Ghosts of Saltmarsh

258 Pages·59.99 MB·English

by  Wizards RPG Team

GHOSTS SALTMARSH.
OF
CREDITS
lead Designers: Mike Mearls, Kate Welch Producer: Dan Tovar
Designers: Wolfgang Baur, James lntrocaso, Joseph A. McCullough, Project Managers: Bill Benham, Stan!, Matt Warren
Jon Sawatsky. Steve Winter Product Engineer: Cynda Calloway
Design Consultants: Will Ansell, Myke Cole Imaging Technician: Kevin Yee
Art Administration: David Gershman
Developers: Jeremy Crawford, Ben Petrisor, F. Wesley Schneider Prepress Specialist: Jefferson Dunlap
Playtest Coordinators: Bill Benham, Christopher Lindsay
Playtest Analyst: Ben Petri~or Senior Director Global Brand Strategy: Nathan Stewart
Director licensing & Publishing: Liz Schuh
lead Editor: Kim Mohan Licensing Manager: Hilary Ross
Editors: Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, F. Wesley Schneider Digital Marketing Manager: Bart Carroll
Senior Communications Manager: Greg Tito
Art Direction: Kate Irwin Manager Global Brand Marketing: Anna Vo
Graphic Design: Emi Tanji, Trish Yochum Brand Manager: Shelly Mazzanoble
Concept Artist: Shawn Wood Associate Brand Manager: Pelham Greene
Senior Art Director: Richard Whitters Principal Game Designer. Chris Perkins
Senior Creative Art Director: Shauna Narciso Narrative Designers: Adam Lee, Ari Levitch
Cover Illustrator: Grzegorz Rutkowski Pbytesters: Adam Howard, Adrian Farmor, Alan Or<h. Ale• D'Am1co. Ale• Forsyth
Cartographers: Dyson Logos, Mike Schley Alex Kammer. Alex McClead. Afex Wilson, Alexander l<retov, Alicia Cisneros, Ahcia
Graham, Amanda Stone, Amber Spova, Andre Battrick, Andrew Corneio, Andrew Epps,
Interior Illustrators: Even Amundsen, Joachim Barrum, Mark Andrew Ku1awa, Andy Baker, Anthony V1c1n1, Ari Gonulu, Ariel H•rsh, Arthur Wright,
Behm, Eric Belisle, Zoltan Boros, Sam Burley, Sidharth Chaurvedi, Ashleigh Bishop, Austin Fields, Austin H•fflie, Austin Sanders, Beau Coker. Ben1omin
Conceptopolis, Olga Drebas, Wayne England, Justin Gerard, Leesha Shlndewolfe. Beverly Stauffer. Biii Kerney, Boyd Bennrn. Brenda Hopper, Brendan Barr,
Hannigan, Lake Hurwitz, Tyler Jacobson, Sam Keiser, Julian Kok, Broderick Jones. Bruce laClair, Call Davis. C•mcron Scruggs, CasS1dy Schenley. Charles
Wri&ht. Chase Louviere. Chene Bruce, Cheryl Pierce, Chloe M1tzay1. Chris Davis. Chris
Michael Komarek, Slawomir Maniak, Brynn Metheney, Christopher Kens ta. Chns McGovern. Chns Wood, Christian Franz, Chflstian Hancock, Chr1s11an
Moeller, Scott Murphy, Jim Nelson, Vincent Proce, Chris Rallis, Zoltaf Bellomo, Chust1ne Weidenbach, Chnstophtt Hac~ler~ Christopher Scoggin,
Chris Seaman, Rudy Siswanto, David Sladek, Francis Tsai, Franz Christopher Wood. Chuck Benscoter. Cindy Moort. Clayton Embrey. 01ff H•nger. Cody
Vohwinkel, Richard Whitters, Shawn Wood, Mark Zug Helms. Collin Wh ..l tr. Connor S<htnck. Connor Self. C,.1g Domres, Dace Mcfadden.
01n Beam. Dan DeHun. Oan Harsh, Dan Harsh. Dan krinesttwr. Oamel E. Chapman
II. Daniel 'KBhn' Oliveira, Daniel Kl1nest•vtr, Daniel Tye. Otlno Berto. Dave Sacker, Dave
Knighton, David •cameron• Gidcumb. Oav1d Mon1s. Oav1d SchnoH, OaVld Woods.
