious
242
including wearing his brocade
jacket, a collection of tricornes
(mostly taken from rival pirates
whose ships he has taken), and a
blue and gold macaw he named
Milo, after the one friend among
his press-ganged companions who
was keelhauled for bringing Lorros
food and water when he was in the
hot box for disobedience. He also
collects jewelry and trinkets with
nautical themes, from grotesque Lovecraftian idols
from sunken cities to whimsical mermaid necklaces
and octopus rings, but these quirks are merely his
way of poking fun at the trappings of the pirate life.
As a captain, he is coolly deadly with cutlass and
flintlocks leading his crew into battle, and few have
bested him at sea once he has the weather gage.
243
Captain Mergar for a destiny of greatness. Much to his surprise, his
244
Unlike many famous captains, Mergar does not
have a single ship that carries his flag. Because of his
seeming immortality, he has survived shipwrecks that
have killed everyone else aboard, yet ever he returns
to seek his path. He has used many ships over
the years, and often strikes bargains with
other captains
to commandeer
their vessels for a
short period on a
particular mission,
moving on to a new ship after his latest
prize is gained. His current obsession is
9
in the far northern seas, where he has been
seeking signs for the legendary icerigger called the
Ice Cat, a magical skate-skimmer designed to speed across the
endless ice sheets of the polar reaches. Crewed by a family of catfolk
with an intelligent ice golem helmsman, this magical ice vessel
streaks with uncanny speed across not only smooth ice
fields but even up and down icy slopes and vast snowy
landscapes. Their crew is generally more interested in
food and fellowship than pillage and plunder, willing to bargain with their targets and rarely leaving
anyone entirely destitute in their wake, but Mergar has plans of his own if he can seize this eldritch vessel
and take it for his own.
245
Captain Sayar
9
the Short
All great captains of the seas crave a kind of
immortality, whether through fame or infamy. Some
are great explorers, some notorious blackguards,
and some are famous for the treasures or mysteries
himself. Any oddball story about a crazy captain
they leave behind. So it is with the strange case
might be attributed to him, but rather than being
of Sayar the Short, a bombastic and eccentric
the butt of jokes more often than not through luck,
maritime man in miniature who always claimed
pluck, cleverness, and impeccable timing he always
he was “half-halfling” and “a quarter copper,”
came out ahead, both in tales and in reality. By
claiming his marvelous mother and glorious gran
the time of his mysterious disappearance, he had
had the blood of copper dragons running in their
amassed a considerable fortune that he hid away
veins. Quirky in the extreme, Sayar became a
in the Leviathan Hills after supposedly making a
source of jokes and tall tales, many spread by Sayar
deal with his dragon sires, though for decades no
246
one could ever figure out what he meant or where these tortoises are sentient and possessed of
it was. great wisdom and can be persuaded to share their
A few years ago, a drunken sailor staggered into knowledge, while others are simply secrets to be
a wharfside tavern buying drinks for everyone found. The treasures themselves are warded with
and boasting of having found a great treasure, the magical and mechanical traps of devious design, but
Loot of the Leviathan. He mysteriously died that the greater trap is that all of the treasure is keyed
very night sitting at the bar (some say poisoned), to the rest of it. As long as it remains scattered
and in his bag was found a corroded copper tube across the island, it poses no danger; however, as
marked with the sigil of Sayar the Short, and the treasures are brought together (even if placed
within a map of a semicircular island resembling a into an extradimensional space), the sympathetic
sleeping dragon. Here at last was a clue to the lost enchantment laid upon it grows in intensity and
trove of gold and jewels. A massive brawl erupted begins calling to a clockwork leviathan (or more
for possession of the map, with a number of people than one, if the party is high level) that lies dormant
present that night claiming to have escaped with it under the island, awakening it and drawing it to the
and now with several copies existing, though which collectors of Sayar’s treasure to destroy them and
is the real map and which are counterfeits drawn return to its lair.
from memory after a quick glance are hard to say. If the leviathan is activated, a venerable copper
The island itself is very much real, though the sea dragon (one of Sayar’s ancestors) may return within
nearby is shrouded in strange mirages of phantom a few days to the island to replace the treasure in
shoals and wandering whirlpools. Compasses and its hiding places, or one of the druids may take
sextants become unreliable near the island, and it it back. Some wonder whether one of the druids
is said that only by trusting to luck can a captain may even be the elderly Sayar himself in disguise,
get through to make landfall. The reefs and lagoons enjoying retirement on a beautiful tropic isle, with
around the island are thick with rare golden sea the occasional grand jest at the expense of those
turtles, each gleaming like polished metal. The who pursue greed and gold more highly than a good
streams and marshes of the island are likewise time.
thick with immense tortoises and savage snapping
turtles. These massive reptiles are tended by a Captain Trett
circle of wyrmtouched druids who have dwelt here
for ages tending this island as a sanctuary. They
This mysterious four-armed servant of the sea 9
gods is an extraterrestrial alien from a far-distant
are aware of Sayar’s treasure scattered around the
planet brought here through an interplanetary
island and can give clues to its locations if made
gateway when just a child by parents in search of
friendly, but they tend to observe intruders in
safety from a war-torn homeworld. Turned away
animal form rather than engaging them directly. If
as monsters from so-called civilized refuges, with
their reptilian charges are assaulted or the island
his mother nearly slain, the family found sanctuary
is despoiled by intruders, they strike back with
with a coastal community of aquatic half-elves, who
savage fury.
understood better than most their sense of isolation
Sayar left six separate caches of treasure around
and dislocation with nowhere truly being home.
the island, with riddles and clues to their locations
Trett came to venerate the gentle yet strong gods of
etched onto the backs of some of the ancient
sea and storm worshiped by their elven hosts, and
tortoises that crawl around the island. Some of
after seeking fame and fortune as an adventurer he
247
rose up to become a sailor and eventually a captain
in the royal navy, returning in uniform with some
satisfaction to several towns that had turned him
away as a refugee two decades before. After many
years sailing in service to his adopted country
and proving his worth time and again, Trett has
retired from active naval service, though remains
active in the ministry and as a daring protector of
his adopted home with trident and maul and his
trademark dolphin shield.
Captain Vivienne
Stormheart
Vivienne Stormheart was born into the wealthy but
staid Locke family but never shared a taste for the
family business. Accounting bored her to tears, and
warehousing and caravanning bulk commodities
on short-haul and long-haul trips with metronomic
monotomy drove her to distraction. She was
thankful for the opportunities and education her
family’s resources afforded her, but as she grew
into adulthood she could endure the tedium and
slowness no longer.
Stowing away with a routine expedition, Vivienne
made her way across the border and adopted a
new identity, cutting and coloring her long blonde
hair as she took up the mantle of Stormheart. She
9 worked a variety of jobs before apprenticing herself
to a traveling dueling master. After accompanying
him on his adventures for a time and learning all
she could, she set out to make her own fortune.
In doing this, she found great value in the lessons
learned from her family, balancing her freewheeling
impulses with a practiced eye that always counted
the cost and planned ahead, taking down enemies
who underestimated her skill and determination.
She took command of her first vessel on a mission
to liberate a slaver’s colony, putting their cages and
fighting pits to the torch and returning dozens of
prisoners to their homes. She earned the respect of
248
her crew for her courage and good heart, but also
their loyalty with the way she always was able to
balance altruism and pragmatism. A good deed may
be its own reward, but a bit of honest smuggling or
decently earned plunder is never to be disdained.
She and her crew aboard the cutter Deliverance
prize speed, stealth, and careful sailing to outrun
anything they can’t outgun, with a knack to get
in and out before they are detected. Establishing
her command and reputation, she returned and
reconciled with her family, offering occasional
assistance as a scout, escort, or courier for their
trade ships. She is now and forever her own woman,
though, a high-spirited freebooter whose seagoing
spirit is echoed in the singing and sword-swinging
siren figurehead that adorns her prow.
Don Miguel
Felipe Santiago
Don Miguel was raised on the streets, learning to his origins or maintain the charade? He played
feed himself and master the dangerous alleys and for time, parlaying his favor with the company
dark corners even as he protected and cared for for the opportunity to learn the family’s prized
his sickly mother. On her deathbed, she revealed fencing styles. His mixed feelings gave way to pure
the name of the father he had never known, being revulsion, however, when he discovered secret
outcast and abandoned for his bastard birth. With manifests and eventually lower holds full of slaves
a mixture of curiosity and anger, he sought his lost being carried by his “honorable” father’s trade ships.
heritage, burning to throw his hate in his father’s He had nearly believed their perfect façade, but on
teeth, and his search rapidly bore fruit when he seeing the cruel truth he stole back his inheritance, 9
encountered agents of the trading company that smuggling out incriminating documents along with
bore his father’s name: Velderve’s Travel & Trade. enough riches to set himself up as a freebooter in
Seizing his chance, he apprenticed with VT&T, his own right, using the training that VT&T had
learning the ropes first as a sailor and soon rising to provided to target their ships and bring ruin to the
quartermaster, earning the respect of his employers family he never had.
while quietly worming his way toward the trading Don Miguel has light brown hair, olive skin, dark
company’s leadership. eyes, and an athletic build and stoic demeanor, with
Six long years of work finally earned him the a vertical scar over his right eyebrow. He dresses
opportunity to receive a commendation and award comfortably but with an ostentatious belt buckle
directly from the hand of Master Guilder Velderve embedded with his father’s purloined signet ring.
himself, but on meeting his father and half-brothers His father’s stolen rapier likewise hangs at his side,
and half-sisters, he faltered. Should he reveal its jeweled hilt never far from his hand.
249
C ha p t e r 1 0 :
M o n st e r s
of the S e a
10
250
The 5th Edition Srd has no shortage of aquatic
Creatures by
creatures that are perfect for populating a nautical or
pirate campaign. These include a variety of modern
and prehistoric animals and beasts, which show off
Challenge
The following section lists all monsters included
the fascinating biodiversity of the real world, but
in this book, alphabetically by their Challenge.
also draw from the myths and legends of cultures
k 1/8: deep one hybrid cultist
all over the globe and the rich legacy of fantasy
k 1/4: deep one, draugr, electric eel,
invention, from merfolk and sahuagin to sea hags,
hippocampus, seaweed leshy
merrow, tritons, and massive apex predators like
k 1/2: adaro, merfolk guardian
the dragon turtle and kraken. The monsters in this
k 2: asquenti, benthonir, deep one bishop,
chapter provide even more versatility, bringing in
draugr captain, giant moray eel, namonti
creatures like the Norse fjord linnorm, the nereids
benthonir
of Greece, the adaro of the Solomon Islands, and
k 3: siren
the selkie of Scotland. Creatures of cosmic horror
k 4: adaro vortex-rider
abound in the sunken cities of the sea, and you can
k 5: bladefish, giant squid
populate them with deep ones and the star-spawn
k 6: dire seastar, selkie, wereshark
of Cthulhu, alongside creatures of classic fantasy
k 7: conch tree, nereid
like dragons, genies, hags, and elementals.
k 9: coral golem
251
Aboleth, Veiled human culture fell into ruins, the veiled masters
252
Actions
Multiattack. The veiled master makes
three tentacle attacks.
Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
20 ft. reach, one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4)
bludgeoning damage plus 21 (6d6) lightning
damage. If the target is a creature, it must
succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving
throw or become diseased. The disease
has no effect for 1 minute and can be
removed by any magic that cures disease.
After 1 minute, the diseased creature’s skin
becomes translucent and slimy, the creature
can’t regain hit points unless it is underwater,
and the disease can be removed only by heal
or another disease-curing spell of 6th level or
higher. When the creature is outside a body
of water, it takes 6 (1d12) acid damage every
10 minutes unless moisture is applied to
the skin before 10 minutes have passed.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, 10 ft. reach,
one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage.
If the target is a creature, it must succeed on
a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or suffer an
additional 27 (6d6 + 6) psychic damage as the
veiled master consumes its memories. The
target’s hit point maximum is reduced by an
amount equal to the psychic damage taken, and
the veiled master regains hit points equal to that
amount. The reduction lasts until the target finishes Legendary Actions
a long rest. If the target’s hit point maximum is
reduced to 0, it remains alive and conscious and is The veiled master can take 4 legendary actions,
treated as though it had 1 hit point, but it becomes choosing from the options below. Only one legendary
a mindless slave of the veiled master, as though action option can be used at a time and only at the
affected by the veiled master’s enslave ability.
end of another creature’s turn. The veiled master
Enslave (3/day). The veiled master targets one
creature it can see within 60 feet of it. The regains spent legendary actions at the start of its
target must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving turn.
throw or be magically charmed by the veiled k Detect. The veiled master makes a Wisdom
master until the veiled master dies or until it
is on a different plane of existence from the
target. The charmed target is under the veiled
(Perception) check.
k Mental Assault. The veiled master bombards 10
master’s control and can’t take reactions, and the the mind of a single creature within 60
veiled master and the target can communicate
feet with psychic static. That creature has
telepathically with each other over any distance.
Whenever the charmed target takes damage, the disadvantage on all d20 rolls it makes until
target can repeat the saving throw. On a success, the beginning of its next turn.
the effect ends. No more than once every 24 hours, k Psychic Drain (Costs 2 Actions). One creature
the target can also repeat the saving throw when
charmed by the veiled master takes 21 (6d6)
it is at least 1 mile away from the veiled master.
psychic damage, and the veiled master regains
hit points equal to the damage the creature
takes.
253
Stormchasers. Adaros’ strange relationship
with storms has intrigued scholars for
centuries. These sea-dwellers have a special
connection to the deadly creatures of the water
and the wildness of foul weather, and it is no
coincidence that they attack humanoids more
often during rough seas. Adaros are seminomadic
by nature; a tribe travels until it finds a suitable
hunting ground, and leaves either when its presence
becomes too well known or when its game runs
low.
An adaro is 7-1/2 feet long and weighs 250
pounds.
ADARO
Medium monstrosity, neutral evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 30 (4d10+8)
Speed 10 ft., swim 50 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
15 (+2) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 13 (+1)
254
Actions Actions
Multiattack. The adaro makes two spear attacks. Multiattack. The adaro makes two spear attacks.
It may substitute a bite for one spear attack. It may substitute a bite for one spear attack.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target, Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. one target, Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to
hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target, hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target,
Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage, or 6 (1d8 Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, or 7 (1d8
+ 2) piercing damage if used with two hands + 3) piercing damage if used with two hands
to make a melee attack, and the target must to make a melee attack, and the target must
succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw
or be poisoned for 1 minute. The poisoned or be poisoned for 1 minute. The poisoned
creature is paralyzed. The creature can repeat creature is paralyzed. The creature can repeat
the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, the saving throw at the end of each of its turns,
ending the effect on itself on a success. ending the effect on itself on a success.
Create Waterspout (1/Day). The adaro causes a
ADARO VORTEX-RIDER
swirling vortex of water to rise up out of any body
Medium monstrosity, neutral evil of water it is currently in. The water rises beneath
Armor Class 15 (natural armor) the adaro, lifting it up and providing it with a
Hit Points 120 (16d10+32) semi-stable platform of water. This waterspout
Speed 10 ft., swim 50 ft. allows the adaro to move above the surface of the
water as thought it has a fly speed of 20 ft., and
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha it can hover. As an action, the adaro can move
17 (+3) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 17 (+3) through the spaces of hostile creatures during
its turn, ending in an empty space. Any creature
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4 whose space the waterspout passes through,
Senses blindsense 30 ft., darkvision or that enters the area of the waterspout, must
60 ft.; passive Perception 13 make a DC 13 Strength saving throw. On a failed
Languages Aquan, Common saving throw, the target takes 7 (2d6) bludgeoning
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) damage and is hurled 1d4 x 5 feet in a random
direction into an empty space. The waterspout
Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If the adaro fails a
does not extend beneath the surface of the water.
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Once created, the waterspout lasts for 1 minute.
Poison Use. Adaros favor a paralytic toxin secreted
by the flying nettlefin pufferfish—a sticky
venom that doesn't wash away in water. Legendary Actions
Rain Frenzy. Adaros revere storms, and their lust for
An adaro vortex-rider can take 3 legendary
blood is amplified exponentially while it is raining.
While fighting in the rain or during other stormy actions, choosing from the options below. Only
weather, adaros have advantage on Strength saving one legendary action option can be used at a time
throws and saving throws against being frightened.
In such conditions, at the start of its turn, the
adaro can gain advantage on all melee weapon
and only at the end of another creature's turn. The
adaro regains spent legendary actions at the start
10
attack rolls during that turn, but attack rolls against of its turn.
it have advantage until the start of its next turn. k Detect. The adaro makes a Wisdom
An adaro gains this benefit even if it is underwater,
but only as long as it remains within one turn away (Perception) check.
from the water's surface (50 feet for most adaros). k Spear Attack. The adaro attacks once with its
Speak with Sharks. An adaro can communicate spear.
telepathically with sharks to a distance of 100 k Move (Costs 2 Actions). The adaro moves up
feet. This communication is limited to simple
concepts, such as "come," "defend," or "attack." to its speed without provoking opportunity
attacks.
255
Ape Str
30 (+10)
Dex Con I nt
14 (+2) 22 (+6) 2 (-4)
Wis
12 (+1)
Cha
7 (-2)
Sharp teeth fill this enormous ape's mouth, and Saving Throws Str +15, Con +11, Wis +6, Cha +3
its long, muscular arms stretch to the ground, Skills Acrobatics +7, Perception +6, Survival +6
ending in wickedly curved claws. These immense Senses passive Perception 16
apes are vastly more dangerous than their smaller Languages —
Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)
kin. They are highly territorial, attacking anything
Kaiju Killer. Against creatures of Huge or larger size,
that intrudes on its territory. It does not break the ape gains advantage on Wisdom (Survival)
off its attack until the trespassers flee, though it checks. Creatures with the kaiju or titan tag can
retains a special enmity for kaiju and other colossal never gain advantage against the ape while it is
not incapacitated, and the ape gains advantage
creatures. Such oversized enemies constitute a
on all saving throws against such creatures.
threat and a challenge to the ape’s dominance and Maim. If the ape hits with two fist attacks agaisnt
must be driven out. Colossal apes sometimes bellow, the same target on its turn, the target must make
roar, and rage before attacking if trying to drive a DC 23 Constitution saving throw. On a failed
save, the target gains one level of exhaustion.
enemies away, but if they sense real danger they
Actions
leap to attack without warning or provocation. If a
Multiattack. The ape makes two fist attacks.
colossal ape is stymied by a heavily armored foe, it
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 20
attempts to grapple its foe. ft., one target, Hit: 32 (4d10 + 10) bludgeoning
damage, and a target of Large or smaller size
COLOSSAL APE is grappled (escape DC 25). The ape has two
Gargantuan beast, unaligned fists, each of which can grapple one target.
Armor Class 15 (natural armor) Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +15 to hit,
Hit Points 297 (18d20+108) range 100/200 ft., one target. Hit: 38 (8d6
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft. + 10) bludgeoning damage. If the target
is a creature, it must succeed on
a DC 23 Strength saving throw
or be knocked prone.
Fling. One Large or smaller object
held or creature grappled by the ape
is thrown up to 60 feet in a random
direction and knocked prone. If a thrown
target strikes a solid surface, the target
takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage for
every 10 feet it was thrown. If the target is
256
Asquenti asquenti have an innate distrust of land dwellers.
Persistent peaceful overtures can overcome this
Asquenti live in the shallow and upper reaches of distrust, especially in the asquenti who fail to
the world’s oceans, using their innate sense of the succumb to their biochemical drives.
waters around them to hunt for prey with their A typical asquenti stands 7 feet tall and weighs
sonic lance. Once a foe is stunned, asquenti swarm 500 pounds.
them and finish them off with pincers, hoping to
ASQUENTI
keep them stunned and non-resistant. As apex
Medium monstrosity, neutral
predators, they have undisputed dominance of Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
their territories. Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18)
Asquenti colonies can have several thousand Speed 20 ft., swim 60 ft.
residents, and create wondrous coral cities, coaxing Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
the living coral into useful structures. Scholars 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
and technologists use a combination of subsonic
Skills Nature +2, Survival +3
frequencies and their knowledge of the
Damage Resistances thunder
marine world to rapidly increase coral
Senses darkvision 60 ft., incredible
growth and grow buildings in a matter sight, passive Perception 11
of weeks. Asquenti colonies regularly Languages Asquenti, Aquan
patrol their territories, ensuring their Challenge 2 (450 XP)
food isn’t poached by others, as well as Incredible Sight. The asquenti’s
eyes pick up colors well
looking out for kraken agents lurking in
beyond human range,
the depths. and it can see perfectly
Toxin Intolerance. Their in all light conditions.
sense of the natural As long as it is not
blinded, it is treated
world around them is as if it has blindsight
particularly sensitive out to 60 feet.
to foreign technological or Water Breathing.
magical pollutants. Not only The asquenti can
breathe only underwater.
do these threaten their habitat
Actions
and their food sources, but an
Multiattack. The asquenti makes
excess of pollutants in their waters two attacks with its claws.
catalyzes biochemical reactions in
asquenti. These changes affect their
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack. +4
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
10
5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage
psychology to be more militant, and
Sonic Lance. Ranged Weapon Attack.
inflame their passions, causing them to attack the +4 to hit, range 100 ft., one target.
cause of the disruption. While this doesn’t turn Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) thunder damage, and the
asquenti into mindless killing machines, it does target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution
saving throw or be stunned for 1 round.
strengthen their martial instincts, causing most
Sonic Pincer. Melee Weapon Attack. +4 to hit,
asquenti to become aggressive to all outsiders. Most reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) bludgeoning
asquenti assume land dwellers pollute their waters, damage plus 5 (1d6 + 2) thunder damage, and
and even when their home waters are pristine, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution
saving throw or be stunned for 1 round.
257
Benthonir Human Mimic benthonirs look like incomplete
human beings, wrinkled as their flesh constantly
Endemic to deepest parts of the ocean, benthonir melts and reforms, but could be mistaken for elderly
are transparent humanoids with an undifferentiated humans in poor light. They have a land speed of 30
biology. Each drop of the condensed slime that feet and a swim speed of 20 feet.
makes up a benthonir's body is interchangeable Namonti benthonirs look like asquenti and can
with the rest so long as enough of the body remains only be distinguished with a cursory medical
viable to maintain life. This extends to the beginning examination (Wisdom (Medicine) DC 10) or scoring
of their lives, with vast fields of benthonir buds a critical hit on them in combat. They also possess
growing on the walls of ocean trenches. the base asquenti pincer, sonic lance, and sonic
Kraken Cultists. Vast schools of benthonir gather pincer attacks rather than their claw and bite.
in the trenches. There they worship the krakens
BENTHONIR
they believe created them from the lesser creatures
Medium monstrosity, neutral
of the trenches and, at the krakens' behest, wage war Armor Class 13
on the asquenti realms above. In their pantheon, Hit Points 71 (11d8 + 22)
the krakens only bend knee to the even greater Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
Vulnatatoa. Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Mutations. With their great numbers and ever- 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 9 (-1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
shifting form, it comes as no surprise that the
Skills Athletics +5, Stealth +5
benthonir are susceptible to a wide variety of
Damage Immunities cold
mutations. Few surface dwellers have seen a normal
Senses blindsense 30 ft., darkvision
benthonir and fewer still recognize them as kin 60 ft., passive Perception 10
to the mutants who can be found on the surface. Languages Aquan, Benthoniri
Thankfully for surface dwellers, the benthonir can Challenge 2 (450 XP)
only bud in the trenches, leaving the surface as yet Regeneration. The benthonir regains 5 hit points at
the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
uninvaded.
Water Breathing. The benthonir can breathe air and
Fire Shark benthonirs have red coloration that
water. Additionally, a benthonir can freely cast
gathers in scales over their transparent flesh. This spells and use other abilities while submerged.
appearance grants them advantage on Dexterity Actions
(Stealth) checks while in the vast kelp jungles below Multiattack. The benthonir makes two attacks:
he waves. They are also immune to fire rather than one with its bite and one with its claw.
258
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
14 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 9 (-1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
Bone Ship They often trail their quarry for days, relishing
the terror their sudden appearance on the horizon 10
Predators of the oceans, the hulking undead causes, and have even been known to continue the
monstrosities known as bone ships leave devastation chase on land, the many bones of their hulls pulling
in their bloody wakes. Formed from the collective them over the ground. Bone ships do not care for
consciousnesses of dead sailors bound within the plunder, seeking only to add more victims to their
bleached bones of giant aquatic creatures, bone unholy crews.
ships hunt the seas without mercy, destroying The creation of a bone ship can occur in many
ships and slaying the living wherever they are different ways. Some bone ships arise as servants of
encountered. Bone ships stalk their prey with evil gods, pawns to their vile wills. Certain powerful
tenacious intelligence and single-minded purpose. necromantic rituals can also create bone ships. Such
259
rituals typically require those performing them to kind. Merely attempting to communicate with
sacrifice dozens of humanoid creatures and trap the a bone ship is dangerous, as even such means as
victims' souls. Other bone ships result from ships telepathy produce only the howling voices of the
being destroyed in horrific and catastrophic events. suffering, ghostly crew, spreading their insanity to
The souls of the sailors who died in such a disaster, those foolish enough to contact them.
unable to find peace, slowly form a bone ship on the Modular Shape. Though a bone ship is a single
ocean's bottom before rising to the surface to take creature, the numerous souls it contains create a
vengeance on the living. No matter how they're hive mind. A bone ship can reshape certain aspects
created, bone ships retain jumbled memories of the of its hull by using its knotted muscle to move the
previous lives of the souls bound to them—though bones within it. This transformative ability allows
all bone ships attack any creatures they encounter, a bone ship to quickly sprout cannons from its hull
each ship's unique origin and collection of souls that can attack in any direction, and each ship keeps
burns a particular objective into its very nature. A a collection of bones and debris within its own
bone ship created by an evil god might target ships body to use as ammunition. It can also tap into the
bearing the flags of an opposing faith or enemy of unholy energy giving it unlife to fire a devastating
that god, while a bone ship created in a ritual is beam of negative energy at its enemies, and those
ingrained with a specific purpose that forces it to who close with a bone ship find that even its hull
enact its creator's will. Certain bone ships viciously has the ability to drain away life force.
target ships from one or more nations, either those
BONE SHIP
from the dead sailors' former nation if they seek
Gargantuan undead, chaotic evil
revenge, or those from a rival nation the sailors Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
hated in life. Hit Points 297 (17d20+119)
Over time, legends and stories about a bone ship's Speed swim 60 ft.
capacity for destruction arise. A bone ship never Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
takes a name for itself but living sailors may ascribe 28 (+9) 16 (+3) 24 (+7) 11 (+0) 17 (+3) 19 (+4)
it an epithet based on its origin, purpose, unique
Saving Throws Str +15, Con +13, Wis +9
characteristics, or notable attacks. Though all
Damage Resistances necrotic
bone ships possess the same abilities, a particular
Damage Immunities poison
bone ship can be identified by its hunting area and Condition Immunities charmed,
appearance. Bone ships eventually display certain exhausted, frightened, poisoned
unique features such as glowing barnacles that Senses darkvision 100 ft.; passive Perception 13
260
when the bone ship is in the water. throw or take 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.
Bound Souls. The souls of numerous sailors and Bone Cannon. Ranged Weapon Attack: +15
sea creatures form the bone ship's collective to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target, Hit:
consciousness and hull. A bone ship is immune 30 (6d6+9) bludgeoning damage. The
to spells and effects affecting a specific number cannons are considered to be part of the
of creatures. Any creature attempting to bone ship and not separate objects.
communicate with a bone ship, such as through Ghostly Boarders (Recharge 6). The bone ship
telepathy, hears only the anguished cries of the disgorges the souls of the sailors bound within it.
imprisoned souls and must succeed at a DC 18 The ghostly boarders appear as spectral entities
Wisdom save or contract long-term madness. and slaughter all living creatures in a 60-foot
Turn Resistance. The bone ship has advantage on sphere around the bone ship. Each creature in
saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
Unholy Repair. By spending 1 full day inactive,
that area must make a DC 18 Constitution saving
throw. A target takes 28 (8d6) necrotic damage
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
10
the bone ship can heal itself to full hit points
successful one. Creatures reduced to 0 hit points
by scavenging the bones of dead sea creatures
in this manner are killed, their souls dragged into
within a 10-mile radius, pulling the bones up
the bone ship, and can be restored to life only by
from the bottom of the ocean to join its hull.
a wish spell, or if the bone ship is destroyed.
Actions Spectral Energy Cannon (Recharge 4–6).The bone
Multiattack. The bone ship attacks ship can combine all four of its bone cannons into
four times with bone cannons. a spectral energy cannon, blasting a line 100 feet
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, long and 5 feet wide. Each creature in the line must
reach 5 ft., one target, Hit: 45 (8d8+9) make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw. A creature
bludgeoning damage, and the target must takes 63 (18d6) necrotic damage on a failed save,
succeed at a DC 18 Constitution saving or half as much damage on a successful one.
261
Charybdis CHARYBDIS
Gargantuan aberration, unaligned
Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
Sailors tell many tales of the creatures of the deep, Hit Points 351 (18d20+162)
from the terrible kraken to the beautiful mermaid. Speed 20 ft., swim 50 ft.
Yet few are stranger or more feared than the dread Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
charybdis, for it exists to capture ships, crack them 30 (+10) 9 (-1) 28 (+9) 4 (-3) 15 (+2) 6 (-2)
open like nuts, and feast on the doomed sailors
Saving Throws Str +16, Dex +5, Cha +4
within. So legendary are these violent attacks that
Skills Athletics +16, Perception +6
many sailors have come to view the charybdis not
Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing,
as a species of aberrant life, but as the vengeful and slashing from nonmagical attacks
personification of an angry sea god. A charybdis is Damage Immunities acid
60 feet long and weighs 26,000 pounds. Condition Immunities frightened, prone
Living Maelstrom. In truth, the charybdis is not Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision
200 ft., passive Perception 16
the sending of an angry deity, but in fact little more
Languages Aquan
than a monstrous predator capable of churning
Challenge 19 (22,000 XP)
even the calmest of seas into a whirling maelstrom.
Amphibious. The charybdis can breathe water and air.
The charybdis uses this vortex ability not only to Innate Spellcasting. The charybdis’s spell
capture prey like sharks or small whales, but also casting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC
to entrap ships on the ocean surface above. 16). It can innately cast the following spells,
requiring no material components:
Shipwrecker. A charybdis’ claws are particularly
At will: control water, fog cloud
well suited to puncturing the hulls of ships, and
1/day each: control weather, hallucinatory terrain
most charybdises have learned that a single large
Regeneration. The charybdis regains 10 hit points
merchant vessel contains enough sailors to make at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
a perfectly sized meal. Often, a charybdis settles Ship Eater. The charybdis deals double
in along a well-known shipping route near the damage to objects and structures.
shoreline or amid an archipelago of islands where Actions
Multiattack. The charybdis makes two attacks:
ships are forced along relatively narrow lanes
one with its bite, and one with its claws.
between rocky isles—such locations allow the
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
charybdis to lie in wait and increases the chance of one target. Hit: 36 (4d12 + 10) piercing damage.
its prey being unable to circumvent its vortex. If the target is a Huge or smaller creature, it must
succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be
262
Vortex (Recharge 4–6). The charybdis draws
creatures and ships within 100 feet of it in
the water towards it by creating a massive
whirlpool. Ships attempting to avoid this
require someone at the helm of the ship must
make a relevant check (usually a water vehicle
proficiency) with a DC of 20, or be drawn 50
feet closer to the charybdis. Creatures in the
water must make a similar Strength (Athletics)
check to avoid being drawn close 25 feet. Any
creature or ship that is drawn to within 10
feet or closer of the charybdis is subject to
a claw attack as part of the Vortex action.
Legendary Actions
The charybdis can take 2 legendary actions,
choosing from the options below. Only one
legendary action option can be used at a time and
only at the end of another creature’s turn. The
charybdis regains spent legendary actions at the
start of its turn.
k Claws. The charybdis makes one attack
with its claws.
k Control Water. The charybdis casts control
water or chooses one the effects of control
water.
10
263
10
264
Clockwork CLOCKWORK LEVIATHAN
Huge construct, unaligned
265
Conch Tree CONCH TREE
Large plant, unaligned
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Conch trees are frequently cultivated as living Hit Points 94 (9d10 + 45)
barriers, unsporting hedges against unwanted Speed 0 ft.
incursions. After centuries of breeding and Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
experimentation, they developed an instinct for 23 (+6) 8 (-1) 21 (+5) 1 (-5) 16 (+3) 1 (-5)
discerning regular travellers among their groves
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing
from visiting prey. In the wild, entire schools of
Damage Vulnerabilities fire
fish can vanish instantly over a conch grove.
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Cadaverous Reproduction. Conch trees reproduce Languages —
by implanting a single seed in a partially digested Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
corpse. The corpse is then expelled so the seed can False Appearance. While the conch tree
absorb nutrients before sprouting and taking root. remains motionless, it is indistinguishable
from a normal seaweed bed.
Conch trees never stop growing, but an average
Water Breathing. The conch tree can
adult specimen is 20 feet tall.
breathe only underwater.
Actions
Multiattack. The conch tree makes
two harpoon tentacle attacks.
Harpoon Tentacle. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack:
+9 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 60 ft., one target.
Hit: 28 (4d10 + 6) piercing damage. If the target
is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed
on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be reeled
into the seaweed mass that makes up the conch
tree and are swallowed whole. This triggers the
collapse ability of the conch tree. A swallowed
creature is blinded and restrained, it has total
cover against attacks and other effects outside
the worm, and it takes 7 (2d6) bludgeoning and
3 (1d6) acid damage at the start of each of the
conch tree’s turns. If the conch tree takes 10
damage or more on a single turn from a creature
inside it, the conch tree must succeed on a DC
17 Constitution saving throw at the end of that
turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which
10 fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the tree. If
the tree dies, a swallowed creature is no longer
restrained by it and can escape from the corpse
by using 20 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Reaction
Collapse. Once a conch tree swallows a creature
whole, it can collapse into a smaller hard shell to
protect itself while it digests its prey. The tree curls
around its prey, reinforcing its own outer flesh
and changing colors to represent mud or stone. It
gains a damage threshold of 10 and a +20 bonus on
Dexterity (Stealth) checks while on the ocean floor.
266
Deep One Deep One Bishop. Deep one bishops incite religious
fervor in their kinfolk and promote their chosen
deities as the greatest among the Outer Gods.
Deep ones are as at ease dwelling in the most remote
Hybrid Horrors. Deep one hybrids are the spawn of
of ocean trenches as they are in the shallows that
humans and deep ones. They are most comfortable
hug secluded shorelines, although their favorite
with others of their kind, and typically cluster in
haunts combine the two. The largest deep one cities
small, insular settlements where they can assume
are located at places not far off shore but nestled in
positions of authority. They keep any humans
vast submerged canyons unusually close to those
within their towns subservient and cowed, making
coastlines. This proximity allows deep ones to
sure those other residents know better than to act
pursue one of their favorite goals—commingling
against local laws. Though deep ones are devoutly
with and corrupting surface-dwelling humanoids.
religious, they usually cloak their true beliefs under
Deep ones do so not out of a biological need but as a
a facade of more conventional worship, believing
way to spread their blasphemous religion above the
that by doing so they can avoid suspicion from
ocean waves. The hybrid children of deep ones and
visitors and nearby societies.
humans form a race of their own. These offspring
typically live near others of their kind, assuming DEEP ONE
positions of leadership in their small towns. A deep Medium monstrosity (mythos), chaotic evil
one’s gray-green hide glistens with moisture, and Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
saliva dribbles from its fishlike maw. Hit Points 26 (4d8+8)
Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
Deep Devotees. Deep ones usually worship the
alien entities known as the Outer Gods or the Great Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
15 (+2) 9 (-1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0)
Old Ones, with Cthulhu the foremost among them.
Deep one settlements that contain a deep one elder Skills Religion +3, Stealth +3
instead typically venerate that powerful deep one, Damage Resistances cold
who in turn serves one of the eldritch gods. Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Underwater Wielders. Deep ones prefer to fight Languages Common, Deep Speech
with their claws. If they do resort to manufactured Challenge 2 (50 XP)
Amphibious. The deep one can breathe air and water.
weapons, they prefer piercing ones, as these
Item Use. A deep one can use magic items as
function best underwater. They can also use wands though it were a cleric, warlock, or wizard.
and staves; deep ones who pursue the study of more Actions
powerful magic often learn to create magic items Claws. Melee Weapon Attack. +4 to hit, 5 ft.
for their weaker kinfolk to wield.
Immortal. A deep one does not age. Barring death
reach. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage. 10
DEEP ONE BISHOP
from violence, disease, or misadventure, a deep one
Medium monstrosity (mythos), chaotic evil
can live forever. Deep ones are immune to effects Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
that cause magical aging. Hit Points 39 (6d8+12)
Deep Dweller. Deep ones are immune to damage Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
from water pressure; their bodies are capable of Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
instantly adjusting to different water depths or 15 (+2) 9 (-1) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
even the surface with ease.
Skills Deception +4, Persuasion +4,
Religion +5, Stealth +3
Damage Resistances cold
267
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 1/day each: black tentacles,
Languages Common, Deep Speech dominate monster, symbol
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Item Use. A deep one can use magic items as
though it were a cleric, warlock, or wizard.
Amphibious. The deep one can breathe air and water.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the
Dark Devotion. The deep one bishop has
elder deep one fails a saving throw, it
advantage on saving throws against
can choose to succeed instead.
being charmed or frightened.
Reflective Mind. Any time an elder deep one
Item Use. A deep one can use magic items as
succeeds at a saving throw against a spell or
though it were a cleric, warlock, or wizard.
magical ability that cannot affect creatures that
Spellcasting. A deep one bishop is a 4th-level are immune to being charmed or frightened
spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell or that inflicts psychic damage, the effect is
save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). A bishop reflected back on the source, affecting the
typically has the following cleric spells prepared: original caster as if the elder deep one cast
Cantrips (at will): light, sacred flame, thaumaturgy the spell or used that magical ability.
1st level (4 slots): bane, inflict Actions
wounds, shield of faith
Multiattack. The elder deep one can use its
2nd level (3 slots): aid, blindness/ Awful Presence. It then makes three attacks:
deafness, hold person one with its bite and two with its claws.
Actions Bite. Melee Weapon Attack. +13 to hit, 5 ft.
Multiattack. The deep one makes two melee attacks. reach. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack. +4 to hit, 5 ft. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack. +13 to hit, 20 ft.
reach. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage. reach. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage. If
the elder deep one scores a critical hit, it rolls
ELDER DEEP ONE damage dice three times, instead of twice, and
Gargantuan monstrosity (mythos), chaotic evil the target must succeed on a DC 21 Constitution
saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the target
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
is stunned until the end of their next turn.
Hit Points 232 (15d20+70)
Awful Presence. Each creature of the elder deep
Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft. one's choice that is within 120 feet of the elder
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha deep one and aware of it must succeed on a DC
25 (+7) 12 (+1) 21 (+5) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 17 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened
for 1 minute. A creature is incapacitated as long
Saving Throws Con +11, Wis +10, Cha +9 as it is frightened in this way. A creature can
Skills Religion +8 repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a
Damage Resistance acid, cold, lightning;
creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect
bludgeoning and slashing from nonmagical attacks
ends for it, the creature is immune to the elder
Senses passive Perception 14 deep one's Awful Presence for the next 24 hours.
268
Legendary Actions
An elder deep one can take 3 legendary
actions, choosing from the options
below. Only one legendary action option
can be used at a time and only at the end
of another creature's turn. The elder
deep one regains spent legendary
actions at the start of its turn.
k Claw Attack. The elder deep
one makes a claw attack.
k Madness (Costs 2 Actions).
All creatures other than deep
ones within a 30-foot radius
must makes a DC 18 Wisdom
saving throw. On a failed saving
throw, a creature is affected as the spell
confusion until the end of its next turn.
Creatures with total cover are not affected.
k Move. The elder deep one moves or swims
up to half its speed without provoking
opportunity attacks.
10
throw. On a failure, the deep one hybrid has
Languages Deep Speech, Common disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP) saving throw. If the deep one hybrid is already
Dark Devotion. A deep one hybrid cultist suffering this penalty, it takes 1d6 psychic
has advantage on saving throws against damage on a failure. The deep one hybrid no
being charmed or frightened. longer suffers this disadvantage once it has
Final Change. A deep one hybrid ages faster than spent 24 hours within 10 miles of the sea.
a human. A mere 1d12 months after a deep one Actions
hybrid reaches venerable age at 60 years old, it Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack. +3 to hit, 5 ft.
dies a painful, agonizing death, only to have its reach. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage.
body transform into that of a mature deep one. This
transformation functions as the reincarnate spell.
Hold Breath. The deep one hybrid can
269
Draugr Lifeless. As animated corpses, draugr do not eat,
sleep, or breathe.
