LEGENDS OF RUNETERRA: DARK TIDES

OF BILGEWATER
Start your adventure in a scoundrel's paradise. In Bilgewater, everything is for sale, and
fortune favors the bold.
Table Of Contents

1 Introduction 4 Chapter 3: Herald of the Harrowing

1.1 Chapters 4.1 Background
1.1.1 Chapter 1: Bilgewater Setting Guide 4.2 Overview
1.1.2 Chapter 2: Heroes and Scoundrels of Bilgewater 4.3 Part 1: Grim Shadows
1.1.3 Chapter 3: Herald of the Harrowing (For the 4.3.1 Where to Start
Dungeon Master’s Eyes Only!) 4.3.2 The Brazen Hydra
1.1.4 Chapter 4: Beasts of Bilgewater (For the 4.3.3 The Harrowing Begins
Dungeon Master’s Eyes Only!) 4.3.4 A Tale of Two Captains
1.1.5 Chapter 5: Booty of Bilgewater 4.3.5 Pursuing the Mist
1.2 Using this Source 4.4 Part 2: Chasing Ghosts
1.2.1 Abbreviations 4.4.1 The Salvage Docks
4.4.2 Eyes in the Dark
2 Chapter 1: Bilgewater Setting Guide 4.4.3 Areas of the Salvage Docks
2.1 History of Bilgewater 4.4.4 Confronting the Commander
2.1.1 Fall of the King 4.4.5 Blood in the Water
2.1.2 Fickle Fortune 4.4.6 A New Dawn
2.2 Bilgewater Today 4.5 Part 3: Turning Tides
2.2.1 Factions 4.5.1 Fickle Fortune
2.2.2 Enemies and Allies 4.5.2 The Saltwater Scourge
2.3 Economy and Trade 4.5.3 Other Adventures in Bilgewater
2.3.1 Bounty Hunting 4.5.4 The Shadow Isles
2.3.2 Monster Hunters 4.5.5 Mishaps and More
2.3.3 Salvage Divers
2.3.4 Piracy 5 Chapter 4: Beasts of Bilgewater
2.4 Religion in Bilgewater 5.1 How to Use Monster Stat Blocks
2.4.1 Buhru Religion 5.1.1 Abyssal Eye
2.4.2 The Tithe 5.1.2 Barkbeast
2.5 City Districts 5.1.3 Dragon Shark
2.5.1 Rat Town 5.1.4 Ironback
2.5.2 Slaughter Docks 5.1.5 Pool Shark
2.5.3 The Eyries 5.1.6 Powder Monkey
2.5.4 Fortune’s Glory 5.1.7 Wharf Rat
2.5.5 White Wharf 5.2 NPCs
2.6 Random Encounters in Bilgewater 5.2.1 Commander Ledros
2.6.1 Encounters A - F 5.2.2 Miss Fortune
2.6.2 Encounters G - N 5.2.3 Gangplank
2.6.3 Encounters O - S 6 Chapter 5: Booty of Bilgewater
2.6.4 Encounters T - Z 6.1 Magic Items
2.7 Beyond Bilgewater 6.1.1 Adaptive Helm
3 Chapter 2: Heroes and Scoundrels of Bilgewater 6.1.2 Banshee’s Veil
3.1 Races of Runeterra 6.1.3 Bilgewater Cutlass
3.2 Character Options 6.1.4 Blade of Ledros
3.2.1 Barbarian: Path of the Depths 6.1.5 Boots of Swiftness
3.2.2 Martial Archetype: Renegade 6.1.6 Dead Man’s Plate
3.2.3 Firearm Upgrades 6.1.7 Powder Keg
3.2.4 Minor Firearm Upgrades 7 Credits
3.2.5 Major Firearm Upgrades
3.2.6 Roguish Archetype: Wild Card
Introduction

W
elcome to Bilgewater, the most remarkable like the armored Nautilus and occult powers like the kraken
port in the world of Runeterra! D&D Beyond is priestess Illaoi and the eldritch River King Tahm Kench pay
thrilled to bring this renowned city to life, frequent visits to the grimy shores of Bilgewater.
giving you the tools to create your own
Legends of Runeterra-inspired Dungeons & These champions are far from the only people making waves
Dragons campaign. in Bilgewater, however. You now have the chance to create
your own characters and explore Runeterra’s most
This is a world of champions and monsters, of nations rising remarkable port, going on grand nautical adventures on
and falling in wars of conquest and magic. The many lands of galleons, exploring the unforgiving depths of the sea, or
Runeterra are bursting with adventures of all kinds, from delving into the unknown mysteries of the dark magic that
gritty street-level brawls to epic battles between supernatural lurks in Bilgewater’s shadows. If you’re a player, start by
powers, and Bilgewater is no exception. Packed to the gills reading the introduction of chapter 2: Heroes and Scoundrels
with smugglers, scofflaws, and scoundrels, Bilgewater is of Bilgewater and start making your character.
more than a common pirate haven, though it has more than
its fair share of pirates, too! Once you have your characters, your Dungeon Master (DM)
can use chapter 3: Herald of the Harrowing to start your
Even though this version of Bilgewater is described in great heroes’ adventures in Runeterra. This adventure is a pre-
detail, and adheres to Runeterra canon as frequently as made story set in Bilgewater to start your group’s stories.
possible, the adventures and story hooks in this source aren’t This adventure assumes that your characters are mercenary
canon. Let this free you from the need to create stories that adventurers seeking profit and excitement among the waves.
stick to canon details. Make up as many new stories, dangers,
and characters as you please! Your version of Bilgewater is
the only one that’s important, so long as you and your friends After you complete this adventure, your DM can use the rest
are having fun. of this source to create brand-new adventures for your group.
Once your first adventure is over, start thinking of a backstory
A number of Runeterra’s mightiest champions call Bilgewater and traits for your character and show that to your DM.
their home. The gunslinging pirate legends Miss Sarah Those will help your DM create a story that positions you and
Fortune and Gangplank have famously battled for control of your friends’ characters as the story’s heroes, not just
Bilgewater, and countless scoundrels have aligned glorified errand-runners for high-level NPCs.
themselves with these warring powers, seeking to wind up on
top when the gunsmoke clears. Masters of the ocean depths
Chapters Using this Source
This source is your portal to Bilgewater, allowing you to tell To use this book, you need a free copy of the D&D Basic
your own tales of high adventure with your friends. It’s split Rules. Your D&D games will be enhanced by owning the
into five chapters: D&D fifth edition core rulebooks: Player’s Handbook,
Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual, but they
Chapter 1: Bilgewater Setting aren’t necessary.
Guide
Text that appears in a box like this is meant to be read aloud or
This guide breaks down the history, factions, and politics of paraphrased for the players when their characters first arrive at
Bilgewater to give players and Dungeon Masters all the
backstory they need to play characters and NPCs from this a location or under a specific circumstance, as described in
scurvy port. Beyond this, all of the city’s districts are the text.
described in enough detail to create their own NPCs and
locations within them. Finally, a bounty of plot hooks and Abbreviations
small encounters are placed here for DMs to plunder and
adapt to their own stories. The following abbreviations appear in this book:
Chapter 2: Heroes and Scoundrels hp = hit points
of Bilgewater AC = Armor Class
DC = Difficulty Class
This chapter describes how to quickly create a character that XP = experience points
you can use to adventure in Bilgewater, starting at 3rd level NPC = nonplayer character
(the right level for the “Herald of the Harrowing” adventure). DM = Dungeon Master
Three new subclasses are also presented here: the pp = platinum piece(s)
barbarian’s Path of the Depths, the fighter’s Renegade gp = gold piece(s)
archetype, and the rogue’s Wild Card archetype. ep = electrum piece(s)
sp = silver piece(s)
Chapter 3: Herald of the cp = copper piece(s)
Harrowing (For the Dungeon
Master’s Eyes Only!)
Defend Bilgewater from the Harrowing as a mighty specter of
the Shadow Isles attempts to shroud all of Bilgewater Bay in
the deadly Black Mist. This adventure is everything a
Dungeon Master needs to play a one-shot set in Bilgewater.
It’s also the perfect starting point for a longer campaign set in
Bilgewater.
Chapter 4: Beasts of Bilgewater
(For the Dungeon Master’s Eyes
Only!)
This chapter includes the game statistics for all of the
monsters used in “Herald of the Harrowing", plus a few
extras. Dungeon Masters can use these monsters and NPCs
in conjunction with the monsters found in the free D&D
Basic Rules to put their players in grave, nautical peril!
Chapter 5: Booty of Bilgewater
No adventure is complete without magical treasure. Dungeon
Masters can give out the treasures described in this chapter
as rewards to their players as described in “Herald of the
Harrowing”, and as they complete their own homebrew
adventures.
Chapter 1: Bilgewater Setting Guide

B
ilgewater is an independent port city founded by Fall of the King
sea-monster hunters, smugglers, and pirates. It
is a haven where those fleeing debt, justice, or In the years that followed, a pirate captain named Gangplank
persecution can start over, without the burdens came to serve as the unofficial ruler of Bilgewater crowning
of a haunted past. This city of opportunity is himself the Reaver King. He held this position of influence for
also rife with dangers, surrounded by years until an attempted assassination on his life by a bounty
treacherous landscapes and seas teeming with hunter named Sarah Fortune. While Gangplank managed to
monsters. Despite its dangers, however, Bilgewater is a survive the attempt, his ship, and his most faithful followers
paradise where everything is for sale, and fortune favors the were destroyed, forcing him to disappear from public view.
bold. In the power vacuum following Gangplank's supposed
death, a ruling body called the Corsair's Conclave formed.
The Conclave was composed of the four most influential
History of Bilgewater captains in Bilgewater (including Sarah Fortune), and they
The city of Bilgewater began as an inhospitable stretch of divided Bilgewater into territories to enforce their rule.
land begrudgingly gifted by the Buhru to a group of refugees.
These refugees sought to escape the oppressive rule of the Fickle Fortune
mainland factions, wishing to start anew. Through luck and After some peaceful years, three members of the Corsair's
tenacity, these refugees built a life for themselves, and news Conclave decided to band together and eliminate Sarah from
of their new settlement began to spread. The cove that now their ranks. Following this betrayal, Miss Fortune staged a
forms Bilgewater was well hidden, dotted with spots to dock coup where she successfully murdered or banished the
vessels, and better yet covered in abandoned ruins for shelter. traitorous captains. Following this bloody event, Sarah
These qualities made it an ideal hiding place for ships, and became the only power remaining to control Bilgewater.
the settlers' resentment of mainland law made it an attractive As of late, Gangplank has begun to make his presence
port for pirates. As piracy ebbed and flowed in Runeterra known in the city. He has garnered the support of the Buhru
with the rise and fall of factions, the cove remained a safe in Bilgewater and grows his supporters aiming to claim his
base for those evading the iron fist of naval forces. throne from Miss Fortune once again.
Inevitably, as more crews began to use the cove, the
settlement began to expand. Traders willing to deal in stolen
wealth, and entrepreneurs ready to cater to these crews set Bilgewater Today
up shop amidst the ruins of the cove. The hardy settlers Bilgewater is a free city, flourishing with opportunity. These
began to construct more permanent buildings, using found opportunities have given rise to a great many parties
materials to build on top of the ruin foundations. interested in controlling what Bilgewater has to offer.
As the population of Bilgewater began to grow, the Buhru
natives, once again, were forced to act. They approached the
people of Bilgewater and held council with those most
influential in the settlement. The Buhru agreed to allow the
expansion of Bilgewater, on the condition that the city would
never expand beyond the bay's confines. The people agreed
to the terms, and with this victory in hand, Bilgewater began
to flourish.
Factions These black mists thicken and travel across the ocean,
flooding the Serpent Isles with undead spirits hungry for
While there is no formal government established in victims. This event has become known as 'The Harrowing,'
Bilgewater, it is a city teeming with factions, each looking to and the power of the Buhru is the only thing that can keep its
further their own goals and agendas. Some of the active might at bay.
powers that shape life in Bilgewater are presented below.
Noxus
Soldiers of Fortune Located Northwest of the Serpent
After a bloody coup, Sarah Isles, is the evergrowing empire of
Fortune (colloquially known as Noxus. Noxians are determined to
'Miss Fortune') is the de facto conquer Runeterra with aggressive
ruling force in Bilgewater. expansionist action and have set
Though she holds no official their sights on Bilgewater as a
title, her allies and crew potential resource for their naval
members enact her will in the campaigns. Noxus has not made any
city, applying pressure as needed hostile action towards Bilgewater,
to achieve her goals. She currently fixates on finding and but they have placed key soldiers in the port city, hoping to
killing Gangplank, who previously ruled Bilgewater. curry favor with the powers that struggle to control it.
The Jagged Hooks
Gangplank is the first and only Economy and Trade
captain to crown himself the Bilgewater is a city teeming with wealth and opportunity.
Reaver King of Bilgewater. At the Residents can make their fortunes scouring the seas, hunting
height of his power, he was those who flee justice or catering to those who do.
deposed by Miss Fortune, and he
now collects allies from the Bounty Hunting
shadows of Bilgewater. His
growing band of allies seeks to Bilgewater is a lawless city, far from the reaches of the other
kill Miss Fortune and restore factions of Runterra. Consequently, it attracts plenty of
Gangplank to his place as Reaver King. criminals aiming to flee justice. The presence of so many
wanted criminals has given rise to a burgeoning population of
Buhru bounty hunters. Bilgewater has several bounty boards, where
The Buhru inhabited the new bounties are posted daily by pursers who pay out the
Serpent Isles for thousands of hunters returning their targets dead or alive. With so many
years before mainlanders pirates, assassins, and criminals operating in and around
founded Bilgewater. The Buhru Bilgewater, bounty hunting is an incredibly lucrative
still dominate the isles, and profession.
foreigners to their shores are
only allowed to settle in Monster Hunters
Bilgewater. The Buhru have their Bilgewater is famous for its monster-hunting trade, with its
language, capital city, and religion centered around the economy built around this burgeoning industry. The seas that
worship of the great Kraken Nagakabouros. The culture of surround the Serpent Isles are teeming with sea-monsters of
the Buhru influences much of Bilgewater, and a healthy every size and description. These monsters make travel
population of Buhru live in the city. While Buhru tolerate the around the city quite dangerous, but crews of monster
settlement, the majority of them consider it to be a stain on hunters have turned this peril into profit. These individuals,
their island. sometimes referred to as 'serpent hunters,' embark on
missions to hunt these monsters, slay them, then bring their
Enemies and Allies corpses back to Bilgewater to sell to the highest bidder.
Across the seas from the Serpent Isles, the many factions of Entire regions of Bilgewater host facilities built to process
Runeterra struggle against one another for control. Some of these corpses into food, treasures, and other sellable
these factions have chosen to ally themselves with resources. A comfortable living can be made by hunting these
Bilgewater, while others seek to consume the city entirely. monsters, or by working amongst the docks that process
them.
Shadow Isles
Southeast of the Serpent Isles lies the
horrifying region known as the Shadow
Isles. Since its corruption during a
magical tragedy, the Shadow Isles emit
dangerous black mists that routinely
threaten the people of Bilgewater.
Salvage Divers Buhru Religion
If the swarms of sea monsters don't deter voyages to The Buhru religion is the main religion of the Buhru people
Bilgewater, then the brutal terrain certainly does. The seas native to the Serpent Isles. This religion centers around the
around the Serpent Isles are dotted with rock formations and worship of Nagakabouros, a god often depicted as a colossal
coral reefs that can destroy a ship before the crew realizes kraken. Followers of the Buhru religion believe that every
what they've hit. Many ships carrying valuable cargo have spirit was born to serve the universe, and the best way to
sunk to the ocean floor surrounding Bilgewater Bay, and fulfill personal destiny is to pursue one’s inherent desires.
retrieving these lost goods has become a profession. Treasure
hunters and salvagers strike rich daily as they mine the ship Nagakabouros
graveyards just off of the coast. Traversing the ocean is Nagakabouros is the deity that presides over life, the ocean,
incredibly dangerous, so skilled salvage divers can sell their storms, and motion. While her true form is unknown, the
services for extraordinary fees. Those with the stomach for image of the kraken most often represents her in religious
the profession, make their fortunes retrieving lost treasures iconography. The god is called the ‘Mother Serpent,’ and the
for merchants, for pirates, and by leading their private mass of sea monsters that fill the nearby oceans are known
expeditions. as the children of Nagakabouros.
Nagakabouros is a god that prefers action over words and
Piracy has little patience for weakness or failure. One of the Buhru’s
Piracy has been historically tied to the legacy of Bilgewater, religious rites is called the ‘Test of Nagakabouros,’ in which
and it remains an active portion of the city's economy today. an individual submits to vicious psychic assault from the
Because Bilgewater operates outside of the law, it is one of god’s spectral tentacles. Partakers who fail perish, but those
the only places pirate crews can safely sell stolen goods for who survive have demonstrated they possess the favor of the
profit. Many of the businesses in the city cater specifically to Mother of Serpents.
these crews, who return after laborious stints at sea with Buhru in Bilgewater
pockets full of coin seeking revelry. Pirate crews can return to Several temples to Nagakabouros have been built in
the bay without real fear of persecution since natural hazards Bilgewater, though priests strictly limit which residents are
surround the Serpent Isles. The best navigators jealously allowed inside them. Even with these restrictions, the Buhru
guard knowledge of safe routes to the Isles, which forces religion is growing in popularity amongst all the peoples of
larger navy vessels to abandon hopes of landing on its shores. the city. This popularity has a great deal to do with the
The only real threats to pirates in Bilgewater come from current spiritual leader of the Buhu, a priestess named Illaoi,
other stronger crews and the occasional bounty hunter. who bears the honored title of Truth Bearer. Illaoi has been a
staunch ally in protecting Bilgewater against the harmful
Religion in Bilgewater effects of the Harrowing and is well regarded by the citizenry.
When Gangplank ruled Bilgewater, Illaoi and the Buhru were
While Bilgewater is home to a vast collection of cultures and close allies. With Gangplank’s fall from grace, it remains
faiths, there are two beliefs of note that are unique to the unclear what role the Buhru will play in the politics of
Serpent Isles. leadership.
The Tithe Iron Wills (Low-Level)
‘The Tithe’ is a superstition as opposed to a full system of Eager to show their prowess to potential
belief, but most sailors religiously observe it in Bilgewater. It employers, two raucous ironbacks have engaged in
is said that when a ship sets out to sail, the captain must various tavern games, including arm-wrestling,
make an offering to the sea (or some say to Nagakabouros) or darts, and shouting matches. But their friendly
risk the sea claiming the ship. Sailors usually keep a coin on competition is quickly devolving into more
their person just in case a tithe needs paying. aggressive attacks, and the nervous tavern
managers of Fleet Street are asking for someone to
Cautionary tales warn of a salvage diver named Nautilus, intervene before the competition brings down the
who was dragged under the ocean and transformed into a house—literally.
monster when his captain refused to pay the tithe.

