The Crimson Trader

The Crimson Trader, commanded by the sinister half-elf Captain Marad Vesrek, is a formidable vessel designed for military precision and brutal efficiency.Known throughout the waterways of Greyhawk, this vessel operates with precision and brutality, ferrying slaves, contraband, and ill-gotten riches. The Crimson Trader is as much a weapon as it is a tool of commerce, carrying out the sinister ambitions of the Slave Lords and fostering covert alliances with the Temple of Elemental Evil.

"Discipline is the only law aboard this ship—break it, and you'll meet the lash or the blade." - Captain Vesrek

Overview

The Crimson Trader is a large, flat-bottomed galley built for both river and coastal operations. Its primary purpose is to transport slaves and contraband to Nulb and other locations under the influence of the Slave Lords and the Temple of Elemental Evil. The ship is infamous for its intimidating crew and its capability to outmaneuver and outfight most opponents.

Key Features

• Ship Type: Flat bottomed Slaver Galley.
• Function: Transportation of slaves and contraband.
• Captain: Commanded by Captain Prelos, a half-elf devil-worshiper.
• Home Port: Narwell, though it often finds refuge in Nulb.
• Reinforced oaken hull, blackened with pitch to absorb light.
• Concealed compartments for smuggling valuables.
• Mounted ballistae and iron-plated rams for naval combat.
• Regularly delivers slaves for sacrifices at the Temple of Elemental Evil.
• Operates under the guise of a merchant ship but raises purple sails during illicit activities.

Ship Structure

The Crimson Trader is divided into several functional areas:

• Command Deck: Houses the captain’s quarters and officer spaces.
• Barracks: Accommodates the 20 hardened warriors who act as enforcers.
• Crew Quarters: A modest space for the 10 sailors responsible for navigation and maintenance.
• Cargo Hold: Used for storing contraband and holding slaves, often in cramped and miserable conditions.

Key Points

• Captain’s Quarters: Wizard-locked and protected by a trapped chest (poison needle). Contains 1,000 gp, 1,000 ep, and 1,000 sp.
• Barracks: Holds well-armed warriors in splint mail.
• Cargo Hold: Often contains 27–28 slaves in deplorable conditions.

Operations

The Crimson Trader is integral to the Temple of Elemental Evil's plans, delivering slaves and supplies critical to their rituals. Prelos also facilitates contraband trading with buyers such as:

• Barkinar: A leader at the Greater Temple, requiring sacrifices for the Nodes.
• Lorveth “The Broker” Thrask: A half-orc merchant in Nulb who handles contraband.

"You’ve got two choices: work the oars or feed the river. Pick wisely." - First Mate Karith “Scar” Drayal

Key Details

• Arrival Schedule: Visits Nulb monthly, often coinciding with high-priority deliveries.
• Hidden Practices: Uses the cover of merchant operations but signals illicit intent with purple sails.
• Trade Dynamics: Profits from slave sales and contraband shipments.

"I’ve dragged more men to their doom than storms have sunk ships. Don’t tempt me to add your name to the list." - Quartermaster T’rallak “The Chainkeeper” Vornath

Role in Nulb

Key Operations in the Village

• Slave Trading Hub: The Crimson Trader supplies the Temple of Elemental Evil with slaves, primarily funneled through the Water Temple’s operations in Nulb.
• Economic Influence: Through illicit deals with local pirates and smugglers, the ship contributes to Nulb’s status as a den of vice and corruption.
• Temple Connections: Captain Vesrek maintains relationships with high-ranking Temple priests, including Belsornig of the Water Temple and Romag of the Earth Temple.

"Funny thing about people—they don’t look so big when they’re groveling. Makes my job easier." - Bosun Lira "Two Tongues" Vekkel

Tactical Summary

• Military Strength: Twenty armed warriors and elite officers.
• Defenses: Tight ship security with wizard locks, traps, and constant patrols.
• Intimidation Factor: The sight of the armored crew and enslaved captives instills dread.

Relationships with Notable Figures

• Lady Nysera Krivaltis and the Iron Talons: The Men of the Baroness: Marad respects Lady Nysera’s ambition but often manipulates her need for resources to his advantage.
• Captain Tolub: Though rivals, Vesrek and Marath occasionally collaborate on large-scale raids or smuggling operations.
• The Earth Temple: Supplies slaves for labor, securing Vesrek’s foothold in the Temple’s favor.

