The Pirate's Guide to Freeport

257 Pages·2013·34.343 MB·English

by  Green Ronin Publishing

“Where there is a sea, there are
pirates.”
-Greek Proverb
“Every normal man must be
tempted, at times, to spit on his
hands, hoist the black flag, and
begin slitting throats.”
-H. L. Mencken
A Captain of Freeport
A C f
AptAin of reeport
By Chris Pramas
It was the rancid stink of Freeport’s harbor at low tide that woke him. Otherwise, Captain Vic Cutty would have slept through
the morning, assuming some cutthroat didn’t roll him off a pier. Vic cracked an eye open and immediately wished he hadn’t. The
sunlight made him wince, and even this small movement made him realize what a hangover he had. He sat up and forced his eyes
all the way open. Pain lanced through his head as he took in his surroundings. He was behind some cargo crates on one of Freeport’s
many piers. At least he had had the good sense to pass out somewhere out of sight.
Vic stood up slowly, taking in a full view of the harbor. He’d heard poets prattle on about Freeport’s beauty at sunrise. As he
watched filthy children struggle through the mud flats nearby, searching for anything of value so they could eat that day, Vic
mumbled, “Sod the poets,” and began walking down the pier and back towards the city.
The hardworking denizens of the city were up early, and Vic cursed them for the racket that echoed inside his skull. He gained
strength as he got his body moving, and by the time he made it to the Seaside Market, his headache had become manageable. He
slipped through the crowded stalls of the market until he found Mari’s place. Stepping up to the counter, he said, “One hangover
special, my duck.”
Mari, a slight girl with short hair, smiled at him. “Aye, aye, Captain.”
“I’m not in the mood for your jokes this morning,” said Vic wearily. “Just dish me up that porridge before I pass out again.”
“Ooh, you had a rough night, did you, love?” Vic nodded as she served up a bowl of her fish porridge. It would make a lesser
man vomit when in such a state, but Vic found the stuff fortifying after a hard night of drinking. He picked up a wooden spoon and
began eating.
“So how’s the crew search going then?” Mari asked.
“Lousy,” Vic mumbled, swallowing. “You need a ship before you can sign on a crew.”
Mari frowned, her disapproval clear. “I thought you borrowed money for that? Don’t tell me you spent it all on drink and
whores… again?”
“No, no, nothing like that. Give me a little credit.”
“Sorry, love,” Mari responded, “but you are the privateer captain without ship or crew. You can’t pin it all on ill fortune.”
Vic said nothing. What she said was true; he had lost it all. A freak storm sunk his ship, and he had lost most of his loot and crew
along with it. The crew was replaceable, but his carefully hoarded loot was not. He hoped the damned sea devils at the bottom of the
sea were enjoying it.
“Look here, Trask,” said a rough voice, “our boy’s lost in thought. I hope he’s thinking about how to pay back all that money he
borrowed.”
Vic put down his bowl and turned around, though he already knew what he’d see. The man addressing him was Blucher, a burly
tough with a large truncheon in his ham-sized fist. Another brute of similar stature stood to his left, and between them was Trask,
the leader of the Syndicate’s enforcers. Trask was a gnome who barely came up to Vic’s belt, but he was a spellslinger, which made
him dangerous—doubly so due to his status as one of Finn’s chosen lieutenants. Anyone that crossed Trask would answer to Finn,
and no one wanted to face the head of the Syndicate.
“Morning, Trask,” said Vic coolly. “Come for the porridge?”
The gnome smiled. “That’s why I like you, Vic. Even with a sword hanging over your head, there’s always a joke on your lips.”
“If I lose my sense of humor, I’ll truly have lost it all.”
“Speaking of things you’ve lost,” Trask replied, “where’s Finn’s money?”
“It’s like I told Blucher the other day,” Vic said, “I was jumped outside the Broken Mug by some gangers. Didn’t recognize ‘em
either, so they must be new. Any new gangs on the Syndicate payroll, Trask?”
Blucher punched Vic in the face, making him stagger back into the counter. “Perhaps you misunderstand the situation,” said
Trask. “I am here to ask you questions, not the other way round. Keep your manners, and Blucher won’t have to hurt you again.”
