The Crimson Trader

The Crimson Trader, commanded by the sinister Suel Captain Marad Vesrek, is a formidable vessel designed for military precision and brutal efficiency. Known throughout the waterways of Greyhawk, this vessel operates with precision and brutality, ferrying slaves, contraband, and ill-gotten riches. The Crimson Trader is as much a weapon as it is a tool of commerce, carrying out the sinister ambitions of the Slave Lords and fostering covert alliances with the Temple of Elemental Evil.

"Discipline is the only law aboard this ship—break it, and you'll meet the lash or the blade." - Captain Vesrek

Overview

The Crimson Trader is a large, flat-bottomed galley built for both river and coastal operations. Its primary purpose is to transport slaves and contraband to Nulb and other locations under the influence of the Slave Lords and the Temple of Elemental Evil. The ship is infamous for its intimidating crew and its capability to outmaneuver and outfight most opponents.

Key Features

• Ship Type: Flat bottomed Slaver Galley.
• Function: Transportation of slaves and contraband.
• Captain: Commanded by Captain Vesrek.
• Home Port: Safeton, though it often finds refuge in Nulb.
• Reinforced oaken hull, blackened with pitch to absorb light.
• Concealed compartments for smuggling valuables.
• Mounted ballistae and iron-plated rams for naval combat.
• Regularly delivers slaves for sacrifices at the Temple of Elemental Evil.
• Operates under the guise of a merchant ship.

Ship Structure

The Crimson Trader is divided into several functional areas:

• Command Deck: Houses the captain’s quarters and officer spaces.
• Barracks: Accommodates the 12 hardened pirates who act as enforcers.
• Crew Quarters: A modest space for the 12 sailors responsible for navigation and maintenance.
• Cargo Hold: Used for storing contraband and holding slaves, often in cramped and miserable conditions.

Key Points

• Captain’s Quarters: protected by a trapped chest (poison needle). Contains 75pp, 400 gp, and 500 sp; Fire Opal Gem 500 gp.
• Barracks: Holds well-armed warriors in splint mail.
• Cargo Hold: Often contains 7 slaves in deplorable conditions.

Operations

Under the ruthless command of Captain Marad Vesrek, the Crimson Trader is integral to the dark logistics of the Temple of Elemental Evil, serving primarily as a slaving vessel that brings human cargo and contraband into Nulb. With regular stops in Nulb timed to coincide with Temple needs, Vesrek ensures a steady supply of prisoners and goods reaches key Temple figures and local power brokers.

• Raiding and Capture: Vesrek's crew ambushes merchant ships, isolated villages, and unguarded caravans along the Velverdyva River, capturing victims to supply Nulb’s thriving slave market and Temple rituals.
• Smuggling Operations: Concealed compartments aboard the ship transport illicit goods, including luxury items, weapons, and exotic contraband for Nulb’s black market, facilitated through Lorveth "The Broker" Thrask and Lodriss at the Boatman's Tavern.
• Temple Logistics: The Crimson Trader regularly delivers captives directly to Temple contacts such as Barkinar at the Greater Temple and Canon Belsornig of the Water Temple, solidifying Vesrek’s standing within the Temple’s dark hierarchy..

"You’ve got two choices: work the oars or feed the river. Pick wisely." - First Mate Karith “Scar” Drayal

Key Details

• Arrival Schedule: Visits Nulb monthly, often coinciding with high-priority deliveries.
• Hidden Practices: Uses the cover of merchant operations but signals illicit intent with purple sails.
• Trade Dynamics: Profits from slave sales and contraband shipments.

"I’ve dragged more men to their doom than storms have sunk ships. Don’t tempt me to add your name to the list." - Quartermaster T’rallak “The Chainkeeper” Vornath

Role in Nulb

The Crimson Trader significantly contributes to the shadow economy and political machinations of Nulb:

• Slave Trading Hub: Vesrek’s deliveries feed Lorveth’s operation beneath the Boatman’s Tavern, where captives are assessed and sold to the Temple of Elemental Evil, local buyers, or dispatched to external buyers, including the Scarlet Brotherhood.
• Economic Influence: Vesrek’s pirates pour ill-gotten gold into local establishments like the Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb’s brothel, deepening the town's dependence on piracy and slave-trading profits.
• Temple Connections: Regular dealings with Canon Belsornig (Water Temple) and occasional interactions with Romag (Earth Temple) enable Vesrek to navigate the internal politics of the Temple of Elemental Evil while maintaining strategic autonomy.

"Funny thing about people—they don’t look so big when they’re groveling. Makes my job easier." - Bosun Lira "Two Tongues" Vekkel

Relationships with Notable Figures

• Captain Tolub (Iron Dagger): Rivalrous yet occasionally cooperative. Both captains have temporarily allied to launch coordinated raids or protect mutual interests against rivals like Madame Selentis.
• The Broker - Lorveth Thrask : Essential business partner; handles distribution of slaves and contraband within Nulb. Regularly negotiates exclusive deals with Vesrek for prime human cargo.
• Madame Selentis Nysera Krivaltis): Sees Vesrek as both a valuable asset and potential rival. She indirectly taxes and closely monitors his operations through her agents.
• Canon Belsornig: Primary Temple contact; regularly receives slaves and contraband from Vesrek, providing the captain critical protection and legitimacy within Temple operations.
• Romag: Secondary contact; receives slaves specifically needed for Earth Temple rituals and labor projects. Their relationship is pragmatic but occasionally strained by competition with Belsornig’s demands.

