Tuesday Magic Item – Black Banner of Piracy

“I am not happy with this job,” complained Voddick, sipping at a mug of water and trying to keep his footing on the rolling deck.

“Well, it in only to get us to the next major city.  We could not stay where we were, after all,” said Gollaon gripping the rail and looking to the horizon.

“And whose fault was that?”

“So, I forgot which religious orders had strictures about celibacy,” admitted Gollaon with an embarrassed shrug.  “It was not as if the novices had taken vows yet.”

“That did not seem to matter much to the order’s enforcers.”

“Truth,” agreed Gollaon with a grimace.

Black Banner of Piracy

These black ensigns, often gruesomely decorated, are used by pirate ships to aid them in cowing their victims.  After all, pirate would rather their victims simply surrendered rather than having to fight, which is a messy business.

When displayed aboard, they imposes a -1 morale penalty to saves against fear to all who are not part of the crew of the ship from which it is displayed.  Additionally, all officers of the ship gain a +4 competence bonus to Intimidate checks and if they are called to duel someone on another ship, the captain (or the ship’s champion) gains a +4 morale bonus to the first attack they make.

However, if the banner is torn down or destroyed, it is a ill-omen and in addition to losing its powers, the crew of the ship take a -1 luck penalty to all attack rolls, saves and skill checks for the next 4d6 hours.

Aura moderate enchantment and necrourgy; CL 7th
Slot none; Price 5,000; Weight 2 lbs
Construction Requirements
Craft Wondrous Items, eagle’s splendor, fear; Cost 2,500

For D&D 5E:

Wondrous item, rare.

First paragraph as above.

When displayed aboard, they imposes a feeling of dread to all who are not part of the crew of the ship from which it is displayed.  Additionally, all officers of the ship gain advantage on Charisma (Intimidate) rolls and if they are called to duel someone on another ship, the captain (or the ship’s champion) gains advantage on the first attack they make.

However, if the banner is torn down or destroyed, it is a ill-omen and in addition to losing its powers, the crew of the ship must roll the next 1d4  attack, saves or ability rolls at disadvantage.

Notes: A little something for Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Alternate names could be Bloody Corsair’s Flag and Professional Privateer’s Ensign for other types of shipboard raiders.  (Also not to be confused with the Black Banner of the People.)

The image is in the Public Domain and was found on Wikimedia Commons.

 

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