Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Chapter 6: The Final Enemy

This adventure builds on the events of two previous adventures, The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh and Danger at Dunwater. The following section provides a summary of those adventures for characters who did not participate in the missions.

The Final Enemy is designed for four to six characters of 7th level. If you want to use story-based character advancement (see chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master's Guide), the characters gain a level for completing this adventure.

Background

Some weeks ago, the town council of Saltmarsh hired a party of adventurers to investigate mysterious goings-on in the decaying, supposedly haunted mansion on the cliff top near the town. These adventurers discovered that the alleged haunting of the house was a ruse devised by a gang of smugglers importing contraband. The adventurers overcame the smugglers in the house, then boarded their ship and routed the rest of the gang. The smuggling operation quashed, the adventurers were rewarded by the grateful Saltmarsh authorities.

But even after the smugglers were routed, a danger remained. The adventurers told the town council that they discovered evidence that the smugglers had been selling weapons to a nearby colony of lizardfolk. Their deduction was corroborated by Oceanus, a sea elf who was being held prisoner aboard the smugglers' ship when the adventurers made their assault.

Now fearful that the lizardfolk planned to assault Saltmarsh, the town council asked the adventurers to seek out the lizardfolk lair and deal with the threat. The adventurers journeyed to the lair, but they discovered that there was no threat to Saltmarsh—at least not from the lizardfolk. In fact, the lizardfolk were preparing to go to war against a tribe of sahuagin, a brutal horde that a year ago drove the lizardfolk from their original home. Determined to regain their ancestral home, the lizardfolk had begun purchasing weapons and were negotiating alliances against the sahuagin with the merfolk and the locathah in the region; the koalinth were also approached but refused to join the alliance. The lizardfolk hoped not only to expel the sahuagin and regain their home, but also to deal the sahuagin enough of a blow to discourage them from further aggression.

After discovering the intentions of the lizardfolk and realizing that the sahuagin were the true threat to Saltmarsh, the adventurers escorted two lizardfolk officers back to meet with the town council and ask the aid of the humans of Saltmarsh in the battle to come.

Now, with the sahuagin threat revealed and new alliances formed, the town council of Saltmarsh once again needs heroes—those accomplished enough to infiltrate the sahuagin stronghold and return with knowledge that will bring about the downfall of the final enemy.

Council of War

The Saltmarsh Town Council calls a meeting with the adventurers who have been approached to undertake the next mission, in the presence of as many townsfolk as can fit in the modest town hall.

The meeting is also attended by several members of each faction that has allied with Saltmarsh against the sahuagin. Unless the party's actions in the previous adventure drove away any potential allies, the following representatives are present (with others in the vicinity).

Lizardfolk

Two lizardfolk scaleshields (see appendix C) named Garurt and Vyth represent their queen's interests. They are severe, no-nonsense soldiers. The lizardfolk have set up a camp outside Saltmarsh where a dozen warriors are quartered, with the prospect of more to come. Assuming the lizardfolk are present at the meeting, they provide precious information to the council about their former lair (see "A Great Gift").

Merfolk

A single merfolk salvager (see appendix C) named Aryn represents her colony in the meeting. She dislikes being on land and has trouble moving across the cobbled streets of Saltmarsh. Aryn is one of six merfolk occupying a kelp bed near the docks of Saltmarsh.

Locathah

Sakith, a locathah hunter (see appendix C), joins the meeting as the representative for his tribe. A dozen locathah and their giant sea eel steeds swim in the waters near Saltmarsh (see appendix C for both).

The Master Plan

At the meeting, the head of the council explains that a combined force from all the allied species is being assembled to strike the sahuagin fortress. Before this attack can be correctly planned and executed, a small group is needed to make a preliminary excursion into the fortress. The information gained by this reconnaissance team (see "x") will allow the allies to plan a proper attack. The full assault will be launched fourteen days after the reconnaissance team returns, assuming the mission succeeds at least in part. The council's hope is that the characters will accept this assignment.

Lay of the Land

Assuming the lizardfolk, Garurt and Vyth, are present at the meeting, they produce a crude map that identifies the location of the sahuagin stronghold. It occupies an island in the estuary of the Javan River, some fifty miles west and south of Saltmarsh. A coastal headland covers one flank of the island, which is connected to the mainland by a stone causeway.

The lizardfolk explain that this site is their former lair, and it consists of a series of natural passages and caves honeycombing the interior of the island. You should give players information about the former lizardfolk lair and the surrounding area, including but not limited to the following details:

The lair is a three-level cave system inside a rocky island. Remarkably, the island seems to have sunk into the surrounding sea, leaving only the top one-third visible from above the water.
The main entrance is now a large cave that faces the seacoast.
The lizardfolk made few changes to the place, only adding stairs to connect the levels.

The sahuagin have made drastic changes to their former lair, beyond submerging the two lower levels beneath the water. All the alterations to the lair made by the sahuagin are described in the "x" section below.

If the lizardfolk are not present at the meeting, the map and the related information are provided by scouts who have explored the area without attracting any attention from the sahuagin.

Mission Goals

The objectives of the mission, which must be accomplished if the reward is to be gained, are fourfold:

1. Determine the strength of the sahuagin force: how many warriors, lieutenants, and other battle-ready troops are present.

2. Locate important areas within the fortress: where are the warriors barracked, the officers quartered, and the leaders housed.

3. Discover any significant defensive measures: traps, areas readied specifically for defense, and other dangers the attacking force must avoid or overcome.

4. Discover how advanced the sahuagin preparations are and when they might mount their first attack.

Approach by Sea

If the characters want to travel by sea, the council provides them with a modified keelboat with two pairs of oars, two rowboats, and a step-down mast, large enough to accommodate the characters and any reasonable amount of equipment. Navigation and propulsion of the craft is handled by two members of the town guard (guards), who pilot the boat but do not disembark when the characters reach their destination. (If the characters experienced Danger at Dunwater, this boat is of the same sort as the one they used in that adventure.)

