Beacon of the Brine: The Lighthouse Keeper's Tale
A group of adventurers find themselves on a ship braving a treacherous storm between the Shattered Coast and Wanderlust Plains and are heading towards a mysterious lighthouse. The journey takes an unexpected turn when the ship crashes, leading them into a series of challenges on a hostile shore.
Download the zip file containing all of the assets for this adventure at the bottom of this post.
Level: Designed for a group of four level 3-5 characters.
Setting: The stormy coastline between the eastern edge of The Shattered Coast, with a haunted lighthouse, jagged rocks, and shipwrecks, and the western coast of Wanderlust Plains with Bullywug-infested shores and an abandoned farm patrolled by unusual Scarecrows.
Adventure Hook ideas:
- The party is seeking a rumored treasure along the coast.
- A benefactor has hired them to investigate frequent shipwrecks.
- The party is escaping pursuit and the coastline is their only refuge.
Act 1: The Shipwreck
Scene Description:
As the adventurers' ship, the 'Brine’s Bounty', navigates toward the treacherous Shattered Coast, the sea turns increasingly violent. Towering waves crash against the ship's hull with the force of a battering ram, and the storm above matches the sea's fury. Lightning streaks across the sky, briefly revealing the perilous rocks and remnants of shattered ships below. The crew, a mix of fear and determination etched on their faces, works feverishly to keep the ship afloat. Amidst this chaos, the distant beacon of a lighthouse emerges as a sole guiding light, flickering sporadically through the tempestuous night. The adventurers are not just fighting for their destination now; they are fighting for survival as the ship groans and creaks ominously, threatening to succumb to the sea's wrath at any moment.
Encounters:
- Perception Check: To spot rocks and shipwreck remnants (DC 13).
- Constitution Save: Against seasickness (DC 10) on failure, take 1 level of exhaustion.
- Dexterity Save (DC 12): On failure, take 1d6 bludgeoning damage and fall prone. On a roll of 1 or 2, the character is thrown overboard.
Skills and Roleplay Opportunities:
- Interaction with the crew and decision-making about whether to abandon ship or brave the storm and make for the lighthouse.
- Use of navigation tools and knowledge of the sea.
Complications aboard the ship during the storm
| Roll (1d10) | Complication | Required Check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogue Wave: A massive wave hits unexpectedly. | DC 15 Dexterity save or be knocked prone and slide 10 feet. |
| 2 | Man Overboard: A crew member is swept overboard. | Limited turns for a rescue attempt; requires quick action. |
| 3 | Fire Onboard: Lightning starts a fire on the mast. | Quick response needed to extinguish the fire. |
| 4 | Rigging Tangle: The ship's rigging gets tangled. | DC 12 Athletics check to climb/maneuver, or move at half speed. |
| 5 | Navigational Error: The navigator gets disoriented. | DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check to correct course. |
| 6 | Panic Among the Crew: Crew is panicked and chaotic. | DC 14 Charisma (Persuasion) check to restore order. |
| 7 | Damaged Rudder: Rudder is damaged by an object. | DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) to assess, DC 15 Strength to fix. |
| 8 | Cargo Shift: Cargo shifts, risking capsizing. | Series of DC 13 Strength (Athletics) checks to resecure cargo. |
| 9 | Sudden Illness: Cook/crew fall ill. | Manage the situation or find a way to care for them. |
| 10 | Mysterious Stowaway: A stowaway is discovered. | Leads to an ally, enemy, or a side quest. |
