Water Toolbox

From adventures on the open ocean or under the sea, upon uncharted coasts or in maze-like river country, the potential for peril and discovery upon the waves is endless. The tables here present not just ideas and suggestions for elements GMs might include in their aquatic encounters, but details, personalities, and destinations ready for ocean-going adventures.

Table 7–50: Undiscovered Islands

d%	Island
1–4	Island with beaches full of smooth, multi-colored glass pebbles instead of sand
5–8	Coral atoll that absorbs sunlight during the day and then glows at night
9–12	Reef ruled by warring kingdoms of sentient crabs
13–16	The rocs’ graveyard
17–20	Island filled with ruined temples dedicated to forgotten gods from every corner of the world
21–24	Island almost entirely made up of old shipwrecks
25–28	Frigid island in the far north filled with countless misshapen monsters trapped within its ice
29–32	Island with many spouts and jets of colored flame
33–36	Floating island that travels wherever the wind blows
37–40	Island where sentient beings and their possessions get shrunk down to 1/60 their normal size
41–44	Iceberg topped with an ice castle
45–48	Island whose inhabitants languish in a dreamy haze from a powerful narcotic plant grown there
49–52	Island filled with huge stone idols of unknown origin and purpose
53–56	Sandy islet filled with buried skeletons that rise up and attack anyone landing on the beaches
57–60	Island of cannibal apes
61–64	Island formed from the rotting corpses of two giant dragons who crashed while locked in combat
65–68	Northern island where ice and snow have all the colors of the rainbow
69–72	Island with trees that behave like natural siege artillery, firing enormous nuts and fruit at ships passing too close to shore
73–76	Caldera with bubbling sea-geysers inside its rim
77–80	Island that is one giant cathedral
81–84	Isle of the Dead, necropolis island occasionally glimpsed by travelers
85–88	Fey island that occasionally rises from the depths of an isolated loch
89–92	Island where the ghosts of fallen stars wait until the end of the world
93–96	Island of impossibly high cliffs whose interior has never been explored
97–100	Iceberg with a ship trapped within it

Table 7–51: Pieces of Interesting Flotsam

d%	Flotsam
1–2	An empty raft
3–4	A message in a bottle
5–6	A ship in a bottle
7–8	A bloated, decaying kraken carcass
9–10	A dragon turtle shell
11–12	A ship’s figurehead depicting a bloated green frog
13–14	A mermaid caught in a fisherman’s net
15–16	An island of shipwrecks occupied by gargoyles
17–18	A raft with two mummies aboard
19–20	A charred oar
21–22	A coracle containing three skeletons
23–24	A rowing boat with two gibbeted corpses
25–26	The remains of a keelhauled ogre
27–28	Three dead trolls choked with seaweed
29–30	A corked, empty potion of water breathing vial
31–32	The remains of a howdah
33–34	A complete caravel, seemingly abandoned hastily
35–36	A corroded copper teakettle
37–38	A model clipper ship filled with lead miniatures
39–40	A wicker sofa frame with a single cushion still attached
41–42	A fire-seared totem pole
43–44	A buoy with the word “Help!” scratched on it
45–46	A clothesline, linens, and two cracked poles
47–48	A maiden’s ransacked hope chest
49–50	A wooden cage filled with drowned homing pigeons
51–52	A wooden scabbard wrapped in white silk
53–54	A floating ship’s nameplate: The Lucky
55–56	A basket bearing a single mewling kitten
57–58	A lifeboat containing hundreds of waterlogged wigs
59–60	A severed arm chained to a broken oar.
61–62	A lute with the inscription, “Let the Heavens weep”
63–64	A scroll case inscribed with the letters “SofV”
65–66	A chest filled with shards of cuneiform tablets
67–68	A wooden ship’s altar defaced with a shamrock brand
69–70	An upturned leather hat occupied by a spider
71–72	A hollowed bottom of a pumpkin the size of carriage
73–74	Gulls feeding on a drying rack filled with rotten fish
75–76	A small wharf, complete with a deckchair
77–78	A wooden steeple, its bell still chiming
79–80	A washed-away bridge
81–82	A floating isle of lashed flotsam
83–84	A lobster trap, with 1d4 lobsters inside
85–86	A set of false teeth sized for a giant
87–88	A thick board hung with common carpentry tools
89–90	A copper bathtub
91–92	A healer’s kit labeled “Seasickness Pills”
93–94	A pair of leathery wings
95–96	A set of man-made wings, with roc feathers attached
97–98	An inflated pig’s-bladder ball
99–100	A sail with a large, perfectly round hole in its center

