Dark Deeds in Freeport patronage project is waiting for you!

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Wolf asked me to talk a little bit about the origin of Freeport, so let’s go on a journey back to 2000. Early in that year, I had decided to start a new company, and I was in the process of putting together the first release, Ork: The Roleplaying Game. I was working at WotC at the time, which is how I got to know Wolf. There was a lot of talk on the roleplaying side of the company about the proposed Open Game License and d20 STL. I remember being in a meeting in which adventures were discussed. Some folks at WotC were hoping that third party publishers would release a lot of adventures since WotC itself had trouble doing them profitably. And I thought, “I bet I could sell a module for 3E and make a profit.”

I planned then to write an adventure and release it at GenCon 2000, the same day the Player’s Handbook for 3rd Edition D&D was coming out. The question was, what kind of adventure? I knew that WotC was taking a “back to the dungeon” approach, so I wanted to offer something a little different. I was probably over-thinking it because D&D players don’t seem all that prone to tiring of dungeons, but in any case, that’s how I decided to make it a city adventure. This, of course, necessitated creating a city…

I began to think of the features I wanted the city to have. First, I thought it should be on major trade routes, a place where adventures from far-flung lands might come together. Second, I wanted it to be easy to drop the city into existing campaign settings. Those two factors argued for a port on an island. That would let a GM just drop the island in any convenient place on the campaign map and be ready to roll.

At its core, the city had to be built on the assumptions of D&D, but I wanted to add a twist or two. The first element, pirates, came naturally once I determined it was a port city. Who can say no to swashbuckling after all? The second developed as I was working out the plot of the adventure. Basically, the investigation focus of the story made it like a Call of Cthulhu adventure for D&D. I thought it only appropriate then to add some cosmic horror to the mix. I did not want to be so blatant as to actually use Cthulhu, but this is what led to the idea of an ancient serpentman empire destroyed by the Unspeakable One.

In the end, the city melded classic D&D elements, pirates, and Lovecraftian horror. It was the centerpiece of Death in Freeport, which did indeed release on the first day of GenCon 2000. It went on to win an Origins Award and the very first ENnie Award. For something I thought might be a one shot experiment, it really worked out.

Now here we are 10 years later with a new Freeport project starting up. This is something I certainly never thought I’d see back in 2000. I look forward to creating this new chapter in the story of Freeport with you all.

It’s last call time for the Dark Deeds in Freeport patronage project! On December 3 the project will either reach its goal—and the cost of patronage will rise—or it will sail off into the sunset! Come join us today!

Welcome to the Dark Deeds in Freeport patronage project!

Dark Deeds in Freeport is a tale of truths and lies—and especially truth’s power, be it cleansing or destructive. Secrets take on lives of their own, and the truth will come out!

Usually, players uncover those secrets, but sometimes it’s just as much fun for their characters to have mysteries of their own. This could as simple as a hidden agenda to an entire dark family history, of fathers and grandfathers dabbling in forbidden lore.

These new character traits help players build these secrets into a PC’s background while providing mechanical bite—and fun consequences when they are finally revealed! Because these traits can have negative consequences, they are somewhat more powerful than normal traits. Players should flesh out the details of their own secret in consultation with the GM. At the GM’s option, pre-existing characters can add one of these Dark Deeds traits that fits them, or they can swap out an existing trait, especially if a traumatic event brings their secret to mind…

Can your character handle the truth? And how will they react when the rest of Freeport learns it as well?

Family Secret: A family member has a dark secret that haunts you as well, for you profited from it—your uncle may be a corrupt official in Finn’s pocket or your brother made a pact with the Esoteric Order of Starry Wisdom. Your skill in navigating your family’s dangers provides you with a +1 trait bonus to Bluff or Sense Motive checks (your choice), and that skill is always a class skill for you.

If your family’s secret ever becomes public, the embarrassed parties may seek revenge. Moreover, your accomplishments will be tarnished, and you will suffer a −1 penalty to all Diplomacy checks. However, those same dangerous connections also grant you a +1 trait bonus to Intimidate checks.

Forbidden Lore: Your youthful curiosity and bad luck—or ill fate—led you to open a door, tome, or artifact of particular evil. The revelation was too much for your waking mind, which recalls only its barest outline. Nevertheless, the memories sometimes seep out, and you gain a +1 trait bonus on any two Knowledge skills (your choice).

If you ever recall event in full, nightmare visions constantly wrack you, hindering your spellcasting. You suffer a −2 penalty to concentration checks. However, it also unlocks the vision’s latent power, and you gain a +1 CL bonus to spells from the school of conjuration, divination, enchantment, or illusion (your choice).

