Wreck Ashore

Each of you has left your hometown in search of challenge and adventure. With nothing more than what you can carry, your feet have taken you far. You've met many people along the way, and have found friendship with those beside you on the coastal road. As though fated, you all agree to seek adventure together. Thin lines of smoke on the horizon tell of a town in the near distance. Once the town's walls are visible, the smells of cook-fires and sounds of commerce reach out to you with eagerness.

Background

• Pirates kidnapped the lighthouse keeper and their family
• Pirates have a camp with a fake lighthouse to lure ships in

Public Background Info

Any of the townsfolk can tell the adventurers:

• Three expected ships travelling from around the other side of the peninsula haven't arrived
• Lizardfolk attacks have increased recently
• Most people can draw a rough map, but there's not much to it.

Hooks

One of these might get them to do the adventure

1. Rennard Smithson will mention they should go see the Mayor. The Mayor was just discussing sending out a call for help to investigate what's happening. Rennard will see the adventurers entering town (he's on duty).
2. The Mayor will tell them there's ships missing and to go investigate.
3. While the adventurers are in town, a disoriented crewman will enter the town, brought in by Aeriel the Druid. He won't be much help, but Aeriel will say she found him wandering the peninsula and almost fell in a solution hole with alligators.

People

• It's likely the Captain of the Guard is the first person they meet.
• Pretty much anyone can tell them of the events taking place (see above)
• If the adventurers seem uninterested in the missing ships, the Mayor will approach and offer a reward
• If they want to cross the peninsula on foot, they can hire a guide of some sort

Captain of the Guard — Rennard Smithson

4th Level Human Warrior

Mayor — Dom Pronnegan

4th Level Human Noble

If the adventurers are uninterested in the missing ships, Mayor Dom Pronnegan will approach and offer them a 50gp reward each, and they can keep whatever treasure they find.

He will mention the lighthouse on the far side of the peninsula and the Kojar family there. Maybe something has gone wrong?

Local Guide — Kath Pronnegan

Kath is a 1st Level Human Expert who Mayor Pronnegan can suggest the adventurers utilise to investigate the swamp.

Druid — Aeriel

She's a 1st Level Elven Druid who patrols and looks after the swamp. The adventurers may find her in the town market selling some goods. Townsfolk are a little wary of her, but they tolerate her presence. Since the lizardfolk attacks have increased, the townsfolk have begun mumbling under their breath about what influence she might have.

If the adventurers want, she will guide them through the swamp at the cost of an equal share of any treasure found, same as each adventurer gets.

She will mention it is dry season, so the peninsula won't be too difficult for them to cross/investigate.

She will also mention the lizardfolk are varied, and there's a few tribes.

Ranger — Red Smithson

1st Level Human Ranger (bow)

She is Rennard Smithson's daughter, and quite skilled at tracking prey through the swamp, which is their hunter job.

If the adventurers want, she will guide them through the swamp at the cost of an equal share of any treasure found, same as each adventurer gets.

Lighthouse — Kojar Family

• Mirval Kojar — 4th Level Human Expert
• Stenna Kojar — 5th Level Human Commoner
• Mirval Kojar Junior — 2nd Level Human Commoner
• Kolin Kojar — 2nd Level Human Commoner

Travelling Overland

If the adventurers travel overland with or without a guide, non-standard Marsh travelling rules take place.

Dungeon Masters Guide, page 88.

It's dry season so there are occasional solution holes which the alligators dig to hold water. Otherwise there's hummocks everywhere with thick trees.

20 hours to get to the Lighthouse, which is 2.5 days of overland travel (8 hours a day). Movement speed is unaffected due to the presence of plenty of game trails. Everything off the trail is x3/4 movement while overland.

Adventurers can Force March extra hours:

• Constitution Check of 10 + (2 per extra hour); or
• Suffer 1d6 non-lethal damage
• Non-Lethal damage and become fatigued
  • No run or charge
  • -2 to strength and dexterity checks

Everyone says taking mounts into the peninsula isn't a good idea. They get eaten by the panthers at night.

