Buccaneer

Sailors who make a living by raiding coastal settlements and robbing other ships

Old-School Essentials Classic Fantasy

Armor Class	7 [12] or 5 [14]
Hit Dice	1 (4hp)
Number Appearing	0 (see below)
Attacks	1 × weapon (1d6 or by weapon)
THAC0	19 [0]
Movement	120' (40')
Saving Throws	D12 W13 P14 B15 S16 (1)
Morale	6
Alignment	Neutral
XP	10
Treasure Type	A

Sailors who make a living by raiding coastal settlements and robbing other ships. Typically ply rivers, lakes, and coastal waters; occasionally oceans.

Special Abilities

Ships and crew: Depends where encountered. Rivers or lakes: 1d8 river boats (1d2 × 10 buccaneers each); coastal waters: 1d6 small galleys (1d3+1 × 10 buccaneers each); any: 1d4 longships (1d3+2 × 10 buccaneers each); ocean: 1d3 small warships (1d5+3 × 10 buccaneers each). (See Water Vessels for details on ships.)

Arms: 60% of group have: leather armour, sword; 30% have: leather armour, sword, crossbow; 10% have: chainmail, sword, crossbow.

Treasure: Divided between vessels. Instead of carrying aboard, may have a map to where it is buried.

Havens: Lawless, fortified, coastal towns may act as a haven for buccaneers and pirates.

Variants

Leader (for every 30 buccaneers)

For every 30 buccaneers, there is a 4th level fighter.

Hit Dice	4

Captain (each ship)

Each ship has a captain (7th level fighter).

Hit Dice	7

Fleet commander (with fleet)

9th level fighter. 30% chance of a magic-user (level 1d2 + 9); 25% chance of a cleric (8th level).

Hit Dice	9

Other Sources

OSRIC

Armor Class	Determined by armour worn
Hit Dice	1d6 hp
Number Encountered	50d6
Attacks	1
Damage	By weapon
Move	120-ft
Alignment	Neutral (chaotic evil)
Intelligence	Mean (average to very)
XP	Variable
Treasure Type	Individual 3d6 sp; Lair 5d6×1,000 gp (60%), 1d8×100 pp (15%), 1d8×10 gems (60%), 5d8 jewellery (50%), 1 map (55%)
Size	Man-sized
Frequency	Uncommon
Lair	80% or 100%

Buccaneers are found on all large bodies of water, their lair is most always the ship they use for raiding. They are always led by high level fighters as follows:

For every 50 buccaneers: 1 additional 3rd level fighter For every 100 buccaneers: 1 additional 5th level fighter

The overall captain will be a fighter of 8th to 10th level as follows: If there are less than 200 buccaneers: 8th level fighter with a lieutenant of 6th level If there are 200 buccaneers or more: 10th level fighter with a lieutenant of 7th level.

The captain will also have 4 mates (4th level fighters) in addition to his or her lieutenant.

There is a 15% chance of a cleric being present per every 50 buccaneers. The cleric will be between 12th and 15th level (1d4+11).

There is a 10% chance of a magic user being present for every 50 buccaneers; the magic user will be between 6th and 8th level (1d3+5).

Variants

3rd level fighter (for every 50 buccaneers)

For every 50 buccaneers: 1 additional 3rd level fighter

5th level fighter (for every 100 buccaneers)

For every 100 buccaneers: 1 additional 5th level fighter

Captain (less than 200) (less than 200 buccaneers)

8th level fighter with a lieutenant of 6th level. The captain will also have 4 mates (4th level fighters) in addition to his or her lieutenant.

Captain (200 or more) (200 buccaneers or more)

10th level fighter with a lieutenant of 7th level. The captain will also have 4 mates (4th level fighters) in addition to his or her lieutenant.

Cleric (15% chance per every 50 buccaneers)

The cleric will be between 12th and 15th level (1d4+11).

Magic user (10% chance per every 50 buccaneers)

The magic user will be between 6th and 8th level (1d3+5).