The Phantom Cargo
The Phantom Cargo
A merchant vessel mysteriously runs aground near a bustling pirate haven, its crew missing and hold full of unmarked crates. The party must investigate the wreck, interrogate suspicious dock workers and rival captains, and uncover whether a legendary pirate lord has returned to reclaim a stolen artifact—before a deadly auction transforms the mystery into open warfare.
Read Aloud
The merchant cog Silvermast lies beached on the black sand of Dagger's End cove, its starboard hull split like a rotten fruit. Gulls circle overhead, scavenging what they can. The deck tilts at a sickening angle, and water still drips from the railings—the wreck is fresh, perhaps a day old. Deep gouges scar the hull from bow to stern, as if something with claws had raked the wood repeatedly. The cargo hold gapes open, revealing rows of unmarked wooden crates lashed with iron bands. Most are still aboard, but two lie broken on the sandy beach, their contents scattered: nothing but straw and—oddly—the faint scent of myrrh and copper.
Description
The Silvermast is a merchant cog, roughly 80 feet long, run aground at high tide. The ship is salvageable but badly damaged. The crew appears to have abandoned it hastily—personal effects are scattered about (a boatswain's pipe, a half-eaten meal in a tin cup, blood on the helm), but no bodies are visible. The crates are heavy, requiring a DC 13 Strength check to move individually. A DC 14 Investigation check reveals that the gouges on the hull are tool marks, not claw marks—someone intentionally damaged the ship to ensure it would ground. The myrrh-and-copper scent comes from a broken vial inside one of the spilled crates, now dried. A DC 15 Arcana check identifies faint residue of a divination ritual on the crate interiors.
DM Notes
Allow the party to search freely. If they want to break open crates, the iron bands require bolt cutters or magical damage (DC 12). The spilled crate contained 12 identical vials (now 10 remain intact). Each vial has no label and contains clear liquid—a DC 14 Alchemist's Tools check reveals it is Essence of Nightshade mixed with silver dust (typically used in scrying rituals). A DC 16 History check links the scent and ritual components to the Crimson Tide, a pirate fleet supposedly destroyed 20 years ago. Allow social checks to gather rumors: A DC 12 Charisma (Persuasion) check with curious dock workers reveals that the Silvermast was chartered by a mysterious merchant named Vex, who hired it three weeks ago. No one has seen the crew since the wreck. A DC 13 Insight check suggests the dock workers are scared of something—they avoid even looking at the ship directly.
Read Aloud
The harbormaster's office reeks of stale rum and weathered parchment. Stacks of invoices and ship manifests overflow from creaking shelves. Behind a driftwood desk sits Corvin Mallace, a grizzled half-orc with a mechanical hand of brass and copper gears. His single good eye narrows as you enter, and his fingers drum against the armrest with a rhythmic ticking sound. "Aye, the Silvermast," he mutters, not bothering to look up. "Registered to House Thorne out of Waterdeep. Cargo manifest says bolts of silk and Dwarven steel. Funny thing, though—the actual cargo weighed twice what the manifest claimed. Someone paid a premium to keep the ledgers loose." He taps a logbook with his mechanical hand, the gears whirring softly. "The real question is: who chartered her? That's where it gets interesting."
Description
Corvin has the official manifests and can be persuaded (DC 13 Charisma/Persuasion) or intimidated (DC 14 Charisma/Intimidation) to reveal details. He doesn't want trouble but is pragmatic—he'll share information if the party offers payment (50 gp) or agrees to look into the matter quietly. The ledger shows the Silvermast was chartered three weeks ago by a woman named Vex Mourning, who paid in coin-of-the-realm (no credit or promissory notes). She boarded the ship herself at Dagger's End and remained aboard for the voyage. No crew injuries were reported until the wreck itself. Corvin is genuinely puzzled by the situation but suspects foul play by a rival pirate lord. A DC 15 Insight check reveals Corvin is afraid of being implicated in whatever happened—he keeps glancing at the door.