Table 7–52: Ghost Ships and Shipwrecks

d%	Ship Name and Description
1–2	The Angry Drake: a half-sized kobold warship
3–4	The Sparrow: a colossal axe lies buried in the hull of this ship
5–6	The Luckless: rotten carcasses litter the beach while broken remnants of this ship wash ashore
7–8	The Endless: the zombie crew of a shipwrecked ghost ship stagger in a storm
9–10	The Vile Axe: an orc warship lies broken on the cliffs, her vampire captain nowhere to be seen
11–12	The Funerary Barge: why has no one tried to retrieve the obvious gold and jewels littering this ship’s deck?
13–14	The Visitor: some say this fey boat emerges from the tide some days, while others claim it sails on dark seas
15–16	The Storm: this dhow has completely broken in two, as if it was bitten in half
17–18	The Blue Ferret: seemingly crushed, this ship has a kraken’s tentacle mummifying on its mast
19–20	The Green Misery: this broken ship lies strangled by ivy in a lagoon
21–22	The Dragon’s Spine: how did the broken remnants of this caravel wash up 20 miles inland?
23–24	The Peacock and Leopard: this hag’s ship looks like a torture chamber—is it as empty as it seems?
25–26	The Javelin: the charred mast suggests a lightning storm, but the log claims it happened on a clear night
27–28	The Hogshead: this eerily silent plague ship drifts ever closer to shore
29–30	The Splenterwill: this goblin frigate lies upside down on the beach
31–32	The Night Belle: gnawed remains indicate that the crew ate one another, but still had plenty of supplies
33–34	The Broadsword: mutiny tore this warship apart before her wizard captain blew it to pieces
35–36	The Libertine: the wreck of a harem boat occupied by hags and zombie harlots
37–38	Urloo’s Fate: every living creature on this vessel was changed into a glass statue too fragile to move
39–40	The Robust: the hands and feet of every member of the crew have been nailed to the prow
41–42	The Dalmatian: the ghost of a wrongfully hanged sailor killed the rest of the crew and now waits for fresh victims
43–44	The White Herald: royals fled from the revolution but could not elude the fiend sent to slaughter them
45–46	The Sprat: a wide barge cursed by underwater harpies lies ruined beneath the waves
47–48	The Crystal Ball: fire killed the crew, but most of the ship’s structure remains relatively intact, if charred
49–50	The Graycloak: convicts managed to take control of this prison ship, but not before the guards triggered the failsafe that trapped and sunk the ship
51–52 The Constellation: a collision with an iceberg left the crew of this frozen barque trapped and starving
53–54 The Saucy Strumpet: pirates lost a fight and the victors set them adrift after hanging the survivors
55–56 The Broken Bough: the ghost of the dryad whose tree became the mast haunts this flowering wreck
57–58 The Cutlass: nothing but clothes remain of the passengers and crew of this abandoned hooker
59–60 The Titan: the anchor and anchor chain refuse to move; eventually the crew abandoned ship in disgust
61–62 The Miracle: an enormous mimic-like creature that drifts into port and eats any crew that claims it
63–64 My Heart’s Desire: thieves took over the local lighthouse and lured this ship into a reef
65–66 The Foamfriend: the crew managed to beach this ship before it sank
67–68 Gordor’s Hammer: this warship took out two of the enemy before crashing into a third; debris from all four now mingles in an island lagoon
69–70 The Percival: a strange artifact might offer a clue as to how this vessel managed to crash miles from any water
71–72 The Lightbringer: the holy symbols on the sail didn’t preserve this ship from sacrilegious pirates
73–74 The Tider: glimpsed through murky water, the crew are still at their posts and moving on this sunken cog
75–76 The Wildcard: creeping vines hint at how long this floating casino has lain abandoned on the river bank
77–78 The Independence: this scourge of slavers met its end through treachery in a supposedly safe harbor
79–80 The Sandspider: the lich who rules the island where this ship lies actually creates the treasure maps that lure so many adventuring bands to their doom
81–82 The Cornucopia: pleasure ship whose hull is intact, but everything inside has been eaten
83–84 The Docent: this menagerie transport vessel crashed onto an island now legendary for deadly beasts
85–86 Nefas Pedimin: this schooner, made from bones, terrorized the seas until a sorcerer broke its magic
87–88 The Festering Vaid: this ship is completely covered in cankerous black lichens
89–90 The Last Laugh: tainted food drove the crew of this pleasure yacht mad, causing most to jump overboard
91–92 The Open Book: the university that sponsored this vessel lost its investment when cannibals attacked
93–94 The Glimmer: this fishing vessel caught something with a blade, which cut the net and slaughtered the crew
95–96 The Poniard: the warriors laid to rest on this ship never got their proper funeral since it failed to burn
97–98 The Twilight Eternal: this plane-shifting galleon returned from its dimensional shortcut without its crew
99–100 The Maltmainge Tomorrow: still, silent crows perch upon every part of this well-preserved ship

