Looking to strand your players on a deserted island or add to the dangers found on unknown shores? Check out these island-inspired adventure and immersion ideas for your next Dungeons & Dragons campaign!
Welcome, adventurers and Dungeon Masters, to another exciting post from Firelight Fables, your ultimate destination for immersive fantasy and TTRPG scents!
For this blog we are spotlighting our Shipwrecked Isle scent! With hints of warm sand, coconut, sea salt and beach wood, this aroma is perfect to help add that extra hint of immersion, transporting you and your players to newly discovered shores.
We hope that this scent and the resources below help you create an enhanced and immersive D&D island exploration experience for your players!
Here is what you will find in this post:
Click any of the links below to be taken directly to that section.
Resources to create an exciting, unique coastal adventure, including:
Strategies and resources for boosting immersion and stimulating all five senses in a shipwreck-themed adventure, including:
Additional outside resources for your D&D island adventure!
Let's see what this isle has in store for us!
Story Hooks & Encounters for a D&D Island Adventure
There are many ways a party of adventurers may find themselves stranded on an unknown island.
Perhaps a Kraken was particularly hungry that day, a magical vortex sucked the ship beneath the waves, or a colossal storm struck the ocean - any of these events are unfortunate for this party, and we are here to give you EVEN MORE.
Shipwrecking Roll Table
Use this roll table (or just pick your favorite) to determine how your players ended up on this island in the first place!
ROLL | RESULT |
1. | Sabotage from Within: A traitor among the crew sabotages the ship, causing crucial parts to falter. Luckily, there is an island nearby! The ship needs dire repairs before the crew can set sail again. |
2. | Unforgiving Storm: The waves and winds of nature become too much for your vessel to handle and is torn asunder. What is left of the crew wakes on an unknown beach surrounded shards of their ship. |
3. | Divine Intervention: After a crew member disrespects the deity of the seas, the god brings forth the wrath of the ocean to teach the sailor a lesson. |
4 | Volcanic Eruption: A nearby island erupts with lava and smoke, sending the ocean's waves into turmoil and hurling falling, fiery debris in the surrounding area. The ship takes serious damage and is wrecked into a nearby isle. |
5. | The Siren's Song: Rarely can sailors resist the allure and musings of sirens and mermaids. Unable to resist their magical song, the party and sailors are mesmerized and guided into a rocky coastline to join several other destroyed ships. |
6. | Sea Hag's Revenge: A spiteful Sea Witch curses the ocean waters with an impenetrable fog, causing all ships to lose their way and wreck on her island. |
7. | Coral Demise: After failing to dodge a large reef and angering local Merfolk, your ship is waylaid by animated Coral Golems who make quick work of the party's ship hull. |
8. | Enemies Abound: Rival pirate ships ambush the party with cannon fire and unrelenting attacks against their ship, hoping to send it to the locker below. |
9. | Moving Island: Stopping to find rest on the shore of a nearby island, overnight the island picks itself up and begins to move, revealing the lost island to be an ancient dragon turtle. Now quickly on the move, the crews' ship is left far behind. |
10. | A Kraken's Rage: A colossal sea monster attacks the ship, causing catastrophic damage and forcing the crew to abandon ship as it sinks near the island. |
Island Escape Roll Table
If you're going to strand your players, you might need a few options for them to depart from the island in one absurd way or another. Roll or choose from the ideas of escape from the table below!
