Ocean D&D Session 14
Session Date: 10/07/2026
Players: Polpo Ultimo - Me
The Great Beast - Weird Writer
School Locker - Bubblegum
Jimmy the Polyp - brwagr
Creel Crusher - Arkbrik
Hannibal Crabba - Cellar Gelatin
GM - Spuk
Recap:
The reefers were intent on locating the sea horses, believed to reside somewhere in the northwest kelp forest. To do so they needed to cross the Lighthouse. However, on the way to their destination they got lost and ended up in open waters. There, they discovered a school of mackerel who resided nearby. The mackerel were large and could potentially pose a threat and so the reefers evaded them.
Resting in open water, they spent time charted the unknown area at the south of the kelp forest. During their charting they met some Humbug Damselfish who told them of dangerous monsters west of the reef that they fled from. The reefers saw it as their duty to bring the Damsels back to the reef to be part of their safe community.
On the way back, four small sharks interrupted the reefers and harassed them, keen to munch on the damsels. The Great Beast was able to intimidate them out of such a foolish line of action. The reefers made it home safe.
After returning and resting in the reef the reefers decided to once again tackle the uncharted areas of the kelp forest. They got lost again on the way but finally managed to reach the forest and find the colony of sea horses. The sea horses were grateful to obtain the broken robot the reefers were hanging onto, explaining that it was part of their project of 'remembering'. Sea horses have an understanding of history that far exceeds the knowledge of the other reef creatures. They specifically like obtaining relics.
The sea horses mentioned that some of their kin went to explore the lighthouse but have not returned. Seeing a chance to ally with the sea horses the reefers took it upon themselves to investigate.
Once at the lighthouse, the reefers entered via the top and broke in through the window with the combined might of the crabs. Once inside they found 13 sea horses, but they were not happy to know the sea horse elders sent the reefers to get them. Apparently these are the rebels. They disagree with the way the sea horses in the kelp forest are remembering the history and believe that their oral tradition must remain. They also wanted to know more about the lighthouse but couldn't open the hatch.
Polpo Ultimo took a few tries but managed to open the hatch for them. Together with the reefers they descended. Hannibal found himself a cool new stainless steel shell (a mug) just before the group was ambushed by a Tassled Wobbelgong (a fish that looks like a killer carpet). However, the beast was no match for the punches of the stomatopods, who incapacitated it. It did however kill a clownfish bro :(.
Further descent and exploration led to an encounter with the lighthouse keeper, a large octopod who's body contained two different personalities: that of the old keeper and his replacement. Both were called Thomas. Thomas was friendly and gave the reefers a heads up about potential nanites (though he did not call them that) and threatening fish at the bottom.
Making their way to the bottom the reefers discovered a stainless steel trident (a fork) and a strange book that interested the sea horses, but would likely not stay intact long enough to be interpreted.
Further towards the bottom the reefers pulled on a lever that was surrounded by nanites. The lever activated the nanites which spread up the lighthouse like veins and caused it to light up. It was a glorious sight.
The reefers chose to rest that night with Thomas. The light drew the attention of a giant octopod that thankfully did not see them inside the structure. The next day the reefers made it back home.
Thoughts:
Another fun day reefing.
In Spuk's last campaign the lighthouse led to a TPK. Thankfully that didn't happen this time, and OD&D is way more lethal than Sinners.
I am enjoying the way human structures are repurposed and re-interpreted for the world of the ocean critters. There are some fun sci-fi concepts being toyed with here. If only any of the reefers could make heads or tails of the lore...
I guess that's where sea horses come in. I might try one out when Polpo Ultimo eventually kicks the bucket.