Upon arriving near the stronghold, the characters must decide where to disembark and how best to approach the fortress itself. If the lizardfolk are present, they recommend a daylight landing at the river mouth. In any event, the keelboat will not come ashore or drop anchor anywhere near the island. The characters are expected to use the rowboats to get to shore while the keelboat sails well out of view of the fortress for the duration of the party's mission. At a predetermined signal or after some period of time, the keelboat will return to see if the characters are ready to be collected.

Sahuagin Stronghold

The fortress and former home to the lizardfolk is a rocky island located at the mouth of the Javan River. When the lizardfolk laired there, the island was almost entirely above sea level. Thadrah, the sahuagin high priestess of Sekolah, worked ritual magic that sank the island by lowering the seabed.

The cave entrance that once provided the lizardfolk access to the lowest level of the island caves has been submerged in 80 feet of water. The stone causeway that previously led from the shore to the cave entrance now leads to a new set of stone doors built by the sahuagin.

The fortress depicted in this adventure is not a typical sahuagin settlement. This is a singular situation—an experimental, fortified base in coastal waters from which sahuagin forces can exert an iron hand of domination over all races inhabiting the adjacent waters and coastal region. If this experiment proves successful, the sahuagin plan to construct more bases of this sort until their control over all waters and coasts is complete, and maritime commerce is at their mercy.

The sahuagin have renovated the fortress to conform with their plans. The two lower levels of the fortress have been completed, with work on the uppermost level still in process. A further lowering of the seabed and a final internal reorganization will complete the preparations. Twenty or thirty days after the adventure takes place, the sahuagin plan to mount their first offensive—and Saltmarsh is indeed their target.

If the characters enter the fortress through area 1 (and if they deal with the guards in areas 1 and 2 without drawing attention), they find most of the upper level empty and bare. Construction is still going on in area 19, and the noise of that work echoes through some of the level. Anywhere between area 19 and the points marked with a † symbol in the corridors on the map, the characters can hear faint chinking, banging, and tapping noises if they stop to listen, and these noises become progressively louder as the listeners approach area 19.

The other two levels of the fortress are underwater. To achieve their objectives, the adventurers must use magical means to navigate these areas.

General Features

The work carried out by the sahuagin and their slaves on the fortress interior shows expert craftsmanship. The rock is clean and dressed; all surfaces are smooth, all corners are near-perfect right angles, and all floors are level (except in the cave portion of cave 60, which has been left natural, and parts of area 19). The uppermost dry level has an eerie, clinical air.

Malevolent Dwellers of the Deep

The sahuagin are cruel and vicious in equal measure. Although they are humanoid in form, they have a mindset closer to that of predatory sharks than the outlook of humans or other land dwellers.

Like sharks, sahuagin are at their most aggressive when their prey spills blood in the water. Their Blood Frenzy trait represents this increased ferocity. Though it can prove a significant edge in a fight, it also saddles them with a critical tactical challenge. Sahuagin affected by Blood Frenzy are at best reluctant to disengage from combat. Rather than withdraw in the face of defeat and find reinforcements, they might instead press the attack.

As an optional rule to reflect this ferocity, a sahuagin that comes within 30 feet of a hostile creature that doesn't have all its hit points must use an action to make a DC 13 Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, the sahuagin's Blood Frenzy takes over as normal, and the creature either stands its ground or advances to attack in melee. On a successful save, the sahuagin retreats or escapes if possible, temporarily fighting off the influence of the trait. If the sahuagin's move takes it farther than 30 feet from all hostile creatures, the situation resets, and another saving throw is called for whenever it again comes within 30 feet of an injured enemy.

Decorative Tiles

The walls and floors of rooms occupied by sahuagin of higher rank are tiled in various colors (see the individual room descriptions). The tiles are made from polished stone and colored with plant dyes and octopus ink.

Corridors and Rooms

All corridors are 10 feet wide and 15 feet high. All the rooms are 20 feet high except for areas 37, 41, and 42 (30 feet high), area 53 (about 60 feet high), and area 60 (45 feet high in the cave proper, 30 feet high over the area at the top of the steps). All walls separating adjacent areas are 3 feet thick. Unless otherwise noted, construction consists of plain dressed stone.

Doors

All doors are 4-inch-thick double doors made of dressed stone, 5 feet wide and 10 feet tall. Except where otherwise noted, each door has a handle consisting of a horizontal bronze bar set into the stone on each side of the door, about 4 feet above the floor. All doors open into the areas they border on metal casters that move along grooves cut into the stone floor.

Gates and Pillars

All gates consist of bronze construction and are 10 feet wide by 10 feet high, except for the gate in the cave mouth of area 60, which is 20 feet wide by 20 feet high.

All pillars are made of smooth dressed stone, 3 feet in diameter, supporting the roof above. All archways are 10 feet wide and 10 feet high.

Illumination

No permanent light sources exist inside the stronghold, since the sahuagin have no need of them. In areas where slaves work, light is often necessary for their sake. If an area must be illuminated temporarily, the sahuagin fasten torches to the walls that produce light throughout the room. When the adventure begins, area 19 and area 37 are the only places in the fortress not shrouded in darkness.

Furniture and Seaweed Beds

Items of furniture in the fortress are made of smooth, dressed stone unless otherwise specified. Coffers are 3 feet long by 2 feet wide and stand 2 feet high; they are used to store personal possessions.

Many of the area descriptions in levels 2 and 3 contain references to seaweed beds. These beds consist 10-foot-square patches of seaweed, growing from the floor and rising through the water to a height of 7 feet or more. An area occupied by a seaweed bed is heavily obscured.