ROLL | RESULT |
1. | Banishment Trap: The players find an ancient banishment trap designed by a local tribal shaman meant to expel intruders from the island. By triggering it deliberately, they can banish themselves to a specified location outside the island's bounds. |
2. | Harness the Power of a Ley Line: The players locate a ley line convergence point on the island and use its magical energy to cast powerful transportation spells, such as Teleportation Circle or Word of Recall. |
3. | Invoke a Deity's Favor: The players perform a series of quests or rituals to gain the favor of a sea deity or nature spirit. Once appeased, the deity grants them safe passage off the island, either by calming the seas or summoning a divine vessel. |
4. | Magical Teleportation: The players discover a hidden temple with a teleportation circle inside. After solving puzzles and defeating guardians, they activate the circle to teleport themselves to a known location on the mainland. |
5. | Capture and Command the Walking Ship: The players manage to capture Baba Yaga’s walking ship, using it to leave the island behind. Check out our Walking Ship encounter below! |
6. | Bargain with a Sea Hag: The players encounter a sea hag living on the island who offers to transport them in exchange for a favor. This might involve retrieving a lost item, breaking a curse, or completing a dangerous task. |
7. | Summon a Water Elemental: The players find an ancient ritual site on the island that allows them to summon a powerful water elemental. The elemental agrees to transport them safely off the island in exchange for a favor or a magical item. |
8. | Secret Pirate Cove: Safely tucked away inside an outskirt cove, nearby pirates hide their stolen treasure and shipyard within a hidden inlet nearby. Unfortunately, it is rarely left unguarded. |
Unique Island Locations & Lairs
Want to lead your players into interesting and dangerous lairs brimming with traps and monsters? We've crafted locations tailored to this coastal domain for you to pull inspiration from!
The Wreck of the Black Serpent: shipwreck lair made from the remnants of a legendary pirate ship - The Onyx Serpent. Brimming with ghost pirates, guarded by a Shipwreck Golem inhabited by the greedy soul of the last pirate captain. Hidden treasures and cursed artifacts await those brave enough to explore.
Crab King's Cove: A secluded cove lair dominated by a huge crustacean monstrosity, who rules over a colony of smaller crabs. The cove is rich with sunken treasures and shipwrecks, guarded fiercely by the creatures of this island.
Siren's Lagoon: A beautiful, secluded lagoon filled with enchanting siren songs. Mermaids and other aquatic creatures dwell here, protecting a hidden temple that holds powerful water-based magic items. This setting can also be enhanced with our Mermaid Lagoon candle to help set the scene!
The Forgotten Lighthouse: An ancient, crumbling lighthouse on the island’s edge, long abandoned but remains mysteriously lit. Inside, spectral guardians and arcane traps protect the secrets of its forgotten keepers.
Were-shark's Den: A series of underwater caves connected to the island’s coast is filled with the remains of its victims and submerged treasures, guarded by a terrifying were-shark and its minions.
Coral Fortress: A massive structure built entirely from living coral, located on the island’s reef. Inhabited by aquatic creatures who frequently crawl onto the island's shores, this is lair is home to many potential allies or enemies.
The Walking Ship's Roost: A clearing in the dense jungle where Baba Yaga’s Walking Ship rests between its wanderings. The area is filled with numerous magical traps and powerful enchantments within the ship. Check out our Baba Yaga Ship encounter here!
D&D Island Magic Items
We've crafted some fun and inspired magic items and trinkets for your players to discover on this island!
Driftwood Staff
Weapon (staff), uncommon (requires attunement)
This staff, made from enchanted driftwood, grants the wielder control over wind and sand. This magical staff can be used as a magical quarterstaff with a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. It has 3 charges and can be used to cast Gust of Wind or Sandstorm (as Fog Cloud, but in the form of sand instead of fog) once per day. It regains 1d3 expended charges daily at dawn.
The Ocean's Oculus
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)
This enchanted eye patch is embedded with a glowing, gemstone eye. While wearing this eyepatch, the wearer gains 60ft of Darkvision (magical and nonmagical) and has advantage on Perception and Investigation Checks while touching sea water.
Shipwright's Hammer
Wondrous item, uncommon
This sturdy hammer is adorned with intricate dwarven runes and carvings. Enchanted with the power to mend and build at an accelerated rate, this tool serves as a boon for most sailors. The hammer grants a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. Once per day, you can use the hammer to cast Mending as an action. Additionally, when used to repair a ship, it can restore up to 50 hit points to the vessel over the course of an hour.