DM Notes
Corvin is primarily an information broker. He has no combat stat block—if threatened, he calls for the harbor guards (see below). He can point the party toward two leads: (1) Vex Mourning was seen last at the Sunken Serpent tavern, a pirate haven in the warehouse district, and (2) a rival captain named Blackrose Kade has been hiring mercenaries and buying up information from other harbormaster offices, suggesting competitive interest in the Silvermast's cargo. If the party asks directly about the vials or scrying ritual, Corvin admits he's heard whispers of a legendary pirate lord named Captain Thorne who disappeared 20 years ago—Thorne was said to possess a scrying artifact called the Eye of the Tidecaller, which allowed him to locate any ship on the open sea. If the party seems capable, Corvin hints that finding Thorne (or preventing his return) would be worth a significant bounty from multiple interested parties.
Read Aloud
The Sunken Serpent squats in the warehouse district like a predator at rest. Its timber is black with age and salt spray, and the sign above the door—a three-headed serpent carved from whale bone—swings creaking in the ocean breeze. Inside, the air is thick with pipe smoke and the stench of cheap ale. The common room is packed with cutthroats, smugglers, and sailors in various states of inebriation. A bard in the corner strums a lute badly. At the far table, near a porthole looking out on the dark water, sits a striking woman with silver-white hair braided with copper wire. She wears a long coat of deep blue silk lined with black fur, and a pair of finely crafted daggers rest on the table before her. Her eyes are pale, almost colorless, and they fix on you the moment you enter—as if she's been waiting.
Description
This is Vex Mourning (see NPC card). She is a retired pirate and the woman who chartered the Silvermast. She will not attack unless provoked and is primarily interested in gauging the party's capabilities and intentions. If the party approaches her directly, she invites them to sit. She will not lie but carefully omits crucial details unless asked specific questions. Key information: (1) Vex was hired by an anonymous benefactor to transport the crates from Waterdeep to Dagger's End; (2) she was instructed that the cargo was fragile and must not be opened or tampered with; (3) on the second night at sea, the crew became ill with a strange drowsiness—within hours, all hands were in a coma-like sleep; (4) when Vex woke the next morning, the ship was veering toward the rocks, and by the time she could reach the helm, it was too late; (5) she barely escaped with her life and has been lying low, waiting to see who would claim the cargo. A DC 14 Insight check reveals Vex knows more than she's saying about the nature of the cargo—she's afraid. A DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check can convince her to reveal that the benefactor had a signet ring bearing the symbol of the Crimson Tide (a red skull wreathed in chains) and spoke of "reclaiming what was stolen."
DM Notes
Vex is a key NPC who can redirect the investigation or be an ally. If threatened, she is skilled enough to fight her way out (see NPC stats), but she prefers to leave peacefully if things go south. She can provide the party with the name of the benefactor—"Captain Thorne"—if sufficiently impressed (DC 13 Charisma/Persuasion check) or if they convince her the alternative is worse (e.g., she'll be implicated in whatever crime occurred). Vex knows that an auction of the Silvermast's cargo is being organized by a pirate named Blackrose Kade and will take place at the warehouse tonight at midnight. She suspects Thorne will make an appearance or will send proxies to bid. She will not attend herself but will warn the party if they ask for her advice.
Read Aloud
The warehouse is a cavernous space lit by hanging lanterns that cast dancing shadows on brick walls scarred by centuries of salt and neglect. Roughly two dozen figures mill about, examining the Silvermast's crates with practiced eyes. Blackrose Kade stands on a raised platform, her crimson cape draped across her shoulders. She is a Half-Orc woman with a ship captain's swagger and an eye patch sewn with what appears to be a ruby. "Welcome, welcome!" she calls, her voice cutting through the murmur of the crowd. "Tonight, we auction the cargo of the Silvermast—a merchant vessel that met an unfortunate end. The contents remain sealed and unverified, which is precisely why the bidding starts low. Who's interested in mystery?" As if in answer, the warehouse doors at the far end slam open. A figure stands silhouetted against the moonlit harbor: tall, cloaked in red and black, with a curved blade at their hip and a ring gleaming on their left hand—a signet ring bearing the symbol of the Crimson Tide. The crowd falls dead silent.