Oerek Gray, Oerek Myers, Oevon Argo. Doug Oavos. Oylan Cole. Ed kr•ft. Em1eCih•ngir.
Enc Kooistra Enk Grentet, Evan Jackson. Evan Rodarte, Evan Schulz, Flo Velasquez,
C•bnel Soares Machado, Gabrielle Zulask1, CentSls Martinez. Greg Lyman. Greg Smith,
Gugory Pa.rov1chn1kov, Gvs Reyer. Haig Morrison, Heather Coleman, H~ctor Ramirez.
How•rd Hubbard, Hugo Mendieli, Ian Hawthorne. l•n Kimmel, Ian R1<k. Jackson
Thomas. Jacob Benscoter, Jacob Dalton, Jacob DelMauro, Jamal AH, James Armstead,
James Endicott. James Hazel, lames Holland, James Kirtley. l•m« Schweiss, Jamie
Shepperson. )•red Fegan. Jason Conwell, rason )orosz. Jason Lopez, Jason Maneson,
joson Thomas. Jawsh Murdock, jay Africa, jay Elmore. Jay )•n•. Junette Wiiey. Jeffery "Jj"
Zielinski, Jeffery Barnes, JenniferCourvre-Swarner, Jeramie Coopef, jerem1iih Gaddis,
Jeremiah Pop•. Jernn Chambers. Jesse Smoth. Jessoca Goff, J1a l,.n Tin. J•m Berner. Jim
Quirk, )oao Eduardo D•ntas. joDee Murch. Jc>e Boergies, loe G1over. fc>e Mor•nd•. Joel
Gonulez. lc>el Thompson, John Amann, John Fulmer lohn Horan, john Mangrum,
lohn Stockles. John W Mangrum. Jon l•mk1n, Jonathan Connor Self lonathan Longstaff.
jo•dan Brass. Jorge Sepulveda, Joseph Kauffman Ill, Joseph Schonck Ill, foseph Sompson
Ph 0, Joshua Frtdrtckson. Joshua Hart, Joshua Lt••n. lul•t Wright. Jul•us Sm1th, lusttn
Faris, Kalani Jasmine Vernon. K411fan1 Vernon. Kar~ Rader, Karl Resch, Kate Tollefson,
k•ttlyn Pop•. Kathy Ounn, Kelly Lewis, Ken Beckman, Ken Breese, Kenneth M•han.
K1rs1en Thomas, Krupal Desai, Kurt Waldkirch, Kyle Jackson. lance Schantz. laura
Wol~. Logan Ruggaber. Logan Thomas Ruggaber, Lou Mochell1. Luca Andreolli, Lucas
Thode. Luke Absolum Reid, Lyza Bryandinskaya, Mackenzie hoffman, Magnus Morgan,
Marc Soucy, Marcello De Velazquez, Mark Detwiler, Martin Lennartz, Mary Hershey,
Matt Sulton, Matt Maranda, Mau Warwick. Matteo La Rosa, Matthew Austin, Matthew
Rodertck. Matthew Stanford, Ma!lhew Talley, Manhew Warwick, Max Leu, Melissa
ON THE COVER Bassett, Michael Ande,.on, Michael Campfield, M1ch•el Dunn, Michael Obermeier,
M1ch. .1 Patrtck Campfield, Mike Kelly. Mike Olson, Mike Thom.,, Miranda McFadden,
A group of desperate adventurers confronts a deadly sahuagin warrior Nllahe Tabor. Nathaniel l. Arons, Neil Hamamoto. Nie Tollefson. Nick LaCla1r, Nina
on rough seas. Meanwhile. unbeknownst to the heroes, a monstrosity Wong. Olga Shvedova, Patrick la• Rick. P•ul Aparoc10, Paul Thomas. Philip Koop, Rachel
from the deep breaks the surface to assault their ship. This piece Aubrecht. Ralph Bohn Jr. Ramitl Lou1e, Randall H•ms. Richard Nunn, Rob Parker. Robert
D•tsch. Robert Qu•llen II, Robert Scon. Rod Ehrman, Roy Adam Lentz. Russ Paulsen,
marks Grzegorz Rutkowski's debut as a cover artist for D&D. R)an Hagan. Samuel Brett~ Sc.ou Moore, Stan Freeland, Sun Payne, Sergey Gv1ld1s,
Shani kn11hton, Stacy McGovern. Stephen M1hon, Sttrf1n1 Hershey. Steve Townshend,
D1sclo1m11: After hauling dragons. cJem1fltol culfisu, vomprrts. dtmom. 01td gionrs. )'0&1 Tab•tt-ia "muel, Tuhfecn 8h1md1. Thelem Eys•er. Thomas Kocantt'. Thomas WhHney
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Oft nor rt$pons1blt for vol'1obles. h11 po111U, or l1vti lost dur;ng "JOur ...o yogt In foef, pethaps Tor. Backer, Travis Fuller. Tnstan Andrews. Tristan Htndm:, Troy SandlJn. Tyler Urbanski,
~u 'd prefer o more ttloxmg vocoeron opt;on. Con we se111eu a '"P to tl-e Nine Hells? Thcy'rt V.inusa Ftrnandes P1f'lht1to, Victor Barros Pimentel, W.aynt ChJng. Wayne Fuller, W-111
qv1tt balmy rim time of year Hoffman. Woll Vaughn, W11io Burger, Xavier S1tpn1ak, Zach"y Pockett
620C6297000001 EN
ISBN: 978-0-7869-6675·2 CE
First Printing: May 2019
987654321
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. O&D. W1urds of the Coast. Forgo11cn Realms. the dragon ampersand, Plortr• Hondbook Monsru Manual. Dungton Mouu·s c,.dt. all other Wozards of
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CONTENTS
lntroduction. ................................................................................... 4 Cb. 7: Tammeraut's Fate ......................................................... 141
Using This Book ............................................................................. 5 Background .................................................................................. 141
Adventure Summary ................................................................. 141
Cb. 1: Saltmarsh. ........................................................................... 7
Adventure Hooks ........................................................................ 141
Politics and Factions ..................................................................... 7
Harpy Attack ............................................................................... 142
Saltmarsh Overview .................................................................... 11
The Village ofUskarn. .............................................................. 143