Vic straightened up and rubbed his jaw. His free hand lingered over the hilt of his dagger, but he didn’t draw the weapon. Vic knew he
could take out Blucher if need be, but that would only make his problem with the Syndicate worse.
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2 The Pirates Guide to Freeport
A Captain of Freeport
“Now then,” Trask said, “let’s get to the heart of the matter. You borrowed money from the Syndicate, and you’ve not made a
single payment. This situation makes Finn unhappy, and when Finn is unhappy, I’m unhappy.”
“So I hear,” muttered Vic.
“Oh, I’m sure you do,” added Trask, a cruel smile on his face. “Now let me be clear. You have exactly one week to make good on this
debt. If you don’t, my enforcers will find you and turn you into shark bait. If you leave Freeport, make sure you always keep one eye
open. Finn puts great stock in his friends, and he has them in every port. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I do.”
“Good. I’ll see you in one week. I hope you make Finn happy.”
Vic was about to say something, but his reply died on his lips when he saw that Trask was motioning with his hands and whispering
in a strange tongue. Vic recognized spellcasting when he saw it and tried to back up, but Mari’s counter blocked his way. With a final
flourish, Trask finished his spell. Flashing light flew from the gnome’s fingers right into Vic’s eyes. Countless colors burst in his skull
as the power of the magic drove Vic to his knees. He could do nothing as Blucher stepped up to him and drove a truncheon into Vic’s
stomach. He doubled over and threw up his breakfast.
“That’s for your insolence,” Trask said quietly. “Next time it’ll be much worse.” The gnome motioned to his henchman, and the
three disappeared back into the crowd.
Vic lay stunned until Mari threw a cup on water on his face. “Sodding runt,” Vic mumbled as he slowly got his feet. He pulled his
dagger out and feebly waved it in the air. “Someday I’ll drive this into his black little heart.”
“Not if you know what’s good for you,” Mari said sternly. “Now piss off and make room for paying customers.”
***
Vic’s day did not improve. He spent the rest of the morning at the Docks, working his contacts to no avail. He was
up for any scheme that would net him some money quickly, but the only option he found was to sign on to another
privateer as a crewman. Vic had done his years a lowly swab, and he would not go back to such abuse. He was a
captain, damn it, and he was not about to let some other cutthroat order him around.
By afternoon, Vic was tired, and with the sun burning brightly overhead, he decided to return to his Scurvytown flophouse.
He was paid up through the end of the week, and he needed to get some real sleep. He walked through the streets of Freeport in a
daze, weaving through the crowds of hawkers, workers, thieves, and hookers. Garishly clothed hucksters tried to hustle him into
gambling houses and partner him with rough-looking women, but Vic brushed them all off. He needed to sleep and clear his head,
so he could figure a way out of this mess.
At last, Vic turned onto the flophouse’s street. He was nearing the door when a hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him
around.
“Are you Vic Cutty?” asked a melodious voice with a high-class accent.
Vic looked at the stranger. He was an elf clad in finely tooled black leather armor with a rapier and main gauche hanging from
his gilded belt. His striking features—and his cleanliness—made him stand out in Scurvytown like a strumpet at a debutante ball.
His wealth was apparent, however, and Vic knew better than to be rude to a potential patron.
“Yes, sir, I am Captain Cutty,” Vic replied. “What can I do for you today, friend?”
The elf’s features clouded over, and he drew both of his weapons, shouting, “You can die, Captain Cutty!”
Vic slowly unsheathed his battered cutlass. “Have we met before, sir? You don’t look familiar to me, and most folks who want
to kill me have at least crossed my path before.”
Man and elf began to circle each other, weapons at the ready. “I am Dagonet, musketeer of His Royal Highness Merovech II,
Moon King of Rolland. I have come to this wretched city in search of the captain of the pirate ship Forlorn Hope.”
“That was my ship,” said Vic, as he tested the musketeer’s defenses with a quick thrust. The elf did not flinch at the attack and
deftly swept the cutlass aside. Vic stepped back as the elf’s main gauche stabbed for his gut. It appeared the elf was more than just
pretty. “Perhaps you didn’t hear over there in Rolland that the Forlorn Hope sank.”
