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CREDITS
Story: JVC Parry Author: JVC Parry Editor: Ken Carcas Proof: Julia King Art Director: JVC Parry Cover Art: Gabriel Cassata
Interior Art: Bradley O’Hanrahan, Bruno Balixa, Daniel Comerci, Danny Pavlov, Dean Spencer, DMsGuild Creator Resources, Forrest Imel, Henry Peters, Luimiart, Martin Sobr, Nastya Art, Nicolas Espinoza, Petr Sredl, Rick Hershey, Romain Defélix, Steven Bellshaw, Tijana Jankovic
Cartography: Dyson Logos, Elven Tower, JVC Parry Layout: JVC Parry
Assistant Layout: Julia King & Phil Beckwith Playtesters: Daniel Leeming, Dan Hunt, Ethan
Wrigglesworth, Helen Gibson, Julia King, Molly Meadows, Tom Wilkins
SYNOPSIS
Assault from the Astral
After crash-landing onto the Material Plane a strange, otherworldly ship brings with it an unexpected wave of piracy, hideous creatures from the bottom of the Trackless Sea, and a notorious foe who has been awakened from the deep, intent on destroying the world as you know it.
The adventurers must set sail along the Sword Coast, fending off the pirate attacks while putting together the fractured puzzle that reveals the true villain.
A Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Campaign for characters from 1st - 12th level.
FOREWORD
Call from the Deep is a story about my favourite Dungeons
& Dragons villains; the illithid, some of my favourite novels and childhood films; Hook, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Treasure Island, and my love for the mythos of H.
P. Lovecraft. Additionally, it was inspired by my growing affection for and knowledge of the Forgotten Realms. It has been a delight to play in that world.
This adventure should inspire players to indulge in the finest tropes of piracy; swinging from the rigging, blasting each other with cannons, and forcing landlubbers to walk the plank. Once that tomfoolery is out of the way, the DM has the chance to take revenge. Otherworldly horror may break the minds of the characters, turning them from notorious captains to broken heroes.
If the characters can hold their own against the horrors of the deep, and of the Outer Planes, they may emerge triumphant over one of the Realms’ most hideous villains.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries. All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited
without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast.
©2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK.
www.artstation.com/gabriel_cassata
www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Bradley%20O [email protected]
www.danielcomerci.com www.artstation.com/dannypavlov www.deanspencerart.com www.artstation.com/forrestimel www.deviantart.com/htkpeh www.deviantart.com/luimiart www.martinsobr.com www.artstation.com/nastya-lehn www.artstation.com/vixgo www.sredl.eu
Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games romaindefelix.artstation.com
www.artstation.com/steve_bellshaw www.artstation.com/tijanajankovicart dysonlogos.blog
www.elventower.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sword Coast Map 7
Dramatis Personae 8
Introduction 10
Adventure Background 10
Running the Adventure 16
Chapter 1: The Crash 17
Neverwinter 18
Setting Sail 20
The High Seas 21
Captain Callous 21
Character Advancement 21
Sahuagin Attack 23
Character Advancement 23
Gundarlun 24
Gundbarg 25
Gallows Grotto: General Features 29
Travel in Gundarlun 31
Fiskrbak 31
Berranzo 34
Character Advancement 34
General Features: Berranzo 35
Thiliossk’s Plan 37
The Wreck of the Golden Crown 38
Underwater Environment 38
General Features: Golden Crown 40
Hoch Miraz 42
Character Advancement 43
Chapter 2: The Black Armada 44