City Districts Brazen Hydra

Perhaps the most famous tavern in Fleet Street, the Brazen
Bilgewater is a sprawling city that expands both vertically Hydra is a popular destination for sailors, gamblers, and
and horizontally across the cliffs that form Bilgewater Bay. mercenaries alike. Built inside the upturned hull of a former
This urban sprawl is divided into several distinct districts, slaughter fleet ship, an intricate carved figurehead of a many-
that host different types of residents and serve different headed serpent towers over the tavern entrance.
functions.
The tavern itself spans three stories: the bar and kitchen
occupy the ground floor, while card games and pool tables fill
Rat Town the second floor, and the top floor consists only of smaller
Teeming with scoundrels and filth, Rat Town is the largest private meeting rooms reserved for mercenaries and
slum in Bilgewater. Here, thieves prowl the crooked alleyways business deals. Though a few patrons visit the establishment
alongside hoards of wharf rats, and exhausted slaughter fleet during the day, the Brazen Hydra comes alive once the sun
crews can grab a cheap pint before their next hunt. has set, and the exhausted ship crews pile in for a meal and a
drink after a long day at sea.
Rat Town occupies the majority of Bilgewater’s west side,
ending at Butcher’s Bridge. On any given day, individuals Horvon Beck (neutral, male human berserker) runs the
ranging from weathered old sea captains, to Demacian Brazen Hydra. After an encounter with a legendary sea
runaways, to even a few excitable Yordle can be found along monster left him unable to walk, Horvon personally carved
the district’s crooked streets. Due to this varied nature of its himself leg braces from the bones of the vile monster and
inhabitants, Rat Town boasts a myriad of architectural styles; dragged the remains of his ship to shore to built the best pub
tenements crammed into upturned Frejlordian logships sit Bilgewater has ever seen—at least, that’s the story he likes to
against towering structures decorated with carvings of the tell any bar patrons willing to listen. Many disregard his tale
Buhru, and you may even spot a tavern built from the bones as an old sailor’s legend, but the jagged ivory sheen of his leg
of a long-dead sea monster. braces (and the festering bite marks on the tavern’s outside)
suggest otherwise.
Though many who live in Rat Town earn their keep as tavern
workers or members of various slaughter fleets, more
enterprising individuals may seek out the neighborhood's Flophouses
various notice boards. Daring mercenaries can find postings Though not necessarily a section within Rat Town, the
there for everything ranging from traditional martial work to flophouses are nonetheless a prominent feature of the
underhanded black market deals, and even bounties for some district. Many monster hunters and pirates down on their
of Bilgewater’s most notorious leaders. luck call these cheap tenements home in between dreary
voyages.
Fleet Street
The raucous laughter from Fleet Street’s taverns can be Sick Bay (Low-Level)
heard all the way in the White Wharf. Pubs of all sorts fill this
section of Rat Town, and you can often catch a retired A foul disease is sweeping through the flophouses
of Rat Town. Many are blaming a nest of diseased
chatting over a half-drunken tankard, telling tall tales of ages giant rats that has recently settled into a nearby
long past on the salty sea. shipwreck, yet no one knows yet what this sickness
is, where it came from, or how to cure it. Brave
mercenaries are racing to capture one of these
diseased specimens and begin research for a cure.
 Butcher’s Bridge
Upsetting the Yeti (Mid-Level) Butcher’s Bridge sits on the far end of Rat Town, connecting
A Freljordian ship smuggled a family of yetis into the slum to both the Eyries in the upper parts of Bilgewater
port. Unfortunately, the smuggler forgot to account and the Temple of Nagakabouros. Made of ancient stone,
for the warm island climate of Bilgewater, and the Butcher’s Bridge is one of the oldest structures in the city.
yetis have reacted poorly to the change in weather, The weathered cobblestones still bear the scars from
breaking free from the flophouse stables originally Harrowings past, and a heavy wooden gate at its Western end
holding them and running loose among the town.
Where have the yetis disappeared off to? And why
is used to barricade the upper levels of the city against
were they brought to Bilgewater in the first place?
threats coming from port.

Slaughter Docks
Raider’s Hold The Slaughter Docks form one of the coastal districts of
If you’re looking for a place to sleep and keep the greedy Bilgewater. This area is composed of carving bays, killhouses,
wharf rats at bay, Raider’s Hold is your inn. While not one of butcheries, and other places that service the booming
the nicest flophouses in Rat Town, Raider’s Hold is infamous monster-hunting industry. The streets of the slaughter docks
for its more flexible housing rates. The elderly pirate who often run with blood and other viscera following productive
runs the place, Captain Breanna Zyll (chaotic neutral, female days of work, and its stench is infamous.
human veteran), is well-known throughout Bilgewater for
dealing in favors instead of silver serpents. She will gladly The buildings themselves are a testament to their trade,
provide you room and board for a week in exchange for usually designed to resemble fearsome sea-beasts and built
hunting down a debtor or ensuring one of her rivals falters on using the skins and bones of their likenesses.
their next voyage. Because of this, Breanna’s bounty is one of
the highest listed on the Bilgewater notice boards, and yet, The waters surrounding the docks are tinged with red and
none seem keen to take up arms against her, as everyone poisoned by runoff, which drives any passing sea monsters
knows she has many powerful figures in her debt. away from Bilgewater’s shores. This fact has increased
A few residents claim to have spotted the tidal trickster Fizz tensions with the Buhru of Bilgewater, who depend on the
haunting the flophouse’s halls some nights, but none have sea monsters to provide aid when the Harrowing threatens
ever produced any evidence beyond their tall tales of his the Serpent Isles.
presence. Carving Bays
These massive docks are equipped with cranes and towers
capable of hoisting even the most colossal monsters from the
water. Captains with corpses to sell can expect to haggle
fiercely for the service of a trustworthy bay before their
catches rot in the water. Since profit depends on fresh
material, the carving bays often boom with activity both day
and night.

Something Fishy (Mid-Level)

A hungry dragon shark has been spotted prowling
the Carving Bays, snapping at docked ships and
pulling carcasses right off crane hooks. But
creatures such as these usually stick to the deeper
waters beyond Bilgewater Bay. What nefarious
cause has driven this dragon shark so far inland?
Killhouses
The killhouses of the slaughter
docks are smelled long before they
are spotted—these large
warehouse-like buildings coated
in the blood and slime of their trade.
Once a corpse has been carved to pieces
at a bay, it goes to these warehouses.
Killhouses process these body parts into
valuable skins, armor scales, and oil. They also
clean and prepare sea monster bones and teeth to sell.

Tidal Sacrifice (Low-Level)

