Pirate Adventure [Archive] - Wizards Community

Pirate Adventure [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Epicweaver
02-03-06, 11:43 PM I have a group forming that wants to do a pirate campaign...

I'm planning on starting the adventure at a small island port town, most likely to be attacked by some ominous force... which will end up cementing the party together and aboard a seabound ship.

My grasp of setting is still somewhat weak (I own ECS, PgtE, and MoE but haven't fully read through them), so I could use any advice that you might have. The players will all be starting 1st level with a scaled 32 point-buy.

I've never ran a 'pirate' adventure (much less a campaign), and my knowledge of ships is limited... What's the best way to prepare myself for it? What area and opponents should I consider? Should I focus on land-based adventures and shorten sea voyages? Does traveling at sea chance Wilderness Encounters like overland travel?

I've recently watch Pirates of the Caribbean and Cutthroat Island to familiarize myself for the feel, but I'm still lacking the naval hierarchy, boat systems, and important things to remember as a DM

Thanks for any help in advice, I won't be able to get back to this thread for a couple days, but I appreciate anything you have to say! ;)
Rechan
02-04-06, 12:25 AM Help my campaign/adventure (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=580852) thread over here, hop on in! :)

In the mean time, some thoughts: Stormwrack (WotC's sea-environment book) has some rules about sea combat, sea travel, etc, and goes along with the Explorer's Handbook, which gives information about airships. Might want to check these out.

A few places that you might be interested in placing your campaign would be Q'barra, the Lhazaar (after all, they are founded by pirating), and Stormreach, all of which are port cities, with rough and tumble, and some nefarious connections. Also, if you're looking for a module to use, I could suggest Death in Freeport (http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=2865&SRC=GreenRonin), which is linked to a pirate-port, but takes some fanagling to get tied to Eberron.

Lhazaar Principalities Dragonshards here (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050502a) and here (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050516a).

Here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=493606) is an adventure location you might find very useful.
Belabras
02-04-06, 12:26 AM Pirates of Darkwater is a pretty good reference for a pirate story in a fantasy setting. Some of the later Fafhrd and Grey Mouser stories are good as well.

As far as setting- Lhazaar Principalities would be the perfect place for a pirate story. Lots of free ports, political and economic intrigue, and the obliette of Eberron to North.

Mix a fair amount of port adventures with some high seas adventure and you'll be golden to my mind.
Hedstrong
02-04-06, 12:35 AM Well they've already pointe dout books but if you're the movie watching type i'd suggest Master & Commander with Russel Crowe, not sure if it's any accurate but i rather enjoyed it and seems to have plenty to do with your campaing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Epicweaver 02-03-06, 11:43 PM	I have a group forming that wants to do a pirate campaign... I'm planning on starting the adventure at a small island port town, most likely to be attacked by some ominous force... which will end up cementing the party together and aboard a seabound ship. My grasp of setting is still somewhat weak (I own ECS, PgtE, and MoE but haven't fully read through them), so I could use any advice that you might have. The players will all be starting 1st level with a scaled 32 point-buy. I've never ran a 'pirate' adventure (much less a campaign), and my knowledge of ships is limited... What's the best way to prepare myself for it? What area and opponents should I consider? Should I focus on land-based adventures and shorten sea voyages? Does traveling at sea chance Wilderness Encounters like overland travel? I've recently watch Pirates of the Caribbean and Cutthroat Island to familiarize myself for the feel, but I'm still lacking the naval hierarchy, boat systems, and important things to remember as a DM Thanks for any help in advice, I won't be able to get back to this thread for a couple days, but I appreciate anything you have to say! ;)
Rechan 02-04-06, 12:25 AM	Help my campaign/adventure (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=580852) thread over here, hop on in! :) In the mean time, some thoughts: Stormwrack (WotC's sea-environment book) has some rules about sea combat, sea travel, etc, and goes along with the Explorer's Handbook, which gives information about airships. Might want to check these out. A few places that you might be interested in placing your campaign would be Q'barra, the Lhazaar (after all, they are founded by pirating), and Stormreach, all of which are port cities, with rough and tumble, and some nefarious connections. Also, if you're looking for a module to use, I could suggest Death in Freeport (http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=2865&SRC=GreenRonin), which is linked to a pirate-port, but takes some fanagling to get tied to Eberron. Lhazaar Principalities Dragonshards here (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050502a) and here (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050516a). Here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=493606) is an adventure location you might find very useful.
Belabras 02-04-06, 12:26 AM	Pirates of Darkwater is a pretty good reference for a pirate story in a fantasy setting. Some of the later Fafhrd and Grey Mouser stories are good as well. As far as setting- Lhazaar Principalities would be the perfect place for a pirate story. Lots of free ports, political and economic intrigue, and the obliette of Eberron to North. Mix a fair amount of port adventures with some high seas adventure and you'll be golden to my mind.
Hedstrong 02-04-06, 12:35 AM	Well they've already pointe dout books but if you're the movie watching type i'd suggest Master & Commander with Russel Crowe, not sure if it's any accurate but i rather enjoyed it and seems to have plenty to do with your campaing.