You are the heart of the ship's galley, the lifeline that keeps the crew well-fed and spirits high. A deft hand with a skillet and a bottle, you’ve perfected the art of turning meager rations into hearty meals and mixing drinks strong enough to make even the saltiest pirate sing. Whether it’s crafting a stew from scraps or whipping up a celebratory grog, your skills are indispensable aboard the vessel.
From calming tempers with a well-timed toast to negotiating trades with rival crews over a shared feast, your talents extend beyond the kitchen. You’re as much a keeper of morale as you are a master of the blade—be it for carving meats or cutting down foes in a fight.
- Skill Proficiencies: Medicine, Animal Handling
- Tool Proficiencies: Cook's Utensils, Brewer's Supplies
- Languages: Three of your choice (often tied to trade or sea routes)
- Equipment: A set of cook's utensils, a bottle of fine rum or other spirits, a recipe book filled with scrawled notes and sketches, a belt pouch containing 10 gp, a small keepsake from your shipmates (such as a carved spoon or a silver flask), supplies of your trade, and other personal effects.
Every Ship's Cook has a unique quirk or two that makes them a memorable part of the crew.
(Pick up to two from the table below or roll a d6 up to two times.)
| d6 | Quirks |
|---|---|
| 1 | I hum sea shanties or whistle while I cook, sometimes forgetting I’m not alone. |
| 2 | I collect unusual spices, herbs, and drinks from every port we visit, even if it breaks the bank. |
| 3 | I constantly chew on a piece of cinnamon bark, licorice root, or another odd snack. |
| 4 | I have a habit of naming my cooking utensils and talking to them like old friends. |
| 5 | I always insist on tasting food or drink before serving it, even in the middle of battle. |
| 6 | I carry a pouch of secret spices that I refuse to let anyone else see or touch. |
You have a knack for lifting spirits and fortifying bodies with your food and drink. When providing meals or beverages during a short rest, you can improve morale and bolster resilience. Allies who partake gain temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus and advantage on saving throws against being frightened for 1 hour.
Suggested Characteristics
Every Ship's Cook view and interact with the world in there own way.
(Pick up to two from each of the tables below or roll a d6 up to two times for each table.)
| d6 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | Every meal is a masterpiece, even if it’s just hardtack and salt pork. |
| 2 | I always have a story to tell, usually while stirring a pot or pouring a drink. |
| 3 | I’m quick to laugh and even quicker to calm a brewing storm of tempers with a clever quip. |
| 4 | The galley is my kingdom, and I rule it with a wooden spoon and a sharp tongue. |
| 5 | I see the kitchen as a stage, and every meal is a performance worth an encore. |
| 6 | I have an unshakable habit of sharing unsolicited cooking tips with everyone I meet. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nourishment. Food and drink bring people together and make even the harshest voyages bearable. (Good) |
| 2 | Craftsmanship. The art of cooking is as important as the art of the sword. (Neutral) |
| 3 | Loyalty. A cook serves their crew, and I’d die before I let my mates go hungry or thirsty. (Lawful) |
| 4 | Pleasure. Good food and drink are the only things that make life worth living. (Chaotic) |
| 5 | Pragmatism. A well-fed crew is a crew that can fight, sail, and survive. (Neutral) |
| 6 | Adventure. Every meal is an opportunity to try something new and daring. (Chaotic) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I keep a treasured recipe book passed down from my family or mentor—it’s my most prized possession. |
| 2 | I owe my life to the captain or crew who gave me a second chance aboard their ship. |
| 3 | The smell of a particular spice or dish reminds me of a loved one I lost long ago. |
| 4 | I swore an oath to keep my crew fed, no matter the cost or the challenges we face. |
| 5 | I’m determined to recreate a mythical dish I heard about in a sailor’s tale. |
| 6 | The ship’s crew is my family, and I’d defend them to my last breath. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | I can’t resist sampling everything, even if it’s clearly not mine to taste. |
| 2 | My temper boils over as easily as an untended pot on the stove. |
| 3 | I’m hopelessly superstitious and refuse to cook without my lucky knife or charm. |
| 4 | When I’m upset, I drown my sorrows in my own brews...and it doesn’t always end well. |
| 5 | I get irrationally offended when someone dislikes my cooking or drinks. |
| 6 | I hoard ingredients, even if it means hiding them from the rest of the crew. |
Contacts
As the Ship’s Cook, you’ve formed bonds with the crew and others tied to your seafaring life, whether through shared meals, camaraderie, or a well-timed drink.
(Roll or choose up to three contacts from the table below to determine who values your skills and may come to your aid—or call upon your unique talents in times of need.)
| d10 | Contact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Captain |
| 2 | First Mate |
| 3 | Quartermaster |
| 4 | Navigator |
| 5 | Gunner |
| 6 | Powder Monkey |
| 7 | Boatswain |
| 8 | Surgeon |
| 9 | Fellow Cook |
| 10 | Dock Master |
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