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I'd like to dedicate a thread for GMs to share their original ideas for unique encounters to add to the Skulls and Shackles campaign. Feel free to add your own!
This adventure takes place some time after the PCs acquire their own boat, and can be scaled for higher levels.
Some time while the PCs are scouring the seas for plunder and disrepute, they stumble across a small, lush, unassuming island; a small, smoldering peak, dense jungles around its base, and large, open fields from jungle's edge to beachfront. Through the spyglass, the lookout can tell that this uncharted island is home to a great flock of sheep. Upon nearing the island, it becomes apparent that these are not normal sheep; they are nearly the size of a cow! Should the PCs land, they find that these sheep have another distinguishing feature; they have one single, massive eye in the center of their forehead. As they investigate the flock, the first encounter happens: the territorial alpha ram.
Use the stats for a bison for the ram, the sheep have stats for aurochs. The sheep flock together as the ram charges the trespassers, and do not fight unless attacked themselves. The ram fights until at 1/6th hp (7 for a standard bison), at which point it submits, or flees if still attacked.
When the PCs return to the flock, they will notice that some of the flock have been sheered. These are obviously attended to by someone, or something. Searching he island, they will come across a large, rudimentary hut, currently unoccupied. Inside the hut they find crude and simple items; a large size pile of wool bedding, a crudely spun blanket, jars of lamb organs, and the like. A perceptive PC will notice that there is no water being held here, though there is what appears to be a wash basin. The hut's resident is currently out gathering water from a spring in the forest, and he returns just as the PCs are about to leave.
The owner of the hut is a cyclopes, but PCs may only guess as to the singularity of his eyes due to the mask he wears. The giant eclipses the door, casting shadow over the room. He wears a mask of a hideous three-eyed hagfish. A DC 30 Knowledge(Religion) reveals this to be a very uncommon depiction of Lamashtu, the Mother of Monsters. The cyclops is a hermit, and as such only knows Giant and Cyclops, not common, wields a greatclub as oppose to the standard greataxe, and has Profession(farmer) as oppose to Profession(seer). He starts by dropping the water jugs he was carrying and yelling at the PCs in Cyclops.
The cyclopes begins the encounter as unfriendly. If he is made indifferent, he tells the PCs that he wishes to be left alone and tells them to leave. Failure to do so makes him immediately hostile. If made friendly, the cyclopes allows the PCs to stay for a time, offering them food and water. If made helpful, he gives the PCs his mask as a token of friendship and agrees to allow the PCs to his herd's wool.
If combat begins (either through failed diplomacy, the PCs wearing out their welcome, or the PCs attacking), the cyclops attacks the nearest PC first. If hard pressed, he uses his Flash of Insight to threaten a critical on a PC, hoping to thin their ranks.
Treasure:
The cyclops has his standard equipment: Large hide armor, Large greatclub, and Large heavy crossbow. His mask magically sizes when removed to the size of the one removing it, and appears to be a Goz Mask (Inner Sea World Guide). In actuality, it is a cursed Demon Mother's Mask (Gods and Magic).
The one eyed sheep are a variable source of plunder; they are worth one point of plunder if slaughtered, two points if taken alive and sold, or one point per four months if allowed to live on the island. Note that the sheep's wool is unusable if they are not properly tended to, so the PCs must revisit every month or leave a dedicated farmhand (a person with at least one rank in Profession(farmer) or be denied the plunder point until four months after the conditions are met.
Cursed Mask:
CL8
The mask does not interfere with spell casting or daily activities, and occupies the Head slot.
This mask appears to be a Goz Mask, a mask useful to sailors. Goz Masks allow you to see through rain, fog, and silt, give you a bonus on resisting wind effects, and allows the wearer to breath water for one hour a day.
Instead, this mask grants a +2 on Handle Animal and Heal, and allows the wearer to smell when an animal is in heat. The mask treats the wearer as if his patron was Lamashtu, allowing him to cast Summon Monster II to summon a fiendish squid once per day. It also allows the wearing to interbreed with any animal within one size category of themselves, often resulting in monstrous offspring, such as gnolls, lizardfolk, and natural lycanthopes in hybrid form.
The mask targets the wearer with suggestion whenever he detects an animal in heat, causing them to desire to breed with the target (DC 15 negates). The mask cannot be removed without a remove curse being cast.
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I added an Aspis Consortium lead in Bloodcove about a Pathfinder ship called the Ancient Rumor supposedly laden with artifacts of Gol Gan. I combined that with the encounter with the Devil's Pallor for an evening of excitement.
That will eventually lead to a treasure hunt and a shrine of Gol Gan on the Isle of the Blue Ring which has a thriving dinosaur population. I'll share more as I get those encounters written up.