Running a Ship 44
Baldur’s Gate 45
Baldur’s Gate Locations 45
Deep Lord Yarta Kethron 49
Attack on Baldur’s Gate 51
The Guild 52
Neverwinter 54
Neverwinter Locations 54
Kzixxaro 57
Attack on Neverwinter 62
Neverwinter Quests 63
Waterdeep 65
Waterdeep Locations 65
Attack on Waterdeep 72
Force Grey 72
Waterdeep Quests 73
Character Advancement 75
Chapter 3: Scouring the Seas 76
Folk of the Sword Coast 76
Random Encounters 78
Locations in the Island Kingdoms & Sword Coast 78
Alaron 78
Ardeep Forest 79
Asavir’s Channel 79
Ascarle 79
Aulmyr 79
Sidebar: Water Pressure 79
Aurilssbarg 80
Baldur’s Gate 80
Bryn Shander 80
Caer Allisynn 80
Candlekeep 82
Cloakwood 82
Cloud Peaks 83
Daggerford 84
Dragonspear Castle 84
Driftwood Docks 84
Endless Ice 84
Evermoors 84
Fields of the Dead 84
Fireshear 84
Flamsterd 85
Flamsterd’s Sunken Tower 85
Forest of Tethir 86
Fort Morninglord 86
Fort Vuuxaria 86
Gauntlgrym 90
Goldenfields 90
Gull Rocks 90
Gundarlun 91
Gwynneth 91
Helm’s Hold 91
High Forest 92
High Moor 92
High Road 92
Hundelstone 92
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Ice Peak 92
Icewind Dale 93
Ioma 93
Ironmaster 94
Iumathiashae 94
Korinn Archipelago 95
Kressilacc 95
Kryptgarden Forest 95
Lathtarl’s Lantern 96
Leilon 97
Lizard Marsh 97
Longsaddle 97
Lost Peaks 98
Lurkwood 98
Luskan 98
Maelstrom 100
Mere of Dead Men 101
Mintarn 101
Mirabar 102
Misty Forest 103
Mithral Hall 103
Moray 103
Murann 104
Narino 105
Nesmé 107
Neverwinter Wood 107
Norland 107
Oman’s Isle 107
Phandalin 110
Port Llast 110
Purple Rocks 111
Red Larch 111
Red Rocks 111
Reghed Glacier 112
Roaringshore 112
Ruathym 112
Sea of Moving Ice 113
Sea of Swords 113
Sea Tower of Irphong 113
Secomber 115
Skaug 115
Small Teeth 116
Snowdown 116
Spine of the World 116
Star Mounts 117
Svardborg 117
Sword Mountains 117
Thornhold 117
Tír faoi Thoinn 119
Trackless Sea 119
Triboar 119
Troll Hills & Trollbark Forest 119
Trollclaws 119
Tuern 119
Tulmene 120
Underwave 120
Velen 121
Warlock’s Crypt 121
Waterdeep 122
Westbridge 122
Westwood 122
Whalebones 122
Wood of Sharp Teeth 122
Wreck of the Sea Witch 122
Yartar 122
Development 122
Chapter 4: Pirate Kings & Kraken Priests 123
Travel to the Pirate Isles 123
Character Advancement 123
Tentrix & Pirate Lords 124
Driftwood Docks 128
Tentrix’s Floating lair 130
Golden Crown: General Features 131
Development 139
Character Advancement 139
Purple Rocks 140
Utheraal 141
Sanity Scores 142
Trisk 144
Cult of the Kraken 145
Tendrils of Hadar 146
Character Advancement 148
Chapter 5: Ascarle 149
Kraken & Elder Brain 149
Ruins of Ascarle 150
General Features: Dungeons of Ascarle 152
Dungeons of Ascarle 152
Additional Features: Desecrated Catacombs 153
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Additional Features: Undersea Shrine 157 Additional Features: Corrupted Caverns 160 Additional Features: Illithid Lair 162 Additional Features: Elder Brain Chambers 167 Additional Features: Vestress’s Tomb 168 Additional Features: Illithid Lair Second Level 170
Character Advancement 172
Astral Plane 172
Astral Retreat 172
Conclusion 173
Appendix A: Random Encounters 174
Appendix B: Creatures 186
Aldani 186
Anka 186
Brain Golem 187
Captain Callous – Chapter One 187 Captain Callous – Chapter Two 188 Captain Callous – Chapter Three 189 Captain Callous – Chapter Four 190 Captain Callous – Chapter Five 191
Coelenite 192
Coelenite Mass Mind 192
Colossal Octopus 193
Eye of the Deep 194
Graven Image 195
Hoch Miraz 196
Hulking Crab 197
Sahuagin-Illithid Hybrid 198
Ixitxachitl 199
Jarlaxle Baenre 200
Kelpie 201
Laeral Silverhand 202
Giant Lightning Eel 203
Merroni 204
Druskis 205
Luzgrigaul 206
Tharcereli 207
Thiliossk 208
