Smuggler's Cove (5e Quest)

Overview

This quest is an attempt to have GPT-4 create a "one page dungeon": descriptions are intentionally brief, as though this were to fit on a piece of single A4 paper. The prompt was to make a one page dungeon for three 4th-level characters, using keywords for location descriptions. All of the text below was generated by GPT-4.

Background

A notorious band of smugglers has been terrorizing the local port town, using a hidden cove as their base of operations. The local authorities are offering a generous reward to anyone who can put a stop to their activities.

Locations

1. Hidden Entrance: "rocky beach", "hidden crevice", "salt air". Encounter: 2x Smuggler Scouts (CR 1/2)

2. Guard Post: "makeshift barricade", "damp", "echoes of soft chatter". Encounter: 4x Smugglers (CR 1)

3. Trap Tunnel: "narrow", "dark", "tripwire". Trap: Poisoned Dart Trap (DC 15 Perception to spot, DC 15 Dexterity save or take 2d10 poison damage)

4. Barracks: "cramped", "stench of unwashed bodies", "rum bottles scattered". Encounter: 6x Smugglers (CR 1)

5. Smuggling Den: "boxes of contraband", "maps of shipping routes", "murky water". Treasure: 200 gold pieces, various stolen goods worth 300 gold pieces, a map showing the smugglers' upcoming targets. Encounter: Smuggler Captain (CR 3)

6. Escape Tunnel: "water-filled", "narrow", "strong current". Challenge: Strong Current (DC 15 Strength (Athletics) or be swept out to sea and take 2d6 bludgeoning damage)

Rumors

1. "They say the smugglers' leader has a magic weapon."
2. "I heard a town guard was bribed to ignore the smugglers."
3. "Someone said they saw a sea monster near the smugglers' cove."
4. "There’s talk of a secret tunnel that the smugglers use to escape."

Hooks

• The players find a map on a defeated smuggler showing the location of the cove.
• The local authorities ask the players to investigate the smugglers.
• The players discover that a stolen item of personal significance to them is in the smugglers' possession.

Notes

• Smugglers and their captain can be based off Bandits and Bandit Captain respectively from the Monster Manual, with slight adjustments if necessary.
• Adjust the difficulty of encounters and traps based on the party’s condition and the pace of the adventure.
• The rumors can provide additional side quests or complications for the adventure.
• Reward XP for overcoming challenges and additional XP for non-combat resolutions.

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Quests