Pirate Theme Oneshot - GM-Notes

#1

Hey shields!

Some days ago I ran a pirate-themed oneshot using (pre-selected) Index Cards. Since it was a blast, I’d like to share my prep-notes with you. Maybe this turns to be useful for some of you. Others might have ideas to improve on my notes :slight_smile: My players were: a dual-wielding saber-swinging pirate, a heavy-armed gunner (flintlock stuff), a bad cook and a voodoo-priest (with a voodoo doll on a CHA roll). Have my prep went as planned, the other half was freestyled by the players.

The only rule-change I applied was to use guns with 1d6+6+weapon effort to bump up their damage (reloading can be done instead of moving). Feel free to go wild!

Scene 1: Boozy session under deck of the “Bloody Spearhead” … DC 10

  • Captain SILVERBEARD in charge of pirate crew
  • will TREASURE HUNT when they arrive the island TOMORROW
  • gamble: RUM DRINKING, 3 coins per round, CON-save vs. 1d4 damage
  • Timer: 1d4 ROUNDS until crow’s nest reports “GALLEON!”

Scene 2: Boarding sea fight … DC 11

  • encountering royal captain CHESTER SYKES and his crew
  • 4 CANNONS (2d12, reload 2 rounds) per ship
  • ship CHUNKS (deck :heart::heart::heart:, mast :heart:, hull :heart::heart::heart:), mast is hard to hit
  • Timer: 1d4 ROUNDS until SILVERBEARD commands to ENTER the GALLEON
  • Royal soldier: musket, bayonet, :heart:, Stats +2
  • Royal captain: saber, musket, :heart::heart:, Stats +4, Effort +2
  • LOOT:
    • black-stone pendant (CHA-curse: blind target)
    • pipe (CON: 1d4 healing, else dazed)
    • elegant boots (DEX +1)

Scene 3: Seaching the jungle … DC 14

  • SILVERBEARD commands PCs to search for treasure (1 day long)
  • treasure is located in a CAVE, which is hidden in the JUNGLE near the MOUNTAINS
  • dense vegetation, HEAT, muggy weather
  • Timer: each 1d4 ROUNDS, con-save 1d4 damage
  • finding CAVE entrance is :heart:-CHALLENGE
  • possible encounters:
    • SPIKED HEADS foreshadowing CANNIBALS
    • CARELESS progress triggers NET-TRAP, luring some CANNIBALS
    • SNAKE hanging down a tree, CHOKE a PC (STR-save vs. drop-to-zero)

Optional Scene 4: Cannibal village … DC 11

  • if cannibals CAPTURE and DISARM PCs (see chest inside hut)
  • PCs BOUND to rotary spit, :heart:-challenge each
  • Timer: 1d4 TURNS while roasting over fireplace, CON-save vs. 1d4 damage
  • Common cannibal: simple spear, protects shaman, :heart:, Stats +2
  • Shaman: bag of herbs (3x, 1d8 healing), slingshot, strange dancing (PCs in sight CHA-save vs. join dance), :heart::heart:, Stats +4, Effort + 2
  • Shaman partially speaks PCs’ LANGUAGE, negotiate is :heart:-challenge
  • PCs must LEAVE ISLAND by evening

Scene 5: Treasure Cave … DC 12

  • piles of BONES and rusted swords at ENTRANCE
  • natural CAVE with CHASM (water flowing towards a WATERFALL)
  • heavy CHEST beyond CHASM, rickety BRIDGE (DEX-save vs. falling)
  • :heart::heart:-number of SNAKES populate the CHASM, biting, choking
  • bones REANIMATE to SKELETONS if CHEST or BONES touched
  • Skeleton: Rusty sword, wooden shield, reanimate (1 round after defeat, with single hitpoint), :heart:, Stats +4, Effort + 2
  • WATERFALL leads to cannibal VILLAGE

Optional Scene 6: Chase returning to the ship … DC 15

  • Skeletons will CHASE if PCs took the CHEST
  • Chase is :heart:-challenge with random obstacles (cannibals, snakes etc.)
  • Pushing rowboat back to water is :heart:-challenge, SKELETONS catch up in 1d4 TURNS

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dschungel
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kannibalen
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#2

I give you a standing ovation. :clap:

Your grasp of ICRPG is superb. I found your “maps” too chaotic but that gives them a unique flavor, so well done. Your scenes are simply brilliant. I LOL’d at roasting over fireplace! Opening the game with a drinking game is brilliant too.

I’d make these two additions:

  • RUM DRINKING: Drinking leaves heroes drunk (all ATTEMPTS HARD), need to shake it off after GALLEON is spotted. Either 1d4 rounds TIMER or CON ATTEMPT :heart:.
  • PCs must LEAVE ISLAND by evening: World timer: 8. Searching the jungle is done with 1-HOUR ROUNDS and is considered CARELESS. Roll CON each HOUR or 1d4 HEAT damage. CAREFUL search takes 2 hours each time but no CANNIBALS/SNAKES.

I still can’t get over how cute this whole thing is.

#3

thx. the chaos comes from my players - they had a lot of fun drawing :joy:

Also thx for your additions. They sound great! In fact, the hard rolls after drinking were played on improv (on both sides, me and the GM). One of my players stumbled across the deck, not recognizing the attackers at all.

#4

Woodleg McBiggy? good stuff