The River Pirates

The River Pirates of Nulb, a loose confederation of outlaws and smugglers, have long ruled the waters of the Velverdyva River and the Imeryd's Run. With a variety of colorful characters and ships, they bring life, commerce, and chaos to the infamous village of Nulb. Although they are known for their illicit activities, their influence in the area continues to grow, especially as the Temple of Elemental Evil seeks their services. In this article, we’ll delve into the background, hierarchy, and notable crews of these river-dwelling marauders.

Overview of the River Pirates

Nulb, a town of scoundrels and shadowy deals, has always maintained a "friendship" with river pirates. However, in recent years, a pirate named Tolub has solidified his control over the area, raising tension along the Velverdyva as competing captains test his authority. Pirates and smugglers operating in Nulb are bound by various self-made charters, which dictate their shares, responsibilities, and crew conduct. While the pirates have little legal oversight, they adhere to their own strict codes of conduct and hierarchy, with captains often elected democratically by their crews.

• Primary Gathering Spots: Pirates frequent the 43: Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market on the north side of town, and occasionally the Waterside Hostel.
• Rising Tensions: Tolub’s control over Nulb has created friction among other captains, with tribute payments required to use the port.
• Charters and Codes: Pirate crews follow written charters that assign shares and outline responsibilities for each position, from the captain to the carpenter.

Pirate Hierarchy and Crew Structure

Each pirate vessel operates under a charter, a document that outlines responsibilities, shares of treasure, and the governance of the crew. Unlike traditional navy ships, these crews have a democratic flair, with captains elected by majority vote. The following example of a typical pirate charter demonstrates the hierarchy.

Position	Shares of Treasure	Primary Responsibilities
Captain	2 shares	Command and inspire the crew
Sailing Master	2 shares	Navigation
Quartermaster	2 shares	Discipline and order
Boatswain	1.5 shares	Supplies and ship maintenance
Ballister	1.5 shares	Manages the ballista
Carpenter	1.5 shares	Repairs and ship maintenance
Mate	1.5 shares	Assists various officers
Cleric	2 shares	Healing and religious rites
Regular Crew	1 shares	General duties

_{*Each ship's crew size and structure vary, but this table provides a standard model for pirate operations on the Velverdyva.}

Secrets and Hidden Agendas

The River Pirates of Nulb serve as more than just smugglers and thieves; they are pawns in a larger game as the Temple of Elemental Evil strengthens its grip on the region. Here’s what the DM should know about the hidden activities and alliances brewing among these pirates.

• Tolub’s Influence: Tolub's control over Nulb serves as a barrier to external pirate crews who may seek their own profits from Nulb’s resources. While some pirate captains pay him tribute, many harbor resentments.
• Prelos and the Devil’s Song: The Devil’s Song operates under the Slave Lords, secretly transporting slaves to the Temple of Elemental Evil. Prelos is a dangerous opponent with allies in high places.
• Sister Mercy’s Dark Faith: Redond’s crew worships Orcus, and they are known to conduct dark rites onboard. They provide sacrifices and slaves to the Temple as offerings to their vile deity.
• Tricky McCallister’s Temple Dealings: Tricky, captain of the Tramp Queen, acts as a supplier to the Temple of Elemental Evil. His crew is known for their discretion, making them valuable assets for covert shipments.

Possible Adventure Hooks

• Infiltration: PCs could try to infiltrate a crew as new recruits to gather information on Temple activities.
• Conflict Among Crews: Rising tensions between Tolub’s crew and other captains provide an opportunity for PCs to exploit rivalries.
• Intercepting Contraband: Adventurers might be tasked with intercepting or sabotaging shipments heading to the Temple.

Conclusion

The River Pirates of Nulb are more than just a band of criminals; they are a network of rogues with ties to the dark forces at play in the region. Each crew has its own unique structure, loyalties, and hidden agendas, making the pirates both a formidable foe and a potential resource for adventurers. As the Temple of Elemental Evil’s influence grows, these pirates could either bolster its power—or be the key to its undoing.