Draugr smell of decay and the sea, and drip water
DRAUGR
wherever they go. These barnacle-encrusted
Medium undead, chaotic evil
walking corpses look like zombies, but with a fell Armor Class 12 (studded leather)
light in their eyes and dripping with rank water Hit Points 19 (3d8+6)
that gives off a nauseating stench. These foul beings Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
are usually created when humanoid creatures are Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
lost at sea in regions haunted by evil spirits or 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 8 (-1) 10 (+0) 13 (+1)
10 necromantic effects. The corpses of these drowned
sailors cling fiercely to unlife, attacking any living
Skills Athletics +4, Perception +2, Stealth +2
Damage Immunities poison
creatures that intrude upon them. Their attacks
Damage Resistances fire
smear rancid flesh, rotting seaweed, and swaths of Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
vermin on whatever they hit. Senses darkvision 60 ft.; passive Perception 12
Grim Crew. In the case of draugr who manifest Languages understands the languages
when an entire ship sinks, these undead usually stay it knew in life but can’t speak
with the wreck of their ship. Some draugr may be Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
found under the control of aquatic necromancers,
while others may wander the seas as undead pirates
aboard ghost ships.
270
Actions
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target, Hit: 8 (1d12 + 2)
slashing damage, and once per round on the
draugr's turn the target must make a DC 11
Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the
target is incapacitated until the beginning off the
draugr's next turn. Creatures that are immune
to being poisoned are not incapacitated.
DRAUGR CAPTAIN
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 13 (studded leather)
Hit Points 90 (12d8+36)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Str Dex
17 (+3) 12 (+1)
Con I nt Wis
17 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1)
Cha
15 (+2)
Creating a Draugr NPC
To turn an existing NPC into a draugr, apply the
Skills Athletics +4, Perception +2, Stealth +2
following changes:
Damage Immunities poison
k +2 Str, -2 Int
Damage Resistances fire
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned k Darkvision 60 ft.
Senses darkvision 60 ft.; passive Perception 12 k Swim 30 ft.
Languages understands the languages k Resistance to fire damage
it knew in life but can’t speak k Immune to poison damage
Challenge 2 (450 XP) k Immune to being poisoned and exhaustion
Actions k Understands the languages it knew in life but
Multiattack. The draugr captain can’t speak
makes two greataxe attacks.
k Once per round on its turn, when it hits with
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target, Hit: 8 (1d12 + 2) slashing damage, a melee attack, it may incapacitate a target
and once per round on the draugr captain's turn, (see above) with a DC of 8 + proficiency bonus
the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution
+ Charisma modifier.
saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced
by 5. This reduction lasts until the target finishes This alters the NPC's Challenge.
a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces
its hit point maximum to 0. A humanoid slain
by this attack rises 24 hours later as a draugr
under the draugr captain's control, unless
the humanoid is restored to life or its body is
10
destroyed. The draugr captain can have no more
than twelve draugr under its control at one time.
Mist (3/Day). The daugr captain creates a 20-foot-
radius sphere of fog centered on its space. The
sphere spreads around corners, and its area is
lightly obscured. Anything more than 5 feet away
through the fog is heavily obscured. It lasts for
5 minutes or until a wind of moderate or greater
speed (at least 10 miles per hour) disperses it.
271
Eel, Electric Eel, Giant Moray
This six-foot-long, snake-like fish moves slowly. A This sixteen-foot-long eel slithers through the water
strange popping and snapping sound occasionally with uncanny grace, mouth open to display large
emits from the creature’s body. The electric eel is teeth and a second set of jaws. Giant moray eels are
a curious fish that breathes air instead of water, warm-water animals that lie in wait to ambush prey.
yet certainly its most unusual characteristic is its Once they get hold of prey, or an intruder, they are
ability to generate powerful jolts of electricity. tenacious biters, gnawing and tearing flesh.
10 throw or be stunned. At
the end of each of its
turns, the target can
make a new saving
throw; on a success, it
is no longer stunned.
272
Fish, Bladefish
A school of human-sized grey fish moves as one.
Their long flat bills and rigid fins are bordered in
razor-thin silver scales.
Scintillating Wave. Fast and strong, bladefish
swim through the warm currents of deep ocean
waters in instinctive circuits that cover thousands
of miles. These cycles take them through their
entire life cycle, including live birth, adolescence,
hunting, and mating, though beautiful to behold,
bladefish are deadly carnivores and deliver brutal
blows very rapidly as they charge in, swim past,
and charge in again. Their skulls narrow to a flat,
horizontal blade and their tail fins sport a similar
vertical protrusion. Both bear shining scales along
these sharp edges as decoration. A long, sharp
mouth blade is ideal for hunting and defense, while
Skills Perception +4
the brightest sheen along its blades attracts the Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive Perception 14
most desirable mates. Languages —
Storm of Blades. The greatest weapon bladefish Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
have is in their numbers. Vast storms of them swim Pack Tactics. The bladefish has advantage on
their lifelong circuits near the water’s surface and attack rolls against a creature if at least one
of the bladefish’s allies is within 5 feet of the
as deep as 200 feet. When one senses an intruder,
creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
it determines whether the threat is manageable or Razor Fin. A bladefish has quick reflexes and
overwhelming and reacts by charging or fleeing, powerful muscles along its length. If it strikes the
respectively. The entire community of bladefish same target with its blade and tail slap attacks it
does an additonal 10 necrotic damage as the target
joins in that reaction, swimming away as one or
bleeds from the gashes made by the bladefish.
attacking in a rapid frenzy of sharp bills. Weaker Swim-By Attack. A bladefish is perfectly suited
bladefish are left behind or join the fight late and for attacking on the move. It does not provoke
risk losing their meal to more aggressive members. attacks of opportunity so long as it has
An adult bladefish is 7 feet long and weighs 600
pounds. Larger, rarer species can reach 40 feet in
attacked in the same turn it has provoked.
Water Breathing. The bladefish can 10
breathe only underwater.
length and live for over a hundred years. Actions
Multiattack. The bladefish makes one blade and
BLADEFISH
one tail slap attack so long as it has moved at
Medium beast, unaligned least 5-feet before making the first attack roll.
Armor Class 14 (natural armor) Blade. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Hit Points 104 (11d8 + 55) one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage. This
Speed 0 ft., swim 60 ft. attack scores a critical hit on a natural 19 or 20.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Tail Slap. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
23 (+6) 12 (+1) 21 (+5) 1 (-5) 12 (+1) 5 (-3) one target. Hit: 11 (1d10 + 6) slashing damage. This
attack scores a critical hit on a natural 19 or 20.
273
Fish, Dinichthys FISH, DINICHTHYS
Huge beast, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
This horrific fish has a powerful grey body, with Hit Points 253 (22d10+132)
a head of hard white plates. Its wide mouth more Speed 0 ft., swim 50 ft.
resembles curved blades of bloodstained bone. Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Primordial Punisher. Among the deadlier animals 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 23 (+6) 3 (-4) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)
of the sea, the mighty dinichthys holds its own
Skills Perception +5
against dragons and magical beasts. Its punishing
Senses blindsight 120 ft., passive Perception 15
bite allows it to both defend itself and feed from
Languages —
the sea’s hardiest animals. Dinichthyses hunt at Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)
any depth greater than 20 feet, chasing prey for Swim-By Attack. A dinichthys is perfectly suited
miles in any direction before resuming a natural for attacking on the move. A dinichthys that
migration toward decennial mating waters. uses its action to attack does not provoke
opportunity attacks for the rest of its turn.
Neverfull. Dinichthyses are voracious, often
Vicious Bite. The dinichthys scores critical hits on
biting a chunk of flesh out of a sizable creature so natural rolls of 15 to 20. In addition, its critical hit
it can follow the bleeding quarry to any social unit damage is always maximised doing 35 piercing
it might flee to for protection. damage and inflicting an additional 7 (2d6) necrotic
damage from bleeding. This bleeding can only be
Dinichthyses live for approximately 100 years. stopped with a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check
An adult is 30 feet long and weighs 22,000 pounds. or through any magical healing. This damage is
cumulative. For example, a creature who has been
hit by two critical hits from a dinichthys vicious bite
suffers 14 (4d6) necrotic damage per round.
Water Breathing. The dinichthys
can breathe only underwater.
Actions
Multiattack. The dinichthys
makes two bite attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9
to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
22 (5d6 + 5) piercing damage.
10
274
Giant, Ocean spells, requiring no material components:
3/day each: control water, gust of
wind, water breathing
Ocean giants embody the great extremes of the 1/day: control weather
sea. Their skin colors vary from deep blue to pale Powerful Trident. Ocean giants are masters
green, and their eyes and hair range from foamy of the trident, a weapon well-suited for
underwater combat. A trident deals one
white to coral pink. They decorate themselves with extra die of its damage when the ocean
the treasures of the sea, wearing shell jewelry or giant hits with it (included in the attack).
scrimshaw, and clothing woven from underwater Actions
plants, or even salvaged sails. Multiattack. The giant makes two trident attacks.
Adult ocean giants stand approximately 22 feet Trident. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +14 to hit,
reach 10 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 23
tall and weigh about 15,000 pounds. Most live to be (4d6 + 9) piercing damage, or 27 (4d8 + 9) piercing
about 500 years old. damage if used with two hands to make a melee
Musical Conches. Each ocean giant carries a hand- attack. If the ocean giant scores a critical hit, it
rolls damage dice three times, instead of twice.
crafted musical horn made from a conch shell, an
Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +14 to hit,
object of cultural significance representing its range 60/240 ft., one target. Hit: 35
family history and travels on the vast sea. (4d12 + 9) bludgeoning damage.
Ocean Rulers. Many ocean giants view themselves Conch (Recharge 5–6). The giant blasts its conch.
as guardians of the sea, its creatures, and those All creatures in a 60-foot cone must make a DC
17 Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 58
who travel the waves, safeguarding their charges (13d8) thunder damage on a failed save, or half as
from remarkable coral towers. Others, however, much damage on a successful one. A target that
claim domains measuring thousands of leagues, fails its saving throw is stunned for 1 round and
deafened for 1 minute. At the end of each of its
enslaving the beasts and aquatic races within and
turns, a target can attempt a new saving throw;
shattering any ship that dares trespass near their on a success, the target is no longer deafened.
citadels of urchins and bones.
OCEAN GIANT
Huge giant, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 262 (21d12+126)
Speed 50 ft., swim 40 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
29 (+9) 11 (+0) 22 (+6) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 18 (+4)
275
Golem, Coral bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
nonmagical attacks that aren’t adamantine
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
Coral golems are constructs made entirely of frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
colonies of living coral drawn from the ocean. Senses darkvision 120 ft.; passive Perception 10
While their sharpened appendages are capable of Languages understands the languages
performing tasks that require meticulous precision, of its creator but can’t speak
they are equally useful in martial combat. Wizards Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
Aquatic Reconstruction. The golem regains 10 hit
and sorcerers employ coral golems to collect delicate
points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1
specimens of plant life from local beaches, spear and hit point and it is touching a body of saltwater
retrieve fish from the ocean for meals, and protect of a size equal to or greater than its own body.
valuable locations such as their masters’ homes or Immutable Form. The golem is immune to any
276
Hippocampus a clumsy creature on land and cannot move at all
out of the water if it has a rider weighing it down.
10
277
Invertebrate,
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)
Acid Cloud. Varinian anemones use concentrated
278
Invertebrate, Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
stunned (if it is from a psychic-based attack)
10
279
Invertebrate, Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Tube Feet. Dire seastars move and grapple using
280
Leshy, Seaweed
Seaweed leshies usually dwell along coastlines,
happily splashing and playing in tide pools, but they
are equally at home at sea, floating among large
kelp beds. Although perfectly capable of existing
out of water indefinitely, seaweed leshies prefer to
limit their time away from the sea almost out
of a sense of pride. Most seaweed leshies
take a dim view of freshwater plant
life, to the point of mocking such
plants in the same way an urbanite
might talk down to folk who live in
more rural areas. Rumors of freshwater
leshies are a sure way to bring peals of
mocking laughter from a seaweed leshy.
Seaweed leshies resemble miniature,
waterlogged green humans grown from leafy green
seaweed, with skinny arms and legs, webbed hands
and feet, and long strands of brown, green, or red
seaweed for hair. They wear armor made from a pair
of large clam shells or from several smaller shells
tied together. This armor functions for a seaweed
leshy, but not for any other creature.
Patient and thoughtful by inclination (save for
matters associated with those silly freshwater
leshies), seaweed leshies believe that in time
nature brings what is needed by the ebb and
flow of the tide or the steady flow of the river.
They counsel against hasty decisions and rash
actions, always preferring to wait and see what
another day might bring.
Guardians of Plant Life. Originally grown as
10
servants for more powerful fey and intelligent
commune with nature. These spirits normally have
plant life such as elder treants, leshies are
no way to directly manipulate the physical world,
sentient plants who look after their unintelligent
but a skilled spellcaster (typically a druid) can grow
brethren and serve as nature's verdant watchers.
a special plant body for one of these spirits, giving
Several breeds of leshy exist, each being kindred
the spirit a home to animate.
to a broad group of plants or fungi. Leshies begin
Embodied Spirits. Once accepted into a body,
their existence as sentient though bodiless spirits
a leshy's spirit remains within unless the body is
of nature of the sort contacted by spells such as
destroyed. Leshies do not fear death as many other
281
creatures do, knowing that should they fall, their the ability to breathe both air and water for 10
spirits merely return to the natural world and can minutes. Seaweed leshys can have a maximum
of four usable air cysts at any one time, and air
be called to inhabit a new leshy body at some point cysts regrow at a rate of one per 24 hours.
in the future. As a leshy's body dies, the magic Amphibious. A seaweed leshy breathes air and water.
animating it unravels in a burst of life energy that Pass Without Trace. In areas of natural
infuses its surrounding and quickens the growth vegetation, a leshy can’t be tracked except
by magical means. The leshy leaves behind
of any plants in the vicinity. Some leshies even
no tracks or other traces of its passage.
voluntarily discorporate to save the lives of ailing Seaweed Speech. Seaweed leshys can communicate
plants, knowing that their sacrifice may mean the with seaweed, asking it about events within
continuation of countless otherwise helpless flora. the past day, gaining information about
creatures that have passed, weather, and other
Regardless of how a leshy dies, leaving the body
circumstances, within a radius of 30 feet.
traumatizes the spirit, and the leshy retains only Verdant Burst. When slain, a leshy explodes in a
faint memories of past corporeal existences. Leshy burst of fertile energies. All plant creatures within
spirits need not return to the same form if bound 30 feet of the slain leshy regain 6 (1d8+2) hit
points, and seaweed quickly infests the area. If
again to a body. Throughout its existence, a single the terrain can support the growth of seaweed,
spirit can inhabit any number of different types the undergrowth is dense enough to make the
of leshies. A leshy without a body has no power to region into difficult terrain for 24 hours, after
which the plant life diminishes to a normal level;
affect or contact the material world.
otherwise, the plant life has no significant effect
Unique. The rites and special materials required on movement and withers and dies within an hour.
to create a leshy's physical form vary between Actions
individual leshies. Once the creator assembles Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
the necessary materials, a leshy must typically be one target, Hit: 4 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage.
grown in an area of natural power, such as a treant's Water Jet. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range
30/60 ft., one target, Hit: 1 bludgeoning damage,
grove, a druidic circle, or a site of pristine natural and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution
wonder. A newly born leshy is a free-willed, neutral saving throw. On a failure, the target is blinded
being, under no obligation to serve its creator. until the beginning of the leshy's next turn.
Change Shape. The seaweed leshy can take the
SEAWEED LESHY shape of seaweed or return to its normal form. In
Small plant, neutral seaweed form it is not capable of any other actions
Armor Class 12 (armor) but is aware of its surroundings. It is otherwise
indistinguishable from ordinary seaweed. Any
Hit Points 26 (4d6+12)
items it carries fall to the ground when it becomes
Speed 20 ft., swim 20 ft. seaweed, but when it returns to its normal form
10 Str Dex
10 (+0) 13 (+1)
Con I nt
16 (+3) 9 (-1)
Wis Cha
15 (+2) 12 (+1)
it easily dons its armor at the same time.
Seaweed. Grasping seaweed sprouts from the
ground in a 20-foot square starting from a point
Damage Resistances lightning, thunder within 90 feet that is in saltwater. For 1 minute,
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5, Survival +4 the seaweed turns the ground and water in the
Senses darkvision 60 ft.; passive Perception 14 area into difficult terrain. A creature in the area
when the leshy uses seaweed must succeed on
Languages Druidic, Sylvan
a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be restrained
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) by the entangling seaweed until the spell ends.
Air Cyst. Seaweed leshys constantly grow small A creature restrained by the seaweed can use
bulbs filled with air. As an action, they can its action to make a Strength check against the
detach a bulb and give it to another creature. same DC. On a success, it frees itself. After 1
If consumed as an action, this air cyst grants minute, the conjured seaweed wilts away.
282
10
283
Linnorm, Fjord fjord linnorm to 0 hit points or kills it outright,
the creature must make a DC 20 Wisdom saving
throw. On a failed save, the creature suffers from
Fjord linnorms are massive eel-like dragons with the curse of drowning. The cursed creature loses
the ability to breathe water and cannot gain that
two webbed talons and a tail ending in large and ability; in addition, a creature that can hold its
powerful flukes. They dwell among the deep waters breath can hold its breath only half as long.
that grace northern coastlines where fingers of Immunity to Curses. The linnorm automatically
land create complex rivulets, venturing out to sea succeeds on saving throws against curses.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the linnorm fails a
to feed on sharks and whales when they cannot
saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
find settlements or traveling caravans to savage.
Actions
As their favored haunts often overlap with coastal Multiattack. The linnorm makes three attacks:
trade routes, regions known to be within the one with its bite and two with its claws. It can
territory of a fjord linnorm are often avoided by use constrict in place of one claw attack.
ships. Fjord linnorms are not particularly adept Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 15
ft., one target, Hit: 16 (2d8+7) piercing damage,
at capsizing ships, as are some other large aquatic plus 10 (3d6) cold and 10 (3d6) poison damage.
monsters, but one might argue that such tactics are Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10
unnecessary for a creature the size and power of a ft., one target, Hit: 13 (2d6+7) slashing damage.
fjord linnorm in the first place. Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 20
ft., one target, Hit: 13 (2d6+7) bludgeoning damage
Accursed Wyrm. Both the curse and poison of a
and the target is grappled (escape DC 24). Until
fjord linnorm are extremely dangerous for those this grapple ends, the creature is restrained, and
who frequent the waterways of the north. The the linnorm can’t use constrict on another target.
fjord linnorm's curse is particularly devastating to Icy Breath (Recharge 5–6): The linnorm expels
poisonous icy fluid in a 120-foot line that is a
aquatic creatures, and such beings are careful to
5-feet wide. Each creature in that area must make a
avoid any possible conflict with such linnorms. DC 20 Constitution saving throw, taking 72 (16d8)
poison damage on a failed save, or half damage
FJORD LINNORM on a successful one. On a failed saving throw, the
Gargantuan dragon (linnorm), chaotic evil freezing liquid hardens to sheets of ice, causing the
Armor Class 21 (natural armor) creature to be restrained for 1 minute. On its turn,
Hit Points 246 (16d20+80) a restrained creature can use its action to make a
DC 20 Strength check, freeing itself on a success.
Speed 30 ft., fly 70 ft., swim 70 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt
25 (+7) 18 (+4) 21 (+5) 5 (-3)
Wis Cha
17 (+3) 20 (+5)
Legendary Actions
The linnorm can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
10 Saving Throws Str +14, Con +12,
Int +4, Wis +10, Cha +12 from the options below. Only one legendary action
option can be used at a time and only at the end of
Damage Immunities cold
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, another creature’s turn. The linnorm regains spent
and slashing from nommagical attacks legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Skills Perception +17 k Detect. The linnorm makes a Wisdom
Senses darkvision 60 ft., blindsight 60 ft., (Perception) check.
truesight 60 ft.; passive Perception 27
k Claw Attack. The linnorm makes a claw
Languages Draconic, Sylvan
attack.
Challenge 21 (33,000 XP)
Amphibious. The fjord linnorm can k Drag (Costs 2 Actions). The linnorm uses
breathe air and water. Constrict. The linnorm can then swim up to
Death Curse: Drowning. If a creature reduces a half its swimming speed.
284
Lycanthrope,
Wereshark
In either humanoid or
hybrid form, a wereshark
is generally burly, has a mouth
full of unusually large teeth, and
typically has a personality that is both crude and
bullying. They’re bloodthirsty and are very easy to
anger. They will jump into fights they have no stake
in just to snap bones and draw blood.
Weresharks prefer life at sea or in port settlements
commonly frequented by seagoing merchants and
pirates. They can be found leading pirate gangs or
loitering at seaside taverns accompanied by crowds
of toadies. Since they get into fights so often, they
try to stick close to the sea so they can escape into
the water if they bite off more than they can chew.
The other members of a wereshark’s crew learn
quickly that the boss is bound to skip out without
much notice once a bigger fish comes along.
WERESHARK
Shapechanger. The wereshark can use its action
Medium humanoid (human, to polymorph into a shark-humanoid hybrid or
shapechanger), chaotic evil into a hunter shark, or back into its true form,
Armor Class 11 in humanoid form, 13 which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than
(natural armor) in shark or hybrid form its AC, and its size, are the same in each form.
Hit Points 90 (12d8+36) Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t
Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft. (in shark form only) transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Actions
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 17 (+3) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) Multiattack (hybrid form only). In humanoid
form, the wereshark makes two trident
Skills Perception +7, Stealth +7
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing,
attacks. In hybrid form, it can substitute
a bite for one melee weapon attack.
Bite (Shark or Hybrid Form only). Melee
10
and slashing from nonmagical attacks
not made with silvered weapons Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Senses blindsense 30 ft. (shark or hybrid target, Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.
form only); passive Perception 17 If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed
on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or
Languages Common (can’t speak in shark form)
be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy.
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Trident (Humanoid or Hyrbid Form Only). Melee or
Amphibious. The wereshark can breathe air or water. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or
Blood Frenzy. The wereshark has advantage range 20/60 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4)
on melee attack rolls against any creature piercing damage, or 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage
that doesn’t have all its hit points. if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
285
Merfolk MERFOLK GUARDIAN
Medium humanoid (merfolk), neutral
Armor Class 11
Merfolk guardians are the chosen of nature and Hit Points 44 (8d8+8)
its divine protectors. They are more mystical than Speed 10 ft., swim 40 ft.
other merfolk, and also more savage, mysterious, Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
and close to nature. Sometimes, they live among 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1)
other merfolk as special protectors, but there are
Skills Perception +3
entire tribes of merfolk guardians as well. Tribes
Senses passive Perception 13
of these merfolk seem forbidding even to other
Languages Aquan, Common
merfolk. Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Amphibious. The merfolk can breathe air and water.
Aquatic Telepathy. The merfolk can communite
with aquatic beasts within 100 feet using
telepathy. The merfolk can comprehend and
verbally communicate with aquatic beasts. The
knowledge and awareness of many beasts is
limited by their intelligence, but at minimum,
beasts can give information about nearby locations
and monsters, including whatever they can
perceive or have perceived within the past day.
Eel Strike. When the merfolk takes the Disengage
action, it may make a single weapon attack as
a bonus action at any time during its turn.
Innate Spellcasting. The merfolk's innate
spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save
DC 11). It can innately cast the following
spells, requiring no material components.
1/day: animal friendship, dominate beast (aquatic
beasts only), hold monster (aquatic beasts only),
message, sending (only through water)
Actions
Multiattack. The merfolk
makes two spear attacks.
Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon
Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.
286
Nereid on her turn without using an action.
Unarmored Defense. If she wears no armor,
a nereid's Armor Class equals 10 + her
Nereids are capricious and often dangerous aquatic Dexterity modifier + her Charisma modifier.
fey that appear as strikingly beautiful women, often Actions
seen bathing unclothed in the water. Many sailors Multiattack. The nereid uses
have met their doom following a nereid, for though Beguile, then Suggestion.
a nereid's beauty is otherworldly, her watery kiss is Blind. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 30/60
ft., one target, Hit: the target must make a DC 15
death. Others seek out nereids, for if one can secure Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the target
control over the creature's shawl, the cloth can be is poisoned for 1 minute. A target is blinded while
used to force the nereid's compliance. A nereid poisoned. At the end of each of its turns, the target
can make another Constitution saving throw. On
forced to obey in this manner immediately attempts a success, the target is no longer poisoned.
to slay her master as soon as she can secure her Beguile. The nereid causes any creatures within 30
shawl's safety. feet that can see her to make a DC 15 Wisdom
Sea Friends. Nereids are sometimes accompanied saving throw. Any creature that can’t be charmed
succeeds on this saving throw automatically, and
by a friendly aquatic creature, often a large predator if the nereid or her companions are fighting a
such as an orca (killer whale), giant squid, giant creature, it has advantage on the save. On a failed
octopus, or giant moray eel. save, the target has disadvantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks made to perceive any creature
NEREID other than the nereid for 1 minute or until the
Medium fey, chaotic neutral target can no longer see her. The effect ends if
the nereid is incapacitated or cannot be seen.
Armor Class 19
Drowning Kiss. A nereid can flood the lungs of one
Hit Points 120 (12d8+48)
target within 5 feet that is willing, incapacitated,
Speed 30 ft., swim 60 ft. or affected by her Beguile. She touches the
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha target, traditionally by kissing the creature
11 (+0) 21 (+5) 19 (+4) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) on the lips. The target must make a DC 15
Constititution saving throw or immediately begin
Skills Nature+5, Perception +7, Perform +10 drowning. Drowning creatures begin choking.
Senses darkvision 60 ft.; passive Perception 17 At the end of each of its turns, the target can
make another Constitution saving throw. On a
Languages Aquan, Common, Sylvan
success, the target is no longer drowning.
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Suggestion. The nereid suggests a course of activity
Innate Spellcasting. The nereid's innate (limited to a sentence or two) and magically
spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC influence a creature she can see within 30 feet
15). The nereid can innately cast the following that can hear and understand her. Creatures that
spells, requiring no material components: can’t be charmed are immune to this effect. The
At will: control water
Magic Resistance. The nereid has
suggestion must be worded in such a manner as
to make the course of action sound reasonable.
10
advantage on saving throws against Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself
spells and other magical effects. onto a spear, immolate itself, or do some other
Shawl. A nereid's shawl (6 hit points) contains obviously harmful act automatically fails. The
a portion of her life force. If the shawl target must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving
is ever destroyed, the nereid takes 1d6 throw. On a failed save, it pursues the course
necrotic damage per hour until she dies. A of action the nereid described to the best of
nereid can craft a new shawl from water by its ability. The suggested course of action can
making a DC 10 Wisdom check, but each continue for up to 8 hours. If the suggested
attempt takes 1d4 hours to complete. activity can be completed in a shorter time,
the effect ends when the subject finishes what
Transparency. When underwater, a nereid's body
it was asked to do. If the nereid or any of her
becomes transparent, effectively rendering her
companions damage the target, the effect ends.
invisible. She can become visible or transparent
287
Scylla Challenge 24 (62,000 XP)
Amphibious. The scylla can breathe water and air.
Innate Spellcasting. The scylla’s spell casting
The scylla is one of the more nightmarish ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 21). It
aberrations to blight the mortal world, horrifying can innately cast the following spells,
requiring no material components:
creatures with the upper body of a beautiful woman
At will: acid arrow, control water, fog cloud
but a lower body of snapping wolf or serpent heads
3/day each: dispel magic, major image
and writhing tentcles. Conflicting tales of her Legendary Resistance (3/day). If the Scylla fails a
origins abound, from demonic flesh-crafting and saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
arcane experiments to a divine curse handed down Magic Resistance. The scylla has
by a vengeful deity. The most popular stories cast advantage on saving throws against
spells and other magical effects.
the first scylla as the monstrous spawn of a union
Multi-Headed. While the scylla can see in all
between a mortal and a god. Whatever the case, directions, and has advantage on Wisdom
scyllas are fortunately quite rare, enough so that (Perception) checks, which applies to its passive
many consider them nothing more than tall tales Perception score. It also has advantage on
saving throws against being blinded, deafened,
told by sailors deep in their cups. stunned, and knocked unconscious.
Ship-Hunter. Scyllas dwell along major shipping Actions
lanes, often near coastlines, where they use their Multiattack. The scylla can use its frightful
spells to lure entire ships to their doom. The hideous presence. It then makes three bite or
tentacle attacks. In humanoid form, it may
monsters are intelligent creatures, though half-mad
instead make three weapon attacks.
with hunger and self-loathing. They normally do Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach
not use weapons, but when they do, they prefer to 15 ft., one grappled target. Hit: 27 (4d8 +
fight with light weapons wielded by their human- 9) piercing damage, and 18 (4d8) necrotic
damage, and the target can’t regain hit
sized upper arms. However, they much prefer to
points until the end of its next turn.
keep their hands free to utilize magic items like Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach
wands, staves, and other powerful devices. 15 ft., one target. Hit: 31 (4d10 + 9) bludgeoning
damage, and the target is grappled (escape
SCYLLA DC 22). Until this grapple ends, the target
Huge aberration, chaotic evil is restrained. The scylla has eight tentacles,
Armor Class 18 (natural armor) each of which can grapple one target.
Hit Points 507 (35d12+280) Poisoned Dagger (humanoid form only). Melee or
Speed 30 ft., swim 50 ft. Ranged Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft.
or range 20/60 ft., one creature. Hit: 11 (1d4+9)
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
10 24 (+7) 29 (+9) 27 (+8) 16 (+3) 23 (+6) 22 (+6)
piercing damage, and 18 (4d8) poison damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the scylla’s
choice that is within 100 feet of the Scylla
Saving Throws Dex +16, Con +15, Cha +13 and aware of it must succeed on a DC 21
Skills Acrobatics +16, Deception +20, Insight Wisdom saving throw or become frightened
+13, Intimidation +13, Perception +13 for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving
Damage Resistances fire; bludgeoning, piercing, throw at the end of each of its turns, ending
and slashing from nonmagical attacks the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s
Condition Immunities charmed, prone saving throw is successful or the effect ends
Senses truesight 60 ft., blindsight 200 for it, the creature is immune to the scylla’s
ft., passive Perception 23 Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Languages Abyssal, Aquan, Common
288
Change Shape. The scylla magically polymorphs into
a Small or Medium female humanoid, or back into
her true form. The scylla loses its bite and tentacle
attacks but can wield weapons or make slam
attacks as appropriate for its form. Its statistics
are otherwise the same in each form. Any
equipment it is wearing or carrying
isn't transformed. She reverts
to her true form if she dies.
Legendary Actions
The scylla can take 2 legendary
actions, choosing from the options
below. Only one legendary action option
can be used at a time and only at
the end of another creature’s
turn. The scylla regains spent
legendary actions at the
start of its turn.
k Tentacle. The scylle
makes one attack
with its tentacle.
k Bite (Costs 2 actions).
The scylla makes
one attack with
its bite.
k Spell (Costs 2
actions). The
scylla uses
one of its
spells.
10
289
Sea Serpent Water Breathing. The sea serpent
can breathe only underwater.
Actions
Tales of immense sea serpents have colored the Multiattack. The sea serpent makes two attacks:
accounts of seagoing folk since the first ship sailed once with its bite and once with its constrict.
beyond sight of land. Yet proof of these immense Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 20 ft.,
one target, Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) piercing damage.
and elusive creatures is remarkably difficult to
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach
come by, for not only is the ocean vast and the true 20 ft., one target, Hit: 21 (4d6 + 7) bludgeoning
sea serpent rare, but these creatures are quite adept damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 21).
at both avoiding capture and destroying ships bent Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained,
and the sea serpent can’t constrict another target.
on such a daunting task. Due to the sea serpent's
Elusive Dive. The sea serpent takes the Dash
hermitic nature, many sailors take to ascribing action, and until the beginning of its next turn, it
the sighting of such a beast to an omen, although gains a +10 bonus on Dexterity (Stealth) checks
whether the sighting portends peril or providence and cannot be tracked by nonmagical means.
depends as much upon the ship's morale as it does
anything else—the sea serpent itself has little
Legendary Actions
interest in prophecy, and only its hunger determines A sea serpent can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
how dangerous its proximity to a curious ship can from the options below. Only one legendary action
be. Deadly danger surely awaits, however, when its option can be used at a time and only at the end of
spine-frilled neck arches up from the water like a another creature's turn. A sea serpent regains spent
snake ready to strike. legendary actions at the start of its turn.
k Detect (Costs 1 Action). The sea serpent makes
SEA SERPENT
a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Gargantuan beast, unaligned
Armor Class 16 (natural armor) k Surge (Costs 1 Action). The sea serpent swims
Hit Points 217 (15d20 + 60) its base movement rate, without provoking
Speed 20 ft., swim 60 ft. opportunity attacks.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha k Tail Slap (Costs 2 Actions). The sea serpent
24 (+7) 14 (+2) 19 (+4) 3 (-4) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) makes a melee attack: +11 to hit, reach 20
ft., one target. Hit: 21 (4d6 + 7) bludgeoning
Saving Throws Str +11, Con +8
damage, and the target must make a DC 19
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +6
Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the
Damage Resistances fire
target is knocked prone.
10
Damage Immunities cold
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages —
Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)
Elusive. When not in combat, a sea
serpent cannot be detected by divination
magic or seen through scrying.
Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If the sea serpent fails
a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Siege Monster. The sea serpent deals double
damage to objects and structures.
290
Seaweed Siren foe to gain the advantage. After this, the creature
moves closer and begins to devour its still-living
victim. While the seaweed siren prefers to dine on
Seaweed sirens hunt near the shore, where they
living humanoids, it uses its strident squall attacks
wait for clam diggers strolling the beaches, lone
to incapacitate or kill prey that flees or resists its
fisherfolk, or even passing ships. The creature’s
charm attempts.
three singing heads sway atop serpentine necks
Seaweed sirens sometimes ally themselves with
that extend from a bulbous body split by a wide,
other aquatic creatures to share in hunts or for
toothy mouth. Pungent strands of seaweed cover the
mutual protection. Sahuagin typically don’t trust
creature like slimy hair. Once a seaweed siren spots
them but may ally with them long enough to capture
its prey, the creature lurks just under the water and
new slaves and restock their humanoid food supply.
allows its three strange heads to protrude above
Locathah sometimes use these strange beasts as
the surface. These heads are nothing more than
protectors, keeping them well fed in return for
appendages, and while it can breathe through them
the creatures serving as lookouts and sentinels.
it doesn’t use them to eat. Seaweed sirens’ heads
Merfolk and aquatic elves avoid seaweed sirens,
grow differently depending on where the creature
and even go so far as to sometimes warn other
developed in order to match the skin tone and
humanoid communities when one is discovered to
apparent ethnicity of the surrounding humanoid
be hunting nearby.
population. In addition, the heads are eyeless—the
Seaweed sirens use a form of aggressive mimicry,
siren sees using the many eyes on its main body
appearing to have humanoid features in order to
mass. A seaweed siren stands over 8 feet tall from
lure in their preferred meals. They can converse in
the tip of its stubby legs to the top of its heads and
Aklo, and constantly babbles in glossolalia, but if
is nearly 7 feet in diameter. The creature weighs
it manages to talk with another sentient being that
upward of 3,500 pounds.
has a language long enough, it begins mimicking the
Horrific Hybrid. At first glance, this creature
other’s language and speech patterns, eventually
appears to blur the line between plant and animal.
sounding exactly like it. Though a seaweed siren
Three eyeless heads sway above the central body
can use its tongues spell to understand and speak
mass, constantly singing, chanting, and speaking
any language, it prefers to talk with and mimic its
in nonsense languages and simple babble. Seaweed
conversational partners without resorting to using
covers the creature’s three false heads and its
this ability. Some speculate the creature catalogs
main central body—a form of camouflage to help
every conversation in order to add to the collection
the beast remain hidden while hunting. Six stout,
crablike legs carry this creature along the coast and
through the rocky tide pools it inhabits.
of sounds and words that power its cacophony
special ability. 10
Entrancing Cacophony. The seaweed siren’s heads SEAWEED SIREN
sing songs and babble in strange nonsense languages Large monstrosity, unaligned
to fuel the seaweed siren’s many special abilities. Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Even when not in use against a potential meal, the Hit Points 294 (28d10+140)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
heads seemingly converse with each other, holding
lengthy conversations full of random syllables and Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
29 (+9) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 21 (+5)
made-up words. Once it draws its prey near, the
seaweed siren attempts to charm or bewilder its Saving Throws Str +14, Con +15, Wis +13, Cha +13
291
Skills Athletics +14, Deception +15, In addition, any hearing-based perception checks
Perception +13, Stealth +13 made within 100 feet of the seaweed siren have
Damage Resistances fire; bludgeoning, piercing, disadvantage. The seaweed siren can use its bonus
and slashing from nonmagical attacks action to stop using this ability, or to reactivate it.
Damage Immunities acid, cold Innate Spellcasting. The seaweed siren’s
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened spell casting ability is Charisma (spell save
DC 18). It can innately cast the following
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 23
spells, requiring no material components:
Languages Aklo
At will: suggestion, tongues, minor illusion
Challenge 17 (18,000 XP) 1/day each: bestow curse, dominate,
Cacophony. The seaweed siren projects a constant irresistible dance
noise that disrupts spellcasting. Any creature Multi-Headed. While the seaweed siren can see
casting a spell within 100 feet of the seaweed in all directions, and has advantage on Wisdom
siren requires a DC 19 Constitution saving throw. (Perception) checks, which applies to its passive
Failure means the spell fails to be cast. The action Perception score. It also has advantage on saving
is used, but any spell slots or uses per day are not. throws against being blinded, deafened, stunned,
and knocked unconscious.
Whenever the seaweed
siren takes 40 or more
damage in a single turn,
one of its heads dies. If
all three heads die, the
seaweed siren can no
longer use its Cacophony
ability, or its innate
spellcasting. Heads regrow
at a rate of one per day.
Water Breathing. The
seaweed siren cannot
breathe air. It can move on
land but must hold its breath.
Actions
Multiattack. The seaweed siren
makes three bite attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to
hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
20 (2d10 + 9) piercing damage
and 11 (2d10) poison damage.
Sonic Beam (Recharge 4–6). The
10 seaweed siren uses its heads
to create a wail that affects
everything in a 60-foot line.
Each creature in that line must
make a DC 18 Constitution
saving throw, taking 56 (12d8)
thundering damage and
becoming deafened
on a failed save, or
half as much damage
and not becoming
deafened on a
successful one.
292
Selkie Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Hold Breath. The selkie can hold its breath for 1 hour.
Echo of Reason. The selkie has advantage on its
Selkies are clever and brutal seal-like beings Charisma checks made when talking or singing.
that often inhabit the colder oceans of the world. Magic Resistance. The selkie has
Although capable predators, selkies are best advantage on saving throws against
spells and other magical effects.
known for their mysterious shapechanging ability,
Selkie Cloth. Those who hold the cloth can
which allows them to come ashore in the guise control the selkie, as if it were charmed by the
of land dwellers and even live among other races bearer of the cloth. Selkies can regenerate a
destroyed cloth at the next full moon, or after
before luring their victims beneath the waves to
21 days in the absence of a lunar cycle.
drown. In its natural form, a selkie has
Scent. The selkie has advantage on Perception
webbed, clawed hands and a muscular checks made involving scent. When
trunk ending in broad flippers. underwater, it can also track specific
scents from up to a mile away.
A selkie’s head is a blend of
Actions
human and seal, with large
Multiattack. The selkie makes two
eyes and a mouth full of melee attacks, one of which can be
curved teeth. Selkies’ coats its bite if it is in its true form. In seal
range from chestnut brown form, it can make two bite attacks.
to slate, dappled with darker Bite (True Form or Seal Form
Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +7
spots of gray. Male selkies to hit, reach 5 ft., one target, Hit:
grow to a length of 6-1/2 9 (1d10+4) piercing damage.
feet but can weigh up to 300 Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon
pounds because of the extra fat Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or
range 20/60 ft., one target, Hit:
the creatures need to survive 6 (1d4+4) piercing damage.
in colder climes. Females are Claws (True Form or Seal Form
slightly shorter and slimmer. Only). Melee Weapon Attack:
Selkies typically live up to 75 +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target,
Hit: 8 (1d8+4) slashing damage.
years.
Charming Song. The selkie sings a charming
song. When it does, it can target one creature, who
SELKIE
must make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw. On a
Medium fey, chaotic neutral failure, the creature is charmed for 1 minute. As
Armor Class 15 (natural armor) a bonus action, the selkie can instruct a charmed
Hit Points 143 (22d8 + 44)
10
creature to use its movement to enter or swim to
Speed 20 ft., 50 ft. swim the center of the nearest body of water, regardless
of any danger. Charmed creatures can attempt a
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
new saving throw at the end of each of their turns.
18 (+4) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 19 (+4) If a creature’s saving throw is successful, or the
effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the
Saving Throws Dex +6, Cha +7
selkie’s Charming Song for the next 24 hours.
