Ahoy mateys! Continuing along with my series of random lists I am going to add some maritime encounters. As with my post about 50 Wilderness Encounters, all of these could range from unexplained occurrences to hooks for you to base entire adventures off of.

When your party is traveling from one locale to another, waterborne travel is common. Rather than hand-waiving the journey, sometimes you want something interesting to happen. During these voyages you may find yourself wanting a non-combat encounter. I find that occasionally tossing in something like this will help to keep everyone engaged during long periods of travel. Whatever the case, roll a d100 and consult below, to find out whether there be stormy seas ahead.

1-2. Bioluminescent Delight: The water glows with ethereal light as the ship sails through a mesmerizing stretch of bioluminescent plankton, casting an otherworldly ambiance.

3-4. Celestial Navigator: The night sky reveals a constellation that guides the ship, providing a temporary bonus to navigation or granting insight into a hidden location.

5-6. Mysterious Fog Bank: The ship sails into a dense fog bank, concealing strange sounds and eerie shapes. It dissipates after a while, leaving the crew wondering what they witnessed.

7-8. Song of the Sirens: A hauntingly beautiful melody fills the air, captivating those aboard the ship. The source of the music remains elusive but stirs intense emotions.

9-10. Message in a Bottle: A weathered, sealed bottle bobs alongside the ship, containing a message from a distant traveler seeking aid or sharing a cryptic riddle.

11-12. Dolphin Escort: A playful pod of dolphins joins the ship, gracefully leaping and swimming alongside, as if guiding the crew towards a significant discovery or impending danger.

13-14. Flotsam and Jetsam: The ship encounters a floating debris field, harboring remnants of a shipwreck, valuable items, or a survivor desperately in need of rescue.

15-16. Mermaid’s Lament: A mournful melody reaches the ship’s ears as a curious mermaid emerges from the water, sharing a tragic tale or offering a cryptic warning.

17-18. Roving Trading Vessel: An unusual ship, brimming with exotic wares and colorful characters, sails by. The crew has the opportunity to engage in trade or gather information.

19-20. Oceanic Mirage: The crew spots a mirage on the horizon, appearing as a shimmering island or a distant vessel. It fades away as they approach, leaving them questioning their senses.

21-22. Storm’s Symphony: The thunderous storm that brews overhead transforms into a mesmerizing symphony of lightning and thunder, evoking awe and granting temporary inspiration to those who witness it.

23-24. Whirlpool’s Secret: The ship sails near a powerful whirlpool, revealing a hidden underwater cave or ancient treasure chamber accessible only during certain tidal conditions.

25-26. Starlit Reflections: On a calm night, the stars above reflect perfectly on the undisturbed sea, creating a breathtaking celestial mirror that mesmerizes those who witness it.

27-28. Lost Mariner’s Journal: The crew discovers a waterlogged journal floating in the sea, chronicling the adventures of a long-lost sailor, and revealing valuable navigational insights or hidden knowledge.

29-30. Coral Reef Serenade: A choir of aquatic creatures harmonizes in a symphony of song and dance, performed around a vibrant coral reef. Witnessing this enchanting display grants a temporary bonus to charisma-based checks.

31-32. Ghostly Flotilla: A spectral armada appears on the horizon, manned by the shades of long-deceased sailors. They pass by the ship without interference, leaving the crew with a sense of awe and wonder.

33-34. Enchanted Breeze: A gentle breeze fills the sails, carrying with it melodious whispers that share tales of forgotten lands or distant legends, inspiring the crew’s creativity.

35-36. Lighthouse Beacon: A remote lighthouse emerges from the darkness, providing a guiding light for ships at sea. It serves as a welcoming haven or harbors a secret within its walls.

37-38. Kraken’s Lullaby: The ship sails through an area inhabited by a slumbering kraken, surrounded by a serene calmness that evokes a sense of tranquility and safety.

39-40. Triton’s Greeting: A regal triton emerges from the depths, offering guidance or challenging the crew to a riddle or contest, promising rewards for success.

41-42. Spectacular Migration: The ship witnesses a breathtaking migration of aquatic creatures, such as massive whales or graceful sea turtles, granting a temporary connection to nature for those who behold it.

43-44. Sunken Ship’s Bounty: The crew spots a partially submerged shipwreck, still holding valuable cargo or secrets waiting to be discovered with the aid of skilled divers.

45-46. Mystic Tides: The ship sails through a region where the tides take on a mystical quality, revealing submerged paths or hidden entrances to underwater realms.

47-48. Elusive Seafarer: A mysterious sailor, speaking in riddles and prophecies, boards the ship briefly, imparting cryptic knowledge before disappearing as mysteriously as they arrived.

49-50. Living Reef: A massive, sentient coral reef comes to life, interacting with the ship and its crew, sharing ancient wisdom, or granting a temporary blessing for respecting the sea’s harmony.

51-52. Mysterious Shipwreck: The ship stumbles upon a sunken vessel that defies explanation. It appears to be from a time long past or a civilization unknown, tempting the crew with the allure of lost treasures and untold stories.

53-54. Haunted Waters: The ship sails into an area haunted by vengeful spirits, causing unsettling phenomena such as flickering lights, disembodied voices, or objects moving on their own. The spirits may have a message to convey or require assistance to find peace.