Downtime Activities. .................................................................... 18
Firewatch lsland ........................................................................ 144
Saltmarsh Region ....................................................................... 20
The Hermitage ........................................................................... 146
Adventures in Saltmarsh ........................................................... 27
Last Stand ................................................................................... 156
Saltmarsh Backgrounds ............................................................ 29
Preparing for the Drowned Ones .......................................... 157
Ch. 2: The Sinister Secret ofS altmarsh ............................. 37
Death from the Deep ................................................................ 157
Background. .................................................................................. 37 Safe by Day ................................................................................. 158
Adventure Summary .................................................................. 38
The Wreck ................................................................................... 158
Adventure Hooks ......................................................................... 38 Conclusion ................................................................................... 160
The Haunted House .................................................................... 39
Extending the Adventure ......................................................... 161
The Sea Ghost.. ............................................................................ 50
Ch. 8: The Styes. ....................................................................... 163
Ch. 3: Danger at Dunwater. ...................................................... 61 Background ................................................................................. 163
Background. ................................................................................... 61
Adventure Summary ................................................................ 164
Rules of Engagement .................................................................. 62 Adventure Hooks ....................................................................... 164
Roleplaying Lizardfolk ............................................................... 64 Part l: A Dying District.. .......................................................... 165
Adventure Summary .................................................................. 65 Part 2: Murder Mystery ............................................................ 169
Traveling to the Lair ................................................................... 65 Part 3: Hemlock Pit. .................................................................. 172
Lizard folk Lair ............................................................................. 66 Part 4: The Lamp's Shadow. ................................................... 179
Conclusion ..................................................................................... 84 Part 5: Tharizdun's Progeny ................................................... 182
Epilogue: Croc Hunt ................................................................... 84 Aftermath .................................................................................... 185
Cb. 4: Salvage Operation ......................................................... 87 App. A: Of Ships and the Sea ............................................... 186
Background ................................................................................... 87 Ship Stat Blocks ........................................................................ 186
Adventure Summary .................................................................. 87
Sample Ships ............................................................................. 187
Adventure Hooks ......................................................................... 88 Officers and Crew ...................................................................... 194
State of the Ship .......................................................................... 89
Superior Ship Upgrades .......................................................... 196
Death of the Emperor ................................................................. 93 Ships in Combat ........................................................................ 198
Conclusion ..................................................................................... 95 Travel at Sea ............................................................................... 199
Ch. 5: Isle of the Abbey ............................................................. 97 Ocean Environs ......................................................................... 202