Every Hour:

1. If players have a Map: Survival Check DC 6, no map DC 10 (Knowledge(Geography) or Knowledge(Local) gets a +2)
   • If they are now lost:
     1. Randomly choose direction of travel every single hour
     2. Every hour, everyone gets a check to tell they're lost (Survival Check DC 20 -1 per hour of being lost)
        1. If they detect they're lost, Survival Check DC 15 +2 per hour of being lost, to find the right way
        2. If check fails, random direction, but whatever outcome, they're in a straight line now until they get lost again or it becomes obvious
   • Find The Path spell.
2. Every hour of travel the landscape feature is determined

Random Feature Table

d%	Feature	Details
31-100	nothing of note	roll encounter 8% chance
1-10	hummock	size 200ft + 1d6 100 ft wide, thick trees, roll encounter
11-30	solution hole	15ft + 1d10ft wide, deep, roll encounter

Random Encounter Table

Spotting distance is 6x6d10 feet (36ft - 360ft). Spot check is done for everyone every round. Roll random d8 to determine encounter travelling direction (unless hummock or solution hole). Roll d4 to determine starting position relative (North, East, South, or West). For every standard movement or 1/2 of movement of undergrowth:

• Spot check for everyone against DC of distance remaining:

Distance	Spot DC	Distance	Spot DC	Distance	Spot DC	Distance	Spot DC	Distance	Spot DC	Distance	Spot DC
360ft	46	290ft	39	220ft	32	150ft	25	80ft	18	10ft	11
350ft	45	280ft	38	210ft	31	140ft	24	70ft	17
340ft	44	270ft	37	200ft	30	130ft	23	60ft	16
330ft	43	260ft	36	190ft	29	120ft	22	50ft	15
320ft	42	250ft	35	180ft	28	110ft	21	40ft	14
310ft	41	240ft	34	170ft	27	100ft	20	30ft	13
300ft	40	230ft	33	160ft	26	90ft	19	20ft	12

On the trail is x1 movement. Off the trail is undergrowth. A space covered with light undergrowth costs 2 squares of movement to move into, and it concealment. Undergrowth increases the DC of Tumble and Move Silently checks by 2 because the leaves and branches get in the way.