Remember that the three-dimensional space in which a seaweed bed appears extends from floor to ceiling, and the seaweed occupies only the bottom half of that space. Thus, it's possible for a creature to be in the same space as the seaweed without being inside the seaweed.

Those Who Rule

The following sahuagin rule the fortress, oversee its armed forces, and direct its worship of Sekolah.

Baroness Seklaz

The initial attack against the lizardfolk and the subsequent occupation of the fortress were the baroness's doing. She is a cunning war strategist and has a measure of patience that serves her well. She has an excellent relationship with the high priestess, with whom she shares an unwavering devotion to Sekolah.

Baron Kepmak

The baron (spouse of the baroness) is a young and ambitious sahuagin who has worked to increase his reputation in sahuagin society. He is clever but hasty, and prone to sulking when things do not go his way. The fortress and the forthcoming sahuagin invasion on the coastal area represent his opportunity to make history.

High Priestess Thadrah

Through the high priestess, Sekolah's will is done in the fortress. She is a tested disciple who recently performed the great ritual that lowered the seabed under the fortress. She and her priestesses have summoned an avatar of their god, who swims inside the temple.

Blademaster Makaht

Makaht is a hulking brute responsible for leading the sahuagin army in the impending campaign. He takes orders directly from the baroness and the baron, though he prefers the former over the latter.

Inhabitants

The sahuagin fortress is not full to capacity. A sparse crew of slaves labors on the topmost level, which contains several chambers being prepared for occupation. The submerged levels are home to many sahuagin and several of the armored sharks they use as war beasts. The sahuagin force and the other denizens of the fortress are summarized on the Sahuagin Roster table, which also provides information on how the occupants of various areas might react as the mission unfolds. On this table, sahuagin is abbreviated as "sah."

Patrols in the Fortress

The sahuagin routinely send patrols out on level 2 of the fortress as a security measure. Unless the characters are extremely stealthy and careful, they are bound to encounter a patrol at some point. A guard patrol attacks on sight, unless the characters are disguised or have some other way to make it appear they deserve to be here.

A patrol consists of five sahuagin, one sahuagin coral smasher (see appendix C), and one sahuagin champion (see appendix C) drawn from the roster in x. If that area is depleted of sahuagin, no more patrols are sent out.

For every 10 minutes the characters spend traveling the corridors on level 2, roll a d12. On a 12, the characters come upon a guard patrol.

The Mission Begins

Once the characters are ready to depart, be sure to take a moment to prepare your notes. Since this adventure provides plenty of chances for stealthy infiltration, note the characters' Dexterity (Stealth) check modifiers and their passive Perception scores. When a fight breaks out, check the Sahuagin Roster table to determine if the noise of combat in an area attracts reinforcements.

Arrival at the Island

When the characters' transportation first arrives within sight of the island fortress, read:

The guards who are rowing or sailing the keelboat won't come anywhere within several hundred feet of the island. They prefer to drop off the characters (in their rowboats) on the eastern edge of the area, but if the characters ask, they will sail around the south side of the island—always giving it a wide berth—so the characters can disembark somewhere else along the perimeter.

After the characters take to their boats, they can decide to come ashore on the mainland and approach the fortress on foot, or they might row around the island to look for clues about what lies inside. When the characters come close enough to the island to see details of the exterior or the causeway, read:

Allow the characters to plan and execute their approach, using the following information.

Entrances

The fortress has three entrances, though only one is visible from the surface. The first is a set of double doors at the end of the causeway that leads southward to x. The second is a small cave 80 feet below the double doors that leads to area 61. The third is a wide opening on the south side of the island, 80 feet below the surface, that leads to area 60.

Deeper than 20 feet below the surface, the water is heavily obscured without the aid of a light source.

Rocky Exterior

The island fortress's rocky exterior features many handholds. Characters who want to climb the exterior can do so with no difficulty. Such activity attracts no attention from within, nor does it produce any useful results.

The Causeway

The stone causeway extends for 190 feet from the coast to the ledge of x. It is 10 feet wide and 10 to 15 feet thick, allowing it to safely bear the weight of the characters if they choose to walk on it.

Sahuagin Roster, Level 1

Area	Occupants at Start	Notes
1	6 sahuagin, 2 sahuagin coral smashers,1 sahuagin champion	These guards are alerted by intruders they become aware of. If one of them rings the gong three times, sahuagin in 2 and 12 rush to their aid.
2	2 sahuagin	These guards go to 1 if they hear combat or if the gong is rung three times.
12	5 sahuagin, 2 sahuagin coral smashers,*2 sahuagin priestesses	These sahuagin go to 1 if the gong is rung three times or if they are alerted by a guard from 2.
13	Elmo the slave (commoner)	Elmo is near death and cannot be moved.
19	2 sahuagin, 4 sahuagin coral smashers,1 sahuagin champion, 1 sahuagin priestess, 10 slaves	These sahuagin go to 12 if they hear sounds of combat from that area. The slaves remain here.