“Oh, I heard,” said Dagonet, flicking his rapier at Vic’s eyes. Vic ducked and stepped back, then used his left hand to pull out
his dagger. Vic preferred fighting with just his cutlass, but facing two weapons, he decided to even the odds.
By now, a crowd began to gather. A fight in Scurvytown was not remarkable, but one involving a wealthy elf was most
,
The Pirates Guide to Freeport 3
A Captain of Freeport
unusual—nor was this some barroom brawl but a real duel between two skilled swordsmen. It didn’t take long for the gamblers
in the crowd to start taking bets.
“It seems we have some company,” said Vic, grinning at the crowd. “Now that you have an audience, perhaps you’d like to
tell me why you’re trying to kill me.”
The musketeer charged with his rapier high and main gauche low. Vic parried both with his own weapons, and the blades
locked together. Now that they were up close, Vic could see the hatred in the elf’s eyes.
“Six months ago your ship attacked and sank a ship from Rolland called the Silver Swan,” said Dagonet through gritted teeth.
“For this act of piracy, you will pay with your life.”
The two combatants pushed and strained, each looking to free a blade a plunge it home. “Piracy nothing,” spat Vic. “We were
a privateer ship with a Letter of Marque in good order.”
“We both know that “privateer” is just a polite word for a pirate, you scum,” replied Dagonet. “The Kingdom of Rolland
will not have it.”
Vic pushed the elf off, and both fighters fell back into fencing stances. The crowd howled for blood now that the blades were
free. “Rolland won’t have it, or you won’t?” asked Vic. “Your king knows the rules. Hell, he’s hired Freeport’s privateers more
than once. I’ve killed orcs under your flag!”
The thought of Vic fighting for the Moon King was too much for Dagonet to bear. He came on fast, cutting and thrusting
with his rapier while his main gauche probed for an opening. Vic gave ground and parried desperately. He stopped the worst of
the attacks but lost track of the main gauche during the final flurry of blows. He realized his error too late and could not evade
the small blade. “My brother was the captain of the Silver Swan,” growled Dagonet as he drove the main gauche deep into Vic’s
shoulder, “and I will avenge him.”
Vic kicked the elf in the shin, throwing the musketeer off balance enough for Vic to back away. His shoulder was on fire, and
he knew he needed to finish this fight before the blood loss finished it for him. He let his dagger clatter to the pavement. With
the blood running down his arm, the hilt was too slick to hold anyway.
“I remember your brother,” Vic said casually as he slowly stepped backwards, left hand probing behind him. In a few paces, he
backed into a building. He smiled as his fingers dug into the shoddy concrete typical of Scurvytown construction. He locked eyes
with Dagonet. “Yes, that brother of yours was quite the captain. He watched us kill his men, and then he begged for mercy. He
died a coward’s death—on his knees.”
“Liar!” the musketeer screamed and charged Vic anew. The elf’s face was contorted with rage as he thrust his rapier at
Vic’s heart. Vic deflected the blow to the side and then used his left hand to fling concrete dust into Dagonet’s eyes. The
coarse flecks of stone blinded him. Vic Cutty sidestepped his opponent’s wavering blade and drove his cutlass through
the elf’s armor and into his guts. As Vic pulled his blade free, Dagonet crumpled to the ground, and the crowd roared its
approval.
“You should have stayed in Rolland,” spat Vic. “Now your mother has lost two sons.”
“That was a cur’s trick,” the elf gasped. “You have no honor, pirate filth.”
Vic laughed. “You Continental blades are always prattling on about honor. Maybe that means something in Rolland, but this
is Freeport. Here we fight to win.”
“May the gods curse this wretched city!”
“What makes you think they haven’t?” said Vic, but the elf never heard the retort. Dagonet, musketeer of the Moon King,
was already dead.