d%	Encounter	CR	Details	Stats Block
69-72	Rat	1/8	1d4 creatures	HD: 1/4 d8, Init: +2, Speed: 15ft, climb 15ft, swim 15ft, AC: 14, BAB/Grapple: 0/-12, Attack: bite +4 (1d3-4), low-light vision, scent, Fort: +2, Ref: +4, Will: +2, Str: 2, Dex: 15, Con: 10, Int: 2, Wis: 12, Cha: 2, Balance: +10, Climb: +12, Hide: +16, Move Silently: +12, Swim: +10
73-76	Tiny viper snake	1/3	DC 21 to spot, within 5ft it strikes	HD: 1/4 d8, Init: +7, Speed: 15ft, climb 15ft, swim 15ft, AC: 17, touch 15, flat-footed 14, BAB/Grapple: 0/-11, Attack: bite +5 (1 plus poison), poison, scent, Fort: +2, Ref: +5, Will: +1, Str: 4, Dex: 17, Con: 11, Int: 1, Wis: 12, Cha: 2, Balance: +11, Climb: +11, Hide: +15, Listen: +6, Spot: +6, Swim: +5 Poison: initial and secondary damage 1d6 CON, Fort Save DC 10 both times (1 minute later)
77-80	Dire Rat	1/3	1 creatures	HD: 1d8+1, Init: +3, Speed: 40ft, climb 20ft, swim 20ft, AC: 15, touch 14, flat-footed 12, BAB/Grapple: 0/-4, Attack: bite +4 (1d4 plus disease), disease, low-light vision, scent, Fort: +3, Ref: +5, Will: +3, Str: 10, Dex: 17, Con: 12, Int: 1, Wis: 12, Cha: 4, Climb: +11, Hide: +8, Listen: +4, Move Silently: +4 Spot: +4, Swim: +11 Disease: Filth Fever, Fort Save DC 12, incubation 1d3 days, damage 1d3 DEX and 1d3 CON; 2 consecutive saving throws and cured, if Heal Check from someone else is higher, use it (must have been resting the previous 8 hours). Recovery is 1 point per day, even while disease is in progress.
81-84	Human warrior skeleton	1/3	1 creatures	HD: 1d12, Init: +5, Speed: 30ft, AC: 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14, BAB/Grapple: 0/+1, Attack: sword +1 (1d6+1/18-20), claw +1 (1d4+1), damage reduction 5/bludgeoning, darkvision 60ft, immunity to cold, undead traits, Fort: +0, Ref: +1, Will: +2, Str: 13, Dex: 13, Con: -, Int: -, Wis: 10, Cha: 1
85-88	Small viper snake	1/2	1 creature, DC 21 to spot, within 5ft it strikes	HD: 1d8, Init: +7, Speed: 20ft, climb 20ft, swim 20ft, AC: 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14, BAB/Grapple: 0/-6, Attack: bite +4 (1d2-2 plus poison), poison, scent, Fort: +2, Ref: +5, Will: +1, Str: 6, Dex: 17, Con: 11, Int: 1, Wis: 12, Cha: 2, Balance: +11, Climb: +11, Hide: +11, Listen: +7, Spot: +7, Swim: +6 Poison: initial and secondary damage 1d6 CON, Fort Save DC 10 both times (1 minute later)
89-92	Tiny animated object	1/2	1 creatures	HD: 1/2 d10, Init: +2, Speed: 40ft, 50ft with legs, AC: 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12, BAB/Grapple: 0/-9, Attack: slam +1 (1d3-1), darkvision 60ft, low-light vision, Fort: +0, Ref: +2, Will: -5, Str: 8, Dex: 14 Con: -, Int: -, Wis: 1, Cha: 1, Wallet, Tiny Wooden Figure, Shoe
93-96	Human commoner zombie	1/2	1 creatures	HD: 2d12+3, Init: -1, Speed: 30ft, can't run, AC: 11, touch 9, flat-footed 11, BAB/Grapple: +1/+2, Attack: slam +2 (1d6+1), club +2 (1d6+1), single actions only, damage reduction 5/slashing, darkvision 60ft, undead traits, Fort: +0, Ref: -1, Will: +3, Str: 12, Dex: 8, Con: -, Int: -, Wis: 10, Cha: 1