Sahuagin Roster, Level 2

Area	Occupants at Start	Notes
23	2 sahuagin champions,* 2 sahuagin priestesses	These sahuagin remain here until encountered.
24	25 sahuagin, 5 sahuagin coral smashers,5 sahuagin champions	Guard patrols are drawn from this area until all the occupants are defeated.
25	3 sahuagin hatchling swarms*	If the swarms emerge, 5 sahuagin and 1 coral smasher come here from 24.
26	2 sahuagin priestesses, 2 sahuagin hatchling swarms*	The swarms emerge if the priestesses are alerted. The priestesses try to flee to 24; if one does so, it returns with 5 sahuagin and 1 coral smasher.
27	1 sahuagin champion,* 12 sahuagin,12 sahuagin coral smashers*	These sahuagin remain here until encountered.
28	1 sahuagin wave shaper*	The wave shaper goes to 27 if alerted by sounds of combat there, arriving on the third round.
29	1 sahuagin champion,* 10 sahuagin, 6 sahuagin coral smashers,* 4 sahuagin deep divers,* 4 shell sharks*	These sahuagin remain here until encountered.
30	1 sahuagin champion*	The champion goes to 29 if alerted by sounds of combat there.
34	1 sahuagin priestess, 4 shell sharks*	These creatures remain here until encountered.
37	Maw of Sekolah,* 3 sahuagin priestesses	These creatures remain here until encountered.
39	10 shell sharks*	These creatures remain here until encountered.
42	Kepmak (sahuagin baron), Thadrah (sahuagin high priestess), 2 sahuagin champions, 1 sahuagin,2 shell sharks*	These creatures remain here until encountered.
45	Seklaz (sahuagin baron), 1 sahuagin,1 sahuagin wave shaper*	If combat occurs, the sahuagin tries to escape. If it does so, it returns with 5 sahuagin and 1 coral smasher in 5 rounds.

Sahuagin Roster, Level 3

Area	Occupants at Start	Notes
48	1 sahuagin champion,* 4 sahuagin coral smashers,1 sahuagin wave shaper, 2 sahuagin deep divers*	The wave shaper escapes to level 2 if possible. If it does so, it returns with a patrol in 3d6 + 6 rounds.
50	3 sahuagin champions,* 1 locathah* (captive)	These sahuagin go to 52 if alerted by sounds of combat there.
50b	Sea lion*	The sea lion attacks if released, unless Kysh the triton is present.
50d	Kysh*	Kysh offers to join the party if he is released.
51	5 shell sharks*	These creatures remain here until encountered.
52	—	If the stone slab is shattered, the sound brings the sahuagin from 50 plus 12 sahuagin and 2 coral smashers from 60, arriving 5 minutes later.
53	Makaht (sahuagin blademaster), 49 sahuagin,5 sahuagin champions	These sahuagin remain here until encountered.
54	20 sahuagin	These sahuagin remain here until encountered.
55	2 sahuagin champions*	These sahuagin go to 54 if alerted by sounds of combat there.
56	2 sahuagin wave shapers,* 6 sahuagin, 2 shell sharks*	These creatures remain here until encountered.
57	1 sahuagin wave shaper*	The wave shaper goes to 56 if alerted by sounds of combat there.
58	2 sahuagin champions,* 6 sahuagin	These sahuagin go to 54 if alerted by sounds there, arriving in 3 rounds.
59	1 sahuagin champion,* 1 sahuagin	These sahuagin remain here until encountered.
60	45 sahuagin, 10 sahuagin coral smashers,* 7 sahuagin champions,* 4 sahuagin deep divers,* 2 sahuagin wave shapers,* 6 shell sharks*	Twelve sahuagin and 2 coral smashers go to 52 if the stone slab there is shattered. Otherwise these creatures remain here until encountered.

*See appendix C

Fortress Level 1

The following locations are identified on map 6.1. Modify the read-aloud text as necessary to account for the movement of the sahuagin around the fortress.

1. North Entrance and Guard Post

During the day, the doors are barred on the inside. At night, the doors are unbarred, since sahuagin use the doors to access the causeway and enter the marsh. The sahuagin guards in area 1 are overconfident; they don't keep a close eye on the causeway.

As long as the characters approach the doors quietly, they do not alert the guards beyond. Tampering with the doors will alert the guards, who demand (in Sahuagin) to know who is trying to enter.

The guards can be tricked into opening the doors, but since sahuagin intelligence is high, this will not be an easy task. A character who can communicate with the sahuagin, and who makes a successful DC 18 Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) check, convinces the guards to open the doors for the party.

The doors are not magically locked and can be opened with appropriate spells or enough brawn. The doors (AC 16, 45 hit points, damage threshold 12) can be forced open by a character who makes a successful DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check.

Once the characters are inside, read the following:

Six sahuagin, two sahuagin coral smashers (see appendix C), and one sahuagin champion (see appendix C) guard the entrance. If the door is forced open, one of the sahuagin immediately moves toward the west wall to ring the gong, while the remaining guards defend the entrance. If this creature is slain or otherwise prevented from ringing the gong, no other defender takes its place.

A sahuagin can use its action to ring the gong. If the gong is rung three times, the sahuagin in areas 2 and 12 recognize the alert signal and rush to the scene as quickly as possible. The gong cannot be heard on any other level of the fortress.

Guarded Gate

Two sahuagin stationed in area 2 are not initially visible to the characters. They are responsible for keeping guard over the gate that separates the entrance from the rest of the lair.

The gate is normally closed and down. It is raised and lowered by means of a chain and pulley mechanism fastened on the north wall inside area 2, on the east side of the gate. Under normal circumstances, it takes 3 rounds to raise or lower the gate, but an emergency device allows the raised gate to be dropped in a split second with a muffled clang (not audible in any of the occupied areas on this level other than area 1).

The gate (AC 18, 50 hit points, damage threshold 14) can be forced open by a character who makes a successful DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check.

Net Trap

A large net trap is installed in the ceiling of the corridor leading from area 1 to the gate that blocks entry into area 2. The net falls when a creature in area 2 releases the rope that holds it in place. The net can easily be spotted by anyone who looks toward the ceiling.

When a creature releases the net, a 10-foot-square net falls from the ceiling, covering the area in front of the gate in area 1. Each creature standing under the net as it falls must make a successful DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained. A creature must make a successful DC 14 Strength check to free itself or another creature from the net. If the net takes 30 slashing damage, it is destroyed and all creatures restrained by it are freed.

