CREDITS

Designer: Dr. Michael LaBossiere

Cartographer: Dr. Michael LaBossiere
Template: Simple Microsoft Word Template by Laura
Hirsbrunner
Cover Image/Art: Michael LaBossiere, Midjourney

Contents
Credits .................................................................................... 1
Contents ................................................................................. 1
Introduction .......................................................................... 2
Background/History............................................................. 2
Getting the PCs Involved ...................................................... 4
Map Key ................................................................................. 4
Encounter .............................................................................. 5
NPCs....................................................................................... 5
Conclusion ............................................................................ 6
Hook?..................................................................................... 6
Free Stuff! .............................................................................. 8
Free Map Collections ............................................................ 8
Free Rules .............................................................................. 8
Free Encounters .................................................................... 8
Free Encounters Collections ................................................ 8
Free Character Options......................................................... 8
Stuff to Buy! .............................................................................. 8
Adventures ............................................................................ 9
Class & Character Options .................................................... 9
Karabeth Series ..................................................................... 9
About the Author .................................................................10
Maps ..................................................................................... 11

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This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the Community Content Agreement for
Dungeon Masters Guild.

All other original material in this work is copyright 2022 by Dr. Michael C. LaBossiere and published under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.
Hero Lab and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com System Reference Document 5.0 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

1
INTRODUCTION Determined to pierce the secrets of the Hohu
Abyss, the brilliant scholar Apanal led an expedition
This is the 78th in an ongoing series aimed to
into the cold and crushing depths. When he failed to
provide the overworked DM with ready-to run
return and divination revealed nothing, it was
encounters. The PCs encounter a Mokule
believed that his magical diving apparatus had not
(shipbreaker). Will they break it or be broken?
been a match for the Hohu Abyss.
A Mokule (shipbreaker) is CR 8. A damaged version
His sister, Akaha, refused to give up on her beloved
is CR 6. The encounter also includes the option of
brother and sought to construct a second craft to
including a Welg, which is CR 4.
search for him. As the vessel was nearing completion,
It includes a history/background for the encounter,
Apanal returned. When asked about his missing
a map, and monster stats. The companion ZIP file
companions and what had transpired, Apanal always
contains JPEG versions of the maps (with and without
quickly changed the subject. While Akaha and his
grid), the Word file of the encounter, and a Fantasy
friends were glad that Apanal had returned, they
Grounds Unity Module file.
became dismayed when they learned of his odd and