97-100	Stirge	1/2	1 creatures	HD: 1d10, Init: +4, Speed: 10ft, fly 40ft, AC: 16, touch 16, flat-footed 12, 12 when attached, BAB/Grapple: +1/-11 but +1 grapple when attached, Attack: touch +7 (becomes attached), attach, blood drain, darkvision 60ft, low-light vision, Fort: +2, Ref: +6, Will: +1, Str: 3, Dex: 19, Con: 10, Int: 1, Wis: 12, Cha: 6, Hide: +14, Listen: +4, Spot: +4 This nasty-looking creature seems to be a cross between a bat and a giant mosquito. It has membranous bat wings, a short furry body, eight jointed legs that end in sharp pincers, and a needlelike proboscis. When Attached deals 1d4 CON damage on start of round while attached. After 4 points of damage it flies away to digest. Grapple Rules: Every attack provokes Attack of Opportunity, Touch Attack (AC of touch), Opposed Grapple Checks (BAB + STR + Size Mod below). Attacking Stirge while attached is a -4 to player. Opposed Grapple Check more likely to succeed. If the player moves, other players get Attack of Opportunity against the attached stirge. Special Size Modifier: The special size modifier for a grapple check is as follows: Colossal +16, Gargantuan +12, Huge +8, Large +4, Medium +0, Small –4, Tiny –8, Diminutive –12, Fine –16.
1-60	Lizardfolk	1	1 creature	HD: 2d8+2, Init: +0, Speed: 30ft, AC: 15, touch 10, flat-footed 15, BAB/Grapple: +1/+2, Attack: claw +2 (1d4+1), club +2 (1d6), javelin +1 ranged (1d6+1), hold breath, Fort: +1, Ref: +3, Will: +0, Str: 13, Dex: 10 Con: 13, Int: 9, Wis: 10, Cha: 10, Balance: +4, Jump: +5, Swim: +2 Treasure: 50% coins; 50% goods; 50% items
61-62	Medium viper snake	1	1 creature, DC 21 to spot, within 5ft it strikes	HD: 2d8, Init: +7, Speed: 20ft, climb 20ft, swim 20ft, AC: 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13, BAB/Grapple: +1/0, Attack: bite +4 (1d4-1 plus poison), poison, scent, Fort: +3, Ref: +6, Will: +1, Str: 8, Dex: 17, Con: 11, Int: 1, Wis: 12, Cha: 2, Balance: +11, Climb: +11, Hide: +12, Listen: +5, Spot: +5, Swim: +7 Poison: initial and secondary damage 1d6 CON, Fort Save DC 11 both times (1 minute later)
63-64	Small animated object	1	1 creature	HD: 1d10+10, Init: +1, Speed: 30ft, 40ft with legs, rope climb 15ft, AC: 14, touch 12, flat-footed 13, BAB/Grapple: 0/-4, Attack: slam +1 (1d4), darkvision 60ft, low-light vision, Fort: +0, Ref: +1, Will: -5, Str: 10, Dex: 12 Con: -, Int: -, Wis: 1, Cha: 1, Step stool, boots, rope
65-66	Ghoul	1	1 creature	HD: 2d12, Init: +2, Speed: 30ft, AC: 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12, BAB/Grapple: +1/+2, Attack: bite +2 (1d6+1 plus paralysis) Full Attack: as attack + 2xclaws +0 (1d3 plus paralysis) Special attack: Ghoul Fever, darkvision 60ft, undead traits, +2 turn resistance, Fort: +0, Ref: +2, Will: +5, Str: 13, Dex: 15 Con: -, Int: 13, Wis: 14, Cha: 12, Balance: +6, Climb: +5, Hide: +6, Jump: +5, Balance: +7, Climb: +9, Hide: +8, Move Silently: +6, Spot: +7 Ghoul Fever: Fortitude DC 12, incubation period 1 day, damage 1d3 Con and 1d3 Dex Paralysis: Those hit by a ghoul’s bite or claw attack must succeed on a DC 12 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds. Elves have immunity to this paralysis.
67-68	Homonculus	1	1 creature	HD: 2d10, Init: +2, Speed: 20ft, fly 50ft, AC: 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12, BAB/Grapple: +1/-8, Attack: bite +2 (1d4-1 plus poison) darkvision 60ft, construct traits, low-light vision, Fort: +0, Ref: +4, Will: +1, Str: 8, Dex: 15 Con: -, Int: 10, Wis: 12, Cha: 7, Hide: +14, Listen: +4, Spot: +4 This creature has a vaguely humanoid form. It stands about 18 inches tall and has wings spanning about 2 feet. Its skin looks rough and warty, and it has a mouth full of needlelike teeth. Poison: Injury, Fortitude DC 13, initial damage sleep for 1 minute, secondary damage sleep for another 5d6 minutes.

