Exemplars of Evil

of the crew into the hold. The captain keeps the monster
because he believes that it helps to guide him in faithful
service to Shothotugg.
AREA DESCRIPTIONS
The Much Kill is a large caravel crawling with activity. There
are few ways to infiltrate the ship, and adventurers who intend
to make a direct assault against Captain Gnash on the deck
of his own vessel are in for a tough go.
1. The Sea: Sharks infest the waters around the ship,
drawn by the promise of regular feeding. The crew dumps
scraps and buckets of offal over the rail to keep them
close. At any given time, there are 1d4+1 Medium sharks,
1d3 Medium sharks and 1 Large shark, or 1d3–1 Medium
sharks and 1 Huge shark swimming around the hull of
the ship.
2. Sterncastle: The crew can reach the sterncastle by
two ladders. In the center of the deck is the mariner’s
wheel, where Pog (see above) spends most of his time peering
through a spyglass and making course corrections.
A bugbear steers the ship, enduring Pog’s shrill insults
with incredible patience, and a hobgoblin operates each
ballista. Two davits lead to the ship’s boats, each of which
holds up to twelve Medium passengers (if they squeeze
in tightly).
Bugbear Pilot: hp 13 (3 HD); MM 29.
Hobgoblins (2): hp 6 each (1 HD); MM 153.
3. Forecastle: The forecastle holds the anchor and two
ballistae that can fire anywhere in a 90-degree arc. Coils of
rope litter the deck, as do scraps of food and old body parts
that the pirates kick around when bored. Second Mate
Crunglutch spends most of his time here, barking orders
through a mass of gelatinous tentacles oozing from his face.
Each ballista is operated by a pseudonatural hobgoblin.
For their statistics, see tactical encounter 4–1, page 74,
but add the following line.
Ranged +1 ballista –1 (3d8/19–20)
Crunglutch, Second Mate CR 2
hp 16 (3 HD)
Male pseudonatural CAr bugbear
CE Medium outsider (augmented humanoid, goblinoid,
native)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Listen +4, Spot +4
Languages Common, Goblin
AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 16
(+1 Dex, +2 armor, +1 shield, +3 natural)
Resist acid 5, electricity 5; SR 13
Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +1
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee morningstar +5 (1d8+2)
Ranged heavy crossbow +3 (1d10/19–20)
Base Atk +2; Grp +4
Atk Options true strike
Special Actions alternate form
Abilities Str 15, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 9
Feats Alertness, Weapon Focus (morningstar)
Skills Climb +3, Hide +4, Listen +4, Move Silently +6,
Spot +4
Possessions leather armor, light wooden shield, morningstar,
heavy crossbow with 10 bolts, pouch containing
2d12 gp
True Strike (Su) As the true strike spell, 1/day.
Alternate Form (Su) As a standard action, Crunglutch can
assume the form of a grotesque, tentacled mass of dripping
tissue. While he is in this form, his opponents take a
–1 morale penalty on attack rolls.
4. Crew Quarters: Bunks fill this large room. All crew
members except for Pog and the officers sleep here in shifts.
When every bed is taken, which is often the case, the rest of
the crew sleeps on the main deck or on the galley floor.
Since the pirates work in shifts, the crew quarters always
has 1d10 goblins, 1d6 hobgoblins, 1 bugbear, 1d6 pseudonatural
goblin pirates (see tactical encounter 4–1, page
74), and 1d3 pseudonatural hobgoblin pirates (see tactical
encounter 4–1).
Goblins (1d10): hp 5 each (1 HD); MM 133.
Hobgoblins (1d6): hp 6 each (1 HD); MM 153.
Bugbear: hp 16 (3 HD); MM 29.
5. Captain’s Quarters: This filthy room serves Captain
Gnash as his living quarters. It stinks of sweat, and unspeakable
foulness stains the bunk. On a writing desk in the corner
The Much Kill
Illus. by R. Horsley
CHAPTER 4
CAPTAIN
GNASH
71