TEXT: A DUNGEON WORLD ADVENTURE
  By Joe Banner | www.joebanner.co.uk
  I'm ON a BOat!
  vERsION 2.0, fEBRUaRy 2014
  
  A big, blue, watery adventure!
  I’ve designed this adventure with the Dungeon 
  World rules in mind (it should work great with 
  World of Dungeons, too). The characters, loca-
  tions and dangers might be used as an intro-
  duction to a brand new campaign, a one-off 
  game, or as a way of moving your players to a 
  new setting across the sea.
  One of my favourite things about Dungeon 
  World is that great, new content is being 
  published all the time - and shiver my timbers, 
  pirates aren't half popular! For players 
  wanting a more piratical character, try the 
  Swashbuckler compendium class by Timothy 
  Schroeder or The Dashing Hero playbook 
  by Jacob Randolph. Billy Bones by Street Rat 
  games should help with your loot & plunder 
  needs. And if you're not quite ready to make 
  land after this adventure, keep your eyes out 
  for Pirate World by James Hawthorne.
  
  3
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  Getting Started
  This book is designed to give you, the GM, more tools to 
  make your games of Dungeon World easier to manage, 
  memorable, and more fun.
  If you’ve never played a game like this before, read the guide in 
  the Dungeon World rule book, drop me a line, and check out the 
  Dungeon World tavern on Google+. The group’s friendly, knowl-
  edgeable and happy to get people started.
  You might find you need more content than this to play your 
  game. It’s worth remembering that in Dungeon World, you play to 
  find out what happens and ask questions and build off the answers. 
  This supplement is designed to help you do that. I’d love to hear 
  what your group’s answers were - and how those answers made 
  your adventure totally awesome and unique!
  Like what you’ve read?
  If you enjoy this book, visit joebanner.co.uk for more of my RPG 
  supplements, gaming articles and useful links. You can also help 
  me make more by support-
  ing me on patreon: visit 
  patreon.com/jbinc to find 
  out more. 
  Have fun, and may your 
  torches burn bright in the 
  darkness ahead!
  Do THIs...
  Read this book
   
  Ā
  Use what inspires you
   
  Ā
  Ignore what doesn’t
   
  Ā
  Add your own cool stuff
   
  Ā
  Have fun!
   
  Ā
  
  4
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  Introduction
  Dear adventurers, pirates and ne’er-do-wells...
  Following a string of exciting adventures the watch insist on call-
  ing “crimes”, you have decided it might be a good idea to leave 
  the country. To that end, you’ve secured passage across the sea. 
  Who booked passage on the 
   Ü
  Salty Mare?
  What are you wanted for in Port Landington?
   Ü
  What did it cost to book safe passage?
   Ü
  Where are you headed? Why there?
   Ü
  Who else is travelling on the salty mare?
   Ü
  If you booked passage on the Salty Mare roll +CHA. on a 10+, 
  pick three. on a 7-9, pick two. on a 6-, pick one.
  You got a fair deal
  ¨  
  ¨
  You didn't have to leave in a hurry
  ¨  
  ¨
  None of the crew saw your “wanted” posters
  ¨  
  ¨
  You stayed on the captain’s good side
  ¨  
  ¨
  You’re expected to lend a hand with the ship's duties, but are 
  welcome to join in the crew's meals as well - mostly hard tack, 
  jerky, fresh water and sour wine from the larders. The trip should 
  take a fortnight, luck and winds permitting.
  This isn’t the first time the ship’s taken on passengers and the 
  crew are generally neutral towards you. They’ll not slit your throat 
  while you sleep, but won't help if you fall overboard either.
  
  5
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  Port Landington
  Prosperity 
   Ü
  moderate
  Population 
   Ü
  growing
  Defences 
   Ü
  the port watch
  trade 
   Ü
  Umberto, Nosjad, Tel’Derath, Khur Kibil, Espinet
  Other 
   Ü
  lawless, market, 
  Resource 
   Ü
  kilibite ore (exotic), boats, slaves, alcohol
  Guild 
   Ü
  The Boatmakers' club
  Port Watchman (Group, Intelligent, Organised)
  Anchor-halberd (d8, close, reach)
   
  q
  8 HP 1 Armor
   
  
  Instinct: To protect the port
  Ring out the alarm bell
   Ü
  Hook an interloper and drag them to the cells
   Ü
  Keep a sharp eye out for troublemakers
   Ü
  
  6
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  The Salty Mare
  A battered but tough merchant vessel crewed by a 
  "legitimate" trader. Some of her crew are reformed criminals; 
  most are just trying to make an honest living.
  Cast
  Cassandra Cassius, naval officer-turned “antiques dealer”
   
