D&D 5e · 100 scenarios · Roll d100 → roll D1
A complete D&D 5e random encounter table for sea scenes. Roll a d100 to pick a set, then roll a D1 to pick a scenario within that set — 100 unique D&D encounter scenarios in total. Every scenario is system-neutral and runs on either the 2014 Player's Handbook or the 2024 D&D revision. Pair each scenario with a stat block from our D&D monsters catalogue and you have a session-ready encounter in under a minute.
The ship passes through a thick fog and all the players fall asleep. When they awaken, they find themselves in an empty room with nothing but an empty chair. The door opens, and a giant spider appears. It attacks the players, who must defeat it before they are attacked by its minions.
A giant kraken rises from the depths, attacking the ship. The players must work together to defeat the monstrous creature and save their ship from being crushed.
The ship sails into a dense fog, and the crew starts to hear eerie whispers and voices. They are the spirits of drowned sailors, seeking revenge on the living.
A storm hits, and the ship is tossed about in its wake. The deck is covered with water, which surges into the hold and washes players overboard into the angry waves below.
The ocean turns dark and begins to churn. A giant sea serpent appears. It attacks the ship.
The party comes across a ship that has been cursed by a powerful and vengeful sorceress. The crew is unable to leave the ship and are slowly being turned into monstrous sea beasts. The sorceress offers to lift the curse if the party can retrieve a powerful magical artifact from the bottom of the ocean for her.
A group of friendly mermaids invite the players to their underwater kingdom, promising riches and magical treasures. But once they arrive, they discover that the mermaids are not what they seem and are actually vicious sirens. How will the players escape this dangerous underwater trap?
An elven ranger is riding an unearthly horse across the sea. She and her horse are being hunted by a large group of elves. She will ask the party to help her escape, so that she can continue her journey and complete her task of finding her people.
The players stumble upon a mermaid who has been cursed to live on land. She begs the players to help her break the curse and return to the ocean. But the only way to break the curse is to find a powerful sea witch and convince her to undo the spell. Will the players be able to find the sea witch and complete her tasks in time?
A light mist rises from the water in the morning, creating an ethereal atmosphere.
The crew spots a distant ferry, carrying passengers between islands.
An unexpected squall catches the crew off guard but passes quickly.
A ship approaches, flying a black flag. If it is approached, it will attack. It is a pirate ship from the Nelvene Isles.
A mysterious island appears in the distance. As they get closer, they realize that the island is alive and speaks to them, asking for help to defeat a powerful sorcerer who has been draining its life force.
A giant turtle appears next to the ship and offers safe passage to a nearby island. But upon arriving, the crew realizes that the island is actually a massive turtle city and they are now guests of the turtle king.
The ship passes through a field of seaweed, until they realize it’s actually a giant mimic disguised as plant life. Can they defeat this clever and dangerous creature?
Crew members notice a strange, bioluminescent glow in the water at night.
A distant volcano erupts, sending a plume of smoke into the sky.
The ship passes a group of dolphins riding the bow wave, thrilling the crew with their acrobatics.
The sound of beautiful singing leads the players to a group of sirens. They offer to lead the players to a sunken ship filled with treasure, but can the players resist their enchanting voices?
A group of mermen attack the ship. They want to take over the ship so they can escape from their undersea kingdom.
A ship en route to a nearby city has lost its captain and needs help. A short, foul-tempered Dwarf is running things in his absence. If he's offered a share of the profits once the cargo is landed, he'll serve as captain for a voyage.
The players come across a group of sirens who are trying to lure sailors to their deaths with their beautiful voices. But unlike most sirens, these ones are cursed and can only break their curse if they can find someone who truly loves them. Will the players be able to help these cursed creatures find love and break their curse?
A giant octopus attacks the ship with long, thin tentacles that are only 2" thick but tens of miles long.
A small yet determined group of crabs try to steal food from the players' supplies. How will the players deal with these thieving crustaceans?
The crew spots strangely colored water, indicating a nearby coral reef.
This shipwreck has been inhabited by a band of brigands who have been hiding out here while they wait for their ultimate goal. As your characters approach, they will charge at you with weapons drawn and will try to take control of your ship
A merfolk bard appears on deck, singing a siren song that entrances the crew and leads them to a hidden underwater grotto filled with treasure. But beware, the bard is a master of deception and has his own motives.
A huge octopus attacks! It is twice as large as any octopus seen before.
A merfolk bard appears on deck, singing a siren song that entrances the crew and leads them to a hidden underwater grotto filled with treasure. But beware, the bard is a master of deception and has his own motives.
A giant whale surfaces. It is black and very huge. It spouts water and attacks!
Up ahead, you see two ships at the bottom of the shipwreck, and one ship on the ocean floor. If a player goes in to investigate, he'll realize there are two dead sailors in the bottom of the shipwreck, and in the other ship on the ocean floor he'll find a living sailor.
As the players are exploring a sunken ship, they come across a group of undead pirates guarding a cursed treasure. Will the party be able to claim the treasure without getting cursed themselves?
