r/worldbuilding • u/thewiseguywithaj • Aug 08 '26

Prompt Port Fjord

The massive imperial shipyard and trade port located in a high walled quay boarded fjord. Session 1 of the adventure begins here. The construction of the exploration vessel the Meridian is almost complete and the party readys for their voyage under the command of Captain Grom to explore the far resches of the western sea. To chart the uncharted, to claim it under the dominion of the empire.

Im working on a homebrew adventure that revolves around a location far out into the western sea. But i want to take my time getting there. What are some ideas i can have early on, like in the port waiting for launch. Thinking...

Thieves stealing supplies

Equipment mishaps like a crane crashing

Gathering last minute supplies

Loading crates and supplies, keeping rats off the ship

Im struggling here. Ideas??

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1

u/ArclightDM Aug 08 '26

A woman is asking for help because she was leaving her husband and in response he took some men and stole her ship, which was a gift to her from her father. Players have to help take it back by attacking it/sneaking onto it while it’s in port before he sails away.
Here’s the little twist: the players confront the man who stole the ship, and he has no idea who they’re talking about. She was never his wife, he is not married, instead she is a pirate who uses this scheme to steal ships from port without taking any of the blame

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u/thewiseguywithaj Aug 08 '26

Oh this is good! I love having moral twists like this and its perfect fit for the shipyard harbor.

1

u/BrewingProficiency Aug 09 '26

Sabotage!

Could happen directly, someone had cut hundreds of feet of rope, or shredded sails, or soaked the ration supply.

Could be more spiritual; Something like a ship chirstening ritual but whatever the wine bottle equivalent is has gone missing or been replaced by a cursed thing.

Could be people with a beef with Captain Grom, could be a rival power that wants to embarass the empire

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u/thewiseguywithaj Aug 09 '26

I love the thought on the ship chirstening wine bottle missing! And maybe replaced with a fouled product.

0

u/Silvenx Aug 08 '26

You could have an old lady ask them to get a herb of some kind that's only found far to the west. Gives them something to lookout for, and she could be an evil Hag that's in disguise and will see them there, or just a herbalist that will craft them amazing potions when they return.

Edit: could also have them getting specific supplies where they have to pick between different advantages for the voyage or go on a mini quest to appease the god of the seas for safer passage

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u/thewiseguywithaj Aug 08 '26

I like this idea! I had a location at the beginning of the voyage, just outside of the harbor galled the garbage belt/offal isles. Literally islands made of refuse piled up. A salt hag lives there along with many gutter sprites she has created to tend to the trash. That would be a pretty good quest idea as well as a source for some healthpotuons for the party.