2. Guard Post

Two sahuagin stand guard in this room. They attack intruders attempting to enter the fortress.

The pulley mechanism is described in area 1.

Development

If the gong in area 1 has not been rung and the fight at the entrance is going badly for the defenders, one of the sahuagin tries to flee to area 12 to summon reinforcements. It returns with the guards posted in area 12 (five sahuagin, two sahuagin coral smashers [see appendix C], and two sahuagin priestesses) in 10 rounds.

3. Unfinished Champion's Quarters

Like most of the rooms on this level, this one has been allocated to an eventual occupant (in this case, a champion currently quartered in x). It will not be ready for occupation until this level has been flooded.

The miner's pick is one of the construction workers' tools. The open coffer is empty.

4. Champion's Quarters

Like most of the rooms on this level, this one has already been allocated to an eventual occupant (in this case, another champion currently quartered in x).

The sledgehammer is one of the construction workers' tools.

5. Unfinished Barracks

This barracks area will eventually, when the level is flooded, house the sixty warriors currently quartered in x. The sixty coffers, if the characters care to examine them, are all empty.

The tools are well used and have no value.

6. Champions' Quarters

This room has been allocated to two champions currently quartered in area 60. The coffers are empty.

7. Unfinished Champions' Quarters

This room has been allocated to two champions currently quartered in x. The lids were dropped by slaves during construction and have not been cleared away or replaced.

8. Makeshift Storeroom

The slaves are using this room to store tools and the unwanted stone from their work.

9. Armory

This room is used to store weapons for the sahuagin troops currently in x. The armory contains the following items:

Sixty spears
Thirty tridents
Ten glaives
Twenty warhammers

The coffers are not locked. They contain seventy-five daggers with scabbards.

10. Disorganized Storeroom

This room contains unsorted supplies for the construction of the upper level. None of it has any value except to the slaves.

11. Tidy Storeroom

This room holds additional supplies for the improvement of the fortress.

12. Guard Post

Unless they were called to help in x and 316, five sahuagin, two sahuagin coral smashers (see appendix C), and two sahuagin priestesses occupy this room.

From this chamber, the characters can hear faint hammering sounds arising from the southeast, unless work has been stopped and the slaves working in x have been confined there.

Development

The sahuagin in area 19 hear sounds of battle that come from this area, investigating within 5 minutes (see x for more information).

Metal Gate

A bronze gate is currently closed (down). It can be raised and lowered by a pulley mechanism fastened to the east wall. Under normal circumstances, it takes 3 rounds to raise or lower the gate, but an emergency device can drop the raised gate in a split second (not audible in any of the occupied areas on this level).

The gate (AC 18, 50 hit points, damage threshold 14) can be forced open by a character who makes a successful DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check.

13. Slave Pen

If the characters look into this room from the other side of the gate, read:

If they pass through the gate, continue with:

The slaves that have been toiling to enlarge and alter the fortress for their sahuagin captors spend their few hours of rest in here. At one time, forty slaves served in the stronghold, as attested to by the forty pairs of chains equally spaced along the wall. As the construction work nears its end, the sahuagin have disposed of all but a few workers. Most of the slaves were sacrificed in the summoning ritual performed by high priestess Thadrah.

Food for the slaves, in the form of a light brown, watery gruel, is poured into the trough from time to time, though the slaves are not given utensils of any sort and must do their best with their hands.

The trough stops 10 feet from the northern wall. In the northeast corner of the room, the sahuagin have installed very rudimentary sanitary facilities which, however crude, are kept surprisingly clean.

One human slave (commoner) named Elmo lies dying in the northwest corner of this room. Elmo is too weak to call out to the characters, though he can speak with them if they approach.

Elmo the Emaciated

Elmo is the sole survivor of a party of adventurers that penetrated the lair weeks ago. In a weak and raspy voice, he tells his story. Relate the following details:

He is a wizard and the leader of a party of adventurers from the Hold of the Sea Princes, sent by the Prince of Monmurg to investigate the strange goings-on in the former lizardfolk lair.
He and his companions were equipped to explore underwater but never got that far. As soon as they gained entry (at area 1), they were immediately attacked by large numbers of sahuagin.
All his comrades were killed in the battle that followed. He was taken prisoner. Since then, he has worked as a slave, laboring on the building efforts.
He and his companions had several magic items to aid them with underwater exploration, but these items were confiscated by the sahuagin (see x). He does not believe the sahuagin know of their magical properties.
He recently witnessed the performance of a terrible ritual in which many slaves were sacrificed.

Close to death, Elmo can no longer work or even walk. The sahuagin have not even bothered to kill him for food, considering his sparse frame not worth the effort.

Elmo's mind is too damaged to recall any useful information about the layout of the lower levels. He does remember a tremendous earthquake occurring some time ago. (The earthquake was caused by the high priestess's ritual, though Elmo does not know this.)

Elmo's Secret

If the word "secret" is used in conversation, it triggers a memory and Elmo relates that he helped build a secret door (leading to x). He remembers that concealing the door required great skill. He describes where the room is and how to access it.

Healing Elmo

Elmo's body and spirit have suffered terribly. Spells, potions, and medicine ease his pain but do little to reverse his body's deterioration.

Elmo's Death

Elmo dies as the conversation concludes. Just before he passes, he recalls the summoning of the avatar of Sekolah in the temple below.

Elmo's mind is as clouded in death as it was in life, and any attempts to communicate with him magically reveal nothing new.

14. Unfinished Guest Room

This room and its completed twin (area 15) will serve as guest quarters for sahuagin notables once this level is complete and flooded.

The coffers are empty.

15. Guest Room

This room and its incomplete twin (area 14) will serve as guest quarters for sahuagin notables once this level is complete and flooded.

The coffers are empty.

