The Iron Dagger

dcAdc fearsome flat-bottomed river pirate ship, The Iron Dagger strikes terror into those who ply the waters near Nulb and on the Imeryd's Run and Velverdyva River. Commanded alternately by the ruthless pirate leaders Captain Tolub or his trusted lieutenant Grud Squinteye, The Iron Dagger serves as a mobile base of operations for the Cult of the Crushing Wave and their nefarious dealings. It is both a weapon of intimidation and a smuggler’s lifeline.

The Iron Dagger

The Iron Dagger is a flat-bottomed river vessel designed for speed and versatility, perfect for navigating shallow waters and tight river bends.

• Hull and Design: Its wide, flat hull is painted a dull, rusty red, reminiscent of dried blood. The name “The Iron Dagger” is scrawled across its side in peeling black paint. Its structure appears ramshackle, patched together from years of battles and repairs, but this is a deliberate deception; the ship is sturdy and battle-ready.
• Deck Features: The main deck boasts a small ballista and ample space for smuggling crates of stolen goods or weapons. Rope rigging and makeshift planks hang precariously from the edges, hinting at frequent boarding operations.
• Sails and Banners: The ship flies the Crushing Wave emblem when engaging with cult operations, a dark blue flag with a stylized crashing wave. However, Tolub often disguises its true allegiance with false merchant flags.
• Interior: Below deck lies a dank hold for cargo, cramped quarters for the crew, and a reinforced captain's cabin decorated with spoils from their exploits: gilded goblets, rare furs, and stolen merchant insignias.

Flat-bottomed river galley

The Iron Dagger is well-suited for navigating rivers, especially those with shallow waters and tight bends, like the Imeryd Run in the Viscounty of Verbobonc. Here’s why:

• Flat-Bottom Design: This type of hull minimizes draft, allowing the vessel to traverse shallow rivers without running aground. It also provides stability when navigating slower-moving or meandering river currents.
• Lightweight Structure: River galleys are typically lighter than seafaring vessels, making them faster and more maneuverable, which is ideal for tight bends and smaller waterways.
• Compact Size: Compared to ocean-going ships, the smaller size of this galley ensures it can dock at makeshift riverbanks, smaller harbors, or hidden smuggler coves—perfect for covert operations like those conducted by Tolub.
• Versatile Rigging: The design would often allow for quick adjustments to the sails or even the use of oars if needed. This makes it highly functional in areas where wind is inconsistent or restricted by the surrounding terrain.
• Ramshackle Appearance: The rugged, battle-worn aesthetic combined with its efficient structure makes it a perfect ship for both trade and combat along the river.

"Every crate we haul fills the temple’s coffers—and our pockets too, so quit yer grumblin’!"

Pirate Crew Aboard The Iron Dagger

The Iron Dagger’s crew is an amalgamation of hardened criminals, thugs, and misfits bound by greed and fear. They are known for their brutality and ruthless efficiency.

Command Structure

• 1st Mate (Level 4): Keeps discipline among the crew and coordinates boarding actions.
• 2nd Mate (Level 4): Oversees cargo operations and ensures the ship remains seaworthy.
• Bosun (Level 2): Enforces physical discipline and maintains the ship's rigging and weaponry.
• Boarding Mates (2 at Level 0): Serve as elite boarders during combat.

"Aboard the Dagger, there’s only two rules: don’t cross the captain, and don’t drop the rum!"

Sailors

• 2 elite sailors (Level 0) with leather armor serve as scouts and sharpshooters with crossbows.
• 12 regular sailors (Level 0) form the bulk of the crew, armed with clubs, short swords, or daggers.

Operations and Activities

The Iron Dagger is a crucial component of Captain Tolub’s piracy empire, serving not only as a terrifying raider vessel but also as a vital supply and smuggling link in the Temple of Elemental Evil’s logistics chain, specifically aligned with Canon Belsornig's Water Temple. Its crew navigates the shallow waters of Imeryd's Run and the Velverdyva River, preying on merchant vessels, caravans, and unsuspecting travelers who refuse to pay their protection fees.