Monkey 209
Mutant 210
Nereid 211
Dhurge 212
Jarl Bluebeard 212
Sea King Tentrix 213
The Storm Maiden 214
Ramazith Flamesinger 215
Reekmurk 216
Malenti 217
Sahuagin Raider 218
Sea Cub 219
Sea Lion 219
Sea Spawn 220
Shoggoth 221
Skeletal Swarm 222
Swarm of Spellbooks 222
Tribute Gatherer 223
Uchuulon 223
Urophion 224
Uthgardt Shaman 225
Vajra Safahr 225
Vodyanoi 226
Walking Statue of Waterdeep 226
Wereshark 227
Zombie Dragon Turtle 228
Appendix C: Magic Items 229
Black Ice 229
Blackstaff 229
Bracer of Flying Daggers 229
Conch of Teleportation 230
Delver’s Armour 230
Feather of Diatryma Summoning 230
Figurine of Wondrous Power 230
Knave’s Eye Patch 230
Marid Conch 231
Moonbow 231
Piwafi (Cloak of Elvenkind) 231
Psionic Suit 231
Ring of Truth Telling 231
Smokepowder 232
Staff of the Eel 232
Tome of the Deep 232
Wand of Diminution 232
Wand of Stone Shape 232
Appendix D: Ships & Crews 233
Running a Ship 233
Random Ships & Crew 235
Example Ships & Crew 238
Ship Maps 241
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Caravel 241
Keelboat 242
Longship 242
Sailing Ship 243
Warship 243
Appendix E: Player Handouts 244
Player Sword Coast Map 244
Black Armada Map 245
Black Armada Map - Translated 246
Tentrix to Wulfgar 247
Tentrix to Wulfgar - Translated 248
Tentrix’s Lair Note 249
Tentrix’s Lair Note - Translated 250 Sketch of Ascarle’s Entrance 251
Cultist Statue Notes 252
Statue Symbols 253
Tentrix’s Cipher 254
Appendix F: Character Options 255
Character Races 255
Merfolk 255
Sahuagin 256
Sea Spawn 257
Aldani 257
Character Feats 258
Beast Tamer 258
Cannoneer 258
Firearms Expert 258
Firearms Master 258
Navigator 258
Net Master 258
Sea Legs 259
Spear Specialist 259
Stoic 259
Submariner 259
Underwater Archer 259
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SWORD COAST MAP
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DRAMATIS PERSONAE
The main members of the adventure’s cast of characters are listed here in alphabetical order for easy reference.
Major NPC Description Main Description
Abeline Nerovarco Dread High Trident of Umberlee and member of
the Kraken Society Chapter 2 ("Waterdeep")
Alwynos Holimion Emerald Enclave archdruid fighting in Winterglen
on Gwynneth Chapter 2 (“Baldur’s Gate”)
Arveene Greysail Captain of The Voyage Chapter 1 ("The Crash") Bartholomew Blackdagger Revenant Pirate Lord of the Black Armada who attacks Neverwinter Chapter 2 ("Neverwinter")
Captain Callous Pirate captain of the Devil's Fin Chapter 1 ("The Devil's Fin"), stat block in appendix B
Captain Scummer Green slaad Pirate Lord of the Black Armada Chapter 4 ("Driftwood Docks") Dagult Neverember Lord Protector of Neverwinter Chapter 1 ("The Crash")
Delshara Windhair Witch of the Waves and ship enchanter from
Orlumbort Chapter 2 (“Baldur’s Gate”)
Desecratus Profanis Spirit naga corsair, Pirate Lord of the Black
Armada Chapter 4 ("Driftwood Docks")
Dhurge Sahuagin baron wandslinger, Pirate Lord of the
Black Armada Chapter 4 ("Driftwood Docks")
Druskis Attendant of Zellix'Phor Introduction ("The Colony of
Zellix'Phor"), stat block in appendix B Frannis Sea-King of Utheraal in Purple Rocks, and
Kraken Society dissenter Chapter 4 (“Purple Rocks”)
Garrundar the Vile Black dragon mercenary captain on Pirate's
Skyhold Chapter 2 ("Neverwinter")
Grabbit Goblin boss of Tentrix’s Floating Lair Chapter 4 (“Driftwood Docks”) Hama Dryad living in Baldur's Gate Chapter 2 ("Baldur's Gate") Ilanquor Sahuagin malenti based in Tharqualnaar Chapter 2 (“Waterdeep”) Ingrimarr Deep Lord leader of the Kraken Society in Purple
Rocks Chapter 4 ("Purple Rocks")
Jarl Bluebeard Frost giant raider, Pirate Lord of the Black
Armada Chapter 4 ("Driftwood Docks")
