The Atlantean Toll
One-Shot · 6 Players · Level 8 · Trireme + Enemy Galley · Atlantean Boarding
📜 Session Summary
| Style Boarding Action — Elemental skirmish → Galley clash → Deep-beast boss |
| Win Break the false toll; defeat or drive off the Keto-Spawn |
| Players 6 × Level 8 · 3–3.5 hrs · Entirely shipboard |
| Minis Sahuagin-as-Atlantean (≤4), Kuo-toa (≤4), Steam mephit (≤4), Triton caster, Tritons (≤4 on table), Deep-sea monster; 2nd ship: Atlantean galley |
Description
A Clerk of the Blue Tithe delivers the Bronze Tithe-Token. Atlantean reavers demand a sea-tax Poseidon never blessed. Their galley runs alongside the party trireme; a deep hybrid beast is their enforcer. Authenticate the bronze — or feed the ram.
Trireme + Enemy Galley
Main deck 40×50 ft · raised bow +15 ft · raised stern +25 ft · 90 ft total length (tapered ends) · center mast/sail · 15 ft ram at bow. Board supports up to 2 additional ships. Place Atlantean galley (≈70×25 ft) starboard, 5–10 ft gap / grappled.
Roster
| Creature | E | M | H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Mephit | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Atlantean | 2 | 4 | 4+wave |
| Brine-Touched | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Wave-Caller | — | 1 | 1 |
| Keto-Spawn | adj | 1 | 1 |
Encounter 1 — Steam on the Water
4× Steam Mephits boil up from the oar-ports as the Atlantean galley signals. Soft opener; fog + scalding. Win: clear mephits; spot the galley (Perception DC 12).
- Death bursts threaten sail (fire). Create Water / gust helps.
- Non-combat: Contests with buckets (Athletics DC 12 group) vent steam without full combat.
Steam Mephit
Small Elemental · CR 1/4 · Mini ×4
AC 10 | HP 21 | Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.
Death Burst: 5-ft steam Dex DC 10 or 4 (1d8) fire
Claws. +2 to hit. Hit: 2 (1d4) slashing + 2 fire.
Steam Breath (Recharge 6). 15-ft cone Dex DC 10; 4 (1d8) fire.
Encounter 2 — False Kings of the Wave
Grappling hooks. 4× Atlanteans + 3× Brine-Touched + Wave-Caller (hostile until Token shown).
- Non-combat: Brandish Tithe-Token + Religion/Persuasion DC 14 → Wave-Caller orders a parley pause; cultists may still attack.
- Combat: Blood Frenzy Atlanteans. Cut 3 grapple lines (AC 12/HP 8) to separate ships.
- RECRUIT: Token authenticity → Wave-Caller + 2 Triton Guards aid Enc. 3.
Atlantean Reaver (Sahuagin reskin)
Medium Humanoid, Lawful Evil · CR 1 · Mini: Sahuagin ×4
AC 12 | HP 22 (4d8+4) | Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft.
Blood Frenzy: adv on melee vs. creatures that don’t have all HP
Limited minis. Only 4 figures — use waves off-board if needed, or elite the four.
Multiattack. Bite and spear — or two spears.
Bite. +4 to hit. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing.
Spear. +4 to hit. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing.
Brine-Touched Cultist (Kuo-toa reskin)
Medium Humanoid, Neutral Evil · CR 1 · Mini: Kuo-toa ×4
AC 13 | HP 27 (5d8+5) | Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Sticky shield; Otherworldly Perception (force/invisible awareness 30 ft)
Spear. +3 to hit. Hit: 4 (1d6+1).
Net. As merman net.
Slime Slap. +3 to hit. Hit: poisoned until end of next turn (DC 11 Con).
Triton Wave-Caller
Medium Humanoid (Triton), Neutral · CR 4 · Mini: Triton caster ×1
AC 14 | HP 65 (10d8+20) | Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Spell DC 13, +5 — fog cloud, gust of wind, tidal wave (1/day)
RECRUITMENT. If the party shows the Tithe-Token as authentic Poseidon seal (Religion DC 12), the Wave-Caller switches sides in Enc. 3.
Enemy default. Begins as Atlantean ally / hostage-priest on their galley.
Trident. +4 to hit. Hit: 5 (1d6+1).
Lightning Lure cantrip. +5, pull 10 ft, 1d8 lightning (scaled).
Encounter 3 — Keto-Spawn at the Ram (Boss)
Keto-Spawn climbs the 15 ft ram onto the bow deck. Optional: 2 remaining Atlanteans snipe from their galley.
- Win: Beast 0 HP or driven to flee at ≤25% HP if Tithe-Token branded successfully this fight.
- Bow deck = raised 15 ft zone; shoving it off (Str contest DC 15 while bloodied) deals 3d6 fall into its own thrash.
Keto-Spawn (Deep-Sea Monster)
Large Monstrosity, Neutral Evil · CR 8 · Mini: Deep-sea angler/shark hybrid
AC 16 | HP 136 (16d10+48) | Speed 20 ft., swim 50 ft.
Senses: blindsight 30 ft. (angler lure) · Resist: cold
Climb Hull. Treat ship walls as non-difficult; can end turn on main deck.
Lure Hypnosis. Start of turn: one creature within 30 ft. that can see the lure DC 14 Wis or frightened+move toward it.
Siege. Double damage to objects (oar banks, rail).
Multiattack. Bite and two claws.
Bite. +9 to hit. Hit: 16 (2d10+5) piercing; grapple escape DC 15.
Claw. +9. Hit: 12 (2d6+5) slashing.