16. Larder

Unless work has been stopped and the slaves that were working in x have been confined in that area, the characters hear hammering coming from the east.

By instinct or observation, the sahuagin have selected the coldest part of level 1 in which to construct their larder. The natural temperature here allows dead creatures to be stored for extended periods of time without risk of significant decomposition.

Carcasses

The carcasses include a normal octopus, two giant eels, a male dwarf, a male human, and eight lizardfolk. All are fresh or reasonably well preserved. The dwarf and the human were part of Elmo's adventuring party; their bodies have been stripped of gear.

A character who makes a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Medicine) check while examining the adventurers' bodies deduces that the organs of the pair were carefully removed. A further successful DC 14 Intelligence (History) or Intelligence (Arcana) check reveals that sahuagin rituals often involve the use of freshly harvested organs.

If the adventurers' corpses are targeted by speak with dead or similar magic, they answer the caster's questions truthfully. They know nothing of the lower levels of the fortress but are aware the place has recently been sunk.

Bones

The bones in the corner belong to the final two members of Elmo's party. A character who succeeds on a DC 14 Wisdom (Medicine) check discerns that the remains are those of a female human and a male half-elf.

17. Large Storeroom

A character who makes a successful DC 16 Wisdom (Perception) check finds the secret door to room 18. The door is protected by a glyph of warding spell.

The glyph can be spotted by a character who makes a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check while studying the door. The glyph triggers if the door is opened before the glyph is dispelled. If that happens, all creatures within 20 feet of the door must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (5d8) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

18. Secret Room

The sahuagin are uncertain of the magical items' properties and stored them in a secret place on the dry level for fear that immersion in saltwater will ruin them.

The sahuagin have removed for storage or use elsewhere all the nonmagical gear found on Elmo's and his companions' bodies.

Coffer

The locked coffer can be opened by a character who makes a successful DC 14 Dexterity check using thieves' tools. It is also trapped with a thrusting blade trap. Noticing the trap requires a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check. A successful DC 15 Dexterity check is required to disarm the trap. Opening the coffer without disarming the trap, or failing to disarm it, triggers the trap. Once triggered, a short blade thrusts from the coffer, stabbing any creature next to the coffer's lock. The creature must make a successful DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 9 (2d8) piercing damage.

Treasure

The leather cloak hanging here is a cloak of the manta ray. The armor is a suit of mithral armor (plate) and a suit of normal chain mail. The three shields, all usable, bear the insignia of Prince Monmurg—a spire rising against a blue ocean sky.

The coffer contains twelve potions of water breathing.

19. Hall

If the sahuagin in this area have been alerted to the presence of intruders, this area is vacant. Read:

If the sahuagin in this area have not been alerted when the party enters, continue with:

This area of the fortress remains to be finished to the satisfaction of the sahuagin before the level is flooded.

There are ten slaves in this area: four orcs, four hobgoblins, and two lizardfolk. See the "x" sidebar for more information.

Four sahuagin coral smashers (see appendix C), one sahuagin champion (see appendix C), one sahuagin priestess, and two sahuagin oversee the work of the slaves. The sahuagin attack any intruders on sight.

Development

If the sahuagin here are alerted by the sounds of combat in area 12, they gather the slaves and chain them to the pillars in this room before proceeding, which delays their arrival accordingly—it takes 5 minutes for them to get to the scene.

Stairs

The stairs descend into area 20. Water from the flooded levels laps at the second step from the top of the stairs. Descending the stairs submerges the party in cold (but not frigid) seawater.

Treasure

The sahuagin champion wears a pair of gold and silver armbands (25 gp each). Intricate designs depicting shark teeth encircle the armbands.

Fortress Level 2

This level is entirely submerged in cold (but not frigid) seawater. The characters must make appropriate preparations before descending the stairs into area 20.

The following locations are identified on map 6.2.

20. Large Hall

This area is empty, quiet, and peaceful.

21. Blademaster's Quarters

Blademaster Makaht resides here. At present he can be found in x, watching the so-called sport in the arena during his short recreation period.

Coffer

The locked coffer can be opened by a character who makes a successful DC 14 Dexterity check using thieves' tools. Makaht keeps the key on his person.

The coffer contains the following treasure:

Six leather harnesses with gold buckles (10 gp each)
A leather bag containing two cut rubies (100 gp each)
A small silver mirror (25 gp)

22. Champion's Quarters

The occupant of this room is presently in the throne room (area 42).

Coffer

The locked coffer can be opened by a character who makes a successful DC 14 Dexterity check using thieves' tools. The key to the coffer is held by one of the sahuagin champions in area 42.

The coffer contains:

Six leather harnesses with silver buckles (5 gp each)
A small gold locket on a fine chain (50 gp); if the locket is opened, it is seen to contain a miniature portrait of a human girl and a lock of blonde hair, which floats away into the surrounding water
A leather bag containing 25 gp

23. Champions' Quarters

The sahuagin are socializing and celebrating the forthcoming completion of the fortress.

Two sahuagin champions (see appendix C) and two sahuagin priestesses occupy this room. Their revelry grants them disadvantage on Perception checks to detect the characters as they approach the chamber.

Coffer

The locked coffer can be opened by a character who makes a successful DC 14 Dexterity check using thieves' tools. The key to the coffer is held by one of the sahuagin champions in this room.

The following treasure lie within the coffer:

A small leather pouch that holds a fine set of thieves' tools with ivory handles (200 gp)
340 sp scattered loosely inside the container
A silver goblet (50 gp) with the insignia of Prince Monmurg—a spire rising against a blue ocean sky—pressed into the bottom (see the "Insignia of Prince Monmurg" sidebar); stylized lightning bolts are engraved on the sides, and the words "Jupiter," "Maximus," and "Optimus" are written underneath the bolts

24. Living Quarters

Although the sahuagin are not anticipating invaders, if the characters enter the room without taking steps to conceal themselves, the residents pick up their weapons and attack.