Keros the Wanderer Triton scholar and friend of Ramazith
Flamesinger Chapter 2 (“Baldur’s Gate”)
Kharg Sahuagin baron from the Golden Crown Chapter 1 ("The Wreck of the Golden Crown," area w19)
Kharon Merrenoloth quartermaster of Tentrix’s Floating
Lair Chapter 4 (“Driftwood Docks”)
Klaptikos of the Great Wave Marid genie Sultan trapped in a magic conch in Waterdeep Chapter 2 ("Waterdeep") Kzixxaro Aboleth furthering the goals of the Abolethic
Sovereignty in Neverwinter Chapter 2 ("Neverwinter") Laeral Silverhand Open Lord of Waterdeep Chapter 2 ("Waterdeep")
Len-jes Genasi Harbourmaster of Neverwinter Chapter 2 ("Neverwinter") Lureene Farfog Storm Priestess of Umberlee Chapter 2 ("Baldur's Gate") Luthra ‘Powder’ Lingenhall Gnome inventor and swashbuckler of Tentrix’s Floating Lair Chapter 4 (“Driftwood Docks”)
Luzgrigaul Attendant of Zellix'Phor Introduction ("The Colony of
Zellix'Phor"), stat block in appendix B
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Mardred the Many Wizard member of the Many-Starred Cloak Chapter 2 ("Neverwinter") Mei Ling Aquatic vampire preying on mercenaries near
Mintarn Chapter 2 (“Neverwinter”)
Melessa Suaril Priestess of High Moonlight of Selûne Chapter 2 ("Waterdeep")
Olgrave Redaxe King of Gundarlun Chapter 1 ("Gundarlun")
Ramazith Flamesinger Mage with a wealth of marine knowledge in
Baldur’s Gate Chapter 2 ("Baldur's Gate")
Selacio Cradano Zhentarim loanshark Chapter 2 ("Baldur's Gate") Shava the Damned Deathlock mastermind and Regent of Ascarle Chapter 5 ("Ascarle")
Skotha Stormwind Jarl of Fiskrbak Chapter 1 ("Fiskrbak")
Slarkrethel Spellcasting kraken of the Trackless Sea Chapter 5 ("Ascarle") Storm Maiden Battle leader from Norland, Pirate Lord of the
Black Armada Chapter 4 ("Driftwood Docks")
Tentrix, Sea King Pirate King of the Black Armada Chapter 4 ("Driftwood Docks") Tharcereli Attendant of Zellix'Phor Introduction ("The Colony of
Zellix'Phor"), stat block in appendix B
Thea Wisecobble Harper leader of The Berg Chapter 2 (“Neverwinter”)
Theryis & Toram Elven Harper faction agents Chapter 2 ("Neverwinter") Thiliossk Attendant of Zellix'Phor Introduction ("The Colony of
Zellix'Phor"), stat block in appendix B Tra’ados Githyanki sarth hunting the mind flayers Chapter 2 (“Neverwinter”)
Ulder Ravenguard Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate Chapter 2 ("Baldur's Gate") Uth'ivellios Cithrea Sea elf leader of Tharqualnaar Chapter 2 ("Waterdeep")
Vestress Undead mind flayer and ex-Regent of Ascarle Chapter 5 ("Ascarle") Wulfgar the Black Kraken Priest of the Black Armada who attacks
Baldur's Gate Chapter 2 ("Baldur's Gate")
Yartra Kethron Kraken Society member charged with capturing
Ramazith Flamesinger Chapter 2 ("Baldur's Gate") Zar’ryth Githyanki kith’rak and crèche leader in Flame
Fault on Tuern Chapter 3 (“Tuern”)
Zellix'Phor Elder brain currently in control of Slarkrethel and
the Kraken Society Introduction ("The Colony of
Zellix’Phor")
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INTRODUCTION
Y
ou are about to set sail on an epic adventure that thrusts the heroes into the middle of a pirate-filled mystery. Call from the Deep is a Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition campaign for four to six player characters. Players should start with 1st level characters and reach at least 10th level by the campaign’s conclusion.This campaign takes place in the Forgotten Realms, specifically in a region known as the Sword Coast on the western shore of Faerûn, and the seas beyond. Nonetheless, you can easily adapt this adventure to your home setting by changing the names of the various locations and factions.
