Tide of Retribution Pt. 1: Palma Flora

Structure

Exposition

Relaxing in Paradise

Core: The PC's get to know each other.
Location: A rustic beach resort.
Encounter type: social, GM sets the mood (Think laid back spring break).

Since we're not staying very long in Palma Flora, perhaps have each player describe their first full day at the resort. Be sure they know about the shark hunting tournaments, and that the town has had problems with Sahuagin in the past.

Rising Action

Total Chaos

Core: PC's must decide how to react - fight, assist, rescue...?
Location: See map 5.1 and supplimental map in sidebar.
Encounter type:

• Combat: multiple knots of mobs, including: sahuagin, reef sharks, and giant crabs.
• Social: GM roleplays: Elanza* (tribal warrior) and Joao* (tribal warrior), villagers (commoner), Aurelio* (acolyte), sailors (bandit).

Climax

Escape

Core: PC's must get aboard the one ship remaining at the docks.
Complication: Time limit.
Encounter type:

• Combat: sahuagin, giant crabs
• Exploration: opportunity to loot village buildings

Falling Action

Out of the frying pan...?

Core: PCs are sailing away on an unknown ship with an unknown crew.

This is a great place to break. Make it a cliff hanger; perhaps as they sail away, someone notices the ballistas on the deck, the total lack of fishing gear, the rough and ready appearance of the crew...

I have redrawn the Palma flora map, for two reasons. Personally, I needed to see how the sinking progressed. As you can see, it takes a while if it runs as written. I reccommend you have somewhere to tally combat rounds. Also remember that it takes PC 10 minutes to loot a house even with a sucessful investigation check. Another problem I've run into is that the distance between the island and the mainland is not as written - the channel is 50 ft. wide. I've ended up with combat happening in that channel, so yeah, it matters.
*The named NPCs in this section are cameo apperances, unless the PCs turn down Captain Three Earrings proposal. In that case, they may be usefull for other story hooks.

Related Locations

• Lucidian Ocean
• Palma Flora