A group of friendly dolphins greet the players and lead them to a sunken ship. Inside, the players find a secret treasure room full of rare and valuable items, as well as a cursed necklace that turns the wearer into a mermaid/merman. Will they take the risk and wear the necklace, or leave it behind?
A ship approaches, flying a flag with a golden harp on a blue background. The ship is called the Harp of Selune and is crewed by peaceful and spiritual sailors. They offer the party a place to rest and recharge their spells, as well as the opportunity to share a feast and hear tales of their travels.
A merfolk settlement is under attack by sea creatures. The players must defend it and save the merfolk from destruction.
A pod of 2d8 orcas, led by a massive albino orca, appears and escorts the ship through a particularly dangerous strait.
A pirate ship attacks the ship. The pirates want the ship and want to leave with it. A fight ensues.
A group of pirates attacks the ship, but they seem different than any other pirates the players have encountered before. What makes them so unique?
The party falls prey to a sudden tempest conjured by 1d4 storm giants who seem displeased with the intruders in their territory.
A massive underwater volcano erupts, creating dangerous tidal waves and threatening nearby islands and coastal towns. The party must find a way to stop the eruption before it causes widespread destruction.
A hooded man talks with the captain. The man wants a lift to the mainland. He was working as a deckhand on an ocean-going vessel, but it was attacked by pirates. He jumped ship and has been adrift ever since.
A stranded sailor on a tiny island signals for help.
A ship flying a yellow flag with a black dragon's head on it is spotted on the horizon. As it draws near, it can be seen that it is a ship of the Black Dragon Cult. The ship approaches the party's ship, hails them and then offers to transport them to their destination if they wish.
A group of friendly dolphins swims alongside the ship and offers to guide the players to a hidden cove filled with treasure. But can the players trust the dolphins?
A pack of vicious merrow (aquatic ogres) attack the ship, trying to drag the players underwater to their lair. Can the players fight them off and escape their deadly grip?
A group of friendly sea elves greet the players and offer to guide them to a sunken temple filled with treasures. But as the players explore the temple, they start to realize that it is guarded by vengeful water elementals seeking to protect their sacred home.
You see a mermaid sitting on a rock, singing a hauntingly beautiful song that compels you to come closer. But beware, for her singing voice can also lure you to your doom.
A log covered with barnacles drifts by the ship.
The crew finds a small, floating corked bottle containing an old, waterlogged map.
A fierce sea storm separates the players from their ship, and they must find a way to survive on a small lifeboat while trying to reach safety.
A group of sea hags are selling a potion that promises eternal youth. But the true cost of the potion is much higher than the players can imagine.
A group of grasping seaweed-like creatures attach themselves to the hull of the ship, slowing it down and causing damage. The players must quickly find a way to get rid of them before their ship is dragged down to the bottom of the ocean.
The ship sails into a storm and suddenly, they are pulled into a giant whirlpool. As they get sucked deeper, they discover the entrance to an underwater kingdom. The king and queen of this kingdom demand that the players complete a quest for them in order to leave safely. But will the players be able to complete the quest and escape the whirlpool before it's too late?
The ship is attacked by a giant, flying octopus. The octopus attacks from above the ship and tries to drag it under the water.
The crew sees a distant castle on the shore as the ship sails near land.
A ship, flying an arm of a kingdom in the south flies the flag of a friendly kingdom. It is on a mission to find an item of great importance that is thought to be on the bottom of a nearby lake. If the party comes forward with information, they will be richly rewarded.
A pod of dolphins swarms around the ship and begins riding the bow wave.
A pirate ship approaches, flying a flag of truce. They offer a deal to the players: help them find a hidden treasure or be marooned on a deserted island. But can the players trust the pirates to keep their word?
The crew spots a dangerous-looking reef just beneath the surface of the water.
A storm giant, harnessed to a massive thunderstorm by chains, demands tribute from the ship in order to pass through their territory. If the tribute is not paid, the storm giant will unleash a deadly storm upon the ship.
A haunting, abandoned ship drifts into view, surrounded by 2d6 shadowy wraiths searching for souls to claim.
A shipwreck appears on the horizon. The ship was lost at sea a decade before, and there is a treasure map inside the captain's cabin.
Crew spots phosphorescent fish glowing just below the surface.
A man asks the players to deliver a letter to his brother. He promises to reward the players handsomely if they do so.
A magical whirlpool appears in the water, pulling the ship closer and closer. As they get closer, the players can see a sparkling treasure at the bottom of the whirlpool. But is it worth risking their lives for?
The vessel sails through a patch of calm, glassy water.
A fierce sea storm separates the players from their ship, and they must find a way to survive on a small lifeboat while trying to reach safety.
There are three dolphins swimming alongside your ship, following it and watching you as you go through their territory.
A group of adventurers from a rival ship challenges the players to a friendly competition. Will the players accept the challenge and prove their skills?