Table 7–53: Sailors and Boatmen

d%	Name and Description
1–2	Sing-Song Sane: the singing ferryman who knows 100 songs; sings a different one for every passenger
3–4	Cruel Kate: harlot with a heart of steel; foul- mouthed whore who operates the riverboats
5–6	Zanus the Troubadour: poetry-quoting gnome who punts customers up and down the river
7–8	Pike Pilkly: the human fish, a champion swimmer rumored to have gills
9–10	Big Dill: strongest dockhand in the world, said to have hill giant blood in his veins
11–12	Ancient Hubert: the 200-year-old man, as full of stories as his mouth is empty of teeth
13–14	Captain Rhun: mad pirate captain (retired); only his mangy ship’s dog will sit with him
15–16	Bletko Brothers: former acrobats, their work in the rigging is something to see
17–18	Blind Jake: blind old sailor who knows the rigging like the back of his hand
19–20	Bilgewater Bully: sailor who searches slops and bilges for lost treasure
21–22	Hobble: lost his legs to a shark, but says he can do anything a whole man can
23–24	“Coffin” Janu: morbid crewman who brings his casket with him whenever he goes to sea
25–26	Old Bonesy: skeleton of former shipmate no one has the heart to throw overboard
27–28	Nassain Lastleaf: grim elf wanderer who claims his homeland disappeared beneath the waves
29–30	“Mister” Smarts: 10-year-old midshipman who never hesitates to order floggings for sailors who displease him
31–32	Brionny Fortin: would-be mermaid who spends her off hours gazing dreamily into the depths
33–34	Argus No-Beard: disgraced dwarf harpooner who shaves daily but never misses his target
35–36	Xericuse: gloomy stargazer who spends his nights studying the skies
37–38	Wavrin: murderous cook who poisons selected crewmates as secret sacrifices to an evil sea god
39–40	Lasselle: peg-legged mutineer who blames the captain for his injury and plots a mutiny as revenge
41–42	Kristot: merchant logger who pilots a raft of fresh timber and trade goods downstream
43–44	Jinit Beiderdan: runaway bride who fled an arranged marriage to sail around the world
45–46	Skerrit Scalesinger: fish charmer; fish actually leap up onto the deck when he sings
47–48	Eldrea Porto: misguided missionary who lectures the crew and people in port about the “truth”
49–50	Bintrin Whist: harmonica virtuoso who earns his keep with music rather than sailing skills
51–52 Flora Kain: amateur naturalist who collects and preserves insects from every port of call
53–54 “Blessed” Prig: lucky halfling; no one ever dies so long as he remains on board
55–56 Moira DeLang: ship-wife who offers comfort to lonely sailors for a fee
57–58 Dask: half-orc brawler who takes on all comers but demands one copper from each spectator
59–60 Ophaira Yimmer: sarcastic puppeteer who entertains crew but negatively portrays officers
61–62 Saladin Greel: fearless marine who boards enemy ships with a bloody cutlass in each hand
63–64 Samdin Garah: half-elf spy sent by the government to investigate reports of officers abusing sailors
65–66 Twilla Gorn: peerless navigator who never gets lost but refuses to explain her secret
67–68 Dravin Corst: murderous riverman who strangles passengers with the silk cord he keeps wrapped around his pole
69–70 “Doc” Ferrin: amateur medic; a bankrupt tailor who learned how to stitch up his fellow sailors when he put to sea
71–72 Great Gabwell: huge man who looks like a pig, and eats like one too
73–74 Starg the Survivor: sailor who has survived no less than three keelhaulings
75–76 Gorus Bain: connected gondolier who knows which boats and wharves cater to which vices
77–78 “Heartbreak” Hinsin: sailing lothario who has a love interest in every port of call
79–80 Argin Willster: story-telling boatman who has an endless supply of stories about his vast family
81–82 Voris Uld: master carver who makes beautiful pieces of scrimshaw and wood but only while at sea
83–84 Mesner Taim: entrepreneurial boatman who offers a wide range of additional services to passengers
85–86 Brenn: exploration addict who always wants to get to a new destination
87–88 Burlon Afarn: joke wizard; crewmates enjoy teasing him about his imaginary magical powers and bilge rat familiar
89–90 Labella Loor: sneak thief who steals small valuables with her trained raven
91–92 Shandir Zim: plague carrier, chosen by the god of disease to spread contagion wherever he goes
93–94 Captain Simms: once wrestled a kraken
95–96 Captain Flashwell: the biggest boaster on the Seventeen Seas
97–98 Captain Thonn: dwarf captain with gold teeth and two hooks for hands
99–100 Captain Z’gark: legendary hobgoblin sea captain; not an inch of his flesh is unscarred