Rumors have begun circulating the Slaughter
Docks of a decrepit sea hag lurking around the
killhouses, absconding with valuable monster parts
and even some unsuspecting workers to “appease
the beast below.” What is the hag attempting to Junie
rouse from the depths—or worse, what is she
trying to prevent from overtaking Bilgewater? Is a
carries a
hag even responsible for these abductions, or is
vast amount of influence
something more mundane the culprit? in the Slaughter Docks;
both Miss Fortune and
Gangplank have tried to garner
her support for the rule of Bilgewater. Junie has
turned them both away, openly claiming her loyalty is to the
Butcheries workers of the Slaughter Docks and no one else.
Particularly salvageable chunks of meat find their way from
the carving bays to the butcheries of the Slaughter Docks. Squidrow
These butcheries sell any edible pieces of the latest kills to Squidrow is perhaps the most famous of the butcheries that
the people of Bilgewater. crowd the series of streets aptly named Bloodharbor. The
butchery is run by Gil Amberbrew (neutral, male human
veteran) and Barley Finn (neutral, male human veteran) who
Bid House purchased the shop after retiring from years in the monster-
The Bid House is a warehouse turned meeting hall. This hunting trade. Squidrow stands out from other butcheries by
impressive structure rests inside the ribcage of a titanic pedaling only the most exotic of sea-monster ingredients.
whale with a spiraling pearlescent horn. The Bid House Visitors and locals line up to purchase candied abyssal eyes,
bustles with constant activity, throughout the day and night, kraken filet mignon, dragon shark stock, and whatever rarity
captains and bay workers pass in and out of the massive of the day Amberbrew and Finn are selling.
structure hoping to close the best deals of the day. It is here Due to their specific needs, the sailors often offer jobs to
that the owners of the Slaughter Dock carving bays and seaworthy adventurers, paying handsomely for whatever
killhouses meet to set their prices and negotiate with the catch they seek.
monster hunters looking to sell their latest catch.
The Eyries
There is no formal union that rules the slaughter docks, but There is a commonly accepted truth in Bilgewater: the higher
Junie Smith (lawful neutral, female human commoner) is you climb, the less likely you are to drown. Because of this,
regarded as an unelected leader of the dock workers. Junie the highest levels of the city, known as the Eyries, are home
calls frequent meetings at the Bid House to gather the to the wealthiest taverns, theaters, and dice houses in the city.
business owners of the docks, so they can agree on general Those lucky enough to have some extra coin often make the
price points and warn each other about dangerous clients. long journey to these upper levels and relish in the fine drinks
Characters looking to secure the services of a reputable and luxurious company the Eyries’ provide—though it’s just
carving bay or killhouse must come to the Bid House to find as common for a sailor with too greedy an eye to lose their
one. The Bid House is also a prime source of bounties in savings at one of the Eyries’ high-stakes card tables, and be
Bilgewater. The business owners who meet here, are quick to back at the Slaughter Docks the next morning.
post rewards for the apprehension of any person who
threatens them, goes back on a deal, or makes underhand
deals with docks not approved by Junie.
Cardsharp Walk The Garnay
Though many dice houses and gambling halls can be found A lavish nightclub, the Garnay boasts some of the best
throughout Bilgewater, none have the high class and even performances in Bilgewater. Lithe dancers take to the
higher stakes of those along Cardsharp Walk, the Eyries’ lacquered stage while brewmasters serve experimental
primary gambling neighborhood. Glittering with the allure of concoctions to the enraptured crowd, and no show at the
golden krakens, Cardsharp Walk boasts overflowing game Garnay is ever performed twice.
tables rife with opportunities for quick riches. Surprisingly, Dame Lue Rhodenhart (chaotic good, female human mage)
cheating is almost tolerated here, so long as you’re not caught runs the establishment. Known as one of the most generous
red-handed in the act. After all, pulling a good con is just one and creative souls in Bilgewater, Dame Lue is always looking
way of winning the game. for new talent to flourish in her cabaret.
Fortune’s Glory
Marked by the Freljordian architecture on its front and the
gold-painted sign swinging idly above the entrance, Fortune’s
Glory is one of the most popular destinations on
Cardsharp Walk. Though some come to the gambling hall to
bet their life savings on the roll of the dice, just as many come
to spectate; Fortune’s Glory has garnered a reputation for
hosting some of the most intense card games Bilgewater has
ever seen.
The sly Zarcon Brath (chaotic neutral, nonbinary bandit
captain) currently serves as master of ceremonies for the
establishment, though a few sailors dissatisfied with Zarcon’s
tolerance for a good con have been plotting to remove them
from their position.
The gambling house has also been said to be the preferred
gambling den of the infamous Twisted Fate, though the
scoundrel himself hasn’t been seen on the premises since he
won against the merchant Henmar.] The Temple of Nagakabouros
Though not technically part of the Eyries, the Temple of
Nagakabouros sits at the midpoint between Rat Town and
Winner Take All (Mid-Level) the upper levels of Bilgewater.
A trio of pool sharks have been raiding the
notorious dice houses of Cardsharp Walk for the
Standing for over a thousand years, this sprawling temple of
past week, though their heists have always left a the Mother Serpent is one of the best-maintained structures
considerable amount of money left in the houses’ in the pirate city. Its front windows overlook the churning
vaults. What are these scoundrels really after, and waters of Bilgewater Bay, and at its heart sits a large
who’s employing them? courtyard shaped like the fanged mouth of a leviathan. Inside,
acolytes pace the flame-lit halls and fill offering bowls with
Duel of the Divas (Mid-Level) various fruits for Nagakabouros. When not wielded by Illaoi,
Two talented singers are competing for the lead visitors can also witness the gleaming Eye of God sitting on a
role in an upcoming production on Songbird’s central dais in the temple.
Row, a show which is guaranteed to be the talk of
Bilgewater for weeks to come. Both are desperate
to land the gig, but one has made a deal with an Lights on the Water (Low-Level)
undead banshee in the hopes it will increase their From their vantage point overlooking Bilgewater
chances of winning. What does the banshee aim to Bay, several acolytes of Nagakabouros have spotted
get out of this deal? And what terrible fate does faint pale lights dancing along the waves after
their ghostly wail spell for Songbird’s Row at large? sunset. Some say these must be new
bioluminescent flora, but others suspect that these
lights are in fact will-o’-wisps, small spirits which
feed off the souls of the deceased. Which is the
Songbird’s Row truth, and what does this promise for the fate of
For those who prefer not to lose their money to a hand of Bilgewater?
cards, the theaters and pubs of Songbird’s Row provide
ample entertainment for patrons of the Eyries.
White Wharf
The White Wharf is a section of Bilgewater where the dead Since Mark deals in death, he is an excellent source of news
rest in floating graveyards. These graveyards are calm and rumors. In addition to his sales, Mark also sits on the
sections of water, where casks attached to grave-buoys are bankroll for several powerful criminals in Bilgewater. He
left to float. These buoys serve as markers; some made of plays a role in ensuring only the right bodies are discovered
wood simply carved with a name, and others are elaborate and is not above switching grave buoys to conceal evidence
sculptures. These corpses attract plenty of scavengers, and where needed.
the gulls crowd the wharf. The white wharf got its name from Mark’s Spot is currently being watched by Miss Fortune,
the enormous quantities of bird excrement left by these who correctly suspects that Mark played a role in covering up
scavengers. Gangplank’s survival.

Random Encounters in
Floating Spirits (Mid-Level) Bilgewater
Over the past few nights, many residents of Bilgewater is host to a colorful collection of people and
Bilgewater have claimed to spy the glowing blue dangers. This section describes some encounters that may
forms of ghosts rising from the floating graveyards
scattered along the edges of the bay. The dead
occur while spending time in Bilgewater. While the party
ought to rest peacefully—so what is rousing these
travels through the city, you may choose to roll on the below
spirits from their slumber? Could the Shadow Isles table to determine a random event that occurs.
be making another attempt on Bilgewater, or is
another faction to blame? City Encounters

d20 Encounter d20 Encounter

1 Street Rats 11 Collect Call
2 Tough As Nails 12 Penny Dreadful
Mark’s Spot
Mark Lorkas (chaotic neutral, male human commoner) is an 3 Shark In Bilgewater 13 Surprise Inside
artisan who makes his living carving the buoys that 4 Good Egg 14 Graffiti
commemorate the dead in the white wharf. His home on
white wharf doubles as a studio and store where the people 5 Crossfire 15 This Sucks
of the city can commission these floating headstones. His 6 One of the Gang 16 Nightlife
business is well known, and since the death rate is high in
Bilgewater, he turns a hefty profit. 7 Not-Dead-Yet 17 Rotten Core
8 Fortune Smiles 18 Serpent Spectacle
9 Not-Dead-Yet 19 Mob Mentality
10 Grift 20 Finders Keepers
Encounters A - F Encounters G - N
Collect Call Good Egg

A crossbow bolt whizzes above your head, and someone calls: The toe of a leather boot peeks A street vendor calls out to
"Stop right there, Kendrick! Your reign of terror ends now!" your party, “You look like people of fine taste! I’ve got a
treasure you can’t afford to miss.”
A human bounty hunter (veteran) named Westley Graves has
mistaken one of the characters for a petty criminal named The vendor is an exotic pet dealer named Thea Brown. Cages
Kendrick. A successful DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check filled with beautiful songbirds hang from her rolling cart
convinces Westley that he has made a mistake. Otherwise, display, along with several tanks occupied by rare types of
the bounty hunter continues to attack. lizards. Thea recently came in possession of a monster egg
and is offering to sell it. If a character purchases the egg, it
Crossfire hatches in 1d4 days. Roll to determine what kind of egg it is,
and Thea’s asking price.
A shower of sparks explodes just above you as a monkey 1d4 Egg type (and price)
swoops down from a rooftop towards a cluster of ruffians in 1 A giant sea horse (200 gp)
the street. The people around you begin to stampede to get
2 A giant toad (350 gp)
away from the conflict.
3 A pseudodragon (3000 gp)
The party is caught in the crossfire of a fight between six of 4 A dragon shark (15,000 gp)
Miss Fortune’s powder monkeys and six thugs loyal to
Gangplank. If the party decides to avoid the battle, they must Graffiti
succeed on a DC 13 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check to successfully make their way out of the
panicking crowd. If the party decides to intercede in the fight, A mysterious masked figure hovers strangely over a nearby
they might gain favor with either Miss Fortune or Gangplank, bounty board.
depending on which side they fight alongside.
If the characters confront the figure, the masked person runs
Finders Keepers away with surprising agility, calling out, 'my brush will never
be silenced!' If the party examines the board, they see large
The toe of a leather boot peeks out from behind a pile of
mustaches drawn on all the bounty posters.
crates.
Grift
A wizard in a golden sequined robe starts a fire-eating act. If
An unfortunate merchant has been murdered, and his body any characters stop to watch, they become marks for a team
hastily stashed behind a pile of crates. A Wisdom (Medicine) of three young pickpockets (human commoners). Any
check reveals the merchant has been dead for less than an characters with a passive perception of 14 or higher notice
hour. A character who searches the corpse finds no money, the thieving attempt.
but the merchant wears a banshee’s veil around his neck.
Mob Mentality
Fortune Smiles Loud yells sound from a nearby alley. A group of rowdy
The party is approached by a human scout named Reggie pirates has cornered two soldiers wearing the colors of
Mott, who is loyal to Miss Fortune. Reggie has noticed the Noxus.
party's capabilities and wants to gauge if they would be A group of eight pirates (use bandit stats) has spent the
interested in joining the bounty hunter's supporters. night drinking and celebrating their fresh return to port.
If the party expresses interest, Reggie promises to contact While out on the town, they spotted two knights from Noxus,
them soon with some “business” opportunities. and are now threatening a fight. If the party does not
intervene, the two knights are slaughtered.
Nightlife
A charismatic performer named Kiki Summers is standing
on the street corner, offering coupons for a free drink at the
famous Garnay nightclub in Songbird’s Row.
Not-Dead-Yet
A giant octopus has escaped one of the killhouses and is
attacking people in the streets.
Encounters O - S
One of the Gang The party has attracted the attention of a pair of pool sharks.
The party is approached by a bandit named Ophelia Landry, The pool sharks have been tracking the party and wait for an
who is loyal to Gangplank. Ophelia has noticed the party's opportune moment to approach. The sharks demand either
capabilities and wants to gauge if they would be interested in 200 gold pieces or an item of equal value. If the party pays,
joining the captain's supporters. the sharks leave them in peace. If the party refuses, the pool
If the party expresses interest, Ophelia promises to contact sharks attack.
them soon with some “business” opportunities.
Surprise Inside
Penny Dreadful
A cluster of sailors is gathered around a large wooden crate.
A huddled beggar calls out, "Just a penny please good people. They look at it nervously as loud, erratic knocking comes from
For just a penny I'll tell your fortune." inside it.

If the characters give her a coin, the beggar rolls a cup of Unbeknownst to the sailors, this freshly unloaded crate has
chicken bones onto the ground. After considering the bones, six zombies crammed inside. If no one opens the box, a
she tells them her prediction. Roll to determine what fortune zombie punches through the wood after one minute of
she tells: knocking.
1d4 Fortune
Street Rats
1 You have a secret twin. This twin is currently trying to
find and kill you.
A high pitched wail turns your attention towards a young man
2 A remarkable treasure will fall from the sky very soon.
It might be a sword, though, so if you aren't careful, it running up the street. A cluster of grey-furred bodies follows
will kill you. close at his heels.
3 Your next birthday is going to be incredible. The
amount of fun will kill you. Three wharf rats pursue a commoner named Billy Brigs
4 The next tavern you visit will unknowing be serving through the streets of Bilgewater. If the party does not
tainted food. If you eat it, it will kill you. interfere, the rats catch up to Billy and attack him.
Rotten Core Encounters T - Z
The support beams of a wooden walkway have rotted to ruin. This Sucks
All creatures standing on the section must succeed on a DC
13 Dexterity saving throw to jump out of the way or fall 20
feet, taking 2d6 bludgeoning damage. A buzzing fills the air as a swarm of flying creatures burst from
under the boardwalk.
Serpent Spectacle
The party's passing dislodges a hive of biting beetles, and
The people around you begin to murmur, and part as a group three swarms of insects (beetles) surge out, attacking all
of Buhru move down the street. This collection of warriors are
creatures within 60 feet—possibly even innocent bystanders!
dressed in impressive suits of armor modeled to look like sea
Tough As Nails
monsters.

A group of five Buhru serpent callers (use gladiator stats) A crowd of spectators cheer as a turtle-like creature
have just arrived in Bilgewater, and are heading to the Temple victoriously slams down the arm of a muscled sailor. The
of Nagakabouros. They are quick to deal justice to any who creature waves its arms in victory and yells, "Anyone else have
interfere with their passage through the city. the guts to face me?"

Shark In Bilgewater The challenger is an ironback who has defeated three

challengers in arm wrestling matches. If a character decides
A sudden snap comes from behind you, as two figures holding to challenge them, they roll contested Strength (Athletics)
splintered cues step into view. One calls out, "Alright, friend,
checks. If a character wins two out of three matches, the iron
just pay a little toll, and no one has to get hurt."
back concedes defeat and hands over 50 gp.
Beyond Bilgewater
Reaching Bilgewater is no easy feat. Miles of water teeming Use the following tables to determine who or what the
with fearsome sea monsters and deadly reefs surround the characters might encounter on the way to and from
Serpent Isles. Traveling across the isle itself also has its Bilgewater. Use these tables as often as desired.
share of perils, most notably encountering the Buhru, who do
not allow non-natives to live outside the confines of
Bilgewater.
Encounters on the Land Encounters on the Sea
d20 Encounter d20 Encounter

<10 No encounter <10 No encounter

11 A patrol of 1d6 Buhru scouts 11 A patrol of 1d6 sahuagin

12 2d4 flying snakes 12 A pair of merrow

13 A flock of 1d6 axe beaks 13 1 giant octopus

14 1d4 apes 14 1d4 harpies

15 A group of 1d4 bandits led by 1 bandit captain 15 A pair of plesiosaurus

16 A pair of awakened trees 16 A sea hag disguised as a shipwreck survivor

17 A pair of giant boars 17 A ship run by a crew of 2d6 pirates (use bandit stat
block)
18 A friendly blink dog
18 1d4 killer whales
19 1d6 giant wolf spiders
19 A deserted ship infested by 3d6 wharf rats
20 1 shambling mound
20 1 dragon shark
Chapter 2: Heroes and Scoundrels of
Bilgewater

