RPG Tables: Random Pirate Crew Generator
Use this table to generate random pirate crews for your fantasy RPG game.
Roll d12 – The pirates’ ship is:
1. Little more than a raft.
2. A galley.
3. A longship.
4. A catamaran.
5. A cog.
6. A hulk.
7. A carrack.
8. A caravel.
9. A schooner.
10. A dreadnought.
11. A row boat
12. Multiple ships, roll twice on table again
Roll d8 – Presently, the pirates’ ship is:
1. Laden with treasure.
2. Full of stolen goods.
3. Well-stocked with provisions.
4. In tip-top shape.
5. “On loan” to some other pirates.
6. In need of repair.
7. Barely staying afloat.
8. Resting beneath the waves.
Roll d20 – The ship’s banner features:
1. A skull.
2. A pair of crossed bones.
3. A skull and cross bones.
4. A skeletal hand.
5. A skeletal fish.
6. A flaming skull.
7. A clenched fist.
8. A ghost.
9. A mermaid.
10. A pair of crossed cutlasses.
11. A dagger.
12. A bloody dagger.
13. An albatross.
14. A pelican.
15. A whale.
16. An octopus.
17. A swordfish.
18. A crab.
19. A sea turtle.
20. A big tuna.
Roll d12 – The ship’s mascot is:
1-4. A parrot:
1. A budgie (fond of saying “Ye scalawags!” or “Aye, Captain!”).
2. A cockatoo (fond of saying “Pieces of eight!” or “It’s shark week!”).
3. A conure (fond of saying “Dead men tell no tales!” or “Ahoy!”).
4. A macaw (fond of saying “Show me the booty!” or “Land, ho!”).
5-8. A monkey:
5. A capuchin monkey (with or without an eyepatch).
6. A macaque (with or without a vest).
7. A spider monkey (with or without a bandanna).
8. A tamarin (with or without mustaches).
9. An old turtle.
10. A lazy sea-faring cat.
11. A pot-belly pig.
12. A high-energy herding dog.
Roll d10 – The ship’s captain is:
1. A dangerous megalomaniac.
2. A charismatic demagogue.
3. A mysterious foreigner.
4. A talented thief.
5. A member of a prominent family.
6. A ruthless killer.
7. A femme fatale.
8. A charming rogue.
9. A dashing swashbuckler.
10. A brutish thug.
11. An old sailor.
12. A celebrated naval hero.
Roll d8 – The crew’s attitude toward their captain is:
1. Adoring and loyal.
2. Friendly and pleased.
3. Respectful and business-like.
4. Mercenary and eager.
5. Terrified and tight-lipped.
6. Disappointed and indifferent.
7. Restless and rebellious.
8. Angry and mutinous.
Roll d10 – Crewmembers often sport matching:
1. Puffy shirts.
2. Breeches.
3. Scarves.
4. Vests.
5. Bandannas.
6. Boots.
7. Tattoos.
8. Hats.
9. Scars.
10. Mustaches.
Roll d8 – The crew’s goals include:
1. Discovery of a legendary hidden treasure.
2. Domination of the region’s maritime trade.
3. Revenge against a naval hero.
4. Revenge against a rival pirate crew.
5. Rebellion against the dominant merchant traders.
6. A wealthy and peaceful retirement.
7. Violence to slake their bloodlust.
8. Drinking all the rum.
Roll d10 – Crewmembers typically arm themselves with:
1. Belaying pins (wooden clubs).
2. Throwing knives.
3. Over-sized daggers.
4. Serrated daggers.
5. Cutlasses.
6. Clubs and daggers.
7. Brass knuckles.
8. Bare fists.
9. Nets and tridents.
10. Harpoons.
Roll d10 – The pirate crew typically fights with:
1. Swarm tactics.
2. Hit-and-run tactics.
3. Ambush tactics.
4. Choreographed maneuvers.
5. Unpredictable maneuvers.
6. Lots of smiles and jokes.
7. Lots of fancy footwork.
8. Lots of screaming and shouting.
9. Kicking and stomping.
10. Lots of head-butting.
Roll d10 – The crew’s headquarters is hidden in or near:
1. A rugged seaside cliff.
2. A hidden lagoon.
3. A remote island.
4. A swampy river mouth.
5. A coastal cave.
6. A tavern.
7. A brothel.
8. A warehouse or shipyard.
9. A poor fishing village
10. An old lighthouse.
Roll d12 – The crew is notorious for:
1. Never leaving survivors.
2. Feeding captives to sharks.
3. Tattooing or branding captives.
4. Scalping captives.
5. Flaying captives.
6. Burning seaside villages.
7. Plundering the ships of a wealthy tyrant.
8. Using a lot of explosives.
9. Convening with ghosts.
10. Romantic escapades.
11. Singing bawdy songs.
12. Drinking too much rum.
Roll d12 Distinguishing tattoo for an pirate:
1. A dagger tattoo.
2. An anchor tattoo.
3. A skull tattoo.
4. A pair of crossed bones tattoo.
5. A snake tattoo.
6. A fish tattoo.
7. A spider web tattoo.
8. An octopus tattoo.
9. A whale tattoo.
10. A lobster tattoo.
11. A mermaid tattoo.
12. A dragon tattoo.
Roll d12 Distinguishing feature for an individual:
1. A nose ring.
2. Shiny leather boots.
3. Gold teeth.
4. An oversized dagger in the belt.
5. A heavy gold chain around the neck.
6. A wide-brimmed hat.
7. An eyepatch.
8. A long black beard.
9. A maniacal laugh.
10. Nothing.
11. An open shirt and a very hairy chest.
12. Extravagant mustaches.