The Wave Dancer
by Darren Dare

The Wave Dancer is a well-run cog anchored in Fellaren-Krae’s dock area. If PCs are in need of sea transportation, DMs may use the Wave Dancer to transport them to other adventures and campaigns. The Wave Dancer makes frequent voyages along the coast to Selgaunt, Saerloon, Urmlaspyr, Westgate and the Cormyrian cities of Marsember & Suzail. She will always return home to Fellaren-Krae for the winter and often stays in port for weeks at a time while awaiting a new cargo.

Captain Martak is highly competent, but somewhat surly and dour. His crew is faithfully loyal to him and many of his sailors have spent decades sailing with the old salt. Most would give their life for him, as he would do the same for the crew.

The Wave Dancer will take on passengers for a standard fee of 10gp/ day traveled/ person and 20 gp/ day/ horse. The ship has room for four passengers, up to six horses, and several tons of cargo.

 

The Ship

The Wave Dancer is a cog, a sailing ship with a single mast, a bowsprit, square sails, a single deck, and stern- and for-castles. The ship is roughly 100’ long counting the bowsprit and carries a crew of 34. It can carry up to 140 tons of cargo and can take on 20 tons of PC goods and gear.

Crew (32 male and female humans): AL varies; AC 8; MV 12; F1; hp 5-7 each; THACO 20; #AT 1; Dmg by weapon type; ML 13; leather armor, short sword, light crossbow, dagger, club.

The 32 crew members include petty officers and mates.

 

1. Main Deck

The main deck is clean, well-swabbed, and heavily sanded. A 3’-high railing, with a removable section for the gangplank, surrounds the entire deck. Coils of rope, pieces of tackle and other equipment are neatly stowed all over the deck. Four heavy crossbows are mounted on this main deck. Two of these weapons face port while the other pair face starboard.

 

2. Captain's Quarters

This cabin is locked at all times when Captain Martak is not present within. It is sparsely decorated with a small desk bolted to the floor, a fold-down table, a fold down bed, two chairs, and a large sea chest. The sea chest contains the Captain’s log books, as well as a listing of the Wave Dancer’s past cargos. There is also a collection of nautical charts detailing the coast of Sembia and Cormyr as well as parts of the Sea of Fallen Stars.

At the bottom of the chest is a sextant, a spyglass, several changes of clothes, a bottle of fine whisky and 100 pp in coin.

 

Captain Martak    (7th Level Fighter)

STR:	12
DEX:	16
CON:	13
WIS:	15
INT:	14
CHA:	16
Race:	Human
Alignment:	Neutral Good
Sex:	Male
Hit Points:	42
Armor Class:	2
Movement:	12
#AT:	2
THAC0:	14
Damage:	By weapon type
leather armor +2, long sword, dagger +1, cloak of protection +2.

Captain Martak is a tall, thin, clean-shaven man with dark hair and skin. He is often grim and dour when on land, but when the ship rides upon the open sea he becomes an outgoing and dynamic sailor.

 

3. Galley

This area contains food, supplies, fuel, cooking utensils, and a small ship’s oven. There is also a small folding cot used by the cook, s this is where he sleeps.

 

4. Petty Officer's Quarters

Two petty officers share this cabin. Because of the watch schedule, only one of the officers is present at any time. The cabin has two bunks and a tiny table, all built into the walls and able to fold up for storage.

 

5. Paithannous' Quarters

The door to this area is wizard locked. The cabin is furnished with a desk, a fold-down table, a fold-down bunk, a single chair, and a single large trunk. The trunk is also wizard locked and contains several spell books. In addition to the spells memorized by Paithannous, the ship’s mage, these books contain the following spells: read magic, detect magic, wizard lock, light, comprehend languages, Snilloc’s snowball, and vocalize.

 

Paithannous Conjurous    (4th Level Fighter \ 4th Level Mage)

STR:	10
DEX:	15
CON:	15
WIS:	9
INT:	15
CHA:	10
Race:	Half-elf
Alignment:	Chaotic Good
Sex:	Male
Hit Points:	24
Armor Class:	8
Movement:	12
#AT:	1
THAC0:	17
Damage:	By weapon type or spell
ring of protection +1; spells: color spray, shield, wall of fog; alter self, web.

 

7. Hatch

This small (3’ x 3’) hatch covers a ladder that leads down into the cargo hold (Area 17).

 

8. Pilot House

This small area houses the ship’s wheel. Anyone standing inside the pilot house receives a -2 adjustment to AC (20% cover) from missile fire.

 

9. Main Mast and Crow's Nest

The main mast of the Wave Dancer reaches nearly 80’ above the main deck. The crow’s nest crows nest sits some 20’ feet below the tip of the mast and is accessible by rope ladders attached to the rails.

 

10. Main Hatch

The main hatch measures 6’ x 10’ and provides primary access to the cargo deck. The cargo is brought aboard using a large block and tackle that is located near the front of the hatch; it is then stowed away when not in use.

 

11. Life Boats

The ship is equipped with two rowboats for trips to shore and emergency situations. Each boat can hold up to 14 people. When not in use, they are covered with a weatherproof tarpaulin.

 

12. Passenger Cabins

If PCs book passage on the Wave Dancer, they are assigned to this tiny cabin. The cabin has four built in bunks and a fold down table.

 

13. Passenger Cabin \ Cargo Store

If there are more than four passengers sailing with the ship, the Captain puts the extra people here. It is otherwise used to store cargo.

 

14. Passenger Cargo Compartment

Any excess cargo that passengers may bring with them on their journey will be stowed here during the voyage.

 

15. Forecastle

A 3’-high railing surrounds the forecastle. The bowsprit is accessible from here as is the capstan that is used to raise and lower the ship’s anchor. Two heavy crossbows are bolted to the deck here so they may shoot to port and starboard.

 

16. Bowsprit

 

The bowsprit is a 15’-long tapered spar. Any climbing out along the bowsprit must make a Dexterity check each round or fall into the ocean. Holding one of the rigging ropes attached to the bowsprit gives a +4 bonus to the ability check.

 

18. Poop Deck

A sturdy railing surrounds the poop deck, providing cover from missile attacks (-2 adjustment to AC) and some protection from the elements. It also has tow mounted heavy crossbows, both pointing aft.

 

19. Cargo Hold

Grain and flour fills most of the cargo hold, although the captain also has a small cargo of wine, two large creates of cinnamon, and several casks of ale.

The hold also contains all of the ships provisions such as lemons, water, apples, ale, rum and oats.

Half of the crew bunk in the hold when not on duty.

 

20. Horse Stalls

Each stall consists of a simple wooden petition fixed to the wall. If the ship is not carrying any cargo, the partitions are removed to make room for more cargo. 21. Hold Cabin This chamber contains 10 fold-down beds. The ship’s ten most senior sailors currently occupy the cabin, but only three or four of them are usually present at any given time.

 

(The above image is copyright TSR Inc.)