The Wreck Of The Cathaldrane

General Information

The Cathaldrane was sunk, with the loss of all hands, during a battle between warships of the Old Empire and that of the breakaway Republic of Mallrar. Despite being better armed the Empire vessel was defeated by a freak gust of wind that turned her around allowing the battle-mages aboard the Mallrar vessels to strike. Despite heavy damage the captain of the Cathaldrane, Lord Driel, refused to flee and instead inflected severe damage on several Mallrarian vessels before he went down with his vessel.

Most of the timber has either rotted away or been taken by a local clan of Koalinth (marine hobgoblins). They enhabit a small cave complex near the wreck and welcomed the arrival of the treasures from above. They have used the larger timbers to produce traps and barricades while metal objects have been hammered into weapons and armour. They have traded some of the teasure from the wreck with their landbased cousins for better weapons and armour than they can make themselves. They are now ready to attack a nearby Triton village.

A small number of Sea Zombies, the crew of the Cathaldrane, inhabit the ruined remains of the ship and attack anyone who disturbs their grave.

The Koalinth Caves

The caves are home to thirty three Koalinths. Eleven are youngsters and other noncombatants. They are led by a powerful (5th level) warrior assisted by a 3rd level cleric.

1. Entrance: The entrance to the caves is well hidden. Thick gardens of kelp have been planted near the narrow mouth of the cave obscuring it from casual view. Interspersed amongst them are stands of Strangleweed. The Koalinth know the only save way through the weeds, a narrow gap along the cliff wall south of the cave entrance. They leave some of the victim's treasure lying amongst the weeds to tempt others.
2. Guardpost: About 15' back from the entrance the cave widens slightly. Here a koalinth warrior is always on guard. When trouble is expected two will be stationed here. Others will rest in the small cave where the tunnel turns southwest. nets suspended from the ceiling hold weapons and shields ready for use. The south west passage climbs steeply gaining 20' in 30' of distance.
3. Hall Of The Warriors: This roughly oval cave, roughly 40' from east to west and 30' from north to south, contains many strange egg shaped nets hanging from the ceiling. These are rhe beds of the Koalinth warriors. While resting the Koalinth climb into the nets, woven from thick strands of kelp interspersed with pieces of wood. Smaller nets hold weapons, armour and personal effects. Unless there is a raid the majority of Koalinth warrors will be here.
4. Collapsed Cave: This cave slopes upwards towards the North West. The southern portion is a chaotic jumble of boulders where the ceiling has collapsed long ago.
5. The Nexus: This is the highest point in the cave system. Heavily rusted iron stables have been hammered into the wall giving access to a rock chimney that in turn leads to a air filled cave complex occupied by hobgoblins.
6. Nesting Chamber: This cave is similar to the Hall of the Warriors, many nets dangle from the ceiling. These are smaller and contain the females and children of the tribe. Food is stored in some of the woven nets.
7. Cavern Of Holy Relics: This cave is the home of Natur, the Koalinth Cleric of Yagrai (He Who Always Rises). Netting bags containing a variety of oddly shapped stones, bones and crystals dangle from the ceiling. Most striking of all is the strange stalagmite in the north west of the chamber. Stained scab red by iron rich mineral veins the formation is roughly the shape and size of a huge goblin. other smaller stalactites and stalagmites surround the largest like a forest of flames. The water in this cave is heavily tainted with iron. Natur will be here unless he is with Shura, the tribe's leader.
8. Storeroom: This is where the tribe store thier valuables. Rotting wooden chests contain rotting sacks of coin, untarnished bars of silver and gold along with other non-persihable supplies.
9. The Pit: A rusty metal grill covers a dark pit in the floor of the cave. Large eels live in the darkness and are fed on the scraps left over from the Koalinths' meals and battles. Prisoners are sometimes tied to the bars and the eels allowed to eat the flesh from their bones until they talk.
10. Cavern Of the Chosen: This is the lair of Nagdumph, the Koalinth leader and his wives. There is little to distinguish this cave from the others in the complex.

Adventure Hooks

Final Rest: The zombies will be able to depart if their bones are given a decent burial back on dry land.
Sunken Treasure: Tales tell of a valuable treasure that sunk with the Cathaldrane. When the PCs visit the wreck site they get involved in the battle between the Tritons and the Koalinth.

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c. A.D. Jones 17/06/06