Environment Tables (Sunken Rlyeh Supplement)
The following tables are the Ocean Surface encounter tables for the Sunken Rlyeh environment.
- Ocean Surface Encounters
This table is for ocean surface encounters on the Prime Material Plane, above the gate to the Elemental Plane of Water and "Sunken Rlyeh". Or it could be used for any open water oceanic adventure. The DM may elect to select and prepare encounters in advance, or assign a probability of encounters in a given time interval, or mandate a randomly selected encounter
Instructions: Party Level assumes a balanced party of four characters in the level range shown. DM may adjust encounter strength as appropriate. Creatures encountered do not have any wealth on their persons except for the following: Deep Ones as described below; Merfolk, Tentacle Devils, and Sea Hags each have 10% of their XP value in gold, gems, or jewelry items.
- Ocean Surface / Open Water Encounter Descriptions
| Aboleth | Intelligent and capable, the Aboleth is in the area watchful for those seeking the gate to the Elemental Plane of Water. It will take advantage for food or profit. |
| Adult Orange Dragon | The Adult Orange Dragon is a narcissistic bully, and will attempt to intimidate a party using bluster and insults. His goal is to profit from any encounter, not necessarily to fight or kill. He loves to be worshipped or flattered. |
| Ancient Orange Dragon | The Ancient Orange Dragon is a narcissistic bully, and will attempt to intimidate a party using bluster and insults. His goal is to profit from any encounter, not necessarily to fight or kill. He loves to be worshipped or flattered. |
| Cachalot | The Cachalot, or Sperm Whale must surface periodically, but prefers to hunt in the deeps and will venture through the gate to the Elemental Plane of Water for larger prey. |
| Deep One (5e Race) | These characters are of the 5e Race described in the D&D Wiki, and are detailed below. They may be on a pilgrimage, guarding the approaches to the gate, seeking treasure, etc. |
| Dragon Turtle | Intelligent and capable, the Dragon Turtle is in the area watchful for those seeking the gate to the Elemental Plane of Water. It will take advantage for food or profit. |
| Giant Octopus | Ever hungry, Giant Octopi will attack for food but will beat a hasty retreat if their prey are well able to defend themselves. |
| Giant Sea Horse | Giant Seahorses are shy but friendly if not attacked. Offers of food, or the ability to speak with them, may result in a favorable reaction. |
| Giant Shark | Giant Sharks are huge Great White Sharks, fierce predators that will attack anything resembling food. |
| Great Water Elemental | Great Water Elementals guard the surface above the gate in service to more powerful creatures in Rlyeh. They will attack any intelligent creatures which fail to present a symbol of Cthulhu. |
| Hunter Shark | Hunter Sharks may be Tiger Sharks, Whitetip Sharks (or the like). They are fierce predators and will attack anything resembling food. |
| Hydra | Hydra hunt in the area due to the presence of humanoids or other suitable prey seeking the gate. |
| Killer Whale | Killer Whales are always on the hunt, but will retreat if taking more damage than dishing out. |
| Megalodon | Megalodon are fierce predators and will attack anything resembling food. |
| Merfolk Hunter | Merfolk are either watching the surface approach to the gate, or are in the area to take advantage of interlopers seeking access to the Elemental Plane of Water. Parley is possible, but they will attack a party displaying a symbol of Cthulhu. |
| Merfolk Stormbrewer | Merfolk are either watching the surface approach to the gate, or are in the area to take advantage of interlopers seeking access to the Elemental Plane of Water. Parley is possible, but they will attack a party displaying a symbol of Cthulhu. |
| Mosasaurus | Mosasaurs are fierce predators and will attack anything resembling food. |
| Pliosaurus | Pliosaurs are fierce predators and will attack anything resembling food. |
| Reef Shark | Reef Sharks may be Bull Sharks, Mako Sharks, or Hammerheads (or the like). They are fierce predators and will attack anything resembling food. |
| Sea Hag | Sea Hags frequent the area due to the presence of the gate and the variety of life forms it draws. They kill out of spite and in hopes of personal gain. |
| Sea Serpent | Sea Serpents may be drawn to the area due to the presence of large ships or prey. They will attack anything resembling food. |
| Sea Slime | Sea Slimes take advantage of slime and seaweed in the water to surprise their prey, be it a ship or a creature. |
| Tentacle Devil | Tentacle Devils guard the surface above the gate in service to more powerful creatures in Rlyeh. They will attack any intelligent creatures which fail to present a symbol of Cthulhu. |
| Water Elemental | Water Elementals guard the surface above the gate in service to more powerful creatures in Rlyeh. They will attack any intelligent creatures which fail to present a symbol of Cthulhu. |
| Whale Zombie | Whale Zombies are typically undead Killer Whales. They will attack anything that moves. |
| Young Orange Dragon | The Young Orange Dragon is a narcissistic bully, and will attempt to intimidate a party using bluster and insults. His goal is to profit from any encounter, not necessarily to fight or kill. He loves to be worshipped or flattered. |
| Young Sea Serpent | Young Sea Serpents may be drawn to the area due to the presence of large ships or prey. They will attack anything resembling food. |
| roll twice | A mixed party of trouble... Avoid duplicates (roll one die again to achieve a different result). The resulting creatures or parties will be allies, or at least sharing a common goal, one possibly in the service or thrall of the other. |
- Deep Ones (5e Race):
A party of 3 Deep Ones includes the equivalent of a Knight, a Priest, and a Thug. In addition to the capabilities identified for these NPC types, they share the following attributes: Speed 35 ft., swim 45 ft.; Senses: darkvision 60 ft.; Amphibious; Languages: common, aquan, and deep speech. Attacks as described for the NPC type or for the Deep One race.
Further, each has these individual attributes shown below. A party of 5 Deep Ones includes two additional Thugs.
"" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" ""| Knight | Priest | Thug | Thug #2 (party of 5 only) | Thug #3 (party of 5 only) | |
| Alignment: | Neutral | Lawful Evil | Neutral Evil | Neutral | Chaotic Evil |
| Proficiencies: | Stealth, Perception | Survival, Nature | Stealth, Perception | Athletics, Perception | Stealth, Intimidation |
| Cantrips: | minor illusion | light, sacred flame, thaumaturgy, guidance | ray of frost | resistance | shocking grasp |
| Magic Items: | +1 Greatsword; +6 to hit, 11 slashing damage | +1 Chain Shirt, AC 14 | +1 Mace; +5 to hit, 6 bludgeoning damage | +1 Leather Armor, AC 12 | +1 Trident; +5 to hit, 6 piercing damage |
| Wealth: | 20gp | 10gp, 2x10gp gems | 5 gp, 1x10gp ring | 6 gp | 2 gp, 1x8gp ring |
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