T
here are twelve classes in D&D, and three of
them have Bilgewater-specific subclasses. You Character Options
can find all these classes in the D&D Basic Below are three subclasses which give the barbarian, fighter,
Rules. There are even more subclasses for all and rogue classes powers that make them particularly well-
twelve classes in the Player’s Handbook, some suited to the aquatic, black powder-choked, and high-rolling
of which would fit Bilgewater perfectly, like a atmosphere of Bilgewater. It’s highly recommended that new
Tempest domain cleric, or a warlock whose D&D players choose one of these subclasses.
patron is a Great Old One (like Tahm Kench). Be careful if
you want to play a class that casts spells, like a bard, cleric, Barbarian: Path of the Depths
druid, sorcerer, wizard, or warlock. Spellcasting is one of the
more complicated parts of D&D, so it’s easier to learn the Encounters with the terrors of the deep can break the minds
basic rules first before adding the spellcasting rules on top of of the weak-willed, but some forge their trauma into weapons
that. never seen above the waves. The barbarian who walks this
path has survived such an encounter and has gained
extraordinary abilities from the experience.
Races of Runeterra
There are beings of all shapes and sizes that live across Gift of the Drowned Ones
Runeterra. While most of the common D&D races don’t At 3rd level when you adopt this path, you gain a swimming
perfectly fit these varied peoples, you can use these races as a speed equal to your walking speed and gain the ability to
starting point. A dragonborn might be a good template for a breathe underwater.
character that’s half-dragon, half-human. Most of the magical
beings of Runeterra vary widely in form, so you can use the Dredge Line
game statistics of any of these races to create any sort of Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, you manifest
character you want, with any appearance—as long as your an extra appendage when you enter your rage. This weapon
Dungeon Master says it’s okay in their campaign. can appear as a kraken tentacle, a giant anchor, preternatural
Other than humans, there is one other race that appears all jaws, or something else based on your history.
across Runeterra: the strange and unpredictable spirit As a bonus action, you can use this appendage to strike at
creatures called yordles. Usually covered in thick fur and one creature of your choice that you can see within 15 feet.
standing about three feet tall, and filled with otherworldly The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw (DC
caprice, the gnome race in D&D is a great fit for yordles. equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier)
or be pulled up to 10 feet in a straight line towards you.
Ghostwater Dive
Beginning at 6th level, you can burst into water then
materialize somewhere else as an action. You magically
teleport along with any equipment you are wearing or
carrying, up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see.
Before or after teleporting, you can make one attack, as part
of your action. Moving in this way does not provoke
opportunity attacks.
Manifestations of the Deep
At 10th level, you can manifest additional adaptations of the
deep. Select one of the below adaptations you manifest,
during a long rest you may replace your chosen manifestation
with a new option from this list.
Eyes of the Deep. You gain the ability to use echolocation.
When you do so, you cast the true seeing spell, without using
a spell slot or material components. After you cast a spell in
this way, you can’t use this feature again until you finish a
short or long rest.
Arms of the Deep. While raging, you now manifest two
magical appendages, which may be tentacles, chains and
anchors, animated rigging, or another grasping arm of your
choice. When you use your dredge line ability, you can
attempt a grapple with each of your appendages.
Heart of the Deep. Now on your turn, you can use a bonus Pistoleer
action to gain temporary hit points equal to 1d12 + your Favoring speed and style over raw power, a renegade who
barbarian level. Once you use this feature, you must finish a adopts the Pistoleer form wields a small flintlock handgun.
short or long rest before you can use it again. As an action on your turn, you can target a creature within 30
Soul of the Deep. You are now immune to all effects that feet and shoot. Make a ranged attack roll against the target.
would cause you to be charmed or frightened. You are proficient with the attack, and on a hit, the attack
Armor of the Deep. Your skin hardens increasing your deals piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier.
Armor Class by 1. The number of shots you can fire during a single action
increases when you reach higher levels in this subclass: two
Depth Charge shots at 5th level, three shots at 11th level, and four shots at
At 14th level, when you use your ghostwater dive ability, you 20th level. The shots can target the same creature or different
can choose to appear with a wave of tidal force. When you creatures. Make a separate attack roll for each shot.
appear all creatures within 10 feet of you must make a
Strength saving throw. On a failed save a creature takes 3d6 Sniper
force damage and is knocked prone. On a successful save, a Armed with a large two-handed firearm, a renegade who
creature takes half damage and is not knocked prone. adopts the Sniper form can inflict massive damage in a single
shot. As an action on your turn, you can target a creature
Martial Archetype: Renegade within 120 feet and shoot. Make a ranged attack roll against
What defines a Renegade is not simply the weapon they the target. You are proficient with the attack, and on a hit, the
wield, or the ways they fight. A renegade, above all else, is a attack deals piercing damage equal to 1d10 + your Dexterity
fighter of sly charm and swagger. With brash cockiness in modifier.
spades, renegades build their own custom firearms to You deal extra damage while using this form when you
perfectly suit their own larger-than-life personalities. reach higher levels, dealing damage equal to 2d10 + your
Particularly well-funded renegades may even have Dexterity modifier at 5th level, 4d10 at 11th level, and 6d10 at
personalized Hextech weapons, but such folk are rare among 20th level.
the scoundrels of Bilgewater. Weapon of Choice
Don’t mistake their boasting for an empty facade—folk who Through a combination of salvaging stolen pieces of arcane
underestimate a renegade’s flashy gunplay tend to wind up technology and sheer rakish ingenuity, you can customize
dead. your firearm with various upgrades. When you choose this
Scoundrel’s Wit archetype at 3rd level, pick one minor upgrade and one major
Starting at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with the two of the upgrade from the Firearm Upgrades list at the end of this
following skills: Deception, Persuasion, or Sleight of Hand. subclass. If an upgrade has a prerequisite, you must meet
that prerequisite in order to benefit from the upgrade.
Gunfighter Form You gain one additional minor upgrade at 5th level, and one
Additionally, when you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you additional major upgrade at 10th level.
begin constructing a custom firearm that suits your unique Cunning Shot
brand of renegade style. This process begins by selecting the Starting at 7th level, you learn to exploit a foe’s weak spots,
form upon which to base your weapon. Choose one of the even if they appear to have none. The damage dealt by your
following options; each form grants you a new ability and firearm, including damage dealt via Firearm Upgrades,
unlocks certain upgrades you can add to your weapon at ignores resistances and immunities.
higher levels.
Grin and Bear It
At 10th level, you can brace yourself in the heat of battle, even
when gravely wounded. When you use your Second Wind
feature, your AC gains a +1 bonus and your movement speed
increases by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
Right Gun for the Job
At 15th level, your skill with your firearm can adapt to any
situation. When you finish a long rest, you can replace any
      of your Firearm Upgrades with a different one, though
                  you cannot have more than two major upgrades
                            equipped at a time. You must still meet the
                                    prerequisite of an upgrade in order to
                                      benefit from it.
Light ‘Em Up Crosshairs
At 18th level, you learn to channel the volatile force of your Prerequisite: 5th level
firearm’s black powder into a single concussive blast. As a You equip your firearm with a targeting mechanism. If you
bonus action, you can either throw or set down a small haven't moved this turn, you can aim down your sights as a
explosive. If thrown, the explosive has a range of 30 feet and bonus action, reducing your speed to 0 and granting you
detonates immediately on impact; if set down, the explosive advantage on all attacks you make using your Gunfighter's
can be detonated remotely from up to 60 feet away as Form feature until the end of your turn.
another bonus action.
When detonated, each creature within a 15-foot radius of Double-Barrel
the explosive must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking Prerequisite: Sniper Form, 5th level
12d6 force damage on a failure and half as much on a You add a second barrel to your firearm. When you use your
success. The DC for this saving throw is equal to your Gunfighter Form, you can shoot twice during a single action,
Firearm Upgrade DC. instead of once. The shots can target the same creature or
Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you different creatures. Make a separate attack roll for each shot.
complete a short or long rest.
Smoke Screen
Firearm Upgrades As an action, you alter the firing mechanism of your gun to
Renegades alter their weapons to suit their personal knavish release a burst of ash and smoke. This cloud forms a 10-foot
swagger. The following list provides various options to cube centered on a point of your choice within the firearm’s
enhance your firearm’s capabilities. These upgrades may be range, spreading around corners, and the area covered by
personal touches you put on your weapon, or scavenged bits this cube is considered heavily obscured. This smoke lasts for
of Hextech that you’ve discovered and rigged to work with 10 minutes and cannot be dispersed. Once you use this
your weapon. feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or
Saving Throws. Some of these upgrades require your long rest.
targets to make a saving throw to resist the effect. The saving Major Firearm Upgrades
throw DC is calculated as follows:
Firearm Upgrade save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + Barrage
your Charisma modifier As an action, you can fire a barrage of bullets. Each creature
in a 15-foot cone originating from yourself must make a
Minor Firearm Upgrades Dexterity saving throw, taking piercing damage equal to 3d10
Blade and Black Powder
+ your Dexterity modifier on a failure and half as much on a
Prerequisite: Pistoleer Form success. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again
You create a matching blade to accompany your firearm, until you finish a short or long rest.
rendering you a deadly opponent in both melee and ranged Double Up
combat. Being within 5 feet of a hostile creature doesn’t When you hit a creature with a successful ranged weapon
impose disadvantage on your ranged attack rolls. attack with a firearm, you can immediately cause the bullet to
Additionally, when you use your action to shoot using your hit another creature within 15 feet of the original target. The
Gunfighter Form, you can use your bonus action to strike at a second target takes piercing damage equal to your Dexterity
creature within melee range. Make a melee attack roll. The modifier (minimum of one). You can redirect a bullet in this
attack roll uses your Dexterity modifier, and you are way a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier, and
proficient with the attack. On a hit, the attack deals slashing regain all expended uses after a short or long rest.
damage equal to 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier.
Caliber Net Lightning Round
By repurposing some salvaged Hextech parts, you equip your You equip your firearm with a volatile piece of stolen
gun with an arcane net meant to trap opponents. As an Hextech, allowing you to release a piercing bolt of electricity
action, choose a creature within range of your firearm. The as an action on your turn. The lightning fires from you in a
creature must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be straight line that is 1 foot wide and 30 feet long. Each
restrained. At the end of each of its turns, the target can creature in the line must make a Dexterity saving throw,
repeat this saving throw, ending the effect on a success. Once taking 3d8 lightning damage on a failure and half as much on
you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a a success. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again
short or long rest. until you finish a short or long rest.

Collateral Damage Trial by Fire

Prerequisite: Sniper Form As a bonus action, you can charge your weapons with blazing
You alter your ammunition to have explosive capabilities. force. Until the start of your next turn, whenever you make a
When you hit a target with a successful attack from your successful attack, you deal extra fire damage equal to half
firearm, all creatures within 5 feet of the target must succeed your fighter level, rounded up. You can charge your weapons
on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 piercing damage. this way a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier
(minimum of once), and regain all uses after a short or long
rest.
Roguish Archetype:
Wild Card and starting at 17th level you can spend up to three dice at
Some rogues favor honing their skill and precision, others once. You regain all expended dice from your loaded dice
perfect a silver tongue, but you—well, you’ve always gotten a pool when you complete a long rest.
kick out of leaving things up to chance. Dragonchess
Rogues of the Wild Card variety thrive on the high stakes
and random thrill of the game table. Armed with cunning Your prowess of the chessboard has made you a skilled
cheats and no small amount of luck, these sly gamblers live tactician on the battlefield. As a bonus action on your turn,
and die by their rules, never keen to simply accept the hand you can execute one of the following chess maneuvers. You
fate deals them. can use a bonus action in this way a number of times equal to
your Charisma modifier (minimum of once), and regain all
Tricks Up the Sleeve uses after a long rest.
Your penchant for games has afforded you the ability to subtly Dragon. Choose a creature you can see within 30 feet of
manipulate fortune to your favor. When you choose this you. The first time that creature makes a successful attack
archetype at 3rd level, you learn the guidance cantrip. roll before the start of your next turn, they deal extra damage
Starting at 9th level, it has a range of 30 feet for you, and you equal to your level in this class.
can cast it as a bonus action. Griffon. Your movement speed increases by 10 feet, and
your movement does not provoke opportunity attacks. These
Wild Card’s Gambit benefits last until the start of your next turn.
Also at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with one of the Sylph. You and all friendly creatures within 5 feet of you
following gaming sets: dice set, dragonchess set, or playing have advantage on Dexterity saving throws until the start of
card set. your next turn.
The gaming set you choose grants you a Wild Card’s Playing Cards
Gambit, as detailed below. If you are proficient in multiple You have developed a fighting style based around the
types of gaming sets, you must choose which gambit to use cartomancy of the Serpent Isles. You have your own deck of
when you gain this feature. You can change your choice of enchanted cards, and can make their edges razor-sharp with
gambit whenever you gain a level in this class. a flick of your wrist. If you have not yet used your Sneak
Loaded Dice Attack this turn, you can use your action to take one of these
You gain a pool of d6s equal to the number of d6s you roll for cards and attack a creature within 30 feet with it. The attack
your Sneak Attack damage. (Your pool starts with 2d6 at 3rd roll for this feature uses your Dexterity modifier, and on a hit,
level, and increases to 3d6 at 5th level, and so on.) it deals slashing damage equal 1d4 + your Dexterity modifier.
When a creature targets you with an attack, you can use When you roll for damage, look at the number rolled on the
your reaction to spend one die from the pool and subtract the d4. The attack gains a random effect based on the number
number rolled from the attack. You can choose to use this rolled, as detailed in the Wild Card Suit table below.
feature after the creature makes its roll, but before the DM You can attack using a card in this manner a number of
determines whether the attack roll hits or misses. Starting at times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once),
9th level you can spend up to two dice from the pool at once, and regain all uses after a long rest.
Wild Card Suit Table Joker Wild
Damage
At 17th level, your mastery over chance encompasses even
die (d4) Suit your own form, allowing you to exist between potential
realities. As a bonus action on your turn, you can take on an
1 Blade : Roll your Sneak Attack damage and add it incorporeal form, during which you gain the following
to your razor card’s damage. At the start of its
next turn, the target takes additional damage
benefits:
equal to half the Sneak Attack damage rolled. You regain expended power for your Wild Card’s Gambit
2 Shackle : Until the start of your next turn, the feature:
target’s speed is halved. It can’t make more than Cards. You regain all spent uses of that feature.
one attack on its turn while its speed is reduced Dragonchess. You regain all spent uses of that
in this way. feature.
3 Heart : Roll your Sneak Attack damage and add it Dice. You regain all spent dice.
to your razor card’s damage. You also Your movement speed is doubled.
immediately regain a number of hit points equal You gain resistance to all damage, and are immune to the
to the half the damage dealt. Any excess hit grappled, paralyzed, stunned, and restrained conditions.
points regains become temporary hit points. You can move through objects and creatures as if they
4 Wild Ace : This card morphs suits depending on were difficult terrain. If you end your turn inside a
the dealer’s wishes. Choose Blade, Shackle, or creature, the creature takes 1d10 force damage and is
Heart. The card then immediately gains the suit’s shunted into an adjacent space within 5 feet of their
respective effect. original location.
Shifting the Odds This incorporeal state lasts for one minute, or until you are
Starting at 9th level, you are acutely aware of how to quit incapacitated. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it
when you’re ahead, vanishing in a flash when the odds begin again until you complete a long rest.
to turn against you. As a bonus action, you can disappear
with a dramatic flourish. Each creature within 10 feet of you
must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency
bonus + your Charisma modifier), taking 4d10 force damage
on a failed save or half as much on a successful one.
You then teleport yourself to an unoccupied space that you
can see within 120 feet of your original location. Once you
have used this ability, you cannot use it again until you have
finished a short or long rest.
Twist of Fate
At 13th level, your mastery over the game table hones your
speed and cunning in combat. After rolling initiative but
before the first turn of combat, you can choose to swap places
in the initiative order with one creature you can see. If the
creature is one of your allies, that ally must agree to
swapping initiative with you.
Chapter 3: Herald of the Harrowing

A
s the saying goes—there’s never a dull day in The adventurers are recruited by either Sarah Fortune,
Bilgewater. From daring smuggler’s runs to the current leader of Bilgewater, or Gangplank, the city’s
legendary monster hunts on the high seas, this former Reaver King, to travel to Bilgewater’s salvage
port city thrums with adventure. docks and scuttle the ship at the epicenter of this
Harrowing.
At the salvage docks, the adventurers confront the
This chapter presents “Herald of the Harrowing,” a short Shadow Isles’ Commander Ledros and must destroy the
adventure to help adventurers get their campaign started in shipwreck before the Harrowing consumes the city in its
Bilgewater. When a night out at a tavern turns dark, the entirety.
adventurers find themselves fighting shadows and If your players would like to level up over the course of the
investigating ghostly harbors, entrenched in a battle for the adventure, it’s recommended that they level at the end of Part
city itself. If you’re planning on experiencing the adventure as 1.
a player, stop reading now!

