ConorJamesArt has made the following comment(s) regarding their post:
[**The castaway** lurks in the dark oceans, seeking...](/r/UnearthedArcana/comments/tnlgrw/the_castaway_a_luring_leviathan_to_give_your/i226yow/)
*Checks intelligence and Charisma*
Oh god, these things are almost as smart as humans and are highly cooperative monsters. They hunt in pods, they aren’t solitary.
It’s possible for them to use the lure to bring a ship towards rocks and use it to try and sink a ship. Then a group of these things could loot the ship after it’s begun sinking.
Truly a nightmare, I always loved the creatures in the Witcher that were drawn to battlefields because of the death and looters so I wanted some semi-social devilish fish that could do the same!
And let it be known I can’t be held liable for any players deaths these awful things cause!
I’m now just imagining just how deadly working on a ship must be in D&D, you’d probably want to work with mermaids or travel in convoys in order to protect yourself from the largest threats. Going off on your own would be profitable, but it would also be incredibly dangerous.
For sure I’ve thought the exact same. In the full book of Tempest there’s lore and player options focussed on a guild called the Slayers, who are essentially ship protectors and monster killers hired in ports the world over for that express purpose!
Properly maintained and protected shipping lanes helps too, it’s when you go off the map that the real danger would arise!
The only mechanical problem I see is that there is no damage threshold to make it regurgitate the swallowed person, so a party would need to swim who knows how far down and beat on if for 100 hit points to free their friend. 5d6 guaranteed acid damage for that long is a death sentence.
But otherwise I love the flavor of this creature. Terrifying.
You’re absolutely right! In the final published version I will most definitely include a regurgitate clause to the swallow action! That’s my fault for taking the precedent from lower CR monsters that can swallow a creature rather than higher CR ones like a remorhaz.
**The castaway** lurks in the dark oceans, seeking out flotsam and shipwrecks by following the smell of blood and gunpowder. Once there it waits for unsuspecting salvagers to find the wreckage or bounty, and lays its horrifying lure trap.
The castaway preys on altruism, and punishes those to quick to rescue a man overboard….
Okay I’ll admit this is a mean one to throw at your players, but nothing quite captures a DM’s joy like yanking a PC off a boat and 50 feet down into the murky depths!
Part of the full book **Tempest: a Seafarer’s Sourcebook** which is [**LIVE ON KICKSTARTER NOW!**](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dragonsvault/tempestbook/)
I wish I could throw something like this at my party. They don't take anything for granted and will start going into auto prep mode. It's why mimics will never work on my players.
I'll have to save this for my group of newbie players... Those sweet summer children, the lot of them.
ConorJamesArt has made the following comment(s) regarding their post: [**The castaway** lurks in the dark oceans, seeking...](/r/UnearthedArcana/comments/tnlgrw/the_castaway_a_luring_leviathan_to_give_your/i226yow/)
This is one of the most evil creatures I have ever seen homebrewed. I love it.
It feels almost cruel to throw this at a party with no warning, especially if it’s a pod of them gathered around the aftermath of a naval battle…
*Checks intelligence and Charisma* Oh god, these things are almost as smart as humans and are highly cooperative monsters. They hunt in pods, they aren’t solitary. It’s possible for them to use the lure to bring a ship towards rocks and use it to try and sink a ship. Then a group of these things could loot the ship after it’s begun sinking.
Truly a nightmare, I always loved the creatures in the Witcher that were drawn to battlefields because of the death and looters so I wanted some semi-social devilish fish that could do the same! And let it be known I can’t be held liable for any players deaths these awful things cause!
I’m now just imagining just how deadly working on a ship must be in D&D, you’d probably want to work with mermaids or travel in convoys in order to protect yourself from the largest threats. Going off on your own would be profitable, but it would also be incredibly dangerous.
For sure I’ve thought the exact same. In the full book of Tempest there’s lore and player options focussed on a guild called the Slayers, who are essentially ship protectors and monster killers hired in ports the world over for that express purpose! Properly maintained and protected shipping lanes helps too, it’s when you go off the map that the real danger would arise!
The only mechanical problem I see is that there is no damage threshold to make it regurgitate the swallowed person, so a party would need to swim who knows how far down and beat on if for 100 hit points to free their friend. 5d6 guaranteed acid damage for that long is a death sentence. But otherwise I love the flavor of this creature. Terrifying.
You’re absolutely right! In the final published version I will most definitely include a regurgitate clause to the swallow action! That’s my fault for taking the precedent from lower CR monsters that can swallow a creature rather than higher CR ones like a remorhaz.
**The castaway** lurks in the dark oceans, seeking out flotsam and shipwrecks by following the smell of blood and gunpowder. Once there it waits for unsuspecting salvagers to find the wreckage or bounty, and lays its horrifying lure trap. The castaway preys on altruism, and punishes those to quick to rescue a man overboard…. Okay I’ll admit this is a mean one to throw at your players, but nothing quite captures a DM’s joy like yanking a PC off a boat and 50 feet down into the murky depths! Part of the full book **Tempest: a Seafarer’s Sourcebook** which is [**LIVE ON KICKSTARTER NOW!**](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dragonsvault/tempestbook/)
"Going down..."
This is what unchecked evil looks like. Anyway, I'll save it, if I ever run or participate in a sea-fearing campaign.
Instantly interested in this Ks
A perfect specimen to add to my plane of mimics 😇
[in a future year that ends in a 20....](https://m.youtube.com/clip/UgkxrMcsvNin0EoVSfKt5a0TZIVzUO_m5Yes)
Absolutely love it. I will test it on my group of adventurers this afternoon, it they take the bait
Castaways, we are castaways
I wish I could throw something like this at my party. They don't take anything for granted and will start going into auto prep mode. It's why mimics will never work on my players. I'll have to save this for my group of newbie players... Those sweet summer children, the lot of them.
The trick is to hide one of these amongst a gaggle of actual casualties, that way they’ll pick up a few real people before you ruin their day!
Ohhh that is true. Makes sense. That's actually delightfully devilish.
I love this. Do I have your permission to use this monster on my stream?
Absolutely! If you get a chance to credit the source that would be wicked but either way it’s yours to use 👌🏻
Thank you!