***
The wound in his shoulder throbbed, but Vic Cutty was smiling. The money in the elf’s purse was more than enough
to pay back the Syndicate, as well as Mari for her trouble. Now all he had to do was sell the musketeer’s rapier, and
he’d be able to buy a new ship. He hated to part with the blade, as it was exquisitely crafted and possibly enchanted,
but he had to have a new ship. Besides, wielding Dagonet’s weapon would attract unwanted attention. As it was,
he could expect trouble from other musketeers, and he was sure he hadn’t seen the last of Trask. Those were problems for
another day, though. Today, Vic Cutty would be a captain once again.
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4 The Pirates Guide to Freeport
Credits

a campaign setting for fantasy roleplaying
Design: Patrick O’Duffy, Chris Pramas, and Robert J. Schwalb
Additional Material: Jim Bishop, David “Zeb” Cook, Matt Forbeck, Brian E. Kirby, Hal Mangold, Todd Miller,
William Simoni, Robert J. Toth
Editing: Kara Hamilton and Evan Sass Development: Chris Pramas and Robert J. Schwalb
Art Direction and Graphic Design: Hal Mangold
Cover Art: Wayne Reynolds Cartography: Andy Law, Rob Lee, Sean MacDonald
Interior Art: Ilya Astrakhan, Toren “Macbin” Atkinson, Drew Baker, Paul Carrick,
David Griffith, Danila Guida, Jonathan Hunt, Jonathan Kirtz, Pat Loboyko, Britt Martin, Tony Parker, Michael
Phillippi, Wayne Reynolds, James Ryman, Christophe Swal, Mike Vilardi
Executive Producer and Freeport Creator: Chris Pramas
Green Ronin Staff: Bill Bodden, Steve Kenson, Nicole Lindroos, Hal Mangold,
Chris Pramas, Evan Sass, Marc Schmalz, and Robert J. Schwalb
Freeport Contributors, 2000-2007: Keith Baker, Paul Bazakas, Jim Bishop, Bret Boyd, Elissa Carey, Jennifer Clarke
Wilkes, David “Zeb” Cook, Steven Creech, Graeme Davis, Jesse Decker,
Tim Emrick, Matt Forbeck, Gareth Hanrahan, John Kasab, Steve Kenson, Brian E. Kirby,
Jennifer Kirby, Jim Lai, Robert Lawson, Jess Lebow, Hal Mangold, Ari Marmell, Todd Miller,
Brad Nieder, Patrick O’Duffy, Charles W. Plemmons III, William Simoni, Robert J. Schwalb,
C.A. Suleiman, Rodney Thompson, Robert J. Toth, Chris Wilkes
Special Thanks: To all the Freeport fans who’ve kept this City of Adventure alive,
and to all the Freeport Contributors for adding to the city in ways great and small.
Pirate’s Guide to Freeport is © 2007 Green Ronin Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reference to other copyrighted
material in no way constitutes a challenge to the respective copyright holders of that material. Pirates Guide to Freeport,
Green Ronin, Freeport, and their associated logos are trademarks of Green Ronin Publishing, LLC.
Printed in China
Green Ronin Publishing, LLC
3815 S. Othello St. Suite 100 #304 • Seattle, WA 98118
Email: [email protected] • Web Site: www.greenronin.com
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The Pirates Guide to Freeport 5
Table of Contents
- t C -
Able of ontents
A Captain of Freeport .......................................................2 1. The Longshoremen's Union .......................................47
Introduction .....................................................................8 2. The Seaside Market ...............................................49
What Is Freeport? .........................................................8 3. The Black Gull ......................................................52
Game Support ...............................................................8 4. The Rusty Hook ....................................................54
The Freeport Line ........................................................8 5. Society of Lobstermen .................................................55
Enough Talk! ...............................................................8 6. The Shipping News .................................................56
Chapter I: A History of Freeport .......................................9 7. The One Ring .......................................................58
The Empire of the Serpents ...........................................10 8. The Broken Mug ..................................................60
The Rise of Freeport ...................................................10 9. The Diving Fin ......................................................61
Golden No Longer .......................................................11 10. The Star of the Sea ................................................63
Growth and Crises ........................................................12 11. The Dented Helm ..................................................64
The Back Alley War ....................................................12 Chapter IV: Scurvytown ................................................65
The Year of Three Sea Lords .........................................13 Locations of Interest ....................................................66
The Freeport-Mazin War ............................................13 1. Dreaming Street ......................................................66
A New Drac for a New Era ......................................14 2. The Dead Pelican ...................................................68
Milton Takes the Helm ..............................................14 3. Otto's Blades & Baldrics ..........................................70
The Succession Crisis ....................................................15 4. The Freeport Fishery & Market ..............................71
A Very Bad Year ..........................................................15 5. The Mouth of Hell.................................................73
A New Sea Lord ........................................................15 6. The Chumhouse ......................................................75
Freeport Today .............................................................16 Chapter V: Bloodsalt ......................................................77
Chapter II: The City of Adventure ...................................17 Locations of Interest ....................................................78
The Lay of the City ......................................................18 1. The Reclamation Project Compound ............................78
Life in Freeport ...........................................................22 2. Redblade Barracks ...................................................80
Sights and Sounds ........................................................22 3. Krom's Throat ........................................................82