Skills Athletics +7, Deception +7, Insight
Change Shape. The selkie magically polymorphs
+5, Perception +5, Stealth +6
into a Small or Medium female humanoid, the
Damage Resistances cold shape of a seal, or back into its true form.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15 Its statistics are the same in each form. Any
Languages Aquan, Common equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t
transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
293
Shark
The true nightmare of the sea is the megalodon,
a shark that represents the pinnacle of
this species’ evolution. Horrifying in its
immense size and ruinous appetite, the
megalodon is certainly the beast behind
many legends of enormous fish
who swallow ships whole.
A megalodon is 60 feet
long and weighs 100,000
pounds.
294
Shrimp, Giant attacks rolls against armored targets.
Actions
10
295
Siren
These bizarre
beings have the
bodies of hawks,
owls, or eagles,
but the heads of beautiful
human women. Their faces
Saving Throws Dex +6
typically reflect the human
Skills Acrobatics +7, History
ethnicity dominant in the area in +5, Insight +6, Perception +6,
which they lair, and they almost always Performance +10, Stealth +7
bear a vibrant and youthful countenance. Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
A typical siren has a wing span of 8 feet Senses darkvision 60 ft.,
and weighs 120 pounds. passive Perception 16
Languages Auran, Common
Heartbreaker. All sirens are female and long-
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
lived. The oldest known sirens haunt their
Actions
territories for nearly a millennium, although
Multiattack. The siren makes
most only live for a few hundred years. Sirens two attacks with its talons.
require male humanoids to mate, and several Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5
times per decade either capture or rescue bold or ft., one target, Hit: 9 (1d10+4) slashing damage.
comely sailors who enter their territories. Stories Alluring Voice. When the siren sings, it can cause
all creatures within 200 feet of it to make a DC
abound of sirens dying—either through heartache
15 Charisma saving throw. Those that fail are
or suicide—when sailors they attempted to lure charmed and are compelled to do anything the
overcame their compelling powers and escaped siren asks. As a bonus action, the siren can
either instruct the creatures that it has charmed
their grasps. Sirens always live near the sea, where
10 their powerful voices can carry over the waves and
attract the attention of unwary sailors who trespass
to take an action, or to stay incapacitated. The
siren cannot tell victims to attack their allies. A
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end
near their isles. of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on
a success. The effect also ends if the siren moves
SIREN further than 250 feet from its charmed victim.
If a creature’s saving throw is successful, or the
Medium monstrosity, chaotic neutral
effect ends for it, the creature is immune to this
Armor Class 14 siren’s Song of Charming for the next 24 hours.
Hit Points 82 (15d8 + 15) Screech (Recharge 5-6). The siren lets loose a
Speed 30 ft., 60 ft. fly shrill shout in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha that area must make a DC 14 Constitution saving
10 (+0) 19 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 17 (+3) 18 (+4) throw, taking 17 (5d6) thunder damage on a failed
save, or half as much on a successful one.
296
Squid, Giant checks made while underwater.
Immense in size, this great squid’s tentacles writhe Water Breathing. The giant squid can
and flash with almost nauseating speed. The breathe only underwater.
beast’s eyes are as big as shields. The giant squid Actions
is a legendary beast capable of feeding on humans Multiattack. The giant squid makes two attacks: one
with its bite and one with its arms. It may substitute
with ease. Hunger has been known to drive these a tentacle attack in place of a bite or arms, or both.
normally deep-dwelling creatures up to the ocean Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
surface where anything they encounter is potential one target, Hit: 11 (2d6+4) piercing damage.
prey. Arms. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
one target, Hit: 21 (4d6+7) bludgeoning damage.
GIANT SQUID Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
Huge beast, unaligned 30 ft., one target, Hit: 13 (2d6+7) bludgeoning
Armor Class 15 (natural armor) damage and the target is grappled (escape
DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the creature is
Hit Points 133 (14d12+42)
restrained. The giant squid has two tentacles,
Speed swim 60 ft. each of which can grapple one target.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Ink Cloud (Recharges after a Short or Long
19 (+4) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 2 (-4) 12 (+1) 2 (-4) Rest). A 20- foot-radius cloud of ink extends
all around the giant squid if it is underwater.
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5 The area is heavily obscured for 1 minute,
Senses darkvision 60 ft.; passive Perception 14 although a significant current can disperse
Languages — the ink. After releasing the ink, the giant squid
can use the Jet action as a bonus action.
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Jet. Until the end of its turn, the giant
Underwater Camouflage. The giant squid
squid's swim speed is 240 feet if it
has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth)
moves in a relatively straight path.
10
297
Star-spawn of Agents of Destruction. Servants of the alien gods
of the void, they work upon the worlds they invade
298
10
299
The star-spawn of Cthulhu war with many other STAR-SPAWN OF CTHULHU
strange races out of time and space, including elder Huge aberration, chaotic evil
things and the servitors of other Great Old Ones. Armor Class 21 (natural armor)
They have also been known to use these creatures— Hit Points 312 (25d12+150)
Speed 40 ft., fly 60 ft., swim 40 ft.
and other races such as the mi-go—as pawns, slaves,
or minions to promote their immortal agenda. Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
28 (+9) 13 (+1) 22 (+6) 18 (+4) 21 (+5) 19 (+4)
Though the star-spawn themselves hail from a
distant world deep in the void and can be found Saving Throws Str +15, Con +12,
on countless other realms as gods and monsters, Int +10, Wis +11, Cha +10
their lord Cthulhu dwells upon a distant planet Damage Immunities cold, poison, psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, poisoned
far removed from any commonly visited world. Yet
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision
while Cthulhu lies imprisoned in the corpse-city of 60 ft., passive Perception 15
300
despite the lack of air. Unlike full starflight (like Actions
that of the mi-go), a star-spawn of Cthulhu’s Multiattack. The star-spawn can use its frightful
ability to fly in outer space does not allow it presence. It then makes eight attacks: two
to reach unusual speeds. When it wishes to fly with its claws and six with its tentacles. It can
to another world, the creature relies entirely shove a creature in place of a claw attack.
upon its immortality and patience to complete Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15
the journey. When speed is required, it instead ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d6 + 9) slashing damage.
uses gate to make the journey quickly. If the star-spawn scores a critical hit, it rolls
Magic Resistance. The star-spawn has damage dice three times, instead of twice.
advantage on saving throws against Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach
spells and other magical effects. 15 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (1d8 + 9) bludgeoning
Overwhelming Mind. A star-spawn of Cthulhu’s damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled
mind is overwhelming in its power and alien (escape DC 23). Until this grapple ends,
structure. It is immune to any effect that would the target is restrained, and the star-spawn
sense its emotions or read its thoughts and can’t use that tentacle on another target.
divination spells. This foils even wish spells and Frightful Presence. Each creature of the star-
spells or effects of similar power used to affect spawn's choice that is within 120 feet of the star-
its mind or gain information. The first time a spawn and aware of it must succeed on a DC
creature other than a fiend or aberration makes 18 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened
mental contact with a star-spawn of Cthulhu, it for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving
must succeed at a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw throw at the end of each of its turns, ending
or be stunned for 1 round. On a successful save, the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s
the creature cannot take reactions and can make saving throw is successful or the effect ends for
either an action or a bonus action (not both) it, the creature is immune to the star-spawn's
for 1 round; creatures that are immune to being Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
stunned are unaffected. This effect can occur
whether the star-spawn of Cthulhu initiates mental
contact (such as via a dream, or once per round
merely by telepathic communication) or another
creature attempts to do so (such as via detect
thoughts or dominate monster). Once a creature
is exposed to a specific star-spawn of Cthulhu’s
overwhelming mind, it is immune to this effect
from all star-spawn of Cthulhu for 24 hours.
10
301
Whale Siege Monster. The whale deals double
damage to objects and structures.
Actions
This immense whale has an enormous, box-shaped Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach
head over a massive, toothy maw. Its rough white 20 ft., one target, Hit: 31 (6d6 + 10) piercing
damage. If the whale scores a critical hit, it rolls
hide is laced with scars. Legendary in size and
damage dice three times, instead of twice.
temper, great white whales are far more aggressive Tail Slap. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to
than their smaller kin, over 80 feet long and hit, reach 30 ft., one target, Hit: 20
weighing over 60 tons. (3d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage.
Smashing Breach. A great white whale can make a
GREAT WHITE WHALE special attack against creatures on the surface of
Gargantuan beast, unaligned the water. At the end of its movement it can occupy
Armor Class 17 (natural armor) one or more creature's spaces. Any Huge or smaller
creatures in the whale’s space must succeed at a
Hit Points 279 (18d20+90)
DC 24 Dexterity saving throw or take 28 (4d8+10)
Speed 0 ft., swim 40 ft. bludgeoning damage and be forced into the nearest
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha square that is adjacent to the whale. This breach
30 (+10) 6 (-2) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1) automatically attempts to capsize any boats caught
wholly or partially in this area. If the whale fails
Saving Throws Str +16, Dex +4, to displace everything in its space, it is forced
Con +11, Wis +7, Cha +5 back to its previous unoccupied location, or if
Skills Insight +7, Perception +7, Stealth +4 that is not possible, the nearest space it can fit.
Senses blindsight 120 ft.; passive Perception 17
Languages Aquan Legendary Actions
Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)
The great white whale can take 3 legendary
Echolocation. The whale can’t use its
blindsight while deafened. actions, choosing from the options below. Only one
Hold Breath. The whale can hold legendary action option can be used at a time and
its breath for 90 minutes. only at the end of another creature’s
Keen Hearing. The whale has advantage turn. The whale regains spent
on Wisdom (Perception) checks
that rely on hearing. legendary actions at the start of
Legendary Resistance (1/ his turn.
Day). If the whale fails k Detect. The whale
a saving throw, it makes a Wisdom (Perception)
can choose to
succeed check.
instead. k Tail Attack. The
whale makes a tail slap.
k Underwater Surge
(Costs 2 Actions). The whale
moves up to its swim speed
without provoking opportunity
attacks and uses Smashing Breach.
302
Our Sprightly Ship
To the tune of “The Coast of High Barbary”
Twas sailing in the western coves when what did my eyes see?
I’ve sailed all the coasts there are, the ocean, and the sea!
The captain heard my wisdom and our sprightly ship turned east.
I’ve sailed all the coasts there are, the ocean, and the sea!
Was sailing by the eastern cliffs, when what did my nose smell?...
I asked the captain, “Turn around, you see his flaming mouth?”
The captain heard my wisdom, and our sprightly ship turned south...
Was sailing in the southern seas, when what did my eyes hear?...
The captain heard my wisdom, and our sprightly ship turned north...
Was sailing through the northern ice, when what did my skin feel?...
A thunderstorm from some foul god, with bolts that ring and peal...
The captain heard my wisdom, and our sprightly ship sailed west...
I’ve sailed all the seas there are, and still I’ve yet to find...
A village with a smoking hearth where folks are good and kind...
I beg my fellows, “Go ashore, let’s work the fields like men!”...
11
304
Adventure Where is Makemba?
305
for signs of piracy or slavery, then the crew also
New Magic Item ceases trying to get away. In this case, skip ahead
POTION OF DISGUISE SELF to the parley section.
UNCOMMON
You gain the benefit of the disguise self Surrender
spell for 1 hour.
Upon boarding the Tamarind, the PCs find Captain
Craw waiting for them on deck. He immediately
cook, who serves as the captain's main accomplice. offers his scimitar to the PCs as an official
Sito is a poisons expert who uses his nefarious surrender. Likewise, his crew place their various
craft to keep the sentient cargo docile during the weapons on the deck. Captain Bartholomew Craw
journey. introduces himself, then apologizes for any attempt
Ship Chase to flee, and any shots from the Tamarind’s ballista;
he explains that this was because of the rumors of
If the PCs look threatening in any way or do not piracy in the region.
declare why they are moving closer to the Tamarind, The Truth: The surrendered weapons are a
she immediately attempts to flee upon the crew distraction. Each crew member of the Tamarind has
spotting the PCs’ ship. If the PCs bring their ship a light melee weapon concealed somewhere on their
directly behind the Tamarind, Captain Craw orders person, ready to be drawn if they receive the signal
the crew to use the light ballista on board but only to attack. Captain Craw cast protection from poison
for a few shots to hopefully disable some of the PCs’ and also drank a potion of disguise self just before
ship’s rigging before making escape the primary the PCs boarded, not to change his appearance, but
focus again (+6 attack; 3d10 damage). The PCs’ ship to allow him to conceal his magical scimitar. If the
can sustain a number of these attacks but if it takes PCs cast detect magic and notice an aura of magic
too much damage, the captain will start objecting around Craw, he smiles ingratiatingly and says that
and talk about pulling back from the chase. he knows a few minor magic tricks, including one
You can handle the ship chase as a series of ability that protects him from attacks in the event that he
checks. PCs who are proficient in vehicles (water) is boarded. After identifying the auras of abjuration
can add their proficiency bonus to these checks and illusion on Craw, suspicious PCs who attempt
(the Tamarind's bonus is equal to +4). The Tamarind to figure out exactly what spell it is can make a DC
should begin with a head start (up to 3 successful 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check to realize that while
checks ahead of the PCs) and then make a series of abjuration makes sense, there should be a visible
opposed checks. Once the PCs have had a number effect if Craw had a defensive illusion spell.
of successes equal or greater than the Tamarind,
they have successfully caught up to the Tamarind
Parley
11 and the crew of the Tamarind surrenders. If the
chase is dragging on and it becomes apparent to
Craw is most hospitable and once the PCs are below
decks in the galley, Sito serves everyone a stiff
Captain Craw of the Tamarind that the PCs aren't drink of heavily spiced grog before returning to
going to fall behind then they also surrender and his kitchen duties. Craw begins by toasting the PCs
stop trying to get away. before leading them to the hold and expressing his
If the PCs communicate to the Tamarind that they regrets for the low-quality of his cargo. If the PCs
simply want to board to have a discussion or search are here to inspect Craw's ship, despite not having
306
a Makemban flag, Craw is happy for the PCs to look next to the ladder, 10 feet round from the ship’s
around. If Craw is under the impression that the bow. PCs who make a successful DC 10 Wisdom
PCs are here to take his cargo, he tries to persuade (Insight) check notice Captain Craw doing this, but
them that while they could take his cargo, it’s barely PCs whose check result also beats Craw’s opposed
worth the effort of transferring it to the PCs’ ship, Charisma (Deception) check realize that Craw
and will only take up space in their hold that they is purposefully acting in this way, deliberately
could fill with much more valuable plunder. Craw trying to draw their attention to that area rather
attempts to convince the PCs to release his ship than unintentionally revealing it. A successful DC
instead. To help sway them, Craw offers to help 10 Wisdom (Perception) check while searching
the PCs by putting the PCs in touch with some of that area reveals a small hidden compartment set
his contacts in the black market that could either against the hull. Resting in a nest of straw inside
sell some goods, particularly magic items, with no the compartment is a set of three oily clay vials. The
questions asked or to allow them to potentially vials contain a potion of hill giant strength, a potion
purchase some magic items from a limited amount. of healing, a potion of acid resistance, and a small
If the PCs boarded the Tamarind under false amount of saffron oil (worth 60 gp). Normally these
pretenses, Captain Craw still invites them below— potions are in Sito’s possession and the valuable
only the conversation is one of friendly small talk, saffron oil secured away in Craw’s sea chest. All
the swapping of the latest news and information, the vials are covered in a contact poison version of
and perhaps an offer to sell some of the Tamarind’s elfbane; anyone who touches these vials is exposed
spices. to the poison. The lid of the vial of saffron oil is
The Truth: If the PCs came aboard under false loose, making it appear as if it has leaked over the
pretenses then Sito's grog is poisoned and each other vials. Craw feigns disappointed when the PCs
PC who drinks is exposed to a dose of elfbane discover this cache, but secretly hopes the PCs pass
(Ingested. One minute after a creature has become these treasures around as they try to identify them.
subjected to this poison they must succeed on a DC A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Nature) check
15 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned (characters proficient in alchemist's supplies may
and unconscious for 1d3 hours). Before the PCs add their proficiency bonus to this check) reveals
boarded the Tamarind, Craw cast protection from the toxic nature of the oily coating on the vials.
poison, so he can imbibe the poisoned brew and Avoid having the PCs rolls saving throws as soon
gain advantage on his saving throw against being as they touch a poisoned vial. Secretly track which
poisoned. The rest of the conversation is simply PCs have touched the vials, keeping note of how
Craw's way of stalling for time to let the poison do often each PC is in contact with a vial, as there may
its work. be multiple exposures. Have the PCs make saving
If the PCs boarded and captured the Tamarind throws retroactively when they become aware of
then Craw expects that the wary PCs are unlikely
to fall for the poisoned grog ruse. He still has Sito
the poison, or at the end of the 1 minute onset
period when some of them may start succumbing
11
offer grog (that isn’t poisoned) and watches to see if to the poison. This curtails any metagaming, and
the PCs cast spells on their drinks before imbibing increases the chances of the vials being passed to
them. When in the cargo hold, Craw pretends to act different party members.
slightly nervous and his eyes seem to repeatedly
wander to a section of the hull on the port side
307
Clues to reach places show signs of being new or
recently moved. If the PCs call Craw on this,
The following suggestions are some ways that the
he sighs and goes into a long discourse on his
PCs can start to learn that not all onboard the
recent string of misfortunes in the spice trade.
Tamarind is as it seems:
He confides that he’s hoping to sell his cargo
k A DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check,
as a job lot and get rid of the older spices by
after seeing the cargo in the hold: the ship is
mixing them in with his fresher stock.
sitting too low in the water for the amount
k A DC 10 Intelligence (Investigation) check
of cargo in the hold. If the PCs mention this,
by a character with ranks in the skill after
Craw says that he has a large load of ballast
seeing the galley: many of Ripplepott's bottles
to keep the Tamarind from capsizing in the
and equipment in the galley are for crafting
frequent storms that strike this area of ocean
alchemical items rather than food. If the
and that the ship’s hull has a multitude of
check result beats the DC by 10 or more, then
small leaks, meaning the ship usually carries
the PC recognizes tools and materials for
a lot of bilgewater.
poison-making.
k A DC 10 Intelligence (Investigation) check,
k A DC 15 Wisdom (Insight) check against crew
after seeing the size of the cargo hold: the
members other than Captain Craw or Sito
cargo hold is small for a ship this size. If
Ripplepott: gives the sense that they are very
questioned about this, Craw simply points
uncomfortable about the PCs being onboard.
out that while the Tamarind isn’t the most
k A DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check while in
efficiently or elegantly built ship on the ocean,
the hold: beneath the strong scent of spices
she is very sturdy. Craw says that the ship’s
in the cargo hold is the distinct smell of feces
extra structural supports means he can’t
and sweat. Any PC within 5 feet of the trap
carry quite as much cargo but it does mean
door leading to the secret hold gets advantage
the Tamarind is a lot more likely to arrive in
on this check.
port in one piece.
k A successful opposed Wisdom (Perception)
k A DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence
check by a PC contested against a
(Investigation) check after watching Sito
crewmember’s Dexterity (Sleight of Hand)
preparing food in the galley: Ripplepott is
check while closely observing or searching
making two separate meals. One is a regular
a crew member: notices the presence of a
ship's dinner while the other is a large pot
hidden weapon on that crewmember.
of simple gruel. If the PCs draw attention
to this, Craw mentions that he’s a fair but Attack!
firm captain and one of the more common
Captain Craw's plan of attack depends on how
308
the PCs and their crew obviously outnumber and is a small door that leads to a storage space under
outmatch his. Depending on their negotiations, the the platform that holds oars, spare planks, sails,
PCs may encounter Craw again and make use of tools, and other supplies.
his services before learning his true nature (if they 2. Main Deck: The main deck of the Tamarind has
ever do). a simple layout. The mast is at the center of the ship
If some of the PCs succumb, or if none do but and forward of it are large loading doors that lead
the PCs become aware of the poisoning attempt, into the cargo hold below. A ladder near the mast
then Craw initiates combat. The Captain signals his and another near the cargo hold both lead below
crew to draw their hidden weapons and attack the deck.
PCs’ crew. Sito Ripplepott appears and harasses the 3. Crow’s Nest: At the top of the mast is a simple,
party at range while Craw himself wades into battle. 5-foot square platform that serves as a lookout
If the PCs find the hidden trap door to the secret point for the ship.
hold before Craw has a chance to spring his trap,
he lets one or two PCs go down before attempting
Below Deck
to separate the PCs by slamming the hatch shut 4. Captain's Quarters: The private bunk of
and signaling the attack. If the party won't split, he Captain Craw also serves as his chart room and
signals the attack immediately. office. A comfortable cot and nightstand are in one
If all the PCs fall unconscious from the poison, corner and maps, charts, and other navigational
they later wake to find themselves stripped of gear tools cover the walls. There is also a small writing
and chained in the secret hold with the rest of the desk containing numerous logs and record books
slaves. They learn the truth of the Tamarind from a detailing the captain's dealings—in both spices
visit by Sito, who brings gruel and water, and from and slaves. A thorough search of the cabin finds
Craw himself, who reveals his true colors. They can a weathered piece of parchment that potentially
also learn the fate of their ship and crew. Perhaps leads to further adventure (see Part 2 below). Beside
a less trustworthy member of the PCs’ crew saw the bed is a sea chest that contains his personal
the opportunity to become captain, or maybe Craw belongings. The door to this room is always locked
forced the PCs’ crew to withdraw by threatening and Captain Craw carries the key with him at all
to kill the PCs, and their ship is still sailing times.
nearby. Ultimately, how the party escapes from 5. Cabin/Galley: This main cabin is both the
this predicament is up to the players' ingenuity and eating and sleeping area for the rest of the crew.
your discretion as GM. A large stained and dirty table with matching
309
of the large crates in the southeast section rests
on top of a secret trap door leading down into the
Captain of the Tamarind
secret hold below. Finding this trap door requires
Bartholomew Craw is a paunchy, heavy-set
the searching character to make a successful DC 15 man wearing the dirty and threadbare outfit
Wisdom (Perception) check. of a merchant sea captain. His shaved head
7. Secret Hold: This space is only tall enough for is ruddily-sunburned and his squinting,
a Medium-sized creature to stand hunched over. deep-set eyes are dark brown. A scraggly,
dull-red beard only serves to make his wide
Dozens of people lie chained to the floor and walls
smile, full of yellowed teeth, all the more
with thick, iron manacles. Most are unconscious noticeable.
and the few who are awake are torpid. They are
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Saving Throws Strength +2, Dexterity +7
Skills Deception +3
Senses passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Gnoll, Infernal
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Colossus Slayer. Craw deals an extra 1d8
damage against a target that has already
taken damage. Craw cannot deal this extra
damage more than once per turn.
Magic Scimitar. Craw and his fellow pirates cannot be
surprised while Craw is wearing his magic scimitar.
Dueling Fighting Style. Craw has a +2 bonus to
damage rolls when wielding a melee weapon
with one hand and no other weapons. This is
already factored into the scimitar damage.
Actions
Multiattack. As an action Bartholomew can SITO RIDDLEPOT
make two magic scimitar attacks. Medium humanoid (gnome), chaotic evil
Magic Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: Armor Class 15 (leather)
+7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: Hit Points 90 (12d8+36)
1d6+7 (10) slashing damage.
Speed 25 ft.
Spellcasting. Craw is a 5th level caster.
His spellcasting ability score is Wisdom Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
(DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). 8 (-1) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds,
detect magic, hunter's mark Skills Poisoner's Kit +6, Disguise
Kit +2, Perception +4
2nd level (2 slots): protection from poison
Senses passive Perception 10
Development: Bartholomew Craw surrenders Languages Common, Gnome
if reduced to 10 hit points or less. However, if he Challenge 3 (700 XP)
believes he will be hanged as a slaver he fights to Cunning Action. As a bonus action Sito
the death. can dash, disengage or hide.
Sneak Attack. Sito deals an extra 2d6 damage
Treasure. Craw has a scimitar of warning. when he makes an attack with a dagger, light
crossbow or has advantage on the attack roll.
Ship’s Cook Actions
Multiattack. As an action Bartholomew
can make two magic dagger attacks.
11
With a hunch that makes him seem shorter
than he already is, this gnome dresses in Dagger Attack. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack:
simple clothes and a leather apron covered +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one
in grease and other stains. His slick hair target. Hit: 1d4+4 (6) piercing damage.
is the color of moss and his beady eyes are Light Crossbow Attack. Ranged Weapon
a quiet gray. Slung around his waist is a Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one
bandoleer of flasks and cooking utensils. target. Hit: 1d8+4 (8) piercing damage.
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Tamarind Crew Part 2:
SAILORS (15)
Delivering the
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (leather armor)
Hit Points 39 (6d8+2)
Cargo
Speed 30 ft. Among the papers in Captain Craw’s cabin, the PCs
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha find a piece of weathered parchment containing
13 (+1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) a curious message and rough map. The message
contains an order for a consignment of slaves and
Senses passive Perception 10
instructions for delivery of this shipment. The map
Languages Common
marks the delivery location as a point in the open
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
ocean, with the nearest island over 20 miles away.
Actions
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 Scrawled on the parchment in Craw’s handwriting
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one is the following: “This be an odd trade run if ever
11 target. Hit: 1d4+2 (4) piercing damage. there were one. I guess there’ll be a ship waiting
out there, but why not make the trade at an island
Pirates should present little trouble, but can be
instead? Would have been much easier. Still if the
limited to 5 pirates at a time with 2 to 3 rounds
pay is as good as that down payment of pearls it’ll
between waves.
make the trip well worthwhile, even if it means
the risk of sailing through pirate-infested waters.”
The only other clue is in Craw’s ledgers from over
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2 months ago. A note next to an entry paying off Making Deadly Dramatic!
a large debt reads, “Those pearls did the trick, Normally, a writer using up valuable word
count on an NPC’s background that the PCs
that’ll keep the legbreakers off me. It was good of
may never learn isn’t a good idea. However,
old Jarkus the drunkard to put me onto this deal. the Gaunt is a deadly reef hag. Even in
I don’t know why the ancient poxy lubber kept a short adventure like this one, the PCs
should be aware that they face something
muttering about it being “Shayonna’s debt”. I don’t
ominous and terrifying. If the PCs defeat her
give a damn about the name of whoever he gets any and live to tell the tale, they automatically
of these jobs from. Getting more of those lustrous gain renown with the other sailors in the
area when they next make port and speak of
pearls is what I care about.”
this deed. If you are using inspiration in your
While there is enough food and water to feed the campaign you should award one inspiration
rescued slaves for the trip to the Islet and back, to all of the PCs that actively participated
in the defeat of Shayonna. If some of the
the rescued slaves would rather return to port. If
PCs were particularly heroic but already
the PCs also sail back to port they risk missing the have inspiration (the usual maximum), you
rendezvous time. They could try to put the pirates might want to consider a one off temporary
suspension of this limit and award them an
to work (although face potential mutiny) or sail
inspiration to temporarily give them a total
themselves (in which case you can simply hand of two inspiration. Once one of these two
wave it or run the PCs through a series of ability inspirations is used the maximum reverts to
the usual one inspiration.
checks varying from DC 5 to DC 15).
313
11
314
The Islet a womanizing half-elven pirate, popular in many
local ports for his willingness to spread his plunder
Assuming the account of the valuable pearls strikes
around. Gamin lost his ear from a close call with an
the PCs’ interest, it takes less than a week of travel
imperial ballista bolt. If any of the PCs have ever
to reach the location marked on the map. It is a tiny
actually seen Gamin, the merrow bears a warped,
islet, sandy and barren, surrounded by a large coral
monstrous resemblance to the man. If addressed by
reef. The shallow waters and jagged reefs around
name, the merrow stares blankly at the PCs before
this speck of land mean that the PCs’ ship needs to
a flicker of recognition crosses the creature’s face
moor at least 300 feet away to avoid damage to the
and it burbles three words in Giant, “please kill
hull. There is, however, no one on the isle and no
me”. The grotesque thing that was once a man then
other ships in sight.
stiffens and comprehension fades from its eyes,
Reception leaving only brutish hostility.
Treasure: Gamin’s earring is only worth 50 gp,
Creatures: Shortly after the PCs land on the islet,
but it grants the PC advantage if they use it as part
a pair of hulking, brutish things put their heads
of a Charisma (Persuasion) check on a nautical
above the surface of the sea nearby and warily
NPC. The ring can only be used in this way once
wade toward the PCs. These are a pair of merrow
until it is old news and no longer impresses sailors.
(as described in the official manual of monsters for
5th Edition), the unholy offspring of the legendary Parley
sea hag, Shayonna the Gaunt. They approach the
If the PCs wait, after several minutes Shayonna the
islet from the east, using the shallow water for
Gaunt (see area 4) rises up out of the ocean. She
cover and, providing the PCs don’t attack, slowly
has used a disguise to conceal her horrific form,
emerging from the water. Both creatures have
appearing as a youthful aquatic humanoid, similar
the waterlogged remnants of sailor’s outfits still
to a merfolk, but with legs instead of a tail. Even in
clinging to their gross forms. One of them speaks
this unassuming form, there is something palpably
in gurgling, barely understandable Common asking
sinister in her manner. The ocean itself seems to
why the PCs have come. If the PCs provide a
recoil from her and as she steps onto the sand; her
believable reason to be here, such as to sell slaves,
blood-red hair is dry. Flanked by her two merrows,
the merrows nod and one dives into the water to
Shayonna approaches the PCs and asks what they
convey this information to Shayonna. Shayonna is
have brought her. Shayonna cagily negotiates for
already aware of the presence of the PCs’ ship and
the consignment of slaves and shrewdly asks why
has sent her minions to ascertain their intentions if
the PCs are making this delivery rather than the
a party comes ashore.
Captain Craw. Shayonna demands the PCs bring a
The remaining merrow has a deep scar across
sample selection of slaves ashore for her to examine.
the right side of its face that cuts off the lower
half of its right ear. The curious thing is a piece
She haggles over the price and the quality of the
merchandise but is prepared to pay up to 2,800 gp
11
of silver jewelry crafted to resemble the missing
in pearls for all the Tamarind’s slaves, regardless
piece of flesh dangles from two earrings in the
of their condition, which is an exceptionally good
upper half of this ear. PCs can recognize this
price.
unusual jewelry and its owner with a DC 15
If the PCs sell the slaves, these poor wretches
Intelligence (Investigation) check. It belongs to a
are brought ashore where they huddle together
knavish scallywag named Gamin ‘half-ear’ Crystos,
315
on the tiny islet. Each day at dawn, shells full of 3. Urchin Cluster
brackish water and raw fish are left on the shore
The coralline tunnel opens out into an underwater
to sustain them, and each night one of the doomed
clearing. Multicolored corals grow in profusion all
slaves vanishes, as the unfortunate is dragged
around this open area, but there are gaps in coral
below the waves to a ghastly fate. After completing
branches overhead, allowing more light through
such a despicable bargain, the PCs had best be gone
from above (giving this area the same illumination
quickly and never return, for when Shayonna has
level as above the waves) and providing Medium or
at least six merrows in total under her control,
smaller creatures with a way up to the surface. The
she avariciously boards any nearby vessel to gain
area is 10 feet high and the seafloor is 25 feet below
additional minions.
the surface.
1. Underwater Passage The passage to the south narrows to a small shaft
that leads up to the outside of the reef. It requires
Just to the south of the islet is an underwater tunnel
a DC 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check for Small-
into the coral reef that leads through to Shayonna’s
or Medium-sized creatures to squeeze along this
lair. The tunnel is marked with a darker outline
shaft, larger creatures can’t fit at all, and smaller
on the map; the other lighter areas are simply gaps
creatures can move through without restriction.
between the colonies of coral surrounding the islet.
Creatures: While there are tiny fish swimming
The thick coral over the tunnel makes it impossible
among the coral and aquatic plant life, the main
to spot from above and a steep overhang above
danger here is a large number of predatory ravenous
the tunnel entrance conceals it from the view of
sea urchins. These spiny marine creatures are
anyone on the island. The passage slopes down
under Shayonna’s sway and don’t attack her or her
from a depth of 5 feet at the northern end to 25
merrows, but hungrily surge over intruders.
feet at the southern end where it opens out into
area 3. Scattered sunlight filters in during the day, RAVENOUS URCHIN SWARM (3)
providing dim illumination; at night, the tunnel Medium swarm of Tiny beasts, unaligned
is in darkness. The Large-sized merrows need to Armor Class 13
squeeze through this tunnel which slows them Hit Points 72 (16d8)
Speed 0 ft., swim 30 ft.
significantly.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
2. Coralline Tunnel 1 (-5) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 4 (-3) 13 (+1) 9 (-1)
Coral Flensing Trap. At the entrance of the Coralline Senses passive Perception 11
tunnel is a magical trap that triggers the second Challenge 1 (200 XP)
anyone that is of Small size or larger, other than Jet. While underwater, a ravenous urchin swarm
can dash as a bonus action and does not
Shayonna or a merrow, passes through this area.
11
provoke opportunity attacks while jetting.
A successful DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana) check
Swarm. The swarm can occupy someone else's space
to spot the Coralline Flensing trap and another DC and vice versa. The swarm can fit into any space
20 Intelligence (Arcana) check to disable it. When large enough for a tiny urchin to squeeze through
and can use a reaction to attack any creature that
the trap triggers a torrent of water attempts to slam
leaves its square with an attack of opportunity.
the creature into the razor sharp corals that line
the passage, dealing 1d8 piercing damage. This
trap automatically resets and can trigger once per
round.
316
Actions
Spines. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 0 ft.,
New Magic Item
one target. Hit: 1d4+1 (3) piercing damage and the
CLAW OF THE BRINY DEPTHS
creature becomes poisoned (DC 13 Constitution
UNCOMMON
save on the creature's turn ends this) and while
poisoned have their speed reduced to 10 ft. The thick webbed membranes between the
withered digits of this severed claw hint at
the subaquatic origins of the thalassic thing it
4. Sea Hag’s Grotto (CR 6) was once a part of. On command, the claw
animates as a clawing claw (as described
in the official manual of monsters for 5th
A carpet of pale bones litters the seabed Edition) with a swim speed of 20 foot
in this grotto of dead skeletal coral. Sharp instead of a climb speed. This crawling
spikes of lifeless coral jut from the walls claw is under the control of the creature
and opposite the entrance, glistening pearls who animated it and lasts for 3 minutes
rest in several large seashells. Curtains of before decomposing into a foul nonmagical
lifeless blackened seaweed hang from the slurry of festering tissue and bones.
walls.
each turn, ending the effect on a success. If the
The thick coral blocks any light from the surface saving throw succeeds the creature becomes
leaving the area in darkness. immune to this effect for 24 hours. A creature
may avert their eyes from Shayonna unless they
Creature: This dark grotto is the lair of Shayonna are surprised by the form. A creature gains
the Gaunt. Her merrow minions have likely already disadvantage on attack rolls against the hag until
alerted her to the approach of the PCs’ ship. the start of their next turn if they avert their eyes
Shayonna lurks here, patiently waiting for the PCs Actions
Multiattack. Shayonna can make two
to bring her the slaves she needs to complete her
claw attacks as an action.
foul ministrations. Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10
If she retreats here to her grotto after a fight on ft., one target. Hit: 2d6+5 (12) slashing damage.
shore, she animates her claw of the briny depths If the creature is Medium or smaller than they
are grappled (DC 15 to escape) and restrained
and waits for the PCs to arrive.
until the grapple ends. Shayonna has two claws
and can grapple a single creature in each claw.
SHAYONNA THE GAUNT
Salt Wife's Glare. As an action, Shayonna can
Medium fey, chaotic evil
target a single creature that is within 30 feet and
Armor Class 14 (natural armor) frightened of her. They must pass a DC 15 Wisdom
Hit Points 145 (17d10+68) saving throw against this magical effect or be
Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft. reduced to 0 HP. A creature affected by this ability
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha becomes doesn't make death saving throws and
gains the ability to breathe underwater. While
20 (+5) 16 (+3) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 13 (+1)
underwater the creature cannot regain HP. After
Senses darkvision 60 ft., fog sense, spending a day submersed in water the creature
passive Perception 11
Languages Aquan, Common, Sylvan
must succeed at a DC 10 Constitution save or be
transformed into a merrow and regain their HP. If
transformed into a merrow they regard Shayonna
11
Challenge 5 (2,900 XP) as their beloved mistress. She gains advantage
Horrific Appearance. The sight of Shayonna is so on Charisma (Deception) checks when interacting
revolting that anyone within 30 feet (other than with the merrow she transforms, and they in turn
another hag) and can see what the hag truly looks become immune to her horrific appearance. This
like must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving transformation cannot be dispelled but can be
throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature reversed with remove curse. This effect becomes
may make a new saving throw at the end of permanent after seven days have passed.
317
Illusory Appearance. Shayonna can make herself Senses passive Perception 10
appear as a medium female humanoid. Creatures Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
that touch Shayonna or make a successful
Actions
DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check can
successfully see through the disguise. Tongue. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10
ft., one target. Hit: 1d6+3 (6) bludgeoning damage
RAVENOUS URCHIN (3) and the creature is pulled closer by 5 feet.
Medium beast, unaligned Spikes. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5
Armor Class 13 ft., one target. Hit: 1d4 (2) piercing damage and
the target is poisoned. The creature may make a
Hit Points 52 (8d8+16)
DC 13 Constitution saving throw each round at
Speed 0 ft., swim 30 ft. the end of its turn to end the poisoned effect.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
16 (-5) 3 (-4) 14 (+2) 4 (-3) 11 (+0) 2 (-4) Treasure: The piles of silvery pearls are worth
3,200 gp in total.
Conclusion
Once the PCs have dealt with the
Tamarind and Shayonna the Gaunt in
one way or another, and likely gained
a rich prize of pearls, they are free to
continue on with their adventures.
If Shayonna the Gaunt survives, PCs
may encounter her again, perhaps
as the captain of a ship of her own
crewed by a horde of monstrous
merrows.
318
We Lost One Mate
To the tune of “Leave Her, Johnny”
Oh, we lost one mate, in a fight with a stranger
Oh, we once had a mate who thought that women were a jinx...
He said so to their face but one turned out to be a sphinx...
Oh, the good ship’s cook thought he’d die of old age...
Made a terrible stew for a powerful mage...
Tarin’s
Crown:
A6 t h- l e v e l
ad v e n t u r e
11
320
Adventure Soon a dock was built and a solid path led to the
Background bare peak above the jungle. Here Tarin built what
he intended to be the first tower of a significant
fortress, overlooking a sheer hundred foot cliff
The island now called Tarin’s Crown was originally
to the south, using stone quarried from the
known as Crown Island. Named for its three low
eastern peak of the island. As the tower was being
peaks resembling a three pointed tiara from a
constructed, Tarin looked out over the lagoon
distance, local pirates often simply refer to it as
with his ship docked there and was struck by an
“the Crown”. With its lush jungle and beautiful
inspiration. Using more rock from the quarry, he
lagoon harbor on the northern side of the island,
had slaves build rough seawalls across the entrance
it seemed to be an inviting and picturesque spot
of the lagoon. This created a single winding
for a pirate lord’s lair. The island attracted many
passage that any ship entering the harbor would
a pirate crew looking to carve out a base of
have to follow. Ships of significant size (including
operations. Yet each attempt met with failure as
the Silver Narwhal) would have to slow and make
the aggressive carnivorous plant life and sentient
hard turns to successfully navigate it. He then had
vegetation native to the island destroyed anyone
two mangonels laboriously transported up next to
foolish enough to try. Survivors of unsuccessful
the tower and carefully calibrated so they fired into
attempts spread word of these dangers, and aside
this narrow passage. Now Tarin could easily disable
from the occasional crew desperate for fresh water,
any ship attempting to enter the lagoon.
the island remained unoccupied; most considered
His ‘impenetrable’ base complete to the first
the Crown a good navigational landmark and little
tower, Tarin returned to raiding and pillaging.
else, until recent times.
Red Skewer Tarin added much to his reputation by
For Captain Jared “Red Skewer” Tarin of the
taming the island, and people began referring to it
Silver Narwhal, however, this deadly isle was merely
as Tarin’s Crown. Whenever the jungle became too
another challenge to overcome. The vicious pirate
aggressive, Tarin would sacrifice sheep, or some
had decided that he needed an island fortress which
of the slaves he now kept as domestic servants; he
would be all but impenetrable, and an island as
knew he could always get more on the next raid.
dangerous as Crown Island was exactly what he was
Tarin’s renown grew, and so did the envious greed
looking for. Three years ago, Tarin landed on the
of his fellow pirates. A number of them then did
Crown and began clearing a path from the lagoon
exactly what Tarin expected and tried to loot his
to the highest peak using a large number of slaves
base, and one by one, they fell into his trap. These
as a workforce. The sentient plant creatures that
pirates tried to cut through the jungle and were
flourish on the isle usually fed on wild boars and
destroyed by the plant creatures, or sought to scale
seals, but didn’t overlook such a bountiful offering.
the sheer cliff only to be picked off by crossbow bolts
Casualties among the labor force were high, but by
sacrificing a large number of slaves and livestock
from laughing pirates, or even actually attempted
to sail into the lagoon. This last was the best of
11
to satisfy the vegetation’s appetite, Tarin kept
all for Tarin and his crew. Once the ship was in
his own crew from being eaten. Whenever Tarin
range, his mangonels would rain hell upon the ship,
experienced significant losses due to predation, the
disabling it in the tight waterway. The Narwhal’s
Silver Narwhal would leave port and return with
crew then moved along the rough seawalls and took
more animals and slaves.