Twenty-five sahuagin, five sahuagin coral smashers, and three sahuagin champions (see appendix C) occupy this large common living quarters. Their weapons are close at hand.

Treasure

The coffers are all unlocked. A thorough search of the coffers reveals the following items:

A total of 500 gp
Twenty large pearls (10 gp each)
Forty harnesses with silver buckles (10 gp each)

25. Hatchery

The characters might be able to enter this area undetected by the occupants of area 24. If they do so, read:

The eggs are unhatched sahuagin. Disturbing the eggs in any way, including coming within 3 feet of them, causes dozens of them to break open. Three sahuagin hatchling swarms (see appendix C) form and rush to attack warm-blooded characters. The sound of their offspring being threatened attracts the sahuagin in area 24, if they have not already been defeated.

26. Hatchery

The characters might be able to enter this area undetected by the occupants of x. If they do so, read:

Two sahuagin priestesses are conducting rites to Sekolah over the unhatched eggs. If the priestesses notice the party, they immediately awaken two sahuagin hatchling swarms (see appendix C) from the eggs around them. The swarms attack the characters, while the priestesses try to flee, returning promptly with any surviving sahuagin from x.

27. Barracks

A sahuagin champion (see appendix C) prepares a squad of twelve sahuagin and twelve sahuagin coral smashers (see appendix C) for patrol and guard duty. The sahuagin are armed and about to move out to relieve guards currently on active duty. They move to slay intruders the moment they notice them.

Development

The sahuagin wave shaper (see appendix C) in area 28 joins the battle in this area on the third round of combat.

Treasure

The unlocked coffers contain a total of 300 gp and twenty leather harnesses with silver buckles (10 gp each).

28. Wave Shaper's Quarters

A single sahuagin wave shaper (see appendix C) sits at the table, counting small stacks of gold coins.

Treasure

There are 276 gp stacked on the table and on adjacent unoccupied benches. The coffers contain another 400 gp in loose piles (200 gp each). The wave shaper wears a silver bracelet set with turquoise beads (100 gp).

29. Barracks

A sahuagin champion prepares a squad of six sahuagin, six sahuagin coral smashers, four sahuagin deep divers, and four shell sharks for patrol and guard duty (see appendix C for all but the sahuagin). The sahuagin are armed and about to move out to relieve guards currently on duty. They treat intruders as hostile.

Four sahuagin that are not part of the patrol are gambling on two lobsters fighting in a small net arena.

Development

The sahuagin champion (see appendix C) in area 30 joins the battle, arriving on the third round of combat.

Treasure

The unlocked coffers contain a total of 300 gp and twenty leather harnesses with silver buckles (10 gp each). Each of the battling lobsters is adorned with a silver and pearl band (25 gp).

30. Champion's Quarters

A single sahuagin champion (see appendix C) lies in a seaweed bed. It recently lost a large sum of gold to the sahuagin wave shaper in area 28.

Treasure

The coffers, which are unlocked, contain a total of 12 gp.

31. Priestess's Quarters

The occupant of this room is currently in the temple assisting with the ceremony.

Treasure

The unlocked coffers contain 70 gp and an ivory-handled dagger in a plain scabbard (20 gp). The silver bowl and cup are worth 5 gp each.

32. Priestess's Quarters

The occupant of this room is currently in the temple assisting with the ceremony.

Treasure

The unlocked coffers contain 40 gp and a silver hand mirror (15 gp).

33. Priestess's Quarters

The occupant of this room is currently in the temple assisting with the ceremony. The statuette is a Sekolahian worshiping statuette (see appendix B).

Treasure

The unlocked coffer contains 40 gp and a silver hand mirror (15 gp).

34. Priestess's Quarters

A sahuagin priestess is tending to the armored plates of four shell sharks (see appendix C) in this room. She is startled to discover intruders have made it this far. She and the sharks attack all intruders.

Treasure

The unlocked coffer contains 113 gp and six humanoid skulls with uncut chunks of turquoise forced into the eye sockets. These twelve pieces of turquoise are worth 10 gp each.

35. Prayer Room

The priestesses use this area to pray to Sekolah. It is currently unoccupied.

A character who searches the altar and makes a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check discovers a hidden compartment under the stone base of the shark jaws. The compartment contains twelve portions of rapture weed that the priestesses use in rituals (see the "Rapture Weed" sidebar).

36. High Priestess's Quarters

This is the chamber of high priestess Thadrah. She is currently in x with the baron.

A character who searches the seaweed bed discovers a hidden, unlocked coffer.

Trapped Table

A character who examines the table and makes a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check discovers a secret compartment in its underside. The compartment is locked and can be opened by a character who makes a successful DC 14 Dexterity check using thieves' tools. The compartment is trapped with a thrusting blade trap. Noticing the trap requires a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check. A successful DC 15 Dexterity check is required to disarm the trap. Opening the coffer without disarming the trap, or failing to disarm it, triggers the trap.

When the trap is triggered, a short blade thrusts from the coffer, stabbing any creature next to the coffer's lock. The creature must make a successful DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 9 (2d8) piercing damage.

Treasure

The hidden compartment contains four portions of rapture weed and a gold flask filled with three doses of a restorative draught (potions of healing).

The coffer contains the following items:

A leather harness with platinum buckles (50 gp)
A canvas bag filled with 50 pp
A gold bracelet set with pearls (200 gp)

37. Temple

If the characters look into the chamber without interrupting the ritual taking place, read:

Noise of combat in this area does not attract attention from any other occupied area. Even if a sahuagin patrol passes near the temple during combat inside, it is not at all surprised to hear such noises. The priestesses are a strange bunch, in the average warrior's opinion, and conduct some very noisy ceremonies in their temple—this must just be another one. It is a different matter, of course, if a patrol sees combat occurring.

