The busy shipyard of a prosperous port city. These docks bear much cargo ready to be loaded, and a small warehouse holds even more.

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These docks are inspired by the harbor of Saint Denis in Red Dead Redemption 2, sans railway track and other period-defining features! Mine are a simple collection of jetties with space enough in the center for the Galleon to moor.

I knew when I began that layout would be important, as I didn’t want to simply have a series of wooden walkways. I began with an anchoring warehouse (of a convenient 6×4 size, so that you can use any of my modular buildings there), blocked out enough space for a Galleon, and then made as interesting a series of multi-level platforms as I could with the remaining space.

All that leaves is an interesting encounter! Can you imagine a large creature rising out of that watery space? Perhaps there are thieves barricaded in the warehouse? Let me know your ideas in the comments! 🙂

The Shipyard

A local importer believes his warehouse will be the object of a Sahuagin raid, but does not want to say why he believes this.

The prevalence of smugglers in port and trade cities means that most companies keep to themselves. It is rare for them to seek outside help, and suspicious when they do. Jakob Forstner understands this as he speaks to the party. The request is to protect his shipyard warehouse until a recent shipment is able to be moved. It is unlikely that the location would ever be targeted, owing to its location and population. But something in Forstner’s eyes suggests he knows trouble is coming.

What he refuses to tell the adventurers is precisely what they are protecting. Not the warehouse, but a specific item inside. Forstner’s alliance with a certain morally-gray group of scavengers led to him procuring an idol to a sea god. These relics are priceless to the Sahuagin and are never without protection. They will attempt to reclaim it. He not only needs their attempts to fail, but also for any information on the situation to remain limited to his own company. An independent group of adventurers is his best and only option.

Describing the shipyard

The cobbled stone of city streets brings you to a shipyard. Pavement transitions into sea-stained wooden planks, connecting unevenly like a now-aged afterthought to the initial brick construction. A wooden slope descends into the gently undulating blue water, flanked on either side by longer walkways. One side bears a loading platform with two cranes and the expected assortment of crates, barrels, and ropes. The other circles around a small warehouse, extending into two more piers and another crane mechanism.

Light reflects off of the waves, dancing and dazzling, as your boots thunk across the dock. The picturesque ocean is decorated with silhouettes of ships, some moving in and out of port, and others casting nets into the bay. You could get lost in the sight but are quickly awakened by another dock worker stomping past you. Many more rush across the planks and pavement. The bustle of movement and idle chatter harmonizes with the soft crashes of waves that spray the air with a cooling mist of salt and the smell of sea life.


While many workers remain, sunset brings a quieter atmosphere to the shipyard. Each clique of workers tends to their own tasks, only paying an occasional glance to the armed visitors on their docks.

As a pair of laborers approaches, lighting lanterns as they go, a portion of their conversation catches your attention.

“No fish today. Not even one. Almost a mile in every direction, none of the fishermen had even a single catch.” His partner returns only a grunt of uninterested acknowledgment, but his words hang in your mind. You turn back to the water and notice… nothing. No lights. The ships are still visible in the distance but none are illuminated or moving. You rise from your seat, searching for any further sign. As another lantern is lit, its glow exposes a group of shadows approaching in the water. Beside them, another larger, writhing mass begins to rise.

Tidal Mound

Tidal Mound Shipyard Monster Stat Block
Click to zoom in

The mound is not a singular creature, but rather a golem-like swarm of fish and ocean life. They thrash chaotically within the shape, Sahuagin magic holding them together and commanding their movement. It breaches the ocean’s surface, water rolling off to reveal thousands of eyes, mouths, and scales glittering in the light. Branching tendrils of the same aquatic legion rise with the form, reaching and whipping at its surroundings.


The tidal mound is an amalgamation of the shambling mound and roper creatures, with some extras. The shambling mound formed its base (AC, HP, ability scores, etc.), with the addition of a roper’s tendrils. This required combining their mechanics. An increased number of attacks meant lowering the initial Tendril damage, and the Reel then leads into an Engulf rather than a simple Bite.

Finally, it has a swarm’s resistances and immunities and a modified version of the ettin’s ‘Two-Headed’ ability.

– by Troy McConnell
More content by Troy

Download the Shipyard Battle Maps

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Here is a quick break down of all the map variants and where you can find them…

The free Shipyard battle maps

The $5 Shipyard Pack with variants & assets

The free map bundle above is also included in this Pack.

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About the author

Ross McConnell

DM, aspiring artist, and founder of 2-Minute Tabletop! I love drawing, writing, and worldbuilding, and this is the website where all of it comes together.

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