321
the ship, along with whatever gold and plunder it the pirates may have filtered out to the nearby
had aboard. lands and so the PCs are now on a quest to retrieve
322
interior. The PCs can land on the island’ shore and and those on the Silver Narwhal. Alsindra relates
hack their way through the unforgiving jungle, or the information in the Recent Events section above
attempt to get through the guarded channel into and asks for their aid. She hopes that by offering a
the lagoon. substantial reward she can convince the PCs to do
324
Creatures: Alsindra and the crew assigned to
the Narwhal attempt to board the PCs’ ship after
the mangonels disable it, or as it nears the end of
the channel. They use the rocky outcroppings of
the sea walls as cover as they approach the ship.
Alsindra and her band have trained to deal with
the shrapnel ammunition from the mangonels
and can use a reaction to gain advantage on the
Dexterity saving throw from the mangonels. This
enables them to board a vessel and fight in areas
targeted by the mangonels with little concern.
The boarding party concentrates on officers,
counting on the shrapnel shots to handle the
regular crew. Each round after boarding, Alsindra
demands surrender. If this happens, she signals
the mangonels with a bright orange flag swung in
a particular pattern to stop the bombardment.
One of the crew, Erling Pennington, was recently
held prisoner by Shayonna the Gaunt. If the PCs
experienced the events of Islands of Plunder: Spices
and Flesh and rescued Erling, he may be willing
to speak up in favor of them depending on how
the PCs dealt with him. If they left him to rot in
Shayonna the Gaunt’s grotto, on the other hand,
then Erling will not be present and will have since Alsindra Devrol
been replaced on the Silver Narwhal.
ALSINDRA DEVROL
hp 143 (see page 333) B. The Silver Narwhal
Challenge 5 (1,800 xp)
The Silver Narwhal, a two-masted sailing ship with
SILVER NARWHAL CREW (4) her infamous silver-inlaid horn figurehead, sits
hp 99 each (see page 335) docked here as she has been now for some three
Challenge 2 (450 xp each) months. There is no cargo or treasure on the
Narwhal herself; the pirates have taken that to the
Development: If the PCs surrender, Alsindra
offers them a simple deal, they go and defeat the
pirate lord (as described in the Parley section
tower or distributed it to the crew. The ship itself is
worth 10,000 gp. 11
Creatures: Alsindra and her band reside on board
above) while she keeps the PCs’ ship and crew as
the Narwhal, maintaining the ship and keeping it
hostages. If the PCs succeed, Alsindra promises to
seaworthy. If the PCs manage to circumvent the
return both their ship and crew to them. She lets
seawall passage and approach the ship or the trail to
the PCs take a longboat (if the PCs’ ship has one),
the tower then this group of pirates shoots volleys
or use a small cutter stored on the Silver Narwhal
of crossbow bolts at them, while using the ship’s
(if they don’t).
325
ALSINDRA DEVROL
hp 143 (see page 333)
Challenge 5 (1,800 xp)
326
VEGEPYGMY CHIEFTAIN suffers 1d10 (5) poison damage on their turn, but
Small plant, unaligned they can also repeat the Constitution saving throw
Armor Class 13 (natural armor) and end the effect with a successful save. Plants are
Hit Points 110 (17d6+51) immune to russet mold spores. Exposure to direct
Speed 30 ft.
sunlight halts the spores' growth and temporarily
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha stops the poison damage. A patch of russet mold is
17 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 12 (+1)
immune to all damage except for acid and alcohol
Damage Immunities electrcity. which instantly kills a single patch of russet mold
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 on contact. Direct sunlight doesn't kill the mold,
Languages Undercommon, Vegepygmy (non-verbal). but does render it dormant and harmless as long as
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) the sunlight persists. If someone dies from russet
Actions mold their body begins transforming. After 1 week
Multiattack. The vegepygmy can make the corpse turns into a vegepygmy.
two claw attacks as an action.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d4+3 (5) slashing
D. The Jungle Path
damage and 2d10 (11) poison damage This winding trail is barely four feet wide at most,
and on a failed Constitution Save (DC 14)
cutting through the jungle and climbing steadily
becomes infested with russet mold.
upward, switching back and forth to reach the
VEGEPYGMY summit of the middle peak of Tarin’s Crown. Along
Small plant, unaligned the path, humanoid skeletons can be seen here
Armor Class 11 (natural armor) and there, often with many of their bones broken
Hit Points 66 (11d6+16) and crushed. These are the remains of slaves, left
Speed 30 ft.
behind by the carnivorous jungle vegetation.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Creatures: Midway along the track, the PCs
12 (+1) 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1)
encounter a patch of four assassin vines looking for
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision a meal. The vines use the heavy foliage undergrowth
60 ft., passive Perception 11 to hide, and attack as soon as the party comes close
Languages Undercommon, Vegepygmy (non-verbal). enough.
Challenge 2 (100 XP)
Actions ASSASSIN VINE
Multiattack. The vegepygmy can make Large plant, unaligned
two claw attacks as an action. Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., Hit Points 52 (7d10+14)
one target. Hit: 1d4+1 (3) slashing damage. Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Russet Mold (contact): This patch of orange-
brown fungus is 9 foot in diameter. When a
17 (+3) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 2 (-4) 13 (+1) 9 (-1)
11
creature approaches to within 5 feet, the patch of Resistances cold and fire.
russet mold releases a cloud of spores in 10-foot Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
radius burst. Everyone in the area must make a Languages None.
DC 15 Constitution save or the spores quickly take Challenge 2 (450 XP)
root in their victims, inflicting 2d10 (11) damage Camouflage. Assassin vines have advantage
when hiding amongst foliage.
and becomes poisoned. While poisoned, the victim
327
the surrounding ocean for ships and keeping an
eye on the trail leading back down to the dock. At
night, the pirates stay inside the tower and bar the
entry door shut.
E1. Cliff
The cliff face has few footholds and the surface is
fairly smooth, requiring DC 20 Strength (Athletics)
checks to scale. There are three magic mouth spells
set to shout a warning to alert the pirates in the
tower if a Tiny or larger humanoid climbs within 40
feet of the top of the cliff. Each magic mouth spell
is positioned 30 feet below the cliff top and they
are 80 feet apart horizontally. They can each detect
creatures up to 45 feet away, so together the three
spells cover an area 250 feet across the cliff face.
E2. Mangonels
The Narwhal’s crew keeps these mangonels covered
with oiled canvas during inclement weather. Each
has 25 stone projectiles and 10 pieces of shrapnel
ammunition stacked nearby.
328
the remaining pirates push over the bench to E7. Upper Hallway
provide cover and get ready to fire their crossbows
In addition to arrow slits in the walls, this long
at anything coming through the door. If the PCs
wide hall has a series of narrow holes in the floor
manage to make it up to the tower undetected, the
allowing defenders in the hallway to shoot down
pirates are gambling and drinking the common
at creatures in squares adjacent to the holes in
room, or resting in the bunk rooms.
the common room below (area E3). A ladder leads
GREN TREVAK up to battlements atop the tower. Normally two
hp 126 (see page 334) crewmembers (see area E8) stand outside the
Challenge 5 (1,800 xp) door to Tarin’s quarters as personal guards. They
warn Tarin of invaders, fire down at enemies in
SILVER NARWHAL CREW (3)
the common room, and then withdraw into their
hp 99 each (see page 335)
captain’s quarters to make a stand there.
Challenge 2 (450 xp each)
E8. Captain’s Chamber
E4. Bunk Room
These rooms are crowded with double bunks This large chamber holds an opulent four-
and the crew’s belongings. The untrusting pirate poster bed and several other once-fine
furnishings that look to have been looted
crewmembers carry anything of value on their
from captured merchant ships, but the place
person so there is little of real value here. is a filthy squalid mess.
E5. Armory
Creatures: This is Captain Tarin’s personal
This small area extends under the stairs to the east quarters, where he spends much of his time
and holds 800 spare crossbow bolts and around 250 obsessively brooding and smoking dried narcotic
gp worth of pirate weapons such as boarding axes jungle leaves in a wooden pipe. If Tarin becomes
(1d6 slashing damage), boarding pikes (1d8 piercing aware of an assault on the tower, he orders Gren
damage), and cutlasses (1d6 slashing damage with and his crew to repel the attack. If alerted to
the finesse and light properties). intruders inside the tower, Tarin calls his personal
guards into his room and positions them on either
E6. Officers’ Quarters
side of the door while he lurks behind the cabinet.
This bedroom has two beds, each with a sea chest at
CAPTAIN JARED TARIN
its foot. If the alarm hasn’t been raised, Gren (area
hp 172 (see page 333)
E3) is here, studying his spellbook. The southern
Challenge 6 (2,300 xp)
chest holds several bottles of cheap cologne
and a selection of gaudy clothing, mismatched SILVER NARWHAL CREW (2)
330
the room add up to 12,000 gp worth of loot. There then ensuring they aren’t double crossed during
are also 3 potions of greater healing and 8 potions of the deal should be a significant challenge for the
healing in the sea chest. PCs. If the PCs decide to keep the pearl, then
11
331
The Crew of the
Silver Narwhal
Captain Jared ‘Red
Skewer’ Tarin
At 34 years of age, Tarin is tall, lean, and athletic.
Gray hairs pepper his black hair and beard and
his skin is coarse and tanned. He dresses in
finery, but without care and in a haphazardly
manner.
In his youth, Jared Tarin was apprenticed
to a locksmith in a port town, but he gave in
to temptation and began using his abilities to
steal from his master’s clientele. Arrested and
scheduled to hang for his crimes, Tarin escaped
and fled town by signing on to a sailing vessel
departing the port. Gifted at persuading people
with his bluster and bravado, he managed to
induce the crew to mutiny and turn pirate
within a month of their departure. Tarin gained
the nickname “Red Skewer” from his practice of
impaling his victims on the narwhal horn of his
ship’s figurehead.
Tarin’s bluster and swagger were impressively
showy, and backed up by his experienced crew,
Tarin’s fame grew, as did his arrogance. His
flag—a black field with a red cutlass piercing
three white skulls—became a dreaded sight on
the high seas. His success at sea soon convinced
him that he was the greatest of pirate captains.
When he ‘tamed’ Crown Island as his base
and stole the Pirate Queen’s pearl by raiding a
332
his rooms in his tower, where he plots outlandish First Mate Alsindra Devrol
schemes to escape and mulls over his paranoid
Alsindra is a plain-looking woman in her late
suspicions. His first mate, Alsindra Devrol has tried
twenties, with light brown skin, dark hair, and
to confront Tarin about the situation, but he has
brown eyes, who serves as first mate of the Silver
begun to believe the lies that the ship’s navigator,
Narwhal. While Alsindra is among the least cruel of
Gren Trevak has been spreading and recently
Tarin’s crew, she is nonetheless amorally indifferent
banned Alsindra from the tower completely. Thanks
to the plight of those who aren’t her friends. She has
to Gren’s manipulations, Tarin now believes his
enjoyed the good times with the Narwhal as much
plans backfired due to internal betrayal. Should
as anyone and is sad to see them end. She wants
he obtain ‘proof’ of this, he would gladly sacrifice
to have Tarin spend some plunder to gain allies
Alsindra as well as any other conspirators to the
against these blockading pirates or simply give up
jungle without mercy.
the Pirate Queen’s pearl to them so that things can
CAPTAIN JARED TARIN return to the old ways, but Tarin’s paranoia has
Medium humanoid, chaotic evil resulted her being banished to the ship and she has
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt) no influence over him. She knows that Gren Trevak
Hit Points 172 (23d8+69) has been spreading rumors and lies, but is almost
Speed 30 ft.
powerless to do anything about it. She is looking to
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha negotiate a way out of the current troubles and stop
12 (+1) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) 10 (+0)
Trevak before he goes too far.
Senses passive Perception 9
ALSINDRA DEVROL
Languages Common
Medium humanoid, chaotic neutral
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Armor Class 14 (hide)
Evasion. On a successful Dexterity saving
Hit Points 143 (23d8+46)
throw Tarin takes no damage or half damage
on a failed Dexterity saving throw. Speed 30 ft.
Sneak Attack. Once per turn when either Tarin has Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
advantage on an attack or when an ally is adjacent 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
to the enemy that Tarin is attacking, Tarin can
deal an additional +3d6 (10) damage on a hit. Senses passive Perception 13
Two-Weapon Fighting. When Tarin attacks Languages Common
with his rapier he can also make an attack Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
with his dagger as a bonus action. Action Surge. Once per short rest Devrol
Actions can make a second action on her turn.
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 Dueling. Devrol gains a +2 bonus to
ft., one target. Hit: 1d8+5 (9) piercing damage. damage with her cutlass when she isn’t
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 wielding a weapon in her off-hand.
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one
target. Hit: 1d4+5 (7) piercing damage.
Evasion. On a successful Dexterity saving
throw Devrol takes no damage or half damage 11
Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: on a failed Dexterity saving throw.
+8 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Actions
Hit: 1d6+5 (8) piercing damage. Multiattack. As an action Devrol can
make two cutlass attacks.
Cutlass. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 1d6+7 (10) slashing damage.
Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack:
+8 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target.
333
on the ship with Alsindra. Morale is slipping as
the situation grows worse and more pirates join
the debate and argue over what should be done.
When Gren feels that the numbers are in his favor,
he intends to lead the mutiny and take command.
He plans to sacrifice Alsindra, Tarin, and any
pirates still loyal to Tarin to the jungle. This should
temporarily appease its appetite, making it safe
to travel from tower to ship. Then he intends to
give up the Pirate Queen’s pearl—just like Alsindra
suggested—and rule over the Silver Narwhal and
Crown Island unchallenged.
GREN TREVAK
Medium humanoid, chaotic evil
Armor Class 15 (leather)
Hit Points 126 (23d8+23)
Speed 30 ft.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
10 (+0) 20 (+4) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 8 (-1) 13 (+1)
Hit: 1d6+5 (8) piercing damage.
Senses passive Perception 9
Ship’s Navigator Gren Trevak Languages Common
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Gren Trevak is a lanky, white haired half-elf with Evasion. On a successful Dexterity saving
a hazel eyes and a sardonic grin. He purposefully throw Trevak takes no damage or half damage
dresses like a foppish aristocratic popinjay, fully on a failed Dexterity saving throw.
aware that this often causes people he meets to Sneak Attack. Once per turn when either Trevak
has advantage on an attack or when an ally is
underestimate him. adjacent to the enemy that Trevak is attacking,
Gren serves as the Silver Narwhal’s quartermaster, Trevak can deal an additional +3d6 (10) damage
but he secretly desires captaincy of the ship and is on a successful attack with a weapon.
carrying out a treacherous scheme to accomplish Two-Weapon Fighting. When Trevak attacks
with his rapier he can also make an attack
this goal. As the situation recently deteriorated, with his dagger as a bonus action.
Gren started telling Tarin that his first mate, Spellcasting. Trevak can cast spells using
Alsindra Devrol, was secretly in league with the Intelligence (save DC 15 for spells and +7 to hit
besieging pirates. Tarin refused to believe it at first with spells). He can cast the following spells:
11 but Gren told him that she was after Tarin’s rightful
property, the Pirate Queen’s pearl, and that sooner
At will: mage hand, shocking grasp, true strike.
3/Day: color spray, hideous laughter, shield.
Actions
or later she would ask him to give it up.
Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5
When that day finally came, Gren’s plan worked ft., one target. Hit: 1d8+4 (8) piercing damage.
perfectly. The split between Alsindra and the Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7
Captain places Gren right where he wants to be, to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one
target. Hit: 1d4 (2) piercing damage.
with most of the crew of questionable loyalty down
Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7
334
to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target.
Hit: 1d6+4 (7) piercing damage.
Crewmembers
The crew of the Silver Narwhal have been well
equipped by their captain with high quality
weaponry and gear. This combined with the
security of Tarin’s Crown and the plunder they’ve
received in the past have kept the crew content…
up until recently. At present, the crew haven’t
had a chance gaining plunder (or spending
it) for months, the ravenous island
vegetation is getting out of hand, and
several crewmates have been lost to
the jungle. The grumbling has more
than begun; many are beginning to
think that Gren Trevak’s intimations
that they have a new captain are not such
a bad idea.
335
R a id on the
r o r’s H and
E mpe
8 t h- l e v e l
An
ad v e n t u r e
11
336
As your ship rounds the coast line of the great speed so the structural damage was minimal.
latest islet, a remarkable scene comes into Unfortunately in the confusion, neither Alban nor
view. Ahead, sits an enormous five-masted
any of those on deck thought to immediately signal
merchant vessel run aground and caught on
a partially submerged sandbar. She flies an the navy warships that always accompany the
Imperial flag and there are a large amount Emperor’s Hand. These heavily armed escorts have
of figures milling about agitatedly on her only just come about and are hastening to assist the
main deck. One of your ship’s lookouts ship and crew.
gives a cry, alerting you to three other ships
visible in the distance, also flying the same
colors. These appear to be naval escort ships
heading for the beached merchant ship, but
Setup
The sandbar’s shallows extend for some distance
which are still some way off. The stiff breeze
is directly against these escorts, forcing around the stranded ship. However, the Hand is
them to tack sharply to make progress. a deep-drafted ship and the water level nearby
sufficient for the PCs’ vessel to approach to within
The situation presents the PCs with a lucrative 50 feet, assuming their vessel is a typical sailing
opportunity to attack and raid the Emperor’s Hand ship or smaller craft. The PCs can attempt a DC
while its escort ships are still out of range. Once 16 Wisdom (Perception or Nature) check to identify
the PCs defeat the Hand’s leading officers, they this safe distance, or use an aquatic scout with a
have limited time to search and plunder the ship of swim speed of at least 30 ft. to reconnoiter. The PCs
its most expensive cargo before the PCs’ ship and can also take depth soundings as they approach,
crew come under heavy fire from the escorts. The but the additional time needed to do this slows
timing of the raid is critical, as is the PCs’ ability to the attack. The Hand sits in about 8 feet of water,
quickly identify the most valuable loot and then get allowing the PCs and their crew to use their ship’s
it swiftly aboard their own vessel. longboats to row up to the Hand. Of course, high
337
Designer’s Note: coming to rescue them, other small pockets
Lots of plunder! of resistance still fight on in the lower decks,
The idea behind this encounter is to allow hampering the PCs’ efforts to quickly plunder
pirate PCs to take on a target that would the ship. The PCs may think to take some of the
normally be out of their league, but not
Hand’s officers captive for ransom, but both Alban
have them acquire so much treasure that
they would want to retire! The threat of the and Marten have most of their personal wealth
three escort ships should discourage the tied up in the Hand and her cargo. Only after much
PCs from trying to pick the Emperor’s Hand
negotiation do the PCs receive a ransom of 500
clean. If the PCs insist on trying to take on
the escorts, give the PCs fair warning and gp each for Alban and Marten. Having Alban or
have these ships start by seriously damaging Marten onboard the PCs’ ship and making their
the PCs’ ship with catapult rocks and killing
presence known to the escorts does mean that
several of their crew with barrages of
ballista bolts. Even if the PCs do somehow while the escort furiously chase them, they hold
win this overwhelming encounter, chances off on attacks with their siege weapons. Throwing
are they are likely to lose both their ship and
these hostages overboard while being pursued is a
much of their crew in the process.
sure way to delay the escorts as the imperial ships
are compelled to slow and pick their officers up.
11 Challenge 8 (4,800 xp) players come up with. Anything that allows the PCs
to quickly rout the defenders or unusual ways to
GUNNERY VANGUARD
swiftly inspect an area could give the PCs the extra
hp 130 (see page 348)
time needed to search an additional area or two.
Challenge 8 (4,800 xp)
The PCs can retry a failed skill check in an area
Development: When Captain Thekros is defeated, but this counts as searching the area again. Only
the Hand’s crew nearby loses heart and surrenders. some areas of the Hand have a Ransack section and
However, knowing that their compatriots are a DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check in an area with
338
Table 11-01 Table 11-02: Ransacking
N umber Check Modifiers
Condition of Areas
339
Magic Swimming creatures can also be of some use,
but the problem of getting the plunder down to a
If the PCs make use of spells that shrink their
swimming creature and then back up on deck at the
plunder or make it easier to transport, add a bonus
PCs’ ship means that unless the swimming creature
to the ransacking check equal to half the spell’s
can also quickly climb up and down from the upper
level. When calculating this bonus, round up or
deck level as well, their contribution is limited
round down depending on precisely how useful the
compared to that of a flying creature. Calculate a
spell is. For example:
swimming creature bonus as a flying creature but
Spell Modifier
floating disk +1 then halve the result.
enlarge/reduce +2 The PCs can use magic to fly or improve their
carrying capacity and as long as these effects last
Note: The floating disk spell is great for carrying 5 minutes or more they are effective, adding the
items of plunder while moving through the decks of increased bonuses and effects into the calculations
the Hand, but the spell’s range limitation may make above.
transporting the treasure on the disk over to the Teleportation magic is another way to quickly
PCs’ ship problematic. move from the Hand to the PCs’ ship. Add a bonus
equal to half the spell’s level for effects that move
Moving the Loot
the caster and at least 2 other Medium-sized
After gathering plunder, the PCs and their crew creatures to the PCs’ ship (such as a dimension
need to quickly transport it across the gap between door or a teleport). Give a smaller bonus (most
the Hand and their own ship. Using boats is slow likely only +1) for teleportation effects that only
and limits the amount of plunder that can be move a single creature.
taken in each trip. However, as long as the PCs are Finally have one character, usually the captain of
using at least three boats (a combination of their the PCs’ ship, make the Ransacking check. This is
own and those from the Hand) then the process an Intillegence check with up to three additional
is still relatively effective. For each boat less than characters able to use the Help action on this check,
three that is used, apply a –4 penalty to the PCs’ each success granting the character making the
ransacking check. check the normal +2 bonus. Use the following table
Setting up a rope line between the two ships and to determine the value of the PCs’ plunder from the
winching plunder across is possible, a DC 14 Wisdom Emperor’s Hand:
(Survival) check can achieve this quickly enough Total ransacking
to be useful. Add a +2 bonus to the ransacking check result Plunder acquired
16 or less 1,000 gp
check if the PCs implement this idea, providing
17-20 1,500 gp
the two ships remain a consistent distance apart
340
11
341
Story Award: If the PCs are able to gain a +15 speed when running before the wind. From bow
bonus to their Ransacking check from their actions to stern, these masts are called: the fore mast,
while searching areas of the Hand award them the main mast, the mizzen mast, the bonaventure
3,200 XP. mizzen, and the jigger mast. It counts as a sailing
Development: Once the PCs run out of time ship.
searching the Emperor’s Hand, they hear shouts
from their crew as a catapult stone from one of
Upper Deck
the escorts splashes into the water close to their 1. Main Deck: The long main deck of this mighty
ship. The PCs can choose to search one more area, ship easily has room for a 30-foot cutter secured
but start rolling attack rolls for the catapults and upside down to protect it from the elements, in
ballistae onboard the escorts against the PCs’ ship addition to six ship’s boats. There is a massive cargo
and crew. Any further delay after this is suicidal as hatch between the main mast and mizzen mast, and
the PCs’ ship won’t have time to get underway with another smaller hatch between the mizzen mast
enough speed to outrun the imperial escorts. and the bonaventure mizzen. Both have crane-like
The Emperor’s check enables the PCs to figure out how to use the
342
11
343
either side of the catapult which raise the Hand’s secrets such as details of Empirical shipping
two anchors. schedules that can be exploited by the PCs.
4. Sterncastle Deck: The ship’s wheel is at the 8. Senior Officers’ Quarters: Each of these
fore of this deck in front of the jigger mast. Similar private quarters can be locked with a simple lock
to the forecastle, this deck has a platform-mounted (AC 14, 10 hp, immune to poison & psychic damage)
light catapult similar to the one on the forecastle and has a bunk and a desk for storing personal
deck. effects. A character using thieves' tools can try to
344
but even still, it can be sold for a substantial price sleeping pallets are stacked to either side of the
giving the PCs a +3 bonus on the Ransacking check. stairs at the aft of the room.
10. Captain’s Cabin: This large luxuriously 14. Galley: A long bench between the two
appointed cabin has a large double bed in the corner doorways on the port side of this cooking area
and four large glass windows offer views astern of allows for fast service of food to the large crew.
the ship. A polished marble table sits in the middle 15. Quartermaster’s Workroom: This workshop
of the room and a small door to one side reveals a contains benches and shelves holding wood and
sizable wardrobe of clothing. metalworking tools used to repair the ship.
Ransack: While most of the wealth here is openly 16. Ships Stores: This room contains spare
on display, a DC 15 Intelligence (History) check seafaring equipment and raw materials to repair or
notices a small bronze plaque with the imperial manufacture replacements for lost or broken ship’s
seal. Only the hand of the Emperor himself can give gear.
this mark of distinction and even a stolen one is 17: Larder: Fruit, fresh food, water, and other
worth a significant amount: add a +1 bonus to the perishables are stored here.
Ransacking check. 18: Food Stores: Barrels and sealed containers
345
Orlop Deck valuable commodities, including several crates of
ivory, reams of fine cloth, well-sealed containers of
This deck is half under the water line when the ship
salt, and cases of tobacco.
is unladen and beneath the water line when fully
Ransack: PCs can make four DC 18 Wisdom
laden.
(Perception) checks to find the valuable
21. Petty Officers’ Quarters: These quarters
commodities, with each successful check adding a
offer some privacy and slightly more room for the
+1 bonus to the Ransacking check (maximum of a
ship’s junior officers. The hammocks are more
+4 bonus). A DC 20 Wisdom (Survival) check also
comfortable and have more room between them.
finds a selection of high-quality furs in the midst of
22. Surgeon and Carpenter’s Quarters: This
some unexceptional hides giving a +3 bonus to the
cramped area holds bunks and sleeping pallets for
Ransacking check.
the Hand’s surgeon, healers, and master carpenter.
25. Private Storeroom: The cargo doors to this
The two ship’s healers are non-combatant clerics
area are locked (AC 15, 20 hp, immune to poison &
(stats as a commonerSRD but with a Wisdom of 15)
psychic damage). A character using thieves' tools
but can use their spells and channeling to heal
can try to pick a lock, which requires 4 turns and
some of the captain’s or crew’s wounds if they
a successful DC 25 Dexterity check. The only key
retreat here.
is in the captain’s cabin. This storeroom is used to
Spellcasting. The clerics are 3rd-level spellcasters.
transport important merchandise directly for the
Their spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC
crown or for highly confidential cargoes, but is
12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). The clerics have
currently empty.
the following spells prepared:
Ransack: If the PCs spend more than 1–1/2 minutes
k Cantrips (at will): light, mending, resistance
breaking into this area, then this counts toward the
k 1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, healing word,
number of areas they can search. Otherwise, they
inflict wounds
search this area for free, but find nothing that helps
k 2nd level (2 slots): hold person, silence
with the Ransacking check.
23. Infirmary: Two cots and a table for treating
patients furnish this room as well as a large cabinet Hold
of medical supplies.
This hold is under the water line, even when the
Ransack: A successful DC 20 Wisdom (Medicine)
ship is completely unladen.
check identifies valuable healing herbs and
26. Brig/Secure Compartments: These two
medicines as well as sets of excellently made medical
small compartments in the bowels of the ship have
tools. This adds a +1 bonus to the Ransacking
reinforced doors set with heavy bars and solid locks
check. Also, a DC 25 Wisdom (Perception) check
leading into each of them. A small metal grille set
or detecting magic in this area reveals a hidden
in each door allows observation from the outside.
346
the starboard compartment. This is the Hand’s pay
chest concealed here by one of the senior officers
while the PCs’ ship approached. It is worth a +6
bonus to the Ransacking check.
27. Main Hold: This area is reserved for ballast
and the heaviest cargo which helps keep the ship
stable in even the worst storms. Even when not
carrying cargo, the sheer size of the ship makes it
very difficult to capsize. The forward storage area
holds spare ship’s supplies and basic materials used
to maintain the Hand. The cargo here consists of
iron and copper ingots, lumber, stone bricks, and
barrels of tar and pitch.
Ransack: A DC 16 Intelligence (Nature) check can
identify the rarer woods adding a +2 bonus to the
Ransacking check and a character proficient with
alchemist’s supplies reveals high quality oils worth
Alban leapt at the opportunity when it was
a +3 bonus to the Ransacking check.
announced that the Emperor sought a talented sea
Bilges captain for a new government-sponsored merchant
vessel. He considers this position a significant step
Since The Emperor’s Hand is still a new ship, the
on the way to achieving his lifelong ambition as well
bilges are not yet as unpleasant as other ships.
as the lands and riches that go with it. A flamboyant
Having been properly built and sealed, there is very
fellow, Alban dresses in loose silk shirts accented
little leakage and the size of the ship means there
with stylish jewelry while onboard ship.
is usually only a couple of inches of water. In the
center of the bilges is a large pump next to stairs ALBAN THEKROS, SHIP’S CAPTAIN
leading up to the cargo hold. Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
Crew of the
Armor Class 17 (+1 studded leather jacket)
Hit Points 135 (18d8 +54)
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to take only half damage, he instead takes Hit Points 152 (16d8 +80)
no damage if he succeeds on the saving Speed 40 ft.
throw, and only half damage if he fails.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Riposte. When a creature makes a melee
18 (+4) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
attack against Alban, he can use his reaction
to make his AC against the attack equal to Tools navigator’s tools and water vehicles
1d20+8. If this causes the attack to miss,
Alban can immediately make a Scimitar Skills Athletics +7, Nature +4, Survival +5
of Speed attack against the creature. Senses passive Perception 11
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, Alban deals an extra Languages Common
21 (6d6) damage when he hits a target with a Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
weapon attack and has advantage on the attack Bodyguard. When a creature Marten can see attacks
roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an a target other than him that is within 5 feet of him,
ally of Alban that isn't incapacitated and Alban he can use his reaction to impose disadvantage on
doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll. the attack roll. Marten must be wielding a shield.
Walk the Plank. As a bonus action Loyal and Brave. Marten has advantage on saving
Alban can Shove a creature. throws against being charmed or frightened.
Actions Leg Sweep. Matren does an extra die of damage
Multiattack. Alban makes three attacks with his on any weapon attack (included in the attacks).
Scimitar of Speed, or twice with his dagger. Marten can also force one creature he attacks
Scimitar of Speed. Melee Weapon Attack: make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be
+10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: knocked prone (whether or not the attack hits).
19 (2d8 + 10) slashing damage. Mobile. Marten’s speed increases by 10
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 feet (included in his speed), and when he
to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one makes a melee attack against a creature,
target. Hit: 13 (2d4 + 8) piercing damage. he doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity
Gear. Potion of greater healing, masterful from that creature for the rest of the turn.
sextant (worth 250 gp), gold plated spyglass Tough. Marten gains 2 extra hit points per hit die.
(worth 1,000 gp), family signet ring (worth Actions
150 gp), personal jewelry worth 200 gp. Multiattack. Marten makes three attacks, two
with his greatsword and one with his shield.
First Mate Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
A waif who never knew his parents, Marten Furey Shield. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
grew up in a cloister orphanage with Alban Thekros one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
as his childhood playmate. When Marten and Alban
GUNNERY “SWARM”
reached adulthood, they each sought different
Gargantuan swarm of Medium humanoids
paths, Marten joining the Imperial Army and then (human), lawful neutral
the Navy, learning the trades of guardian, marine, Armor Class 16 (breastplate)
scout, and seafarer, but both young men remained Hit Points 130 (20d8 +40)
Speed 30 ft.
11 very close friends. Now having rejoined forces to
take command of the prestigious Emperor’s Hand, Str Dex
16 (+3) 14 (+1)
Con I nt Wis Cha
14 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
Marten happily serves as Alban’s first mate and
bodyguard. An accomplished warrior in his own Saving Throws Dexterity +4
right, Marten tends to wear heavier armor and take Skills Athletics +6, Survival +4
blows aimed at his captain. Damage Resistances bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing
MARTEN FUREY, FIRST MATE Condition Immunities charmed, frightened,
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
Armor Class 18 (breastplate + shield) Senses passive Perception 10
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Languages Common
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Swarm Of Soldiers?!
Having the group of soldiers that fight
Disciplined Rage. The Gunnery Vanguard with Captain Alban and Marten Furey
group launches a formidable offense. statted up as a swarm alleviates some of
For one minute they are resistant to the issues of having a large amount of low
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage level NPCs in a higher level encounter. It
from nonmagical weapons (included in its speeds up combat because the GM doesn’t
stats) and deal double their Strength bonus have to make dozens of attack rolls every
in damage (also included in attacks). round and makes the gunnery vanguard
Swarm (Group). The group can occupy another group a more appropriately challenging
creature's space and vice versa, and can opposition for high level PCs. Note that is
move through any opening large enough for using miniatures, the swarm can exist in
a Medium creature. The group can't regain any contiguous configuration, not just 4x4.
hit points or gain temporary hit points. The attacks represent a disciplined crew’s
Actions many attacks during a round as swords
slash and crossbow bolts fly overhead,
Multiattack. The group makes two attacks with
not just one sword attack. However, as
its saber flurry or one attack with saber flurry a GM you should be wary of having this
and one with its heavy crossbow volley. group attack or interact with the PCs’ crew
Saber Flurry. Melee Weapon Attack: of lower level NPCs. This is because the
+9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: group is essentially the equivalent of a CR
19 (2d12 + 6) slashing damage. 8 swarm and can easily kill multiple lower
Heavy Crossbow Volley. Melee Weapon level characters, which is unfair to the PCs’
Attack: +5 to hit, range 100/400, one target. crew, unless you convert them into a swarm
Hit: 13 (2d0 + 2) piercing damage. as well. Use the individual ship’s gunner and
sailors stat blocks (below) if you need to
play out a fight between members of
SHIP’S GUNNERS (60)
the two crews.
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +4
Hit Points 15 (2d10 +4) to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4
Speed 30 ft. (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Light Crossbow. Melee Weapon Attack:
15 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) +7 to hit, range 80/320, one target.
Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
Tools choose two from gaming set, carpenter
tools, musical instrument, navigator’s SAILORS (90)
tools, water vehicles or weaver’s tools
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
Skills Athletics +4
Armor Class 12 (padded armor)
Senses passive Perception 10
Hit Points 11 (2d8+2)
Languages Common
Speed 30 ft.
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
Blademaster. When a ship’s gunner engages
in two-weapon fighting, it can add its ability
modifier to the damage of the second attack.
12 (+1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
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originating on other ships, and to Dexterity
skill checks made while on deck. on the berth deck to defend the ship. If the troop
Actions has time, they make their way to the battle deck
Cutlass. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 and reposition many of the ballistae to fire at the
ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) slashing damage. entranceways down from the top deck.
Light Crossbow. Melee Weapon Attack:
+3 to hit, range 80/320, one target. Ship’s Priests
Hit: 5 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
The two ship’s priests, named Malthin and Cersia,
Scaling both worship the god of cities and wealth, and they
have received ample remuneration for their term of
While Raid on the Emperor’s Hand is designed for service onboard the Hand. Replace the two healers
8th level characters, it can easily be scaled if the in area 22 with these two clerics.
GM feels that the PCs will find the adventure too
IMPERIAL PRIESTS (2)
hard or too easy. Also, some groups of PCs are
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral
likely to want to have to fight their way down each Armor Class 19 (half plate and
deck in an extended series of battles to secure shield with shield of faith)
the Emperor’s Hand, rather than simply forcing a Hit Points 50 (9d8 + 10)
surrender by defeating the ship’s captain. Speed 30 ft.
Scale down: Have Marten arrive on the top deck Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
two rounds after the PCs start fighting the captain. 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 14 (+2)
Scale up: Use the following NPCs to provide Skills Medicine +6, Religion +3
support for Alban and Marten during the initial Senses passive Perception 14
battle on deck and have Alban and Marten retreat Languages Common
below deck when they are reduced below half hit Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
points. Also, have a second gunnery troop assemble War Priest (3/day). When using an action to
attack with a weapon, the priest can make one
additional weapon attack as a bonus action.
Channel Divinity. Once per day, the priest
may choose to use the following ability:
Guided Strike: add +10 to a single
attack roll when making an attack.
Spellcasting. The priest is a 5rd-level spellcaster.
Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save
DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The
priest has the following spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): light, sacred flame,
spare the dying, thaumaturgy
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Hit: 4 (1d8) piercing damage.
Gear. One each: potion of invisibility, scroll of
protection from poison, scroll of see invisibility.
Ransacking Summary
A mount of crew Modifier
11
3rd-level (3 slots): lightning bolt, 25–28 2,500 gp
sleet storm, water breathing 29–32 3,000 gp
4th-level (2 slots): blight, stoneskin * 33–36 3,500 gp
*Galtus casts this spell on himself before combat. 37–40 4,000 gp
Actions 41–44 4,500 gp
Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5
45–48 6,000 gp
ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) piercing damage.
Fire Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +5 to hit, range 120 50 or more 7,000 gp *
ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d10) fire damage, and a * This assumes that the PCs’ ship is filled to
flammable object ignites if it isn’t worn or carried. capacity with plunder from the Emperor’s Hand.
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Sco u r g e of the
n g I sl e:
S tea m i
A9 t h -l e v e l
a d v e n t u r e
11
352
All pirates acquire enemies at some point in their Recently a group of rapacious pirates came to
career, and pirate PCs are no exception. Whether The Steaming Isle looking to establish a base. They
it’s because the PCs stole a holy pirate artifact deviously manipulated the unsophisticated gillman
(such as in Islands of Plunder: Tarin’s Crown from chieftain by offering gifts of weapons and proposing
Legendary Games) or because an old nemesis wants a treaty of mutual defense in return for permission
them dead, it makes little difference. A rival pirate to build a small outpost on The Steaming Isle.
lord calls in a large amount of favors and sets a Over time, the pirate’s base has grown far larger
fearsome band of raiders led by the vicious pirate than was ever agreed to and recently gillmen
captain Sculberd Craggs against the PCs. lookouts have spotted the pirates unearthing ruins
Perhaps these marauding raiders attack one of of the Ancients on the island. The gillmen are sick
the PCs’ holdings while the PCs are elsewhere. of these piratical interlopers and chafe at the way
In whatever way the feud escalates, soon there is they are abusing the treaty. Akoria, the shaman
an inexorable enmity between the PCs and these of the gillman tribe and sister of the current
raiders. The PCs discover the location of the raiders’ chieftain seeks to end the pact and rid the island
base on the volcanic isle known as The Steaming of these pirates but she doesn’t want to start a war
Isle and set out to reap a bloody vengeance against that would cost the lives of many of her people.
these despised adversaries. At present, Akoria’s brother, Erust, is away on a
353
and the largest animals are pods of seals on the control water, with a saving throw DC of 15. The
rocky coastline and a scattering of wild boars. elemental can maintain the whirlpool for up to 5
The Inlets rounds, using its action. Have the ship’s pilot make
a Wisdom check each round, adding the pilot's
All three inlets leading into The Steaming Isle’s proficiency bonus if they are proficient with water
bay have gillman scouts watching them, and unless vehicles. If the pilot fails 3 checks out of 5, then
the PCs’ ship is concealed by magic or extremely the PCs’ ship crashes onto rocks dealing 22 (4d10)
inclement weather, these scouts automatically spot bludgeoning damage to the ship, and all aboard
the approaching ship. Mounted on giant sea horses must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking
(Srd) these gillman scouts swim under the PCs’ ship 11 (2d10) bludgeoning damage and falling prone on
and observe that it isn’t an ally of the The Steaming a failure, and on a success, taking half the damage
Isle pirates as it lacks the symbol engraved into its and not falling prone.
keel that identifies the Steaming Isle raiders and
HUGE WATER ELEMENTAL
their allies’ ships. The scouts quickly report this to
Huge elemental, neutral
Akoria the shaman who orders the tribe’s hunters Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
to assemble and comes to investigate. Hit Points 138 (12d12 + 60)
Creatures: If the PCs sail straight in through Speed 30 ft., swim 90 ft,
the wide northern inlet then Akoria admires their Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
audacity and attempts to parley with them (see 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) 5 (-3) 10 (+0) 8 (-1)
below). However, if the PCs attempt to pass through
Damage Resistances acid; bludgeoning, piercing,
the south or west inlet, Akoria honors the letter and slashing from nonmagical attacks
of her tribes’ agreement with the Steaming Isle Damage Immunities poison
pirates to attempt to repel intruders and summons Condition Immunities exhaustion,
a Huge water elemental using one of the tribe’s grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned,
prone, restrained, unconscious
most sacred relics, an oceanic bowl of commanding
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
water elementals. Formed from silvery nacre, Languages Aquan
this magical bowl is similar to a standard bowl Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
of commanding water elementals, but when filled Water Form. The elemental can enter a
with salt water, it summons a Huge water elemental hostile creature’s space and stop there.
