#pirates

20 Critical Hits or Fumbles for Characters Fighting in a Ship to Ship Battle

Mark S. Cookman

Feb 5, 2016
6 min

20 Critical Hits or Fumbles for Characters Fighting in a Ship to Ship Battle

Creating realistic shipboard combat can be a challenge for any GM. Every D&D combat has its own unique features, whether it be terrain, monsters, or magical elements, but getting players to feel like they are fighting and moving on a ship when they are rolling dice and crunching chips around the table in your gaming room is a real challenge. I use a combination of elements to some effect, but be warned. There's no magic charm here; these are all cheap tricks. You must have yo

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A Collection of Pirate Treasures for All

Mark S. Cookman

Feb 2, 2016
4 min

A Collection of Pirate Treasures for All

I was recently asked about the books that I had read as inspiration and for information about the nautical and pirate stuff that I write. Here are some of the books and webpages that have led me to the twisted paths that I write upon. This is by no means a complete list and it doesn't even touch upon the wealth of material available in film. That's an entirely different post for a different day. There's a little in the way of fiction in the list below, most of what is below f

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Alternate Sailor Backgrounds for D&D 5e: The Explorer / Deep Water Sailor

Mark S. Cookman

Jan 29, 2016
5 min

Alternate Sailor Backgrounds for D&D 5e: The Explorer / Deep Water Sailor

For my own D&D 5e campaign, which is based mostly upon the high seas of various worlds, one background for a generic sailor just didn't work. On the coast, everyone sails. Because there are many different types of sailors and nautical personalities, I felt that there needed to be more variety than just one generic sailor so I created five additional nautical backgrounds to supplement the original sailor/pirate. They are merchant sailor/smuggler, marine, deep water sailor/expl

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Alternate Sailor Backgrounds for D&D 5e: The Fisherman / Whaler

Mark S. Cookman

Jan 27, 2016
4 min

Alternate Sailor Backgrounds for D&D 5e: The Fisherman / Whaler

For my own D&D 5e campaign, which is based mostly upon the high seas of various worlds, one background for a generic sailor just didn't work. On the coast, everyone sails. Because there are many different types of sailors and nautical personalities, I felt that there needed to be more variety than just one generic sailor so I created five additional nautical backgrounds to supplement the original sailor/pirate. They are the merchant sailor/smuggler, the marine, the fisherman/

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Alternate Sailor Backgrounds for D&D 5e: The Marine

Mark S. Cookman

Jan 26, 2016
3 min

Alternate Sailor Backgrounds for D&D 5e: The Marine

For my own D&D 5e campaign, which is based mostly upon the high seas of various worlds, one background for a generic sailor just didn't work. On the coast, everyone sails. Because there are many different types of sailors and nautical personalities, I felt that there needed to be more variety than just one generic sailor so I created five additional nautical backgrounds to supplement the original sailor/pirate. They are the merchant sailor/smuggler, the marine, the fisherman/

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Alternate Sailor Backgrounds for D&D 5e: The Merchant Sailor/Smuggler

Mark S. Cookman

Jan 25, 2016
3 min

Alternate Sailor Backgrounds for D&D 5e: The Merchant Sailor/Smuggler

For my own D&D 5e campaign, which is based mostly upon the high seas of various worlds, one background for a generic sailor just didn't work. On the coast, everyone sails. Because there are many different types of sailors and nautical personalities, I felt that there needed to be more variety than just one generic sailor so I created five additional nautical backgrounds to supplement the original sailor/pirate. They are the merchant sailor/smuggler, the marine, the fisherman/

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13 Pirate Hunting Ships Plus Their Captains and Crews

Mark S. Cookman

Jan 21, 2016
5 min

13 Pirate Hunting Ships Plus Their Captains and Crews

War is coming to the pirates. The powers that be, whether they are kings, elves, clerics, or colonial barons, can suffer these scalliwags' assaults upon civilization itself no more. Pirate hunters are to be dispatched to seek out these evil men and put an end to them either by bringing them to the noose or by putting them to the sword. The ships below alternate between the HMS designation and simply a name, but they were all once British warships patrolling the waters of the

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A Return to Things Piratical - 20 Prizes that Weren't Worth Winning

Mark S. Cookman

Jan 19, 2016
5 min

A Return to Things Piratical - 20 Prizes that Weren't Worth Winning

With the return this week of the Starz series Black Sails, I thought it best to return to this blog's true roots~desperate piracy. Being a pirate is very hard work and it's usually work done with little or no reward. The phrase "No prey - No pay" was common in the articles of those desperate enough to "go on the account". All pirates dream of the rich merchantman who gives over after they are shown the black flag, but such things are rare indeed. More likely is a costly figh