BACKGROUND/HISTORY disturbing activities. Over the next few years, Apanal

rose to power and transformed the loose Chokoban
coalition into a centralized state. He also encouraged
This section provides the relevant general
the people to worship a new god, Haleulim, and move
background/history for the adventure. It can be
away from their traditional worship of the kind and
modified as needed to fit your campaign. Most
generous Kauka.
encounters also have
Though clever machinations
their own background
and secret assassinations,
section which provides
Apanal forged the former loose
the specific details for
coalition into an empire. When
that encounter’s
he had himself crowned, his
background.
sister and some of his surviving
Before their fall, the
former friends fled to the island
Chokoban were known
chain of Mokuni. The people of
for their love of
Mokuni had refused to join the
scholarship and
empire and had remained
exploration. In the early
faithful to Kauka.
days of the world, they set
The Chokoban Empire
out from their idyllic
initially tried to win over
islands in search of
Mokuni with persuasion and
adventure and
bribery. The empire then tried
knowledge. Encountering
assassinations and threats.
other people, they were
When these failed, the empire
often able to persuade
went to war against the
them to join the loose
Mokuni.
coalition that formed the
While the Mokuni people
Chokoban government.
were generally peaceful, they
These island
were skilled sailors and warriors.
communities experienced an enduring golden age of
They also had the assistance of loyal sea creatures,
learning, art, and equitable commerce. But all
including the Gopao, intelligent octopi devoted to
golden ages end.
Kauka. All this enabled the Mokuni to put up an
effective resistance.
2
 Faced with the martial competence of the Mokuni,
Apanal turned to the use of terrible magic and
gruesome allies to overcome their defenses. As a
weapon designed to damage morale, Apanal’s
wizards created constructs made from the broken
heads of statues of Kauka and the tentacles of slain
Gopao. These constructs became known as Welgs. In
the Chokoban language, “Welg” means “a degrading
cruelty to break an enemy.” Until now, this word had
never been used to describe actions of the Chokoban.
The Chokoban also made
use of more traditional
weapons, including the
Mokule (shipbreaker). A
Mokule is a stone construct
designed to destroy ships.
To this end, its arms are
massive blades that can
slash through flesh and
smash timbers. A Mokule is
also equipped with a to look for those who had
magical sail burner that
spews fire. While intended
to burn sails, it is also very
effective against ship
crews. A Mokule is usually
chained to the large warship that carries it, allowing
it to be retrieved should it sink an enemy vessel. Some
warships had massive trebuchets that could hurl a
Mokule at an enemy ship, doing massive damage as a
projectile and then attacking the ship and crew. Being
constructs, these creatures do not die of old age and
need neither food nor air. As such, they can still
sometimes be found in the sea or near the shore in
areas once controlled or contested by the Chokoban.
While the Mokuni resisted bravely, they could not
hold against the might and magic of the Chokoban.
The Chokoban fleets conquered each island in turn,
until only the main island of Mokun remained. Akaha
had managed to escape death and capture in battle
after battle and made her final stand on this island.
Rather than engage in a costly invasion, Apanal
commanded his fleet to encircle the island. His
priests then invoked the power of Haleulim,
sacrificing hundreds of captives by slitting their
bellies and tossing them into the sea. Haleulim was
3
pleased and submerged the island. This would have
been the death of Akaha and the people of Mokun, but
Kauka used the last of her divine power to intervene
and transformed the land dwellers into dolphins.
Apanal learned of this too late, and most of the Mokun
and their Gopao allies were able to escape and start a
new life in a faraway sea.
Kauka, no longer a goddess but still a celestial
being, gathered as many of the faithful from among
the Chokoban as she could and fled far from her
beloved islands.
No fool, Apanal sent a small
fleet to pursue the refugees.
This fleet was destroyed in an
unusual storm before it could
complete its mission and
Apanal took this as a sign
from the gods and did not
send a second fleet. He did,
however, dispatch searchers
escaped his wrath and, as he
saw it, betrayed the Chokoban
Empire.
As the Chokoban Empire
expanded it grew more
wicked and corrupt—the worship of Haleulim
involved horrific rituals and the god expected terrible
things from its followers. As the wickedness and
corruption became evident to all, internal dissent
grew and eventually exploded into a civil war. While
the civil war ended with the destruction and sacrifice
of the rebels, it severely weakened the Chokoban
Empire. It retreated to the core islands and, over the
centuries, became even more corrupted and
degraded.
Always fearing discovery, Kauka and her people
moved ever farther away from their home islands,
finally reaching the coast of what is now Karabeth. As
a former goddess of the sea, Kauka must remain
close to the water and her faithful refuse to abandon
her. After settling in and constructing a town, they
called it “Aole Ko Mākou Mokupuni.”
Exhausted by her efforts and lacking a large body
of worshippers, Kauka must sleep for long periods of
time. She does, however, awaken when her people
are threatened. While she is a kind being, she knows
that kindness sometimes requires dealing with the
wicked very harshly.
When the Ventani Empire expanded into Karabeth,
they encountered Aole Ko Mākou Mokupuni.
Heeding the advice of their diviners, the Imperial
Forces did not attack the town. The town leaders
agreed to become a friend of the Empire rather than
part of the Empire, a status rarely granted.
When Ventani explorers reached the islands of the
Chokoban Empire centuries later, they found nothing
but the ruins of empty cities and horrors in the sea.
The Ventani wisely decided to stay away from the
area, although conspiracy minded historians claimed
that remnants of the Chokoban Empire tried to
infiltrate the Ventani Empire.
When the Ventani Empire itself fell, the people of
Aole Ko Mākou Mokupuni provided what aid they
could to those fleeing disaster. When the invaders
attempted to attack Aole Ko Mākou Mokupuni from
the sea, their forces were devasted by an awakened
Kauka and her Gopao. Various other attempts were
made over the years to raid or conquer the town, but
these all failed. The Blood Claw made one serious
attempt to take the town. They now call it “the place
we do not bother”, though none speak openly of why
it has this name. While Kauka is no longer a goddess,
she is not without divine friends, and they do what
they can to keep he secret.
While the Chokoban Empire fell into decay untold
centuries ago, its legacy still festers. Creatures that
once served the empire sometimes emerge to trouble
the world. There are also signs that the Chokoban
Empire persists, and a few mad prophets speak of it
arising from the depths to conquer, destroy and
enslave.
Recently a great sea storm swept an ancient
Chokoban wreck up from the bottom and close to the
shore. A Mokule (shipbreaker) and perhaps a welg
came with the ship, still following the last orders
given, to protect the ship.
The defender(s) of the wreck attacked a merchant
vessel that sailed to close, and the ship barely escaped
after suffering heavy damage and many casualties.
Only the fact that the defender(s) ceased attacking
4
when the merchant ship got far enough away spared
the vessel from complete destruction.
GETTING THE PCS INVOLVED
The encounter could be random—the PCs might be
travelling through the area, perhaps coming to shore
after another adventure, and run into the shipbreaker
or welg.
The PCs could also learn of the attack on the
merchant ship, the Spirited Gull, and decide to
investigate. The ship is being repaired and the story
of the attack will circulate among the taverns and inns
frequented by sailors.
The surviving crew know where the wreck is
located. If the PCs speak to a crew member, they will
provide the location of the wreck. They will also
provide a description of what attacked them. Because
of the terror of the attack, the sailors will
unintentionally exaggerate the size and capabilities of
the creature. But the basic details will be correct.
Because the wreck is near a port, the owners of
merchant ships or the officials of the city are likely to
be willing to pay the PCs to destroy the defender(s) of
the wreck. The negotiations will usually start with a
small reward, perhaps 100 gp, but the merchants or
officials will be willing to pay significantly more
MAP KEY
The map shows the wreck and the beach. This is
the damaged hull of an ancient Chokoban warship.
The Chokoban used magic to strengthen and
preserve their ships; this is why the wreck remained
surprisingly intact over the centuries and survived
being pushed by the storm. The design of the vessel
is different from any local ship designs and will
somehow feel old. If there is a welg defending the
wreck, there will be bodies of the crew in the ship’s
brig. Welgs usually had standing orders to take living
captives for interrogation. Since the brig is
underwater, the captured crew members drowned.