Table 7–54: Types of Boats and Ships

d%	Boat Type and Description
1–2	Barge: flat-bottomed freight boat
3–4	Barque: large ship with multiple masts
5–6	Bireme: ship with two tiers of oars
7–8	Brig: ship with two masts with square sails
9–10	Canoe: small, light boat propelled by paddles
11–12	Caravel: maneuverable sailing ship with multiple masts
13–14	Carrack: seagoing ship with three or four masts
15–16	Clipper: fast ship with multiple masts
17–18	Coracle: small wickerwork boat
19–20	Curragh: hide-covered version of coracle
21–22	Cutter: small ship with single mast
23–24	Dhow: coastal vessel with lateen sails
25–26	Dinghy: small sailing vessel
27–28	Dory: small, flat-bottomed fishing vessel
29–30	Dragon boat: long, narrow canoe
31–32	Dugout: canoe made from hollowed out tree trunk
33–34	Fireboat: firefighting boat
35–36	Galleon: large multi-decked sailing ship
37–38	Galley: large ship propelled by oars
39–40	Gondola: flat-bottomed boat worked by single oar
41–42	Hooker: sailing and fishing boat designed for high seas
43–44	Houseboat: boat outfitted as a floating house
45–46	Jolly boat: small clinker-built boat
47–48	Junk: flat-bottomed seagoing vessel
49–50	Kayak: one-man canoe with light frame
51–52	Keelboat: flat-bottomed river vessel
53–54	Koch: sailing ship designed for icy conditions
55–56	Knaar: seagoing merchant vessel with single mast
57–58	Lifeboat: boat designed to aid vessels in distress
59–60	Longboat: boat used to reach shore from larger vessels
61–62	Longship: long, narrow ship with single mast
63–64	Lugger: small ship with four sails
65–66	Narrow-boat: canal boat with narrow beam
67–68	Pinnace: small vessel with two masts
69–70	Pontoon: flat-bottomed boat used to support structures
71–72	Punt: flat-bottomed boat for shallow rivers
73–74	Raft: collection of logs fastened together
75–76	Sampan: small river and coastal boat
77–78	Schooner: small, seagoing fore-and-aft rigged vessel
79–80	Scow: large, flat-bottomed, square-ended boat
81–82	Skiff: small, light boat for rowing and sculling
83–84	Sloop: small, fore-and-aft rigged vessel with one mast
85–86	Tallship: large, traditionally rigged sailing vessel
87–88	Trireme: warship with three tiers of oars
89–90	Trawler: vessel used for fishing with trawling net
91–92	Warship: ship built for combat
93–94	Whaleboat: ship used for hunting whales
95–96	Windjammer: large sailing ship with iron hull
97–98	Yacht: recreational boat
99–100	Yawl: sailing vessel with one mast

