Reef Harbor

 

Setting Overview

Reef Harbor is a lively and somewhat rough-around-the-edges harbor town nestled in the Caribbean, where Spanish and English blend seamlessly in the vibrant daily life. The town exudes a distinct 1990s charm, with a grubby yet colorful atmosphere that tells tales of both hardship and joy. The salty air is filled with the sounds of reggae, salsa, and the occasional rumbling of rusty old trawlers.

Key Locations

Reef Radio

Reef Radio is the beating heart of the town's music scene. Run by the charismatic DJ Ray, this station broadcasts an eclectic mix of Caribbean rhythms, local news, and community gossip. DJ Ray is a local celebrity, known for his deep voice and knack for spinning the perfect tracks to match the town's mood. The station's studio is a cramped, cluttered space filled with vinyl records, outdated equipment, and the ever-present aroma of strong coffee.

Hernandez Autos

Hernandez Autos is the go-to place for car repairs in Reef Harbor, but it's widely known that the owner, Carlos Hernandez, is as crooked as they come. Customers often leave with lighter wallets and a sense that their cars might not be as fixed as they were told. The shop is a chaotic mess of spare parts, oil stains, and dubious business practices. Despite his reputation, Carlos's charm and silver tongue keep the customers coming back.

Dance Academy

The Dance Academy is a well-respected tango school by day, where students learn the passionate art of Argentine tango. However, once the sun sets, the academy's second floor transforms into a secretive illegal gambling den, controlled by a local mob. The den is a smoky, dimly lit room where high-stakes games are played, whispers of danger linger in the air, and fortunes are won and lost over the roll of dice or the turn of a card.

Commercial Activities

Fishing

Fishing is the lifeblood of Reef Harbor. The harbor is filled with rusty old trawlers that have seen better days but are kept running through makeshift repairs and sheer determination. The fishermen of Reef Harbor are a hardy bunch, often venturing out into the deep sea and sometimes returning with unexpected catches, including the occasional shark.

Gambling

Gambling is a popular pastime in Reef Harbor, with opportunities ranging from the high-stakes games at the Dance Academy's den to the more eccentric lizard races held in local bars. The lizard races are a raucous affair, with patrons betting on their favorite reptiles and cheering wildly as the tiny creatures scuttle towards the finish line.

Pastimes

Music

Music is the soul of Reef Harbor. Locals and visitors alike gather in bars and clubs to enjoy live performances, dance, and lose themselves in the infectious rhythms of the Caribbean. From reggae to salsa, the town is alive with music, and it's not uncommon to see impromptu street performances or hear a distant guitar strumming on a lazy afternoon.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Reef Harbor is both vibrant and gritty. Bars and clubs are packed with people looking to unwind, dance, and maybe get into a bit of trouble. The energy is palpable, with neon lights flickering, laughter echoing through the streets, and the ever-present beat of music urging everyone to dance until dawn.

Fishing

Aside from being a commercial activity, fishing is also a beloved pastime. Anglers line the piers and beaches, hoping to catch something impressive. The thrill of reeling in a big one, especially a shark, is a story to be shared and exaggerated over drinks in the local bars.

Plot Hook: "The Tangled Tango"

Premise

A young, talented dancer named Isabella has recently moved to Reef Harbor to enroll in the prestigious Dance Academy. She's unaware of the dark secret that lies above the dance floor—a mob-owned illegal gambling den. Meanwhile, her older brother, Miguel, a mechanic with a knack for uncovering truths, takes a job at Hernandez Autos, hoping to make a fresh start. However, he quickly realizes that the shop's owner, Carlos Hernandez, is involved in more than just shady car repairs.

Introduction

Isabella and Miguel are new to Reef Harbor, each pursuing their dreams and trying to escape their troubled past. Isabella immerses herself in the world of tango, while Miguel starts working at Hernandez Autos, despite the shop's unsavory reputation.

Rising Action

One night, Isabella stumbles upon the entrance to the gambling den above the Dance Academy. Curiosity gets the better of her, and she witnesses a high-stakes poker game where local mobsters, including Carlos Hernandez, are present. She sees Carlos losing heavily and overhears him making a desperate deal with the mob boss, promising to settle his debts by any means necessary.