1. & 2. the Red Gold & Old Duck:

Leader of the The Red Gold
Pirate leader: Tolub a superhero (Level 8 Fighter)

Leader of the Old Duck Pirate lieutenant: Grud Squinteye, a myrmidon (Level 6 Fighter)
Pirate Crew (for either Tolub or Grud)
Name, Level, HP. armor, weapon
1st mate* 4 23 Chain + shield Longsword
2nd mate 4 21 Chain + shield Morningstar
Bosun 2 12 Chain Battleaxe
B'mate 0 7 Chain + shield Longswrd axe
B'mate 0 6 Chain Basterd Sword
2 Sailors 0 5 leather
6 Sailors 0 4 leather
4 Sailors 0 4 leather
2 Sailors 0 4 leather
4 Sailors 0 3 leather

3. a Devil’s Song:

The Devil’s Song is a flat bottom galley Slave Lord ship. The captain is a half-elf named Prelos.
The crew of a Devil’s Song functions much more like a military ship than a typical pirate operation. As such, there is no pirate charter, and each member of the crew is payed a base amount of coins weekly along with the possibility of earning additional bonuses should hauls be particularly good. The rules of this ship are different because it is part of a much larger organization.
Note: the party should notice that this is a powerful ship with several armored and hardened warriors walking the deck. A level of intimidation should be apparent. The players are unlikely to fare well in a direct assault against a Devil’s Song.
Prelos (Half-Elf): Level 5/6/6 Cleric/Fighter/Magic User;
Naahzruhn (cambion)
Jerekoth (Doppleganger)
Belanna : AC 6; Level 4 Illusionist;
Warriors (20): AC 4 (Splint Level 2 Fighters
Sailors (10): AC 10; Level 0
Slaves (27): AC 10; Level 0
(Note: below is listed a twenty-eighth slave by the name of Balric.)
Balric (slave)

4. Sister Mercy

Sister Mercy is a flat bottom galley pirate ship. The captain is Redond (though he is typically referred to as the “Cardinal”), and he relies on his family members to crew the ship. Every single crew member, from officer to cabin boy, is related to Cardinal Redond.
This ship of pirates would hardly be known if it weren’t for the two brothers, Mallandamus and Senyig. The two have reached near legendary status along the Velverdyva River. Both are known to be incredibly competent and incredibly deadly.
This single mast ship has 12 crew members, including the captain.

Leaders of Sisters Mercy

Redond Captain, Father and Cleric of Orcus
Maureen wife of Redond and mother of crew
Mallandamus son and family champion
Senyig son and family assassin
Barbary daughter and priest of Orcus
Crew of Sister Mercy:

Name Occupation HP Armor Weapon

Redond Captain 8 see above see above

Maureen Sailing Mistress 5 see above see above

Mallandamus First Mate 91 see above see above

Senyig Boatswain 74 see above see above

Barbary Quartermaster 27 see above see above

Labingi Carpenter 6 leather crossbow

Pannagan Sailor 6 leather crossbow, shortsword

Hildagaard Sailor 6 leather club, dagger

Oakfoot Sailor 5 leather club

Tabitha Sailor 5 - dagger

Merovic Sailor 2 - dagger

Cecil Cabin boy 2 - dagger

All crew members are afforded an allowance as determined by the Cardinal Redond. Maureen, Mallandamus, Senyig, and Barbary have their allowance amounts listed in the item section of their write-up. The other crew members are each given 10 gp and 10 sp. This allowance is expected to last for an entire month.

5. Nature’s Wine:

Nature’s Wine is a merchant flat bottom galley vessel that will sometimes arrive in Nulb for trading. The captain and owner of the ship is named Sacha Tawil.
This is a small single mast merchant ship with a crew of eight, including Captain Sacha. Most of these men are green, and because they are still trying to make a name for themselves they are willing to do business in less than reputable areas like Nulb. The cargo hold of this ship is filled with grain and beans.