Another encounter I'm looking forward to running involves a
Captain Skivven Snoutboil is an Alchemist (Plague Bringer) and a disciple of Urgathoa. Master of the Cesspool he sails along the coasts of Garund and Avistan spreading disease and decay however he and his crew of Ratfolk can. His green-sailed cutter uses ingenious alchemical fog machines that spray a microbial miasma to both infect their enemies and obscure their approach. Their usual tactic is to attempt to infect small villages or vessels and then retreat. Returning a few days later once the disease has set in to raid and pillage their weakened prey.
Microbial Miasma As [/]Fog Cloud[/i] except all persons in cloud must make DC17 Fortitude save or contract Bubonic Plague.
Ratfolk Crew 30 Ratfolk sailors
Poisontails 4 Ratfolk Rogue(2) with daggers and tailblades coated in captain's puss (Fort DC16 or sickened for 6 rounds).
Dire Rats the Cesspool keeps 2-4 dire rats aboard.
Rat Swarm a favored tactic of the crew is to use a catapult to launch a crate full of rats onto an enemy ship.
Captain Skivven Snoutboil Alchemist (Plague Bringer) 6
Who mainly tosses Stink Bombs and Acid Bombs.
Approx CR8 encounter: 4,800XP
LOL, that's awesome I'm stealing it. I think I'll run it tomorrow night.
nice idea sabed, I'd actually bolster it up some and make it a CR-11. Probably with some Were-rats and at least one of those really nasty Ratfolk witches.... "Evil Eye" in combination with nasty diseases.... ouch ?
Brings back fond memories of Warhammer Skaven^^
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nice idea sabed, I'd actually bolster it up some and make it a CR-11. Probably with some Were-rats and at least one of those really nasty Ratfolk witches.... "Evil Eye" in combination with nasty diseases.... ouch ?
Brings back fond memories of Warhammer Skaven^^
Yeah, I think I'm going to bolster it as you said and introduce it this way:
The PC's come back to a village they've visited before to find it was just attacked by the crew of the Cesspool. Most of the town has been infected with the Bubonic Plague and the Ratfolk disappeared again into the fog. They've heard of the way this ship does its work so they know they have a few days or at most a week till the Cesspool comes back to finish the job. The town wants to hire the PC's to protect them.
They can turn down the job, leave, and hear news of how the town was slaughtered later. Maybe then they'll still run into the Cesspool out in open waters.
They can take the job and treat it like a siege, planning to fight the Ratfolk invaders when they come back.
Or they can take the job and go hunting for the Cesspool which is hiding in one of many sheltered coves along the coast.
Here are the monster I made for the isle of the one eyed sheep.
Big thanks to Lord Twitchiopolis for the idea. Hope somebody can use this. Feel free to check for mistakes.
I can post stats for the plague ship too, if somebody is intrested. Just coming up with the concept.
Primitive Cyclops Barbarian (true primitive) 2
N Large humanoid (giant)
Init –1; Senses low-light vision; scent; Perception +29
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 8, flat-footed 21 (+4 armor, –1 Dex, +9 natural, –1 size)
hp 118 (10d8+2d12+62)
Fort +13, Ref +2, Will +4
Defensive Abilities ferocity, uncanny dodge
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee greatclub +13/+7 (2d8+21/×2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 25, Dex 8, Con 19, Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 6
Base Atk +9; CMB +17; CMD 26
Feats Alertness, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack, Great Fortitude, Skill Focus (Perception), Toughness
Skills Perception +29, Profession (farmer) +14; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception, +4 Stealth, +4 Survival
Languages Cyclops, Giant
SQ flash of insight, rage 10 rounds/day, illiteracy, favored terrain (cyclops-island), rage power (knockback)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Flash of Insight (Su)
Once per day as an immediate action, a cyclops can peer into an occluded visual spectrum of possible futures, gaining insight that allows it to select the exact result of one die roll before the roll is made. This effect can alter an action taken by the cyclops only, and cannot be applied to the rolls of others.
Ferocity (Ex)
A creature with ferocity remains conscious and can continue fighting even if its hit point total is below 0. The creature is still staggered and loses 1 hit point each round. The creature still dies when its hit point total reaches a negative amount equal to its Constitution score.
Ram (Advanced Bison) CR 5
N Large animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +10
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (+10 natural, –1 size, +2 Dex)
hp 52 (5d8+30)
Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +3
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee gore +10 (2d6+21)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks stampede, trample (2d6+15, DC 22)
STATISTICS
Str 31, Dex 14, Con 23, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 8
Base Atk +5; CMB +14; CMD 26 (30 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack
Skills Perception +10
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Stampede (Ex)
A stampede occurs if three or more creatures with stampede make a trample attack while remaining adjacent to each other. While stampeding, the creatures can trample foes of their size or smaller, and the trample's save DC increases by +2.