Travelling by Sea

The adventurers can take a small coastal ship 'owned' by the town. It doesn't cost any money.

Will take them 2 days to sail around the peninsula. Nothing significant happens aboard the boat.

The far side of the Peninsula

The lighthouse is about 200 yards away from the lighthouse, or 600ft.

The camp and lighthouse are protected from the swamp by sand dunes, creating a natural barrier between the swamp and the ocean.

The lighthouse is built on a promontory.

Arriving from Overland

The players won't see the camp or top of the lighthouse until they ascend the sand dunes at the edge of the swamp.

Arriving from Sea

The players can see the pirate camp and lighthouse easy enough, but the ship can't come into shore because of the reef. They can swim (dangerous) or take a small boat around the reef a few miles to either side of the camp & lighthouse, but will need to hike in. The pirates will be aware of them if they come that way.

Mandatory Encounters

Both of the following encounters will happen once the players arrive within 1 day's travel of the lighthouse and pirate camp.

Pirate Patrols

The pirates regularly have 2-person patrols out.

Male or female human warrior 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid; HD 1d8+1; hp 5; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10; Base Atk +1; Grp +3; Atk +5 melee (1d6+3/18–20, masterwork cutlass) or +4 ranged (1d8/19–20, masterwork light crossbow); Full Atk +5 melee (1d6+3/18–20, masterwork cutlass) or +4 ranged (1d8/19–20, masterwork light crossbow); AL LE; SV Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +1; Str 15, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8.

Skills and Feats: Intimidate +3, Profession (sailor) +3, Swim +6; Dodge, Weapon Focus (cutlass).Possessions: Masterwork cutlass (treat as a scimitar), masterwork light crossbow, 20 bolts, potion of cure light wounds, potion of mage armor, potion of jump, potion of endure elements, explorer’s outfit, 38 gp.

Potion	GP	Effect
Potion of Cure Light Wounds	50gp	Instantaneous, cures 1d8+1 (Since undead are powered by negative energy, this spell deals damage to them instead of curing their wounds. An undead creature can apply spell resistance, and can attempt a Will save to take half damage.)
Potion of Mage Armor	50gp	1 hour, +4 AC Bonus
Potion of Jump	50gp	1 min, +10 to jump checks
Potion of Endure Elements	50gp	24 hours, no harm from environment

They take cover on opposite sides and shoot their crossbows. They shoot for 2-3 rounds, or until melee range. Then they run off in opposite directions. They don't like a fair fight, and are generally cowardly. They will surrender if cornered or caught etc.

Intimidating the pirates against their 120+1 (wisdom), will have the pirate reveal all information.

If the pirates aren't caught they will return to the camp overland at x3/4 speed, so may not beat the players back to camp.

Local Kobolds

A local tribe of Lizardfolk, who are friendly and got along with the lighthouse keeper and family, also keep watch on the happenings. They don't trust the pirates.

Encounter table above has stats.

She will throw a spear in the sand in front of the lead adventurer and demand they halt. If the players do, they'll demand to know what they're doing in the area (in common). If the players don't engage she will run off and swim away.

If the engage:

• The lighthouse keeper and his family haven't been seen for six weeks
• She can provide a general layout map of the pirate camp

They can try diplomacy to get help from the kobold to help

Initial Attitude	DC to make Hostile	DC to make Unfriendly	DC to make Indifferent	DC to make Friendly	DC to make Helpful
Hostile (they players did combat)	Less than 20	20	25	35	50
Unfriendly (the players captured but didn't harm)	Less than 5	5	15	25	40
Indifferent (players didn't fight but have been rude or indifferent themselves)	-	Less than 1	1	15	30
Friendly (if the players have been polite and helpful)	-	-	Less than 1	1	20
Helpful isn't not possible	-	-	-	Less than 1	1

If they get her to "Helpful" she will help them fight the pirates

If they get her to "Friendly" she will guide them etc

If the players tell her they've already met the pirates and some escaped, she can contact the rest of the tribe and they will stop the pirates from getting back to the camp.

Lighthouse

There's nothing here. All the stuff is smashed and everything of value has been taken.

Pirate Camp

The pirate camp may be alerted if:

• The pirates from the mandatory encounter got away and:
  • The players arrived by the sea (so the patrol was close to the pirate camp)
  • It will take the pirates until nightfall to return to camp

An alerted camp has extra guards out instead of them mucking about (extra spot/listen checks). After 1 day, the pirate captain will set out with four men to find the players.

The Pirate Camp is too dangerous and will probably result in player death. They have options:

Option	Description
Get Help from Seawell	The PCs can go back to Seawell, explain that pirates are camped on the beach, and recruit some help. They should be able to get enough militia people together to help them defeat the pirates, especially if they have watched long enough to know their enemies’ true strength. If the PCs were spotted, however, the pirates are ready for trouble.
Divide and Conquer	The characters may choose to wear down the pirates by taking out small groups of them and then retreating to rest. The party has ample opportunity to make such attacks as the pirates go about their daily business. But if they allow any pirate they have attacked to escape, the pirates will be on their guard.
Get Help from the Lizardfolk	To make this option work, the characters must already have befriended the lizardfolk scout. In that case, they can raise a large enough force to help them defeat the pirates, as noted above.