Darsielle Du Moire has always been trouble, a wastrel noble's son sent to sea with a letter of marque, he's turned pirate and it's up to the Pathfinders to do what the Andorian and Chelish navies cannot - bring him to book. Or at least, get hold of a book he's stolen. It's an exciting and atmospheric adventure, that is reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean in feel.

The adventure starts with the party getting their mission briefing in a rowdy tavern in a run-down port, and whilst there's information to be had (the briefing officer is surprisingly well-informed) speed is, as always, of the essence and they're soon swept along. The first lead seems to be a dead-end, but is it? A mad scramble across (and under) the docks leads the party to the pirate ship where unsurprisingly a brawl ensues.

On the face of it, this is a really simple - and rather linear - adventure. Yet with its vivid atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to fight (even before you reach the pirate ship), it makes for a good, swift romp - it benefits from being run with high energy, plenty of description and headlong action.

This is the sort of adventure that is what attracts young bravos to join the Pathfinders in the first place, and should prove a memorable incident in anyone's early career. Whilst embedded well in Golarion, it should adapt with a few name-changes to any campaign world, especially one with a thriving pirate community. An excellent opportunity to swash your buckle!

Return to The Hydra's Fang Incident page.

Reviewed: 30 December 2015