Page 203 - ghosts-of-saltmarsh

INFESTATION table. The captain, first mate, bosun, and quartermas-
Provisioning a sea journey is challenging, particularly ter each make an ability check, as shown on the Storm
when allocating what to pack for the voyage. A rat infes- Checks table. This check takes the place of any other
tation or an outbreak of even a minor illness can spell activities that the officer might undertake that day. rep-
disaster at sea. This type of hazard covers illnesses, in- resenting their contribution to keeping the ship afloat. If
festations, spoiled supplies, and other troubles that wear no one makes the check for a particular officer, a failure
away a crew's health. is contributed toward the group check. Also, roll a d20
Each day a ship spends dealing with an infestation for the crew, using its quality score as a modifier to the
requires those aboard to make a group check. The roll, and compare that check to the DC.
check's DC is randomly determined or chosen from the Determine how many of the group's checks suc-
Inf estation DCs table. The captain, first mate, surgeon, ceeded-the officers' and the crew's then consult the
and cook each make an ability check, as shown on the Storm Check Results table.
fnfestation Checks table. This check takes the place of
any other activities that the officer might undertake that STORM DCs
day. If no one makes the check for a particular officer. a DC Description
failure is contributed toward the group check. Also, roll
10 Heavy gale
a d20 for the crew, using its quality score as a modifier 15 Strong storm
to the roll, and compare that check to the DC.
20 Typical hurricane
Determine how many of the group's checks suc-
ceeded- the officers' and the crew's - then consult the 25 Overwhelming hurricane
Infestation Check Results table.
STORM CHECKS
INFESTATION DCs
Officer Check
DC Description Captain Intelligence (water vehicles)
10 Minor bug or rat infestation, common cold First mate Charisma (Intimidation)
15 Persistent bug or rat infestation, stomach ailment Bosun Strength (carpenter's tools)
or typical flu Quartermaster Wisdom (Nature)
20 Serious bug or rat infestation, contagious flu or
spoiled food
STORM CHECK RESULTS
25 Overwhelming bug or rat infestation, lethal plague
Result Effect
Total Success The ship survives unscathed. The crew's
INFESTATION CHECKS
quality score increases by 1 for ld4 days.
Officer Check Success The ship survives unscathed.
Captain Intelligence (water vehicles) Failure The ship's components each take 4d10
First mate Charisma (Persuasion) bludgeoning damage. The crew's quality
Surgeon Intelligence (medicine) score decreases by 1. The ship struggles,
Cook Constitution (cook's utensils) moving at half speed that day.
Total Failure The ship's components each take 10d10
INFESTATION CHECK RESULTS bludgeoning damage. The crew's quality
score decreases by 2, and 10 percent of
Result Effect
the crew is washed overboard and lost.
Total Success The crew's quality score increases by l for
The ship is blown off course and struggles
1d4 days, and the hazard ends.
to recover its bearings, moving in a ran-
Success The hazard ends.
dom direction.
Failure The crew's quality score decreases by l.
Total Failure The crew's quality score decreases by l,
and the distraction caused by the crisis OCEAN ENVIRONS
forces the ship to move at half speed that For those who dwell on land, the sea is an alien world
day. filled with unpredictable hazards. Yet rare treasures
hide in the depths, making such clangers well worth the
STORM risk for brave and brazen mariners. This section details
Winds and towering waves toss ships like bath toys. a variety of environmental features one might encounter
Snowstorms batter vessels venturing too far north. Hur- both on and beneath the waves.
ricanes consume whole armadas. More common and
deadlier than most sea monsters. storms claim more BLUE HOLES
ships than any other threat on the high seas. A blue hole is a circular sinkhole that forms on the bed
Each day a ship spends involved in a storm requires of the sea in shallow water. The deep blue water of the
those aboard to make a group check. The check's DC hole creates a stark contrast with the lighter color of the
is randomly determined or chosen from the Storm DCs

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