ENCOUNTER
The Mokule (CR 8) stays close to the ship but will
attack any vessel or potential foe that gets within
100 feet of the wreck. The Mokule can be controlled
by whoever knows the proper command words, but
these are now known only by those long dead.
The Mokule will pursue those it regards as threats
to the wreck but will prioritize those closest to it. If a
target moves more than 300 feet from the wreck, it
will let it go. The chains that held the Mokule rusted
away long ago, so it is free to roam from the wreck.
For an easier encounter, a damaged Mokule (CR
6) can be used. For a tougher encounter, another
Mokule or a Welg (or more) can be added.
Being an automated construct, a Mokule fights in
a straightforward manner, smashing and slashing
foes with its blade arms and burning sails and crew.
If there is a Welg (CR 4) protecting the wreck, it
follows its ancient orders and patrols an area up to
100 feet from it. If the PCs are in or near this area,
they will attract its attention. If the PCs use magic or
go at night, they might be able to ambush the Welg.
The Welg will attack any humanoid in the danger
zone it patrols unless the humanoid knows the
command word for the Welg. The Welg will ignore
beasts and plants unless they are hostile to it. If a
hostile target gets over 300 feet from the wreck, the
welg will let it go. It will prioritize targets closest to
the wreck.
The Welg is not subtle in combat and will select a
foe and endeavor to destroy them. If it succeeds or is
5
thwarted, it will move on to a new target. Following
its orders, the Welg brings corpses to be stored in
the wreck—the Chokoban necromancers had many
uses for bodies. The Welg will also try to take living
captives and bring them to the wreck to be placed
within the remains of the ship’s brig. Since the
remains of the brig are under water, this will usually
result in the death of the captive.
NPCS

