The River Pirates

The River Pirates of Nulb, a loose confederation of outlaws and smugglers, have long ruled the waters of the Velverdyva River and the Imeryd's Run. With a variety of colorful characters and ships, they bring life, commerce, and chaos to the infamous village of Nulb. Although they are known for their illicit activities, their influence in the area continues to grow, especially as the Temple of Elemental Evil seeks their services. In this article, we’ll delve into the background, hierarchy, and notable crews of these river-dwelling marauders.

Overview of the River Pirates

Nulb, a town of scoundrels and shadowy deals, has always maintained a "friendship" with river pirates. However, in recent years, a pirate named Tolub has solidified his control over the area, raising tension along the Velverdyva as competing captains test his authority. Pirates and smugglers operating in Nulb are bound by various self-made charters, which dictate their shares, responsibilities, and crew conduct. While the pirates have little legal oversight, they adhere to their own strict codes of conduct and hierarchy, with captains often elected democratically by their crews.

• Primary Gathering Spots: Pirates frequent the 43: Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market on the north side of town, and occasionally the Waterside Hostel.
• Rising Tensions: Captain Tolub’s control over Nulb has created friction among other captains, with tribute payments required to use the port.
• Charters and Codes: Pirate crews follow written charters that assign shares and outline responsibilities for each position, from the captain to the carpenter.

Pirate Hierarchy and Crew Structure

Each pirate vessel operates under a charter, a document that outlines responsibilities, shares of treasure, and the governance of the crew. Unlike traditional navy ships, these crews have a democratic flair, with captains elected by majority vote. The following example of a typical pirate charter demonstrates the hierarchy.

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Secrets and Hidden Agendas

The River Pirates of Nulb serve as more than just smugglers and thieves; they are pawns in a larger game as the Temple of Elemental Evil strengthens its grip on the region. Here’s what the DM should know about the hidden activities and alliances brewing among these pirates.

• Tolub’s Influence: Captain Tolub control over Nulb serves as a barrier to external pirate crews who may seek their own profits from Nulb’s resources. While some pirate captains pay him tribute, many harbor resentments.
• Vesrek and the Crimson Trader: Captain Marad Vesrek operates under the Slave Lords, secretly transporting slaves to the Temple of Elemental Evil. Vesrek is a dangerous opponent with allies in high places.
• Sister Mercy’s Dark Faith: Redond’s crew worships Orcus, and they are known to conduct dark rites onboard. They provide sacrifices and slaves to the Temple as offerings to their vile deity.
• Tricky McCallister’s Temple Dealings: Tricky McCallister, captain of the Tramp Queen, acts as a supplier to the Temple of Elemental Evil. His crew is known for their discretion, making them valuable assets for covert shipments.

Possible Adventure Hooks

• Infiltration: PCs could try to infiltrate a crew as new recruits to gather information on Temple activities.
• Conflict Among Crews: Rising tensions between Tolub’s crew and other captains provide an opportunity for PCs to exploit rivalries.
• Intercepting Contraband: Adventurers might be tasked with intercepting or sabotaging shipments heading to the Temple.

The River Pirates of Nulb

The village of Nulb, with its reputation for lawlessness and secrecy, has become a favorite base for several notorious river pirate crews. These bands of cutthroats and smugglers use the town's lack of oversight to conduct trade, unload stolen goods, and occasionally carouse at local taverns like the Boatman’s Tavern and the Waterside Hostel. Below is a detailed list of these pirate crews, their leaders, and the types of ships they use to navigate and control the riverways around Nulb.

1. The Iron Dagger

• Captain: Tolub, a ruthless and brawny Level 8 Fighter
• Ship Type: The Iron Dagger. Wide-hulled river barge with reinforced hull, ideal for ramming and defending against boarding
• Crew Size: 20 (typically, a quarter are docked in Nulb, others are patrolling or stationed on the ship)

Crew Overview

• 1st Mate: Level 4, AC 16, HP 23 (Chain + Shield), Longsword
• 2nd Mate: Level 4, AC 16, HP 21 (Chain + Shield), Morningstar
• Bosun: Level 2, AC 14, HP 12 (Chain), Battleaxe
• 3 B’mates: Level 0, AC 16, HP 6-7, Longsword or Bastard Sword
• Sailors: 18 Level 0, AC 11 (leather), HP 3-5

Ship Details

• Length: 70 ft
• Crew Armament: Light ballista for ranged attacks, reinforced ram on prow
• Function: The Iron Dagger operates as a patrol and raiding ship, ensuring safe passage for those who pay tribute, while ambushing any vessels that refuse Tolub’s demands.

2. Crimson Trader

The crew of a The Crimson Trader functions much more like a military ship than a typical pirate operation. As such, there is no pirate charter, and each member of the crew is payed a base amount of coins weekly along with the possibility of earning additional bonuses should hauls be particularly good. The rules of this ship are different because it is part of a much larger organization. Note: the party should notice that this is a powerful ship with several armored and hardened warriors walking the deck. A level of intimidation should be apparent. The players are unlikely to fare well in a direct assault against a Devil’s Song.

