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This encounter is designed for a party consisting of at least four level 5 characters. It is set at small fishing town by the sea named Ravenlog, where a group of orcs have crashed in the night and the following morning members of the local guards/soldiers have tried to send them away—to no avail.
In the early hours of morning the streets of Ravenlog are still quiet. The water in the harbor is softly sloshing against the dock, while the first fishermen start to prepare their boats. Suddenly a cry can be heard from the beach, where some guards appear to be scrambling to the village, waving their hands. One of them seems to be wounded.
Three guardsmen approach the village, one of them helped along by the other two, covered in blood. Any effort to help the injured guards is rewarded in kind with a few gold pieces directly from their pockets, as well as promise of informing the mayor of their aid.
“Thank you! You are very helpful!” one of the guards says. They help the injured guard into the Harbour Office and sit him down to tend to his wounds. The guards inform you how a ship has run ashore last night, some way over to the east. It appeared to be manned by orcs, who have now wrecked it. When one of the guards approached them they fired arrows at them, shouting to “Get away!” and “This is our beach now!”.
Additionally, the guards plead with the party to handle the orcs aboard the shipwreck before they cause more direct issues for the townsfolk of Ravenlog.
Orcwreck
A tribe of orcs managed to take over the merchant vessel as it was leaving a nearby dock, rowing out to it as it left the estuary. They lost four out of ten orcs in the battle. Their intention was to steal the valuables aboard and leave. However, in the battle their rowboat and the rowboats aboard the ship were lost or destroyed. With no knowledge on how to actually sail a ship, the vessel with the remaining orcs drifted towards land until it crashed into the shoreline.
Out in the distance you can see a large vessel stranded on the beach. You can see at least 4 orcs setting up a tent near the ship. One of them appears to be their leader. At this point they don’t seem to notice you.
The orcs will not spot the party unless they approach further, in which case the orcs attack. The party can try to negotiate with the orcs’ leader.
Ghorlorz Grave-Eye
The imposing Orc chief is fiercely determined to keep the ship, even after it became shipwrecked, crashing into the coastline. He believes his tribe could create a new home around the ship, while keeping the vessel for himself. Ghorlorz has named the vessel Orcwreck.
Ghorlorz is an orc war chief with the following changes:
- He has a +1 Greataxe
- He doesn’t carry any spears (he believes ranged combat is for the weak).
Attack
Aboard the merchant vessel, Ghorlorz Grave-Eye and his six remaining orcs, stand ready for anyone attempting to take the crashed ship from them. Depending on how the party approaches the Orcwreck, a fight with the orcs can occur either on the shoreline or the shipwreck itself. If possible, some of the orcs will remain on the ship and attack at a distance, while others fight on the shore proper. Regardless of where the fight takes place, Ghorlorz is absolutely determined to keep the ship and orders his clan to kill or be killed. Ghorlorz in turn will fight to the death.
"Orcwreck"
The Orcwreck, previously known as The Wayward Glisten, is a merchant vessel transporting a variety of goods – some more valuable than others. The ship itself has taken some damage from crashing into the shoreline – the damage is mainly focused on the underside of the hull. If the damage was to be fixed, the ship would be able to sail once again.
Treasure
In the short time the orcs have “sailed” the ship, they have consumed most of the food and liquor. The more valuable items include: a small wooden chest containing 10 gems (worth 50gp each), 1d6 potions of healing, 1d4 books (25gp each), and an amulet of health.
Monsters and NPC's
Orc
Medium Humanoid (Orc), Chaotic Evil
Armor class 13 (hide armor)
Hit points 15 (2d8 +6)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 7 (-2) | 11 (+0) | 10 (+0) |
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Actions
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) slashing damage.
Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Orc War Chief
Medium Humanoid (Orc), Chaotic Evil
Armor class 16 (chain mail)
Hit points 93 (11d8 +44)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 18 (+4) | 11 (+0) | 11 (+0) | 16 (+3) |
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 10
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 4 (1100 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the orc can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Gruumsh’s Fury. The orc deals an extra 4 (1d8) damage when it hits with a weapon attack (included in the attacks).
Actions
Multiattack. The orc makes two attacks with its greataxe or its spear.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (1d12 + 4 plus 1d8) slashing damage.
Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (1d6 + 4 plus 1d8) piercing damage, or 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Battle Cry (1/Day). Each creature of the war chief’s choice that is within 30 feet of it, can hear it, and not already affected by Battle Cry gain advantage on attack rolls until the start of the war chief’s next turn. The war chief can then make one attack as a bonus action.
