The Atlantean Toll
One-Shot · 6 Players · Level 8 · ~3–3.5 hrs · Trireme + Enemy Galley · Atlantean Boarding
Style: Elemental skirmish → Galley clash → Deep-beast boss |
Win: Break the false toll; defeat or drive off the Keto-Spawn
Ship: Main 40×50 + bow 15 + stern 25 = 90 ft · 15 ft ram · 2nd ship Atlantean galley (≈70×25) starboard, 5–10 ft gap / grappled.
"Show the true bronze when false kings claim the wave — the deep-beast bows to the stamp, not the spear." — Bronze Tithe-Token
Major Beats
- Clerk of the Blue Tithe + Tithe-Token; mist onto trireme mid-crossing.
- Enc. 1: Steam mephits boil from oar-ports as the galley signals.
- Enc. 2: Boarding — Atlanteans + Brine-Touched; recruit Wave-Caller via Token.
- Enc. 3: Keto-Spawn climbs the ram onto the bow deck.
Creature / Enemy List
| Creature | Easy | Med | Hard | Mini |
|---|
| Steam Mephit | 2 | 4 | 4 | ×4 |
| Atlantean (Sahuagin) | 2 | 4 | 4+wave | ×4 |
| Brine-Touched (Kuo-toa) | 2 | 3 | 4 | ×4 |
| Triton Wave-Caller | — | 1 | 1 | Caster ×1 |
| Triton Guard (allies) | 0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | from ×10 |
| Keto-Spawn (Boss) | adj | 1 | 1 | Deep-sea monster |
Difficulty Scaling
| Tier | Adjust |
|---|
| Easy | 2 mephits; 2 Atlanteans; Keto HP 100, no LA |
| Medium ★ | As written |
| Hard | Full mini caps; Keto HP 170; swallow recharge 5–6 |
ENC 1 — Steam on the Water
Easy–Medium · ~35 min · 4 Steam Mephits
- Death bursts threaten sail (fire). Create Water / gust helps.
- Non-combat: bucket contests Ath DC 12 (group) vent steam without full combat.
- Win: clear mephits; spot galley Perception DC 12.
ENC 2 — False Kings of the Wave
Medium · Boarding · 4 Atlanteans + 3 Brine-Touched + Wave-Caller
- Blood Frenzy Atlanteans. Cut 3 grapple lines (AC 12 / HP 8) to separate ships.
- Non-combat: Tithe-Token + Religion/Persuasion DC 14 → Wave-Caller orders parley pause.
- Token authenticity → Wave-Caller + 2 Triton Guards aid Enc. 3.
ENC 3 — Keto-Spawn at the Ram
Hard · Keto-Spawn climbs 15 ft ram · optional 2 Atlantean snipers
- CR8 · AC16 HP136 · Bite+claws · Climb Hull · Lure Wis DC 14.
- Token brandish ≤30 ft: Wis DC 15 frightened 1 min + cannot Climb Hull 1 rd (once).
- Shove off bow when bloodied: Str contest DC 15 → 3d6 fall + thrash.
- Win: 0 HP or flee at ≤25% HP if Token branded this fight.
KEY ITEM / NPC
Bronze Tithe-Token
- Enc. 2: advantage Intimidation/Persuasion vs Atlanteans once.
- Enc. 3: brandish → Wis DC 15 frighten + climb-lock 1 rd (once).
Clerk of the Blue Tithe
- Motivation: Stop false sea-tax collected by Atlantean reavers + deep-beast.
- Hook: Mist onto trireme already underway; enemy galley suddenly alongside.
Ship Reminder
- 90 ft deck · 15 ft ram · Atlantean galley alongside · ≤2 extra ships total.
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