• Captain: Marad Vesrek a mysterious Half-Elf (Fighter 6 / Magic-User 6)
• Ship Type: Flat-bottomed galley suited for transporting slaves and evading shallow waters
• Crew Size: 35, with additional slaves on board

Crew Overview

• First Mate Karith “Scar” Drayal,
• Quartermaster T’rallak “The Chainkeeper” Vornath,
• Bosun Lira “Two Tongues” Vekkel
• Warriors: 20 Level 2 Fighters, AC 16 (Splint), HP 18 each
• Sailors: 10 Level 0, AC 10, HP 3-5
• Slaves: 27 held in chains, including Balric, a notable slave

Ship Details

• Length: 75 ft
• Armament: Heavy ballista at the bow, guarded storage compartments for contraband and slaves
• Function: The Crimson Trader functions as a militarized slave galley, part of a larger operation. Its intimidating crew and well-armed deck make it a dangerous vessel to approach.

3. Sister Mercy

Sister Mercy is a flat bottom galley pirate ship. The captain is Redond (though he is typically referred to as the “Cardinal”), and he relies on his family members to crew the ship. Every single crew member, from officer to cabin boy, is related to Cardinal Redond.
This ship of pirates would hardly be known if it weren’t for the two brothers, Mallandamus and Senyig. The two have reached near legendary status along the Velverdyva River. Both are known to be incredibly competent and incredibly deadly.

• Captain: Redond, a cleric of Orcus and ruthless patriarch of his pirate family
• Ship Type: Single-mast galley, reinforced for close combat and family operations
• Crew Size: 12 family members, all blood relatives

Crew Overview

• Leadership: Maureen (wife and Sailing Mistress), Mallandamus (son and champion), Senyig (son and assassin), Barbary (daughter and priest of Orcus)
• Carpenter: Labingi, leather crossbow
• Cabin boy: Cecil , dagger
• Sailors: Pannagan, Hildagaard, Oakfoot, Tabitha, Merovic, leather club, dagger

Ship Details

• Length: 60 ft
• Armament: Spiked hull for boarding, short-range crossbows for each crew member
• Function: The Sister Mercy is notorious for its brutality. The family crew operates as a tight-knit, lethal unit, specializing in boarding attacks.

4. Nature’s Wine

Nature’s Wine is a merchant flat bottom galley vessel that will sometimes arrive in Nulb for trading. The captain and owner of the ship is named Sacha Tawil. This is a small single mast merchant ship with a crew of eight, including Captain Sacha. Most of these men are green, and because they are still trying to make a name for themselves they are willing to do business in less than reputable areas like Nulb. The cargo hold of this ship is filled with grain and beans.

• Captain:Sacha Tawil, a young and ambitious merchant
• Ship Type: Flat-bottomed merchant galley for smuggling goods under the guise of trade
• Crew Size: 8 inexperienced sailors

Crew Overview

• Quartermaster: Panalar, Level 0, HP 6, short sword, short bow
• Boatswain: keyren
• Carpenter: Perric
• Other Crew Members: 7 sailors: Rocar First Mate, Balra, Faelee, Everlin, leather short sword, short bow

Ship Details

• Length: 55 ft
• Function: Nature’s Wine appears to be a legitimate trading vessel, hauling grain and beans. However, it is known to take on riskier business, often ferrying illicit goods to profit from Nulb’s black market.

5. Tramp Queen

Tricky McCallister is an eccentric and wealthy man and is the captain and master of the merchant ship the Tramp Queen. With the rise of the Temple happening in the area, Tricky is taking advantage of the potential profit to be made. He has deep ties with the Temple of Elemental Evil, and he is the number one supplier of goods that the Temple leaders cannot procure locally: weapons, armor, ale and wine and liquor, as well as spices, cloth, and oil being the most trafficked items. (All of the aforementioned goods can be found in the cargo hold of the ship if it is just arriving in port.)

• Captain: Tricky McCallister, eccentric and wealthy, with deep ties to the Temple of Elemental Evil
• Ship Type: Merchant vessel with reinforced cargo holds for illicit goods
• Crew Size: 7, including several veteran sailors

Crew Overview

• Key Crew: Idras (Quartermaster), Beddis (Boatswain), Yedder (First Mate)
• Other Sailors: 4, lightly armored, Yala, Anzer, Jerin, level 0, leather short sword, short bow

Ship Details

• Length: 60 ft
• Armament: Hidden compartments in cargo hold, optimized for smuggling Temple-required goods
• Function: The Tramp Queen is used to smuggle goods necessary for the Temple of Elemental Evil, including weapons, armor, and other supplies. Its captain has earned a reputation for slipping past authorities undetected.