Docks of Nulb on the Imerydy Run by 3orcs

Conclusion

The Crimson Trader is more than just a slaver ship—it is a vessel of power, intrigue, and terror. With its ruthless captain and enigmatic crew, it serves as a linchpin in Nulb’s criminal underworld and the Temple of Elemental Evil’s schemes. Dungeon Masters can use the ship as a setting for high-stakes encounters, moral dilemmas, and battles that test their players’ mettle.

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Adventure Hooks

• Sabotaging Deliveries: PCs intercept the Crimson Trader, disrupting the Temple’s supply of sacrifices.
• Slave Liberation: Rescue slaves from the cargo hold, including Balric, who could become a valuable ally.
• Liberate the Slaves: The adventurers are hired to intercept the Crimson Trader and free its cargo of captives.
• Uncover the Brotherhood: Investigate Captain Vesrek’s connections to the Scarlet Brotherhood and decide how to leverage this knowledge.
• Temple Machinations: The adventurers learn that a high-ranking Temple leader is aboard the ship, using it to escape from pursui
• A Captive’s Desperate Plea: The adventurers discover a plea for help—a note hidden in the belongings of a wealthy merchant captured by Vesrek. Can they intercept The Crimson Trader or infiltrate the House of Gilded Chains to rescue the captive before it’s too late?
• Uncover the Ledger: The adventurers learn of Vesrek’s hidden ledger and its incriminating details. Obtaining it could disrupt the slave trade and bring both men to justice—or serve as a powerful tool for blackmail.
• Rivalry Gone Too Far: Vesrek grows frustrated with Thrask’s cautious methods and hires the adventurers to sabotage the House of Gilded Chains, sparking chaos among Nulb’s factions.
• The Temple’s Hidden Hand: The adventurers uncover evidence of the Temple of Elemental Evil’s influence in the slave trade, forcing them to navigate a web of deception, greed, and violence to expose its machinations.

Captain Vesrek Secrets

• Scarlet Brotherhood Ties: Captain Vesrek’s true allegiance may lie with the Scarlet Brotherhood, who use the Crimson Trader to further their shadowy agendas.
• Slave Rebellion: A faction of slaves aboard the ship is secretly plotting their escape, creating a potential ally—or complication—for adventurers.
• Hidden Treasures: A concealed compartment in the captain’s quarters holds an enchanted map detailing the locations of hidden river routes and safe harbors.

Consequences of Interference

• Barkinar’s Wrath: Disrupting slave deliveries earns the ire of the Temple, leading to retaliatory measures.
• Nulb’s Balance: Captain Vesrek’ downfall could destabilize Nulb, opening opportunities for rival factions.

Connections Between Captain Vesrek and The House of Gnomes

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Captain Marad Vesrek’s Role in the Slave Trade

The Crimson Trader’s Purpose

Marad Vesrek’s Crimson Trader is infamous along the waterways of the Wild Coast and beyond. The ship is a mobile prison, designed to ferry human cargo in secret. Vesrek’s skill in navigating the Selintan River, Nyr Dyv, and Velverdyva River ensures a steady supply of captives reaches Nulb with minimal interference.

Primary Responsibilities

• Targeting Prey: Capturing merchants, wanderers, and isolated riverfolk through ambushes and deception.
• Ensuring Survivability: Maintaining captives in usable condition, often with brutal discipline.
• Negotiating Deliveries: Working closely with Lorveth to meet specific demands for captives.

Preferred Targets

• Merchants and Travelers: Capturing wealthy individuals for ransom.
• Skilled Workers: Craftsmen, laborers, and entertainers with resale value.
• Vulnerable Villagers: Coercing or kidnapping the weak and unprotected under false pretenses.

Hidden Records

Marad Vesrek keeps meticulous records of every slave delivered to Lorveth in a hidden ledger aboard The Crimson Trader. This ledger contains detailed accounts of transactions, including buyers, prices, and even descriptions of captives, making it a dangerous liability if discovered.

Lorveth “The Broker” Thrask’s Role in Distribution

The House of Gilded Chains
Lorveth’s base in Nulb is the center of the slave trade. From this fortified structure, he allocates captives to their grim fates, ensuring maximum profit while keeping his operation discreet.

Captive Assignments

• The Gladiator Pit: Strong captives are sent here to fight and die for the entertainment of Nulb’s denizens and as recruitment trials for bandits and pirates and agents of the Temple of Elemental Evil.
• Temple Offerings: The weakest or most expendable captives are handed over to Temple priests for sacrifices or undead creation.
• The Brothel: Attractive individuals are sent to Nulb’s brothel to serve under grim conditions.
• External Sales: Remaining captives are sold to factions across the region, including the Scarlet Brotherhood and other criminal enterprises.

"Chains Bind the Weak, the Strong Command the Tides."