Docks of Nulb on the Imerydy Run by 3orcs

Conclusion

The Crimson Trader is more than just a slaver ship—it is a vessel of power, intrigue, and terror. With its ruthless captain and enigmatic crew, it serves as a linchpin in Nulb’s criminal underworld and the Temple of Elemental Evil’s schemes. Dungeon Masters can use the ship as a setting for high-stakes encounters, moral dilemmas, and battles that test their players’ mettle.

DMonly Section

Adventure Hooks

• Sabotaging Deliveries: PCs intercept the Crimson Trader, disrupting the Temple’s supply of sacrifices.
• Slave Liberation: Rescue slaves from the cargo hold.
• Liberate the Slaves: The adventurers are hired to intercept the Crimson Trader and free its cargo of captives.
• Uncover the Brotherhood: Investigate Captain Vesrek’s connections to the Scarlet Brotherhood and decide how to leverage this knowledge.
• Temple Machinations: The adventurers learn that a high-ranking Temple leader is aboard the ship, using it to escape from pursuit.
• A Captive’s Desperate Plea: The adventurers discover a plea for help—a note hidden in the belongings of a wealthy merchant captured by Vesrek. Can they intercept The Crimson Trader to rescue the captive before it’s too late?
• Uncover the Ledger: The adventurers learn of Vesrek’s hidden ledger and its incriminating details. Obtaining it could disrupt the slave trade and bring both men to justice—or serve as a powerful tool for blackmail.
• The Temple’s Hidden Hand: The adventurers uncover evidence of the Temple of Elemental Evil’s influence in the slave trade, forcing them to navigate a web of deception, greed, and violence to expose its machinations.

Captain Vesrek’s Secrets

• Scarlet Brotherhood Ties: Vesrek secretly serves Scarlet Brotherhood interests, using the Crimson Trader to funnel slaves and information back to his true masters. A hidden ledger in his quarters meticulously records Brotherhood transactions, making Vesrek vulnerable to blackmail if discovered.
• Slave Rebellion: Unknown to Vesrek, several slaves aboard the ship have formed a covert alliance, planning a desperate escape. This presents a potential crisis—or opportunity—for interfering adventurers.
• Hidden Treasures: Vesrek possesses an enchanted map within his trapped chest detailing secret river routes, safe harbors, and hidden contacts, including the mysterious Lizardfolk village of Zassil'torr 'Torfen' deep in the Fens of Tor.

Connections Between Captain Vesrek and The Brothel

Captain Vesrek maintains a profitable alliance with Elvanna Thorne, mistress of The Brothel of Boatman’s Tavern:

• Supply Line: Vesrek provides the brothel with attractive and compliant captives for exploitation as courtesans and informants.
• Mutual Intelligence: Elvanna exchanges valuable intelligence gathered by her spies and workers for Vesrek’s continued supply and protection.
• Personal Connection: Vesrek occasionally visits the brothel privately, both for pleasure and to ensure his investments remain profitable and secure.

Captain Marad Vesrek’s Role in the Slave Trade

The Crimson Trader is specifically designed and expertly operated by Captain Vesrek to maximize profits from human cargo, making him indispensable within Nulb’s slave trade infrastructure:

• Target Selection: Deliberately targets merchants, skilled workers, travelers, and vulnerable settlements along key waterways, choosing captives with high resale value or significance to Temple rituals.
• Captive Handling: Oversees harsh discipline to maintain captive compliance and condition, ensuring maximum profitability upon delivery.
• Negotiation and Trade: Works closely with Lorveth to tailor captive shipments to specific buyers, including Temple priests, outside factions, and private collectors.

Hidden Records and Consequences

• Vesrek keeps detailed transaction logs aboard the Crimson Trader, listing slave buyers, prices, and captive details. Discovery of these logs by rival factions or authorities could lead to Vesrek’s downfall and significantly disrupt Nulb’s slave market.
• Interference with Vesrek’s deliveries or exposure of his Scarlet Brotherhood ties would incur severe retribution from both the Brotherhood and the Temple, particularly from powerful figures like Barkinar and Belsornig.

DM Adventure Hooks

• Sabotaging Deliveries: Players intercept Vesrek’s shipments, drawing the ire of Temple leaders and Brotherhood operatives.
• Slave Liberation: Adventurers mount a daring raid on the Crimson Trader to rescue enslaved prisoners intended for Temple sacrifice.
• Ledger Blackmail: Finding Vesrek’s hidden ledger allows the party to disrupt the slave trade or blackmail Vesrek, gaining leverage in Nulb’s criminal underworld.
• Temple Intrigue: Discovering a secret alliance or betrayal involving Vesrek and high-ranking Temple figures leads to high-stakes espionage and political maneuvering.