Heinous Crime: You have committed a serious crime—perhaps you gleefully joined the Succession Riots or perhaps you were once an employee of Mister Wednesday. Whether you were the main player or simply trapped in circumstances beyond your control, in the eyes of the law—and of the wronged party—you are responsible. So far, you have kept your role secret. Your caution grants a +1 trait bonus to Perception, and Perception is always a class skill for you.

If your role ever becomes public, the crime’s victim (or their family and friends) will undoubtedly seek vengeance, as will the law. Moreover, your reputation suffers, and you incur a −1 penalty on all Diplomacy checks. However, the renewed danger heightens your alertness, and you gain a +1 trait bonus to initiative checks.

Hidden Enmity: You harbor a deep and abiding hatred for a particular organization, race, or class. Your family may have a long-running feud with orcs, you may blame one of the great merchant families for your dire circumstances, or perhaps you despise the residents of Bloodsalt. You have hidden your hatred well, and you gain a +2 trait bonus to damage rolls against a member of the group.

Once the enmity is known, you can expect payback. You can no longer sway a member of that group using Diplomacy, but you do gain a +2 trait bonus to Intimidate checks against them. Members of the group gain a +1 trait bonus to damage rolls against you.

New Identity: During your unhappy adolescence, you remade yourself with a new identity—perhaps to escape Scurvytown or to hide your family’s dealings with Milton Drac. No one in your new life would approve of your past, and no one from your past life would approve of your new one. So far, your secret has remained hidden thanks to your care and hard work. You receive a +1 trait bonus to Bluff or Disguise (your choice), and that skill is always a class skill for you.

If your secret becomes public knowledge, many friends and contacts lose respect for you, and you suffer a −1 penalty to Diplomacy checks to influence people. However, you can better draw on your old knowledge and contacts, and you gain a +1 trait bonus to Knowledge (local) and Diplomacy checks used to gather information.

Traumatic Event: You witnessed—or suffered—a horrific act of violence in your youth, from a serpent man murdering your mother to a demon tormenting your infant self. You survived by burying the memories deep inside; now you barely remember the incident. Your strong subconscious resists all unpleasant impulses, and you gain a +2 trait bonus to resist enchantment (charm or compulsion) effects.

If you ever learn the detailed truth about the incident, you become susceptible to painful flashbacks. The first time you are wounded each day, your memories overwhelm you and you become shaken. You may spend a move action to settle your nerves and remove this condition. However, you have also overcome the worst, and you gain a +2 trait bonus to saves versus fear effects.

Time is running out… Become a patron of Dark Deeds in Freeport soon if you want to leave your own mark on Freeport!

As an extra incentive, new patrons may win a signed copy of the Freeport Companion: Pathfinder RPG Edition provided by author—and patron—Adam Daigle. Sign up now!

Welcome to the Dark Deeds in Freeport patronage project!

Swagfest begins tomorrow!

Excitement is running high for this year’s Swagfest. After a decade filled with war and fell deeds, normalcy has returned. Bribery, corruption, hidden agendas, shady deals… Freeport is once more herself. All can enjoy this year’s Swagfest secure in the knowledge that silver skulls and gold lords are there for the taking by those with the nimblest fingers or quickest knives.

The Harbor Report

The Unrepentant docked last night. Typically laden with enough booty to make the Sea Lord herself green with envy, dockworkers confirm this voyage was no exception. The Bloodsalter savages the Unrepentant calls its crew spirited the cargo away from the docks under the cover of midnight mist. Its destination remains just as much a mystery as the origin of Captain Sarangay—the minotaur captain and owner of the Unrepentant—who seems to have sailed fully formed from the sea. Each haul he brings in is bigger and more valuable than the last…

The Crimson Cutlass, one of Jacob Lydon’s own ships, arrived yesterday evening to finish its season of raiding. By the looks of it, it was a good one. Silks, dyes, and wine taken from some of Kizmir’s finest merchants…

Captain Zotai Sarangay

Captain Sarangay is anything but a typical minotaur. Intelligent and charming, he wears clothing—typically blue linen pants, tucked into high black leather boots, and a loose white linen shirt. His leather harness keeps his trademark pair of magical axes strapped across his massive back. He is especially persuasive to non-humans and almost exclusively employs them as his crew.

Much to the consternation of the decent folk of Freeport, Sarangay shares prizes generously with the crew and officers, permitting his officers to afford some luxuries typically denied to Bloodsalt denizens. While this has created enemies among some elements in Freeport, few are bold enough to challenge his axes, and fewer still get the opportunity. When the Unrepentant is berthed in Freeport, Sarangay is aboard, leaving only in the company of his two ogre bodyguards.

Captain Sarangay’s background—before he arrived on the Unrepentant as fourth mate just 2 years ago—is a mystery. If his crew knows anything, they aren’t talking, even when bribed and drunk.