People of Freeport ........................................................22 4. Irontooth Enclave ...................................................84
Culture ......................................................................25 5. Gitch's Tower .........................................................85
Languages .................................................................25 Chapter VI: Eastern District ..........................................87
Currency ....................................................................25 Finn's Syndicate ............................................................88
Industry .....................................................................26 Locations of Interest ....................................................89
Education, Technology, and Magic ................................26 1. Chambers Asylum ...................................................89
Customs and Holidays .................................................27 2. Field of Honor .......................................................90
Entertainment .............................................................29 3. The Golden Pillar Society .........................................92
Government .................................................................31 4. The Halfling Benevolent Association ........................93
The Sea Lord ..............................................................31 5. Hellhound Social Club ..............................................95
Captains' Council ..........................................................31 6. Kafe Ilkin ..............................................................96
Influential Families ........................................................33 7. Strebeck's Beer Hall ................................................97
House Brack ...............................................................33 8. The Warg Company .................................................99
House Maeorgan ........................................................33 Chapter VII: Old City ...................................................101
House Mirren ...........................................................33 Locations of Interest ...................................................103
House Roberts .............................................................33 1. Sea Lord's Palace ....................................................103
House Roth ...............................................................34 2.-4. Fortress of Justice .............................................105
House Tarjay .............................................................34 5. The Marquis Moon .............................................112
The Sea Lord's Guard ...................................................35 6. The Baths .............................................................113
The Admiralty .............................................................36 7. Argyle McGill's Curio Shop ..................................114
Law and Order .............................................................37 8. The Wizards' Guild ................................................115
Religion .......................................................................42 9. The House of Serenity ............................................117
The Underworld ........................................................44 Chapter VIII: Drac's End ..............................................119
Chapter III: The Docks ...................................................45 Locations of Interest ...................................................120
Locations of Interest ....................................................47 1. Tent Town ..............................................................120
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6 The Pirates Guide to Freeport
Table of Contents
2. The Pawn's Shop ....................................................122 Marilise Maeorgan .......................................................189
3. The Freeport Institute ..............................................123 Masson Francisco ........................................................190
4. The Cluster ..........................................................124 Mendor Maeorgan .......................................................191
5. The Indecipherable Scroll ..........................................126 Mister Wednesday ......................................................193
6. Tranquil Shark Protection Agency .............................126 Prendag the High Death .............................................194
7. Fang and Claw ......................................................128 Red Alice ...................................................................195
8. Belle's Well ...........................................................129 Tarmon ......................................................................196
Chapter IX: Temple District ...........................................131 Other Characters ........................................................197
Locations of Interest ....................................................133 Chapter XIV: The Serpent's Teeth .................................201
1. Fool's Market ........................................................133 Geography .................................................................202
2. Temple of the God of Knowledge ................................136 A'Val .........................................................................206
3. Temple of the God of War .........................................139 Jungle Troubles ........................................................206
4. Temple of the God of the Sea....................................141 Cabbage Crack ...........................................................209
5. Godshop ...............................................................144 The Crematorium .......................................................210
6. Temple of the God of Pirates ....................................145 The Hulks ................................................................211
Chapter X: Merchant District ........................................147 Leeward .....................................................................212
Locations of Interest ..................................................148 Libertyville ...............................................................212
1. The Plaza of Gold ................................................148 Windward..................................................................216