Background Part 1: Grim Shadows

Tall tales fill the briny air of Bilgewater Bay, as sailors return
Though many residents of Bilgewater earn their keep to port after a hard day’s work. But some of these stories are
through the Slaughter Fleets and Carving Bays, a handful more fact than fiction, and when one tavern patron’s
work as scrappers, dredging shipwrecks from the briny ramblings prove to hold more truth than expected, the
depths and salvaging whatever parts they can find. One such entirety of Rat Town find themselves engulfed in the Black
group of scrappers recently uncovered the Phantom’s Ire, a Mist of a Harrowing. The characters must battle through the
massive sunken galleon at the bottom of Bilgewater Bay. shadows and strike unlikely bargains, all in a desperate
Though many are excited to discover what valuable treasures attempt to rid the city of this roiling darkness.
they can find within its rotting hull, a few residents of
Bilgewater are apprehensive, regarding the ship as an ill Where to Start
omen for the future of the city.
Their suspicions are proven true when some nights later, a This adventure assumes that the characters have already met
tendril of dark magic reaches out from the Shadow Isles and and are presently spending the night at the Brazen Hydra,
ensnares the wreck, causing it to spew forth the undead- Bilgewater’s most famous tavern. How the characters know
ridden Black Mist upon the city. each other is up for the group to decide: they could be a
group of mercenaries, a scrappy pirate crew looking for some
spare coin, or maybe just sailing buddies relaxing on a night
Overview off. Alternatively, you can begin this adventure as each
“Herald of the Harrowing” is an adventure designed for a character enters the Brazen Hydra on their own independent
party of 3rd-level characters. The adventure can be broken ventures and then unite as danger threatens them all.
down into the following points:
The Brazen Hydra
After a tavern brawl breaks out at the Brazen Hydra, the
Black Mist begins to engulf Bilgewater Bay. Undead A rowdy tavern housed within the three-story wreck of an old
spirits ravage the streets as part of what is known as the slaughter fleet galleon, the Brazen Hydra is a hotbed for all
Harrowing, a scourge from the Shadow Isles. sorts of scum and villainy in Bilgewater. At every hour, pool
sharks and cardsharps place their bets on the tavern’s many Tala and Daine’s squabbling continues in the background
dice tables, and bedraggled sailors can be heard regaling of the Brazen Hydra, until their argument reaches a breaking
embellished tales of their latest seafaring escapades to any point:
who will listen.
A sudden shout rises above the crowd. “I’ll show ye what
Patrons happens if you don’t believe this scrapper’s tales!” Knuckles
Given the popularity of the Brazen Hydra, there is no crack against bone, and the same squat man in dark clothes is
shortage of interesting faces to be found around the tavern’s
premises. Two of the loudest patrons currently occupying the sent flying as the woman in purple crashes her fist into his
tavern are scrapper Tala Kenton and the knavish pickpocket face. One of the man’s drinking buddies help him from the
Daine Pierpont. ground, while the other lunges for the woman. Someone in the
A tall woman with wild dark hair and a flair for the bar raises a tankard in a cheer, and a rowdy crowd begins to
dramatic, Tala (chaotic neutral, female human spy) is known urge the fight on. What do you do?
around Bilgewater for her penchant for tall tales. Tala is also
secretly in league with Gangplank, the former Reaver King A brawl breaks out between Tala, Daine, and Daine’s two
believed to be deceased. With her mother serving as one of buddies, who are both bandits like their friend. Daine
the priests at the Temple of Nagakabouros, Tala has more attempts to knock Tala out before she can keep spinning
knowledge about the strange legends that lurk in Bilgewater’s tales; Tala fights for both what she believes to be the truth
tides than she initially lets on. and her injured pride. Neither Tala nor Daine want to kill the
Daine Pierpont (neutral, male human bandit) has heard his other; they’re fighting just to defend their pride.
fair share of Tala’s stories, and knows to take what she says If the characters decide to intervene in the fight, have
with a grain of salt. He’s often found sitting with a couple of everyone roll initiative.
his drinking buddies, loudly scoffing at Tala’s legends. His
bald head and thick silver mutton chops are easily Siding with Tala
recognizable to anyone who frequents the Brazen Hydra. Should one or all the characters help Tala, either by knocking
Characters may also encounter a myriad of other patrons Daine and his friends out or by pulling her away from the
as they meander through the Brazen Hydra. For more brawl, the captain reluctantly thanks the characters for their
interesting faces to pepper throughout the tavern, see part 3 assistance.
of the adventure. Should they pry for more information, Tala gladly provides
them the full story: she and two other scrapper crews
Tales From the Dark Depths dredged the Phantom’s Ire from the depths of Bilgewater Bay
As the characters relax in the Brazen Hydra, they overhear a three nights ago. However, every time she attempts to salvage
cocky scrapper reciting the tale of her latest find, much to the anything from the galleon, she swears she spots a tendril of
chagrin of other patrons. Read the following to set the scene: shadow lash across the horizon towards Bilgewater. Highly
suspicious of magic, Tala believes this to be an ill omen for
You sit around a chipped wooden table, surrounded by the the future of the city, and has been since urging her
sound of raucous laughter and hearty swigs of Bilgewater’s companions to return the shipwreck to its rightful place
finest rum. In the corner, a woman in a flamboyant purple coat beneath the tides.
kicks her feet onto the table. “And so there we was,” she says, If the characters say they believe her story, Tala thanks
eyes solemn, “Me and me crew, diggin’ through that cursed
them and promises to aid them in the future in return.
Should a character wish to lie to Tala about believing her
wreck. When suddenly—whoosh!” She sweeps her arm, nearly
story, they must succeed on DC 12 Charisma (Deception)
knocking over a tankard of ale. “Somethin’ dark swooped from check. If the check fails, or if a character outright says Tala’s
the horizon. I never felt somethin’ so terrifyin’ and cold in my story is false, Tala spits in the character’s face and storms off.
life, I tell ye! Ship’s haunted, I say. We never should’ve pulled
that wreck from the tides.” Siding with Daine
A squat figure in dark clothes pipes up from a few tables Should one or all of the characters help Daine, either by
away. “C’mon Tala, we know better than to believe your tall
knocking Tala out or by pulling him and his companions away
from the brawl, Daine breathlessly thanks the characters for
tales, now!”
their intervention and busies himself with checking his
drinking buddies for injuries.
The woman in purple is Tala Kenton. A tall figure with wavy,
silver-streaked black hair and a flair for the dramatic, Tala
has just returned from working at the salvage docks, where
she and a small team have been dismantling the wreck of the
Phantom’s Ire.
But the figure in dark clothes, Daine Pierpont, has other
opinions. Not one for superstition and myth, Daine believes
Tala to be exaggerating the danger of the wreck in order to
claim more of its treasures for herself. He alternates between
loudly interjecting detractions from Tala’s story and soothing
his tipsy companions that they’ll get their share of valuables
from the wreck.
While patching up his fellows, Daine explains that he couldn’t Once combat has ceased, the characters hear Daine’s voice
stand Tala spreading such lies. If asked for clarification, booming over the hubbub. “Get to the barricade!” he roars,
Daine informs the characters about the Phantom’s Ire. a urging the chaotic tide of confused townsfolk down the street.
small scrapper crew pulled the wreckage from the bay three Following this crowd leads the characters to Butcher’s Bridge
nights ago, and since then, desperate scrappers and thieves (see “Butcher’s Bridge”), where the survivors of the
have been trying to claim some of the ship’s valuable parts for Harrowing are sheltering.
their own. He also explains that a handful of superstitious A character that makes a successful DC 15 Wisdom
sailors (“‘course, what sailor ain’t superstitious, ya get?” he (Perception) check notices that the Black Mist is pouring out
adds), believe the ship to be cursed, though he thinks that is of a port built around one of the many rock spires protruding
just a ruse to keep other crews away from the wreck. from Bilgewater Bay—one of the city’s salvage docks. More
intrepid parties may choose to head straight for the eye of the
Staying Back storm. In that case, proceed directly to Part 2.
Characters who choose to spectate the brawl overhear Tala is also watching the characters from the shadows. If
snippets of Tala and Daine’s argument. Those who wish to the characters allied with Tala during the tavern brawl, the
listen more intently must make a DC 12 Wisdom slaughter fleet captain approaches them and promises to lead
(Perception) check. On a success, the character hears the party somewhere safe. Tala then escorts the party to
fragments of both parties’ arguments: Tala firmly believes
that Phantom’s Ire will bring ill fate to Bilgewater, and Daine Gangplank’s ship, the Dreadway, via a rowboat (see “The
insists she is only fabricating such a tale to keep others away Dreadway”).
from her share of the treasure. If the characters didn’t ally with Tala, a character that
If no characters decide to intervene in the brawl, Tala makes a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check spots
knocks out both of Daine’s companions before Daine lands a the flutter of Tala’s purple coast disappearing down an
sucker punch in her gut. She staggers, and then storms off to alleyway, away from the other crowds. If characters decide to
the bar counter to order another drink, while Daine is left to follow her, they must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity (Stealth)
weakly bandage his friends’ wounds. Attempting to approach check to proceed undetected. Tala engages anyone she
either of them for conversation in this state requires a believes is tracking her, and takes potshots while fleeing.
successful DC 13 Charisma (Persuasion) check. Otherwise, Following her unnoticed leads to a dock of small dinghies
the person in question stonily ignores the characters. where the characters spy her rowing towards the Dreadway.
The characters may follow in a rowboat of their own (see
The Harrowing Begins “The Dreadway”).
The uneasy peace that settles over the Brazen Hydra in the A Tale of Two Captains
aftermath of the brawl doesn’t last for long, however. Read or
paraphrase the following when the characters are finished The conflict between Miss Sarah Fortune and the Reaver
talking with people after the brawl: King Gangplank is nothing short of legendary. Many believed
the war between captains ended six months ago, when Miss
All at once, the candles lining the tavern’s chandeliers flicker,
Fortune bombed Gangplank’s ship, the Dead Pool, and
ostensibly killed its pirate captain. But Gangplank survived,
then are extinguished. The door creaks open with a cold wind,
and now, with the support of the Buhru people, he aims to
and in the moonlight seeping in through the grimy windows, take back leadership of Bilgewater.
the shadows of the room seem to elongate. Growing long Depending on which location the characters visit after their
limbs, sharp claws, gaping mouths. Rising up from the ground first encounter with the Harrowing, the party may find
of their own accord. The sockets where their eyes should be themselves allied with either Miss Fortune or Gangplank.
flash a ghostly, hungering blue.
Butcher’s Bridge
Countless tendrils of swirling Black Mist stretch through the The sounds of panic and splintering wood greet the
streets of Rat Town, and swarms of undead tear through its characters as they rush towards Butcher’s Bridge:
streets. Shouts of confusion intermingle with cries of panic
as townsfolk rush to grab their weapons and find shelter. The streets of Rat Town soon give way to a crumbling stone
bridge with a heavy wooden gate. Urgent shouting fills your
Encounter: Vanguard of the Harrowing ears: “Hurry, barricade the door! Don’t let any of that mist
This encounter can take place either inside the Brazen Hydra through!” You push past the crowd and stumble onto the
or on the streets of Bilgewater. As the characters attempt to other side just before the gate slams shut with a heavy crash.
escape the Black Mist, they find themselve accosted by two
barkbeasts and one shadow, all hungering to claim souls for The few survivors who escaped the Harrowing of Rat Town
the Shadow Isles. Have everyone roll initiative. (about 5 bandits and 10 commoners) huddle along Butcher’s
Aftermath
Bridge, tending their wounds. On the end of the bridge
opposite the gate rises the towers of the Temple of
Nagakabouros.
One of the survivors is Daine, but both of his wounded A character that makes a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Insight)
friends were slain by creatures of the Shadow Isles. If the check intuits that beneath her strong facade, Miss Fortune is
characters sided with Daine during the tavern brawl or chose deeply shaken by the events and truly concerned for the well-
not to intervene, the pickpocket’s voice expresses a mixture of being of those who live in Bilgewater.
surprise and regret, explaining with a hollow laugh that he Miss Fortune offers the characters 25 gp each, should they
never expected Tala’s stories to be true. If the characters successfully scuttle the cursed wreck and send it back below
sided with Tala, Daine ruefully growls that they made the the waves. Characters attempting to negotiate this deal must
right call in trusting her. make a DC 13 Charisma (Persuasion) check. On a success,
Either way, Daine explains he works for the legendary Miss Miss Fortune either agrees to raise the final payment to 30 gp
Sarah Fortune, and that she’s called all her loyalists to the or pay each character 10 gp up front—but not both.
Temple, seeking able fighters to scuttle the cursed wreck at Once the deal has been finalized, Miss Fortune gives each
the salvage docks and offering quite the reward for a character one powder keg to help them scuttle the ship and
successful mission. He suggests that the characters go talk points the characters towards the salvage docks.
with her, given how well they handled themselves against the The Dreadway
shadows back in Rat Town. Paddling across Bilgewater Bay, the characters see the
intimidating, shark-like hull of the Dreadway rising from the
The Temple of Nagakabouros mist:
Looking for Miss Fortune leads the characters into the main
courtyard of the temple: The shadow of a massive ship looms over you, lights like eyes
glowing green in its prow. Two massive cannons rise from the
Your steps echo through the ancient stone halls of the temple
shark’s maw carved into its prow, and its black sails flutter in
until you emerge into a wide courtyard, decorated with dozens
the wind.
of statues of rearing, fanged serpents. At the far end stands a
young woman with flame-red hair tumbling from beneath a
stylish pirate’s hat, and bearing two elegantly carved pistols at
If the characters are not accompanied by Tala, they must
succeed on a DC 18 group Dexterity (Stealth) check to avoid
her side. Her blouse is stained with scorch marks. She greets
the notice of Gangplank’s various lookouts. If the number of
you with a smirk and a nod of her head, and says, “I hear tell a failures outweigh the number of successes, the party is
group of fighters saved a load of people back in Rat Town. spotted (see “A Captive Audience”). On a success, the party
