A merchant vessel operating in the waters off Neverwinter and along the northern coast. The ship is engaged in trade and transportation of cargo and passengers between Neverwinter and northern settlements.

Campaign Role

Encounter with the Giant Crab (Session B11)

The Winking Barnacle was attacked by a colossal crab of siege-scale proportions while traveling in waters north of Neverwinter. The crab was large enough and powerful enough to damage the ship and threaten to sink it.

The Forge Wardens, aboard their own vessel the Ice Serpent, witnessed the attack or the aftermath. Robert Hidswell, an arctic wilderness guide and experienced traveler, was swept overboard from the Winking Barnacle by the force of the crab's passage. The party rescued him using the Ice Serpent's ballista.

Robert reported that the Winking Barnacle and its crew were in serious danger — the crab attack had caused significant damage and the vessel's crew was engaged in damage control and evacuation preparations. The fate of the Winking Barnacle following the attack is unknown — whether the ship sank, limped back to port, or managed to escape the crab's territory is unresolved.

Robert Hidswell

Robert Hidswell was aboard the Winking Barnacle as an arctic guide and navigator. He is experienced with northern waters and the dangers they present. His rescue by the party led to him joining the Forge Wardens as a guide for their expedition into Icewind Dale and northern territories.

Robert carried a survival knife marked with evidence of his travels — he had been to all ten towns of Icewind Dale, marking each one on the blade.

Threads

• Winking Barnacle Status: Did the ship survive? Did the crew escape or go down with their vessel?
• Crab Threat: The colossal crab represents a significant maritime hazard. Is it a unique creature or part of a population of siege-scale crustaceans inhabiting the northern waters?
• Trade Implications: If the Winking Barnacle is lost, what cargo was she carrying? What impact does her loss have on Neverwinter's northern trade?