Background. .................................................................................. 97 Encounters at Sea ..................................................................... 207
Adventure Hooks ......................................................................... 97 Random Ships ............................................................................ 208
Adventure Summary .................................................................. 97 Mysterious Islands .................................................................... 211
Traveling to the Isle. .................................................................... 98 Underwater Locations. ............................................................. 214
The Island ..................................................................................... 99 Cove Reef. ............................................................................... 214
The Abbey Ruins ....................................................................... 101 Wreck of the Marshal... ........................................................ 218
Locations in the Ruins ............................................................. 104 Warthalkeel Ruins ................................................................ 223
Conclusion. .................................................................................. 109 App. B: Magic Items ................................................................ 229
Cb. 6: The Final Enemy. ......................................................... 111 App. C: Monsters and NPCs ................................................. 230
Background ................................................................................. 111
Council of War ............................................................................ 111
Sahuagin Stronghold ............................................................... 112
The Mission Begins .................................................................. 114
Conclusion ................................................................................... 137
INTRODUCTION
EL.COME TO GHOSTS OF SALTMARSH. THIS In addition Lo the adventures themselves, chapter 1,
book collects seven D&D adventures, each "Saltmarsh," provides an in-depth look at the town, its
famous for their unique challenges, for their various inhabitants, the nearby coasts, and what dan
deadly threats, and for embracing the danger gers threaten the region. A variety of new backgrounds
and wonder of the high seas. Some of these also help make new characters part of the Saltmarsh
adventures initially charted their courses community, giving them personal stakes in the town's
in the earliest days of D&o·s history. while opportunities and hardships.
others set sail in more recent years. In each The sea and its threats aren't unique to Saltmarsh.
case, these tales of plunder and peril have been updated To help launch explorations across the wild waves. ap
for the current edition of the game. revealing deadly pendix A. "Of Ships and the Sea." presents a toolbox for
shores for brave crews to explore anew. ocean-bound adventures. New rules for various ships,
Along with these adventures returns one of D&D's how to crew and captain them, and how to pit them
most famous seaside settings: the port town of Salt against each other provide adventurers with new modes
marsh. The original backdrop of three of this collec of exploration. Beyond this, details on a variety of nauti
tion's tales (The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. Danger at cal dangers and oceanic hazards- from magical storms
Dunwater, and The Final Enemy), this fishing commu to whirlpools- make the seas even deadlier than ever
nity has a tradition of being a starting point for incredi before. A spectrum of tables also helps generate encoun
ble adventures. Historically, Saltmarsh and the dangers ters upon the waves, be they deadly sea monsters; ran
facing its people provided a widening sphere of adven dom vessels. theirs crews. and cargo; or islands brim
ture, with increasingly dire threats drawing heroes to ming with untold mysteries. Concluding the appendix
explore more of the coast of the Azure Sea. Ghosts of are a variety of underwater locations-like deadly reefs
Saltmarsh continues that tradition. presenting a portion and sunken ruins ready to be customized and explored
of the coastal lands of Keoland, a kingdom in the Grey as your campaign demands.
hawk setting. Each adventure notes where that story The book's remaining appendices present magical
might unfold in the region around Saltmarsh. providing treasures perfectly suited to seafarers and a robust col
a shared setting for them all. Although these seven ad lection of fearsome aquatic foes.
ventures weren·t designed to create a single overarching New horizons of adventure now lie before you. What
narrative, the tools provided herein make it easy to link wonders and terrors will you discover across the waves?
these stories into a wider Saltmarsh campaign. Set sail and find out!
