Cutthroat Caper

The depths some may find to right a wrong can be truly unfathomable.

Introduction: You helped an immoral pirate captain recover a

powerful artifact. He repaid you by killing your crew, sinking your
ship, and marooning you on an uncharted island to die. But you
didn’t. Now it’s time for payback.


A 4-hour adventure for 4-5 7th level characters

by Justin Powell & Ricardo Blayde Diaz

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TITLE 1
Cutthroat Caper
A
vast, ye landlubbers! If the pirate's life be for ye,
prepare yourselves for an adventure full of
betrayal and satisfying comeuppance... if the
wind blows your way. "Cutthroat Caper" is a
one-shot adventure that combines the beloved
aesthetic of the world of pirates with the
elements of a heist story. In this one-shot, your
players will infiltrate an enemy's ship, reclaim a stolen
artifact, and hopefully escape undetected. However, as with
most heists, things never go quite according to plan and your
motley crew could find themselves in danger of becoming
nothing more than cannon fodder.
This high seas heist is approx. 4-hour session for 4-5 7th
level characters. They main elements of this story are:
planning the heist, executing the plan, and improvising when
things inevitably go wrong. Create an environment where
your players have the freedom to actually plan their heist
without feeling like they're being forced to a single specific
approach. This will not only give your players a sense of
ownership of the sotry, it will also lead to completely unique
sessions each time the adventure is played. As a result, the
levels of success can vary drastically. Maybe the players are
completely successful and escape with the artifact unseen, or
maybe they acquire the artifact, but get made on the escape
and now have an enemy hot on their tail, or perhaps they have
to abandon the mission and don't escape reclaim the artifact.
Don't shy away from this! These varying degrees of success
will help your players feel like their decisions truly matter and
possibly set up a part two or even serve as the jumping off
point to a buccaneering campaign of your own! This
adventure's openness to creativity will give your players a
treasure trove of possibilties and potential fun.
So, let's hoist the main sails and set out on our maiden
voyage of pirate larceny.
Backstory
As seafaring veterans, your players have seen their fair share
of high seas adventures in the pursuit of riches and power.
Over their careers, they've accumulated wealth and a
renowned reputation as a group that can, "get things done."
Being notorious as mercenaries for hire, the group was
apprached by Rurik Lazlo, a giff former navy general turned
pirate captain of the Kraken's Maw. Lazlo procured their
services to help him locate and recover a lost artifact known
as the Map of Fathoms. With their help, the Map was found
on a distant uncharted island far from civilazation. Once the
Map was recovered, Lazlo decided to tidy up loose ends and
killed the group's crew, sunk their ship, and marooned them
on the island to die.
With great perseverance, ingenuity, and a lot of luck, the
players were able to get off the island and make their way
back to the pirate island sanctuary of Riptide where, lo and
behold, they see the Kraken's Maw is also docked. With Lazlo
believing they were stuck on that island, this could be the
perfect time to inact a little revenge, but Riptide has strict
rules about crimes against fellow pirates while in Riptide, so
things have to be done in the shadows.
Part 1: Sea Shanty
The adventure begins where many do, in a tavern. We find
our crew laying low at the Sea Shanty, a quiet divey tavern,
while they waiting for an old friend to meet them there.
"You find yourselves sitting at the bar of the Sea
Shanty. The entire place looks like it was built from
reclaimed driftwood. The air is heavy with mildew
and the atmopshere is completely dead, but the
alcohol works just the same and it's a great place
to lay low. You take a drink and each satisfying sip
helps wash away the taste of salt water from
months of harsh travel to get back here to Riptide.
As you wait to meet an old friend, your anticipation
builds with the thought of the prospect of exacting
revenge for what was wrongly done to you."
Before too long, they see--
"You see a little goblin step inside the tavern. A
thick black beard covers most of his face that's
pocked with damage from decades working under
the beating sun at see. His beady eyes dart around
the room until they meet your. He gives you a
nervous smile as he scuttles your way. You
recognize this goblin as your old friend and former
crewmate, Ytt Pertinax."
Ytt (pronounced "yeet") Pertinax, has worked as a crew
member of theirs on many occasions. They know him to be a