Overview of the Pirate Crews in Nulb

• The Iron Dagger with Captain Tolub: The most notorious of the river pirates, with heavy crews and a reputation for strong-arm tactics. They often patrol the rivers, collecting tribute or ambushing vessels that refuse to pay.
• The Crimson Trader (Captain Vesrek): Part of a larger slave-trading network, Crimson Trader intimidates with a militarized crew and heavily fortified galley. Its captains and lieutenants are known for using dark magic to ensure obedience and terror.
• The Sister Mercy (Redond): A family affair, this ship is infamous for the loyalty of its crew and the deadly coordination they exhibit in battle. Their allegiance to Orcus makes them especially dangerous.
• Nature’s Wine (Sacha Tawil): A merchant vessel that dabbles in illegal trade, willing to operate in the shadows to make a name for itself.
• Tramp Queen (Tricky McCallister): Primarily a smuggler, this vessel supplies the Temple of Elemental Evil with critical materials. The crew’s loyalty to the Temple makes them key players in the rise of dark power in the region.
• These crews collectively create an environment in Nulb where piracy, smuggling, and dark alliances thrive, with the village itself acting as a central hub for river-based lawlessness.

Conclusion

The River Pirates of Nulb are more than just a band of criminals; they are a network of rogues with ties to the dark forces at play in the region. Each crew has its own unique structure, loyalties, and hidden agendas, making the pirates both a formidable foe and a potential resource for adventurers. As the Temple of Elemental Evil’s influence grows, these pirates could either bolster its power—or be the key to its undoing.

Position	Shares of Treasure	Primary Responsibilities
Captain	2 shares	Command and inspire the crew
Sailing Master	2 shares	Navigation
Quartermaster	2 shares	Discipline and order
Boatswain	1.5 shares	Supplies and ship maintenance
Ballister	1.5 shares	Manages the ballista
Carpenter	1.5 shares	Repairs and ship maintenance
Mate	1.5 shares	Assists various officers
Cleric	2 shares	Healing and religious rites
Regular Crew	1 shares	General duties

_{*Each ship's crew size and structure vary, but this table provides a standard model for pirate operations on the Velverdyva.}

"Fortune on the water, mercy to none."

The River Pirates by 3orcs

Notable Ships and Captains

Below are the prominent ships that dock in Nulb, each with a unique background and a captain whose reputation spreads far across the Velverdyva River.

1. The Iron Dagger – Captain Tolub

• Captain: Tolub, a hardened pirate and Level 8 Fighter.
• Crew: A mix of well-armed pirates and loyalists to Tolub.
• Description: The Iron Dagger is a symbol of Tolub's dominance over Nulb’s waters. Tolub’s crew is disciplined and fiercely loyal, ensuring that his control over Nulb remains undisputed.
• Lieutenant: Grud Squinteye is a cunning Level 6 Fighter known for his brutal tactics.
• Crew: A rowdy, less disciplined bunch, infamous for their bar fights and heavy drinking.

2. The Crimson Trader – A Ship of Slavers

• Captain:Marad Vesrek (Half-Elf Fighter/Mage) a calculating and ruthless pirate captain, commands the slaver ship The Crimson Trader. Operating under the guise of a simple merchant along the waterways of Greyhawk, Vesrek is a key player in the Temple of Elemental Evil’s covert operations.
• Crew: A mix of hardened warriors, illusionists, and slaves.
• Description: The The Crimson Trader operates like a military ship, with a strict chain of command. Captain Marad Vesrek and his crew exude a dark, intimidating aura, making it clear they are not to be trifled with. This ship functions as part of a larger slave-trading network, avoiding traditional pirate charters in favor of fixed wages.

3. Sister Mercy – The Family Ship

The Sister Mercy is a modest yet infamous single-mast pirate ship, plying the waterways of the Velverdyva River and the Imeryds Run.

• Captain: Redond, also known as “The Cardinal,” a Cleric of Orcus.
• Crew: Redond’s family members, including deadly siblings Mallandamus and Senyig.
• Description: Every crew member on Sister Mercy is related, creating a close-knit yet deadly dynamic. The ship is notorious for its dark religious overtones, with family members serving as both pirates and devout followers of Orcus.

4. Nature’s Wine – The Merchant Ship

• Captain: Sacha Tawil, a merchant with a crew of green sailors.
• Crew: Young and inexperienced, primarily focusing on trade rather than combat.
• Description: Though not a true pirate vessel, Nature’s Wine ventures into Nulb to profit from its cheap port fees and to trade in illicit goods. Sacha’s ship is modestly outfitted and carries grain, beans, and other necessities.

5. The Tramp Queen – Supplier to the Temple

• Captain: Tricky McCallister, a shrewd merchant with ties to the Temple of Elemental Evil.
• Crew: Experienced traders and smugglers.
• Description: The Tramp Queen supplies the Temple with contraband, including weapons and liquor. Tricky’s crew is well-compensated and carefully selected for their loyalty and discretion.

Type

Illicit, Pirate Crew

Leader

Tolub

Location

Nulb

Controlled Territories

• 29. Grud’s Cottage

Notable Members

• Grud Squinteye
• Tolub
• Tricky McCallister

Related Species

• Humans of Greyhawk

Related Ethnicities

• Baklunish Bakluni
• Flannae Flan
• Rhennee Rhenn-folk
• Suloise Suel

Devils Song by 3orcs

River Pirates by 3orcs