The Obojima Podcast the Blog | Episode 12 - Creating Low Level Villains in D&D: The Lionfish King

It’s episode 12, this is swell…ve! Welcome to the blog of the Obojima Podcast! This podcast is a deep dive into the creative process of creating Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass. First thing’s first, let’s meet our intrepid crew of writers. 

• Jeremiah Crofton - The Creative Director of 1985 Games and the creator of Obojima. 

• Ari Levitch- Head Writer

• Adam Lee- Head Writer

Beneath the coastal waters of western Obojima lies a simmering conflict between fish folk nations, rival pirate lords, and creeping abyssal corruption. At the center of this chaos is the self-proclaimed Lionfish King, a flamboyant and formidable leader whose control over the western shallows is equal parts theatrical bravado and ruthless maritime power.

The Lionfish King and His Coral Court

The Lionfish King is no mere local menace—he’s an imposing, 12-foot aquatic monarch clad in ornately tailored regalia despite his gilled physiology. A pirate, a self-declared sovereign, and possibly a would-be divine right ruler, he commands legions of fish folk raiders, seizes tolls from passing ships, and enforces his rule over a stretch of shallow reefs and coral-laced shoals that drop precipitously into the deep.

His domain sprawls across the western shallows of Obojima, bordering territories like the Gift of Shiratashi and the geothermal Eastern Lands of Hot Water. Submerged towns, coral-built strongholds, and flooded ruins form the infrastructure of his underwater kingdom. The idea of hidden pockets of air within caves, or abandoned outposts near Sky-Kai Valley, invites both undersea exploration and land-to-sea adventure crossover potential.

A Feudal Sea: Raiding Parties, Vassals, and Warring Gangs

The Lionfish King rules in a pseudo-feudal fashion, forming raiding parties and commanding forces said to number in the hundreds. Groups of “a dozen to 30” are common for scouting or harassment, while elite contingents—such as pistol shrimp with lightning-fast sonic attacks, or sword-bearing crab folk with enormous single claws—serve as elite enforcers. Lump sucker fish folk, moray eels, remoras, and even frogfish make appearances throughout the aquatic caste system, each with unique traits and comic potential.

One of his major rivals is the Viperfish Gang, an eastern deep-sea faction whose darker, more alien appearance and tactics position them as both a narrative foil and potential existential threat. Their skeletal mutations and semi-transparent forms suggest they may be corrupted by something more sinister than politics—perhaps touched by a deeper magic or primal force from the ocean’s abyss.

Intrigue in the Depths: Kidnapping, Legacy, and the Nakadama Line

Adding to the complexity is a subplot involving the Nakudama bloodline—a once-noble lineage hinted to hold ancient ties to Obojima’s power structure. The Lionfish King, in his bid for legitimacy, may be plotting to kidnap a young Nakudama heir, using her as both a hostage and a political symbol to solidify his claim not just over the sea, but against land-based powers as well.

Hidden within his treasure horde—or perhaps a wrecked Pontier ship he now commands—might be forgotten technology or relics tied to the Nakudama legacy. These artifacts may blend slapstick elements with dangerous consequences, offering players a chaotic but meaningful narrative thread to pursue.

The Shadow Below: Deep-Sea Corruption and the Moral Divide

A haunting thread throughout the discussion is the rise of corruption among deep-sea fish folk. Skeletal deformities, ghostly translucence, and mindless aggression point to something ancient stirring in the depths. Some believe the deep-sea folk are being manipulated, not evil by nature but twisted by an external force. The Lionfish King himself may wrestle with this truth, walking a line between despot and reluctant defender of Obojima’s shores.

Cinematic story beats include potential confrontations—such as a loyal eel advisor revealed to be half-skeletonized, shocking the Lionfish King into action. These moments blur humor and horror, echoing the tone of eccentric films like Pee-wee’s Big Adventure but set against a backdrop of decaying grandeur and mystical dread.

Factions, Taverns, and Campaign Models

Around this central conflict swirl secondary factions: the Coastal Diver’s Lodge, scavengers and mercenaries with their own secrets; land-based pirates seeking revenge; and spirit-bound NPCs who straddle both worlds. Even a floating, partially submerged tavern might serve as neutral ground or a trap filled with living barnacle chairs and enchanted jellyfish chandeliers.

The campaign offers multiple structure options. Players might engage in fast-paced, underwater hack-and-slash battles with corrupted monsters, or navigate the tense politics of fish folk courts, determining which faction rises and which falls. A final act could involve uniting the fractured fish folk under the Lionfish King—or deposing him—before confronting the eldritch source of the corruption itself.

 

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In Summary:
This episode introduces a vivid underwater world teeming with pirate fish folk, political ambition, and spiritual rot. The Lionfish King stands as both monarch and madman—part threat, part unlikely ally—caught in a tide of ancient legacies and deep-sea horrors. Whether players swim through sunken ruins, challenge corrupted eel sorcerers, or attempt to unite rival fish clans, the western shallows of Obojima promise a campaign arc as strange as it is unforgettable.

Check out the full episode here: https://youtu.be/7hbkaw5XlQE?si=J9evy9xgCm_m4mq9