Post by Head Moderator on Jan 9, 2015 0:15:53 GMT -5
The Oozing Brook runs from the Bristleback Mountains, all the way to the sea. Thus, there is a lot of trade on the water, especially from Swerdscree to the sea. River transport of goods is preferable from Swerdscree, both because it's less expensive and because bandits haunt the road. However, the river has its share of dangers. Barge pirates operate from time to time below Swerdscree, where they can hide in the forest between raids. Barge pirates are not usually a big problem; they strike once or twice and then disappear for some reason.
Then, reports come in of a new group of pirates that don't steal goods. Instead, they blockade the river and demand tolls to pass. As the days pass, both towns send out forces to eliminate these pirates, but these pirates seem to have magic (or luck, or good planning) on their side because the weather is always in their favor. Some are captured or killed, but the group is not stopped and barge/boat captains pay the tolls to move their vessels.
In Swerdscree, a merchant named Sadie Orero has suffered too much loss to these new barge pirates, and she wants something done about it. Since the pirates are somehow evading the authorities on a regular basis, she thinks the authorities are not to be trusted and turns to adventurers. She is willing to offer a handsome reward.
These are OPTIONS that you can use to change up the scenario.
Ideas for Motivations
Sadie is genuinely concerned about her business and is up front with the PCs.
Sadie is not hiring the PCs at all. One of the hags (see below) impersonates her via magic and hires the PCs. The hags want to be rid of their "partners" and think this is the best way of severing the relationship.
Sadie wants revenge. She tried to make a deal with the pirates, but they refused, so she wants them eliminated. Her business is of secondary concern.
Ideas for Complications
The barge pirates don't have a wizard among them. They have made a deal with a hag covey that lives in the swamp, and the hags provide weather control support, along with other spell support and even physical intervention, in exchange for half the proceeds. The hags use the money for some project that is not related to the barge pirates, and would find other ways of stealing the money if the barge pirates are eliminated.
The hags are not real. Instead, they are the creation of a group of evil fey that lives in the swamps. By this subterfuge, the fey protect themselves from discovery should the pirates be captured.
A rival of Sadie's is taking advantage of the situation and having his captains pay the pirates to charge Sadie's vessels (or those carrying her cargoes) more. This rival hopes to drive her out of business without being personally involved.
Vessels that pay the pirates are still being attacked and destroyed from time to time. The hags use illusions, undead, and even river creatures to destroy boats that have cargoes they want.