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Pirate Codex [Monster Thursday]

Added 2022-03-24 16:00:07 +0000 UTC

This week we are looking at pirates! These scallywags drift across the seas, seeking infamy and treasure in equal measure as they strike fear in all those they cross. I'm currently running a pirate-focused campaign, and so my mind has been in the deep oceans of pirates - though, they are far more democratic than I could have possibly ever imagined. If you want a great recommendation on piracy, check out The Invisible Hook: The Economics of Pirates by Peter Leeson. (It's not as dry as you might think!)

Dread Captain (CR 14) The most fearsome of the pirates are the dread captains, those whose names can cause men to flee in terror. The most well known pirate is Blackbeard, and I'd like to imagine he would make a perfect candidate for a Dread Captain.

First Mate (CR 4) Second in charge to the captain, they oversee the crew and cargo - ensuring that orders are carried out while the captain can continue to focus on the big picture.

Pirate (CR 1) The basic crew of any pirate ship, they are quick to jump into a fight, hoping that the captain notices their bravery and rewards them appropriately. They move across the ship's rigging as if they were born to do so.

Pirate Captain (CR 8) In control of the ship, the Pirate Captain is an elected position but many captains gain such a reputation that they can become more like dictators (at least, in a fantasy world). They can often be found plotting out their ship's course and planning on ways to make them, and their crew, very wealthy.

Wavecaster (CR 5) We always need a magic person on board, controlling the winds and waves. They help a ship cut quickly through the waves, guiding the winds to become favorable while it hunts across the high seas.