Name Position HP Armor Weapon

Panalar Quartermaster 6 leather short sword, short bow

Keyren Boatswain 3 leather short sword, short bow

Perric Carpenter 2 leather short sword, short bow

Rocar First Mate 5 leather short sword, short bow

Balra Sailor 4 leather short sword, short bow

Faelee Sailor 6 leather short sword, short bow

Everlin Sailor 4 leather short sword, short bow

6. Tramp Queen

Tricky McCallister is an eccentric and wealthy man and is the captain and master of the merchant ship the Tramp Queen.
With the rise of the Temple happening in the area, Tricky is taking advantage of the potential profit to be made. He has deep ties with the Temple of Elemental Evil, and he is the number one supplier of goods that the Temple leaders cannot procure locally: weapons, armor, ale and wine and liquor, as well as spices, cloth, and oil being the most trafficked items. (All of the aforementioned goods can be found in the cargo hold of the ship if it is just arriving in port.)

• Idras Quartermaster 6 leather short sword, short bow
• Beddis Boatswain 3 leather short sword, short bow
• Menac Carpenter 2 leather short sword, short bow
• Yedder First Mate 5 leather short sword, short bow
• Yala Sailor 4 leather short sword, short bow
• Anzer Sailor 6 leather short sword, short bow
• Jerin Sailor 4 leather short sword, short bow

The River Pirates by 3orcs

Notable Ships and Their Captains

Below are the prominent ships that dock in Nulb, each with a unique background and a captain whose reputation spreads far across the Velverdyva River.
1. The Red Gold – Tolub's Flagship

• Captain: Tolub, a hardened pirate and Level 8 Fighter.
• Crew: A mix of well-armed pirates and loyalists to Tolub.
• Description: The Red Gold is a symbol of Tolub's dominance over Nulb’s waters. Tolub’s crew is disciplined and fiercely loyal, ensuring that his control over Nulb remains undisputed.

2. The Old Duck – Commanded by Grud Squinteye

• Captain: Grud Squinteye, a cunning Level 6 Fighter known for his brutal tactics.
• Crew: A rowdy, less disciplined bunch, infamous for their bar fights and heavy drinking.
• Description: The Old Duck has a reputation for ruthlessness. Grud’s crew is known for their reckless behavior, which sometimes even Tolub struggles to control.

3. The Devil’s Song – A Ship of Slavers

• Captain: Prelos, a Half-Elf Cleric/Fighter/Mage with a deadly cambion bodyguard, Naahzruhn.
• Crew: A mix of hardened warriors, illusionists, and slaves.
• Description: The Devil’s Song operates like a military ship, with a strict chain of command. Prelos and his crew exude a dark, intimidating aura, making it clear they are not to be trifled with. This ship functions as part of a larger slave-trading network, avoiding traditional pirate charters in favor of fixed wages.

4. Sister Mercy – The Family Ship

• Captain: Redond, also known as “The Cardinal,” a Cleric of Orcus.
• Crew: Redond’s family members, including deadly siblings Mallandamus and Senyig.
• Description: Every crew member on Sister Mercy is related, creating a close-knit yet deadly dynamic. The ship is notorious for its dark religious overtones, with family members serving as both pirates and devout followers of Orcus.

5. Nature’s Wine – The Merchant Ship

• Captain: Sacha Tawil, a merchant with a crew of green sailors.
• Crew: Young and inexperienced, primarily focusing on trade rather than combat.
• Description: Though not a true pirate vessel, Nature’s Wine ventures into Nulb to profit from its cheap port fees and to trade in illicit goods. Sacha’s ship is modestly outfitted and carries grain, beans, and other necessities.

6. The Tramp Queen – Supplier to the Temple

• Captain: Tricky McCallister, a shrewd merchant with ties to the Temple of Elemental Evil.
• Crew: Experienced traders and smugglers.
• Description: The Tramp Queen supplies the Temple with contraband, including weapons and liquor. Tricky’s crew is well-compensated and carefully selected for their loyalty and discretion.

Type

Illicit, Pirate Crew