Trample (Ex)
As a full-round action, a creature with the trample ability can attempt to overrun any creature that is at least one size category Smaller than itself. This works just like the overrun combat maneuver, but the trampling creature does not need to make a check, it merely has to move over opponents in its path. Targets of a trample take an amount of damage equal to the trampling creature’s slam damage + 1-1/2 times its Str modifier. Targets of a trample can make an attack of opportunity, but at a –4 penalty. If targets forgo an attack of opportunity, they can attempt to avoid the trampling creature and receive a Reflex save to take half damage. The save DC against a creature’s trample attack is 10 + 1/2 the creature’s HD + the creature’s Str modifier (the exact DC is given in the creature’s descriptive text). A trampling creature can only deal trampling damage to each target once per round, no matter how many times its movement takes it over a target creature.
I'm loving these ideas. Certainly unique! For the Isle of one-eyed sheep, I think I'll be making him more of a farmer (who also owns sheep). That way I have an excuse to give him a scythe for a weapon. The meta-gamers at my table will definitely think twice before going toe-to-toe with a cyclops wielding a x4 crit weapon.
As we just play a hombrew quick version of ship combat no stats for the ship are included. Please tell me if you find any mistakes.
cesspool (sailing ship) CR14
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Cesspool-Captain CR6
male ratfolk alchimist (plaguebringer/vivisectionist) 7 CR6
CE Small humanoid (ratfolk)
Init +7; Senses Darkvision 60ft; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+1 size, +4 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 43 (6d8+15)
Fort +6, Ref +8, Will +2 (+4 vs disease)
Defensive Abilities
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
Melee +1 kukri +11 1d3+1 (18-20/x2) plus Purple Worm Poison DC26
Special Attacks sneak attack +4d6
Extracts Prepared (CL 7; concentration +11)
3rd- haste, displacement
2nd- cats grace, foxs cunning, false life, protection from arrows
1st- shield, true strike, crafter fortune, expeditious retreat, reduce person
STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8
Base Atk +5; CMB +4; CMD 17
Feats brew potion, throw anything, toughness, weapon finesse, weapon focus (kukri), improved initiative
Skills craft (alchemy) +19, perception +9, spellcraft +14, Profession (sailor) +10, fly +13, swim +7, knowledge(arcana) +14, knowledge (nature) +14 ;Racial Bonus +4 Stealth, +2 Craft (alchemy), Perception, Use Magic Device
Languages Common. Ratfolk, Draconic, Aklo, Undercommon
SQ Discoveries (Concentrate Poison, Bleeding Attack, Poison Conversion, Wings), swift alchemy, swift poisoning, plague vial DC17 (bubonic plague DC17)
Gear +1 kukri, mwk chainshirt, mwk light steel shield, Purple Worm Poison
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Cesspool-Mother CR5
Female old ratfolk witch 6
CE Small humanoid (ratfolk)
Init +4; Senses Darkvision 60ft; Perception +9 (+2 while her familiar is within arm's reach)
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 size +4 mage armor)
hp 27 (6d6+6)
Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +6
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
meele ratfolk-tailblade +2 1d2-2 (20/x2) plus Purple Worm Poison DC24 1/round for 9 rounds
Witch Spells Prepared (CL 6; concentration +10)
3rd- cup of dust DC19, bestow curse DC19, summon monster III (1d4+1 dire-rats)
2nd- delay poison, blindness/deafness DC18, feast of ashes DC18, haunting mists DC18
1st- ear piercing scream DC17, command DC17, command DC17, unseen servant
0(at will)- detect magic, read magic, touch of fatigue DC16, detect poison
STATISTICS
Str 6, Dex 11, Con 10, Int 22, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +3; CMB +0; CMD 10
Feats improved initiative, toughness, great fortitude, brew potion
Skills craft (alchemy) +22, perception +9, spellcraft +15, Profession (sailor) +10, fly +9, swim +10, knowledge(arcana) +15, knowledge (nature) +15; Racial Bonus +4 Stealth, +2 Craft alchemy), Perception, Use Magic Device
Languages Common. Ratfolk, Draconic, Gnoll, Goblin, Orc, Undercommon
SQ Hexes (Evil Eye DC19, Flight, Cauldron, Sleep[reach 60ft.] DC19), Familiar (Rat), Patron (Plague)
Gear headband of vast intelligence +2, Purple Worm Poison
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Cesspool-Poisoner CR2 x4
ratfolk rogue (poisoner) 3
CE Small humanoid (ratfolk)
Init +3; Senses Darkvision 60ft; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+1 size, +1 shield, +3 armor, +3 Dex)
hp 22 (3d8+6)
Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
Melee +7 Mwk Kukri 1d3+1 (18-20/x2) plus 2x Purple Worm Poison DC22
Special Attacks sneak attack +2d6
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 15
Feats weapon finesse, weapon focus(kukri)
Skills stealth +13, craft (alchemy) +8, perception +9, use magic device +8, Profession (sailor) +6, acrobatics +9, swim +7, climb +7; Racial Bonus +4 Stealth, +2 Craft (alchemy), Perception, Use Magic Device
Languages Common. Ratfolk
SQ rogue talent (lasting poison), poison use, master poisoner
Gear Mwk Cutlass, Mwk Light Steel Shield, Studded Leather Armor, Purple Worm Poison
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•Unnatural: Some ratfolk unnerve normal animals, and train to defend themselves against the inevitable attacks from such creatures. These ratfolk take a –4 penalty on all Charisma-based skill checks to affect creatures of the animal type, and receive a +2 dodge bonus to AC against animals. An animal's starting attitude toward ratfolk is one step worse than normal. This racial trait replaces rodent empathy.