Ship in a Bottle
Wondrous item, Very Rare
This glass bottle contains the pocket-sized ship of an ancient captain, who wished to keep a piece of the sea close to him at all times. With this enchanted bottle, once per day, the bearer can uncork the bottle and summon a life-sized version of the ship to sail upon. The ship is seaworthy and can accommodate up to ten passengers. When the user dips the bottle into the sea, the ship is sucked back into the glass container to be used the following dawn.
Starfish Amulet
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement)
An amulet shaped like a starfish, providing healing and rejuvenation properties to the wearer. The amulet has 3 charges. You can use an action to expend 1 charge to cast Cure Wounds at the 2nd level. The amulet regains 1d3 expended charges after a long rest.
Dangerous Island Monsters
Here's some of our favorite D&D monsters for a shipwrecked setting!
1. Sand Elemental: Use this Sand Elemental as a swirling mass of wind and dust that can bury foes and create shifting dunes, perfect for ambushing players in beach encounters.
2. Shipwreck Golem: Walking in both water and beachside, this hulking construct made from the remains of sunken ships, animated by a vengeful spirit, is ideal for guarding underwater treasures or haunting shipyards.
3. Were-shark: A Were-shark is a humanoid-shark hybrid that transforms under the full moon, serving as a deadly and formidable coastal predator for sea-faring adventurers!
4. Giant Coastal Crab: With massive snapping claws, a Giant Crab is an enormous crustacean with a hard, armored shell, used to give hardy adventurers a good challenge.
5. Drowned Sailor Crew: Still haunting the remains of their tattered masts and broken ships, many ghosts and wraiths haunt the final resting place of their crew and vessel.
5. Baba Yaga's Walking Ship: Baba Yaga's Walking Ship is an enchanted pirate ship with massive bird-like legs, striding across land and sea, perfect for unexpected encounters with a powerful witch! Baba Lysagas Creeping Hut is perfect for this encounter, with a few choice tweaks for it to fit right in on this island!
Baba Yaga and Her Walking Ship
The ground trembles slightly beneath the party's feet and they catch sight of a massive, wooden ship, impossibly balanced on two bird-like legs, striding across the path ahead. The ship creaks and groans as the wooden planks shift with every step. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting eerie shadows across the vessel as it moves with an unnatural grace. For a moment, the ship pauses, an ominous cackle from a being within echoing between the trees, before it continues its journey deeper into the island, leaving the adventurers with the undeniable realization that they are in the presence of something truly magical—and dangerous.
Famously, Baba Yaga is an incredibly powerful witch and sorceress in many forms of media and mythologies, often depicted with a powerfully animated hut walking on two bird legs.
Switch up this unique tale by transforming the hut into a massive ship to match the theme of your coastal adventure! This witch could be an incredible ally, or a devastating foe for your players to encounter - if they can reach her.
Baba Yaga's ship is animated by powerful magic, making it hard to approach and even harder to board. Here is the stat block for the original walking hut for reference.
Below are some additional lair actions and walking ship ideas to pull from!
Lair Actions - Outside of the Ship
A magical ship is surely going to have some defenses innately - here is a list of lair actions to use against your players before they reach the deck.
Taloned Stomp: The ship stomps its bird-like legs into the ground with tremendous force, causing the earth to shake violently. All creatures within 60 feet of the ship must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone. Structures and terrain within the radius may also be damaged or collapse.
The Ship's Shadow: When caught beneath in the ship's shadow, dark cackling can be heard throughout. Those caught within the 30-foot radius beneath the ship slowly begin to have their strength sapped from them. Each creature under the ship must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 2d6 necrotic damage and have its movement speed halved until the end of its next turn.
Choking Smoke: Thick, acrid smoke pours from the ship’s portholes, filling the area around it. Each creature within 60ft of the ship must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be blinded within the smoke and take 2d6 poison damage. The smoke lingers until the start of the next round, obscuring vision and making it difficult to breathe.
Lair Actions - Aboard the Ship
Once clambered aboard Baba Yaga's ship, the dangers don't stop. Surprise your players with the witch's enchantments upon the items and rigging of the upper deck!
Animate the Ship's Rigging: The ropes and rigging of the ship come to life and attempt to entangle intruders. Each creature of the ship's choice within 30 feet of the main mast must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained by the animated ropes. The creature can use an action to make a DC 12 Athletics check to free itself.