USING THIS BOOK CREDITS FROM THE ORIGINALS
Ghosts of Saltmarsh features seven tales of adventure As every Dungeon Master knows, considerable work
that take place upon the waves, on brine-battered goes into the creation of a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ad
shores, and in the sea's deadliest depths. Each of these venture. Presented below are the credits from the clas
adventures comes from across the tides of D&D history, sic adventures that inspired the updated tales found in
returning to test heroes grown used to the predictable this book. For more on each adventure's origin and its
threats and reliable footing of dry land. place in D&D history, see the "About the Original" sec
Along with each adventure appear notes for setting tion featured near the begining of each adventure.
the adventure in the Saltmarsh region or adapting it to a
The Sinister Secret ofS altmarsh (1981)
variety of D&D settings. Use that information to place it
Design: Dave J. Browne
in your campaign or on the shores of your choice. Development: Don Turnbull
These adventures make perfect side quests for Editing and Production: Tom Kirby, Sally Meadows, Graeme Morris,
ongoing campaigns. If you run published D&D cam Don Turnbull
Art: Jim Holloway, Dave de Leuw. Harry Quinn, Stephen D. Sullivan
paigns, like Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, the higher-level
Playtesting: Jim Bambra, Michael W. Brunton, Chris Hall, Bill
adventures presented here are an ideal way to extend
Howard, Steve Mote, Allen Ovens, Martin Pickering, Chris Rick,
the campaign. Dave Tant, Patrick Thompson, Don Turnbull, Mark Valentine, Pat
The adventures in Ghosts of Saltmarsh also perfectly Whitehead
complement those in Tales from the Yawning Porta/ Cartography: Graeme Morris
which collects another seven famous (albeit landlocked)
Danger at Dunwater (1982)
adventures. By picking and choosing your favorite en Design: Dave J. Browne
tires in each compilation, you'll be on your way to creat Development: Don Turnbull
ing a customized campaign all your own. Editing and Production: Penny Bogg, Tom Kirby, Carole Morris.
Graeme Morris, Don Turnbull
Art: Dave de Leuw, Jim Holloway, Harry Quinn, Tim Truman
RUNNING THE ADVENTURES
Playtesting: Jackie Apps, Steve Buckalow, Mike Ferguson, Bill
To run each of these adventures, you need the fifth Francis, Andrew Geer, Bill Jones, Tom Kirby, Martin Pickering,
Matt Quartermain, Tony Ross, Phil Spivey, Dave Tant, Nick
edition Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide,
Thornley, Simon Thornley, Jim Ward, Guy Williamson
and Monster Manual. Before you sit down with your Cartography: Graeme Morris
players, read the text of the adventure and familiarize
yourself with the maps as well, perhaps making notes Salvage Operation (2005)
Design: Mike Mearls
about complex areas or places where the characters
Editing and Production: Sean Glenn, James Jacobs, Erik Mona,
are certain to go, so you're well prepared before the ac
Sarah Robinson, Mike Schley, Jeremy Walker
tion starts. Artwork: Attila Adorjany
Cartography: Kyle Hunter
Text that appears in a box like this is meant to be read Isle oft he Abbey (1992)
Design: Randy Maxwell
aloud or paraphrased for the players when their charac·
Editing and Production: Wolfgang H Baur, Dale A. Donovan, Roger
ters first arrive at a location or under a specific circum· E. Moore, Larry W. Smith, Barbara G. Young
Artwork: Peter Clarke
stance, as described in the text.
Cartography: Diesel
The Final Enemy (1983)
The Monster Manual contains stat blocks for most Story: Dave J. Browne
of the monsters and N PCs found in this book. When Development: Don Turnbull
a creature's name appears in bold type, that's a visual Editing and Production: Paul Cockburn, Tom Kirby, Graeme Morris,
cue pointing you to its stat block in appendix C or in the Don Turnbull
Cover Art: Dave de Leuw
Monster Manual. If a stat block appears in appendix C of
Cartography: Graeme Morris, Philip Kaye
this book, the text tells you so. Playtesting: Bill Black, Bob Collman, Thomas Haas, Bill Howard,
Spells and nonmagical equip· Allan Owens, Dawn Poole, Gina Poole, Chris Rick, Dave Tant,
ment mentioned in the book Mark Valentine
are described in the Player's
Tammeraut's Fate (2004)
Handbook. Magic items are Design: Greg A. Vaughn
described in the Dungeon Editing and Production: Sean Glenn, James Jacobs, Erik Mona
Master's Guide, unless the Artwork: Peter Bergting
Cartography: Rob Lazzaretti
adventure's text directs you
to an item's description in
The Styes (2005)
appendix B. Design: Richard Pett
Editing and Production: Sean Glenn, James Jacobs. Erik Mona,
Sarah Robinson, Mike Schley, Jeremy Walker
Artwork: Joachim Barrum
Cartography: Jason Engle
INTRODUCTION

1:
CHAPTER SALTMARSH
ALTMARSH IS A NONDESCRIPT FISHING VILLAGE POLITICS AND FACTIONS
tucked away on the southern coast of the
Kingdom of Keoland. For several generations, Saltmarsh's future rests in the hands of three factions
Keoland was a formidable military power. that compete for supremacy. Two of the factions repre
Its superior cavalry and bold knights pushed sent the opposing sentiments that have grown in town
the kingdom's borders outward to the north. in recent years. The third is a secret group that seeks to
west. and east. Each successful campaign undermine Saltmarsh and seize control of the region.