(as though conjure elemental were cast with a 7th It can move through a space as narrow
as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
level slot). Akoria commands the water elemental
Freeze. If the elemental takes cold damage,
to try to dash the PCs’ ship onto the rocky shallows it partially freezes; its speed is reduced by
of the inlet using its control over water. 20 feet until the end of its next turn.
Actions
The Whirlpool and the Rocks
11 The elemental tries to drag the PCs’ ship onto jagged
Multiattack. The elemental makes two slam attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
rocks. A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception)
Whelm (Recharge 4–6). Each creature in the
check notices the odd currents the elemental elemental’s space must make a DC 15 Strength
makes in the water just before the attack begins, saving throw. On a failure, a target takes 18
giving those PCs a round to act. The elemental (3d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If it is Huge or
smaller, it is also grappled (escape DC 15). Until
uses its action to create a whirlpool like the spell this grapple ends, the target is restrained and
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11
355
unable to breathe unless it can breathe water.
If the saving throw is successful, the target the PCs can impress her, she might become less
is pushed out of the elemental’s space. The fearful, becoming indifferent. If the PCs engage in
elemental can grapple one Huge creature, up to diplomacy, a reasonable entreaty could succeed on
two Large creatures, or up to four Medium or
smaller creatures at one time. At the start of each
a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) attempt. Ideally,
of the elemental’s turns, each target grappled Akoria wants the raider pirates gone from The
by it takes 18 (3d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. A Steaming Isle, and her tribe to regain control of the
creature within 5 feet of the elemental can pull
area. However, she doesn’t want to exchange one
a creature or object out of it by taking an action
to make a DC 15 Strength and succeeding. group of pirate interlopers for another and tries
to ascertain whether the PCs intend to occupy the
Development: If the PCs’ ship runs aground then
raider’s base after defeating them. A successful DC
Akoria sends a gillman scout to report this to the
15 Wisdom (Insight check) allows the PCs to learn
pirate raiders who immediately set sail to attack
this, which can help considerably with improving
the PCs while their ship is still caught on the rocks.
Akoria's attitude. Apply disadvantage to a Charisma
Proceed to the ‘Ship to Ship!’ section below. If the
(Persuasion) check if the PCs state that they do
PCs avoid being dragged onto the rocks (or manage
want to take permanent possession of the base.
to defeat the water elemental) and make it through
Akoria would also like the sacred Ancient ruins
the inlet, then this impresses Akoria and she seeks
left alone, but if the PCs have impressed her so far,
to parley with the PCs.
either as friends or useful pawns, she mentions that
Parley the raiders have recently desecrated one of these
ruins by excavating it. Akoria states that she will
Shortly after the PCs’ ship enters the The Steaming
understand if the PCs need to enter the ruins to
Isle bay, Akoria seeks out the PCs and appears
deal with any raiders there. If she is convinced
before them using a levitate spell to rise up out of
the PCs are both friendly and trustworthy, Akoria
the water. Read or paraphrase the following:
points out the exact location of the raider’s base
and explains that stealthily approaching the base
Rising majestically out of the water to the
starboard side of your ship is a female of by land, rather than by sea, might give the PCs the
striking and unusual beauty. Her pale skin element of surprise.
and dark hair glows with a clean white light If Akoria remains indifferent at the end of the
and water streams from her as she ascends negotiations, she sinks back into the ocean and
into the air. She wears a form-fitting outfit
leaves the PCs and the raiders to fight it out. If
made from sharkskin and carries a slim bone
spear in one hand and a buckler crafted Akoria becomes offended or suspicious, she orders
from seashell on the other. Three gills mark the PCs to immediately leave the area before diving
either side of her neck as she stares at your underwater, or else face the enmity of the gillmen.
ship with bright purple eyes. She doesn’t follow up on this threat but does send
356
aggressively, forming groups of four or so, with
the war chief and heroes attacking the front line
and Akoria providing support and attempting to
neutralize casters.
Creatures: Gathered out of sight underwater
is a large company of gillman warriors, ready
to defend Akoria and sink the PCs’ ship if
negotiations go badly. The company consists of a
gillman war chief, three gillman tribal heroes,
and twelve gillman tribal warriors.
Milestone: If the party successfully parlays
with Akoria, avoiding bloodshed, and getting
the information they need, that is worthy of a
major milestone. Distribute 6,400 XP among
the PCs.
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Turn Undead: Akoria turns undead like Trident. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5
a cleric. Undead of CR 1 or less are to hit, reach 5 ft. and range 20/60 ft., one
destroyed instead of turned. target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage,
Preserve Life: Akoria presents her holy symbol and or 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage if used with
evokes healing energy that can restore 50 hit two hands to make a melee attack.
points. She can choose any creatures within 30 Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack:
feet of her, and divide those hit points among +4 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target.
them. This feature can restore a creature to no Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
more than half of its hit point maximum. She can’t Leadership (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest).
use this feature on an undead or a construct. For 1 minute, the war chief can utter a special
Reactions command or warning whenever a nonhostile
Combat Healing (2/day). When she takes damage, creature that it can see within 30 feet of it makes
Akoria can use a spell slot to cast cure wounds, an attack roll or a saving throw. The creature
prayer of healing, or mass cure wounds. can add a d4 to its roll provided it can hear and
understand the war chief. A creature can benefit
GILLMAN WAR CHIEF from only one Leadership die at a time. This
effect ends if the war chief is incapacitated.
Medium humanoid (aquatic), neutral
Armor Class 14 (leather armor) Reactions
Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30) Parry. The war chief adds 2 to its AC against
one melee attack that would hit it. To do
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
so, the war chief must see the attacker
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha and be wielding a melee weapon.
16 (+3) 15 (+2) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) 16 (+3)
GILLMAN TRIBAL HERO
Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +5, Wis +2
Medium humanoid (aquatic), neutral
Skills Nature +4, Perception +4,
Armor Class 14 (leather armor)
Stealth +4, Survival +4
Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30)
Senses passive Perception 14
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Languages Ancient, Common
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 11 (+0)
Aberrant Ancestry. The war chief has advantage
on saving throws against being charmed.
Skills Nature +2, Perception +2,
Amphibious. The war chief can breathe air and water. Stealth +4, Survival +2
Brave. The war chief has advantage on Senses passive Perception 12
saving throws against being frightened.
Languages Ancient, Common
Defense. While wearing armor, the war chief gains
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
a +1 bonus to AC, already included in his stats.
Aberrant Ancestry. A gillman has advantage
Keen Hearing and Sight. The war chief
on saving throws against being charmed.
has advantage on Wisdom (Perception)
checks that rely on hearing or sight. Amphibious. A gillman can breathe air and water.
Powerful. Once per round, when the war Defense. While wearing armor, the hero gains a
chief hits with a melee attack, he can roll +1 bonus to AC, already included in his stats.
358
to hit, reach 5 ft. and range 20/60 ft., one
target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage, That’s a Lot of Gillmen
or 6 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage if used with
It is possible the PCs could end up in
two hands to make a melee attack.
a pitched battle against the gillmen in the
Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: water. Probably the easiest way to use the
+3 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. tribal warriors is to group them into pods of
Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage. four. This will simplify combat order, while
at the same time helping you to bring
GILLMAN TRIBAL WARRIOR
their pack tactics trait into play.
Medium humanoid (aquatic), neutral
Armor Class 11 (leather armor)
Hit Points 13 (2d8 + 4)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Ship to Ship!
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha The pirate raiders have several lookouts watching
13 (+1) 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 8 (-1) 11 (+0) 9 (-1) the bay so unless the PCs are somehow able to
disguise or conceal their ship, the raiders spot it as
Senses passive Perception 10
it approaches their base. They quickly launch their
Languages Ancient, Common
own ship to take the battle to the PCs.
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Amphibious. A gillman can breathe air and water. Ship Combat: The The Steaming Isle raiders’
Aberrant Ancestry. A gillman has advantage ship, the Storm Wolf, is a three-masted schooner
on saving throws against being charmed. which is swift, agile, and heavily armed. The
Pack Tactics. The warrior has advantage on an raiders try to keep their distance during any ship-
attack roll against a creature if at least one
to-ship battle with the PCs. They would prefer to
of the warrior’s allies is within 5 feet of the
creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated. sink the PCs’ ship and then coerce their gillman
Water Dependent. A gillman's body requires allies into recovering any valuables from the ocean
constant submersion in fresh or salt water. floor rather than attempt a risky boarding action.
Gillmen who spend more than 1 day without fully
Each round, the pilot can use their action to
submerging themselves in water risk internal
organ failure, painful cracking of the skin, and maneuver the ship. On a failure, or if no one
death, incurring a level of exhaustion every hour. pilots the ship, it drifts forward at half its usual
Actions acceleration, with a 50% chance of turning 45
Trident. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 degrees to the left or right (equal chance of either).
to hit, reach 5 ft. and range 20/60 ft., one
target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage, A sailing ship can easily turn 45 degrees as it moves,
or 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage if used with in good conditions, but a DC 15 Wisdom check is
two hands to make a melee attack. required to make it turn 90 degrees; on a failure,
it momentarily stalls and drifts with the wind.
Boring Details
PCs, NPCs, and the various crew act on their own
Each gillman is carrying hand tools that allow them initiative. The crew members can fire siege engines
to do 1d6 + Strength modifier piercing damage,
using the same modifier to hit as their melee
at the enemy ship.
Boarding requires keeping pace with the ship,
11
weapon attack. This damage ignores the damage then making a DC 15 check to get the ships less
threshold of wooden vehicles or structures. than 30 feet away. Boarders can then use grappling
hooks and similar devices to cross over with a
DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check; failure results
in either falling into the water or being dangled
359
over the side of the ship (equal chance for either).
its strength and has employed an amoral wizard
Jumping across is very difficult, requiring a
named Yohannas Quay as his first mate. Craggs
Strength (Athletics) check with a DC of 20, and the
is aware that Yohannas has his own agenda in the
character lands prone unless they can make a DC
Ancient ruins, but as long as he continues to supply
15 Dexterity saving throw. Failing to jump across
the floating magic gems, Craggs won’t kill him...yet.
usually means ending up in the water.
Sculberd peppers his foes with arrows, focusing
STORM WOLF on any officers present to disrupt his enemies’
Colossal ship chain of command. Sculberd activates the shield
AC 15; Damage Threshold 15 spell stored in his cracked reserve ioun stone if he
Hit points 300 comes under heavy fire or if enemies engage him
Speed 2 mph (sailing) in melee. Sculberd didn’t get to where he is now by
Crew 20, plus 70 pirate marines
backing down, he only surrenders if the PCs cripple
Cargo 100 tons
his ship; he fights to the death in personal combat.
Weapons 6 ballistae port, 6 ballista starboard,
1 catapult fore, 1 catapult aft SCULBERD CRAGGS
Ballista. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil
range 120/480 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d10)
Armor Class 16 (breastplate)
piercing damage. It requires one action
to load, one to aim, and one to fire. Hit Points 130 (20d8 + 40)
Catapult. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range Speed 30 ft.
200/800 ft. (minimum 60 ft.), one target. Hit: Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
27 (5d10) bludgeoning damage. It requires two 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
actions to load, two to aim, and one to fire.
Creatures: If the PCs manage to board the Storm Saving Throws Str +5, Con +5, Wis +4, Cha +2
Wolf then Captain Craggs and his boatswain take Skills Athletics +6, Intimidation +5
on the PCs, while the Storm Wolf raiders fight Senses passive Perception 11
the PCs’ crew. If, for some reason, statistics are
Languages Common
needed for the pirates, assume the pirate sailors
are mostly bandits led by a handful of veterans. Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Special Equipment. Craggs has several ioun stones
Captain Sculberd Craggs (cracked protection, cracked sustenance, cracked
ability—currently granting +2 Intimidation, cracked
A lean man with olive skin, Sculberd Craggs displays reserve—currently storing shield) attuned to him.
a menacing visage with four glittering gemstones Action Surge (Recharges After a Short or
Long Rest). On his turn, he can take one
implanted in his slab-like face, each surrounded by
additional action on top of his regular
swirling black tattoos. action and a possible bonus action.
As mean and ruthless as they come, Sculberd Brave. Craggs has advantage on saving
rose from being a simple deckhand to his position throws against being frightened.
Close Combat Archery. Craggs does not
11 as an up-and-coming pirate lord by challenging
and killing those who stood in his way. Just smart
suffer disadvantage when attacking
with his longbow in close combat.
enough to know when to fight, when to talk, Deadly Aim. A longbow deals one extra
and when to run, Craggs has collected a crew of die of its damage when Craggs hits
murderous cutthroats who see him as their ticket with it (included in the attack).
Indomitable (1/day). Craggs can reroll a saving
to power and riches. Craggs is unsophisticated and
throw that he fails. He must use the new roll.
brutal but his crew appreciates this harsh simplicity. Second Wind (Recharges After a Short or Long
Sculberd knows just enough about magic to realize Rest). As a bonus action, Craggs regains 15 (1d10
360
+ 10) hit points.
Actions
Boatswain Emilia
Multiattack. Craggs Corantine
makes three longbow
An attractive auburn-
attacks or two
weapon attacks. haired woman, Emilia
Scimitar. Melee wears a combination of
Weapon Attack: +7 to gypsy silks and sailor’s
hit, reach 5 ft., one
garb onboard ship.
target. Hit: 7 (1d6 +
4) slashing damage. Emilia is a distant
Longbow. Ranged cousin of Sculberd’s
Weapon Attack: +7 to and, like most in her
hit, range 150/600 ft.,
family, took to a life of
one target. Hit: 13 (2d8
+ 4) piercing damage. piracy at a young age.
This attack is magical. She currently serves
He carries 80 arrows. as boatswain and
IOUN STONE, master gunner on the
CRACKED Storm Wolf, enjoying
Wondrous item,
rarity varies the authority and
extra pay that being a
These stones follow
ship’s officer brings.
the usual rules for ioun
A born manipulator,
stones, but may have a
Emilia was the one who
reduced power because they
duped the gillman chieftain
are cracked and damaged.
into accepting the ambiguous
k Ioun Stone, Cracked
agreement for the raiders to establish a base on the
Protection (uncommon). This cracked dusty
island. She avoids trying to influence Sculberd, as
rose prism stone grants a +1 bonus to initiative
he has already freely given her a favored position
checks.
in his crew and she knows that he’d execute her
k Ioun Stone, Cracked Sustenance (uncommon).
without a second thought if caught her trying any
This cracked iridescent spindle stone is
of her usual machinations on him.
partially effective, halving the need to eat
Emilia starts combat by casting haste on Sculberd.
and drink.
She mostly uses her magic and cutting words to
k Ioun Stone, Cracked Ability (uncommon).
avoid being injured, supporting Sculberd. Emilia
This cracked magenta prism confers a +2
surrenders when her captain does or if she is badly
bonus to one skill of your choice, which you
my change as an action. You must finish
a long rest before you change the skill that
wounded (less than 17 hit points).
Treasure: Corantine carries a musical instrument 11
(shawm) and diamond earrings (500 gp).
receives the bonus.
k Ioun Stone, Cracked Reserve (rare). This EMILIA CORANTINE, HUMAN BARD
cracked vibrant purple prism works like a Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil
normal reserve stone, but only stores 1 level Armor Class 15 (elven chain)
of spells. Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20)
361
Speed 30 ft. influencing effects. As an action, she can start
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha a performance that lasts until the end of her
next turn. During that time, she and any friendly
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) 16 (+3)
creatures within 30 feet of her have advantage
Saving Throws Con +4, Dex +3, Wis +1, Cha +5 on saving throws against being frightened or
charmed. A creature must be able to hear her
Skills Deception +8, Insight +2, Investigation +2, to gain this benefit. The performance ends
Perception +1, Persuasion +8, Perform +5 early if she is incapacitated or silenced or if
Senses passive Perception 11 she voluntarily ends it (no action required).
Languages Common Reactions
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Cutting Words (2/day). When a creature that she
Special Equipment. Corantine carries a scroll can see within 60 feet of her makes an attack roll,
of see invisibility and a cracked friendship an ability check, or a damage roll, she can roll
ioun stone (included in skill bonuses). a 1d8 and subtract the number rolled from the
Action Surge (Recharges After a Short or creature’s roll. The creature is immune if it can’t
Long Rest). On her turn, she can take one hear her or if it’s immune to being charmed.
additional action on top of her regular Ioun Stone, Cracked Friendship (uncommon). This
action and a possible bonus action. cracked mulberry pentacle stone grants a +1
Bardic Inspiration (Recharges After a Short of Long bonus to Deception and Persuasion checks.
Rest). Corantine can inspire others through stirring
words or music. As a bonus action on her turn, she Treasure: A number of the pirate crew have
chooses one creature other than herself within 60 ioun stones floating round their heads and many
feet of you who can hear her. That creature gains
one Bardic Inspiration die, a d8. Once within the have ugly puckered scars on their arms and faces
next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and where they have unsuccessfully tried to implant
add the number rolled to one ability check, attack ioun stones in their own skin. So far, only Captain
roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can
Craggs, aided by his wizard first mate, has managed
wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to
use the Bardic Inspiration die. Once the Bardic to successfully complete the lengthy ritual to embed
Inspiration die is rolled, it is lost. A creature can these stones in his flesh. Emilia has considered
have only one Bardic Inspiration die at a time.
attempting this process, but doesn’t trust the
Dueling. When Corantine is wielding a melee weapon
in one hand and no other weapons, she gains a +2
wizard Yohannas enough to ask for his help. The
bonus to damage rolls, included in her attack. crew’s ioun stones are inferior stones, usually a
Magic Weapons. Corantine's weapon cracked stone that gives a +1 competence bonus to
attacks are magical. a skill (a common item) or a dull gray stone with no
Spellcasting. Corantine is a 6th-level spellcaster. magical benefits that simply floats in the air (worth
Her spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC
13). She has the following bard spells prepared: 25 gp as a curiosity). There are even a few cursed
Cantrips (at will): light, mage hand, stones that give a penalty rather than a bonus. You
message, prestidigitation can roll 3d6 for the number of cracked, inferior
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, detect magic, stones and 3d6 for dull gray ones, plus 1d4 cursed
disguise self, faerie fire, feather fall, heroism
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11
363
using something in the ruins to create these magic nautical supplies. It serves as quarters for the slaves
crystals. (15 in total) who work on the raiders’ plantations
Milestone: Getting this far and learning the along with short-term storage of produce from the
location of the base is an accomplishment, worthy plantations. Finally, it also has an area reserved for
of a minor milestone. Distribute 2,200 XP to the the ever-important task of distilling rum from sugar
party. cane. There is 4 points of plunder in total here.
364
comes from both the walls and ceilings providing footprints to the northeast door, on the other hand,
dim illumination, and the place feels as if it has show that several individuals have come and gone
been tightly sealed away until very recently. through that portal multiple times.
365
Table 11-03: Portal Side Effects
Gems
d100 Roll Result
01-25 The gem starts glowing. The stone has the equivalent of a continual flame spell placed on it.
26-50 The gem starts floating as if under a levitate spell but it doesn’t orbit like an ioun stone.
This effect either lasts for 24 hours (50% chance) or is permanent (50% chance).
51-75 The gem suffers damage that halves its gp value.
75-100 The gem disintegrates.
Ioun Stones
d100 Roll Result
01-20 The stone starts glowing. A dull gray ioun stone shines with continual
flame; other stones shine like a torch for 24 hours.
21-50 Augments the stone’s power for 24 hours. A cracked stone increases its bonus by +1, or otherwise
has a modest increase in power. A scorched stone performs as an undamaged ioun stone of
its type with no chance of failure. Flawed stones halve or significantly reduce their penalty.
51-65 The stone stops orbiting for 24 hours: it must be carried in hand to gain its benefits.
66-80 Nullifies the stone’s powers for 24 hours; the stone can still orbit its user.
81-90 The stone burns out, turning it into a dull gray ioun stone.
91-100 The stone shatters, destroying it.
for pellucidity confirmation.” Inserting a gem, Roll on Table -03: Portal Side Effects if a stone
crystal, or ioun stone into the indentation causes a suffers a side effect; white sparks coruscate around
brilliant light to fill the indentation as the portal the stone as this malfunction occurs.
tests the stone to determine its suitability. An Development: If the PCs fail the southeast portal’s
undamaged ioun stone or a gem worth 500 gp or test three times or if they deal damage to a portal,
more automatically passes this test; the stone floats the ioun device in H5 displays alert notification
back out of the indentation and the aperture spirals symbols, warning Yohannas of trespassers.
open. A cracked, flawed, or scorched ioun stone or
a gem worth between 100 gp and 500 gp has a 50%
H2. Crystal Storage
chance to pass the portal’s testing. If the stone fails,
Decayed remnants of corroded metal
the portal’s testing process has a 50% chance of and other crumbling debris line the
causing an unexpected side effect in the stone (see circumference of this circular room.
11 Table -03). A gem worth less than 100 gp, a cursed Smashed shards of colored crystal lie
ioun stone, or a dull gray ioun stone automatically scattered in the dilapidated wreckage.
fails the test and suffers a side effect.
The PCs can also apply brute force to open either This room once stored shelves and cases of delicate
portal (AC 21, hp 27, damage threshold 15; DC crystals for use with the ioun device, but over the
30 Strength check to shove it open), but see the centuries, the shelving decayed and collapsed,
Development section below for the consequences. shattering most of these crystals. Yohannas and
other pirates took any crystals that remained intact
when they ransacked this room.
366
H3. Surgery and H5. The Ioun Device
Meditation Room At the center of this high-ceilinged chamber
stands a tall device formed from delicately
Abstract pastel frescos seemingly formed interwoven luminous crystals. Dozens
from coral decorate the walls of this chamber. of sparkling stones, each imprinted with
A series of low stone slabs of bleached white glowing runes and glyphs orbit the towering
stone form a circle in the middle of this structure in enigmatic patterns. High above
room. A wooden bench in the center of the the chamber’s floor, a heavily tarnished
room looks to be a recent addition, as do metal gantry encircles the upper portion
the medical supplies and polished surgical of the crystalline edifice. Several corroded
equipment neatly arranged on the slabs metallic ladders ascend to the gantry.
nearby.
367
11
368
stone, and a sustenance ioun stone.
its location. Fragmentary notes and incomplete
Rituals. Quay has alarm in his spellbook
clues led Yohannas to the Pirate Isles where, and uses it as a ritual.
untroubled by notions of morality, he saw that the Spellcasting. Quay is a 12th-level spellcaster.
best way to continue his search was to become a His spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell
save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). He
pirate himself.
has the following wizard spells prepared:
Looking back, Yohannas sees the day he signed Cantrips (at will): mage hand, message, minor
on as part of Sculberd Craggs’ crew as a glorious illusion, prestidigitation, shocking grasp
stroke of good fortune. Having heard rumors 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, feather fall,
about the gillmen of The Steaming Isle, Yohannas mage armor, magic missile, shield
2nd level (3 slots): darkvision, see invisibility
convinced Craggs that the island might make a good
3rd level (3 slots): dispel magic, fireball, fly
location for a base. Yohannas had to bide his time
4th level (3 slot): dimension door, greater
while Craggs and his raiders built and established invisibility, phantasmal killer
their base, but he was finally able to persuade 5th level (2 slots): telekinesis, wall of force
the captain to excavate the ruin, giving Yohannas 6th level (2 slots): disintegrate, flesh to stone
access to this incredible find. Yohannas currently Actions
works feverishly to understand the device and Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5
manipulate it to create more powerful ioun stones. ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d8 - 1) bludgeoning damage.
Enhancement (5/day). Quay casts enhance
Yohannas casts alarm every day on area H4.
ability without expending a spell slot.
During combat, Yohannas casts disintegrate and
flesh to stone on enemy spellcasters while using The Crystalline Guardian
flight and invisibility to keep away from melee.
The crystal guardian is a towering construct made
Determined not to give up the find of a lifetime,
of brilliant, refractive crystal, engraved with runes
Yohannas only retreats by teleporting away if
of the Ancients. It protects the wearer of the amulet
reduced to less than 20 hit points or if the ioun
(Yohannas). The guardian has a complex series of
device is destroyed.
standing orders encoded into it by the Ancients
YOHANNAS QUAY, HUMAN TRANSMUTER and Yohannas has been unable to override any
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil of these commands. One of these built-in orders
Armor Class 14 (17 with mage armor) prevents the golem from leaving the chamber, even
Hit Points 90 (12d8 + 36) to chase enemies. Another Ancient directive that
Speed 30 ft.
Yohannas isn’t even aware of is that the guardian is
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha programmed to fight to the death to defend the ioun
8 (-1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)
device. It continues attacking as long as there are
Saving Throws Str +0, Dex +6, Con hostile foes in the chamber, even if Yohannas flees
+7, Int +9, Wis +5, Cha +4
Skills Arcana +8, History +8, Investigation +8
Senses passive Perception 11
or tries to order it to stand down. It considers any
creature that has attacked it to be hostile except 11
for the creature wearing its control amulet. The
Languages Ancient, Abyssal, Common,
Draconic, Infernal, Runic Imperial Ancients added a final fail-safe rune to the crystal
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) guardian to prevent the valuable ioun device from
Special Equipment. Yohannas carries a falling into enemy hands. When destroyed, the
potion of healing, ring of protection crystal guardian explodes in a powerful sonic
(bonuses already added in), protection ioun
369
blast that strikes the delicate ioun device, utterly Radiant Absorption. Whenever the crystalline
guardian is subjected to radiant damage, it takes
wrecking it. no damage and instead regains a number of
It can be assumed that Yohannas has already hit points equal to the radiant damage dealt.
been exposed to the crystalline guardian's dazzling Rune of Retributive Reverberation. When the
brilliance earlier in the day while doing his work. crystalline guardian dies, a rune is triggered,
causing a sonic explosion in a 30 feet radius. Each
CRYSTALLINE GUARDIAN creature in the area must make a DC 17 Dexterity
saving throw, taking 35 (10d6) thunder damage
Huge construct, unaligned
and becoming deafened for 1 minute on a failed
Armor Class 17 (natural armor) save, and taking half as much damage and not
Hit Points 122 (12d12 + 48) being deafened on a success. A creature made
Speed 30 ft. of inorganic material such as stone, crystal, or
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha metal has disadvantage on this saving throw.
19 (+4) 7 (-2) 18 (+4) 3 (-4) 11 (+0) 1 (-5) Reactive. The crystalline guardian can take
one reaction on every turn of combat.
Damage Immunities poison, psychic; Regeneration. The crystalline guardian
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from regains 10 hit points at the start of its
nonmagical attacks that aren’t adamantine turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, Spell Storing. A spellcaster who wears the crystalline
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned guardian’s amulet can cause the guardian to store
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10 one spell of 4th level or lower. To do so, the wearer
Languages understands the languages must cast the spell on the guardian. The spell
of its creator but can’t speak has no effect but is stored within the guardian.
When commanded to do so by the wearer or when
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP) a situation arises that was predefined by the
Bound. The crystalline guardian is magically bound spellcaster, the guardian casts the stored spell with
to an amulet. As long as the guardian and its any parameters set by the original caster, requiring
amulet are on the same plane of existence, no components. When the spell is cast or a new
the amulet’s wearer can telepathically call the spell is stored, any previously stored spell is lost.
guardian to travel to it, and the guardian knows The guardian is currently storing wall of fire.
the distance and direction to the amulet. If Spell Turning. When the crystalline guardian is
the guardian is within 60 feet of the amulet’s targeted by a spell (not in an area of effect), if it
wearer, half of any damage the wearer takes rolls a 20 for the save and the spell is 7th level
(rounded up) is transferred to the guardian. of lower, the spell has no effect on it and instead
Dazzling Illumination. If the crystalline golem is targets the caster, using the slot level, spell save
within an area of bright light, it scatters the light DC, attack bonus, and spellcasting ability of the
and shines bright light in a 30 feet radius. When caster. Spells cast by its master cannot be turned.
a creature that can see starts its turn within 30
Actions
feet of the crystalline guardian, the creature must
make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw; on a Multiattack. The crystalline guardian
failed saving throw, the creature is blinded until makes two slam attacks.
the beginning of its next turn. Once a creature Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 22 (4d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
11
has made a saving throw against this trait, it is
immune to the dazzling illumination for 24 hours. Reactions
Immutable Form. The crystalline guardian is immune Rune of Fire (1/day). When hit by a melee
to any spell or effect that would alter its form. attack, the crystalline guardian activates a
Magic Resistance. The crystalline guardian rune, scorching a 10 feet radius with fire. Each
has advantage on saving throws against creature in the area must make a DC 17 Dexterity
spells and other magical effects. saving throw, taking 17 (5d6) fire damage on a
Magic Weapons. The crystalline guardian's failed save, and half damage on a success.
weapon attacks are magical. Rune of Shielding (1/day). When hit by an attack or
370
Scaling
targeted by magic missile, the guardian activates
rune that grants the benefits of a shield spell.
Shield. When a creature makes an attack against
the wearer of the guardian’s amulet, the While the adventure is designed for 9th level
guardian grants a +2 bonus to the wearer’s AC
if the guardian is within 5 feet of the wearer. characters, it can be scaled for 8th or 10th level
characters (or if the PCs are finding the adventure
Development: The ioun device is very likely to too hard or too easy), by doing the following:
be destroyed by the battle, but even if it somehow
survives, the misalignment of the focus of the
Parley with Akoria
device’s matrix array causes more and more Scale down: Remove the war chief from the
serious imperfections in any new ioun stones the encounter.
device creates, until all it can produce are dull Scale up: The war chief and heroes are mounted on
gray stones. All of this assumes that the PCs have giant sea horses who begin the combat by charging
the arcane skills and detailed knowledge of the the ship.
Ancient civilization to successfully manipulate the
ioun device in the first place. Whether the PCs can
Ship to Ship!
activate or possibly even realign the ioun device is Scale down: Discard Emilia's stat block and give
up to you as GM. If Yohannas survives, he becomes her the stat block of a bandit captain.
a bitter enemy who seeks to ally with the PCs' Scale up: Give Skulberd 10 arrows of slaying of
enemies and bring about their downfall. various humanoids common to the Pirate Isles,
Milestone: Capturing or destroying the ioun with around half of these being dedicated to slaying
device is a minor milestone. Award the PCs 2,200 humans.
XP to distribute.
The Ioun Device
Conclusion Scale down: Remove the runes of fire and shielding
from the crystal guardian, and the reactive trait.
The PCs have now vehemently delivered an object
Scale up: Increase the crystal guardian's Challenge
lesson demonstrating the fate that befalls any
to 11 by doing the following: increase its Strength
bilge-swilling swine who would have the temerity
to 21 (increasing both its damage and to hit) and its
to oppose them on the high seas. The PCs have also
hit points to 170 (16d12 + 64). Its dazzling brilliance
come away with a significant amount of plunder,
causes blindness 1 minute.
including valuable artifacts from a long-lost empire.
Tales of the PCs’ cold-blooded ruthlessness and
fiery wrath spread through the port-side taverns
of the Pirate Isles. They are well on their way to
becoming notorious pirate lords and may soon look
to seize the mantle of Pirate King for themselves.
11
371
t S c u r v y :
For
A 14 t h- l e v e l
ad v e n t u r e
11
372
Introduction Of course, it also can be played as a standard
infiltration adventure with the PCs and their
The adventure takes place in the Pirate Isles, characters, either with their forces performing
wherever that fits best in the campaign world, and a broader assault in the background or with the
assumes that the heroes have worked their way characters acting on their own.
to fame (or infamy) and fortune on the high seas.
Whether they are island-hopping explorers or the
The Human Element
admirals of a potent fleet of their own, they have Fort Scurvy is not a typical high-level dungeon,
won victory or victory on their own and/or while populated with monsters great and small, from
leading their armada and the squadrons of their demons to dragons and all points in between. It
allies to victory over an enemy power on the high is a fortress ruled and populated with humanoids
seas. This could be set against the backdrop of in large numbers, who despite their scurvy and
an invasion by a hostile navy intent on stamping sometimes backstabbing ways are also trained and
out the PCs and their nautical allies in the pirate battle-hardened soldiers and sailors capable of
isles. In this case, the PCs likely found themselves mounting an organized defense if the heroes reveal
having to hastily assemble a patchwork alliance themselves. These enemies use the same kinds of
independently of a Pirate King who kept his own skills, tactics, feats, and spells that the heroes do,
forces back, allowing his rivals like the PCs to so as a GM you need to familiarize yourself with
absorb the brunt of the invading assault. what each kind of NPC can do and how their listed
Alternatively, the heroes could be simply rally tactics play out at the table. Your heroes are going
their own forces and allies against those loyal to to be facing far more humans, goblins, hobgoblins,
the Pirate King in a bid for power. Whatever their and so forth, appearing both as NPCs and as
grievance against the current Pirate King, from troops of various types, than they will traditional
complacency and inaction in the face of great monsters. The heroes won’t easily be able to tell
danger or to simply deposing him and installing one kind of pirate foe from another, so they’ll
themselves as new and more vibrant rulers, simply have to think on their feet and react as they go.
sacking the de facto pirate capital of Hazard Harbor Don’t worry about maximizing every possibility;
will not suffice. Instead, they must attempt a daring if the first villain of a given type doesn’t get to
assault on Fort Scurvy, the nigh-impregnable use your favorite dirty trick, they’ll pop up again
citadel of the Pirate King, to seize control of the later in the adventure and you’ll get another shot.
jewel of all pirate harbors and to crown themselves Individual NPC stat blocks and enemy troops
the new high captains of the seven seas. This are found in Chapter 7: Pirate Codex Chapter :
adventure is designed for 14th-level characters, Pirate Codex. Unique named NPCs have their stat
though you could adjust the adventure up or down blocks in the text of the module in the locations
in difficulty based on how you play the villains and
their response to invasion by the heroes.
where they appear.
Battles in this adventure are never going to be
11
This adventure can be played against the a party of characters challenging a single ultra-
backdrop of a full-scale naval assault, using rules powerful enemy in their lair; instead, the heroes
from Kingdoms, Ultimate Rulership, Ultimate Battle, will almost always be outnumbered though rarely
and especially in Ultimate War (featuring naval outgunned by any individual encounter or enemy.
combat and siege warfare) from Legendary Games. This requires a different approach to running the
373
adventure for both the GM and the players, as every soldier in the castle responds instantly with
high-level tactics focused on gang-tackling single suicidal loyalty and perfect tactical precision to
enemies won’t work. Similarly, a simple room-to- dogpile on the heroes is just as unsatisfying as one
room scorched-earth “clear the dungeon” strategy where the enemy sits in its lair waiting to be wiped
for the adventure is not the best path to success. out by the heroes. Keep the pressure on but keep
The heroes are not waging a war of annihilation in the action moving, and most of all have fun!
Fort Scurvy, as the inhabitants of the fortress might
become their subjects if they succeed in toppling
Hazard Harbor
the Pirate King and perhaps taking his place. The Fort Scurvy is the most notable feature of this
heroes must combine guile, infiltration, and stealth island, with the fort built astride a rise at the
with a judicious application of brute force to crack northwest corner of the island and the ground
the defenses of the stronghold and eliminate the sloping gently to the south. A long beach stretches
Pirate King and his lieutenants who keep the rank east along the island’s north shore. The following
and file pirates in line. They remain loyal as long stat block represents the city of Hazard Harbor,
as the Pirate King shows his strength, but if he falls from its teeming slums to its obscenely opulent
their morale may falter. mansions looking down from the highland heights.
As a GM, encounters are far less discrete than in The city is not further detailed here, as the action
a typical dungeon, where monsters mostly stay in of the adventure is focused on Fort Scurvy itself,
their own lairs. If the alarm is raised, encounters though of course PCs may choose to sneak into
necessarily become the city to buy or sell
more dynamic, with magic items or make
some defenders contact with allies
( e s p e c i a l l y even in the midst of
artillerists and a pitched battle with
their siege weapons) the Pirate King’s
sticking to their forces. The settlement
posts and others stat block below is
ready and willing designed for use with
to flow and react as the settlement rules
necessary to meet in Kingdoms; if you are
intruders. Some not using those rules,
encounter areas they can serve simply
are open and adjacent to others, and the PCs may as a narrative guide to what the city is like.
incite a reaction from several directions at once.
374
Demographics
of draft animals, linked to the fort by a road of
Government autocracy
Population 43,300 (27,000 humans; 4,000 packed earth and palm logs. Small dormitories are
half-elves, 3,500 half-orcs, 2,200 halflings, nearby for laborers working by day at Fort Scurvy
1,800 elves, 1,500 dwarves, 1,100 gnomes, and sleeping here by night. A long pier allows
1,000 goblins, 800 hobgoblins, 400 other)
oceangoing ships to dock, with smaller piers for
Notable NPC s
passenger boats going to and from Hazard Harbor.
Pirate King Ismail Queeg (NE male
human swashbuckling warrior) Tidal Effects: The coastal surf around Hazard
Garrison Commander “Doc” Silvertusk (CE Isle is difficult terrain and also grants disadvantage
male half-orc barbarian warlord) to Acrobatics skill checks. In addition, wave surges
Harbor Master Somin Crescencio (N occur every 1d4 rounds, acting as a shove attack
female human aristocrat)
(equal chance of being moved directly towards
Sealord Thusus Herud (NE wereshark
hobgoblin barbarian chief) the beach, directly away from the beach, or being
Marketplace knocked prone). The attack bonus for this attack
Spellcasting 8th is equal to +2d8, reduced by 1 for every square a
Common Items unlimited; Uncommon creature is away from the normal shoreline.
Items 4d4; Rare Items 3d4
Frigate Isle
Plunder Isle Frigate Isle lies just east of Fort Scurvy. Sheer-
Fort Scurvy is the most notable feature of this sided with cliffs 80 to 100 feet high, Frigate Isle
island, with the fort built astride a rise at the covered in scrub, seagrass, and a narrow tangle of
northwest corner of the island and the ground palms and evergreens atop its scarp. Thousands
sloping gently to the south. A long beach stretches of seabirds roost on its cliffs, while lizards and
east along the island’s north shore, backed by monkeys clamber among rocks and trees. The tides,
a low ridge. Citrus, fig, and olive groves grow currents, and reefs between Frigate Isle and Hazard
around several outbuildings on the island’s south Isle and in the southerly passage into Hazard Harbor
side, but grassy bogs cover most of the island’s give rise to frequent whirlpools. Called Maelstrom
interior. The waters around the fort are forbidding, Cove, few dare these waters, choosing instead to
with reefs sheltering lagoons too deep to wade pass north of Fort Scurvy into the main northerly
but too congested for boats. The sugar-white entry to Hazard Harbor’s lagoon.
beaches impose disadvantage on Acrobatics skill Atop Frigate Isle is a stone lighthouse to warn
checks performed on them, while the jagged rocks ships away. After battling for control of the
surrounding most of the isle (called the Wench’s lighthouse for decades, wrecking it twice, Frigate
Teeth) are difficult terrain. Falling prone on these Isle was declared neutral ground and the pirate
rocks deals 1d4 points of bludgeoning and slashing lords pooled their funds to finance a magical
damage (a successful DC 15 Dexterity save negates
this damage). Being shoved or otherwise forcefully
lighthouse construct. PCs investigating the island
find mostly cliff terrain, with clumps of light and
11
moved deals this damage for each square of forced heavy undergrowth, inhabited by giant lizardsSRD,
movement. Terrain effects are described in the 5E baboonsSRD and monkeys, and giant frigate birds,
Srd. identical to giant eaglesSRD but with black feathers
Several warehouses lie at the island’s southwestern and a bright red gular pouch, NE in alignment and
corner, with presses for olive oil and a small stable able to understand Aquan. The lighthouse is 20 feet
375
in diameter and 50 feet tall and standing atop it is a notice this behavior if the area is studied for at
construct of polished metal and stone containing a least 1 hour. A creature stepping onto the illusory
brilliant lamp, which fights only if attacked. rocks falls 70 feet onto the rocky cliff-shore below
(Damage 7d6 x 150% for the jagged rocks at the
LIGHTHOUSE LAMP CUPOLA
bottom, a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw negates
Variant Stone Golem SRD
hp 178 falling if there is an adjacent solid surface and the
Challenge 10 (5,900 xp) creature succeeds on a DC 15 Strength (Athletics)
check).
