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Message: <blockquote data-quote="cperkett" data-source="post: 1115851" data-attributes="member: 13724">The Wyvern's ClawNext up: The Wyvern’s clawThe Wyvern's Claw is the name of a group of river pirates that operate on the Wyvern River.  It is believed that these pirates have anywhere from 5-15 large riverboats that they have modified to suit their uses.  Each of these ships sport armored side plating from the water line to the main deck railing, siege weaponry, and a forward ram.  The Claw also operate a number of smaller boarding craft.The group's name comes from the original pirate ship, the Dragon's Claw, under the command of Captain Gerrik Lemonde.  Several years ago, Lemonde was caught and hanged; however, his body was cut down after its death and never seen again.  Victims of the Wyern's Claw have claimed that their captors were led by none other than Gerrik Lemonde.What is known is that these pirates are very organized and swift in their attacks.  Most attacks occur either at first light or in twilight, and are often preceded by rolling fog.  The pirates themselves make no sound as they attack, not even to cry out when they are wounded.A pirate raid will usually leave noncombatants alive, although lately the Wyvern's Claw have been kidnapping children and pretty women.  Presently, a call has gone out for adventurers to guard river ships all up and down the Wyvern River, and port towns are fortifying.  Trade on the river is steadily decreasing.A Wyvern's Claw pirate does not wear any standard uniform, except that they wear clothing and armor that will not weight them down should they need to abandon ship.  Their weapons range from the traditional sailor fare (marlinspikes, cutlasses, and tridents) to the more martial weaponry, like polearms and longswords.  The only unifying feature they all possess is a silver torc covered in strange runic symbols.Beneath the surface:The Wyvern's Claw is run by a Marid, which is a form of genie that hails from the elemental plane of water.  It was summoned to the Prime Material Plane by Captain Lemonde's father, Corva Lemonde, who is a powerful sorcerer.  He must avenge the death of Gerrik Lemonde by destroying trade on the Wyvern River, wearing the form of the deceased pirate.Assisting him are the members of the original Dragon's Claw, along with a number of opportunist pirates from the coast.  These mariners, combined with a number of sorcerer pirates under Corva's command, make up the fleet.The silver torcs are created by the marid in order to give the pirate fleet an advantage over their opponents.  They act like helms of telepathy, allowing all of the pirates to communicate with each other without speaking.  It also creates a circle of silence around the wearer, 5 foot radius.  As a result, the pirates gain a major advantage in moving silently.However, disdainful of his captivity and indentured servitude, the Marid has also cursed the torcs, so that they cannot be removed without taking their owner's life.  They also can act as collars of obedience, should the Marid perform a certain ritual which involves sacrificing the heart of his captor.  The Marid dreams nightly of performing such a ritual and having an obedient navy of slaves at his command, but Corva has not seen fit to lower guard enough yet.Oganization:  8 Riverboats (use Longship template), 400 mariner/pirates (50 per ship) 400 marine/pirates (50 per ship, use warrior template from DMG), 7 4th level sorcerers, one 8th level sorcerer (Corva)Alignment:  Chaotic Evil (Marid), Neutral Evil (Corva and most of the pirates)Next up:  The Right Righteous Order of the Rampant Rooster</blockquote>

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