2. The Marina .......................................................149 Felix's Ruin .............................................................216
3. The Merchants' Guildhouse .....................................151 T'Wik ........................................................................217
4. The Gilt Club .......................................................152 The Freeport Lighthouse .............................................217
5. The Last Resort .....................................................153 Chapter XV: Beyond Freeport ......................................219
6. The Freeport Opera House ......................................155 In the Beginning... ......................................................220
7. Maurice's ............................................................156 The World of Freeport ...............................................221
8. Maeorgan Manor ...............................................157 The Continent ............................................................221
9. The Jewelers' and Gemcutters' Guild........................159 The Continental Nations ............................................223
10. Salon du Masque ...............................................160 Bone Lands ..............................................................223
Chapter XI: Warehouse District ....................................161 Druzhdin .................................................................223
Locations of Interest ...................................................163 Hexworth ................................................................224
1. The Vault ...............................................................163 Iovan .......................................................................225
2. The Block and Tackle .............................................164 Ivory Ports ...............................................................227
3. Municipal Auction House ......................................166 Kizmir ....................................................................228
4. The Office of Public Records ..................................167 Rolland ...................................................................228
5. Freland Shipyard ....................................................168 Tagmata ..................................................................229
6. Freeport Pilots' Guild .............................................169 Vorizar .....................................................................231
7. Crocker's Brick and Mortar ...................................170 Current Events ...........................................................232
8. Freeport Orphanage ................................................171 Chapter XVI: Using Freeport ........................................233
Chapter XII: The Underside .........................................173 Placing the City ........................................................234
The City of Sewers .....................................................174 Placing the Characters .................................................235
The Dwellers Below ...................................................176 Freebooters and Freeporters ..........................................235
Things in the Sewers ...................................................178 Big Bad City ............................................................237
The Black Mark ......................................................178 Home, Sweet Home ...................................................238
The Dregs ................................................................178 Over the Ocean Wave ................................................240
The Temple of Yig ......................................................179 Fine-Tuning Freeport .................................................242
The Temple of Unspeakable One ...................................179 Campaign Threads .....................................................245
Chapter XIII: Denizens of Freeport ...............................181 Avast, Me Hearties! ..............................................246
Asha Sante ..................................................................182 Fear and Loathing ....................................................246
Captain Jacob Lydon ....................................................183 Dredging up Secrets ...................................................247
Draegar Redblade ......................................................184 Swords against the Brotherhood .....................................248
Enoch Holliver ............................................................185 Something Rotten in the State ......................................249
Finn ............................................................................187 Appendix: Publishing History ........................................250
K'Stallo ......................................................................187 Index .............................................................................252
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The Pirates Guide to Freeport 7
Introduction
- i -
ntroduCtion
A
hoy, mates, and welcome to The Pirate’s Guide to Freeport! This is to Freeport in August of 2000 with the release of the ENnie- and
your first port of call when looking for information on Freeport, Origins Award winning Death in Freeport. Over the course of six years
known far and wide as “the City of Adventure.” Freeport is a and eleven books, Freeport grew and evolved. The rules set it was
city of piracy and patriotism, of violence and intrigue, of ardent hopes designed for, the d20 System, changed too. For both of these reasons,
and broken dreams. On its streets, a swab will find amazing wealth the original sourcebook, Freeport: The City of Adventure, could not be
and grinding poverty, benevolent priests and black-hearted cultists, reprinted in its original form when it sold out. Therefore, we decided
and honest merchants and two-timing thieves. Called the Crossroads to advance the timeline five years from Death in Freeport and make
of the World, Freeport is the destination of merchant fleets, the home the new city sourcebook system independent. The result is The Pirate’s
base of squadrons of privateers and the not-so-secret refuge of renegade Guide to Freeport, which can be considered a second edition of Freeport:
pirates. It’s a chaotic melting pot of cultures and races—where gold is The City of Adventure.