This Gargantuan construct is not built for war, The tidal action in this channel is violent and
so its combat statistics are identical to a standard unpredictable, requiring a DC 20 Wisdom check
stone golem. It radiates permanent daylight, each round (water vehicle proficiency applies)
and any creature within 10 feet must make a DC to pilot a canoe, longboat, or similar small craft
14 Constitution saving throw or be blinded for 1 through Rumrunner’s Race (DC 30 for warships,
round. A successful save makes a creature immune galleys, and sailing ships. A failed check deals 3d6
to this effect for 1 hour. points of damage to the vessel, prevents movement
376
Table 11-04:
Fort Scurvy Reinforcements Table 11-05: Drawing Fire
d100 CR Reinforcements d100 Targeting
01–20 8 Pirate Crew and 1 Pirate Officer 01–40 Not targeted by a ranged attack
21–40 10 Pirate Port Defenders 41–60 Pirate Crew
and 1 Pirate Enforcer 51–60 Pirate Crew and a Pirate Piper
41–50 9 Pirate Crew, Pirate (using inspire courage or dirge
Officer, Pirate Piper of doom plus a ranged spell)
51-60 11 Pirate Port Defenders, Pirate 61–70 Light Artillerist Battery
Enforcer, Pirate Piper 71–75 Heavy Artillerist Battery
61–70 11 2 Pirate Sharpshooters 76–85 1 Pirate Sharpshooter
71-80 11 Pirate Crew, 2 Pirate 86–90 1 Elite Pirate Sniper
Officer, 1 Pirate Bosun
91–95 1 Pirate Grenadier
81-90 11 1 Hag Spy and 1 Pirate Enforcer
96–00 coven of 3 Hag Spyies (using coven spells)
91-95 12 coven of 3 Hag SpySpies
96-00 13 Bloodthirsty Buccaneers, 1
Pirate Bosun, 1 Pirate Grenadier
have only short descriptions of relevant features fortified cover. PCs revealing themselves openly,
and inhabitants. It is left to the GM to fill in especially flying PCs, are targeted with dozens of
any incidental details of such rooms, be they missiles every round from defenders across the fort.
bedchambers, storage rooms, lavatories, or gardens. Battlefield control and obscuring spells, including
Reactions and Reinforcements: Fort Scurvy is fogs and illusions, can be of great aid in diverting
a “living” fortress, full of ordinary NPCs who are or defeating such attacks, as can spells that create
primarily interested in avoiding getting killed, physical barriers and summoning creatures to
not much of a threat to PCs. As with playing out provide additional targets.
a fleet action at high levels, if PCs mount a major Occupied locations in Fort Scurvy contain a
attack on Fort Scurvy with their allies, most lower- standard entry for Creatures, and most have an
level NPCs and siege weapons can be assumed to Alert entry indicating the creatures present once
be occupied responding to their equivalents on the an alarm has been raised (increasing Challenge to
PCs’ side, with this battle taking place mostly in the the number after the slash). The CR for encounters
background. However, organized units of defenders
can be found throughout the fort, forming up into
reflects this alternate number of defenders that
generally maintain their positions rather than 11
trained battle-ready troops, often led by individual leaving their station to respond to enemy attacks
commanders or small numbers of elite officers. (though they may use ranged attacks to harass
If PCs attempt a small-group infiltration, they known targets), instead relying on internal
may well attract more direct attention if combat reinforcements. Every time PCs engage in combat,
erupts and the PCs are discovered. Fort Scurvy there is a 10% cumulative chance at the end of
has many defenders, often well protected behind each round after the first that reinforcements
377
arrive, of a type determined using the table above. A. Gateway Ramp
Encounter distance is 2d4 x 10 feet outdoors, half
that indoors. If the PCs exit combat unobserved, This steep cobblestoned ramp leads between
this chance resets to zero. If PCs break off combat a high curtain wall on the right and a
brickwork retaining wall on the left, rising
while observed, the chance of an encounter each
steeply from the packed soil atop the beach
round is reduced by 5% per round. to the forbidding gates of Fort Scurvy. The
Each time the PCs defeat a group of reinforcements, gates themselves are stoutly bound with
the chance of further reinforcements is reduced by iron and cruelly spiked. Above the gates,
2% per round; i.e., 8% cumulative per round after four sharp-fanged shark mouths have been
sculpted into the stone, each surrounded by
one group has been defeated, 6% after two groups,
sooty smudges.
etc. After 5 groups of reinforcements have been
defeated, no more arrive.
The cobbled ramp is a steep slope, and a
In addition to potential reinforcements, any
mechanism inside the citadel can collapse parts of
defenders with line of sight to PCs may make
the ramp, turning it into dense rubble. In addition,
ranged attacks. For ease of reference, assume that
two cannons within the citadel threaten brutal
any visible PC (unless well-disguised, whether with
death on those ascending the ramp.
mundane disguise or magical illusion or polymorph
effects) has a chance every round spent in the open B. Citadel
to be targeted:
Attitudes: If no alarm is raised, craftsmen This rounded bastion dominates the upper
within Fort Scurvy have an initial attitude of portion of Fort Scurvy, its battlements
looming cruelly over the surround. A high
indifferent, while defenders are unfriendly. During
mast bearing the Pirate King’s banner rises
an alert, attitudes shift to unfriendly and hostile, from the citadel’s roof, flanked by a pair
respectively. of massive ballistae, with heavy netting
Poisoned Weapons: The goblin alchemists in shrouding the battlements. Shuttered arrow
the Pirate King’s employ spend much of their free slits riddle the walls like unfriendly eyes.
time manufacturing alchemist’s fire to feed his
This massive fortification bears steel-bound gates
firedrakes and other siege engines, but they also
of hewn teak logs (threshold 8, hp 120 per 5-foot
spend a great deal of time crafting serpent venomSrd
section), studded with cruel spikes. Creatures
for the defenders’ weapons. This sticky poison is
attacking the gates with natural weapons or
effective for up to 4 hits; wielders are exposed to
unarmed strikes are attacked by a spike (+10 melee,
this poison on a natural 1 on attack rolls.
1d6+5 damage each) with each attack. These spikes
The goblins sneak through the castle by night
are considered a trap, though they are not hidden
applying their poison, but most defenders are
380
a permanent alarm spell which triggers an audible Alert
alarm when an invisible creature enters the room.
Pirate crew, 1 pirate sharpshooter
Creatures
PIRATE SHARPSHOOTER
PIRATE PORT DEFENDERS Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
hp 119 (see page 346) hp 143 (see page 198)
Challenge 7 (2,900 xp)
B3. Guardhouse (Challenge 11)
These hard-bitten guards stay adjacent to their
This thick-walled blockhouse is a guard post that
officer, using Saving Shield to protect them.
also serves as the office of the gate inspector, but
PIRATE OFFICER it also the ready room for a pirate bosun and pirate
hp 130 (see page 347) enforcer whose job it is to subdue any recalcitrant
Challenge 6 (1,800 xp) visitors who object to being searched.
Alert Creatures
2 pirate port defenders, 2 pirate officers PIRATE BOSUN (2)
Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
B2. Shooting Gallery hp 212 (see page 194)
(Challenge 6/10)
PIRATE ENFORCER
This enclosed gallery with iron-shuttered arrow
Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
slits (threshold 10, hp 30, total cover when closed,
Hp 195 (see page 194)
improved cover when open) facing outward is
reached by locked wooden doors (threshold 5, hp B4. Stairs
20, DC 20 Dexterity skill check with thieves’ tools
These spiral stairs ascend through the three levels
to pick). Small peepholes (Wisdom (Perception)
of the citadel and give access to the roof.
DC 20 if searching) allow vision into the citadel’s
interior, and defenders here may move to B6 to fire B5. Portcullis
down upon invaders through the murder holes.
These heavy iron grilles are controlled by capstans
At each end of the gallery is a narrow shaft with
at B6 and can be dropped as a move action by
a rope (Strength (Athletics) DC 5 to climb; DC 15
pirates above. Creatures adjacent to a portcullis
if rope is removed) for moving between the upper
may be stuck under it as it falls, taking 6d6 points of
and lower levels. Those in the upper gallery must
piercing and bludgeoning damage and being pinned
use Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Strength (Athletics)
(DC 13 Dexterity save negates; DC 17 if Large or
to move past the shaft without falling.
Creatures
larger and directly underneath the portcullis
rather than adjacent to it); pinned creatures take 11
1d6 points of damage at the beginning of each
PIRATE CREW
turn. Each 10-foot portcullis is considered a trap
hp 85 (see page 377)
(Wisdom (Perception) 15, DC 25 Dexterity skill
Challenge 6 (2,300 xp)
check with thieves’ tools) for game effects related to
traps. Escaping the pin requires a DC 20 Dexterity
381
(Acrobatics) check or Strength check or destroying half-empty bottles of grog, and similar personal
the portcullis (threshold 10, hp 120). effects are scattered haphazardly.
A portcullis blocks movement, though Small
Alert
or smaller creatures can get through (Dexterity
(Acrobatics) DC 25, reduced by 10 for each size This room will be empty.
smaller than Small). A portcullis does not block
B8. Weapons locker
line of sight or effect but does provide cover against
piercing weapons, targeted spells, and burst effects The locked wooden door (threshold 5, hp 30, DC
and total cover against bludgeoning or slashing 20 to lockpick) secures a cache of ammunition for
weapons. Polearms can be wielded through a personal and siege weapons (master artillerists
portcullis, but natural reach beyond 5 feet is have keys).
blocked.
B9. Firing Chamber (Challenge 9/12)
B6. Shooting Gallery (Challenge 6/9)
This chamber contains two cannons mounted over
This low-slung chamber is pierced with shuttered the main gates and two light ballistae, one each
murder holes in almost every square, allowing facing west and south and mounted on paired
archers to waylay those in area B2 below. The gimbals, allowing easier rotation, elevation, and
pirates here operate the portcullises with capstan declination, granting a +2 bonus on attack rolls
winches. It requires two DC 10 Strength checks to against moving targets. The artillerist battery crews
raise a portcullis up 5 feet but only one move to the weapons while a master artillerist supervises
release it to fall. the loading, aiming, and firing of all weapons.
Creatures Creatures
PIRATE CREW HEAVY ARTILLERIST BATTERY
hp 85 (see page 194) hp 119 (see page 188)
Challenge 6 (2,300 xp) Challenge 7 (2,900 xp)
382
or the same level, these defenses provide improved MASTER ARTILLERIST
cover when open, total cover when closed. In hp 104 (see page 192)
addition, the citadel supports a 50-foot-high Challenge 4 (700 xp)
mast flying the flag of the Pirate King (the lower
PIRATE OFFICER
towers of Fort Scurvy have similar masts, but only
hp 130 (see page 196)
20 feet high and surmounted by Ismail Queeg’s
Challenge 6 (1,800 xp)
personal battle flag), as well as signal flags which
can transmit messages to ships. A pirate officer is Alert
stationed here as flag officer.
As above, 3 pirate sharpshooters
The mast supports a network of netting secured
to cleats atop the tower’s battlement (AC 3, hp 10 PIRATE SHARPSHOOTER (3)
per 5-foot section), providing cover against attacks hp 143 (page 198)
from above. Those within can attack without Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
impediment using ranged attacks and piercing
weapons, but other attacks are subject to cover. C. Stables
Fine or Diminutive creatures ignore the netting, but
larger creatures require a Dexterity (Acrobatics) Slitted vents under the ceiling eaves
check (DC 10 for Tiny creatures, increasing by 5 for illuminate this stable and its neat bales of
fodder. Tack, harness, and farrier’s tools
each size category larger). Gases, area effects that
hang everywhere from pegs and hooks. A
fill a spread, and attacks requiring no attack roll low-pitched loft lies above, reached by an
bypass the netting, but the netting provides a cover open staircase, with a winched hoist affixed
bonus to saving throws against bursts, lines, and to the main beam.
cones, even if the netting is destroyed by the effect.
The netting is regularly soaked in seawater and Fort Scurvy’s defenders have no need for mounts,
takes only 1/4 damage from fire. A fireball impacts and the stable is mostly for draft animals and the
the netting and bursts outside it unless the caster convenience of guests.
succeeds at a ranged attack against AC 13 to hit a
C1. Main Stables
target inside the net.
The tower’s interior accessed through a locked The stables typically hold 1d4 horses and 1 warhorse
iron trap door (threshold 10, hp 60, DC 25 Dexterity scattered in the stalls, tended by two craftsmen
skill check with thieves’ tools to pick). A permanent (grooms), who hide in the loft during an alert.
alarm is affixed to the underside of the trap door,
C2. Loft
triggering if the door is opened without speaking
the password. Two heavy ballistae are mounted on Extra fodder and gear are stored here.
gimbal platforms like those in B9.
D. Upper Bailey (Challenge 8) 11
Creatures
This wide cobblestoned triangle is abuzz
HEAVY ARTILLERIST BATTERY with activity, with craftsmen mending and
hp 119 (see page 188) making at tables or lading carts, though a
Challenge 7 (2,900 xp) few boisterous louts are loafing in the shade.
383
During normal days, 4d6 craftsmen and 1d6 improved cover against attacks from outside the
drunkards (see page 183) are at work here, wall and cover against ranged attacks from flying
supervised by a few pirates. If a battle breaks creatures or creatures inside the wall). Battlements
out during daytime, these workers form up into a rise 10 feet above ground level inside the fort,
drunken rabble and attack intruders. By night, or accessed by fixed ropes (Strength (Acrobatics) DC
during alerts, the bailey is empty save the guards. 5 to climb; DC 15 if rope removed).
Creatures Creatures
PIRATE GUARD (2) COMMON PIRATES (2)
hp 112 (see page 196) hp 104 (see page 182)
Challenge 4 (1,100 xp) Challenge 3 (700 xp)
385
which can be substituted for cash when crafting G4. Rooftop (Challenge 7/12)
potions or alchemical items.
The battlements, mast, netting, and trap doors here
Creatures are similar to those at B10 (see page 382).
A pirate guard is posted within the door at all times PIRATE OFFICER
and will open it only to creatures providing the hp 130 (see page 196)
proper passwords, which are changed frequently. Challenge 6 (1,800 xp)
Stairs to the left ascend 20 feet to G3 while those
Alert
to the right descend 10 feet to G0. The ascending
stairs circle around the front facing of the tower, 2 pirate guards and pirate officers (as above), plus 2
passing shuttered arrow slits (three quarter cover pirate sharpshooters
when open, total cover when closed)
PIRATE SHARPSHOOTER (2)
G2. Officer’s Quarters hp 143 (see page 198)
Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
This chamber has two bunk beds for officers
commanding the tower, as well as a table, chairs,
and a shuttered, barred window. A 1-minute search
H. Lower Bailey
(Wisdom (Perception) DC 15) reveals 2d6 x 100 gp (Challenge 10/12)
worth of coins, jewelry, and small valuables (halved
if the check failed). This open cobblestone courtyard is
dominated by three massive trebuchets and
G3. Firing Level (Challenge 8) racks of ammunition, though sounds and
smells of smithing and cookery permeate
This level at the tower’s midpoint contains a cannon the plaza amidst the sweating knots of
built on a rotating mechanism to be able to fire out soldiers practicing their bladework.
any of the tower’s outward-facing arrow slits or the
down-angled shark-carved firing ports where the
This area is similar to D, but with a constant
tower widens outwards.
pirate presence keeping order and guarding the
Creatures trebuchets. The craftsmen take shelter in the
Creatures
Challenge 5 (1,600 xp)
PIRATE PORT DEFENDERS
MASTER ARTILLERIST hp 119 (see page 198)
hp 104 (see page 192) Challenge 7 (2,900 xp)
Challenge 4 (700 xp)
386
PIRATE OFFICERS (3) Creatures
Challenge 6 (1,800 xp)
PIRATE GUARD (1D4)
hp 130 (see page 196)
hp 112 (see page 196)
Alert Challenge 4 (1,200 xp)
I. Mess Hall (Challenge wooden doors, Disable Device DC 20) and the cooks
hide within while pirates report for duty.
variable) J. Brig (Challenge 6)
This tile-roofed building has numerous
chimneys. The scent of simmering fish stew This grim spire has only narrow barred slits
wafts from within and smoke drifts from for windows, but faint moans can be heard
several chimneys. The walls facing the lower from within. A locked iron door grants
bailey are comprised of louver-shuttered egress to the upper east bastion.
doors, able to be opened entirely to allow
the sea breezes to cool the kitchens. While hanging and flogging are common
punishments, the Pirate King also has need for
This building is for food preparation and serving keeping prisoners for extended periods. Wealthy
and is a gathering place for off-duty pirates. hostages are usually confined to suitable quarters
Typically, 1d4 common pirates and 1d4 pirate guards until ransomed, but 1d4 prisoners of modest means
are here eating, gambling, or carousing, served by and 1d4 drunkards are typically confined here,
2d4 craftsmen (cooks). There is a 25% chance for watched over by a single turnkey and a torturer.
1d3 higher-level pirates of any type (e.g., master There is no entrance to the jail from the lower
artillerist, pirate sharpshooter) to be present. bailey. The single door gives entry to the upper level
A narrow passage at the west end of the mess (J1), where the turnkey and torturer are stationed.
hall accesses the eastern garden well (N11), and a
locked secret drawer (Wisdom (Perception) DC 25,
Dangerous prisoners can be isolated and manacled
in a single barred cell (J2) on the upper level, 11
DC 25 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools to pick; but most prisoners are simply dropped through a
pirate bosuns have keys)) allows food and drink to trap door into a holding cell below (J3). A rope is
be passed through into the council chamber (N8). lowered to retrieve prisoners, and food and water
Only Tiny or smaller creatures can fit into this are lowered in a bucket for prisoners to fight over.
drawer.
387
Creatures Alert
TORTURER The doors are barred from within, but the craftsmen
SRD
use gladiator stats continue their work.
hp 112
Challenge 5 (1,800 xp) L. East Bastion
TURNKEY
(Challenge 10/12)
use veteran SRD stats
388
L1. Officer’s Quarters M1. Officer’s Quarters
(Challenge variable) (Challenge variable)
As G1. These quarters house bosuns, officers, As L1 (see page 390).
pipers, and sharpshooters, with a 25% chance to
M2. Regular Quarters
find one such officer asleep. If awakened, they
will shout for aid and try to fight their way to help
(Challenge variable)
unless hopelessly outnumbered. As L2 (see page 390).
390
Creatures a pirate piper chamberlain that deals with guests.
Each officer has a pirate guard. If the alert has been
GIANT FRIGATE BIRDS
raised, this is also where the garrison commander,
use giant eagle stats SRD
391
MASTER ARTILLERIST (3)
hp 71 (see page 192)
Challenge 4 (700 xp)
Alert
These rooms are unoccupied.
N4. Lavatory
As L3 (see page 390); while most of the bunker
is built under or within the footprint of the fort’s
walls, this lavatory is built within the north wall of
the fort, with shuttered slits indistinguishable from
arrow slits.
392
WERESHARK SHAMANS (2)
hp 171 (see page 230)
Challenge 8 (3.900 xp)
393
Whether copied from ancient scrolls or relics N12. Storage
of long-forgotten expeditions, this collection of
These chambers contain crated foodstuffs and dry
maps is the equal of any in archives of the greatest
goods behind locked wooden doors (threshold 5, hp
nautical kingdoms. Consulting these maps for 1d6
20, DC 20 to pick; pirate bosuns have keys).
hours grants a +6 bonus to skill checks about the
geography of any location in the world within 100 N13. Dungeon Stairs
miles of the seacoast.
The stairs to the lower dungeons are dusty and
Spending a week cataloguing these maps
little used, save by the weresharks of the seacaves
(Intelligence (Investigation) DC 30) uncovers 6d6 x
(Wisdom (Survival) DC 20 to notice their tracks).
1000 gp worth of rare maps.
The door here is locked as N12 (page 394), but
N10. Library only weresharks have keys. The stairs descend 20
feet to the dungeon.
This chamber contains centuries of piratical
histories gathered from around the world, many N14. Alchemist’s Manufactory
deeply embellished but others astonishingly (Challenge 11)
detailed naturalistic accounts, records of wrecked
ships and sunken or buried treasure, and many This locked chamber is packed to the rafters
intimate diaries and personal correspondence. with crates of glasswork, wax-sealed packets
and casks, save for a scattering of tables and
Studying within this library for 2d6 hours grants
benches piled high with kettles, alembics,
advantage on Intelligence skill checks about pirates beakers, and flasks.
past and present, the people and places of the pirate
islands, as well as any coastal regions the GM
These locked rooms (as N12 [page 394], but
selects as being of particular interest to the pirate
pirate grenadiers have keys) are a cluttered jumble
king. At the GM’s discretion, these references may
of alchemical equipment and supplies, including a
also shed light on extraplanar oceans and naturally
great deal of raw material for making gunpowder,
occurring portals known to exist among the seas
as well as distilling and fermentation equipment
and islands of the world, some of which could be
for both poisons and liquors. The goblin alchemists
large enough to allow passage of a ship from one
in each room are each assisted by 1d4 craftsmen;
plane to another. These portals may be continuously
these assistants are not present during an alert.
active, or may require specialized checks or rituals
These chambers contain 2d4 x 1000 gp worth of
to activate, and studying the appropriate reference
alchemical raw materials, which can be substituted
books grants advantage on all ability and skill
for cash when crafting potions or alchemical items.
checks made to perform such actions.
Spending a week cataloguing the library Creatures
11 (Intelligence (History) DC 25) reveals 3d6 x 1000
gp worth of rare volumes and documents.
PIRATE GRENADIER (2)
hp 169 (see page 195)
N11. Cistern Wells Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
394
N15. Grog Cellar While Doc keeps most of his wealth with him,
a 10-minute search (Wisdom (Perception) DC 20)
This locked chamber (as N12 [page 394]) contains
uncovers 205 pp, 549 gp, 2320 sp, 8500 cp, a black
barrels and racked bottles of ale, wine, and liquor
pearl (230 gp), 2 violet garnets (350 gp), a white jade
of all sorts, worth 6d6 x 100 gp; in addition, a DC
bracelet (260 gp), 5 lapis lazuli (3 gp), a darkwood
20 Wisdom (Perception) check discovers 2d6 choice
buckler, darkwood light wooden shield, and a potion
vintages worth 100 gp each.
of remove curse, all stuffed haphazardly in wooden
N16. The Seraglio boxes.
This locked chamber (iron door, threshold 10, hp N18. Pirate King’s Quarters
60; Ismail Queeg and “Doc” Silvertusk have keys) is
lavishly appointed, with cushioned divans of velvet This secret chamber is draped with hangings
and silk and a collection of fine artworks tastefully of blue, suggesting the deep sea, and the
walls hung with hundreds of figureheads
displayed, with a polished mahogany bar and wine
and ships’ nameplates, some pristine but
cases. This chamber offers entertainments of all most weathered, burnt, or hacked in pieces,
sorts to guests of the Pirate King, but it sits dark each with a framed parchment hung beside
and empty during alerts. The furnishings here are it. An oversized gilded bed is covered in
worth 5d6 x 100 gp and weigh 100 pounds. purple and gold silks, while fine wooden
furnishings, shelves of books, and woven
N17. First Mate’s Quarters carpets from Qadira and Vudra.
(Challenge 11)
This chamber is reached only through locked
The walls of this chamber are bedecked secret doors (Wisdom (Perception) DC 20, Dexterity
with trophies of animals, beasts, and DC 25 to pick the lock using thieves’ tools) into
humanoids, stuffed heads and other body
areas N15–19. The ship relics represent the many
parts preserved in their grisly glory.
Bloodstained weapons of every description ships Ismail Queeg has sunk in his long career. The
hang from walls and ceiling and are stacked furnishings here, including a collection of books of
around a bed covered in animal hides. art and history of modest value, are worth 1d6 x
1,000 gp, but most of his wealth is kept on board
Opening this locked bedchamber (as N16 [page the Greedy Ghost.
395]) without the key triggers a deadly trap 1
N19. Secret Hall (Challenge 10)
round after the door is opened, simultaneously
closing and locking the door. This secret hall connects the Pirate King’s quarters
with a one-way secret door into the dungeon
CHAMBER OF POISONED BLADES
stairwell (N13 [page 394]). In addition, a trapdoor
Mechanical trap
When the chamber of poisoned blades trap is
triggered by opening the door without the key,
from the Pirate King’s throne in the council
chamber (N8 [page 393]) deposits the creature
11
hidden blades are sprung all over the room, activating it here through a chute. Entering this
attacking any creature inside for 3d8+3 slashing
chamber activates a hail of poisoned arrows trap
damage with a +12 attack bonus. These attacks
persist for 1d4 rounds. Any creature hit by the affecting the entire 30-foot corridor unless the trap
blades is also affected by serpent venom SRD. is disarmed (Doc and Ismail Queeg both know a
hidden stone to push to disarm it).
395
corner. However, a DC 25 Wisdom (Survival) check
discerns humanoid tracks heading towards an
iron maiden against the east wall (C [page 383]).
The iron maiden contains a secret door (Wisdom
(Perception) DC 20) that requires a medium
creature to step within and close the iron maiden
while pulling an inside lever, causing the interior
wall of the iron maiden to rotate 180 degrees,
depositing the creature into the tunnel beyond
(area Q [page 400]).
However, if a second lever (Wisdom (Perception)
DC 25) is not activated at the same time the secret
door would be triggered, the secret door remains
shut and the iron maiden becomes a deadly trap.
HAUNTED MAIDEN
Mechanical trap
The iron maiden seals itself and pierces the
victim for 3d8+3 piercing damage every round
until the maiden is destroyed or the creature is
freed. A creature can free themselves with a DC
25 Strength check or a DC 25 Dexterity check.
The maiden has threshold 10 and 200 hit points.
HAIL OF ARROWS
The iron maiden is invested with the psychic and
Mechanical trap
When triggered, the hail of arrows trap attacks spiritual energy of those tortured in this dungeon,
all targets in the hallway with a +12 bonus, and 1 round after the iron maiden trap activates (or
dealing 21 (6d6) piercing damage. Any targets immediately if the iron maiden is destroyed), these
hits are affected by serpent venom.
energies manifest as a pair of wraiths that focuses
N20. Dungeon (Challenge 11) its attacks on the trapped creature, though if that
creature escapes it pursues and attacks any other
The rusty iron door opens into a dark creatures it encounters. These wraiths dissipates
chamber littered with chains, manacles, one minute after manifesting and cannot manifest
and cages, with iron cell doors lining the
again for 24 hours. Any harm they inflict remains.
walls. The chamber contains an impressive
array of instruments of torment, and though Creature
dusty from disuse an oppressive sense of
11
suffering lingers in the gloom. WRAITHSRD (2)
hp 67
This chamber holds a permanent antipathy (DC Challenge 5 (1,800 xp)
16 wisdom save) targeting humans. The cells,
hanging cages (a), and 10-foot deep open pit (b)
are empty save for a few bones, and most of the
torture equipment lies untouched, including a rack,
wheel, flensing table, and braziers in the southeast
396
O. Garbage Dump Languages —
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
(Challenge 11) Create Spawn (1/day). The globster takes 3 (1d6)
damage and creates a new globster which
attacks the nearest non-globster creature.
This long rhomboidal building sits under This ability can only be used if the globster is
Fort Scurvy’s northern battlements, and well-fed (eating at least 4 medium creatures
with the sand and stone gardens scattered since it last spawned, or the equivalent)
across its roof with a collection of hardy Actions
flowering coastal brush, with tumbled Pseudopod. Melee weapon attack: +8 to hit, 5 ft.
rockeries, tide pools, and clumps of tufted reach, 1 target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning
sawgrass below, it seems almost part of the damage. Any creature struck by this attack
landscape. must make a DC 15 Constitution saving
throw or be poisoned for 1d4 rounds.
397
PIRATE PIPER
Part 2:
hp 182 (see page 197)
Challenge 9 (5,000 xp) The Seacaves
PIRATE OFFICER Before Fort Scurvy was built, the seacaves below
hp 130 (see page 196) Frigate Isle became a haven smugglers and rum-
Challenge 5 (1,800 xp) runners, the fierce tidal surges entering the
caves impossible for all but the most skilled and
P2. Cargo Ramp
daring pilots to traverse. In time, however, Hazard
This steep ramp allows access by carts or wagons Harbor became so profligate and licentious that
from the upper bailey to the west bastion. smugglers became superfluous, since any vice
could be satisfied openly. With the construction
P3. Ballista Emplacement
of Fort Scurvy on adjacent Hazard Isle, the risk of
(Challenge 12) discovery exceeded the potential for profit and the
A wide firing port just below the bunker’s roof dangerous seacave fell into disuse, forgotten within
allows a cannon to cover a 60-degree arc westward, a generation.
threatening the entry to Hazard Harbor’s lagoon. The paranoid Pirate King Trazel Irons
rediscovered the caves and converted them into a
Creatures
secret anchorage connected with Fort Scurvy by
ELITE ARTILLERIST BATTERY, CANNON a long tunnel and then murdering everyone who
hp 170 (see page 398) worked on the project. Captain Irons later perished
Challenge 11 (7,200 xp) from a fever, fearing that healers would try to
poison him. Only his first mate Zim Bourdaine
PIRATE PORT DEFENDERS
kept the secret, and succeeding as Pirate King he
hp 119 (see page 198)
used the anchorage and an alliance with a coven
Challenge 7 (2,900 xp)
of sea witches to reinforce their secrecy and win
MASTER ARTILLERIST numerous victories, including slaying a great
hp 104 (see page 192) bronze dragon that sought to guard the sea lanes.
Challenge 4 (700 xp) When he betrayed the witches, however, the last
survivor called back the shade of Trazel Irons to
P4. Officer’s Quarters
seek revenge upon his treacherous lieutenant. Zim’s
As L1 (see page 390). flagship, the Silver Lance, inherited from Captain
Irons was wrecked inside the caves and its crew
P5. Artillerist’s Quarters
slaughtered, and again the seacaves passed out of
As N3 (see page 392). knowledge.
A dozen years ago, Ismail Queeg’s hobgoblin
friend Captain Lutark discovered the secret
entrance to the seacaves, and in gratitude Ismail
Queeg granted the caves to the weresharks as
theirs, though keeping the anchorage for his own
flagship, its crew bound to secrecy by marks of
justice. Those few renegades that have whispered
398
rumor of the anchorage have been silenced, and Q2. Slashing Corridor (Challenge 13)
competing rumors spread by the Pirate King have
The end of the tunnel ends in a bare wall hiding
led seekers far astray. The two also discovered the
a locked stone secret door (Wisdom (Perception)
deathless guardian Zim Bourdaine and his witches
DC 15, DC 20 to pick, threshold 8, hp 60). What
left behind, still bound to its command to slaughter
is not apparent from inside the tunnel, however, is
intruders save those bearing the mark of the Pirate
that the final 30 feet of the corridor are no longer
King.
underground, but actually extend into a guardhouse
Q. The Tunnel building. That section of the corridor contains
several traps that trigger in sequence; the proximity
This long, narrow passage is hewn from the trigger senses flying and invisible but not gaseous
very living rock, pale limestone striated or incorporeal creatures, and it activates as soon
with dark granitic veins. The floor is rough
as a creature reaches the last 5 feet of the passage.
and dusted with sand, showing the dim
imprint of large footprints. SNATCHING SCYTHES
Mechanical trap
This narrow tunnel, 5 feet wide and 5 feet high, Everyone in the area of the trap is attacked by
scythes with a +10 attack bonus that deal 11
follows a gently curving path bending south and
(2d4+6) slashing damage. Targets who are hit
east for a quarter-mile beneath the ridge abutting must make a DC 15 Dexterity save to avoid being
Catarin’s Beach. The tunnel then gradually descends pinned by the scythes. Pinned creature may take
an action to try to escape (a DC 15 Strength
and passes beneath the sea channel separating
or Dexterity check). If another creature assists
Hazard Isle from Frigate Isle, ascending more them, they gain advantage on this roll. Each
steeply under Frigate Isle to reach Rumrunner’s attempt to escape inflicts 1d8 slashing damage.
Rest at Area 2. Large creatures may squeeze through
SWINGING AXE
the corridor with a DC 15 Dexterity check (DC 5 for
Mechanical trap
vermin, snakes, and other long-bodied creatures at All targets in the affected 10-ft. line are
the GM’s discretion). attacked by a giant axe, which attacks at +8,
and deals 1d8+1 damage. Creatures who are
Q1. Leaky Cyst (Challenge 10) hit are also affected by serpent venom.
400
Armor Class 10 in humanoid form, 18 (natural
armor) in shark and hybrid form This old smuggler’s haven beneath Frigate Isle
Hit Points 120 (16d8 + 90) is reinforced with a labyrinth of ropes, struts,
Speed 30 ft. (swim 40 ft. in shark or hybrid form) nets, and hawsers, which are easy to climb (DC 10
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha Strength (Athletics)) or balance upon (Dexterity
19 (+4) 10 (+0) 15 (+3) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) (Acrobatics) DC 10 adjacent to buildings, DC 15
between buildings). Area effects dealing 20+ points
Skills Perception +7
of damage destabilize these connections, increasing
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical attacks DCs by 5, and effects dealing 40+ points of damage
not made with silvered weapons destroy them, making climbing or balancing
Senses passive Perception 17 between buildings impossible. Such effects have a
Languages Common, Orc (can’t speak in shark form) 10% chance (25% chance if 40+ damage) to collapse
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) a random building in the area, affecting the building
Shapechanger: The wereshark can use its action
interior and any adjacent squares as a cave-in.
to polymorph into a Large shark-humanoid
hybrid or into a Large shark, or back into its true The weresharks are ruled by clan chief Thusus
form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other Herud, sworn to Captain Lutark, and are here are
than its size and AC, are the same in each form. on leave while their kin are at sea aboard the Ocean’s
Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t
transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Lash. Wereshark pirates fall back towards Hidden
Keen Smell: The wereshark has advantage on Harbor when below 20 hp. Wereshark chargers
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. meet their mounts in the water and wait for PCs to
Actions near the water’s edge. The ceiling averages 20 feet
Multiattack. In shark form, the wereshark high near the walls and 30 feet in the center of the
makes two bite attacks. In humanoid form,
it makes two greataxe attacks. In hybrid
cavern.
form, it makes two attacks of its choice.
R1. Collapsed Building
Bite (Shark or Hybrid Form Only). Melee
Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 20 (3d10 + 4) piercing damage. Dry rot has claimed this building, with a
If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed few skeletal timbers still standing, lashed
on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or together with frayed bits of rope, and
be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy. broken, rusted nails.
Glaive (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Melee
Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) slashing damage. These ruined buildings hold nothing of interest.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, R2. Intact Building (Challenge 6–10)
150/600 range, one target. Hit: 4 (1d8) damage.
401
position, but also use bows at need. At rest, they assisted by her smitten brewmaster, the lovesick
remain in hobgoblin form, but on alert they assume goblin Gurian. At any time, 1d4 wereshark pirates
hybrid form. Each round of combat, there is a 10% and 1 wereshark charger can be found here as well.
cumulative chance that 1d4 additional wereshark
Creatures
pirates will converge on the site of combat from
other buildings. Once 5 wereshark pirates are ARIADNE, PIRATE PIPER
defeated, all others flee for towards the water. hp 182 (see page 197)
Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
Creatures
GURIAN, PIRATE GRENADIER
WERESHARK PIRATE (1D4)
hp 169 (plus 16 temporary hit points) (see page 195)
hp 120 (see page 400)
Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
Challenge 6 (2,300 xp)
WERESHARK PIRATE (HYBRID) (1D4)
Treasure: A 1-minute search (Wisdom (Perception)
hp 120 (see page 400)
DC 15) uncovers 1d6 x 1000 cp, 4d6 x 100 sp, 1d6
Challenge 6 (2,300 xp)
x 100 gp, and 6d6 pp, gemstones, jewelry, and
artworks worth 2d6 x 100 gp, and 1d4 x 50 lbs. of WERESHARK CHARGER
various trade goods, tools, and weapons; values are Medium humanoid (goblinoid,
shapechanger), lawful evil
halved the check fails.
Armor Class 10 in humanoid form, 20 (natural
R3. The Jolly Mermaid (Challenge 12) armor) in shark and hybrid form
Hit Points 171 (18d8 + 90)
Speed 30 ft. (swim 40 ft. in shark or hybrid form)
This large building at the water’s edge is
built of rough-mortared stone, with a few Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
imperfect archways and lintels of dressed 22 (+6) 10 (+0) 22 (+6) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1)
stone. Light escapes through shuttered
windows below a gilt-edged sign showing Skills Perception +7
a mermaid with glittering blue scales and Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing,
fiery red hair, spilling a glass of purple wine. and slashing from nonmagical attacks
A veranda illuminated by pale lanterns not made with silvered weapons
overlooks the docks below. Senses passive Perception 17
Languages Common, Orc (can’t speak in shark form)
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
This substantial building was once both town hall Shapechanger: The wereshark charger can use its
and festhall for Rumrunner’s Rest. The interior is action to polymorph into a Large shark-humanoid
largely open, its upper floor collapsed and cleared, hybrid or into a Large shark, or back into its true
form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other
with a large kitchen and heavy trestle tables where than its size and AC, are the same in each form.
11 weresharks gather for common meals. The veranda
is lit by four continual flame torches.
Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t
transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Ariadne, a rough-voiced pirate matron, presides Keen Smell. The wereshark charger has advantage
on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
over the place, with a staff of a half-dozen craftsmen
Powerful Charge. If the charger moves at 30 ft.
(cooks) and prostitutes provided by the Pirate King. before attacking, it deals an extra 6 (1d12) damage.
These dispirited servants are continually shaken
and become frightened during combat. Ariadne is
402
Actions
docks. The cave ceiling arches from 10 feet high at
Multiattack. In shark form, the wereshark
charger makes two bite attacks. In humanoid the walls to 20 feet in the center. Two wereshark
form, it makes two lance attacks. In hybrid shamans swim here at all times in shark form,
form, it makes three attacks of its choice. accompanied by six giant sharks. If battle erupts in
Bite (Shark or Hybrid Form Only). Melee
Rumrunner’s Rest, one shaman stays near the docks
Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 6) piercing damage. to observe while the other fetches Chief Thusus
If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed Herud and his retinue, who arrive 2d6 rounds after
on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or combat is observed (make Perception checks for the
be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy.
shamans each round). If PCs avoid combat within
Lance (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Melee
Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Rumrunner’s Rest, both shamans and the sharks
target. Hit: 19 (2d12 + 6) piercing damage. will be here and there is a 10% chance per minute
that the chief and his chargers return (10% per
R4. The Docks (Challenge 4)
round if combat occurs in Area 5).
These weresharks remain fully or partially
The lapping tide along this benighted beach
shows a narrow band of shallows followed submerged during combat, using the water’s surface
by a steep drop-off. A pinnace is tied up to to provide cover. The chargers can reach most foes
one dock, its sail furled and oars shipped, with lances and spears, but the shamans can also
while the cleats of the other dock are empty. use control water once each to raise the water level
all the way to the ceiling of the cave or hydraulic push
The pinnace is similar to a double-sized rowboat to force flying creatures or creatures on boats into
but is 10 feet wide and 30 feet long, with a single the water. Invisible or illusion-shrouded creatures
mast and space for 10 rowers and a sailor at the located by scent are targeted with faerie fire. If
tiller. the shamans see weresharks hard-pressed by the
Creatures in or adjacent to the water have a 25% waterside, they use control water to partially flood
chance per round to attract 1d3 giant sharks, which the village (avoiding the Jolly Mermaid if possible)
attack any non-weresharks present. These creatures and send their sharks swimming to attack, but
are the trained mounts of the wereshark chargers. chargers and chieftan keep to open areas allowing
them space to charge.
Creatures
Creatures
GIANT SHARK MOUNT
hp 126 WERESHARK SHAMAN
Challenge 5 (1,800 xp) Medium humanoid (goblinoid,
shapechanger), lawful evil
R5. The Deeps (Challenge 11 or 15) Armor Class 10 in humanoid form, 18 (natural
armor) in shark and hybrid form
The dark waters lead off through a natural
passage toward the distant sound of the surf.
Hit Points 171 (18d8 + 90)
Speed 30 ft. (swim 40 ft. in shark or hybrid form)
11
There is just enough room to row a good- Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
sized pinnace or several small rowboats 19 (+4) 10 (+0) 20 (+5) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1)
through the center of the channel.
Skills Perception +7
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing,
The shallows near the Rumrunner’s Rest are 5 and slashing from nonmagical attacks
to 10 feet deep, increasing to 30 feet beyond the not made with silvered weapons
403
Senses passive Perception 17
THUSUS HERUD, WERESHARK CHIEFTAIN
Languages Common, Orc (can’t speak in shark form)
Medium h
Challenge 8 (3,900 xp)
umanoid (goblinoid, shapechanger), neutral evil
Shapechanger: The wereshark shaman can use its
Armor Class 12 in humanoid form, 22 (natural
action to polymorph into a Large shark-humanoid
armor) in shark and hybrid form
hybrid or into a Large shark, or back into its true
form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other Hit Points 171 (18d8 + 90)
than its size and AC, are the same in each form. Speed 30 ft. (swim 40 ft. in shark or hybrid form)
Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. 24 (+7) 14 (+2) 22 (+6) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1)
Spellcasting. The shaman is an 8th-level
spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom Skills Perception +7
(spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing,
It has the following druid spells prepared: and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Cantrips (at will): druidcraft, not made with silvered weapons
produce flame, shillelagh Senses passive Perception 17
1st level (4 slots): entangle, longstrider, Languages Common, Orc (can’t speak in shark form)
speak with animals, thunderwave
Challenge 11 (7,200 xp)
2nd level (3 slots): animal messenger,
Shapechanger: Thusus can use its action to
barkskin, moonbeam
polymorph into a Large shark-humanoid hybrid
3rd level (3 slots): call lightning, speak with plants or into a Large shark, or back into its true form,
4th level (2 slots): conjure woodland which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than
beings, control water its size and AC, are the same in each form.