increased both the crown's wealth and power, These factions' struggles play out in the day-to-day lives
and each one in turn drew the kingdom's attention even of the townsfolk and the political maneuvering of Salt
farther north. The southern coastal regions of Keoland marsh·s town council.
remained a backwater.
TRADITIONALISTS
The crown's benign neglect allowed piracy and ban
ditry to flourish. Saltmarsh and similar towns kept to The traditionalist faction is an alliance of the prominent
fishing, content to maintain a low profile and avoid gov fishing families and merchants in town, along with the
ernmental entanglements. Decades ago, the pirates who workers who rely on those industries for a living. The
prowled the waters off Saltmarsh grew strong enough traditionalists remember the terrible times during the
to create their own realm, a loose confederacy known as Sea Princes' raids and have no desire to see the crown's
the Hold of the Sea Princes. With the rise of that nation ambitions lead to open war. The smugglers who operate
came increased raids on Saltmarsh and its neighbors. in the area tend to be traditionalists. Most pose as mer
The Sea Princes' raiding ships pillaged the coast for chants and rely on their local contacts to move goods
more slaves to support their growing realm. and Salt through the region without interference from the town
marsh suffered heavily. The memories of those times guard or royal agents. Smuggling has long been an easy
loom heavily over the area, and the locals' hatred of the way to make money in Saltmarsh, and locals generally
Sea Princes runs deep. look the other way, seeing it as a victimless crime.
In time, Keoland's victories in the north gave way to The traditionalists would like to see the dwarves' min
a string of defeats in which its neighbors pushed the ing efforts fail and interest from the north wane, so that
kingdom back to its original boundaries. With the world Saltmarsh's dependable fishing trade can thrive and
closing in, King Kimbertos Skotti looked to the south the smugglers in the area are left alone. They resent the
and saw unchecked banditry and a rising pirate nation. intrusion of outsiders seeking to transform Saltmarsh
The crown struck peace treaties with its former foes to and undoubtedly drain power from the fishing families
the north, raised a navy, and dealt a sharp check to the to give to dwarves and merchants.
ambitions of the Sea Princes- but the conflict is by no This faction relies on two council members for repre
means over. sentation. Eda Oweland leads the faction and can count
King Skotti has decreed that the pirates must be put on Gellan Primewater to back her up. Anders Solmor is
down, the sea lanes secured, and trade cultivated. If young and unpredictable. but he has supported the tradi
Keoland cannot prosper as a military force, it must grow tionalists' viewpoint on most issues.
mightier as a center of trade. At their best, traditionalists are community-minded
Saltmarsh. remote though it might be from the center folk who want Saltmarsh to return to its old way of
of power in Keoland, is entering a new phase of its life doing things, arguing that the town has survived for a
as it reacts to the king's plans. The crown's agents want century by sticking to its original priorities. They suf
to expand the village's port and make it a prime location fered mightily due to the Sea Princes' depredations and
for trade with the world beyond. In another recent devel remember the days when the crown turned a blind eye
opment, a band of dwarves bearing a decree from the to their troubles. Their loyalty to the king runs second to
king himself- have arrived and begun LO excavate the their desire for peace and quiet.
hills and seaside cliffs near town, looking for precious
metals. If their work bears fruit as expected, the mine EDA 0WELAND
stands to become a major factor in the village's-and. Eda (CG female human noble) is the current senior
indeed, the entire region's prosperity. member of the town council, as well as the owner of
Naturally, not all of Saltniarsh's residems feel the three large fishing boats. She has lived in Saltmarsh all
same way about the recent developments in and around her life and has been elected to the council three times.
their community, which is the key issue that affects their She is a gruff, pragmatic woman whose graying hair is
lives and livelihood. Although the recent changes stand cut short and whose face bears the marks of a life lived
to bring new prosperity to the area. many locals don't outdoors. Eda is keenly interested in expanding Salt
want to see their home changed. At the same time. as marsh's fishing industry. her sights set on a wild section
an undercurrent through all the goings-on, agents of the of the coast where she hopes to build a new dock. She is
secretive and mysterious Scarlet Brotherhood work to suspicious of the dwarves' mining enterprise and doubts
thwart Keoland's ambitions while advancing their own. it will amount to much.