Description
The auction is a skill challenge and potential combat encounter. The mystery figure is not Captain Thorne himself but his first mate and enforcer, a tiefling named Scarlet Dhul. She has come to claim the cargo on Thorne's behalf. She will attempt to intimidate Blackrose Kade and the assembled pirates into relinquishing the cargo without bloodshed. Blackrose will not yield easily. If the party has done their investigation well, they can make themselves known and attempt to negotiate, mediate, or interfere. The challenge has three phases: (1) Social Confrontation (DC 13 Charisma checks to convince either side to stand down or reveal information), (2) a failed negotiation devolves into violence, and (3) if combat occurs, the party may have an opportunity to steal a crate during the chaos or to make a bargain with either faction. Alternatively, the party can attempt to leave or hide and observe; a DC 14 Dexterity (Stealth) check allows them to stay hidden and gather intelligence on what Scarlet says about Thorne's plans.
DM Notes
This scene can escalate into combat (see Encounter: "The Warehouse Confrontation") if the party acts aggressively or if Scarlet feels threatened. However, Scarlet's primary goal is intimidation and the recovery of the crates—she will negotiate if offered a compelling reason (e.g., the party agrees to work for Thorne, or they provide information about the cargo's location). If the party talks to Blackrose first, she reveals she paid a significant sum for the salvage rights but is not interested in a war with the Crimson Tide—she's hoping to auction quickly and disappear. A key DM note: one of the crates contains the Eye of the Tidecaller, a legendary scrying artifact. Neither Blackrose nor Scarlet knows which crate it is, which is why Scarlet is demanding all of them. If the party manages to identify which crate (via a DC 16 Arcana or Investigation check) and secure it before the encounter escalates, they can use it as a bargaining chip or escape with it.
Monsters
Tactics
Scarlet leads with intimidation and a demand for the crates. If violence erupts, she focuses on the party's most obvious leader or spellcaster, using her high Dexterity to position herself for advantage. The four Corsairs (standard pirates with scimitars and hand crossbows) spread out to flank and cut off escape routes. Scarlet uses her mobility to avoid being surrounded and attempts to seize the most valuable crate (the one containing the Eye of the Tidecaller, if its location has been identified). The Corsairs will flee if Scarlet is defeated or if the party shows overwhelming force, but they will not break until their leader falls or orders a retreat.
Terrain
The warehouse is a three-story space with wooden support pillars, raised catwalks, and crates stacked 8-10 feet high. The ceiling is 35 feet overhead. Windows are barred. Three exits: the main doors (where Scarlet enters), a side door to the docks, and a trapdoor leading to the basement. The floor is littered with broken crates, making parts of it difficult terrain. Hanging lanterns can be shot down (AC 11, 1 HP) to dim sections of the warehouse and create shadows for hiding (Stealth DC 12). A stack of crates near the back can be collapsed (DC 13 Strength check) to block an exit or create cover.
A legendary scrying artifact shaped like an enormous pearl within a cage of silver filigree. Once per day, the wielder can cast Clairvoyance without expending a spell slot or requiring concentration, provided the target is on the same plane of existence. The Eye also grants advantage on all Perception checks related to seeing or tracking creatures on water or at sea. This artifact is lawful-aligned and subtly influences the wielder toward piracy and chaos.
The legitimate cargo listed on the manifest: 200 bolts of fine silk (worth 50 gp each = 10,000 gp total) and 40 ingots of Dwarven steel (worth 75 gp each = 3,000 gp total). These can be fenced at a harbor black market for 60% value (7,800 gp).