Keen Smell. The wereshark shaman has advantage Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t
on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Actions Keen Smell. Thusus has advantage on Wisdom
Multiattack: In shark form, the wereshark (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
shaman makes two bite attacks. In humanoid Powerful Charge. If Thusus moves at 30 ft. before
form, it makes two greataxe attacks. In hybrid attacking, it deals an extra 13 (2d12) damage.
form, it makes three attacks of its choice. Actions
Bite (Shark or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Multiattack. In shark form, Thusus makes
Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one two bite attacks. In humanoid form, he
target. Hit: 20 (3d10 + 4) piercing damage. makes two lance attacks. In hybrid form,
If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed he makes three attacks of his choice.
on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or Bite (Shark or Hybrid Form Only): Melee
be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy. Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Greataxe (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Melee target. Hit: 23 (3d10 + 7) piercing damage.
Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed
target. Hit: 17 (2d12 + 4) slashing damage. on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or
be cursed with wereshark lycanthropy.
GIANT SHARKS SRD (6 PLUS 4 SERVING AS Lance (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only): Melee
11 MOUNTS FOR THE 4 WERESHARK CHARGERS)
hp 126
Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: 20 (2d12 + 7) piercing damage.
Challenge 5 (1,800 xp)
404
MEGALODON S. Trazel’s Tunnel
Gargantuan beast, unaligned
Armor Class 18 A long natural cave bends away from the
Hit Points 231 (14d20+84) smuggler’s den behind, toward the distant
Speed 30 ft. sound of waves. As the curve approaches,
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha misty images flickering with dim light fade
24 (+7) 12 (+1) 22 (+6) 1 (-5) 10 (+0) 5 (-3) into view in a series of deep grottoes along
the tunnel, carrying with them the echoing
Skills Perception +4 roil of storm, wave, far-off battle, and the
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 14 cheers of the victorious.
Languages —
Challenge 9 (5000 xp) The long, winding crack running beneath the
Blood Frenzy. The megalodon has advantage island’s rock curves southeast past several split
on melee attack rolls against any creature
that doesn’t have all its hit points. clefts in the cave’s eastern face. Each cave contains
Water Breathing. The megalodon can a recurring illusion left behind by the long-
breathe only underwater. dead Pirate King Trazel Irons to memorialize his
Actions deeds. The first (a) depicts Captain Trazel, a tall
Multiattack. The megalodon makes 2 bite attacks. mustachioed and dreadlocked brown-skinned man
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., with a large-plumed bicorn, blood-red jerkin, and
one target. Hit: 4d10+7 (29) piercing damage.
tall silver-tipped lance topped with a pirate flag,
Development: Wereshark pirates that flee exhorting his sailors from atop a mountain of
from Rumrunner’s Rest retreat here, hiding and plunder. The second (b) depicts him sailing through
sneak attacking PCs that pursue. If over half the a hurricane, a tentacled leviathan rising from the
weresharks are killed, surviving sharks screen their deep and then retreating after the captain hurls a
retreat while they remainder flee toward Seagrave’s harpoon through its eye. The third (c) depicts the
Abyss, trying to lure PCs near enough to awaken captain and his ship raining fire upon a hapless
Seagrave, the living idol. shore fort as boats laden with plunder row out
Treasure: The wereshark clan keeps its booty of the smoky haze toward the ship. Prominent in
scattered amidst the shattered lumber and logs and each vignette is a sallow-faced man with a thin
the sodden detritus of a score of wrecked boats on moustache and paired cutlasses on his gilded belt,
the seafloor of the Hidden Harbor. This treasure clearly the captain’s first mate, Zim Bourdaine. A
includes 117 pp, 1,755 gp, 7,800 sp, 19,500 cp, a DC 15 Intelligence (History) check identifies either
coral bracelet (150 gp), golden brooch shaped like man.
three crossed arrows (490 gp), electrum scepter These illusions activate for 1 minute whenever
carved like a narwhal horn and an electrum crown creatures pass within 60 feet, then deactivating
with spiral narwhal-horn points (worth 1,400 gp
separately, 3,500 gp as a set), 1 yellow topaz (250
for 1 hour. Beyond, the passage bends south and
then east. The ceiling is 20 feet high but the bottom
11
gp), 5 white pearls (100 gp), red spinel (80 gp), 3 blue drops away into a rift 100 feet deep as the passage
quartz (4 gp), and one potion of heroism. Searching widens to 100 feet across. A magical warning trap
the wreckage takes 1 hour to make a DC 20 Wisdom activates if invisible creatures pass within 60 feet of
(Perception) check. Success at the check uncovers the center of the passage directly above Seagrave’s
1d4x10% of one of the above types of coins. Abyss. This trap activation alerts sentries aboard
405
the Greedy Ghost, who target now-visible creatures SEAGRAVE
and begin firing the ship’s cannon, alerting the Gargantuan construct, chaotic evil
Pirate King that his enemies are almost upon him. Armor Class 22
Hit Points 315 (18d20+126)
INVISIBILITY BEACON Speed 20 ft., 50 ft. swim
Magical trap Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha
This trap triggers whenever an invisible creature 26 (+8) 10 (+0) 24 (+7) 6 (-2) 16 (+3) 4 (-3)
enters its area. As long as there is a creature within
its area, it will cast faerie fire (DC 14) every round. Saving Throws Str +13
406
L air Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative
ties), Seagrave takes a lair action to
cause one the following effect:
Vortex. A vortex forms in the water in Seagrave’s
lair. It occupies space as a gargantuan creature,
but can share that space with any creatures.
It cannot exist outside of water. Any creature
in the vortex’s space when it appears must
make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or take
9 (2d8) bludgeoning damage and be caught
in the vortex. Creatures caught in the vortex
may not move on their own, and if the vortex
moves, they are moved with it. Seagrave can
move the vortex up to 50 ft. as a bonus action.
Part 3: The 15 feet, and its main deck stands 25 feet above the
A Storm of Cannonballs
Beyond Seagrave’s Abyss, the underground
Typhoon Tess and her coven use control weather
waterway opens up to the southeast, with a faint,
to keep a moderate wind and blowing rain in the
dim light shining in the distance; reflected light
cavern, with occasional rumbles of thunder, as they
from Maelstrom Cove through Rumrunner’s Race.
love the simple atmospherics of fighting amidst
At the far end of the Hidden Harbor lies the Pirate
King’s flagship, the golden-sailed galleon known as
the Greedy Ghost. If the beacon trap is triggered,
the storm. This counts as stormy weather for the
purpose of call lightning and similar spells. 11
In addition, if an alert is raised Typhoon Tess
or if lookouts on board the ship notice Seagrave
increases the wind to windstorm strength, with the
in combat, the ship’s cannon on one side will be
“eye” centered on the mainmast and encompassing
aimed and fired. The ship has a low forecastle
the entire ship save the bowsprit (Area 7), and a
and a long quarterdeck with a flying bridge at the
semicircle up to 60 feet from the ship’s starboard
rear. This four-masted vessel has two lateen-rigged
side. Within this windstorm, normal ranged weapon
407
attacks are impossible, though siege weapons If the PCs move onto the deck of the ship, the
attacks can be made with disadvantage on attack bore cannon can still rotate and target them, but
rolls. Flying creatures fly at half speed. Small no other siege weapons can. Artillerists in areas
creatures swimming at the surface are blown back 11 and 19 generally stay there during battles above
1d4 x 10 feet (also taking 2d6 points of bludgeoning decks, though stragglers may emerge as part of the
damage) each round if they fail on a DC 12 Strength Reinforcements described below.
check.
Cannonade: If the invisibility beacon trap is
Boarding Action
triggered, 1d3 rounds later the cannons on board All deck spaces aboard the Greedy Ghost are
The Greedy Ghost begin firing at any visible target considered “difficult terrain”, to represent both
other than Seagrave or the weresharks. Due to the ordinary noncombatant sailors as well as capstans,
time required to reload, the following weapons are winches, crates, and miscellaneous clutter. This
fired every round: applies in Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, and 19.
k 3 fiend’s mouth cannon +19, 28 (8d6) Decks can be cleared with DC 20 Charisma
bludgeoning (Area 19, starboard firing arc (Persuasion or Intimidation) checks or with area
only) effects, treating every 5-foot square of crowded
k 4 Cannon +11 21 (6d6) bludgeoning (Area 11, decks as having 40 hit points or 5 HD. Inflicting this
starboard firing arc only) damage or causing death or incapacity effectively
k 2 +1 fiend’s mouth cannon +13, 29 (8d6+1) clears that space, but effects that inflict penalties
bludgeoning (Area 5—bow firing arc only) have no effect on clearing away the crowds and
k 2 fiend’s mouth cannon +12 (8d6) bludgeoning clutter. Effects that target a limited number of
(Area 3 – stern firing arc only) creatures treat each crowd square as two creatures.
k Bore cannon +13 (8d6) bludgeoning, range 300 If saving throws apply, each square has a +8 bonus
ft. (Area 2) on saving throws vs. all effects. A cleared square
The Bore Cannon: This magical weapon is remains clear for 2d6 rounds.
mounted in a turret on the quarterdeck of The If PCs board the Greedy Ghost with their own
Greedy Ghost. It is loaded with magical stormshaft allies, fighters from both sides become inextricably
ammunition (see page 57). commingled and area effects hit creatures on both
Firing Arcs: Whether using broadsides or sides.
cannonades, the fore and after guns can shoot only Masts and Rigging: The Greedy Ghost is heavily
against targets within a 90-degree arc of the ship’s rigged with ropes, nets, sails, and hoisting lines,
bow and stern. Meanwhile, the gunports running allowing creatures to move up, down, or sideways
along the ship’s sides in areas 11 and 19 can fire above the ship’s decks and up to 10 feet beyond
only against foes within a 90-degree angle along the side of the ship (though not past its bow or
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Table 11-06: Reinforcements Table 11-07: Drawing Fire
on the Greedy Ghost on the Greedy Ghost
d100 Type of Reinforcements D100 Targeting
01–25 1d6 common pirates (see page 182) 01–50 Not targeted by a ranged attack
26–50 1d6 pirate guards (see page 196) 41–65 1d4 common pirates (see page 182)
51–70 a pirate crew (see page 194) 76–80 1d6 common pirates (see page 182)
71–75 a pirate grenadier (see page 195) and a pirate piper (see page 197)
76–80 a pirate bosun (see page 194) 81–90 1 pirate sharpshooter (see page 198)
81–85 a pirate enforcer (see page 194) 91—00 1 pirate grenadier (see page 195)
86–90 a pirate sharpshooter (see page 198)
91–95 1d4 wereshark pirates (see page 400)
96–00 a hag spy (see page 187)
hold a rope. Failing a check by 5 or more results in Creatures: Each location ends with an
a fall. entry describing what crew is typically found
Creatures can fight while in the rigging, using here; statistics are found in the appendices unless
one hand if climbing or swinging on a rope or both otherwise noted. If there is no entry, the room is
hands. The rigging is not considered difficult terrain uninhabited.
when climbing, but it is if flying. Creatures may use Crew Cabins: The foredeck and gun deck contain
Stealth in the rigging as if they had concealment. many unmarked 5 by 10-foot rooms. These are
Mainmasts and foremasts rise 60 feet above the cabins for crew officers, artillerists, and the like,
main deck and are 2-1/2 feet thick (threshold 7, hp featuring sleeping bunks, built-in lock-boxes
450, climb DC 12), supporting vast tracts of rope for valuables, and fold-down seats and tables. A
and sail on a dizzying array of yards and arms. A thorough search of each cabin turns up 1d6 x 10 gp
creature adjacent to a mast can spend a move to use of miscellaneous gear and small valuables.
the mast as cover against melee attacks or cover Crow’s Nests (Challenge 11): Atop the foremast
against melee attacks; this does not stack with and mainmast are fortified observation posts,
cover from rigging or crowds. providing cover against ranged attacks and melee
Flying creatures above mast level or more than attacks by flying creatures; improved cover against
10 feet beyond the ship’s rail can move freely. A attacks from below. They are 60 feet above the main
crow’s nest surmounts each mast, providing cover deck and each holds an elite pirate sharpshooter as
against ranged attacks from flying creatures (three
quarters cover against attacks from below). A
lookout.
Creatures
11
similar platform sits just above the lower mainsail,
20 feet above the deck. ELITE PIRATE SNIPER
Queeg’s Banner: Flying from the mainmast is hp 169 (see page 184)
Ismail Queeg’s battle flag. His allies able to see Challenge 11 (7,200 xp)
the banner gain a advantage on attack rolls, saving
throws, and skill checks.
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Enemy Buffs
Players are used to keeping track of beneficial spells used on each other, but up against a veteran crew
of adversaries, you must prepare to deal with multiple beneficial effects being used by the villains as
well. Common buffs used by the enemies on the Greedy Ghost include:
Forbiddance: The area within 60 feet of the ship in all directions is protected with a modified forbiddance
spell, completely blocking teleportation, planar travel, summoning, and the like. In addition, creatures
whose alignment is not neutral evil take 5d10 necrotic damage when entering the area unless they speak
the password (“Trazel”). creatures take 5d10 necrotic damage. Creatures with magic resistance take no
damage.
Pipers: Pirate pipers can use Battlecry, Inspiration, or various spells.
Haste: Pirates hasted by Typhoon Tess gain a +2 bonus on AC, their speed is doubled, and they gain
an additional action only useable to make one weapon attack, Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object.
They also gain advantage on Dexterity checks.
Inspire courage: Pirates able to see or hear a pirate piper gain a +2 competence bonus on attack and
damage rolls and a +2 morale bonus on saves vs. charm and fear.
Queeg’s Banner: Pirates above decks (1–4, 7, and in the water or rigging) gain advantage on attack
rolls, saving throws, skill checks.
Deck Height: The foredeck, main deck, and gun of reinforcements is determined on Table 11-04:
deck have 10-foot ceilings. The lower deck has Reinforcements on the Greedy Ghost.
15-foot ceilings, as does the quarterdeck aft of Reinforcements arrive 5 times, then no more. If the
the mizzenmast. The (unmapped) holds below the Pirate King is defeated, all common pirates, pirate
lower deck have 5-foot ceilings and are so cramped guards, pirate crews, and pirate port defenders
with ballast that Medium creatures are squeezing surrender immediately. Higher-level pirates have a
whenever moving through them. 50% chance per round of surrendering at the end of
Lamps: Continual flame lanterns are hung from their turn; however, this chance of surrender does
each mast and both port and starboard rails every not occur if one of the PCs has been incapacitated
30 feet along the ship’s length, and every 30 feet or killed since the end of that pirate’s previous turn.
down the centerline of areas 11, 19, and 20. Swimming Sentries (Challenge 8): One wereshark
Lifeboats: The Greedy Ghost has 10 rowboats shaman (see page 230) is always on sentry duty,
racked and attached to pulleys for raising and swimming in the Hidden Harbor and watching
lowering, two on the foredeck, four on the main for intruders from Rumrunner’s Race or from the
deck, and four on the quarterdeck. inner caverns, especially those underwater. This
Reinforcements: Artillerists and master shaman prepares faerie fire in all 1st-level slots and
artillerists stay at their posts, but other pirates targets any intruders, especially invisible creatures
with stated Crew locations will move to engage revealed by the invisibility beacon trap (area S).
PCs, often climbing, using stealth, or swinging on Volley Fire: Like at Fort Scurvy, PCs may be
ropes. Every 1d4 rounds, reinforcements arrive targeted every round pirates have line of sight to
from areas not keyed on the map, which may arrive them; check each round for each PC.
from belowdecks, climbing over the side of the ship,
or down from the rigging (GM’s option). The type
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The Pirate King’s Flagship Creatures
The numbered areas of the Greedy Ghost are PIRATE CREW
detailed below. hp 85 (see page 194)
Challenge 6 (2,300 xp)
1. Foredeck (Challenge 8)
PIRATE OFFICER
Reached by narrow, ladder-like steps fore and aft,
hp 130 (see page 196)
the foredeck is 10 feet above the main deck and is
Challenge 6 (2,300 xp)
dominated by the foremast and its rigging attached
to the bowsprit. Crew: 3 common pirates, 1 pirate 1a. Corvus
officer.
A corvus boarding bridge is mounted on each side
of the foredeck.
Creatures
BLOODTHIRSTY
BUCCANEERS
Challenge 11 (7,200 xp)
hp 170 (see page 180)
2a. Turret
(Challenge 9)
A fiend’s mouth bore
cannon is mounted here
on a rotating wooden
capstan surrounded by
a 5-foot-high overhanging
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Inspire. As a bonus action Tess can inspire allies.
Creatures One ally may roll 1d12 and add the result to a
single ability check, attack roll, damage roll, saving
HEAVY ARTILLERIST BATTERY throw, or add to their armor class against a single
hp 119 (see page 188) attack. Tess may use this ability 8 times per day.
Challenge 7 (2,900 xp) Actions
Multiattack. Tess makes 2 claw
MASTER ARTILLERIST attacks and 1 bite attack.
hp 104 (see page 192) Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach
Challenge 7 (2,900 xp) 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) slashing
damage. Any creature struck by this and wearing
3. Flying Bridge (Challenge 13) predominantly metal armor or weaponry takes
an additional 3 (1d6) lightning damage
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
A partial deck rises 10 feet above the
one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) piercing damage.
quarterdeck, atop which the helm sits just
before the rear mizzenmast. Laddered steps
STORM HAG COVENS
to either side flanking a set of gilded and
A storm hag is haughty and views her way
mullioned doors backed by purple and gold
of doing things as the only proper approach,
curtains. Sounds of feasting and revelry forcing coven members to ride a fine line
drift faintly from within. between flattery and submission. A coven with
a storm hag as a member has access to the
The curtained doors and feasting sounds are an following additional spells: call lightning, control
weather, water breathing, and wind walk.
illusion (DC 16 Wisdom saving throw to disbelieve)
created by Typhoon Tess, Ismail Queeg’s consort, GREEN HAGS SRD (2)
and her coven of hags. They remain hidden here hp 82
using coven abilities to assist the sailors defending Challenge 3 (700 xp)
the ship; if the illusion is penetrated or if they are
With call lightning precast as a coven, each hag
attacked directly, they attack with spells and melee.
uses an action each round to call down a bolt. They
Creatures each have 3 potions of healing they use to assist
injured allies while remaining invisible.
TYPHOON TESS
Medium fey, unaligned 3a. Helm (Challenge 10)
Armor Class 19
Hit Points 231 (22d8+132) The ship is steered from the platform just in front
Speed 30 ft., 60 ft. fly of the bonaventure mizzen, where a whipstaff
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha controls the rudder. The Pirate King himself guides
18 (+4) 20 (+5) 22 (+6) 17 (+3) 19 (+4) 22 (+6) the ship through Rumrunner’s Race and in naval
combat, but he delegates routine steering to others.
Damage Immunities lightning
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Giant
Creatures 11
Challenge 12 (8400 XP)
PIRATE BOSUN
Whipping Winds. As a bonus action, Tess chooses hp 212 (see page 194)
one creature within 30 ft. to make a DC 14 Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
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PIRATE PIPER Creatures
hp 182 (see page 197)
HEAVY ARTILLERIST BATTERY
Challenge 7 (2,900 xp)
Challenge 7 (2,900 xp)
3b. Aft Guns (Challenge 9) hp 119 (see page 188)
Creatures 7. Bowsprit
BLOODTHIRSTY BUCCANEERS This tapering deck and long spar sits forward of the
hp 152 (see page 180) forecastle and allows rigging of additional sail for
Challenge 11 (12,800 xp) greater speed.
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and boxes are 63 pp, 324 gp, 2 silver armbands (120 11. Gun Deck (Challenge 10)
gp each), a silver ring set with pearls (210 gp), 4
This long deck contains 20 cannon, 10 per side. A
corals (70 gp), 1 star rose quartz (40 gp).
series of catwalks runs 5 feet above the deck here,
10. Captain’s Cabin (Challenge 8) used by master artillerists to move rapidly around
the deck directing fire.
This sumptuous windowed chamber
contains a large table with plush seats bolted Creatures
to the floor and polished gilded lamps above
LIGHT ARTILLERIST BATTERY (2)
shelves. Around a narrow bulkhead is a
hp 104 (see page 191)
lavish bedchamber with a large bed. Several
stylized metal statues stand in the corners Challenge 5 (1,800 xp)
of the room. Maps and nautical paintings
adorn the walls. MASTER ARTILLERIST (2)
hp 104 (see page 192)
Challenge 7 (2,900 xp)
The statues in this room are a pair of golems
and Hector, ahomunculus. These mechanical men 11a. Cargo Hatches
were imported by Ismail Queeg from Gunrunner’s
As 4a (see page 414).
Guild as a test to see how they functioned aboard
ship. Hector greets creatures entering with a drink 12. Armory
and asks their names. If none offer the password
These chambers contain ordinary armor, weapons,
“sparrow,” he drops the drink on the floor, shattering
and ammunition. They are locked wooden doors
a reagent container within and releasing a cloud of
(DC 20 to pick, pirate bosuns have keys).
stationary vapors equivalent to cloudkill (Fort DC
17 partial). These vapors are purely alchemical, not 13. Magazine
magical, so spell resistance and similar protections
These chambers, one forward and one aft, are
do not apply.
closed with locked iron doors (DC 20 to pick,
Creatures master artillerists have keys) and contain extra
shot, as well as 40 kegs of black powder and 40
HECTORSRD
powder horns.
Homunculus
hp 20 14. Mess
Challenge 0 (10 xp)
The crew takes their meals here. The mess is empty
CLAY GOLEM SRD
(2) during combat. Crew: 1d4 common pirates, 1 pirate
hp 133 officer (non-combat only).
Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
15. Galley 11
Treasure: The gilded furnishings in this cabin are
Food is prepared here for the crew.
worth 3d6 x 1,000 gp but most are built into the
ship and must be dismantled to be sold. In addition, 16. Larder
Hector has a secret compartment built into his
Food is stored here.
body (Wisdom (Perception) DC 20,) containing a
gem worth 5000 gp.
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17. Servant Cabins 21. Guardroom (Challenge 9)
The ship’s cook and his assistants live in this group The door to this room is locked (Disable Device DC
cabin. It can be looted as a crew cabin. 20) and guarded by a pirate bosun when the brig is
occupied.
18. Aft Brig
Creatures
This room has a locked iron door (DC 20 to pick).
Prisoners deemed less dangerous or with whom PIRATE BOSUN
officers may wish frequent conversations are kept hp 212 (see page 194)
here for easy access. Challenge 9 (5,000 xp)
416
to hit, range 30/180 ft., one target. Hit:
Exactly when the Pirate King makes his appearance 20 (4d6 + 6) piercing damage.
during the battle is up to your discretion. He Pistol Whip. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to
might begin observing the battle invisibly from hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (2d4)
the rigging, firing shots as the battle opens before bludgeoning damage. A creature struck by
this attack cannot make opportunity attacks
retreating to regroup with allies and then return. against Queeg until their next turn.
Alternatively, he might come up from below decks Reactions
after the battle is underway. Ideally, you’d like the Swashbuckling. When Queeg is attacked,
battle at his flagship to take some time, to set up he can move up to 30 ft. by swinging
from a rope or climbing the rigging.
the feeling of a running battle against desperate
L egendary Actions
odds, but how that plays out depends on your
Ismail Queeg can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
players and their characters. For some groups, you from the options below. Only one legendary action
might want to bring out all the big guns from the option can be used at a time and only at the end
outset. For others, the best approach would be to of another creature's turn. Ismail Queeg regains
spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
have him enter the fray after the heroes have made
Snap Shot. Queeg makes one
their initial assault, coming in to help turn the tide attack with his golden gun
for his beleaguered forces. Make the climax of their Just a Nip (Costs 2 Actions). Queeg
insurrection against the Pirate King memorable for drinks from a hip flask full of a healing
your players and bring all your guns to bear for an potion and heals 4d8 hit points.
explosive finale! L air Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties),
ISMAIL QUEEG, THE PIRATE KING Seagrave takes a lair action to cause one the
Medium humanoid (human), neutral evil following effect; Captain Queeg can’t use
the same effect two rounds in a row:
Armor Class 24
Blow the Man Down!: Queeg selects one ally
Hit Points 285 (30d8+150)
on board his ship. That ally may take one
Speed 30, climb 20 ft. extra action on any initiative count.
Str Dex Con I nt Wis Cha All Hands On Deck!: Roll twice on the reinforcements
8 (-1) 22 (+6) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) table. Those forces appear on the battlefield
on initiative count 20 of the next round.
Saving Throws Dex +12, Cha +7 Bring a Spring Upon ‘Er!: The ship makes a sudden
Skills Acrobatics +12, Athletics +5, Stealth +12 turn, forcing anyone on board to make a DC 15
Senses passive Perception 13 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check or be knocked prone.
Concluding the
Languages Common, Aquan, Goblin
Challenge 18 (20,000 XP)
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Queeg fails a
saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Mind Blank. Typhoon Tess’ hag coven
Adventure
performs a ritual to grant Captain Queeg
a mind blank spell each day.
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, Queeg can deal an
Once the Pirate King is defeated, the PCs and their
candidate for the crown gain a sufficient boost 11
in fame that they will have no trouble winning
extra 6d6 damage to one creature he hits with
an attack if he has advantage on the attack roll. acclamation as new ruler of the Pirate Isles. If the
Actions Greedy Ghost has not been destroyed or sunk, it can
Multiattack. Queeg can make 4 golden be commandeered into the PCs’ fleet or its cannons
gun or pistol whip attacks. salvaged and redistributed to the PCs’ own ships,
Golden Gun. Ranged Weapon Attack: +12 though they must make their own contacts with
417
agents from Gunrunner’s Guild if they wish to If for whatever reason the Pirate King is defeated
purchase more firearms or gunpowder cannon, or but escapes, the heroes can nevertheless rally the
if the GM wishes to make them learn the alchemical other high captains of the Pirate Isles with a vote
secrets of manufacturing their own. Whether of no-confidence in Ismail Queeg’s leadership,
continued brigandage or voyages of exploration or putting themselves (or an ally, if they wish) forward
conquest, the fate of the Pirate Isles now lies in the as a candidate to replace him. Other pirate lords
PCs’ hands. might see this as an opportunity to swoop in and
seize leadership, though most are not sure enough
of their power base or political support to risk
stepping forward. Each surviving pirate lord has
a 10% chance to stand for selection, though allies
with a strong relationship to the PCs are likely to
throw their support behind a candidate chosen
from among the PCs instead. A pirate lord standing
for selection automatically votes for themselves
and cannot be swayed to
vote for the PCs.
Once the candidates are
selected, each must speak
their piece to the other pirate
lords present, making Charisma
(Intimidation) or any appropriate
ability check to which they can add their
proficiency bonus if they are proficient in
water vehicles, for each lord present at the council
meeting and combining the results. Candidates
may offer a bribe to each pirate lord they seek to
win to their cause. The bribe must be in excess of
1,000 gp in value, and it must be greater than the
bribe offered by any other candidate; the highest
bribe grants a +4 bonus. PCs gain a +2 bonus on all
checks related to running for election as new Pirate
King due to the political support of their allies
among the pirate lords, plus an additional +2 bonus
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11
419
C h ap t e r 12 :
D i st a n t
Shores
12
420
Arabia has advantage on saving throws to avoid becoming
exhausted from extreme dehydration.
The legendary voyages of Sinbad the Sailor are the If the target has a water dependency wherein
first thing that come to mind when thinking about it begins to suffer harm if it spends more than a
nautical adventures and Arabia and the Middle limited time out of the water, that duration is
East. Epic journeys and quests are certainly just doubled while affected by cool strength.
as much of the nautical tradition as acts of piracy,
MARID’S BLESSING
and Sinbad and his crew are excellent examples of
2nd-level transmutation
characters whose motivations depend somewhat Casting Time: 1 action
on the telling of the tale. In some cases they are Range: 30 feet
pure swashbuckling heroes, while in others they Components: V, S, M (a glass bottle
might be lovable but larcenous rogues who find of water wrapped in silk)
themselves caught up in the call to adventure Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
when disaster strikes or the need is great, or a fair
You call upon the genie masters of the sea to
prince or princess is to be rescued. The storytelling
strengthen a sea creature. This includes beasts,
traditions of Arabia are vivid and colorful, with
monstrosities, plants, and other creatures native
abundant magic, marvelous wonders, gilded
to aquatic terrain. The target gains advantage
palaces, and of course the magnificent powers
on Strength and Constiutiton checks, gains 2d6
(and devious trickery) of the genie races. Arabian
temporary hit points, and its attacks with natural
seas are marvelous places for a pirate character’s
weapons (such as claws) become magical, gaining
background, or as a target for plunder for pirates
a +1 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls. In
daring to become sultan of the seas and caliph of
addition, the targets are coated in a thin bluish
the coasts!
sheen that allows them to survive out of water with
Spells no ill effects as long as the spell persists.
At Higher L evels
COOL STRENGTH When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd
1st-level abjuration level or higher, you can target one additional
Casting Time: 1 minute creature for each slot level above 2nd.
Range: touch
Components V, S, M (a vial of water) MARID’S CURSE
Duration: 24 hours 2nd-level necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
You touch a creature and it becomes cool and well- Range: 30 feet
hydrated, with moistened skin and lips even in Components: V, S, M (a glass bottle
blasting desert heat or parching out on the salty of water wrapped in silk)
ocean. The target treats hot environments as one Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
step less severe and gains a +2 bonus on Constitution
You call upon the genie masters of the sea to weaken
saving throws and Fortitude saves to resist the
effects of extreme heat, except against fire-based
effects. The target also requires only one-half the
and punish a sea creature. This includes beasts,
monstrosities, plants, and other creatures native 12
to aquatic terrain. The creature must succeed
normal amount of water to remain healthy, and
on a Wisdom saving throw or gain one level of
421
save each round to reduce this exhaustion by one
level. When the spell ends, all of the exhaustion it
caused also ends.
At Higher L evels
If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level
or higher, the duration is concentration, up to
10 minutes. If you use a spell slot of 5th level
or higher, the duration is 8 hours. If you use a
spell slot of 7th level or higher, the duration
is 24 hours. If you use a 9th level spell slot,
the spell lasts until it is dispelled. Using
a spell slot of 5th level or higher grants a
duration that doesn't require concentration.
PHANTOM RIGGING
4th-level illusion
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 150 feet
Components: V, S, M (a bit of
canvas and string)
Duration: 8 hours
422
glow with enough radiance to provide dim light balance aboard the ship, or Intelligence checks to
everywhere on the ship’s decks. The effect is recall lore about sailing, have disadvantage. Crew
somewhat eerie, granting members of the ship’s members cannot benefit from working together to
crew a +2 bonus on Charisma (Intimidation) checks. gain advantage or from the Help action in combat.
The ship and surrounding waters are considered
SHIP OF FOOLS
lightly obscured for members of the crew. Finally,
6th-level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action the ship’s speed is halved and there is a 25% chance
Range: 500 feet every round that the ship takes an unexpected turn
Components: V, S, M (a relic such as a finger bone 45 degrees in either direction.
or piece of jewelry from someone who died happy) The captain of the target ship (or the helmsman
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour or pilot, if no captain is aboard) makes a Wisdom
saving throw for the crew of the vessel they
You fog the minds of sailors and crew aboard a
command. If the save fails, the entire crew is
single vessel, creating confusion and delay in every
affected as above. Passengers who are not members
task needed to keep the ship going. Shouted orders
of the crew can attempt their own saving throws, as
become gibberish, sailors trip, slip, and fall, riggers
can player characters. A successful save results in a
pulls the wrong lines or tug back and forth rather
-2 penalty on sailing-related ability checks instead
than working together, the navigator cannot read
the charts, rowers pull out of sync, and so on. All
of the penalties above.
If a captain has failed the save but is knocked
12
ability checks made to perform sailing-related
unconscious or otherwise rendered helpless, a
tasks, such as Strength (Athletics) checks to climb
character that previously saved against the spell
rigging, Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks to maintain
423
can take command of the ship and attempt a anything, be it clear spring water, sweet wine or
Wisdom saving throw to reduce the spell’s effect (if juice, or even deadly acid, poison, or volatile oils,
the original captain failed their save), or to end it but for the duration of the spell the liquid’s normal
entirely (if the original captain saved successfully). properties (including magical properties, if any) are
If the new captain fails this save, the ship of fools suppressed and the liquid becomes a sweet-smelling
remains in effect as before. serum that is proof against nearly any malady. The
spell creates eight doses of water of life, and each
STONE HULL
dose can be drunk or applied to duplicate any one
4th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 minute of the following spells: greater restoration, heal (to
Range: 120 feet treat conditions but not to recover hit points), lesser
Components: V, S, M (a piece of restoration, protection from poison, or remove curse.
pumice or sandstone) Two doses can cause a lost body part to regenerate
Duration: 8 hours or restore a dead body to wholeness (this does
not restore the creature to life, but allows it to be
You reinforce the timbers of a ship’s hull against
brought back from the dead more easily).
all attacks and natural hazards. The ship gains
Four doses of water of life can bring a creature
immunity to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
back from the dead as raise dead, and eight doses
damage from nonmagical attacks, and its hull
can duplicate resurrection. In addition, when
gains 40 temporary hit points. The ship gains a +2
returning a creature to life with water of life, you
bonus to AC, saving throws, and ability checks to
remove the penalty to attack rolls, saving throws,
avoid aquatic hazards. Checks made to capsize the
and ability checks typically imposed by the ordeal
ship, burst through the hull, or otherwise move or
of resurrection.
impede the ship suffer disadvantage. A stone hull
The waters of life can be applied by anyone. The
reduces a ship’s speed by 10 feet, and ability checks
caster need not be present for the magic to work.
made to turn the ship take a -4 penalty.
At Higher L evels
Any of the serum remaining when the spell expires
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th returns to its previous state.
level or higher, the ship’s hull gains 10 additional
temporary hit points for each slot level above WIND COMPASS
4th. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of 7th 1st-level divination
level or higher, the bonus to AC, saving throws, Casting Time: 1 action
and ability checks to avoid hazards increases to Range: self
+4, the ship’s speed is not reduced, and ability Components: V, S
checks to turn the ship do not suffer a penalty.
Duration: 8 hours
WATER OF LIFE
You create a tiny moaning wind that is tied to a
9th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 minute specific compass direction. As long as you continue
Range: touch moving in that direction, the wind compass sighs
Components: V, S, M (a vial of holy contentedly in your ear to tell you so. If you diverge
424
you find a specific destination, but it does grant Fahrenheit. You also gain a +2 bonus to saving
you advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to throws against effects that cause blindness or
avoid getting lost along the way. This spell does exhaustion.
not function underwater or in areas that otherwise
FARGLASS UNCOMMON
lack air, and you cannot benefit from it if you are Wondrous item
deafened.
travel by 10%).
An intricately detailed miniature sailing ship sits
DESERT EVENING ARMOR UNCOMMON inside this clear glass bottle. When taken aboard
Armor (light or medium) an undamaged sailing vessel at sea, the model
automatically reconfigures to become a perfect
12
Desert evening armor keeps the wearer cool in
replica of the new ship. It takes 24 hours for the
hot weather. While wearing the armor, you suffer
model to attune to the ship.
no harm in temperatures as high as 150 degrees
425
A ship attuned to an impossible bottle has gains advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks to
resistance to all damage. The model ship in the spot hidden or disguised creatures or objects.
impossible bottle absorbs the remaining damage,
OASIS MIRROR UNCOMMON
registering holes in its hull, rips in its sails, and Wondrous item
scorch marks from fire. Once the attuned ship has
taken damage in excess of half its total hit points, This golden hand mirror is encircled in a frame of
however, the impossible bottle ceases its protection, blue faience. When moved, the surface of the mirror
and any further attacks on the attuned ship deal seems to ripple like a glassy pool, though it becomes
full damage. If the attuned ship starts sinking or still once more when the mirror is stationary. While
is destroyed, the impossible bottle shatters and is holding this mirror, you can speak its command
permanently destroyed. If an impossible bottle was word as an action to cause it to pour forth one
attuned to a damaged ship, once that ship has been gallon of water. It can create up to 12 gallons per
fully repaired, the impossible bottle re-attunes itself day. You can speak a different command word to
over 24 hours and thereafter resumes its protection. cause the mirror to create 2d4 plump figs or dates.
An impossible bottle removed from its attuned ship The wielder can reach into the mirror and take
ceases its protection, and must be re-attuned over these fruits, which gain the properties of berries
24 hours if brought back on board. If the bottle is create by a goodberry spell.
shattered while it is attuned to a ship, the impossible In addition, once per day the you can speak a
bottle is destroyed and the attuned ship immediately third command word and present the oasis mirror
takes 150 points of damage. toward a Large or smaller creature within 10 feet.
Lastly, an impossible bottle can be used to repair an The target must succeed at a DC 12 Wisdom saving
unattuned ship. As long as the bottle still functions, throw or be drawn into an extradimensional pool of
its owner can christen a vessel by smashing the water within the mirror. A creature trapped within
impossible bottle against the ship’s prow, releasing a the mirror is considered completely submerged
wave of restorative magic that immediately repairs in water and must hold its breath as normal. A
up to 150 points of damage to the vessel. creature within the mirror can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turns to escape from
NAVIGATOR’S EYE RARE
Wondrous item
the mirror. A creature is ejected from the mirror
after a successful save or after 6 rounds, whichever
Unlike the heavy cast-brass mariner’s astrolabes comes first.
normally used at sea, this astrolabe is made of flat
RUBBAN’S TURBAN UNCOMMON
brass discs inlaid with lapis lazuli. When using the Wondrous item
navigator’s eye, you gain a +4 bonus to any ability
checks made to navigate, both at sea and on land. This silken turban is always crusted with salt
Once per day, as an action, you can attempt a DC 15 and weathered by wind and sun, like that of an
Wisdom (Perception) check while using a navigator’s experienced rubban (ship’s captain). While wearing
eye to catch a glimpse of how things really are for 1 the turban, you gain a +2 bonus to Strength
12 round, as if with a true seeing spell. While using the
astrolabe’s true seeing ability, the user can also see
(Athletics) and Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks to
swim, climb rigging, and balance on a ship, as well
through concealment caused by smoke or fog and as Wisdom (Survival) checks made to notice or avoid
426
natural hazards in aquatic terrain, and Intelligence
checks to recall lore about ships and seafaring.
In addition, if you worship a deity that grants
the Nature or Tempest domain, once per day you
can speak a command word as a bonus action while
unraveling your turban to transform it into a small
ship’s boat (see page 97). This boat is 20 feet
long, has two pairs of oars and a single mast with a
square sail, and can carry up to 12 passengers and
crew. Upon command, or after 8 hours, the boat
returns to hat form, dumping out any occupants.
427
12
428
a ship powered by sail. This penalty does not apply Icebergs
when using oars or magical means of propulsion.
A chunk of ice of at least Huge size can severely
Severe Weather damage a ship. Much of an iceberg’s mass is below
the water, and noticing a Gargantuan iceberg
Each hour a creature spends traveling at a normal
requires a DC 5 Wisdom (Perception or Survival)
pace in severe cold is treated as a forced march with
check, with the DC increased by 5 for every size
the DC increasing by 1 for each hour past the first.
category below Gargantuan.
Creatures naturally adapted to severe cold or with
Striking a Huge iceberg deals 5d6 bludgeoning
immunity to cold damage automatically succeed on
damage to the ship, plus 10d6 for a Gargantuan
this saving throw. Creatures with the appropriate
iceberg (DC 15 Dexterity saving throw for half). In
gear for traveling in severe cold, such as thicker
addition, a ship striking an iceberg must succeed
clothing and gloves, also automatically succeed on
on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or spring a
this saving throw.
leak, with the save DC increasing by 1 for every 5
Ice points of damage the ship takes. If the save is failed,
the ship takes 3d6 points of additional damage per
Whether encountered as a result of magic or simply
minute until the leak is repaired. The leak is not
as drifting ice from polar regions caught in a cold
immediately obvious but can be detected with a
current and carried into the shipping lanes, pack
successful DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check by
ice is a significant navigational hazard.
the ship’s pilot or by any creature investigating
Crevasses belowdecks to check the hull.