55-56. Legendary Seafarer’s Rest: The crew discovers a hidden island where a legendary seafarer, believed to have perished long ago, resides in peaceful seclusion. They can offer valuable advice, teach new skills, or share tales of the sea.

57-58. Eerie Sea Silence: The ship enters a region where all sounds are absorbed, creating an unsettling silence that heightens the crew’s senses. It may hold hidden dangers or offer a respite from the usual clamor of the sea.

59-60. Leviathan’s Wake: A massive leviathan breaches near the ship, its sheer size and power awe-inspiring. The encounter may evoke fear, but it could also serve as a moment of reverence for the wonders of the natural world.

61-62. Treacherous Currents: The ship finds itself caught in powerful currents, requiring skilled navigation or clever tactics to escape their grasp. Success brings a sense of accomplishment and the admiration of the crew.

63-64. Mirage Island: A mirage of a lush, tropical island appears on the horizon, complete with palm trees, pristine beaches, and the promise of relaxation. However, it proves elusive, vanishing as the ship draws near.

65-66. Seafarer’s Graveyard: The ship comes across a desolate area littered with the wreckage of countless vessels. It serves as a chilling reminder of the sea’s unforgiving nature and may hold clues to the perils that lie ahead.

67-68. Lunar Tide: The moon’s gravitational pull creates an unusually high tide, revealing hidden caves, underwater passages, or submerged treasures that are normally inaccessible. The crew must act swiftly to explore before the tide recedes.

69-70. Whispers from the Deep: Faint, unintelligible whispers rise from the depths, hinting at ancient secrets or forgotten knowledge. Deciphering these mysterious voices may lead the crew to a hidden discovery.

71-72. Enchanted Seashells: The crew finds seashells imbued with magical properties, granting temporary enhancements or spellcasting abilities. These shells can be used in rituals, traded for favors, or kept as valuable souvenirs.

73-74. Lost Navigation Charts: A tattered and waterlogged set of navigation charts drifts alongside the ship. Although damaged, they provide hints to hidden routes, uncharted islands, or treacherous reefs.

75-76. Monstrous Migration: A migration of colossal sea creatures, such as giant sea serpents or immense octopuses, causes a temporary disruption in the ship’s course. The crew must navigate carefully to avoid colliding with these awe-inspiring beasts.

77-78. Singing Sandbar: The ship encounters a sandbar that emits melodic tones when struck or walked upon. This enchanting phenomenon grants temporary bonuses to performance-based skills or attracts the attention of curious creatures.

79-80. Sunken Temple: The ship comes across the ruins of an ancient temple submerged beneath the waves. Exploring this underwater marvel reveals forgotten relics, hidden chambers, or puzzles that guard ancient knowledge.

81-82. Poltergeist Seas: The crew finds themselves in a region where mischievous spirits play pranks, causing objects to move, disappear, or reappear in unexpected places. Overcoming these antics may lead to the spirits’ gratitude or further challenges.

83-84. Ghostly Navigator: A ghostly figure materializes on the ship, possessing vast knowledge of uncharted waters and navigation techniques. They offer to guide the crew to a specific location or reveal a hidden treasure before fading away.

85-86. Stormcaller’s Orchestra: The ship sails through a storm infused with a symphony of sounds—thunder, rain, and wind harmonize to create a captivating, almost musical experience. The crew may find inspiration or insights within this natural spectacle.

87-88. Enchanted Bioluminescence: The waters become alive with a radiant display of bioluminescent organisms, illuminating the ship’s path, and creating a mesmerizing scene. These enchanted lights may have magical properties or attract otherworldly creatures.

89-90. Navigational Riddle: The crew encounters a magical puzzle or riddle inscribed on an ancient stone marker. Solving the riddle reveals a hidden navigational route, a forgotten island, or a trove of valuable information.

91-92. Pirate’s Buried Treasure: Following a cryptic treasure map, the crew discovers a hidden cache of pirate loot buried on a remote island or at the ocean floor. Unearthing the treasure may attract the attention of other treasure seekers or supernatural guardians.

93-94. Siren’s Song: The ship becomes entranced by a hauntingly beautiful siren’s song, threatening to lure the crew to their doom. Overcoming the enchantment requires strong willpower or counteracting the song with a different melody.

95-96. Aerial Show: Majestic flying creatures, such as giant roc or shimmering dragons, engage in an aerial display above the ship. Observing these magnificent creatures may bestow temporary flight or inspire tales of mythical creatures.

97-98. Becalmed: The ship sails into an area where the wind mysteriously vanishes, leaving the vessel stranded in a state of calm. The crew must find creative solutions, such as rowing or utilizing magical means, to navigate and escape this stagnant situation. Time may become a pressing concern as supplies dwindle.

99-100. Calm Before the Storm: The sea turns eerily calm, an unnatural stillness that precedes a violent storm. The crew must prepare for the impending tempest or search for shelter to ride out the waves and winds.

Conclusion:

That is all for now. I hope these additions bring a bit of wonder to your party’s seafaring exploits. Thanks for stopping by. If you have any suggestions for other encounters, please leave a note in the comments.

If you would like to see my other random lists, you may find them here. My maps with plot hooks are collected here. Finally, I have a few general posts here. Have a great week!