quite capable sneak, but has greedy tendencies. Luckily, he
wasn't with the group on their last journey, or he'd be dead
too. When they returned to Riptide, they contracted Ytt to dig
up some information about the Kraken's Maw, Cpt. Lazlo's
ship. Ytt gives hands over rudmentary blue print of the
Kraken's Maw that he'd stolen from the Hull of Records.
The Blue Prints
The Kraken's Maw is a large ship about 100ft long from bow
to stern, and 30ft from port to starboard. In the center of the
main deck, there's a 15ft x 10ft cargo hatch that leads down
to the cargo hold. There are four levels to the ship.
1. Quarterdeck
2. Main Deck
3. Living Quarters/Galley
4. Cargo Hold
The quarterdeck is the uppermost deck. It begins at the back
of the ship, extending about 25ft, overhanging the main deck
about 10ft high. The helm of the ship is located here. There is
one ladder that leads up to the quarterdeck on the front left-
hand side of the ship.
The main deck is mostly open area, with a few barrels,
chains, and ropes scattered about. In the middle of this deck,
there is a 15ft x 10ft cargo hatch shaft that descends about
20ft directly down into the cargo hold. Cpt. Lazlo's living
quarters are located underneath the quarterdeck. The main
mast is placed between the captain's quarters and the cargo
hatch. The mast is 50ft tall with rungsticking out of it, leading
up to a crow's nest. There are also four cannons set up on
this deck, two on each side, pointed outward.
Next floor down is the general living quarters and galley.
The living quarters are an open room consisting of basic
hammocks, however there are also six cannons in this room
as well. Towards the front of the ship is a small, rudimentary
galley where food is prepared. At the back of the living the
galley, there's a small pantry with a hidden trap door that
leads down into the cargo hold.
The cargo hold is a wide open space, but is most likely
tightly packed with cargo.
After going through the map with them, Ytt will tell them
that Rurik has hired a completely new crew and is planning
to set sail in the next few days.
Having delivered on his promise, Ytt will ask the group for
50gp as payment. The group can try to talk that price down
with a Persuasion check. If they refuse to pay or attempt to
intimidate him, he may decide to double-cross them later and
rat them out to Cpt. Lazlo.
Part 2: Best Laid Plans
At this point, the story is your players' hands. With the
information given and their particular abilities and skills, they
can begin to form a plan. There are a multitude things they
can do to help set up their plans. Here are a couple directions
you can point your players in to aid them if they get stuck.
1. The Pit: Lazlo's hiring a completely new crew. The
Kraken's Maw is a rather large ship and needs a decent
sized crew. Most of Lazlo's new crew can be found getting
drunk and wrestling crocodiles at The Pit. The players
may decide to fight, assimilate, impersonate, or bribe
members the crew here.
2. The Market: There is a thriving trade district in Riptide
represented by the Riptide Market. Many things can be
found here such as weapons, gun powder, potions, and
other magical items if you have the coin and know where to
look. Players can roll checks using Investigation,
Perception, or Persuausion with higher rolls increasing the
helpfullness and quality of what they find.
Of course there are any number of ways your players may
decide to approach this heist, but in any plan they may need
to interact with members of Lazlo's crew or obtain valuable
equipment and resources, so The Pit and Riptide Market are
places you can present to them as potential options of solving
these problems.
Keep in mind that Lazlo thinks they are still on the
island. The more conspicuous they make
themselevs, the more likely it is that word could
get back to Lazlo that they are in Riptide. So as
your players are setting up their plan, if they are not
being discrete, you can roll a general Perception
check or a straight luck check to see if they're
spotted. In which case, Lazlo may be ready for
them.
Part 3: All Aboard
Once the players have laid out their plan, they'll ultimately
need to get onto the ship to accomplish their goal. The
following is what you're players may encounter in each
section of the ship.
Main Deck: During the daytime there will be more crew
present performing various tasks aboard the ship. While
this can make it easier for the players to hide in plain
sight, it may also make it more difficult for them to get into
certain parts of the ship unnoticed. There will be a
quartermaster present during the day, who may try to put
the players to work as well. At night, the activity on the
main deck will be much less, with only a few crew