C 1-IAPTf RI S>\LI \I \11~11
7
Pe.rsonality Traits. Eda swears like a sailor when she THE TRADITlONALISTS IN PLAY
is frustrated or angry. and the folk in town who support The traditionalists simply want things to remain the
her appreciate her wi II ingness to stick up for them. same. If they had their way, the dwarves would go home,
Despite her temper. she respects those who keep their the guard would stick to dealing with monsters rather
cool. Anyone who stands up to her wins her respect. than hassling honest traders, and the crown would go
Those who try to flatter her earn her contempt. back to dreaming of conquests in the north. The more
Ideal. If anyone in town needs help. Eda is the first things change. the more this faction resorts to open pro
lo volunteer. She believes community binds people to test and resistance.
gether and allows the1n to ride out che fiercest storm.
Bond. Saltmarsh is Eda's home. She would protect it TRADITIONALIST SAMPLE EVENTS
to her dying breath and wants its people to prosper.
d20 Event
Flaw. Eda is suspicious of outsiders. and she is too
1-6 A group of fishers accosts dwarves and other out
quick to trust those familiar to her.
siders, demanding they leave town or else.
GELLAN PRIMEWATER 7-10 Gellan Primewater rm ports a variety of exotic flow
Gellan (NE male human noble) is a well-spoken, dap ers that he uses to decorate the town, while also
per older gentleman with a neatly trimmed beard and a distributing fresh tropical fruit free of charge to the
fancy wardrobe. With his cunning instincts, he has po townsfolk.
sitioned his family to become the most prominent mer 11-12 A fire breaks out in town, and Eda Oweland raises
chants in town. but he now faces an intractable problem.
funds to support those who lost their homes.
Gellan made his fortune through smuggling, his textile
13-14 A fishing boat goes missing with its crew. They
and lumber exports serving as a cover for his illegal
were smuggling a haul of black pearls, and Gellan
activities. When Saltmarsh was a sleepy backwater, he
wants his treasure back without risking his cover.
could operate with impunity. Now that Saltmarsh has
1S-16 A bountiful catch leads to a day of feasting and
attracted attention from the outside world, he sees busi
ness growing more difficult and less profitable. reconciliation, giving the factions a chance to make
Over the years, Gellan has cultivated relationships amends.
with a number of contacts among the Sea Princes. His 17-18 A bungled smuggling operation lands a few re
ships move illicit goods, including slaves, between their spected people in jail, leading to near riots as fish
realm and Keoland. Gellan takes care to keep this side ers gather in a huge mob to effect a breakout.
of his business quiet, since any hint of involvement with 19 A horrible sea creature has been sighted. keeping
slave traders would mean the end of his days in Salt many crews at the docks until rt disappears. Any
marsh, if not his life.
one who tracks it down and slays it would be a
Gellan seeks to keep his smuggling cartel functioning
hero. Gellan pledges a magic weapon to its slayer.
with as little interference as possible. Having a seat on
20 Several fishing crews have gone missing. The locals
the council puts him in a perfect position to maintain his
demand that Keoland dispatch a squadron of ships
business while supporting all aspects of the traditional
ists' agenda. His popularity in the faction is second only to track down the slavers from the Sea Princes who
to that of Eda Oweland. surely kidnapped them.
