Blood and Bullion: The Curse of Fortune and Glory
A pirate ghost ship thought lost to the Abyss reappears, cloaked in mist and rumor. The prize is legendary. The price could be your soul.
$10.00
/ Session
Details
1 player following this game
Once / Thursday - 11:30 PM UTC
Oct 15
Session Duration / 2.5–3.5 hours
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
The Queen's Ransom waits for no one. Especially not a group of upstart pirates. This level 2 one-shot is designed for any player who loves narrative-driven survival, tactical exploration, and atmospheric horror. No experience necessary. Two decades ago, The Queen's Ransom disappeared into the mist. You've heard the cursed ship has reappeared in a tangle of island channels. But it won't take long for that rumor to spread. Your task? Easy. Find the ship before every pirate on the high seas comes after it, or it vanishes back into the Abyss. But you have to get there first. You'll deal with what's inside when you find it. The Curse of the Queen’s Ransom blends gritty, swashbuckling tropes with the creeping dread of eldritch horror. Will you be the one to claim the fabled gold, or become another ghost in a collection of damned souls? Gather your crew, grip your rapier, and prepare to face the fury of the deep.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Lite
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(5)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Storytelling, World Builder, Inclusive
About me
I have 30 years of GM-ing experience, going all the way back to the mid-90's, writing and running campaigns for Cyberpunk 2020 and Star Wars to D&D 3.5 and finally 5e. I've just recently completed running a two-year Tomb of Annihilation campaign on Roll20. I am an artist and writer who values personal creativity, and encourages it in all aspects of the game, from character backstories to my own descriptions and artwork.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Players will be given a Roll20 link for the game when they sign up. Click "Launch Game." Once inside, you will be able to create your Level 2 character using the PHB 2024 character sheet. Please, no homebrew. We'll stick to the classes and sub-classes in the 2024 rules, but there are no restrictions other than that. You will be aboard a pirate ship as crew or passenger. Choose which one and a reason why. Everyone wants gold, but why do you need it badly enough to risk your life? This one-shot is roughly 50% combat and 50% roleplay/exploration, so tailor your character sheet accordingly.
For this one-shot, you'll be part of a pirate crew and begin the session aboard your ship, The Ocean Fiend. Think of a reason why this life appeals to you. You don't need to take the sailor background to decide the freedom of the seas or the excitement of riches, suddenly appeals to you. Take whatever class you want at level 2; just be aware that a pirate wizard is going to be an oddity, so have an explanation ready.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You will need a Roll20 account for our VTT and character creation. You will also need a Discord account. Once you create your Level 2 character Roll20, you will be free to add character art and a token. No sweat if you don't know how to do that. I can set you up with a token based on your gender, species, and class. You will also need a Discord account for audio/visual. I'll also send an invite to my server when you sign up and you can use the chat feature to say "Hi" and discuss character ideas if you wish.
What Chris M brings to the table
Get ready for an immersive adventure experience aboard two pirate ships: yours and the cursed one you're aiming to rob! Aboard the Ocean Fiend, you are in charge. You'll be running the ship, exploring, and roleplaying with colorful NPC's and your fellow players. Each of you wants to find the Queen's Ransom. But why? Did you become a pirate to send money back home? Are you in so much debt that this score means your freedom? Maybe you're a cleric or a druid along for the ride, hoping to end this curse now that it has resurfaced. Having a reason other than getting loot will make this One Shot more personal and hopefully, more fun. Aboard The Queen's Ransom, your level 2 character will face things out of myth and nightmare. All for gold. But this gold was never meant to be found, and this ship is a rotting labyrinth of splintered wood, echoing screams, and shifting shadows. But who said the pirate life would be easy? I have zero tolerance for sexual violence/aggression against NPC's or player characters, and this will result in immediate removal without refund.
Homebrew rules
On a critical hit, you max the first die and roll the second. I like this rule because it ensures your critical doesn't completely flop. However, it works both ways. I do not use a Critic Fumble Table. On a critical fail in combat (natural 1), you regain control, but your action ends. You can still move or take a bonus reaction.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Chris M creates a safe table
Once players sign up, they will receive a consent checklist, which will allow them to identify themes, items, or topics they are fine with, okay with (if veiled or handled offstage), and absolutely not OK with, before the session. I will accommodate and work with the communicated comfort levels. But please understand, this is horror on the high seas. Along with the content warnings listed, there will be rats and undead.
Content warnings
Safety tools used