Table 7–55: Captains and Ships

d%	Captain	Ship
1–2	"Coral Mouth" Kate	Adventurous
3–4	"Gullmouth" Garault	Arcadia
5–6	"Piebald" Paultz Patches	Avalanche
7–8	"Ruddernack" McGee	Bilgerat
9–10	Ace "Birdbelly" Stogen	Bluewater
11–12	Aggie Gams	Bunyip
13–14	Amalia "Huntress" Steerwright	Dagon's Bastard
15–16	Anthropius “Fox” Maciason	Emperor
17–18	Antoine Seabourne	Faith Wife
19–20	Arvey Blacktongue	Flotsam
21–22	Bartz Boilston	Fogbringer
23–24	Benson the Hulled	Gallant
25–26	Bilge-Splash Becks	Garland
27–28	Bilgewater Pete	Gestalt
29–30	Chesk Wilverton	Gold Fever
31–32	Cidian Whitch	Gorum's Hammer
33–34	Eldam Alamansor	Hale & Hearty
35–36	Givvi Meanteeth	Hangman
37–38	Groman Flanck	Heron
39–40	Harval Spue	Hook
41–42	Higg Ribbelby	Koriander's Wrath
43–44	Hosk "Sevenfingers" Legrau	Largeness
45–46	Ijora "The Storm Seer" Ettzi	Madeleine
47–48	Ilana Whistler	No News
49–50	J. E. Ritter	Penora's Pride
51–52	Jivvis "Codhead" La Rupe	Pharasma's Messenger
53–54	Keelboat Bill	Pinkbelly
55–56	Kelps Muggin	Rabid Kraken
57–58	Lady Amyretha Quintalian	Ravenscar
59–60	Larz Rivengob	Riptide
61–62	Luthron "The Pelican" Abele	Ruby Porpoise
63–64	Mucks Fallahan	Ruddy Wreck
65–66	Myra "The Carver" Sinsashi	Rum Runner
67–68	Orem "Fishlips" Yenessi	Scurvy Crab
69–70	Papa Barnacle	Sea Weasel
71–72	Peg-leg Peggy Potts	Silver Bird
73–74	Rip Carrington	Skora's Ire
75–76	Rufus Longwater	Splinter
77–78	Sags Sureslung	Squaller
79–80	Shanks Guffy	Starsail
81–82	Sherven Twobeards	Starsinger
83–84	Sir Apeldine Gantry	Sunfish
85–86	Skriv Tentooth	Three Sheets
87–88	Spits Bascap	Typhoon Lotus
89–90	Taggart Brockson	Undaunted
91–92	Thalina "Sea-Bitch" Andyll	Walrus
93–94	Theodore the Stained	Waterstrider
95–96	Westin Gale	Waveraker
97–98	Xobost Ietzam	Western Promise
99–100	Zhar Slitshanks	Winter's Bite