Flight of the Skycrest: an airborne D&D adventure

 

 Adventure outline

 As the adventurers make their way to the bustling port city of Skyhaven, they notice a grand airship docked at the main port. They soon learn that the airship, known as the Skycrest, is a luxurious vessel that sails through the skies, allowing its passengers to see the world from high above.

However, as they approach the Skycrest, they hear whispers of a sinister plot afoot. It seems that the airship's captain, a notorious pirate named Blackbeak, has been hired to transport a valuable cargo across the skies. And the cargo is rumored to be a powerful magical artifact that could tip the balance of power in the region.

The adventurers are approached by a wealthy merchant who has heard of their reputation as skilled adventurers. He offers to pay them handsomely to board the Skycrest and prevent Blackbeak from stealing the artifact. The adventurers accept the mission and board the airship as passengers, disguised as wealthy travelers.

As they make their way through the luxurious halls of the Skycrest, the adventurers encounter a variety of colorful characters, including a gregarious bard, a reclusive wizard, and a suspicious-looking mercenary. They soon realize that each of these individuals has their own agenda, and that they may not be able to trust anyone on board.

As the airship takes off into the sky, the adventurers begin to investigate the cargo hold where the magical artifact is being kept. They discover that the artifact is a powerful crystal that can control the winds, allowing the airship to fly faster and more efficiently.

However, before they can secure the artifact, they are attacked by Blackbeak and his crew of pirates. A fierce battle ensues as the adventurers fight to protect the crystal and prevent Blackbeak from stealing it.

In the chaos of the battle, the crystal is damaged and begins to malfunction. The airship starts to plummet towards the ground, and the adventurers must race against time to repair the crystal and save the Skycrest from crashing.

 

The crew of the Skycrest

As the adventurers board the Skycrest, they can see that the crew is a well-trained and disciplined group of sailors. They move about the ship with purpose, hoisting sails, adjusting rigging, and carrying out their duties with precision.

The captain of the Skycrest is a grizzled old sea-dog named Captain Thorne. He has a weathered face, a bushy beard, and a piercing gaze that seems to see right through the adventurers. Despite his rough exterior, however, the captain is known to be fair and just, and he commands the respect of his crew and passengers alike.

The captain is a veteran sailor who has spent his entire life on the high seas. He is a skilled navigator, able to chart a course through even the most treacherous waters, and he is a masterful commander, able to lead his crew through the fiercest of storms.

Despite his reputation as a stern and serious captain, Captain Thorne has a soft spot for adventure and excitement. He is known to take risks and make bold moves, and he is always on the lookout for new and interesting places to explore.

The rest of the crew includes a mix of seasoned sailors and young apprentices. The sailors are a rough-and-tumble bunch, with calloused hands and weather-beaten faces. They are fiercely loyal to the captain and to each other, and they work together like a well-oiled machine to keep the Skycrest sailing smoothly.

The apprentices, on the other hand, are a more diverse group. They come from all walks of life and all corners of the world, drawn by the promise of adventure and the chance to learn from the best sailors in the land. They are eager to prove their worth and earn their place among the crew, and they work hard to learn the skills and techniques that will make them valuable members of the Skycrest team. 

 

Skycrest Passengers

    Gregarious Bard

    This NPC is a flamboyant bard who loves to entertain and regale others with tales of his exploits. He is a tall, lanky man with a shock of curly hair and a twinkle in his eye. He wears a colorful outfit and carries a lute at his side. The bard is friendly and outgoing, but the adventurers soon realize that he is also a bit of a gossip and may not be entirely trustworthy.

Attributes:
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 14
Wisdom: 11
Charisma: 17

Skills:
Acrobatics: 60%
Deception: 70%
History: 70%
Insight: 50%
Performance: 80%
Persuasion: 80%

Equipment:
Lute
Colorful Outfit
Pouch of gold and silver coins

    Reclusive Wizard

 He is a small, frail man with wispy white hair and a wrinkled face. He wears a long robe and carries a staff adorned with a glowing crystal. The wizard is known to be a powerful spellcaster, but the adventurers soon realize that he is also a bit paranoid and may be hiding something.

Attributes:
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 12
Constitution: 9
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 13
Charisma: 10

Skills:
Arcana: 95%
History: 70%
Insight: 50%
Investigation: 90%
Medicine: 45%
Perception: 60%

Equipment:
Staff of the Magi (functions as a +3 quarterstaff, allows casting of various spells)
Robe of the Archmagi (+5 AC, grants resistance to magic)
Pouch of spell components

    Suspicious-looking Mercenary

    A tough-looking mercenary who keeps to himself and seems to always be on guard. He is a burly man with scars on his face and a menacing look in his eye. He wears a suit of chainmail and carries a battle axe at his side. The mercenary is known to be a skilled fighter, but the adventurers soon realize that he is also a bit cagey and may be hiding something.

Attributes:
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 13
Constitution: 15
Intelligence: 9
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 8

Skills:
Athletics: 85%
Intimidation: 60%
Perception: 55%
Survival: 60%

Equipment:
Chainmail (AC 5)
Battle Axe (+5 to hit, 1d8+3 damage)
Pouch of gold and silver coins

Captain Blackbeak

Captain Blackbeak is a notorious pirate who has made a name for himself by plundering ships and terrorizing coastal towns. He is a tall, muscular bird-man with thick black feathers and a piercing gaze that seems to see right through his enemies. He wears a black leather coat and a tricorn hat, and he carries a cutlass at his side.

Despite his fearsome reputation, Captain Blackbeak is known to be cunning and intelligent. He is a master strategist, able to outmaneuver even the most skilled sailors, and he is a skilled fighter, able to hold his own in close combat.

Captain Blackbeak is also a charismatic leader, able to inspire loyalty and obedience from his crew. He is known to be fair and just with his crew, and he rewards those who serve him well.

Race: Bird Person
Class: Fighter/Thief
Level: 10
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Attributes:
Strength: 18 (bonus of +3 to hit and +6 to damage)
Dexterity: 16 (bonus of +1 to hit with ranged weapons)
Constitution: 14 (bonus of +1 to hit points per hit die)
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 16 (maximum number of henchmen: 9)

Equipment:
Cutlass (+3 to hit, 1d8+3 damage)
Pistol (+2 to hit, 1d10 damage)
Black Leather Coat (AC 7)
Tricorn Hat

 

Blackbeak's Pirates

Race: Human
Alignment: Chaotic Evil

Number appearing: 20

2HD (9hp)

Equipment:
Cutlass (+2 to hit, 1d6+1 damage)
Leather Armor (AC 8)
Pouch of gold and silver coins