I recommend that you read the entire campaign in full before attempting to run it. This introduction begins with an “Adventure Background” section that summarises the events that set the adventure in motion. The “Running the Adventure” section tells you everything you need to know to run the adventure smoothly. That section also presents guidelines for character level advancement, outlines the flow of the adventure, and describes its major challenges.
Once you’ve reviewed this material and are ready to run the campaign, proceed with chapter 1 “The Crash”.
ADVENTURE BACKGROUND
The Sword Coast is where the continent of Faerûn meets the Sea of Swords in the west. This coastline is populated by a wealth of different folk from the Savage Frontier in the north down to the nation of Amn in the south. The settlements on the coast and the Island Kingdoms of the Sea of Swords and Trackless Sea are the primary settings of this campaign, but other inland locations may feature more prominently during your playthrough. For additional information on these locations, consult the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide.
The coastline itself is perilous and changeable. In the north is the Sea of Moving Ice, filled with great bergs that shatter the hulls of unwary ships. Further south lie calmer waters and relatively friendly ports such as Neverwinter, Waterdeep, and Baldur’s Gate. Despite the existence of these havens, Red Rocks isn’t the only thing that will sink your vessel. Pirates from Luskan and The Northlander Isles roam the coast, targeting merchant galleys and bullying fishing boats. The seas too are cruel, harbouring hideous monsters, tempestuous squalls, and unseen horrors in their depths.
Many strange forces have threatened the Sword Coast in recent years, from marauding giants to a death curse, the Cult of Elemental Evil, and Tiamat herself. Brave heroes have managed to restore peace to the region each time, but this new threat may be the breaking point. Something distinctly alien has crash-landed in Faerûn. Something which the Material Plane is not equipped to deal with.
T he I llIThId e mpIre
Entirely alien to most of the common folk of the Realms, the illithid, or mind flayers, formed an empire of psionic hive mind slavers who brought devastation to populations of sentient creatures. Over many centuries, and across innumerate worlds, these tentacled nightmares subjected thousands of races to psychic torture, breaking their will and turning them into thralls. Telepathically united, these aberrations traversed the Outer Planes in nautiloids, ships attuned to their needs, in search of races to enslave.
One of these unfortunate races were the gith. Although they were dominated for centuries by the illithid, the gith somehow revolted against their oppressors, overthrowing the illithid empire and scattering the remaining mind flayers far and wide. Although the details of the uprising are uncertain, the illithid and gith still hold utter contempt for each other. The gith actively seek out illithid to destroy, and mind flayers seek githyanki crèches on the Material Plane to subjugate and torture. For more information about the gith and illithid conflict, known as the Endless War, see Chapter 4 of Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes.
In recent times, most surviving mind flayers are scattered across the Astral Plane. A few made it to other worlds where they continue to harvest brains and create thralls.
Numerous sects of illithid have taken up home in the Underdark, the vast network of caverns beneath Faerûn.
Here, hidden in the shadows, they devour the brains of sentient creatures to sustain themselves and work tirelessly on sinister plots.
Illithid culture is founded on knowledge and
understanding. As well as consuming brains for sustenance, mind flayers also receive memories and wisdom stored within their victims’ brains, which is immediately transmitted throughout their colony telepathically. At the head of these colonies are elder brains. These beings of supreme intelligence manage the illithid communities, accessing the information they hold and using it to further the will of the race. Their goals are known as The Grand Design, which focusses on rebuilding their lost empire, and subjugating their remaining enemies.
T he C olony of Z ellIx ’p hor
Zellix’Phor is an ancient elder brain who remembers the destruction of the illithid empire. Through the absorption of dead illithid brains, Zellix’Phor came to know the causes of the empire’s fall and is obsessed with vengeance. Driven by bloodlust, the illithid colony that follows Zellix’Phor searches across the planes of existence for githyanki crèches, hoping to decimate their population through infanticide.
Zellix’Phor had become a name that elated mind flayers and brought dread into the hearts of the gith. Their devastating effect upon the githyanki population was well known, and horrifying stories were told within that culture of the silent and deadly arrival of the illithid vessel which housed Zellix’Phor and his disciples.
Over time, the colony of Zellix’Phor grew to a point where it could barely sustain itself. All available nautiloid