Matchin’ your description, too. Are you them?” can board the Dreadway unhindered, blending into the
motley crowd of Gangplank’s allies.
Though usually confident and charming, Miss Fortune is in a
foul mood, and wastes no time in explaining the situation to A Captive Audience
the party. She tells the characters that she spied a tendril of If the party is spotted, a shout rises up from the deck: “Spies,
the Black Mist reaching out from the Shadow Isles and off the starboard bow!” The crew then aims multiple cannons
ensnaring one of the wrecks at Bilgewater’s salvage docks, at the characters’ small boat and demands their surrender. A
which leads her to believe that some stronger specter from successful DC 13 Charisma (Deception or Persuasion)
the Shadow Isles has claimed dominion over the wreck and check convinces the crew that the characters aren’t spies, but
aims to consume the entire city with the Black Mist. the crew still requests they come aboard the Dreadway
nonetheless.
Once on board, the characters come face-to-face with the
Saltwater Scourge himself: Part 2: Chasing Ghosts
Task in hand, the characters follow the Black Mist to the
In front of you stands a towering man, beard as grey as a salvage docks. As the epicenter of this Harrowing, the
stormcloud and eyes glowering beneath a tattered captain’s neighborhood is abandoned and in shambles. The heart of
hat. One hand, composed entirely of creaking iron and gears, this Harrowing is the Phantom’s Ire, a dredged-up ghost ship
wraps around the hilt of a vicious cutlass. “Thought that dogs now helmed by a ghastly warrior of the Shadow Isles.
like ye could sneak up on ol’ Gangplank, eh?” he sneers. “Did
ye think I was still rottin’ in the tides? Ha! Think again.” The Salvage Docks
Located on an isolated rock spire in Bilgewater Bay, this
Gangplank is keen to prevent word of his survival reaching wharf is the base of operations for many of the city’s
Bilgewater proper, and considers killing the characters to scrappers, who make a living dredging wrecks from the deep
ensure their silence. After a moment’s thought, however, he and salvaging their usable parts. A reinforced boardwalk
proposes a deal: if the characters stop the Black Mist stretches from Bilgewater proper to the spire, but it’s also
ravaging the city, he will let them walk away from his ship easily accessible by boat. The docks are largely empty;
with their lives. A character that makes a successful DC 15 though scrappers are a cunning and resourceful lot, they are
Wisdom (Insight) check intuits that, for all of Gangplank’s ill-suited for fighting and thus were quickly overwhelmed by
ploys for power, he cares about this city—at least insofar as the Black Mist.
he wants to have something to rule once he has returned.
Should the characters refuse Gangplank’s offer, he throws Regional Effects
them into the Dreadway’s brig until they reconsider. As the epicenter of the Harrowing, the dark magic of the
Once agreed, Gangplank forces the characters into one of Shadow Isles has warped the salvage docks to an unnatural
the Dreadway’s life boats and sends them sailing towards one degree. Whether coming from the Temple of Nagakabouros
of Bilgewater’s many salvage docks, where he can see the or from Gangplank’s Dreadway, an unnatural chill prickles up
thickest concentration of the Black Mist in Bilgewater. the characters’ backs, and clammy fog clings to their form.
Keep the following in mind as the characters begin to explore
Captain’s Orders the neighborhood.
If brought onto the Dreadway by Tala or boarding the ship Pestilence
undetected, the party encounters Gangplank anxiously
watching the Black Mist consuming Bilgewater: All vegetation within one mile of the salvage docks looks
blighted; the leaves are an inky black and ghostly white
Amidst the crowd of both pirates and acolytes dressed in
blemishes coat the stems. A living creature that eats a
blighted plant becomes violently ill, and must make a DC 15
Buhru attire paces a towering man with stormy eyes and a wild
Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour.
grey beard—Gangplank, the Saltwater Scourge, long thought
dead by all Bilgewater. One hand, made entirely of iron and Light
gears, rests against the helm of the ship. “Bloody Sarah A constant gloomy shroud hangs over the neighborhood.
Fortune won’t be able to defend the city against another Unless mentioned otherwise, the entire area is dimly lit (see
Harrowing,” he mutters. “I want there to be a city left when I
“Vision and Light” in chapter 8 of the D&D Basic Rules).
return.”
Eyes in the Dark
Gangplank offers 20 gp and a place among his elite warriors When a tendril of the Black Mist stretched from the Shadow
to anyone who helps drive back this Harrowing. If the Isles to ensnare the Phantom’s Ire, it brought with it the
characters aided Tala back at the Brazen Hydra, she undead Commander Ledros. Bound in service to the
personally recommends them for the job. Gangplank is Harrowing, this accursed specter has claimed the salvage
stubborn and refuses to budge on the terms of his offer, but a docks for the Shadow Isles and, along with the rest of the
character that makes a successful DC 18 Charisma Shadow Isles’ undead legion, aims to ravage all of Bilgewater.
(Persuasion) check can sweet-talk him into paying each Ledros stays aboard the Phantom’s Ire, which is docked at
individual 5 gp up front. the neighborhood’s north port; any characters looking
Once the deal is finalized, Gangplank gives each character northward can see the tattered ghostly sails of the Phantom’s
one powder keg and lends the characters one of the Ire waving in the breeze above the area. A number of
Dreadway’s lifeboats. He then points them in the direction of shadows patrol the streets, snuffing out any remaining life in
the salvage docks, where he’s spotted the Black Mist the area.
gathering. Whenever characters enter a new section of the map, they
must make a DC 10 Dexterity (Stealth) check. To avoid
Pursuing the Mist detection, the number of successes made in the group must
be more than the number of failures. If the characters
Whether by land or by sea, the characters journey to the engaged in combat in the previous area, these checks are
salvage docks. You can treat this journey as a short rest, made with disadvantage.
allowing characters to expend hit dice and regain other
resources.
A character can search for potential aggressors hidden in the
Black Mist by making a DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check. 1. The Warren
On a success, the character notices one shadow spying on With many of the main thoroughfares into this neighborhood
their group. Should the characters choose to engage in left ruined by the Harrowing, this winding series of alleyways
combat, reducing the shadow to 0 hit points prevents it from serves as the primary route into the remains of the salvage
reporting back to Commander Ledros, and the characters docks from Bilgewater proper. These passages reek of rotting
remain undetected. fish and decay, yet no vermin rummage through the upturned
The shadows are bound to the Black Mist, and can’t enter a crates and derelict buildings, rendering them eerily silent.
space that isn’t at least partially covered by the mist (see the Effects like detect magic sense a lingering presence of
map). However, the longer the characters spend exploring the necromancy seeped into the earth of the Warren leading deep
salvage docks, the more the Black Mist spreads. If you like, into the heart of the neighborhood. The end of the Warren
you can fill in a new 10-foot by 10-foot square area anywhere deposits characters into Carrack Row.
on the map with Black Mist every minute, but you can speed Loot. Characters who wish to search the area may make a
this up or slow this down depending on how dire you wish to DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a success, they
make the Harrowing. find a rusty dagger and 1d4 sp.
Keep track of whether or not Ledros’s minions notice the 2. Carrack Row
characters’ presence. It will affect the final encounter with
him. What was once the commercial hub of this area is now
nothing more than a hollow shell. Vicious gunpowder marks
Areas of the Salvage Docks sit beside faded splatters of blood on the broken streets, and
the cracked windows of the former shops creak idly in the
Left in ruins, this neighborhood is nothing more than an faint wind. Beside the entrance to the docks sits what
assortment of crumbling storehouses along cracked streets. appears to be the remains of a tavern, constructed from two
Wharf rats and other vermin scurry amidst the splintering upturned ship hulls sandwiched together. Faded paint above
remains of taverns, and a few wrecked ships bob aimlessly the splintered door reads, “The Peregrine.”
along the docks. Most building entrances remain inaccessible, their
The following areas are keyed to the map. If characters are doorways caved and covered in rubble from the Harrowing,
arriving from the Temple of Nagakabouros, they enter the but characters can force their way past the Peregrine’s
area through the Warren (area 1). If the characters are broken door with a successful DC 12 Strength (Athletics)
arriving from Gangplank’s Dreadway, they enter the area at check. If the characters enter the tavern, jump to the
the Scouts’ Waterfront (area 3). Peregrine (area 5).
Characters inspecting the other buildings of Carrack Row
Map Links
encounter 3 skeletons lurking among the Black Mist in the
area. These undead attempt to continue the motions of their
Docks (DM ver.) and Docks (Player ver.) former lives, restocking shelves and cleaning counters. If
these routines are interrupted, the skeletons attack the
intruders.
3. Scouts’ Waterfront The Telemachus sits breached onto one of the auxiliary
This smaller set of docks on the western side are usually piers. Time has rotted the wood planks, leaving splintered
used by small scouting vessels, which search and mark areas holes in the dock, and a hungry abyssal eye leaps over these
for potential wrecks before sending in the larger salvage broken sections with jaws bared. Characters wishing to cross
crews. Now, though, these docks are decrepit, blackened the broken dock and enter the Telemachus must make a
barnacles coating the rotting pilings. The broken planks of successful DC 14 Dexterity (Stealth) check. On a failure, the
wood squelch and sag as the characters step onto them. abyssal eye leaps from the water and makes a bite attack
Closer to the warehouses sits a small abandoned shed that against the character using its Go Fish ability.
was once the dockmaster’s office. The storm has severely weakened the structural integrity of
Loot. Curious characters inspecting the inside of the shed the Telemachus. Only two Medium creatures, or one Medium
find the remains of a skeleton wearing a dented breastplate, creature and two Small creatures, can be aboard the
which can be salvaged and donned by a human character (or Telemachus at a time. If more creatures board the wreck, the
another Medium-size humanoid) proficient with medium ship begins to sink, and all characters on board must make a
armor. successful DC 12 Strength saving throw or be pinned by the
sinking rubble. A pinned character begins to drown (see
4. Warehouses “Suffocating” in chapter 8 of the D&D Basic Rules) but can
These warehouses once stored a myriad of equipment and repeat the Strength saving throw as an action on future turns,
treasure salvaged from various wrecks. The Peregrine sits escaping the rubble on a success.
right between Carrack Row and the warehouses, and the Loot. If a character exploring the wreck of the Telemachus
tavern was once a common respite for weary dockworkers makes a successful DC 13 Intelligence (Investigation) check,
after a long day. the character finds a Bilgewater cutlass among the
Black Mist swarms one corner of the warehouses. In abandoned cargo. If this check succeeds by 5 or more, find a
addition to the spying shadows that lurk throughout the area set of dead man’s plate instead.
as mentioned in “Eyes in the Dark,” a ghostly blue 7. The Phantom’s Ire
commodore of Ledros (using the specter statistics) can be
found moving through the abandoned warehouses. As the This massive ghostly galleon sits at the end of the pier. What
Mist encroaches on the neighborhood, the commodore were once broken parts of its hull have now been
communes with the various corpses littering the area, reconstructed with ghostly blue wood, and a prow shaped like
summoning 2 zombies. a hungering maw swarms with dark fog.
If the characters attempt to engage the commodore, the The Phantom’s Ire has a barren top deck, with raised
spirit commands the zombies to combat the characters platforms on the forward and aft of the ship and a large
before fleeing to the Phantom’s Ire and alerting Ledros of the singular mast at its center. Going below deck uncovers a
characters’ presence. completely barren hold, and Commander Ledros awaits the
characters on board. When the characters board the
5. The Peregrine Phantom’s Ire, proceed to “Confronting the Commander.”
Once a bustling tavern built within two upturned ship hulls,
the inside of the Peregrine is now filled with dusty Confronting the Commander
overturned tables and shattered tankards. How Commander Ledros greets the characters upon their
If the characters are allied with Miss Fortune, they also boarding of the ship depends on whether Ledros detected
encounter three wharf rats rummaging through the tavern. their presence in the neighborhood.
The wharf rats are incredibly territorial, and will attack the
characters on sight. Encounter: Ledros Expectant
If the characters are allied with Gangplank, they instead If the characters were detected, Commander Ledros is
encounter three powder monkeys dangling from the rafters. expecting them. He stands on the center of the deck, pacing
A character can identify these rambunctious creatures as around the mast:
lackeys of Miss Fortune with a successful DC 13 Intelligence
(History) check. The powder monkeys do not engage in The grey wood of the ship creaks beneath your feet, the
combat unless provoked, and as soon as one of them is tattered sails rustling above you. Beside the crooked and
reduced to 0 hit points, the remaining powder monkeys groaning mast stands a tall figure in blackened armor, ghostly
attempt to flee and inform Miss Fortune of what they saw. green smile stretching impossibly wide behind his helm. In
one hand, he holds a jagged shield, and in the other, he
Loot. A character that inspects the broken shelves behind clutches a broken blade, cursed mist wisping off its sharp
the bar and makes a successful DC 10 Intelligence edge.
(Investigation) check finds 3 potions of healing stashed “So, you’ve come to see the might of Commander Ledros,”
behind a now-empty bottle of rum. he says. His voice rumbles like a thousand souls speaking at
once. “You should have left well enough alone.”
6. The Wreck of the Telemachus
Both Carrack Row and the warehouses connect to these
main docks. Though mostly abandoned, a few shipwrecks can Ledros immediately uses his Harrowing Mist ability, covering
be spotted bobbing with the tide, the closest of which is the the deck of the Phantom’s Ire in writhing black fog. Have
wreck of a sloop named the Telemachus. everyone roll initiative.
Encounter: Ledros Surprised
Unaware yet of the characters’ presence, Commander Ledros
stands at the prow of the ship, gazing out towards Bilgewater
proper. Read or paraphrase the following:
At the helm of the ship, stands an imposing figure in
blackened armor, the gaps where a body should be instead
filled with ghostly green light. His gaze combs across the
roiling Black Mist surging towards Bilgewater with a heavy sigh
that sounds like a thousand souls speaking at once.
“I will not fail this time,” he says to himself, grip tightening
around the broken sword in his grasp, “Every step brings the
Isles closer to deliverance.”