429
12 Strength (Athletics) check to stay atop the floe Ice Ridges
without slipping back into the water. Creatures
Wind and wave action cause ice sheets to crumple
native to arctic environments have advantage on
into jagged ridges, piling up to 1d12 x 5 feet above
such checks. As long as a creature on an ice floe
the surface of the ice (and twice that depth below
remains stationary, they need not make additional
the surface). Climbing creatures treat these areas
checks to stay on it unless the creature engages in
as difficult terrain, though these tumbled heaps
combat or is confronted with rough water (which
can be traversed without the need for Strength
may increase the DC to stay on the floe to 15 or
(Athletics) checks to climb by spending 4 squares
even 20).
of movement to enter each square. The DC of
A creature may cling to an ice floe with one hand
Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks is increased by 5 on
while casting a spell or taking some other action
these ice ridges, or by 2 for creatures with a burrow
that requires only one hand, including attacking
or climb speed.
with a one-handed weapon or using a shield. While
clinging, a creature can’t move to avoid a blow, so Pack Ice
creatures have advantage on attack rolls against the
Pack ice varies a great deal in thickness, usually
creature. Any time a creature takes damage while
1d6 x 5 feet thick. It is generally impassable to ships
clinging to an ice floe, it must succeed at another
but perfectly safe to walk on, if rather slippery.
Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Strength (Athletics) check
Pack ice is difficult terrain. A creature that takes
to avoid being knocked off the floe.
12 Ice floes otherwise function like pack ice.
the Dash action when moving across treacherous
ice must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw
or fall prone. A creature that fails the save by 5
or more falls hard enough on the ice that the ice
breaks, dumping the creature into the cold water
430
Table 12-01: Seasonal Lighting Patterns
E arth Month Subpolar M idpolar True Polar
January Polar Twilight Polar Dusk Polar Night
February Normal Polar Twilight Polar Dusk
March Normal Normal Polar Twilight
April Normal Normal Normal
May Normal Normal Midnight Sun
June Midnight Sun Midnight Sun Midnight Noon
July Normal Midnight Sun Midnight Sun
August Normal Normal Normal
September Normal Normal Polar Twilight
October Normal Normal Polar Dusk
November Polar Twilight Polar Twilight Polar Night
December Polar Dusk Polar Dusk Polar Night
below, unless the GM determines that the ice is too sunset experienced in more temperate climes. Near
thick. Rules for falling into cold water can be found the pole itself, a single day may seem to last all
in Chapter 5: Pirates and Plunder on page 114. year, with a slow and gradual ascent of the sun for
months at a time, though never rising very high in
Breaching Pack Ice
the sky, slowly sinking against as the paltry polar
Creatures can attempt to breach pack ice from below summer fades into a lingering twilight and long-
with a DC 10 Strength check for thin ice, with the stretched winter’s night that spans.
DC increasing by 5 for every 5 feet of thickness. A Near to the pole, daylight ceases to have meaning,
creature breaching the ice creates an area of open as many turns of the stars may pass without the
water as large as its own space, plus 5 feet around it sun ever making an appearance. The lighting
on all sides. Creatures within its own space on the conditions described below are those that prevail
ice above fall into the water, while those within 5 in each polar region for a given portion of the year.
feet around its space on the ice above can attempt The darkest time of year, including the sole day of
a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw to jump back from full daytime darkness in subpolar region, is at the
the edge and remain on the ice above. winter solstice. Likewise, the brightest time of year,
The ice all around the breach becomes unstable including the sole night of subpolar full midnight
and slippery, increasing the DC of ability checks to sunshine, is at the summer solstice.
climb or balance on the ice by 5. Midnight Noon: At the heart of the midnight sun
Polar Night and the season, the sun remains fully risen and sheds its
Midnight Sun
light all night long, appearing to move in a circular
pattern in the sky rather than rising and setting. 12
This is treated as bright light throughout day and
The extreme latitude of polar regions causes a
night.
distortion in the normal pattern of sunrise and
431
Midnight Sun: During this time, the sun sinks hit points per level of the caster. An ice cruiser can
only to or just below the horizon even in the middle comfortably carry up to three Medium creatures
of the night. This is treated as dim light at night per level of the caster. A single Large creature takes
and bright light during the day. up the space of three Medium creatures, and a Huge
Normal: This is the normal pattern of day and creature the space of three Large creatures.
night, though days may stretch over 20 hours in the Ice Skimmer: This narrow-hulled ship glides
midst of summer, with bright light during the day. across the ice on sharp runners, driven by its sail
Polar Twilight: The daytime sun sits just at or with maximum speed of 180 ft. when running with
below the horizon during the day, never truly rising, the wind. It cannot move against the wind, but can
but its refracted light illuminates the sky similarly move perpendicular to wind direction at up to 90
to a heavily overcast day or an evening just after ft. per round. An ice skimmer has 5 hit points per
sunset. This is treated as dim light. level of the caster. An ice skimmer can carry one
Polar Dusk: The sun sits well below the horizon Medium or smaller creature per level of the caster,
during the day. While the non-polar horizon is but Large and larger creatures cannot fit into its
noticeably lighter than in other directions, it narrow hull.
provides only faint illumination and brighter stars An ice ship is resistant to all types of damage,
are visible. This is treated as dim light, or darkness except fire, which it is vulnerable to. An ice ship of
during moonless or overcast nights. either type begins to melt slowly in temperatures
Polar Night: The sun is far below the horizon above freezing, taking 1d12 points of damage each
during the day and sheds little or no light, even at hour. This damage cannot be reduced. If reduced
the non-polar horizon. Even faint stars are clearly to 0 hit points or dispelled, an ice ship slows to half
visible. This is treated as darkness. speed as it cracks and splinters to pieces over the
ICE SHIP
Scrimshaw Items
4th-level conjuration Scrimshaw, the art of carving images into bone
Casting Time: 1 action and ivory, is an art form that was born in North
Range: 30 feet America. Modern scrimshaw dates back some 200
Components: V, S, M (a glass model
years to sailors, especially whalers, operating out
of a ship worth 100 gp)
Duration: 8 hours of New England, but the Native American Inuit
practiced a similar art form which dates back to at
You create a small ship made of ice, which can take least 100 or 200 AD. In addition to being an exotic
the form of a sailing ship to travel on water or a form of art, scrimshaw in your campaign world
skate-runner made to run across vast stretches of can serve as a powerful and simple way of creating
ice. magic items, although because of their delicate and
Ice Cruiser: This broad-hulled single-masted fragile nature, scrimshaw magic items come with a
roundship is low and stable in the water. It can certain amount of risk.
12 propel itself magically through the water, even
against the wind, with a speed of 30 feet (about 3
Creating Scrimshaw Items
miles per hour). If moving with the wind, its sail Scrimshaw items can be created through the normal
increases its speed to 60 feet. An ice cruiser has 10 means of magic item crafting used by your Game
432
Master, or using the rules below with your GM’s item’s special properties are used. Each time this
permission. occurs, there is a chance (typically between 10%
Scrimshaw Crafting Resources. You must and 30%, but higher or lower values are possible)
provide the appopriate tools (such as tools for that the scrimshaw item shatters. This permanently
making calligraphy, jewelry, pottery, or sculptures) destroys the item, such that it cannot be restored
along with raw materials worth half the item’s even by magic, and typically also deals damage to
selling cost, which is determined by the GM. A the item’s wearer or user. Each scrimshaw item has
scrimshaw item takes 1 week to craft for each 100 gp details on what triggers this chance, the likelihood
of the item’s value. Multiple character can combine of the item shattering, and any damage or other
their efforts to reduce this time. Every character effects should this occur.
participating in creating a scrimshaw item must be
New Scrimshaw Magic Items
proficient in the tools used in the crafting process.
Scrimshaw Fragility. Magic items made of BONE KNIFE OF SERVITUDE RARE
scrimshaw are incredibly fragile. While the bone Weapon (dagger) Requires attunement
433
time with the heartbeat of the person whose image
it bears. The pulse speeds up or slows down along
with their heartbeat, and stops completely should
the person die. As an action you can concenrate on
the pendant of life sense to learn the direction and
distance to the person depicted on the pendant,
any conditions affecting her, and a relative sense of
her current health (injured, gravely wounded, etc.).
Finally, once per day, you can whisper a message
of up to 25 words to the pendant, which the
creature depicted on it hears as though they were
whispered directly in her ear. The pendant’s magic
weapon bursts into a thousand pieces, dealing 4d10
functions regardless of distance, and even across
points of piercing damage to you and rendering it
planar boundaries, but the wearer is unable to gain
permanently destroyed, unable to be fixed even by
information about the subject’s location if she is on
magic.
another plane.
Otherwise, the slain creature must make a DC
Each time the creature depicted on the pendant
15 Constitution saving throw or rise as a zombie
of life sense suffers extra damage as a result of a
after 1d4 rounds, as though animated with the spell
critical hit, or loses one quarter of her hit points
animate dead. You can control up to four zombies at
or more from a single attack, there is a 10% chance
a time with the bone knife of servitude; any zombies
that the pendant of life sense bursts into a thousand
the knife creates while you are at this maximum are
pieces, dealing 2d10 points of piercing damage to
not under your control. If the bone knife of servitude
you and rendering it permanently destroyed, unable
is ever destroyed, or you become unattuned to it,
to be fixed even by magic.
you also lose control over zombies created in this
way. WHALEBONE HELM VERY RARE
Wondrous item
PENDANT OF LIFE SENSE UNCOMMON
Wondrous item This helmet is made from the skull of a walrus, and is
covered in symbolic patterns of ritual significance.
These pendants consist of a small bone disc attached
While wearing the helm, you can use an action
to a plain leather thong or metal chain, worn
to unleash a sonic cry in a 30-foot cone that is
around the neck. On one side of the disc is a careful
audible 600 feet away. Each creature in the cone
engraving in the likeness of a specific individual.
must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On
The likeness must be fairly exact in order for the
a failed save, a creature takes 5d6 thunder damage
magic to work, and while it is conceivably possible
and is deafened for 1 minute. On a successful save,
to create one from a description or a picture of the
a creature takes half as much damage and isn't
person, most scrimshanders lack the skill to create
deafened. Creatures and objects made of glass or
12 these items without having the subject on hand as
a reference.
crystal have disadvantage on the saving throw and
take 10d6 thunder damage instead of 5d6.
As long as you wear the pendant of life sense, it
Additionally, as an action, you can unleash a
is reassuringly warm to the touch, and you feel a
high-pitched cry, similar to those that whales and
faint pulse emanating from it, which is in perfect
434
similar creatures use to communicate. This cry can
be heard up to 1 mile away with a DC 5 Wisdom
Far East
(Perception) check. The maritime traditions of the Far East are blended
Finally, you can speak with aquatic mammals with magic and mysticism, including a magic
(such as dolphins, seals, and whales) as though system that prizes a fivefold interpretation of the
using speak with animals. elements as wind, water, fire, metal, and wood.
Each time a whalebone helm’s sonic cry or high- This harmonious blending of magic is reflected in
pitched cry is used, there is a 10% chance that both the spells and magic items of fantasy Asia.
it shatters into a thousand pieces, dealing 8d10
points of piercing damage to you and rendering it
Spells
permanently destroyed, unable to be fixed even by BO OF THE RIVER
magic. 2nd-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Creating Your Own Range: self
Scrimshaw Magic Items Components: V, S, M (a few drops of water)
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
With your GM’s permission, you can create
scrimshaw versions of existing magic items. You conjure long quarterstaff of churning water
By default, all such items have a 10% chance of in your free hand. The quarterstaff lasts for the
shattering each time they are used, dealing 1d10 duration of the spell. It disappears if you let go, but
points of piercing damage to their wearer or user you can conjure the staff again as a bonus action.
if the item is common, 2d10 if uncommon, 4d10 You can use your action to make a melee spell
if rare, 8d10 if very rare, and 12d10 if legendary. attack with the quarterstaff. On a hit, the target
The items typically command half the price that takes 3d6 bludgeoning damage. Creatures that are
a non-scrimshaw version of the item would, but immune or resistant to fire damage are vulnerable
these factors can potentially be adjusted. GMs and to this damage, even if they are normally resistant
players are encouraged to collaborate to determine to bludgeoning damage (but not if they are immune).
appropriate triggers for when such items might be At Higher L evels
destroyed, and adjust the likelihood that the item When you cast this spell using a spell slot of
4th level or higher, the damage increases by
shatters, the damage inflicted if it does, and the 1d6 for every two slot levels above 2nd.
price of the item as necessary.
CLOUD BARGE
8th-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: touch
Components: V, S, M (a small ball of cotton)
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
435
its passengers smoothly and without disturbance (though falling trees may damage such buildings).
through any kind of weather; its passengers are Buildings consecrated by a hallow spell dedicated
unaffected by natural or magical precipitation to your deity are never damaged by your divine
or wind. Any creatures other than the ones you wind, nor are trees or other vegetation within their
designate cannot ride the cloud barge, falling grounds. Otherwise, exposed crops and gardens are
through it as if it were made of insubstantial mist. 75% likely to be ruined.
While riding in the cloud barge, you and the other If sand, dust, or snow is present in the area of
passengers are in gaseous form, but you can cast your divine wind, it is carried aloft on the wind
spells that affect yourselves and each other and can and blocks vision as if the entire area were lightly
otherwise interact with each other normally. The obscured, and it piles up in drifts 1d3-1 feet deep
cloud barge and its passengers are lightly obscured every 10 minutes, potentially burying creatures
from creatures outside of it, or heavily obscured if sheltering in sturdy buildings. The divine wind
they are in an area of mist or cloud. When the spell extinguishes Large or smaller fires immediately,
ends, whether from the expiration of its duration or while Huge or larger fires blow out after 10 minutes.
being dispelled, the cloud barge and its passengers Creatures unable to find shelter take 1d10 points
float gently to the ground (as feather fall) for 1 of bludgeoning damage every 10 minutes they are
minute. exposed to the pelting rain and howling wind. In
addition, they must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution
DIVINE WIND
saving throw every 10 minutes or gain one level of
8th-level transmutation
Casting Time: 10 minutes exhaustion.
Range: 5 miles PAPER VESSEL
Components: V, S, M (a drum and flag, 6th-level conjuration
painted with the symbol for the wind)
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours
Range: touch
Saving Throw none, see text; Spell Resistance no
Components: V, S, M (a sheet of origami paper)
You create a mighty storm of driving rain and gale- Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours
force winds blowing in any direction you choose.
You create a seaworthy vessel out of a single sheet
This gale of your divine wind creates waves 10-
of paper, folding the component into the shape of
30 feet high, automatically capsizing and sinking
an oared boat or a small junk. The paper vessel is
Large or smaller watercraft; Huge or larger ships
similar in all respects to a folding boat. In addition,
must succeed on a sailing check (see page 70)
you may propel the paper vessel forward under its
with a DC equal to the spell's save DC or be
own power with a speed of 40 feet, with no need for
capsized as well. Large or smaller land vehicles and
a crew. Every 10 minutes or fraction thereof spent
siege weapons are likewise destroyed, while Huge
with the paper vessel moving under its own power
or larger vehicles and siege weapons have a 50%
expends 1 hour of the spell's remaining duration.
chance of destruction.
When moving under its own power, the paper vessel
Large or smaller wooden buildings (and tents and
12 pavilions of any size) are automatically destroyed,
while Huge or larger wooden buildings and tree
gains a bonus to sailing checks (see page 70)
equal to one-third your level.
At Higher L evels
trunks have a 25% chance of suffering massive When you cast this spell using a spell
damage. Stone buildings are safe from destruction slot of 8th level or higher, the spell
436
does not require concentration.
STEAMING BREATH
4th-level conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: self (30 foot cone)
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 round
437
brim’s edges are painted with a continuous pattern DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 4d6 points
of a rolling great wave. While wearing the sugegasa of bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. A
of rising waters, you can tread across the surface of successful saving throw halves the damage and
water as if it were solid ground. prevents a creature from being knocked prone.
By removing the sugegasa and speaking a Creatures under the effect of freedom of movement
command word as an action, you can transform it (or similar magic) and elemental creatures made of
into a wide, circular raft capable of holding up to air (at the GM’s discretion) are unaffected by this
four Medium creatures. The raft has a movement attack.
speed of 30 feet on the water and you can repeat the The typhoon fan regains 1d3 expended charges
command word as an action to transform it back daily at dawn.
into a sugegasa.
Gifts of Dragons,
TYPHOON FAN
Weapon (fan; see text)
RARE
Requires attunement
Gifts of Nirvana
Whether it is the imperial dragons or the powers
Each of the half-dozen banana palm leaves that are
of Nirvana, mortals are often the recipient of
woven together to create this fan are as strong and
protection and guidance by greater powers. Those
sturdy as steel. This fan is a weapon that deals 1d4
of mythic power have the ability to grant lasting
slashing damage, has negligible weight, and counts
gifts on those mortals who earn their favor. Should
as a monk weapon for purposes of a monk’s martial
a mortal provide great and memorable service to
arts. You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage
a dragon or an agent of Nirvana, then they are
rolls made with this magic weapon. A typhoon fan
rewarded either with either an item of power listed
has three charges. When wielding the fan, you can
below, or perhaps even a shred of the being's power,
create a massive torrent of wind as a bonus action
which manifests as one of the feats in this section.
immediately after using your action to attack. This
creates a 5-foot diameter line of wind that starts BLESSING OF THE JIAOLUNG
in the attacked creature’s square and moves away Prerequisite Non-evil alignment, you must have performed
a service for a mythic sea dragon.
from you. Any creature caught within this line
(including the target of your attack) must make a A grateful sea dragon has rewarded you with a
shred of its power, granting the following benefits:
k Increase your Strength of Constitution score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
k You have advantage on Strength (Athletics)
checks to swim.
k In calm waters, you always succeed at Strength
(Athletics) checks to swim if the DC is 10 or
lower.
k For purposes of determining how long you
12 can hold your breath underwater, treat your
Constitution score as 30.
438
SACRED SCROLL OF LANGUAGE
Wondrous item
ARTIFACT
requires attunement
South Pacific
The scattered, far-flung archipelagos spread across
The sacred scroll of language is as large as a backpack
thousands of miles of warm seas provide a great
and made of ancient papyrus. Rolled and capped
diversity of cultures and traditions, though with
with lustrous white jade, it is bound by fine leather.
a common sense of spiritual brotherhood among
A mythic wyrm sea dragon (or older) may bestow
peoples even when separated by the vast ocean gulfs.
the sacred scroll of language upon one that has
In such regions, metalworking and leatherworking
proven themselves to be especially full of wisdom
may be limited by the available resources of their
and courtesy. There can only one sacred scroll
island homes, making weapons crafted of wood,
of language in existence at a time, and every sea
rope, obsidian, or bone popular. Of course, while
dragon is aware of its location and owner. Should a
some islands and cultures are isolated, many others
sea dragon deem that its current owner has shown
are active oceanic traders and can acquire metal
excessive arrogance, it may come to reclaim its
weapons and armor in trade.
prize.
Sharkskin. As tough as leather, sharkskin armor
Blessings of the Scroll. While attuned to the
is treated to allow the sawtooth scales covering it
scroll, you may consult it as an action to gain the
to remain jagged and sharp, while also studding the
benefits of tongues and a +8 bonus to Charisma
armor with embedded teeth along the arms and legs.
(Persuasion) checks for 8 hours. You cannot use
If the wearer is proficient with light armor, they can
this ability again until you finish a long rest. Also,
deal 1d4 damage as a reaction to any creature that
once per week, you can meditate over the scroll for
grapples or swallows them, and can deal the same
1 minute to gain insight into a future social meeting
damage as a bonus action on their turn if grappled
as if you had cast divination.
or swallowed. In addition, the wearer gains a +2
Random Properties. The scroll has the following
bonus on Dexterity checks to escape a grapple or to
random properties:
free themselves from bindings that might be cut or
k 2 minor beneficial properties
damaged by the armor’s jagged edges.
k 1 major beneficial property
Shell Plate. This armor is crafted from the
k 1 minor detrimental property
discarded shells of monstrous crustaceans,
Destroying the Scroll. This scroll can only be
mollusks, and turtles, formed into breastplates and
destroyed by tricking the dragon that gifted it to
protective plates for shins, shoulders, and forearms.
devour it. The scroll is not destroyed if the dragon
Woven. This armor is woven from magically
willingly chooses to devour it.
toughened seaweed, hemp fibers, or similar knotted
and woven mats. It is common in areas where
leather and metalworking are rare or unknown.
Shields. Island cultures craft shields that are
functionally identical to light and heavy wooden
shields but are crafted from the thick shells of
monstrous sea creatures, or sometimes from carved
and treated bones of whales or other creatures of
12
the deep rather than wood.
439
Table 12-02: South Pacific Weapons
Weapon Cost Damage Weight Properties
Simple Melee Weapon
Boomerang 1 gp 1d6 bludgeoning 2 lbs. Light, thrown (range 50/200)
Martial Ranged Weapon
Woomera 1 gp 1d8 piercing 1 lb. Ammunition, loading (range 60/300), special
12
440
Boomerang. This curved, flat wooden weapon BLOODY BOOMERANG RARE
can be wielded like a club or thrown. Crafters often Weapon (boomerang) Requires attunement
441
Once per day, when using the clever boomerang resolved, the ricochet boomerang returns to your
to make a ranged attack, you can attempt to steal hand as normal.
an object out of a target's hand. Use your attack
CORAL CORSET VERY RARE
roll in place of a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, Armor (medium) Requires attunement
opposed by the opponent's Dexterity check. If you
win the contest, the item is taken from the target's When you wear this armor, crafted of living,
hand and returns to you with the boomerang. magically sustained coral, your armor class is 14 +
Dex modifier (max 2). You are considered proficient
RICOCHET BOOMERANG RARE
Weapon (boomerang) Requires attunement
with this armor even if you lack proficiency in
medium armor. The armor weighs 12 pounds. You
You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made can hold your breath for twice as long as normal
with this weapon. When you make a ranged attack while wearing a coral corset (2 + your Constitution
with this weapon, whether or not the attack hits, modifier in minutes, minimum 2 minutes).
the weapon flies back to your hand immediately Once per day, you can command the coral corset
after the attack. If you hit an opponent with the to grow and envelop its entire body in a living,
ricochet boomerang as a ranged attack, you can mobile reef as an action. In this form, a coral
make a bonus attack with a –2 penalty against corset is heavy armor and its weight doubles. Your
another target within 10 feet of that creature. As AC increases to 18 and you gain disadvantage on
an action, the wielder can use the attack action, Stealth checks (this disadvantage does not apply
taking a -2 penalty on his attack roll. If the attack underwater). You are considered proficient with the
hits, the wielder can select a second target within armor in this form even if you lack proficiency in
10 feet of the original target and make a second heavy armor. The reef armor lasts for a total of ten
attack roll using the same attack bonus (including minutes before withering and crumbling, returning
the -2 penalty) against that target. Alternately, you the coral corset to its normal form. You can also use
can bounce the ricochet boomerang off an object— an action to return the coral corset to its normal
such as a large rock, statue, or wall—within 10 form at any time.
feet of a target. You take a –2 penalty to the attack With the coral corset in either form, you never
roll, but any cover bonus to the target's AC must be taking damage or contract coral scratch from
determined as if the attack came from the direction brushing against or falling prone on a coral reef.
of that object rather than in a direct line between You also gain advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) and
you and the target. Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks when moving in and
Once per day, you can use the ricochet boomerang around coral reefs.
to attack multiple opponents, bouncing the weapon Once per day as a reaction, you can release a
off one target to strike another, and then another, stinging venom into a creature that grapples you.
up to four targets within the maximum range of the The creature must succeed at a DC 13 Constitution
weapon. Resolve each attack separately, applying saving throw or become paralyzed for 1d4 rounds.
appropriate range penalties for the total distance
12 the weapon travels to attack a target. After each
attack is resolved, the weapon must move on to a
HEI MATAU AMULET
Wondrous item
VERY RARE
Requires attunement
new target, but it can bounce back from one target This whalebone amulet is carved in the form of a
to a previous target if desired. Once all attacks are stylized fishhook twisted back on itself. You gain
442
a +1 bonus to saving throws while wearing the hei hand, but appears as Large tiki mask
matau. In addition, you gain advantage on Strength or idol rather than a large hand.
(Athletics) checks made to swim and Wisdom While the protector is interposed
(Survival) checks made while at sea. You can also between you and a creature, you gain
water walk for up to 7 rounds per day; these rounds advantage on one attack against that
need not be continuous. creature each round.
As an action, you can drop the hei matau amulet
OUTBACK WOOMERA RARE
into salt water, transforming it into a manaia, a Weapon (woomera) Requires attunement
magical giant seahorse with the head of a seabird
(use the statistics for a riding horse, with Int 10 This dug-out javelin-thrower is a
and replacing the hooves with: Bite. Melee Weapon deadly aid in hunting. You can be wield
Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 [2d4 it in melee as a club and gain a +1 to
+ 3] slashing damage). The manaia shares a single attack and damage rolls, and you gain
language in common with you, and grants you the same bonus to javelins launched
water breathing while riding it. The manaia serves from it. When you load and launch
you faithfully for up to 7 hours per week, divided a javelin from the outback
up in 1-hour increments; these hours need not be woomera, you may choose to
continuous. The manaia returns to amulet form increase its power or
if killed, the duration expires, or you take an accuracy. The former
action to command it to do so. increases the damage
of the javelin to 1d10.
HEI TIKI AMULET VERY RARE
Wondrous item Requires attunement
The latter means you do
not have disadvantage on the
This pounamu (greenstone) amulet attack roll when the target is
is a stylized rendition of the first outside of normal range.
man, Tiki, typically crafted with The outback woomera is
a large head and eyes, with hands always magically stocked
on thighs. While worn, you gain with provisions. Once a
advantage on saving throws day you can retrieve 2d4
against enchantment and illusion handfuls of seeds, berries,
spells. You also gain advantage on and similar foodstuffs;
Wisdom (Perception) checks made each handful acts as a
to avoid being surprised. goodberry. You can also
You can invoke two other powers decant up to a gallon of clean,
from the hei tiki amulet, and can spend fresh water from the outback
an action to use each once per day. The first woomera once per day.
summons an invisible spirit that acts as if you had
cast faithful hound, though it warns of intruders
with the sound of disembodied drums rather than
POSSUM-SKIN CLOAK
Wondrous item
RARE
Requires attunement 12
barking. With the second, you summon a solid When you wear this cloak, you suffer no effects
protector that acts as if you had cast interposing from extreme cold or heat, remaining comfortable
443
despite the temperature. You also gain advantage Cleric Spells
on any skill checks or saving throws made to
k 1st Level: cool strength
navigate or avoid the effects of natural hazards.
k 2nd Level: marid’s blessing, marid’s curse
While wearing the cloak, you gain a climb speed of
k 4th Level: stone hull
15 feet.
k 8th Level: divine wind
Quilted together from dozens of opossum skins
k 9th Level: water of life
sewn with kangaroo sinew and inscribed with
tribal insignia, religious symbology, and stained Druid Spells
with ochre and mud dyes, the cloak displays tribal
k 1st Level: cool strength, wind compass
heritage and lineage, and allows you to tap into
k 2nd Level: bo of the river, marid’s blessing,
ancestral wisdom and tribal memory, gaining
marid’s curse
advantage on Intelligence (History) checks as well
k 8th Level: cloud barge, divine wind
as on Charisma (Persuasion) checks with aboriginal
peoples who recognize the cloak’s significance. Paladin Spells
Once per day, if you are in a tree or on a rock
k 1st Level: cool strength
outcropping, wall, or other object and at least 10
feet above the ground, you can use an action to Ranger Spells
command the cloak to wrap around you, forming
k 1st Level: cool strength, wind compass
a warm shelter. A DC 20 Wisdom (Perception)
k 4th Level: ice ship, stone hull
check must be made to notice the shelter, even by
creatures that have blindsight, blindsense, or scent. Sorcerer Spells
The shelter remains anchored in place for 8 hours
k 1st Level: cool strength
or until you take an action to command the cloak
k 2nd Level: marid’s blessing, marid’s curse
to return to its normal form. You can enter or leave
k 4th Level: ice ship, phantom rigging, steaming
the shelter as a move.
breath, stone hull
Once per week, you can command the cloak to
k 6th Level: paper vessel, ship of fools
create a larger, hanging shelter. In addition to the
k 8th Level: cloud barge
properties of the personal shelter, this one acts as
a tiny hut. The shelter will remain in place for 8 Warlock Spells
hours, or until you command it to return to cloak
k 1st Level: cool strength
form.
k 2nd Level: marid’s blessing, marid’s curse
k 4th Level: phantom rigging. steaming breath
Wizard Spells
Bard Spells k 1st Level: cool strength
444
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Scott Greene, based on original Caryatid Column from the Tome Decapus from the Tome of Horrors, by Frog God Games; Author:
material by Gary Gygax. of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Revised © 2002, Necromancer Scott Greene, based on original
Angel, Movanic Deva from the Necromancer Games, Inc.; Games, Inc.; Author: Scott material by Gary Gygax.
Tome of Horrors, Revised © Author Scott Greene, based on Greene, based on original Flail Snail from the Tome of
2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; original material by Jean Wells. material by Jean Wells. Horrors, Revised © 2002,
Author: Scott Greene, based on Cave Fisher from the Tome of Demodand, Shaggy from the Tome Necromancer Games, Inc.;
original material by Gary Gygax. Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Author Scott Greene, based
Animal Lord from the Tome of Games, Inc.; Author Scott Necromancer Games, Inc.; on original material by Simon
Horrors, Revised © 2002, Greene, based on original Author Scott Greene, based on Tilbrook.
Necromancer Games, Inc.; material by Lawrence Schick. original material by Gary Gygax. Flumph from the Tome of Horrors
Author Scott Greene, based on Crypt Thing from the Tome of Demodand, Slimy from the Tome Complete © 2011; Necromancer
original material by Gary Gygax. Horrors, Revised © 2002, of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Games, Inc.; published and
Ascomid from the Tome of Horrors, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Necromancer Games, Inc.; distributed by Frog God Games;
Revised © 2002, Necromancer Author: Scott Greene, based Author Scott Greene, based on Author: Scott Greene, based
Games, Inc.; Author Scott on original material by Roger original material by Gary Gygax. on original material by Ian
Greene, based on original Musson. Demodand, Tarry from the Tome McDowell and Douglas Naismith.
material by Gary Gygax. Crystal Ooze from the Tome of of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Foo Creature from the Tome
Atomie from the Tome of Horrors, Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer Necromancer Games, Inc.; of Horrors, Revised © 2002,
Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author Scott Author Scott Greene, based on Necromancer Games, Inc.;
Games, Inc.; Author Scott Greene, based on original original material by Gary Gygax. Author Scott Greene, based on
Greene, based on original material by Gary Gygax. Demon Lord, Kostchtchie from original material by Gary Gygax.
material by Gary Gygax. Daemon, Ceustodaemon (Guardian the Tome of Horrors Complete Forlarren from the Tome of
Aurumvorax from the Tome of Daemon) from the Tome of © 2011; Necromancer Games, Horrors, Revised © 2002,
Horrors, Revised © 2002, Horrors, Revised. © 2002, Inc.; published and distributed Necromancer Games, Inc.;
Necromancer Games, Inc.; Necromancer Games, Inc.; by Frog God Games; Author: Author: Scott Greene, based
Author: Scott Greene, based on Author: Scott Greene, based Scott Greene, based on original on original material by Ian
original material by Gary Gygax. on original material by E. Gary material by Gary Gygax. Livingstone.
Axe Beak from the Tome of Gygax. Demon, Nabasu from the Tome Froghemoth from the Tome of
Horrors, Revised © 2002, Daemon, Derghodaemon from of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Horrors. © 2002, Necromancer
Necromancer Games, Inc.; the Tome of Horrors Complete Necromancer Games, Inc.; Games, Inc.; Author: Scott
Author Scott Greene, based on © 2011, Necromancer Games, Author: Scott Greene, based on Greene, based on original
original material by Gary Gygax. Inc., published and distributed original material by Gary Gygax. material by E. Gary Gygax.
Baphomet from the Tome of by Frog God Games; Author: Demon, Shadow from the Tome Genie, Marid from the Tome of
Horrors Complete © 2011, Scott Greene, based on original of Horrors Complete © 2011, Horrors Complete © 2011,
Necromancer Games, Inc., material by Gary Gygax. Necromancer Games, Inc., Necromancer Games, Inc.,
published and distributed by Daemon, Guardian from the Tome published and distributed by published and distributed by
Frog God Games; Author: Scott of Horrors Complete © 2011, Frog God Games; Author: Scott Frog God Games; Author: Scott
Greene, based on original Necromancer Games, Inc., Greene, based on original Greene, based on original
material by Gary Gygax. published and distributed by material by Neville White. material by Gary Gygax.
Basidirond from the Tome of Frog God Games; Author: Scott Dire Corby from the Tome of Giant Slug from the Tome of
Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer Greene, based on original Horrors, Revised © 2002, Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer
Games, Inc.; Author Scott material by Ian McDowall. Necromancer Games, Inc.; Games, Inc.; Author Scott
Greene, based on original Daemon, Hydrodaemon from the Author Scott Greene, based Greene, based on original
material by Gary Gygax. Tome of Horrors, Revised. © on original material by Jeff material by Gary Gygax.
Bat, Mobat from the Tome of 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Wyndham. Giant, Wood from the Tome of
Horrors, Revised © 2002, Author: Scott Greene, based Disenchanter from the Tome Horrors, Revised © 2002,
Necromancer Games, Inc.; on original material by E. Gary of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.;
Authors: Scott Greene and Clark Gygax. Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on
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original material by Wizards of Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on original on original material by Roger
the Coast. Greene, based on original material by Gary Gygax. Moore and Gary Gygax.
Gloomwing from the Tome of material by Lawrence Schick. Phycomid from the Tome of Tenebrous Worm from the Tome
Horrors, Revised © 2002, Korred from the Tome of Horrors, Horrors, Revised © 2002, of Horrors, Revised © 2002,
Necromancer Games, Inc.; Revised © 2002, Necromancer Necromancer Games, Inc.; Necromancer Games, Inc.;
Author: Scott Greene, based on Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Author: Scott Greene, based on Author: Scott Greene, based on
original material by Gary Gygax. Greene, based on original original material by Gary Gygax. original material by Gary Gygax.
Grippli from the Tome of Horrors material by Gary Gygax. Poltergeist from the Tome of Tentamort from the Tome of
Complete © 2011, Necromancer Leprechaun from the Tome of Horrors Complete © 2011, Horrors, Revised © 2002,
Games, Inc., published and Horrors, Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc., Necromancer Games, Inc.;
distributed by Frog God Games; Necromancer Games, Inc.; published and distributed by Author: Scott Greene, based
Author: Scott Greene, based on Author: Scott Greene, based on Frog God Games; Author: Scott on original material by Mike
original material by Gary Gygax. original material by Gary Gygax. Greene, based on original Roberts.
Nereid from the Tome of Horrors Lurker Above from the Tome of material by Lewis Pulsipher. Thessalhydra from the Tome of
Complete © 2011, Necromancer Horrors Complete © 2011; Quickling from the Tome of Horrors Complete © 2011;
Games, Inc., published and Necromancer Games, Inc.; Horrors, Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.;
distributed by Frog God Games; published and distributed by Necromancer Games, Inc.; published and distributed by
Author: Scott Greene, based on Frog God Games; Author: Scott Author: Scott Greene, based on Frog God Games; Author: Scott
original material by Gary Gygax. Greene, based on original original material by Gary Gygax. Greene, based on original
Gryph from the Tome of Horrors, material by Gary Gygax. Quickwood from the Tome of material by Gary Gygax and
Revised © 2002, Necromancer Magma ooze from the Tome of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Wizards of the Coast
Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Horrors, Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Tick, Giant & Dragon from the
Greene, based on original Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based on Tome of Horrors, Revised ©
material by Peter Brown. Author: Scott Greene. original material by Gary Gygax. 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.;
Hangman Tree from the Tome Mihstu from the Tome of Horrors, Rot Grub from the Tome of Horrors, Author: Scott Greene, based on
of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Revised. © 2002, Necromancer Revised © 2002, Necromancer original material by Gary Gygax.
Necromancer Games, Inc.; Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Games, Inc.; Author Scott Trapper from the Tome of Horrors
Author: Scott Greene, based on Greene, based on original Greene and Clark Peterson, Complete © 2011; Necromancer
original material by Gary Gygax. material by E. Gary Gygax. based on original material by Games, Inc.; published and
Hippocampus from the Tome Mite from the Tome of Horrors Gary Gygax. distributed by Frog God Games;
of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Complete © 2011, Necromancer Russet Mold from the Tome of Author: Scott Greene, based on
Necromancer Games, Inc.; Games, Inc., published and Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer original material by Gary Gygax.
Author: Scott Greene and distributed by Frog God Games; Games, Inc.; Author Scott Troll, Ice from the Tome of Horrors,
Erica Balsley, based on original Author: Scott Greene, based Greene, based on original Revised © 2002, Necromancer
material by Gary Gygax. on original material by Ian material by Gary Gygax. Games, Inc.; Author: Scott
Huecuva from the Tome of Horrors, Livingstone and Mark Barnes. Sandman from the Tome of Greene, based on original
Revised © 2002, Necromancer Mongrelman from the Tome of Horrors, Revised. © 2002, material by Russell Cole.
Games, Inc.; Author Scott Horrors, Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Troll, Rock from the Tome of
Greene, based on original Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene, based Horrors, Revised © 2002,
material by Underworld Oracle. Author: Scott Greene, based on on original material by Roger Necromancer Games, Inc.;
Ice Golem from the Tome of original material by Gary Gygax. Musson. Author: Scott Greene.
Horrors. © 2002, Necromancer Moon Dog from the Tome of Scarecrow from the Tome of Vegepygmy from the Tome of
Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Horrors Complete © 2011; Horrors, Revised. © 2002, Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer
Greene. Iron Cobra from the Necromancer Games, Inc.; Necromancer Games, Inc.; Games, Inc.; Author Scott
Tome of Horrors. © 2002, published and distributed by Author: Scott Greene, based Greene, based on original
Necromancer Games, Inc.; Frog God Games; Author: Scott on original material by Roger material by Gary Gygax.
Author: Scott Greene, based Greene, based on original Musson. Wolf-In-Sheep’s-Clothing from
on original material by Philip material by Gary Gygax. Shadow Demon from the Tome of the Tome of Horrors, Revised ©
Masters. Muckdweller from the Tome of Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.;
Iron Cobra from the Tome of Horrors Complete © 2011; Games, Inc.; Author Scott Author Scott Greene, based on
Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer Necromancer Games, Inc.; Greene, based on original original material by Gary Gygax.
Games, Inc.; Author Scott published and distributed by material by Neville White. Wood Golem from the Tome of
Greene, based on original Frog God Games; Author: Scott Skulk from the Tome of Horrors, Horrors, © 2002, Necromancer
material by Philip Masters. Greene, based on original Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Authors Scott
Jackalwere from the Tome of material by Gary Gygax. Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene and Patrick Lawinger.
Horrors, Revised © 2002, Necrophidius from the Tome of Greene, based on original Yellow Musk Creeper from the
Necromancer Games, Inc.; Horrors, Revised. © 2002, material by Simon Muth. Tome of Horrors, © 2002,
Author Scott Greene, based on Necromancer Games, Inc.; Slime Mold from the Tome of Necromancer Games, Inc.;
original material by Gary Gygax. Author: Scott Greene, based Horrors, Revised © 2002, Author Scott Greene, based on
Jubilex from the Tome of Horrors, on original material by Simon Necromancer Games, Inc.; original material by Albie Fiore.
Revised © 2002, Necromancer Tillbrook. Author: Scott Greene, based on Yellow Musk Zombie from the
Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Nereid from the Tome of Horrors, original material by Gary Gygax. Tome of Horrors, © 2002,
Greene, based on original Revised © 2002, Necromancer Slithering Tracker from the Tome Necromancer Games, Inc.;
material by Gary Gygax. Games, Inc.; Author: Scott of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Author Scott Greene, based on
Kamadan from the Tome of Greene, based on original Necromancer Games, Inc.; original material by Albie Fiore.
Horrors, Revised © 2002, material by Gary Gygax. Author: Scott Greene, based on Yeti from the Tome of Horrors, ©
Necromancer Games, Inc.; Pazuzu from the Tome of Horrors original material by Gary Gygax. 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.;
Author Scott Greene, based on Complete © 2011, Necromancer Soul Eater from the Tome of Author Scott Greene, based on
original material by Nick Louth. Games, Inc.; published and Horrors, Revised © 2002, original material by Gary Gygax.
Kech from the Tome of Horrors, distributed by Frog God Games; Necromancer Games, Inc.; Zombie, Juju from the Tome of
Revised © 2002, Necromancer Author: Scott Greene, based on Author: Scott Greene, based on Horrors, Revised © 2002,
Games, Inc.; Author Scott original material by Gary Gygax original material by David Cook. 2011, Necromancer Games,
Greene, based on original and Wizards of the Coast Spriggan from the Tome of Horrors, Inc.; published and distributed
material by Gary Gygax. Pech from the Tome of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Necromancer by Frog God Games; Author:
Kelpie from the Tome of Horrors, Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Scott Greene, based on original
Revised © 2002, Necromancer Games, Inc.; Author: Scott Greene and Erica Balsley, based material by Gary Gygax.
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