A small island appears in the middle of the sea, surrounded by a thick fog. On the island, a group of playful faeries invite the players to join in their fun and games. But beware, their pranks can have dangerous consequences.
The crew spots a mermaid sitting on a rock in the middle of the ocean. She beckons you to come closer with her captivating song.
The ship sails towards a mysterious sea gate, said to lead to other planes of existence. Will the crew dare to enter?
A ghostly ship, with tattered sails and a crew of skeletal figures, appears out of nowhere and begins to pursue the party's ship. Whether it is seeking revenge or just lost at sea, the party must outrun or face the consequences of crossing paths with the ghost ship.
A massive whirlpool suddenly appears in the water, threatening to suck the ship into its depths. The players must navigate their way out before it's too late.
The water grows eerily calm, and mist cloaks the sea. From the fog, a ghost ship manned by 1d4 undead pirates emerges, demanding tribute or boarding for a vicious assault.
A semi-submerged statue of a forgotten deity appears as the tide recedes.
A massive thunderstorm engulfs the sea, with powerful winds and crashing waves. Amidst the chaos, the party catches glimpses of a shipwreck that may hold valuable items or a way to escape the storm.
The players stumble upon a mermaid who has been cursed to live on land. She begs the players to help her break the curse and return to the ocean. But the only way to break the curse is to find a powerful sea witch and convince her to undo the spell. Will the players be able to find the sea witch and complete her tasks in time?
A ship in distress signals the party for aid, only to reveal itself as a trap set by 3d6 sea kelpies aiming to steal their ship and treasure.
A storm is brewing and your ship is getting tossed around. Suddenly, a giant sea serpent rises from the ocean, ready to swallow your ship whole.
A solitary, cracked seashell drifts into a sailor’s hand.
A merchant ship approaches and offers to sell the players some goods. The merchant is hiding from a pirate named Captain Crimson.
As you walk along the beach, you see a group of cultists standing around a bonfire. They are sacrificing a goat in front of it. They will attack if they see anyone - even if they don't know how many people they're up against!
Morning mist conceals a floating barge where 2d4 undead samurai enact their eternal duty, slashing at anything that comes within reach of their cursed blades.
There is a gigantic swarm of jellyfish beneath you, going in the same direction as your ship.
A giant sea serpent suddenly appears and begins to coil around the ship, lifting it out of the water. The party must act quickly to escape the serpent's grasp or face being swallowed by the beast.
A ship sailing the ocean is being captained by a half-elf who has one eye that looks like it's made of gold. He was once a treasure hunter who found a lot of gold and wanted to be rich. Now that he's rich, he's not sure if it was worth it. He's trying to learn how to sail the ship better than the guy who taught him how to do it.
A group of traveling merchants have set up shop at the edge of the beach. They are selling rare mystical items - but they are expensive!
A friendly sea turtle appears next to the ship and leads the players to a coral reef where they find a young mermaid who has lost her voice. She begs the players to find and return her stolen voice from the evil sea witch who took it as payment for a spell.
A group of adventurers from a rival ship challenges the players to a friendly competition. Will the players accept the challenge and prove their skills?
A giant squid attacks the ship. It has been feeding on the bodies of dead sailors from other ships that have been attacked in this area. It has grown huge on their corpses and is now attacking other ships itself in an attempt to get more food to eat.
The crew notices an unusual, sweet smell in the air, possibly from a nearby island.
A brief, distant glimpse of dolphins leaping.
A sailor on deck is heard laughing to himself for no reason. He's laughing about how the captain, first mate and all the other officers were killed and he's the new captain now. If players try to talk to him, he snaps out of it, then goes back to laughing to himself again.
The ship sails by a remote island filled with giant crabs. The crabs have captured a group of sailors and are planning to have them for dinner. The crew must rescue the captives while avoiding getting caught in the crabs' massive claws.
A giant hammerhead shark starts circling the ship, seemingly curious about the players. As they watch in awe, they suddenly realize that it is trying to communicate with them through telepathy. Turns out, the shark is actually a polymorphed wizard, and he needs the players' help to break the curse and return to his true form.
The ship passes an area where the water changes color, possibly due to an underwater thermal vent.
The vessel encounters a calm, mirror-like expanse of water during the night, reflecting the stars above.
As you're sailing through a magical storm, you hear a loud booming voice that seems to come from the sky. It warns you to turn back or face the wrath of the sea god. But beware, for it is actually a powerful sea hag trying to scare you away from her hidden treasure.
A random encounter scenario is just the start of a scene. Pair it with a creature from our D&D 5e monsters catalogue (3,000+ monsters with full stat blocks), an NPC from our pre-built D&D NPC roster, a spell from the D&D 5e spell list, and a reward from the D&D magic items catalogue — and you have a full one-page session ready to drop on your D&D 5e or 2024 party.
Other dice tiers for the sea: D4, D6, D8, D10.
Want a different setting? Browse all 41 D&D encounter locations — from arctic plains to elemental planes, every D&D 5e location has its own table on Doungim.