Crate Dodge: Several of the crates and barrels aboard the ship begin to shift and slide around the deck as the animated structure walks along. Each creature must make a DC 12 Athletics or Acrobatics Check to remain standing on the deck. On a success, the creature takes no damage and remains on their feet. On a failure, the creature takes 2d6 bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone.
Rotating Decks: Triggering the magical defenses of the ship, sections of the ship's deck rotate and shift unpredictably, attempting to throw off any intruders. Each creature on the deck must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone and slide 10 feet in a random direction determined by the DM.
Baba Yaga Rewards and Consequences
If you players manage to gain the attention of Baba Yaga as a friend or foe, here are varying results and interactions that could be applied depending on their encounter.
Friendly Interaction
Gaining the adoration or friendly offer from one of the most powerful witches of all time is nothing to scoff at, or to be taken for granted. If the players have an amenable approach to Baba Yaga, here are some rewarding options you could implement if she takes a liking to your adventurers!
Witch's Bargain: Baba Yaga offers the players a deal in exchange for something they desire, such as knowledge, a rare item, or a favor. She might grant them powerful magic, advice on a difficult task, or even safe passage off the island. However, her bargains often come with strings attached, so players must be prepared to word their bargain very carefully.
Divination and Prophecy: Baba Yaga could provide the players with a cryptic prophecy, vision about their future or the challenges ahead. She may use her powerful divination abilities to give them a glimpse of potential outcomes, guiding them on their quest or warning them of hidden dangers.
Gift of Enchantment: As a gesture of goodwill, Baba Yaga might enchant one of the players’ items, imbuing it with magical properties. However, it might have unforeseen consequences, as do many of Baba Yaga's dealings.
Mystical Lessons: If the players show respect and interest in her arcane knowledge, Baba Yaga might teach them a rare spell, ritual, or potion recipe. This could provide them with unique abilities or insight into a problem they’re facing. However, the learning process might involve strange and dangerous tasks.
Feast and Fable: Baba Yaga invites the players to a magical feast in her walking ship, where the food and drink are enchanted. During the meal, she shares ancient stories, legends, or secrets about the island or the world beyond. The players must be cautious, as Baba Yaga does not like those without proper manners. This feast imbues the players with various boons until the following dawn.
Antagonized Interaction
Sneaking or barging into Baba Yaga's ship may not be the most strategic move, and in fact could potentially anger the witch enough to cause mayhem and havoc for your party. If the impression is not a positive one, check out some of these consequences to use in your story!
Twisted Tests: Baba Yaga might set the players a series of dangerous or morally ambiguous tests, forcing them to prove their worthiness. Failure to pass her tests could result in curses, magical traps, or even being turned into one of her monstrous crewmen.
Cursed Gift: Baba Yaga may offer the players a seemingly valuable gift, such as a powerful artifact or a blessing. However, the gift is cursed, bringing misfortune or danger unless the players can find a way to break the curse or outsmart the witch.
Deadly Duel: If the players anger Baba Yaga, she could challenge them to a magical duel, using her vast arsenal of spells and enchantments to overwhelm them. The duel might take place in a distorted reality of her creation, where the rules of magic and physics are twisted in her favor.
Hexes and Curses: If Baba Yaga feels threatened, she might lay powerful curses on the players, causing them to suffer from ill fortune, hallucinations, or transformations. The players must seek a way to remove the curse, either by appeasing Baba Yaga or finding a counter-curse.
Shape-shifting Trickery: Baba Yaga could use her shape-shifting abilities to disguise herself as an ally, a lost companion, or even one of the players. She might manipulate the group, sowing discord and confusion before revealing her true form.
Island Traps
From treacherous quicksand to driftwood-made golems, a shipwrecked island is has unknown dangers throughout. Here are some ideas of various traps created to keep your players on their toes!