Swallow (Recharge 6). Grappled Medium target DC 15 Str or swallowed — 3d6 acid/turn; escape 20 HP to cut out.
Detect (1). Perception check.
Claw (1). One claw.
Thrash (2). Each creature within 5 ft. Dex DC 15 or 10 (3d6) bludgeoning and prone.
Bronze Tithe-Token
Wondrous Item (maguffin)
Poseidon’s authentic tax seal
Handout (20 words). "Show the true bronze when false kings claim the wave — the deep-beast bows to the stamp, not the spear."
Enc. 2. Advantage on Intimidation/Persuasion vs Atlanteans once.
Enc. 3. Action, brandish at Deep-Beast within 30 ft.: DC 15 Wis save or frightened 1 min and cannot Climb Hull for 1 round (once).
⚖️ Difficulty Scaling
As Written ★ — 6 Players, Average Level 8
- Baseline for this guide. Numbers, DCs, and win tracks assume six PCs at average level 8.
Library Standard — 6 Players, Average Level 8
- Identical to As Written — this guide’s baseline is already 6 PCs at average level 8.
Easier
- APL 4–6: reduce minion counts ~30%; DCs −2; boss loses one recharge or legendary option.
Harder
- APL 10–12: boss HP +25–35%; +1 legendary action; add a lieutenant or extra wave.
📋 Appendix
Atlantean Reaver (Sahuagin reskin)
Medium Humanoid, Lawful Evil · CR 1 · Mini: Sahuagin ×4
AC 12 | HP 22 (4d8+4) | Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft.
Blood Frenzy: adv on melee vs. creatures that don’t have all HP
Limited minis. Only 4 figures — use waves off-board if needed, or elite the four.
Multiattack. Bite and spear — or two spears.
Bite. +4 to hit. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing.
Spear. +4 to hit. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing.
Brine-Touched Cultist (Kuo-toa reskin)
Medium Humanoid, Neutral Evil · CR 1 · Mini: Kuo-toa ×4
AC 13 | HP 27 (5d8+5) | Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Sticky shield; Otherworldly Perception (force/invisible awareness 30 ft)
Spear. +3 to hit. Hit: 4 (1d6+1).
Net. As merman net.
Slime Slap. +3 to hit. Hit: poisoned until end of next turn (DC 11 Con).
Steam Mephit
Small Elemental · CR 1/4 · Mini ×4
AC 10 | HP 21 | Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.
Death Burst: 5-ft steam Dex DC 10 or 4 (1d8) fire
Claws. +2 to hit. Hit: 2 (1d4) slashing + 2 fire.
Steam Breath (Recharge 6). 15-ft cone Dex DC 10; 4 (1d8) fire.
Triton Guard
Medium Humanoid (Triton), Neutral · CR 1 · Mini ×10 (use ≤4 here)
AC 13 | HP 27 | Speed 30/swim 30
Amphibious; Empathic Bond rumors
Optional allies. If Wave-Caller defects, 2 guards join (field from Triton ×10).
Spear. +4. Hit: 5 (1d6+2).
Conch Net. restrain DC 12.
Triton Wave-Caller
Medium Humanoid (Triton), Neutral · CR 4 · Mini: Triton caster ×1
AC 14 | HP 65 (10d8+20) | Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Spell DC 13, +5 — fog cloud, gust of wind, tidal wave (1/day)
RECRUITMENT. If the party shows the Tithe-Token as authentic Poseidon seal (Religion DC 12), the Wave-Caller switches sides in Enc. 3.
Enemy default. Begins as Atlantean ally / hostage-priest on their galley.
Trident. +4 to hit. Hit: 5 (1d6+1).
Lightning Lure cantrip. +5, pull 10 ft, 1d8 lightning (scaled).
Keto-Spawn (Deep-Sea Monster)
Large Monstrosity, Neutral Evil · CR 8 · Mini: Deep-sea angler/shark hybrid
AC 16 | HP 136 (16d10+48) | Speed 20 ft., swim 50 ft.
Senses: blindsight 30 ft. (angler lure) · Resist: cold
Climb Hull. Treat ship walls as non-difficult; can end turn on main deck.
Lure Hypnosis. Start of turn: one creature within 30 ft. that can see the lure DC 14 Wis or frightened+move toward it.
Siege. Double damage to objects (oar banks, rail).
Multiattack. Bite and two claws.
Bite. +9 to hit. Hit: 16 (2d10+5) piercing; grapple escape DC 15.
Claw. +9. Hit: 12 (2d6+5) slashing.
Swallow (Recharge 6). Grappled Medium target DC 15 Str or swallowed — 3d6 acid/turn; escape 20 HP to cut out.
Detect (1). Perception check.
Claw (1). One claw.
Thrash (2). Each creature within 5 ft. Dex DC 15 or 10 (3d6) bludgeoning and prone.
Clerk of the Blue Tithe (Quest Giver)
Medium Humanoid, Lawful Neutral · Quest Giver
Temple accountant of Poseidon
Motivation. Atlantean reavers (sahuagin) are collecting a false “sea tax” with a deep-beast enforcer.
Hook. Mist onto the trireme already underway; the enemy galley is hours behind — then suddenly alongside.
Bronze Tithe-Token
Wondrous Item (maguffin)
Poseidon’s authentic tax seal
Handout (20 words). "Show the true bronze when false kings claim the wave — the deep-beast bows to the stamp, not the spear."
Enc. 2. Advantage on Intimidation/Persuasion vs Atlanteans once.
Enc. 3. Action, brandish at Deep-Beast within 30 ft.: DC 15 Wis save or frightened 1 min and cannot Climb Hull for 1 round (once).