Characters attempting to board the ship without drawing his

attention must make a DC 11 Dexterity (Stealth) check. On a
success, a character is able to surprise Ledros (see
“Surprise” in chapter 9 of the D&D Basic Rules). Everyone
rolls initiative, and creatures that are surprised lose their first
turn in the initiative order.
Blood in the Water
When Commander Ledros is reduced to 0 hit points, he lets
out a piercing death rattle that shakes the very bowels of the
ship:
An aching groan echoes from the ship’s hull. “No!” Ledros
shrieks. More splintering and shattering wood echoes from
the hull, the mast wavering above you. Soon, the edges of the
commander’s form fade to smoke, the harsh edges of his
armor turning to mist as the ship lurches again. “I have been
broken once—I will not be broken again. You have not seen
the last of Ledros! You will soon taste my undying wrath!”

Commander Ledros’s spectral form vanishes into the mist,

leaving only the cursed Blade of Ledros behind. Ledros’s
defeat has foiled his plans to conquer Bilgewater, but he is far
from dead. This undying servant of the Shadow Isles will
reform one day to take his vengeance upon the adventurers
that defeated him.
Encounter: Scuttling the Ship
The scarred and weathered hull of the Phantom’s Ire has AC
15 and 50 hit points and is vulnerable to fire damage. When
the hull reaches 0 hit points, the ship begins to sink. Any
characters on board the Phantom’s Ire when it begins sinking
must scramble to escape the ship before it drags them into
the briny depths.
For this encounter, the party can remain in the same
initiative order from the combat with Ledros, or everyone can
roll for initiative again. On their turn, a character can attempt
to leap from the sinking ship by making a DC 14 Strength
(Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, landing safely on
the remains of the dock on a success. On a failure, the
character falls deeper into the sinking shipwreck, taking 2
(1d4) bludgeoning damage.
Every turn, on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), a Upon returning to the Temple of Nagakabouros, Miss
complication arises from the sinking ship. Roll on the Fortune congratulates the characters on a job well done and
Shipwreck Complications table to determine what pays them their respective rewards. However, a successful
misfortune befalls the group. DC 18 Wisdom (Insight) check intuits that Miss Fortune is
The Phantom’s Ire is fully submerged after 5 rounds. At calculatedly taking note of their skill sets for future jobs.
this time, any characters still on board the ship are One job in particular concerns the matter of Gangplank,
submerged and begin to drown (see “Suffocating” in chapter the former Reaver King. Miss Fortune suspects that her old
8 of the D&D Basic Rules). nemesis isn’t as dead as he seems. Impressed by the
character’s ability to push back the Harrowing, she may
Sinking Ship Complications request their help in the future with investigating rumors of
d8 Complication how Gangplank may have survived his attempted
1 Ghostly blue hands rise from the deep. Each character assassination.
on the shipwreck must make a DC 10 Strength saving
throw. On a failure, a character must subtract 1d4 The Saltwater Scourge
from the next Strength or Dexterity check they make,
as these ghostly hands grasp and cling to their form. Upon returning to the Dreadway, Gangplank either clears the
2 A barrel bursts, flooding the shipwreck with dark
characters of their debt to him (if they were caught sneaking
energy. Everyone on the sinking ship must make a aboard) or pays them their due reward. He then allows the
successful DC 12 Constitution saving throw or take 3 characters to leave, but threatens to send them into the briny
(1d6) necrotic damage. tides himself if he catches them spreading word of his
3 A massive wave sweeps over the wreck. Everyone on
survival.
board must make a successful DC 10 Strength saving Should the characters wish to continue working with
throw or be pushed 10 feet underwater. Gangplank, the former Reaver King may task them to gather
more information about Miss Fortune and begin plotting his
4 A chunk of the mast topples into the water. Everyone
on the shipwreck must make a successful DC 14
eventual return to Bilgewater.
Dexterity saving throw or take 5 (2d4) bludgeoning
damage from the falling debris. Other Adventures in Bilgewater
5– No complication occurs. If the characters want no more to do with the feuding
8 captains, there are plenty of other strange fellows and even
stranger mysteries to investigate within the port city.
A New Dawn
New Faces
As the last of the Phantom’s Ire sinks beneath the tides of Characters may encounter any of the following characters
Bilgewater, the Black Mist begins to recede from Bilgewater: either in the Brazen Hydra or around Bilgewater. Each
character has their own encounter, as detailed in the setting
With one last creak, the ship’s prow plunges into the ocean. guide.
And slowly, as if caught in a whirlpool, the Black Mist also is
sucked beneath the waves, until the hazy dark horizon of Kyren Addams
Bilgewater is once again clear. Armed with a paintbrush and an exceedingly rebellious spirit,
this young street urchin derives enjoyment from harmless
With the cursed wreck sunk, the Harrowing ends, and the pranks. His latest endeavor has been vandalizing Bilgewater’s
residents of Bilgewater live to fight another day. In the various notice boards. See the encounter “Graffiti” for more.
unlikely event that Ledros was not defeated before the Billy Brigs
Phantom’s Ire was scuttled, he is swept away by the receding A wide-eyed and naive newcomer to Bilgewater, Billy finds
Black Mist, unable to seek revenge beyond its accursed himself constantly beset by the city’s nasty surprises. See the
bounds. The characters can return to Bilgewater proper encounter “Street Rats” for more.
when they are ready to claim their reward from Miss Fortune
or Gangplank. Commodore Edwin Holt
This grizzled soldier is clad in the armor of Noxus. He and
Part 3: Turning Tides his partner have been harrassed by various pirates wishing,
and currently find themselves beset with a drunken mob. See
Though the Harrowing has been averted for now, more the encounter “Mob Mentality” for more.
adventures still await the characters. From two captains
vying for power in the city, to sea monsters churning the Jessamin Oz
depths, to even darker forces lurking on the horizon—it’s just Jessamin is a young woman in rags who makes her living by
another beautiful day in Bilgewater. telling fortunes to interested passers-by. See the encounter
“Penny Dreadful” for more.
Fickle Fortune
Kiki Summers
A young lady with brilliant dyed sashes around her waist, Kiki
darts around Bilgewater, handing out invites and coupons to
the exclusive taverns of the Eyries, Bilgewater’s upper levels.
See the encounter “Nightlife” for more.
The Shadow Isles
Characters may also desire to learn more about the
Harrowing and the mysterious Shadow Isles. They may
consult the acolytes in the Temple of Nagakabouros, who can
provide more information regarding the Mother Serpent and
the Harrowing. Though the Buhru are wary of outsiders, the
characters’ deeds have earned them a tentative amount of
trust, and a few priests may offer to take the characters along
the rest of the Serpent Isles to investigate the sudden
aggression from the Shadow Isles. More intrepid adventurers
may even strike out for the Shadow Isles themselves.
Mishaps and More
For characters more focused on independent ventures, the
setting guide provides numerous locations, individuals, and
even random encounters for the party to experience. But
don’t feel boxed in by the information provided. This is your
game—your version of Bilgewater. And in this city brimming
with scum and villainy, the possibilities are endless.
Chapter 4: Beasts of Bilgewater

T
his chapter is for the Dungeon Master’s eyes Sea Bullies. Abyssal eyes are incredibly territorial and
only, and contains a short bestiary of iconic always hunt alone. They use their eye to drive away any other
monsters unique to Bilgewater and the world creatures that dare to occupy their hunting grounds.
of Runeterra. Many other monsters, including Occasionally another abyssal eye infringes on the territory of
some referenced in encounters in chapter 1 of another, and these encounters usually end with one eaten
this source, can be found in the free D&D alive.
Basic Rules. You can use the game statistics in
this book and the Basic Rules to create exciting stories and
combat encounters for your continuing adventures on the Abyssal Eye
high seas of Runeterra.
This chapter also includes game statistics for two famous Large aberration, unaligned
NPCs in Bilgewater: Miss Fortune and Gangplank. Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Characters aren’t expected to fight these mighty champions, Hit Points 42 (5d10 + 15)
but the DM is encouraged to use these statistics to adjudicate Speed 5 ft., swim 50 ft..
how they might react if they were suddenly attacked by
murderous adventurers, or if they decided to temporarily ally
with the heroes. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 5 (-3) 14 (+2) 3 (-4)
How to Use Monster Stat Skills Perception +4
Blocks Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
A monster’s game statistics, also known as its stat block, passive Perception 14
Languages understands Deep Speech but can’t
provide all the information a Dungeon Master needs to speak
portray the monster in combat. Its narrative description also Challenge 3 (700 XP)
provides all the information on how to play it in scenes
without combat. A full description of how monster statistics Vigilant. The abyssal eye can’t be surprised.
work can be found in Chapter 12: Monsters of the D&D Basic
Rules. Water Breathing. The abyssal eye can breathe only
underwater.
Abyssal Eye
The abyssal eye is a monstrous fish-like aberration with Actions
razor-sharp teeth and a single violet eye in its skull. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) piercing damage.
Fearless Scavengers. Though born from the deepest and
darkest trenches of the sea, abyssal eyes hunt closer to the Evil Eye. The abyssal eye uses its eye to create an
surface of the ocean than most sea-monsters. They use aura of fear. Each creature in a 30-foot cone must
powerful leaps to grab unsuspecting prey from the shore,
then drag them into the water to finish the fight. There are succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be
reports of particularly aggressive abyssal eyes snatching frightened for 1 minute. The target can repeat the
victims from active shipyards or urban waterways. saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending
The remains of these unfortunate victims the effect on itself on a success.
are rarely found, for the abyssal eye drags Go Fish. The abyssal eye uses an action leaps from
them back to their deep-sea lairs. the water and lands at another point in water up to
30 feet away, this path must follow a straight line.
During this leap, it can make a bite attack on one
target in its path. If the attack is successful, the
target is grappled (escape DC 13) and carried by
the abyssal eye to its landing point. Until this
grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the
abyssal eye can’t use its bite on another target.
 Barkbeast
Medium undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 16 (3d8 + 3)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

10 (+0) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 6 (-2)

Skills Stealth +4
Damage Vulnerabilities fire, radiant Dragon Shark
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and Huge dragon, unaligned
slashing from nonmagical attacks; necrotic,
poison Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned Hit Points 126 (11d12 + 55)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 Speed 0 ft., swim 60 ft.
Languages —
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Pack Tactics. The barkbeast has advantage on an 23 (+6) 11 (+0) 21 (+5) 1 (-5) 10 (+0) 5 (-3)
attack roll against a creature if at least one of the
barkbeast’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature Skills Perception +3
and the ally isn’t incapacitated. Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Soul Feast. When the barkbeast reduces an enemy Languages —
to 0 hit points, the barkbeast gains 5 temporary hit Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
points.
Water Breathing. The dragon shark can breathe only
Actions underwater. than you.
Life Drain. Melee Spell Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. The Actions
target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced one target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 6) piercing damage and
by an amount equal to the damage taken. This the target must make a successful DC 15 Strength
reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long saving throw or be thrown 20 feet in a direction of
rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit the dragon shark’s choice.
point maximum to 0.
Fin Rays. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10
ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 6) piercing damage.
The target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving
Barkbeast throw, taking 24 (6d6) poison damage on a failed
save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Undead servants formed from petrified bark and necrotic
mist, barkbeasts are spawned by the Harrowing to consume
the souls of the living. Apex Predators. Due to their size and poisonous natures,
Twisted Nature. Barkbeasts are manifestations of the dragon sharks are uncontested predators of the reefs and
trauma that resulted when an arcane disaster warped the coastal waters they choose to inhabit. A single bite from a
forests of the Shadow Isles. Their bodies are shards from dragon shark can sink most vessels in a matter of minutes.
these tortured woods, bound together by the carnivorous will The only real threat to dragon sharks are the enormous
of the Harrowing mists. krakens that haunt the ocean depths, and the two species
Will to Live. Driven by an eternal hunger for life, violently oppose one another whenever possible.
barkbeasts siphon the life force from all living beings they The only being ever known to have tamed a mighty dragon
encounter in hopes that their life force will heal their shark is the champion Fizz, an aquatic yordle with an
unnatural wounds. While their consumption temporarily unusual connection to the beasts of the deep. In fact, Fizz
repairs their physical forms, the hunger of the Harrowing may not have tamed his companion dragon shark, so much as
never subsides. he formed a bond of friendship with it.
Draconic Ancestry. The evil-temper and boney fin
Dragon Shark protrusions of dragon sharks have led some to speculate they
Cousins to aquatic dragons, dragon sharks are massive are early ancestors to dragons who never evolved to walk on
creatures with poisonous fin rays that prowl the shores of land.
Bilgewater.
Ironback Pool Shark
Ironbacks are tanky, turtle-like humanoids that sell their A common feature of Bilgewater’s taverns and casinos, the
impressive destructive capabilities to the highest bidder. pool shark delights in games of skill. They don’t fear a good
Rock Solid. An ironback’s shell and scales are made of an old-fashioned brawl; to them, combat is the most skillful
incredibly hard substance similar to steel. This plating makes game of all.
them nigh impervious to physical harm but is light enough to Risky Business. A pool shark makes a living navigating
allow them to swim effortlessly. the whims of chance, and are skilled at tipping odds in their
Mercenary Culture. An ironback’s ability to decimate favor. Getting caught running cons or cheating at cards can
structures with bare fists is legendary. Sailors, pirates, and result in death in the lawless streets of Bilgewater, so
merchants scramble to employ these creatures to decimate deception and charisma are integral to a pool shark’s survival.
rival vessels or to protect their own. This popularity has Face Cards. To protect their interests, pool sharks often
shaped the ironback people into a culture of mercenaries, work for the movers and shakers of Bilgewater. An employed
with most young being trained from birth to serve as soldiers pool shark might scope out a particular tavern for
for hire. information, or con a specific mark out of ill-gotten riches.
Whatever the job, if the money is right, a pool shark will sign
up.
Ironback
Medium humanoid, any alignment
Pool Shark
Armor Class 17 (natural armor) Medium humanoid (any race), any non-lawful
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8) alignment
Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 52 (8d8 + 16)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Speed 30 ft.
15 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 12 (+1)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Skills Athletics +4, Survival +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 14 (+2)
Languages Aquan, Common
Challenge 1 (200 XP) Skills Deception +4, Sleight of Hand +5
Senses passive Perception 10
Amphibious. The ironback can breathe air and water. Languages any two languages
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Siege Monster. The ironback deals double damage
to objects and structures. Gambler’s Luck. When the pool shark rolls a 1 on
the d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving
Actions throw, reroll the die and use the new roll (even if
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., that roll is also a 1).
one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
*Sharking (2/Day). The pool shark can use a bonus
Harpoon. Melee or Ranged Weapon +4 to hit, reach action on its turn to target one creature within 30
5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + feet of it. If the target can hear the pool shark, the
4) piercing damage. If the target is a Large or target must succeed on a DC 12 Charisma saving
smaller creature, it must succeed on a Strength throw or have disadvantage on ability checks, attack
contest against the ironback or be pulled up to 20 rolls, and saving throws until the start of the pool
feet toward the ironback. shark’s next turn.