Crimson trader by 3orcs

The Crew

The crew of the The Crimson Trader is highly specialized, operating in a strict hierarchy.

Captain Vesrek by 3orcs

Captain Marad Vesrek

Marad Vesrek, a calculating and ruthless pirate captain, commands the slaver ship The Crimson Reaver. Operating under the guise of a simple merchant along the waterways of Greyhawk.

• Manipulative, cunning, ruthless.
• Charismatic when necessary, but primarily intimidating.
• Speaks with precision and authority.
• Has no patience for weakness or sentimentality.

First Mate Karith “Scar” Drayal by 3orcs

First Mate Karith “Scar” Drayal

A gaunt, wiry man with a long scar tracing from his temple to his chin. His gauntlets are adorned with intricate carvings depicting chains and manacles.

• Role: Enforcer of discipline and operations aboard the Crimson Trader.
• Personality: Cruel and pragmatic, Karith thrives on fear and domination, using his scarred visage to intimidate even the most hardened crew members.
• Motivations: Karith dreams of someday claiming the Crimson Trader for himself, but his ambitions are tempered by his fear and respect for Captain Vesrek.
• Connections in Nulb: Karith often liaises with Lady Nysera's Iron Talons, negotiating protection in exchange for goods and information.

Quartermaster T’rallak “The Chainkeeper” Vornath

Massive and muscular half-orc, T’rallak’s hulking frame is matched by his deep-set eyes and numerous tribal tattoos that tell the story of his past battles.

• Role: Overseer of cargo and slaves, ensuring maximum efficiency during raids and transport.
• Personality: Stoic but fiercely protective of the ship’s “assets,” T’rallak views slaves as commodities to be safeguarded rather than abused.
• Motivations: T’rallak’s loyalty lies firmly with Marad Vesrek, whom he views as the only captain capable of ensuring his survival in a cutthroat world.
• Connections in Nulb: Frequently works with the Water Temple to supply slaves for their rituals and labor needs.

Bosun Lira 'Two Tongues' Vekkel by 3orcs

Bosun Lira “Two Tongues” Vekkel

Lira stands barely three feet tall Halfling hobniz, but her presence dominates any room. Her piercing green eyes seem to see through lies, and her deft hands are always busy with either a coin or a dagger. A thin scar across her neck hints at a close brush with death, though she never speaks of it.

• Role: Bosun and auctioneer for the Crimson Trader. Lira organizes the crew’s daily tasks and manages the ship’s “merchandise” during ports of call.
• Personality: Sardonic and cunning, Lira uses her sharp wit and diminutive size to disarm her enemies—until it’s too late for them to act. She has an uncanny ability to find leverage over others and uses it mercilessly to maintain her status aboard the ship.
• Motivations: Though fiercely loyal to Captain Vesrek, Lira secretly dreams of saving enough wealth to establish her own smuggling empire. She views her time on the Crimson Trader as a stepping stone toward that goal.
• Connections in Nulb: Lira frequently visits the Nulb Market, where she gathers information, sells “surplus goods,” and smooths over disputes between pirates and local factions.

The Deckhands: The Crimson Knots

A term for the crewmen aboard the Crimson Trader, the “Knots” are a motley assortment of pirates, mercenaries, and former slaves bound by a mixture of fear and greed.
Demographics: Humans (40%), Half-Orcs (25%), Tieflings (15%), Other (20%). Roles: Rowers: Power the oars during river journeys. Raiders: Conduct boarding actions and raids along riverbanks. Guards: Patrol the ship’s cargo hold, ensuring slaves remain subdued.

Sailors

Crew (10): Level 0 laborers tasked with sailing and maintaining the ship. Equipped with daggers and shortbows, they are minimally armed but loyal to Prelos.

Slaves

Typically, 27–28 malnourished slaves are held below deck. They are destined for sacrifice at the Temple of Elemental Evil. Balric, a former cavalier and the most notable slave, retains a glimmer of defiance despite his captivity.

Quick Reference

• Command Level: Prelos, Naahzruhn, Jerekoth, Belanna.
• Military Arm: 20 warriors, AC 4, HP 5–17, armed with swords, axes, and bows.
• Sailors: 10 sailors, AC 10, HP 2–5, equipped with daggers and shortbows.
• Slaves: 27–28 malnourished captives, mostly Level 0 with minimal equipment.

Type

Illicit, Pirate Crew

Leader

Marad Vesrek

Ruling Organization

The River Pirates

Location

Nulb

Notable Members

• Jerekoth
• Marad Vesrek

Related Species

• Humans of Greyhawk

Related Ethnicities

• Half-Elves