memebers standing guard. This could make it easier to
sneak on board undetected, but may also make it harder to
cover up if they get caught.
Quarterdeck: During the day, Cpt. Lazlo may be at the
helm on the quarterdeck overlooking the main deck.
"Proudly resting his massive hand upon the ship's
helm, you see a hulking hippopotumus-looking
humanoid covered from head to studded brown
leathers with ornate blue trim that you known all
too well is Captain Rurik Lazlo. Across his back you
can see the hilt of a greatsword, but your
attention's not on that as much as it's on his hip,
where you can see the holstered custom-made rifle
he calls The Siren because he, 'loves to hear her
sing.'"
At night, the quarterdeck will have two armed
crewmembers on guard while Cpt. Lazlo is asleep in his
quarters.
Crow's Nest: There is always an armed crewmember on
watch in the crow's nest at all times.
Living Quarters: The crew's living quarters take up most
of the second level. During the day, the players may find
crew members going about their business, and while the
number of crew may be higher, they may also be
distracted by their assigned duties. At night, only the crew
assigned to guard the ship will be present, so the number
will be lower and any crew in the living quarters will most
likely be asleep.
 Galley: The galley is about half the size of the captain's
quarters located directly above it. Cramped with a cast
iron stove and a shelves of spices and knives. During the
day, a cook can be found prepapring rations for the
voyage. At night, the cook won't be present.
Pantry: The pantry is a small room with the walls covered
in stocked shelves. On the floor, there's a trap door. The
trap door is locked. A DC 15 thieves' tools check is
required to pick the lock and descend intot he cargo hold.
Part 4: Held
The cargo hold is tightly packed with barrels and crates. The
only light in the room comes from the opening of the cargo
hatch shaft, leading up to the main deck. So, at night, the
room is nearly pitch black. The cargo hold is completely
covered in webbing from floor to ceiling (as if by the Web
spell (DC 13 Str Save), making moving through the room
difficult terrain. Towards the back of the room, there's an
ornate chest. The players can attempt to move through the
webs with a DC 15 (18 if it's dark and they don't have
darkvison) Dex/Acrobatics check to avoid getting caught in
the webs. Hidden amongst the webbing are silver strands
linked to an Alarm spell. If any of the players get caught in the
web, roll a luck check. On a 10 or lower, they trigger one of
the silent alarms.
Once they've made it to through the webs, they'll come to
the chest. The wood of the chest is strained black. The chest
will not open, but there is no visible lock. On the front of the
chest, there's a circular tile made of gold. Engraved in the
center of the tile is a design that looks like rows of concentric
teeth, like that of a kraken's mouth with eight tentacles
stretching out to the edges. Underneath the tile, there's an
inscription that reads:
"Eight arms that grab. Eight arms that clasp. Eight
arms that hold you in their grasp. And though there
are eight, that number is nein. What numbered
arms have got you entwined?"
The tile is a magical lock. In order to safely unlock the chest,
the players need to rotate the tile 10 times (as in ten-tacles).
Any failed attempt to unlock the chest will set off the trap. If
the trap is activated, each creature within 5ft of the chest
must make a DC 13 Dex Saving throw or take 2d6 piercing
damage as sharp teeth burst out from the chest in all
direction. Lazlo will also be made aware if the lock was failed.
Your players may try other creative ways of getting into the
chest. They can attempt to Dispel Magic on the lock with a
DC 18 Arcana check. They can also try to break open the
chest, however it's immune to non-magical damage and has
an AC of 18 with 25hp. Striking the chest with a weapon or
spell attack will set off the trap and alert Lazlo. You players
may just decide to take the entire chest with them. The chest
is relatively heavy and will require a DC 15 Str/Athletics
check to carry solo, but can be carried by two or more
without a check. Players will have disadvantage on their
Dexterity checks to get through webs while carrying the
chest. However, even if the chest is removed from the ship,
Lazlo will know where the chest is if the trap is set off at any
time.
If the players successfully get into the safe they will find
5,000gp, an assortment of gems and jewelry worth around
1,500gp, and the Map of Fathoms. The Map of Fathoms is a
legendary artifact that shows the locations of other powerful
magical items and ancient beings of the sea in real-time. With
an action, once/day, the Map allows you to make a DC 20 Cha