  "
  Tim, the faithful half-orc cabin boy
   
  "
  Chuckles, the grumpy ship’s cook
   
  "
  Stakes
  Where will the salty mare end up?
   Ü
  What kind of cargo is she carrying?
   Ü
  How did a half-orc (called 
   Ü
  Tim) become the cabin boy?
  Captain Cassius (Solitary, Intelligent, Organised)
  salt-stained cutlass (d10, close)
   
  q
  16 HP 2 Armor
   
  
  Instinct: To make good time and good money
  Lead from the front
   Ü
  Go down with the ship
   Ü
  Tim the cabin boy (Solitary, Intelligent)
  Copper staff (w[d10], close)
   
  q
  21 HP 0 Armor
   
  
  Instinct: To make the captain's life easier
  special qualities: Blessings of the deep blue sea
  Deliver an important message
   Ü
  Ensure the journey goes as swiftly as possible
   Ü
  
  7
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  UPPER DEck, fROm LEft tO RIGht:
  Quarterdeck; Fo'c'sle
  LOWER DEck, fROm LEft tO RIGht:
  Captain's quarters; Guest quarters; mess hall; Cargo hold 1
  maIN hOLD, fROm LEft tO RIGht:
  Cargo hold 2, Cargo hold 3, Cargo hold 4
  
  8
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  Cargo Manifest
  When you prise open the lid of a cargo box, you find...
  An alarm bell that won't stop ringing 
  1. 
  Glass vials containing a rainbow-coloured liquid
  2. 
  A skeleton and it's personal effects
  3. 
  A children's stuffed animal toy
  4. 
  A live snake, as big as an ogre's arm
  5. 
  A tiny replica of a wizard's manse in a snowglobe
  6. 
  Several bottles of fine and very powerful liquor
  7. 
  A bloody aurochs' horn
  8. 
  An old pair of boots, muddy and well-worn
  9. 
  Captain Cassius' favourite dress
  10. 
  A bronze statue with beautiful ruby eyes
  11. 
  A bound manuscript signed by Ibn Al-Nadim himself
  12. 
  
  9
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  When you set the sails, roll +stR. on a 10+, you set the sails true 
  and they catch the wind. On a 7-9, the sails are fixed well enough, 
  but might not hold up to heavy weather or close scrutiny.
  When you take the helm, roll +DEX. on a 10+, it’s clear sky and 
  blue seas. on a 7-9, there’s trouble ahead, but you can give the 
  crew enough time to react.
  When you take part in a drinking contest, roll +cON. on a 10+, 
  you drink everyone under the table. on a 7-9, you either win, but 
  pass out for the next few hours; or come second to a particularly 
  obnoxious opponent (your choice). on a miss, you fail spectacu-
  larly and let slip a fact you really shouldn’t have.
  When you chart a course, roll +INt. on a 10+, you avoid a catas-
  trophe and earn the captain’s respect. on a 7-9, your route is safe 
  enough but narrowly avoids an obvious danger (rocks, whirlpools, 
  sirens or rivals for example.)
  When you take watch in the crow’s nest, roll +WIs. on a 10+ 
  ask the Gm 3 questions from the list below. on a 7-9, ask 1. Take 
  +1 forward when acting on the answers.
  Who or what is on the horizon?
   Ü
  What looks strange about the sky or ocean? 
   Ü
  Where’s the nearest body of land?
   Ü
  When you boost the crew’s morale (spice up a meal, sing a 
  nautical song, organise a card game) roll +cha. on a 10+, the 
  crew have your back. on a 7-9, most of the crew like you - but tell 
  the GM which person you managed to annoy (the first mate or 
  the captain’s pet monkey for example).
  
  10
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  Outbreak!
  It’s dinnertime on the Salty Mare, but the mood is tense. 
  The slop on offer smells even worse than usual and the 
  last guy who complained got a bowl dumped on his head! 
  Something’s got Chuckles the chef more riled up than 
  usual...
  Are you infected? (If yes, mark XP. If no, how have you 
   Ü
  avoided infection?)
  When do the infected first start showing symptoms?
   Ü
  What infected Chuckles in the first place?
   Ü
  What’s the (alleged) cure for rotwhisker? Where on the 
   Ü
  ship might some still be found?
  Front
  hORDE / hUmaNOID vERmIN
  Impulse: to breed, multiply and consume
  GRIm PORtENts
  A very unpleasant dinner
  ¨  
  ]
  Infected sailors spread the disease
  ¨  
  ¨
  Almost all the supplies are tainted
  ¨  
  ¨
  The vermin’s nest covers more than half the ship
  ¨  
  ¨
  All the ship’s officers are infected or eaten
  ¨  
  ¨
  Doom: Chaos The rats are out for your flesh – abandon ship!
  