Miguel, on the other hand, discovers that Carlos is using the auto shop as a front for illegal activities, including smuggling and money laundering. His suspicions are confirmed when he finds a hidden compartment in a car he's repairing, filled with cash and contraband.

Climax

Isabella confides in Miguel about what she saw, and the siblings realize that they are entangled in a dangerous web of crime and deceit. They decide to gather evidence to expose Carlos and the mob, but their actions do not go unnoticed. Carlos, desperate to cover his tracks, targets them, leading to a tense showdown in the heart of Reef Harbor.

Resolution

With the help of DJ Ray from Reef Radio, who uses his platform to rally the community, Isabella and Miguel manage to gather enough support and evidence to bring down Carlos and the gambling den. The town's police, with public pressure mounting, are forced to act, leading to a dramatic raid on Hernandez Autos and the Dance Academy's second floor.

Conclusion

Reef Harbor is left to heal from the scandal, with Isabella continuing her dance training and Miguel opening a legitimate auto repair shop. The siblings become local heroes, celebrated for their bravery and determination to bring justice to their new home. The Dance Academy flourishes as a symbol of resilience, while Reef Radio immortalizes the tale in the annals of the town's vibrant history.

Themes

Courage and Justice: The siblings' fight against corruption highlights the importance of standing up for what's right, even in the face of danger.
Community and Solidarity: The story emphasizes how a united community can overcome even the darkest challenges.
Redemption and New Beginnings: Both Isabella and Miguel seek fresh starts in Reef Harbor, ultimately finding their place and purpose through their struggles and triumphs.

Player Character Involvement

Introduction

The player characters (PCs) find themselves drawn into the intrigue of Reef Harbor through various hooks and personal connections. Whether they are locals, newcomers, or just passing through, their involvement quickly becomes crucial to unraveling the mystery and bringing justice to the town.

Potential Hooks

• Hired Help: Mechanics or Investigators: The PCs could be hired as new mechanics at Hernandez Autos or as private investigators looking into the shop's shady dealings. This gives them direct access to Carlos Hernandez and his operations.
• Friends of Isabella or Miguel: Childhood Friends or Family: The PCs might be old friends or relatives of Isabella and Miguel, coming to Reef Harbor to support them. This personal connection provides a strong motivation to help when Isabella and Miguel find themselves in danger.
• Dance Enthusiasts: Students or Performers: PCs with a passion for dance could enroll in the Dance Academy, unknowingly stepping into a world of danger. Their proximity to the gambling den above the academy leads them to discover the illicit activities.
• Radio Connection: Journalists or Musicians: PCs might be connected to DJ Ray and Reef Radio, either as journalists investigating a story or musicians looking to make a name for themselves. DJ Ray could enlist their help when he learns about the siblings' plight.

Stages of Involvement

Initial Discovery:

The PCs, through their respective hooks, witness suspicious activities at Hernandez Autos or the Dance Academy. They might notice unusual shipments at the auto shop or overhear conversations about high-stakes gambling during dance classes.

Gathering Evidence:

The PCs decide to investigate further, either out of curiosity, a sense of justice, or loyalty to Isabella and Miguel. They uncover small pieces of evidence like hidden compartments in cars, secret passages in the Dance Academy, or coded messages on the radio.

Confrontation with Carlos:

As the PCs dig deeper, they attract the attention of Carlos Hernandez and the mob. They face threats, sabotage, and attempts to thwart their investigation. This could lead to thrilling encounters, such as car chases, brawls in the harbor, or tense standoffs in the gambling den.

Rallying the Community:

Realizing they need more support, the PCs might work with DJ Ray to broadcast their findings and rally the community. This could involve persuading skeptical townsfolk, evading mob enforcers, and orchestrating a public call to action.

Final Showdown:

The PCs orchestrate a plan to trap Carlos and the mob, leading to a climactic raid. This could take place during a high-stakes poker game, a dramatic confrontation at the auto shop, or a coordinated effort involving the entire town.

Resolution:

With Carlos and the mobsters brought to justice, the PCs help Reef Harbor recover. They might assist in rebuilding the Dance Academy, opening a new, honest auto repair shop, or continuing to support community initiatives through Reef Radio.

