NPCs: Cheesebeard, Goblin King of Pirates

Cheesebeard "Goblin King of Pirates"

Bust by LeBeN, not used with permission.

Background

     Cheesebeard is the captain of the pirate vessel Fromage Puant. He, along with his first mate Mr. Gregarious, is the most wanted criminal of the high seas. His crew has been responsible for nearly three dozen captures of vessels from four different nations. The pirates will take anything of value from the captured vessel, then kill all of the crew except for one person. That person will be marooned in order to tell the tale to others, thus enhancing Cheesebeard's reputation.

Crew

     Cheesbeard's first mate, Mr. Gregarious, is a large stuffed toy bear. He is animate, quite strong and intelligent, but does not speak. He communicates with the crew through sign and gesturing.

     Cheesebeard's crew is a collection of many races. His first mate Mr. Gregarious keeps order among the crew and doles out assignments as well as punishments. Most of his crew are sailors of captured vessels, impressed into service. After their first battle with another vessel they are considered to have gone on account, if they perform well, and will thereafter be a member of Cheesebeard's crew. Crew who go on account are given a share of all loot gathered. Officers get two shares, Mr. Gregarious gets three shares, and Cheesebeard gets four shares.

     The authorities are searching for Cheesebeard's hideout, as well as the Fromage Puant. The Great Terror of the Minotaurs Lord of the Seas, King Keres has even gone so far as to put a bounty of five fully laden, equipped and manned Minotaur ships to whomever can bring him Cheesebeard's head.

     The thing that makes Cheesebeard so difficult to apprehend is that he has a couple of magic items that keep him steps ahead of his adversaries. Cheesebeard has an Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location and a Hat of Disguise, to keep him hidden from his enemies. He has a Telescope of Seeing that allows him to see things that are many miles away, even over the horizon! Lastly, he has a full length Magic Mirror that can show him things far distant, through time and space. He gets a clear image with sounds and even scents. It can even transport him to the viewed area for a short duration. This mirror is his most secret and important treasure.

NPC Stat block

Primary Class

Pirate Captain

Level

10

XP

500,000

A/C: 2

HD: 9+3

HP:  52

THAC0: 11

#Att: 3/2 r

Dmg: 1d6+4

Scrye: 18%

Size: S

Move: 6

Str: 16

Dex: 16

Con: 10

Int: 15

Wis: 15

Cha: 17

Com: 8

PPDM: 8

RSW: 10

PP: 9

BW: 9

OS: 11

Fear: 7

Horror: 14

Madness: 14

      Cheesebeard is a civilized goblin originally from the island province of Scali of the Empire of Ralifon. He was born into the Rosso Spina family of Scali. This family specialized in Ainuzzi cheeses. Not satisfied with a life as a mere Cheesemonger and crime boss like his father, he instead chose to go to sea and become a sailor. The first time out as an Imperial Sailor the vessel he was assigned to was captured by the pirate Wendral Xusleng, a minor nuisance of a pirate. After he joined Xusleng's crew he found that pirate life suited him well. After convincing the crew that Wendral was taking a greater share than was agreed upon he led a very successful mutiny. Once installed as captain he rechristened the vessel the Fromage Puant and began the most successful and well known pirate career to date.
      Cheesbeard fights with a magical rapier (+2) he calls Spine-sever and wears magical studded leather armor (+2). He is a ruthless and efficient fighter, never much of a showy fighter, he prefers combat on a ship to battle on land (he gets a bonus of +3 to attacks on a ship and a -4 to attacks on dry land).
     When he is disguised and traveling to destinations he has viewed through his mirror he will act appropriately to the persona he is using. He has become very well experienced in acting and disguise. These trips serve to allow him to gather intelligence on perils his crew may face or threats to his own life.

Note

     Cheesebeard was first created by my eldest daughter when she was but nine years old. After a series of four adventures involving Cheesebeard she had retired the NPC. I recently got permission to revive and revise the NPC you see posted here.