  11
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  Creatures
  Infected sailor (Horde, Terrifying)
  Virulent claws (d6, close)
   
  q
  3 HP 1 Armor
   
  
  “Jones, you’ve been acting devilishly strange tonight. What the deuce 
  do you mean, ‘feed-feed man-flesh?’” Instinct: To spoil
  Infect with a bite or scratch
   Ü
  stop to feed
   Ü
  Chuckles, the infected cook (Solitary, Terrifying)
  Bile-soaked cleaver (d8, close)
   
  q
  18 HP 1 Armor
   
  
  Instinct: To spread the infection
  Infect with a bite or scratch, or by vomiting yellow bile
   Ü
  Lash out with a whip-like tail
   Ü
  summon more rats
   Ü
  When you feel a scratching in your gut, roll +CoN. on a hit, you 
  spend the next few minutes helpless, retching on the ground. on 
  a 7-9, you also feel sick (-1 CoN). on a 6-, in addition to the above 
  one of the following symptoms manifests right now:
  Your teeth and nails grow sharper
   Ü
  Your eyes glow blood red
   Ü
  Fur is sprouting in new and scary places
   Ü
  It’s getting hard to think... (you’re 
   Ü
  confused, -1 WIs)
  You lash out at the closest meat
   Ü
  If you show no symptoms after a day or so, the infection has 
  not taken hold - this time. The more symptoms you acquire, the 
  harder the infection will be to cure.
  
  12
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  The Black Flag Rises
  “For the attention of your captain: hand over your treasure 
  now, or we will take your lives. (And your treasure.) Sincerely, 
  Captain Ballista Flagg.”
  GRIm PORtENts
  A ship flying black colours is spotted on the horizon
  ¨  
  ¨
  ominous rumours about piracy spread across the ship
  ¨  
  ¨
  A seagull delivers an ultimatum
  ¨  
  ¨
  The Black Flag attacks in the night
  ¨  
  ¨
  Doom: Destruction The ship is sunk, it’s treasures plundered!
  Creatures
  Scurvy Pirate (Horde, Organised)
  Chipped cutlass (d6+1, close)
   
  q
  3HP, 1 Armour
   
  
  Instinct: To loot and plunder
  make a daring advance or escape
   Ü
  Get drunk and misbehave
   Ü
  Master of Gulls (Solitary, Intelligent, Arcane)
  Magic missile (b[d10], near, far)
   
  q
  12HP, 2 Armour
   
  
  It’s said this old one sold out his village in return for a place on the 
  Black Flag. His sorcery and the captain’s leadership have proven a 
  fearsome combination. Instinct: to see terror on the open seas
  see through the eyes of a bird
   Ü
  Distract and overwhelm with a sudden flock
   Ü
  Create a curse of storms and terror
   Ü
  
  13
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  Captain Ballista Flagg (Solitary, Intelligent, Organised)
  Halberd (D6+2 damage, 1 Piercing)
   
  q
  16 HP 2 Armour
   
  
  Captain of the Black Flag, scourge of the Shrouded Sea. Polite to a 
  fault. Instinct: To rule the open seas
  Order her crew with an iron fist
   Ü
  make arrogant threats
   Ü
  Disarm and unbalance opponent
   Ü
  Disappear in a flock of seagulls
   Ü
  the map of gulls (1 weight) 
   
  
   
  This old parchment outlines the migratory habits of seafar-
  ing birds, that being a route safest from storms - take +1 
  ongoing to navigate the seas when using this map. However, 
  if you ever fail a roll when using this map,  the routes are 
  proven to be outdated and the bonus no longer applies.
  the Reefmonger's keystone (1 weight) 
   
  
   
  An oddly-shaped piece of coral, said to have originated from 
  the islands of the Calderan sea. As long as the keystone is in 
  your possession, you dream of tentacled titans beneath the 
  waves and the secrets of their deep cities. When you spout 
  lore, you may choose to use half-remembered knowledge 
  from your dreams instead of your INT. If you do, you auto-
  matically pass (as if you rolled a 10+) and the Gm holds 1. 
  The Gm may spend their hold at any time to describe an 
  involuntary action your character makes (perhaps speak-
  ing in tongues or making an alien gesture). This action will 
  draw the attention of - and inspire fear, anger or nausea 
  from - any other intelligent beings nearby.
  
  14
  I'm oN A BoAT!
  Credits
  With the exceptions listed below, this document is written 
  and designed by Joe Banner. The text (but not the design) 
  is free to reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution-
  ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) license.
  aRtWORk, fONts & DEsIGN
  All artwork from the British Library public domain collection 
  (flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary/). Fonts used are PT Serif, Open 
  sans & FontAwesome (sIL oFL 1.1).
  DUNGEON WORLD
  Dungeon World created by sage LaTorra and Adam Koebel.
  thaNk yOU tO...
  my playtesters, who all take +1 ongoing to being awesome.
  Everyone at the G+ Dungeon World Tavern.
  cOmmENts & QUEstIONs?
  send me an email! online@jbinc.co.uk
  
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