Undead Crew & Cannon
After waltzing into an ambush amongst the haunted wreckage of ships, undead crewmen and cannons appear from the wreckage and fire cannonballs at the characters. Each attack requires a Dexterity saving throw (DC 15) to dodge, dealing 3d8 force damage on a failure. On a success, the character dodges out of the way.
Sinking Sandbar
A sandbar that seems stable but begins to sink when too much weight is applied. Characters must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 14) to escape before being submerged and taking 2d6 bludgeoning damage. If submerged, a Sand Elementals rise in their place to advance on the rest of the party.
Mimic Treasure Chest
The most classic trap for your players... A treasure chest washed ashore is actually a mimic, waiting to attack unsuspecting adventurers. When opened, the mimic reveals its true form and attacks, attempting to grapple and devour its prey with its acidic bite!
D&D Tips and Modules
For those seeking pre-made D&D modules, we have created a list of adventure modules that align with the shipwrecked island theme!
Tips and Inspiration
Here are some beginner ideas and tips on how to run an island-based game, with a 1st Level starter game if you're lacking direction! Check out some of the ideas and recommended things to think about while running or starting a game with this theme.
Modules
If you aren't looking to make an entirely homebrewed campaign or would like to run a premade game - these modules below are just the thing to get your campaign to set sail!
The "Tomb of Annihilation" D&D 5e campaign, bringing to life the perilous coastal landscapes and ghostly shipwrecks on Chult.
"Ghosts of Saltmarsh", especially with Isle of the Abbey location and it's Skull Dunes in Chapter 5.
"Return the Favor" adventure from the One Shot Wonders anthology
The Island with No Name (1st Level Adventure for D&D 5e) - Part 1
Start your campaign with a SHIPWRECK - Dragons of Stormwreck Isle Guide
D&D Island Immersion Tips & Tricks
Bring your tabletop adventures to life by immersing all five senses! Here are some ways how.
Smell
If you're looking for the smell of sand and driftwood while you embark on your adventure, light our Firelight Fables Shipwreck Isle candle! 😀 We also have this scent available in wax melt and room spray form for those who want a flame-free alternative.
Touch
Add touch to your game by incorporating homemade objects and items on your table! Here are some suggested methods to fully engage this way!
Treasure Map: There are many things to be found on a forgotten isle, and no shortage of treasures to be discovered. Give your players a map they can use to reference on their adventure, or to help them navigate whatever island they have found themselves on!
Sight
We've provided some visual resources below that you can use to help pull your players into a ship's wreckage.
Pinterest: Find inspiration for characters, monsters, magic items, homebrews, and more in our personalized Pinterest Board!
DIY Terrain: Looking to add some DIY terrain structures for your battle maps? Checkout these tutorial videos to help construct new minis for your D&D battle maps!
Here's one of our favorites below:
Lighting: Adjust your lighting to match the time of day in-game, enhancing the atmosphere. Check out this this video by Atmoseeker about how to enhance and change lighting for your Dungeons and Dragons games!
Visual Ambience: Add in a moving, ambient background for your players immerse yourselves inside the coastal or underwater setting!
Here's one of our favorites below:
Taste
Immerse the taste buds with beach-inspired food and drink. Snackages are a must at any D&D session. Here is a sweet treat to add in!
Shipwreck Snacks: Whip up these sweet, tasty treats to give to your players with whatever loot they discovered on their journey for an extra reward!
Shipwreck Drinks: Feeling parched as well? Here is a link to some delicious, quenching cocktails themed for the beach!
Sound
To create a stimulating atmosphere with music and ambient sounds, consider the following ideas:
Soundscapes: Set the mood with beachside ambience from Sword Coast Soundscapes.
Firelight Fables Spotify Playlist: Looking for some beach-themed tunes? Check out our handcrafted Firelight Fables playlists!
Shipwreck Ambiance:
Embrace the coastal sounds beneath the waves or along the sandy beach with these selected soundscapes below!
We trust that these immersive ideas have sparked your imagination and will enhance your next adventure around the island.
Remember to ignite a Shipwreck Isle candle to kickstart the adventure!
Godspeed adventurers, and good luck with your D&D island adventure!
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