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Mark S. Cookman

Sep 18, 2015
4 min

20 Heinous Pirate Tortures

Although we have been exploring the desert with our tables, today we shall return to pirates as our main focus since this is International Talk Like a Pirate Weekend. If you aren't familiar with this "famous" pirate holiday, then please visit the link above and learn about International Talk Like a Pirate Day. 'Tis a lot of fun for all who dare participate. In today's age we idolize the age of pirates. We see them as spirited rebels and make them into mascots, cartoons, and m

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Mark S. Cookman

Sep 4, 2015
2 min

20 Encounters on a Busy Dockside

This week's theme has been what would the PC's see in a busy port. Continuing that theme, today's table is a collection of encounters with other, busy people on the docks. I hope this helps to bring some life and "sea salt" to your RPG's. Enjoy. A sorcerer's apprentice is going from ship to ship looking for fresh fish eyes. A newly-promoted ship's officer is heading out with his mates to celebrate. An old woman on the docks begs for food for both her cat and herself. A pair o

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Mark S. Cookman

Sep 2, 2015
2 min

20 (or More) Ships to Find at the Docks

We've been discussing things that one might find on the dockside this week. One cannot ignore the fact that the reason most people go to the docks is to find a ship. If you find yourself in need of a few quick ships, then you can use the table below. A few rolls on this table and you'll have your whole harbor filled up before you know it; just don't forget WHY the PC's are on the docks to begin with. Without further flapping, here is today's table -- Enjoy. Name

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Mark S. Cookman

Aug 31, 2015
2 min

20 Businesses to Find Along the Docks

When the ships dock at port, everyone knows there are bars filled with loose women and thirsty men. Of course, there must be some sort of a fort or barracks filled with soldiers to keep things from getting too rowdy. Beyond those things, however, what might the PC's find if they explore along the docks in a port town? This is the simple theme of this week's tables. We will start off with a list of 20 dock-side businesses. Bait and Tackle shop Rope and Sailmakers Guildhall Bar

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Mark S. Cookman

Aug 20, 2015
1 min

20 Items to Find in the Captain's Cabin

The PC's are victorious! They have taken the enemy ship. This little table is to help GM's with one of the questions that comes next ---> "I search the Captain's cabin; what do I find?" A golden pocket watch that runs backwards A small scrimshaw figurine of a mermaid A monogrammed silk handkerchief A small hourglass The ship's log book 1d6 nautical maps and charts A 3/4 full bottle of fine wine A 1/2 full bottle of aged whisky A monkey-fist throw rope A small, covered, oil la

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Mark S. Cookman

Jul 27, 2015
1 min

A Song for Monday

I hope this helps move your day along. This is from a music festival held in Portsmouth NH. Think for a moment what it must be like to hear a ship with a crew of 200 or more singing men sailing your way. #video #dnd #pirates #shanty

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The Wharf Rats and Their Rumors -- Additional Content for Tavern Workers

Mark S. Cookman

Jul 20, 2015
4 min

The Wharf Rats and Their Rumors -- Additional Content for Tavern Workers

This post contains additional material for our supplement Tavern Workers. If you aren't familiar with it, please click on the link or the picture to become enlightened. We thank you for your support. If you are familiar with it, then here is some additional material that fits in with the text of that supplement. If you don't have the supplement, don't worry. You will be able to use all of the stuff below without having it. Enjoy and Happy Gaming! The Wharf Rats Here are the s

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Mark S. Cookman

Jul 13, 2015
5 min

Weapons in the Golden Age of Piracy

During what is commonly referred to as the Golden Age of Piracy, the early 18th century, or "the Pirates of the Caribbean time", pirates were often armed. This is not surprising as they are criminals who take things by force. It may be, in fact, silly to think of them without weapons, as their weapons have become a part of their costume, so to speak. This is a short study of the common personal weapons that pirates most often used. Please understand that this is not meant

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Mark S. Cookman

Jul 13, 2015
1 min

Tavern Workers Coming Out This Week

This week will see the release of multiple products from Black Shark Enterprises. The first will be Tavern Workers. This book goes hand-in-hand with Shady Patrons to provide interesting NPC's for the workers at the bar. If you enjoyed Shady Patrons, then you are sure to like this one as well. #rpg #pirate #5e #gmadvice #dmadvice #NewRelease #pirates

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