check with advantage to attempt to dominate a creature of
the sea for 24 hours. The Map of Fathoms requires
attunement.
Part 5: High Tide
If your players are lucky and executed their plans well, they
may get away without a big fight. However, there are many
points along the way where the players could be caught. If
they are spotted or found out in any way, Lazlo will allow
them to take the Map from his vault, but acitvate the
Hallowed Necklace around his neck. When activated, the
Necklace acts as if the hallowed spell were cast on a
particular location of the wearer's choice in a 100ft sphere,
having the effect of Extradimensional Interference,
meaning creatures can't move or travel using teleportation or
by extradimensional or interplanar means. The Necklace has
an AC of 15 and 20hp.
Lazlo will allow the players to reemerge on the main deck,
where he'll be waiting for them with 8 crew members ready
to fight. If Lazlo sees the fight going south, he may try to flee
so he may enact his revenge down the road. After the battle is
over, Riptide officals will descend upon the Kraken's Maw.
Pirate on pirate violence is illegal in Riptide and your players
may need to make make a quick get away or be apprehended
and taken into custody. If they manage to escape, they will be
exiled from Riptide and barred from every returning.
Epilogue
There are many different outcomes to this adventure that you
can spin-off into new advenutres for these characters. If they
are apprehended by the Riptide militia, perhaps they'll need
to do a prison break. If Lazlo escapes, maybe they'll want to
track him down and finish him off. If they have to flee, maybe
it can becoem a survival campaign where your players are on
the run from Lazlo as outlaws from both the pirate world and
civilized society. Or if they successfully obtain the Map fo
Fathoms, there could be a treasure hunt campaign in your
future! Talk to your players, if they really enjoyed this one-
shot, see if they may want to continue on with these
characters and this story.
Cpt. Rurik Lazlo Crosshairs. Lazlo can forgo his movement for the round
to give himself advantage on his attacks with The Siren
medium humanoid (giff), neutral evil
until the end of his turn using a bonus action.
Armor Class 17 (splint armor) Cunning Shot The damage dealt by Lazlo's firearms
Hit Points 76 (9d10 + 27) ignores resistances and immunities.
Speed 30ft.
Indomitable. Lazlo can reroll a failed saving throw. He
must use the new roll, and you can't use this feature
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA again until after a long rest.
18 (+4) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 9 (-1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) Actions
Skills Athletics +8, Deception +7, Intimidation +7, Multiattack. Lazlo can makes two attacks on his turn
Persuasion +7, Firearms, Water Vehicles using his firearms or his greatsword.
Saves Str +8, Con +6 The Siren. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range
Senses passive Perception 12 120ft., two-handed, one target. Hit 12 (2d8 + 3)
Languages Common, Undercommon, Primordial piercing damage.
Challenge 7 (2900 XP)
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft.,
Sniper. +2 bonus to attack rolls made with ranged two-handed, one target. Hit 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing
weapons. damage
Lightning Round. Using an action, The Siren fires
Second Wind. Lazlo can use a bonus action to regain hit lightning from you it in a straight line that is 1 foot
points equal to 1d10 + 9. This feature regenerates after wide and 30 feet long. Each creature in the line must
a short or long rest. make a DC 15 DEX saving throw, taking 3d8 lightning
Collateral Damage. Lazlo has altered his ammunition to damage on a failure and half as much on a success.
have explosive capabilities. When he hits a target with This feature regenerates after a short or long rest.
a successful attack with The Siren, all creatures within Action Surge. On your turn, you can take one additional
5 feet of the target must succeed on a DC 15 DEX action. This feature regenerates after a short or long
saving throw or take 1d6 piercing damage. rest.

Crew Member
Medium humanoid (any race), chaotic neutral

Armor Class 12 (leather armor)

Hit Points 11 (2d8+2)
Speed 30ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

11 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)

Senses passive Perception 10

Languages Any One Language (Usually Common)
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Actions
Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach
5ft., one target. Hit 4 (1d6 + 1)
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit,
reach 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: (1d8 + 1) piercing
damage.