Themes and Challenges

Moral Choices: The PCs must navigate ethical dilemmas, such as whether to bend the law to gather evidence or how to protect innocent bystanders while confronting criminals.

Resourcefulness: The PCs need to be clever and resourceful, using the environment of Reef Harbor to their advantage, whether it's hiding spots in the harbor, allies in the community, or the airwaves of Reef Radio.

Personal Stakes: Personal connections and motivations drive the PCs, making their quest deeply personal and emotionally charged.

Character Creation for Reef Harbor

Creating characters for Reef Harbor involves defining their attributes, selecting an archetype, and choosing special mechanics that reflect the setting's gritty yet vibrant atmosphere. Here's a structured approach to character creation:

Attributes

Characters in Reef Harbor are defined by the following attributes, rated from 1 to 5:

Strength (STR): Physical power and endurance.
Dexterity (DEX): Agility, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination.
Intelligence (INT): Problem-solving ability and knowledge.
Charisma (CHA): Social skills and charm.
Perception (PER): Awareness and observational skills.

Each player assigns points to these attributes based on their character concept, with a total of 15 points to distribute. You start with Health equal to your STR. 

To test an attribute, roll 1d6. Equal to or less than your attribute is a success. 

Character Archetypes

1. The Mechanic

Description: Skilled in repairs and mechanical knowledge, often working at Hernandez Autos.
Primary Attributes: DEX, INT
Special Mechanics:Tinkerer: Gain a +2 bonus to rolls involving repairs or crafting makeshift tools.
Grease Monkey: Once per session, reroll a failed check involving machinery.

2. The Dancer

Description: Passionate about dance, often found at the Dance Academy.
Primary Attributes: DEX, CHA
Special Mechanics:Graceful Movement: Gain a +2 bonus to rolls involving acrobatics or dancing.
Charmed Life: Once per session, use your charm to avoid a conflict or gain a social favor.

3. The Investigator

Description: A nosy journalist, private eye, or curious local uncovering secrets.
Primary Attributes: INT, PER
Special Mechanics:Sharp Eye: Gain a +2 bonus to rolls involving finding clues or noticing details.
Interrogator: Once per session, force an NPC to reveal a piece of information.

4. The Musician

Description: Connected to Reef Radio, passionate about music and local culture.
Primary Attributes: CHA, PER
Special Mechanics:Inspirational Tunes: Gain a +2 bonus to rolls involving persuasion or performance.
Networker: Once per session, call on a local contact for assistance.

5. The Fisherman

Description: Hardy and resourceful, making a living from the sea.
Primary Attributes: STR, PER
Special Mechanics:Sea Legs: Gain a +2 bonus to rolls involving physical endurance or handling boats.
Survivalist: Once per session, find or create a tool or resource from the environment.

Special Mechanics

In addition to archetype-specific abilities, all characters have access to the following mechanics to reflect the setting's themes:

Community Ties

Description: Reef Harbor is a close-knit community where relationships matter.
Mechanic: Each character starts with 2 Community Points, which can be spent to call in favors, gain local support, or receive crucial information. Community Points refresh at the start of each session.

Resourcefulness

Description: Characters often need to make do with what they have.
Mechanic: Once per session, a character can improvise a solution to a problem using limited resources or makeshift tools, gaining advantage on the roll.

Resilience

Description: The harsh life in Reef Harbor requires toughness and adaptability.
Mechanic: When a character is reduced to 0 health or faces a major setback, they can make a resilience check (roll a d6). On a 4-6, they recover 1 health or overcome the setback with a cost (e.g., a temporary penalty or loss of resources).

Example Character

Name: Miguel Sanchez
Archetype: The Mechanic
Attributes:STR: 3
DEX: 4
INT: 3
CHA: 2
PER: 3
Special Mechanics:Tinkerer: +2 to repair rolls
Grease Monkey: Reroll a failed machinery check once per session
Community Points: 2
Resourcefulness: Can improvise tools once per session
Resilience: Roll a d6 to recover from setbacks

Background

Miguel worked as a mechanic in a big city but moved to Reef Harbor for a fresh start. He quickly realized Hernandez Autos wasn't above board and now uses his skills to uncover the shop's shady dealings while helping his sister, Isabella, navigate the dangers of the harbor town.