• Raiding and Extortion:
  Operating ruthlessly, the Iron Dagger targets merchants along the Velverdyva River and Imeryd’s Run. Cargo is looted, crews are captured, and survivors frequently sold to slave merchants in Nulb. High-value prisoners are delivered directly to Lorveth Thrask "The Broker" at the Boatman’s Tavern, further fueling the village’s black market slave economy.
• Temple Smuggling Network:
  Under Tolub's careful watch, the Iron Dagger regularly delivers stolen weapons, armor, exotic goods, fine wines, rare herbs, and ritual components directly to agents of the Water Temple. These shipments travel discreetly through Nulb’s underground economy, managed by Lodriss and Lorveth, with particularly valuable cargo hidden within secret compartments beneath Tolub’s own quarters. Sensitive deliveries intended for Belsornig’s temple bypass the Greater Temple-controlled routes, occasionally creating tensions with Commander Feldrin and Madame Selentis (Nysera Krivaltis).
• Port of Call – Nulb:
  Frequenting Nulb’s docks, the Iron Dagger resupplies, offloads stolen goods, and recruits new pirates from the village's rough taverns and alleyways. Tolub maintains his primary base of operations at 4: Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market, where he negotiates deals and reinforces his crew’s strength. His influence at this location ensures a steady flow of new blood, reliable intelligence, and shady opportunities.
• Combat Tactics:
  Favoring surprise and swift brutality, the Iron Dagger specializes in shallow-water ambushes. Its flat-bottom design grants unmatched mobility in river combat, ideal for sudden strikes and rapid retreats. During raids, pirates employ grappling hooks and boarding planks, swarming enemy vessels to overwhelm defenders quickly and decisively. Survivors who resist are often executed on the spot as an example to future victims.

"Tolub says the temple’s just a means to an end. Me? I don’t care, so long as the pay flows."

— Grud

Role in Nulb’s Economy

The Iron Dagger is deeply enmeshed in Nulb’s illicit trade networks, significantly contributing to its chaotic prosperity:

• Pirate Supply Chain:
  Stolen cargo regularly fills the stalls of Nulb’s underground market, enriching powerful local figures like Madame Selentis and bolstering the logistical capabilities of the Temple. Tolub pays indirect taxes and bribes to maintain favorable treatment from Selentis’s men.
• Local Influence:
  The crew’s lavish spending at the Boatman’s Tavern, brothel, and market stalls strengthens Tolub’s political influence in Nulb. This economic presence keeps local factions such as the Crimson Reapers and Madame Selentis cautious, maintaining an uneasy balance of power amid the Temple’s shadowy resurgence.

DM Only Section

The Iron Dagger’s Hidden Cargo

The Iron Dagger is more than just a pirate ship; it is a mobile supply vessel for the Temple of Elemental Evil. Each delivery strengthens the cult’s forces and furthers their dark agenda.

Cargo Details: The hold often contains

• Weapons and armor (20 swords, 15 shields, 30 spears).
• Luxury goods (barrels of fine wine, crates of exotic spices, bolts of silk).
• Ritual components for cult activities (rare herbs, animal bones, alchemical reagents).

Cult Ties

• Greater Temple: Supplies funneled to the Temple guard via hidden trails from Nulb.
• Water Temple: The Iron Dagger delivers directly to the river caves controlled by Belsornig.
• Earth Temple: Goods are smuggled to the 55. Hunting Cabin - off map, where they are transported through the Temple’s tunnels.
• Fire and Air Temples: Negotiations for supply contracts are ongoing, with Tolub aiming to monopolize their trade.
• Secrets of The Iron Dagger: The ship has a hidden compartment beneath the captain’s quarters, used to smuggle the most valuable items or hide fugitives. Only Tolub and Grud know of this compartment.

Adventure Hooks

The Iron Dagger offers numerous opportunities for player characters to interact with the pirates and their operations.

• Intercepting a Shipment: PCs may receive a mission to disrupt one of The Iron Dagger’s deliveries to the Temple, either by boarding the ship or ambushing its cargo.
• Infiltrating the Crew: A stealthy character might join The Iron Dagger’s crew to learn more about the Temple’s supply chain.
• Facing Tolub or Grud: The PCs could clash directly with the pirates, either to stop their raids or secure their own transport.