Reactions Actions
Iron Plating. The ironback adds 2 to its AC against Multiattack. The pool shark makes two cue stick
one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the attacks. One of these attacks can be replaced with
ironback must be able to see the attacker. improvised weapon.
Cue Stick. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5
ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Improvised Weapon. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to
hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2)
bludgeoning damage.
Powder Monkey Wharf Rat
These elemental minions of Miss Fortune make life difficult Vicious monsters that stalk Bilgewater, wharf rats combine
for her enemies, hurling explosives around to cause chaos. the deadliest qualities of rats and sharks to make a fearsome
Strange Appetites. At their core, powder monkeys hunter.
smolder with a spark of elemental fire. They delight in eating Constant Menace. Even a solitary wharf rat can cause a
gunpowder by the handfuls to fuel explosive reactions in their significant threat to a community, but when one is spotted, an
elemental bowels. Anyone who provides a continuous supply infestation isn’t far behind. Because these creatures can move
of gunpowder is likely to earn the loyalty of these creatures. through water, they often set up nests in hard to access
Constant Motion. Powder monkeys exist in continual sewers, docks, or caves. Unless destroyed, wharf rats
motion, just like the fire that spawned them. These creatures continue to spawn from these nests unchecked.
scamper, teleport and climb at rapid speeds that make them Blood Hunters. Wharf rats can smell fresh blood from
difficult to hit. vast distances, and quickly swarm on any injured creature
they detect. Particularly cruel captains have bound, cut, and
left traitors in the streets to be eaten by wharf rats.
Powder Monkey
Small elemental, chaotic neutral
Wharf Rat
Armor Class 13 Small beast, unaligned
Hit Points 22 (5d6 + 5)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft. Armor Class 12
Hit Points 11 (3d6 + 1)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (-1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Skills Acrobatics +5 7 (-2) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 4 (-3)
Damage Vulnerabilities cold
Damage Immunities fire, poison Languages —
Condition Immunities poisoned Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands Common and Ignan, but Keen Smell. The wharf rat has advantage on Wisdom
can’t speak (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Blood Frenzy. The wharf rat has advantage on melee
Animalistic Elemental. The speak with animals and attack rolls against any creature that doesn’t have
locate animals or plants spells treat the powder all its hit points.
monkey as a beast.
Actions
Evasion. When the powder monkey is subjected to
an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only
half damage if it fails.

Actions
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) slashing damage plus
2 (1d4) fire damage.
Explosive Excretion. The powder monkey conjures
gunpowder and throws it at a point up to 60 feet
away. Each creature within 5 feet of that point must
make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6
bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one.
Flash Powder (Recharge 4–6). With a bright flash,
the powder monkey magically teleports along with
any equipment it is wearing or carrying up to 40
feet to an unoccupied space it can see. Before or
after teleporting, the powder monkey can reload
one weapon it can reach with the reload property.
NPCs
Commander Ledros
When a tendril of the Black Mist stretched from the Shadow Harrowing, this accursed specter has claimed the salvage
Isles to ensnare the Phantom’s Ire, it brought with it the docks for the Shadow Isles and, along with the rest of the
undead Commander Ledros. Bound in service to the Shadow Isles’ undead legion, aims to ravage all of Bilgewater.

Commander Ledros Incorporeal Movement. Ledros can move through other

Medium undead, lawful evil creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain.
He takes 5 (1d10) force damage if he ends his turn
Armor Class 16 (Breastplate, Shield) inside an object.
Hit Points 73 (7d8 + 42)
Speed 30 ft. Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, Ledros has
disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) Actions
Sword of Ledros. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
Saving Throws DEX +3, WIS +4 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage plus
Damage Resistances Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, 10 (3d6) slashing damage if the target is a humanoid
Thunder; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from creature.
Nonmagical Attacks that aren't Silvered
Damage Immunities Necrotic, Poison Harrowing Mist (Recharge 6). Ledros unleashes a wave
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, of shadowy mist that coalesces into a 15-foot radius
Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned circle centered on himself. Each creature within that
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 11 radius must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving
Languages Common throw, taking 22 (4d10) necrotic damage on a failure
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) and half as much on a success.
Miss Fortune
Sarah Fortune is a charismatic, gun-toting bounty hunter. Through patience and planning she has come to rule Bilgewater as its
most influential champion. Sarah has used her wits, charm, and unrivaled aim to establish a semblance of order in the chaotic city,
and intends to keep it that way.

Miss Fortune Actions

Medium humanoid (human), chaotic neutral Multiattack. Miss Fortune makes two weapon attacks.
Armor Class 19 (studded leather) Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Hit Points 123 (19d8 + 38) target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Speed 30 ft.
Pistol. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range 30/90
ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 18 (+4)
Legendary Actions
Miss Fortune can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
from the options below. Only one legendary action
Saving Throws Dex +9, Int +8
option can be used at a time and only at the end of
Skills Acrobatics +9, Deception +8, Perception +7,
another creature’s turn. Miss Fortune regains spent
Sleight of Hand +9
legendary actions at the start of her turn.
Senses passive Perception 17
Languages Common Strut. Miss Fortune moves up to her speed without
Challenge 12 (8,400 XP) provoking opportunity attacks.
Evasion. If Miss Fortune is subjected to an effect that Bullet Time (Costs 2 Actions). Miss Fortune makes two
allows her to make a Dexterity saving throw to take attacks with her pistol.
only half damage, Miss Fortune instead takes no Make it Rain (Costs 3 Actions). Miss Fortune fires a
damage if she succeeds on the saving throw, and only barrage of bullets. Each creature in a 15-foot cone
half damage if she fails. She can’t use this trait if she’s must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 16
incapacitated. (3d10) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one.
Fortune's Favor (1/Day). If Miss Fortune fails a saving
throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
Gunslinger. Being within 5 feet of a hostile creature or
attacking at long range doesn’t impose disadvantage
on Miss Fortune’s ranged attack rolls with a pistol. In
addition, Miss Fortune ignores half cover and three-
quarters cover when making ranged attacks with a
pistol.
Gangplank
Gangplank is a commanding, battle-worn pirate captain. Gangplank is the previous Reaver King of Bilgewater, who seeks to
reclaim his title after surviving an assasination attempt on his life. Gangplank dominated Bilgewater with fearsome strength and
an iron will, two qualities which serve him well as he rebuilds support to once again rule the city.

Gangplank Actions
Medium humanoid (human), chaotic neutral Multiattack. Gangplank makes two flame blade attacks.
One of these attacks can be replaced by a rifle attack.
Armor Class 18 (plate)
Hit Points 190 (20d8 + 100) Flame Blade. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5
Speed 30 ft. ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 5) slashing damage, plus
7 (2d6) fire damage.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Rifle. Ranged Weapon Attack:+6 to hit, range 60/150
ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d12 + 2) piercing damage.
20 (+5) 14 (+2) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 18 (+4)
Legendary Actions
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +8
Gangplank can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from
Skills Athletics +9, Intimidation +8, Perception +5,
the options below. Only one legendary action option
Sleight of Hand +6
can be used at a time and only at the end of another
Senses passive Perception 15
creature’s turn. Gangplank regains spent legendary
Languages Common
actions at the start of his turn.
Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)
Parrrley. Gangplank makes an attack with his rifle.
Indomitable (3/day). When Gangplank makes a failed
saving throw, he can choose to reroll it. He must use Dead Man’s Plate (Costs 2 Actions). Gangplank attempts
the new roll. to shove a creature within 5 feet of him (see “Shoving
a Creature” in chapter 9 of the D&D Basic Rules). The
Remove Scurvy. Gangplank regains 10 hit points at the shoved creature takes 4 (1d8) piercing damage, in
start of his turn as long as he has at least 1 hit point. addition to either being knocked prone or pushed.
Cannon Barrage (Costs 3 Actions). Gangplank fires a
magic bullet that explodes into a rain of cannon balls.
Gangplank chooses a point within 60 feet of him and
each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on
that point must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw.
On a failed save a target takes 11 (2d10) bludgeoning
damage and is knocked prone. On a successful save, a
target takes half damage and is not knocked prone.
Chapter 5: Booty of Bilgewater

T
here’s nothing better than getting to the end of When you hit a humanoid with this weapon, the humanoid
a dangerous adventure and finding a hoard of takes an extra 3d6 damage.
gold and jewels. Except, of course, finding Curse. This weapon is cursed, and becoming attuned to it
magic items mixed in with the loot. This extends the curse to you. Until the curse is broken with
source’s adventure, “Herald of the Harrowing,” remove curse or similar magic, you are unwilling to part with
includes several of these magic items
scattered throughout. Beyond that adventure, the weapon, keeping it within reach at all times. In addition,
the Dungeon Master can place these magic items throughout you have disadvantage on attack rolls made with weapons
their own homebrew adventures as rewards for the other than this one.
characters. While you are attuned to the sword, once a day at midnight,
you must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw
unless you are undead. On a failed save, your maximum hit
Magic Items points are reduced by 10. Hit points lost in this way can only
More magic items, as well as the rules for how to use magic be restored by a wish spell. If your maximum hit points are
items, can be found in chapter 14 of the D&D Basic Rules. reduced to 0 in this way, you die and immediately rise as a
wraith.
Adaptive Helm
Wondrous Item, uncommon (requires attunement) Boots of Swiftness
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
This metal helmet is set with crystals that change color when
exposed to elemental energy. While wearing this helm, if you These fashionable boots are adorned with small white wings.
are the target of an attack which would deal acid, cold, fire, While you wear these boots your base walking speed
lightning, or thunder damage you can use a reaction to adapt increases by 10 feet. In addition, your movement is
to that damage type. While adapted, you have resistance to unaffected by difficult terrain, and spells and other magical
that damage type. The helm returns to its normal state after effects can neither reduce your speed nor cause you to be
ten minutes. restrained.
Banshee’s Veil Dead Man’s Plate
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement by a Armor (medium or heavy), rare
spellcaster)
This jagged armor is made of castaway hooks and barbs.
This amulet is shaped like a sword with a small ruby set in While wearing this armor, if you take the Attack action on
the crossguard. Once per day when you are the target of a your turn, you can use a bonus action to try to shove a
spell you can use a reaction to cast counterspell (using your creature within 5 feet of you (see “Shoving a Creature” in
spellcasting ability). Casting counterspell in this way does not chapter 9 of the D&D Basic Rules). The shoved creature
expend a spell slot. takes 1d8 piercing damage, in addition to either being
knocked prone or pushed.
Bilgewater Cutlass
Weapon (scimitar), uncommon Powder Keg
Wondrous Item, common
These curved blades trail golden light when swung through
the air. You have a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made These small wooden barrels are filled with highly volatile gun
with this magic weapon. On a successful hit with the cutlass powder, then magically sealed for easy transport. Setting fire
the target’s speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your to a keg requires one action and a lit torch, match, or similar
next turn. magical effect. Once set on fire, a powder keg explodes at the
end of the round it is lit, dealing 1d10 fire damage to
Blade of Ledros creatures and objects within 10 feet of it. A successful DC 12
Dexterity saving throw halves the damage.
Weapon (longsword), rare (requires attunement)

The jagged shards of this blade are bound together by sickly

green energy. You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls
made with this magic weapon.
Credits
Lead Designer and Editor: James J. Haeck
Designers: Makenzie de Armas, Celeste Conowitch, Todd
Kenreck
Illustrators: Greg Faillace, Patrick Faulwetter, Mark
Gibbons, Kudos Productions, Dao Le, JiHun Lee, Chin
LikHui, MAR Studio, SixMoreVodka, Rafael Zanchetin
Cartographer: Ross McConnell
Art Coordinator and Editor: Faith Lilley
Digital Game Content: Faith Lilley, Thomas Opper, Elliot
Spilk, Adam Walton
Digital Product Development: Justin Ryder, Dani
Sadczenko, Lee Smithson
Creative Manager: Todd Kenreck
Producer: Bryan Herren
VP of Tabletop: Adam Bradford

The person who put it altogether in this PDF:

TheLurkerOne
Copyeditor:
Riftdrifter79