Large construct, unaligned
Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 95 (10d10+40)
Speed 0 ft., fly 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 10 (+0) 18 (+4) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 1 (-5)
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The Welg attacks twice, once with its slam
and once with its tentacle.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) bludgeoning damage.
Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one creature. Hit: 13 (2d8+4) bludgeoning damage. The
target is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this grapple
ends, the creature is restrained, and the Welg can't
constrict another target.
Description: The original Welgs were crafted from
heads broken from statues of the goddess Kauka and
tentacles taken from slain Gopao guardians. Such a
Welg looks like a floating stone or metal head of a
beautiful, kindly woman with a massive octopus
tentacle hanging from beneath the broken neck.
While a Welg moves by flying or swimming, they tend
to stay close to the ground—the tentacles just scraping
the surface. They are not limited to that height and can
fly (and swim) freely. One common tactic of a Welg is
to grapple a victim, rise in the air and then drop the
victim. Since Mokulawe are dispatched from a warship to
attack another ship with the intention of sinking it, a
Mokulawe is fitted with two massive iron rings bolted
into its back. Chains are attached to these rings.

 
Large construct, unaligned

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)

Hit Points 136 (13d10+65)  
Speed 30 ft. 
Large construct, unaligned
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 8 (-1) 20 (+5) 4 (-3) 10 (+0) 5 (-3) Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 80 (13d10+65)
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Speed 30 ft.
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10 22 (+6) 8 (-1) 20 (+5) 4 (-3) 10 (+0) 5 (-3)
Languages Common
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
Siege Monster. The creature deals double damage to frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
objects and structures. Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Common
ACTIONS Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Multiattack. The shipbreaker makes two blade arm Siege Monster. The creature deals double damage to
attacks. objects and structures.

Breaker Blades. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach

5 ft., one creature. Hit: 19 (3d8+6)
ACTIONS
bludgeoning/slashing damage. Multiattack. The damaged shipbreaker is missing an
arm and only makes one attack.
Sail Burner (Recharge 5-6). The shipbreaker exhales
magical fire in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that Breaker Blades. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach
area must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 19 (3d8+6)
6d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much bludgeoning/slashing damage.
damage on a successful one. A creature or object that
takes damage from this ability catches fire; until
someone takes an action to douse the fire, the creature
(or object) takes 2d6 fire damage at the start of each of
its turns. CONCLUSION
Description: Being an island empire, the Chokoban’s The encounter ends when the PCs defeat the
navy was its primary fighting force. The crafter-wizards defender(s) of the wreck die or decide to quit. If they
of the empire designed and created many weapons to succeed and have been promised a reward, they will
ensure dominance above and below the waves. One of receive it. Resolving the threat is also likely to earn
their most successful creations is the Mokulawe goodwill from the merchants, sailors, and city
(shipbreaker). Sculpted out of stone and imbued with a officials.
guiding spirit, these squat constructs are armed with
massive blades designed to bludgeon or slash their way
through even the strongest hulls. They are also
enchanted to spew forth a sticky magical flame that HOOK?
clings to living creatures and structures, causing terrible
The wrecked ship was part of a larger fleet; those
burns. While originally designed to burn the sails from
enemy warships, the fire proved quite effective as a ships and various creatures might be on the nearby
terror weapon. sea bottom, awaiting the brave (or foolish).
6
 The wreck can also have some preserved items
(like maps etched into stone, paper maps preserved
in magical scroll cases, or a magically protected
captain’s log) that could lead the PCs towards the
terrible tatters of the Chokoban Empire.

7
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9
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Michael LaBossiere is a gamer/runner from Maine who went
to school in Ohio and ended up a philosophy professor in Florida.
While acquiring his doctorate in philosophy at Ohio State
University, he earned his ramen noodle money by writing for
Chaosium, GDW, R. Talsorian
Games, and TSR. After
graduate school, he became a
philosophy professor at
Florida A&M University. His
first philosophy book, What
Don't You Know?, was
published in 2008. He
continues to write philosophy
and gaming material. He is
also a blogger, but these days
who isn't?
When not writing, he enjoys running, gaming and the martial
arts. Thanks to a quadriceps tendon tear in 2009, he was out of
running for a while, but returned to the trails and wrote a book
about it, Of Tendon & Trail. He can be contacted at
ontologist@aol.com.

10
MAPS

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2