king, and life is cheap. And for thousands of souls, it’s home. This book updates and consolidates much information from previous
W i f ? Freeport books. It also presumes the events of many of the older
hAt s reeport
adventures. GMs who would prefer to run through the old adventures
first and who like the d20 System should pick up The Freeport Trilogy:
Freeport is a fictional city created for use with fantasy roleplaying 5-Year Anniversary Edition and Crisis in Freeport. Those four adventures
games. The Pirate’s Guide to Freeport has been designed as a general tell the core story of the original line. Creatures of Freeport is also useful,
resource, so it is not tied to a specific and those looking for a truly epic
RPG. GMs can use Freeport with challenge can try Black Sails Over
the game of their choice. Similarly, “Now I’m going where my spirit leads me Freeport. All of those books utilize
the City of Adventure can be used I’m going where the sirens sing the 3.5 revision of the d20 rules. Fans
in nearly any fantasy campaign I’m going where the four winds take me of True20 Adventure Roleplaying can
setting. Since it consists of a small find a True20 adaptation of Death in
Far across the raging sea”
chain of islands, the Freeport setting Freeport available for free on www.
can easily be dropped into existing -The Skels true20.com.
worlds. References throughout the The Freeport line does not end
text are kept generic where possible to with The Pirate’s Guide to Freeport,
facilitate easy integration into the campaign setting of a GM’s choice. of course. Far from it! In addition to the aforementioned companion
For example, the gods are not named, merely referred to by portfolio books, there are other new sourcebooks to complement it. The first
(God of Knowledge, God of War, etc.). While characters do not have two are Cults of Freeport and Buccaneers of Freeport. Cults of Freeport
game statistics, each is noted as being an apprentice, journeyman, or describes a dozen despicable cults in lavish detail, presenting a detailed
master. This provides a rough guide to the skill level of the character. overview of each cult’s goals, motivations, tactics, and their impact on
G s the city. Buccaneers of Freeport presents a collection of eight new pirates,
Ame upport
describing them in lavish detail and covering their histories, exploits,
ships, crews, and current whereabouts. More Freeport products are in
Although The Pirate’s Guide to Freeport provides all the background the works, so watch www.greenronin.com for the latest news about the
information a GM needs to get a campaign going, it does not have City of Adventure.
rules support for any particular game. For many GMs, that’s not a e t !
nouGh Alk
problem. They are familiar enough with their game of choice to
take care of character stats and the like on their own. However, not
everyone has that level of familiarity with rules or the time to do Little did I realize when I put pen to paper in early 2000 that
such work. For those gamers, Green Ronin is publishing a series of Death in Freeport would be the start of a setting of such popularity
Freeport Companion books. Each one complements The Pirate’s Guide to and longevity. I certainly did not think that I’d be writing a new
Freeport, providing all the info you need to use this book with a specific Freeport book in 2006. Before we begin the book proper, I’d like to
game system, including the True20 Freeport Companion (for use with take a moment to thank all the fans that have supported Freeport over
Green Ronin’s True20 Adventure Roleplaying) and the d20 Freeport the years. I’d also like to thank all the writers and artists who have
Companion (for use with the d20 System), with more to follow. Each worked on the line. Each of you has added something to the City of
Freeport Companion is available as a book, a PDF, or both. Additional Adventure, and the whole is now greater than the sum of its parts.
game-specific info will be made available on Green Ronin’s website. To those of you new to Freeport, let me be the first to say, “Welcome
t f l aboard!” Freeport is damn sure not pretty, but it is hellishly fun.
he reeport ine
Stay Free!
Chris Pramas, 12/31/06
As experienced gamers know, The Pirate’s Guide to Freeport is not
the first book about the City of Adventure. The world was introduced
,
8 The Pirates Guide to Freeport
- C i - Credits
hApter
A h
istory
f
of reeport
“The most amazing thing about Freeport is that it continues
to exist at all. The feuding pirates should have torn it apart
two hundred years ago. The Continental nations should have
wiped it from the map long ago. Barbarians should have razed
it to the ground. Some storm or fire should have laid it low.
Somehow though Freeport has survived each crisis. More than
that, the city has prospered. The gods must truly have a sense
of humor.”
—Admiral Hrothy
,
The Pirates Guide to Freeport 9