Because Gellan is the wealthiest man in town, be
garners a great deal of popular support from the many LOYALISTS
feasts, entertainments, and other diversions he supports
The loyalists consist of newcomers who arrived from
with expenditures and donations. He pretends to care
the northern reaches of Keoland, loyal to King Kim
little for the daily functions of the council. defaulting to
bertos Skotti. They feel that the town should focus on
throw his support behind Eda's position. Tn truth, this
becoming a useful asset to the crown and value the good
deference is a ruse he uses to mask his efforts to shield
of the kingdom before the good of the region. The town
his smuggling operation.
guard. the dwarves. and the local farmers are generally
Personality Traits. Gcllan loves to play che role of the
loyalists.
foppish dandy. He enjoys fine wine. good food. and the
The loyalists care about security. They want to keep
latest fashions. He is a patron of the arts and spends lav
Keoland's enemies at bay while ensuring law and order.
ishly to support festivals. plays. and concerts.
They see smuggling as a key problem, as it enriches the
Ideal. For Gellan. beauty and elegance are everything.
Sea Princes at the cost of the royal treasury and the ef
He derives great enjoyment from watching the town en
forts of honest merchants.
joy his events.
Above all else. the members of this faction put their
Bond. Gellan values his reputation above all else. He
faith in law. They exert influence through the town
wants to be admired by the people of Saltmarsh.
guard, though they remain within their legal authority.
Flaw. Greed colors every action Gellan takes. He can't
At their best. the loyalists want to grow Saltmarsh into
turn down a chance lo turn a profit. even if it means
a trading hub with a higher standard of living and im
breaking the law. Gellan secretly believes that even if
proved security. If the Sea Princes are held in check and
he is caught, he can spend his way back into the town's
the sea lanes cleared of threats, Saltmarsh can grow to
good graces by throwing the biggest. most extravagant
become the envy of the world.
festival Saltmarsh has ever seen.
Gii ·\i' IL I! l I SAi I ~11\l<Sll
At their worst. the loyalists see the people of Salt Ideal. Eliander is a faithful servant of the crown. The
marsh as a barrier to growth. The locals are little more law must be obeyed. as faithful service and iron disci
than allies of the Sea Princes, traitors who for too long pline arc the surest ways to maintain peace and order.
have evaded the crown's notice. If they were to do as the Bond. Once he gives his word, Eliander keeps it to the
loyalists tell them, then perhaps this fish-reeking pile of death. Honor is his life. and treachery earns his wrath.
a town could become something respectable. Flaw. Eliander is stubborn to a fault. Once he sets
his mind to a belief or a course of action, little can
ELIANDER FlREBORN dissuade him.
Eliander (LN male human gladiator) fought in the royal
army of Keoland. where he earned a name driving the MANISTRAD COPPERLOCKS
wild th in gs of the Dreadwood away from the settled The leader of the newly established mining operation
lands. Eliandcr suffered a tremendous injury to his leg in Saltmarsh is an iron-willed dwarven woman named
in a battle against an owlbear and now walks upon a Manistrad (LN female dwarf veteran). She runs the
finely carved wooden peg. Despite his injury and ad mining outfit from a small office near the edge of town.
vancing age. the burly captain of the Saltmarsh town Manistrad is a competent leader, as well as a savvy
guard remains an imposing figure. Eliander is a local miner with a knack for pulling off impossible jobs. She's
celebrity thanks to his facility with languages, and he is convinced that the veins of silver found in the cliffs near
often called upon by the town's various organizations to Saltmarsh are indicative of more valuable stones deeper
assist with translations. He is fully literate in Common, in the rock. She was once a fearsome warrior, and she's
Dwarvish, Gnomish, Elvish. and Halfling: he can also not above delivering a few well-placed blows to ensure
speak and understand Ore and Draconic. her orders are followed.
In a crisis, Eliander Fireborn might put the good of Manistrad occupies an awkward place on the coun
the crown above local rule. He possesses a royal writ cil. She was placed in her position by royal decree: the
that allows him to seize authority over the town guard in crown decided that if Saltmarsh is 10 support a mining
case of an emergency. He is loath to use it, as the locals operation. the miners would need a political voice. A
might react to his seizure of power with an open revolt. more diplomatic figure might have smoothed over the
Personality Traits. Caution guides Eliander·s tension. but Manistrad has little patience and sees the
thoughts and his every action. He recognizes that rest of the council, save for Eliander. as rustic dullards.
Saltmarsh is on the verge of tremendous growth, but Personality Traits. Manistrad is a woman of few
he sees the influence of the Sea Princes behind every words. She is curt and quick, yet she gives every person
stroke of misfortune. Slow and steady wins the day, as who comes before the council a fair accounting. She's
he likes to say. nobody's fool.
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