•Swarming: Ratfolk are used to living and fighting communally, and are adept at swarming foes for their own gain and their foes' detriment. Up to two ratfolk can share the same at the same time. If two ratfolk in the same square attack the same foe, they are considered to be flanking that foe as if they were in two opposite squares.
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Purple Worm Poison
Type poison (injury); Save Fortitude DC 24
Frequency 1/round for 6 rounds
Effect 1d3 Str damage; Cure 2 consecutive saves
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bubonic Plague
Type disease, injury or inhaled; Save Fortitude DC 17
Onset 1 day; Frequency 1/day
Effect 1d4 Con damage and 1 Cha damage and target is fatigued; Cure 2 consecutive saves
My pleasure. FYI: the Purple Worm Poison that lasts 9 rounds goes to the alchemist not the witch. I will post stats for my reworked "No honor among thieves" encounter as well as soon as I get home. Captain Grotus got a few more levels and some companions to be less pathetic. :P
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Just found this thread and love the ideas everyone has come up with thought I would add my own.
The first is Captain Boomer and his ship called Firemaker. Captain Boomer is of course a goblin and the entire crew of the Firemaker are goblins who have learned to sail (barely). Captain Boomer wears an oversized tricorne hat and has somehow managed to get ahold of a flintlock pistol (taken from a dead pirate) which he now calls his "boomstick". He has become obsessed with guns and explosions and now collects alchemist's fire, gunpowder, and anything else he can make explode where ever he can find it.
The unfortunate goblin sailors aboard the Firemaker carry small barrells of alchemist's fire and explosives on their backs (at the command of Captain Boomer) making them running land mines.
The players can attempt to take the Firemaker or if they are crazy enough can attempt to ally with Captain Boomer and supply him with more guns and explosives.
Goblins somehow always wind up as minions of the party without my meaning them to be, so I know with out a doubt they will take Captain Boomer under their wing. Creating hours of endless enjoyment and explosions for me.
I'd like to dedicate a thread for GMs to share their original ideas for unique encounters to add to the Skulls and Shackles campaign. Feel free to add your own!
** spoiler omitted **...
Actually, once we're done with the AP I'm thinking about sitting down with the GM and plotting out some of the 'non-book' adventures we went on as if they were actual parts of the AP and posting them here for others to use.
One of the better side-treks we did was sometime after Island of the Empty Eyes but before The Price of Infamy - Rosie Cuswell had her own ship by then and was considered a close ally that we only occasionally encountered. She contacted our crew and asked our aid in dealing with a problem - our captain had begun a well-known crusade against the slave trade in the shackles and in particular through the Shackles, one that Rosie supported. After freeing some slaves from a Chelish slave ship she was astonished to find a cousin of hers among them - after much interrogation and investigation it was discovered that the rumors about Bag Island's leader was true, that the leader of the halfling isle founded on the ideals of anti-slavery had begun to dabble in the slave trade himself, demanding extortion or 'protection' money to allow slave ships to pass unmolested and even selling back into slavery those rescued who chose not to join his community.
Now all of this was unknown to the vast majority of Bag Island's inhabitants but the rumors had been floating around for some time and now that Rosie had what she considered to be proof of this complicity inthe slave trade, she was determined to expose him and bring him down. Owing her a debt, the crew was more than willing to take up the cause.
Without getting into too many details the insurrection on Bag Island involved a great many halflings, a group of indigenous giants and a rather sly fellow named Gulliver Swift...
Another great side-trek was done in the service of the Master of Gales and it involved infiltrating the Cult of the Eye... the payment of which was to aid in the construction of our new flagship, in particular casting the spell 'Hallow Ship' which acted like a normal Hallow spell except that it affected the entire ship and its occupants only. Of course that spell must be renewed once a year and somehow I suspect he's going to want another service when that comes due...