Chummingtide | Free Event for D&D and PF2e

Event Overview. Twice a month, when the tides are lowest, the people of the coastal town Eller’s Wake take part in the Chummingtide. Fishers gather roughly a quarter of their catches from the previous two weeks—fresh, smoked, or salted—and offer them back to the sea. The sahuagin who inhabit the waters off the coast collect these baskets and, in exchange, leave the townsfolk in relative peace. Some families decorate the baskets with sea shells or colored thread—especially if they have fewer fish to offer this Chummingtide. This practice has been taking place since the sahuagin became more aggressive in attacking the coastline, which is the better part of a year. When the Mayor of Eller’s Wake, Ovard, noted the sahuagin seemed to be stealing back fish, he came up with this solution to keep the peace.

People Involved. Most Eller’s Wake households participate in the Chummingtide since most families fish to make a living. Ovard does his best to rally the townsfolk enthusiastically, encouraging families to be as generous as they can with their offerings. Ovard often clashes with Old Jens, a long-retired ship captain and citizen of Eller’s Wake. Old Jens fought many a sahuagin in his career, and he despises Ovard for allowing monsters to extort the people of Eller’s Wake. Jens has tried to convince the townsfolk to stop offering baskets at Chummingtide and spend their time preparing to fight the sahuagin instead. The townsfolk are divided on this approach, as many tire of offering their well-earned catches to monsters—but very few people in town have the combat experience to deal with a real sahuagin threat and are afraid to stand up to them, especially with Ovard convincing them appeasement is the best method.

Location. Eller’s Wake is a small seaside town often cloaked in mist. One can see the fishers’ silhouettes in small boats offshore during the day. At night, the houses and single inn light up with warm fires, simmering stews, and friendly chatter. The buildings are simple, made mostly of wood stained dark by the moisture heavy in the air. The town may seem unsettling upon arrival, but the townsfolk are friendly, welcoming, and eager for a story outside of their mostly sleepy seaside town. The only time the mood in town shifts is during the Chummingtide when all are nervous with anticipation at both the sahuagin’s arrival and the potential outbreak of civil unrest.

Event Details

Limited Resources. The sahuagin began attacking the coast and stealing back fish from Eller’s Wake and other villages because a pregnant plesiosaurus took up residence in their home waters earlier this year. It has been eating most of their fish. The sahuagin are too few to slay the plesiosaurus, and she has become more aggressive and alert because she has since given birth to her hatchling.