Captain Zotai Sarangay (CR 11)

XP 12,800
Male minotaur corsair 7 (F)
LE Large monstrous humanoid
Int +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +11

DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+2 dodge, +5 natural, −1 size); canny defense, uncanny dodge
hp 97 (6d10+12 + 7d10+14)
Fort +11, Ref+10, Will +8
Defensive Abilities natural cunning

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +2 tempest greataxe +19/14/9 (3d6+6/x3), +1 windblast greataxe +18/13/8 (3d6+6/x3), and gore +11 (1d6+2)
Space 10 ft.;  Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks corsair’s luck(F) 2/day (+3), dirty fighting(F) +2d4, powerful charge (gore +18, 2d8+6)

STATISTICS
Str 19, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 15, Wis 13, Cha 14
Base Atk +13; CMB +18; CMD 28
Feats Athletic, Brilliant Tactician(F), Cleave, Combat Expertise, Great Fortitude, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Overpowering Attack(F), Power Attack, Rope Monkey(F), Sea Legs(F)
Skills Climb +10, Intimidate +11, Perception +17, Sailor +8, Stealth +8, Survival +16, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception, +4 Survival
Languages Common, Giant, Goblin, Naval Code, Orc, Semaphore
Combat Gear +2 tempest greataxe, +1 windblast greataxe

(F) See the Pathfinder Freeport Companion for details.

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Canny Defense (Ex) Sarangay adds his Charisma bonus as a dodge bonus to his AC, retaining this bonus even when flat-footed. He loses this bonus if he wears medium or heavy armor or carries a heavy load.

Corsair’s Luck (Ex) Sarangay adds 1/2 his class level as an insight bonus to any attack roll, ability, skill check, or saving throw. He need not declare this ability prior to the roll but must declare before knowing the success or failure of the roll.

Dirty Fighting (Ex) Sarangay’s attacks deal +2d4 extra damage any time his target is denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not) or when he flanks his target. If he scores a critical hit with dirty fighting, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks count as dirty fighting only within 30 ft.

With a sap (blackjack) or an unarmed strike, Sarangay can use dirty fighting to deal nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. He can use any weapon to deal nonlethal damage with dirty fighting by taking a −4 penalty to the attack roll.

Sarangay must see his target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. He cannot use dirty fighting while striking a concealed creature or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.

Extra damage from dirty fighting stacks with similar types of extra damage including sneak attack damage.

Natural Cunning (Ex) Although minotaurs are not especially intelligent, they possess innate cunning and logical ability. This gives them immunity to maze spells and prevents them from ever becoming lost. Further, they are never caught flat-footed.

New Magic Weapon Special Abilities

Tempest: Life at sea is a constant struggle with water: navigating its vastness, struggling with its temperament, preventing flooding. Captains fear tempest weapons as much as savage storms.

On a critical hit, a storm cloud forms above the target. It follows the target, even underground and below deck, dumping 16 gallons of rain water every round. Cargo ships can withstand this much water for hours or even a few days, but few captains risk their ship for one crewman. The cloud is permanent and can only be removed by a remove curse.

As a magic weapon that bestows a curse, a tempest weapon shows signs of its debilitating ability. Metal weapons rust, wooden weapons are moist to the touch, and ranged weapons leave a mist tail.

Moderate evocation; CL 8th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, bestow curse, create water; Price +2 bonus.

Windblast: A windblast weapon swings with the gales of a squall, and a concentrated tornado engulfs it with a command. On a critical hit, you push the target back 1d6x5 ft.

Moderate evocation; CL 7th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, gust of wind; Price +1 bonus.

Want to leave your own mark on Freeport?  Become a patron of Dark Deeds in Freeport and join us in the City of Adventure!

(This post is Product Identity.)

Haul anchor, patrons—we’re setting sail for Green Ronin’s Freeport!

Using the Freeport Companion: Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Edition as a resource, patrons of Dark Deeds in Freeport will work with Wolfgang Baur, Chris Pramas, and lead designer Michael Furlanetto to create an adventure that blends swashbuckling adventure with supernatural horror in the Freeport tradition.

“I’m excited to work with Chris Pramas again on an RPG project—especially one with Cthulhoid monsters and pirates,” says Wolfgang. “This partnership is like the bit in Captain Blood where Errol Flynn teams up with Basil Rathbone. Except Chris and I won’t duel to the death on a desert island.”

“Unless the senior patrons unanimously vote otherwise,” adds Mike.

When kobolds and ronins team up, who knows what will happen? Sharpen your cutlass and join the crew for Dark Deeds in Freeport now in the Kobold Store. We sail with the tide!