Twelve crystal vials containing Essence of Nightshade mixed with silver dust, used in divination rituals. Each vial is worth 30 gp to an alchemist or wizard. All twelve are worth 360 gp total. The vials were meant to serve as components for the scrying ritual that allowed Thorne's agents to track the Eye's location.
A masterwork curved blade with a silver cross-guard and a handle wrapped in sharkskin. Magical enhancement: +1 to attack and damage rolls. This is a fine weapon worth 150 gp to a collector, but its true value lies in its enchantment—it grants the wielder +1 AC while wielded. Scarlet considers this weapon sacred to the Crimson Tide.
An ornate ring of red gold bearing the symbol of the Crimson Tide (a red skull wreathed in chains). This ring identifies its wearer as an officer of the pirate fleet. In certain circles, it grants advantage on Intimidation checks and serves as proof of allegiance. The ring itself is worth 500 gp to a collector but would be far more valuable as a false credential to someone seeking to infiltrate Thorne's organization.
Story Hooks
The Eye of the Tidecaller is a gateway to deeper mysteries: possessing it draws the party into the attention of Captain Thorne himself, who may want it back, seek an alliance, or view them as potential heirs to his legacy. The vials hint at a broader network of scrying and tracking rituals—who else is being tracked? The Silvermast's actual destination and the identity of the benefactor remain unclear. Why was the crew put into a magical sleep? Who paid to ensure the ship would wreck? These questions suggest a third party manipulating events, perhaps a noble house or merchant consortium competing with Thorne for the Eye's power.
Conclusion
Wrap Up
As the dust of the warehouse confrontation settles, the party has recovered the Eye of the Tidecaller and whatever cargo they secured during the encounter. Scarlet Dhul has either been defeated, fled, or negotiated an understanding with the party. Blackrose Kade departs quietly if the party lets her, having salvaged what profit she could from the night. The Silvermast's mystery is partially resolved—the cargo is accounted for, the scrying ritual's purpose is clear, and the party now understands that Captain Thorne, thought dead for two decades, is alive and actively reclaiming his lost power. However, critical questions remain unanswered: Who deliberately wrecked the Silvermast and put the crew into magical sleep? Was it a rival pirate lord, or was someone else manipulating Thorne himself? The crew of the Silvermast is still missing. If the party has secured the Eye of the Tidecaller, they are now the target of the most dangerous pirate lord in the known world—and the most valuable tool in a coming war at sea.
Cliffhanger
Three days after the warehouse confrontation, a courier arrives at the party's safe house bearing a message on black parchment, sealed with red wax. Inside is a single line in an elegant hand: "You have something that belongs to me. I am willing to negotiate. Meet me at the Crimson Reef at midnight on the new moon. Come alone, or I will take it by force. —Captain Thorne." The signature is an ornate skull wreathed in chains. That night, strange phenomena occur across the harbor: fishing nets return empty, ships' compasses spin wildly, and sailors report seeing phantom ships on the horizon. The party realizes the Eye of the Tidecaller is responding to Thorne's presence, drawing him toward them. The meeting at Crimson Reef is non-negotiable—Thorne will find them regardless.
Next Session Hooks
- The party must decide whether to attend the meeting at Crimson Reef and negotiate with Captain Thorne, or attempt to prevent his return by finding and destroying the Eye of the Tidecaller (though doing so may cause magical backlash).
- Scarlet Dhul survived the warehouse and is hunting the party, attempting to track the Eye's location using divination magic. She has allies in the pirate haven—a network of spies and enforcers loyal to the Crimson Tide.
- The mysterious third party who sabotaged the Silvermast makes contact with the party, offering information about Thorne's plans in exchange for the Eye. This could be a rival pirate lord, a merchant house, or an agent of a powerful nation seeking to control Thorne's power.
Want to create your own?
Create your own session