Three sahuagin priestesses are performing the ritual at the altar. Each sack contains ten sahuagin hatchlings that are no threat and are automatically slain if attacked. The Maw of Sekolah (see appendix C) swims menacingly overhead. The priestesses have disadvantage on any Perception checks to detect the characters. While the ritual is being maintained, the Maw of Sekolah does not attack the characters, even if it becomes aware of them. Interrupting the ritual, however, has dire consequences for everyone in the temple.

Glowing Symbols

The wall designs glow with dim illumination because of an application of luminescent algae salvaged from the ocean bottom. They are not magical.

Interrupting the Ritual

The ritual serves to placate and feed the Maw of Sekolah. It must be performed for another hour before it is considered complete. Every 10 minutes, one of the priestesses sacrifices a sahuagin hatchling, whose blood rises and feeds the avatar.

The priestesses stop chanting only if they are attacked. They know the ritual must be maintained, or their lives are forfeit.

If the characters cause any of the three priestesses to stop chanting, the Maw of Sekolah descends and devours two of the priestesses immediately before attacking the party. The remaining priestess fights alongside the shark.

Note: The Maw of Sekolah and a single sahuagin priestess make for a hard fight for a party of four 7th-level characters. For each additional character in the party, allow one more priestess to survive to maintain the same degree of difficulty.

Dark Words in the Deep

Non-sahuagin humanoid creatures who can hear the chanting of the priestesses must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature is frightened for 1d4 rounds.

Treasure

The two pearl-and-gold bands on the Maw of Sekolah are worth 125 gp each. One of the priestesses carries the key to the coffer in area 38.

38. Vestry

This room is used to store the religious objects and regalia of the priestesses. The coffer is twice as large as others found throughout the fortress and features the same shark-eye carvings as the altar in area 37 (though these are not magical). The key to the coffer is found on one of the priestesses in area 37.

Coffer

The coffer is locked and can be opened by a character who makes a successful DC 17 Dexterity check using thieves' tools. It is also trapped with a thrusting blade trap. Noticing the trap requires a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check. A successful DC 15 Dexterity check is required to disarm the trap. Opening the coffer without disarming the trap, or failing to disarm it, triggers the trap.

The coffer contains fourteen precious items worn by the sahuagin priestesses during their most important and holy festivals:

Six silver masks, all in the shape of a shark's head (50 gp each)
Four golden gongs, each with a gold striker (75 gp for each set)
Four gold necklaces set with coral beads (175 gp each)

39. Occupied Shark Pen

This is one of two large shark pens on the second level of the fortress. Because of the ubiquitous seaweed, the number of animals housed here is difficult to discern.

Ten shell sharks (see appendix C) swim through the water in this room. They are always hungry, and they attack creatures that enter the room other than sahuagin.

In the far west corner of the room, hidden behind some seaweed, a stack of armor plates made from shell and coral rests against the wall. One side of each plate has barbs used to affix it to an animal.

40. Nearly Empty Shark Pen

This is one of two large shark pens built on the second level of the fortress. The sharks housed here are out on patrol, away from the stronghold, with their sahuagin masters.

A seemingly ordinary lobster scuttles along the floor. This is Shern, an unassuming but most remarkable lobster (see the "Shern: Lobster, Telepath, Friend" sidebar). The lobster has no effective attacks and is killed automatically by any attack.

Shern: Lobster, Telepath, Friend

Until it escaped, Shern was used by the sahuagin in their makeshift lobster fighting arenas. It managed to escape its fate as a gladiator, in part due to its strangely high level of intelligence.

The lobster has limited telepathy, though it cannot explain how it came to have this ability. It can communicate with any other living creature within 10 feet. The lobster has named itself Shern, and it desperately wants to escape the fortress.

If Shern becomes aware of the characters, it attempts to communicate with one of them despite not being able to convey language. It knows the following information, which it communicates through feelings and projected images:

A terrible monster lives in the temple.
Two four-armed sahuagin rule this fortress.
The bulk of the sahuagin forces are on the fortress's lowest level.
If the party frees Shern by returning it to the ocean, it can lead the characters to a sunken treasure (of your design) a few miles south of the fortress.

Shern knows the layout of the two lowest levels of the fortress, including areas where large number of sahuagin gather. The lobster accompanies the characters if it senses they will help it escape. Shern hopes to hide in a backpack, a cloak pocket, or a hood while the characters explore the rest of the fortress.

41. Banquet Hall

This is the sahuagin banquet hall. Since sahuagin prefer to eat informally when individuals feel hunger, this hall is used only for important functions, such as to celebrate a great victory or entertain visiting nobles. The ceiling is 30 feet high.

The tables and benches can accommodate two hundred sahuagin with space to spare, but at present the area is empty.

The stone head in the semicircular niche in the center of the south wall is not clearly visible to characters standing under the western or eastern arch. As soon as a character moves to a position from which they can be observed, read the following:

When the lizardfolk lived here, one of their proudest possessions was a 10-foot-high statue of Semuanya, their deity. When the sahuagin took over the fortress, they destroyed the statue, breaking it into stone fragments and leaving only the head, before the baron intervened. Instead of allowing them to destroy the head, the baron decided to keep it as a memento of his triumph—not only over the lizardfolk, but over their very way of life. He had his warriors remove it to the banquet hall and place it so that it faced him as he sat on his throne. It is an object of scorn and derision among the sahuagin—rarely does a sahuagin pass it without making a malicious, usually obscene, gesture.

Development

From this room, the characters can hear fragments of the discussion taking place in the throne room (area 42). Conversely, the baron and those with him in area 42 can hear any noisy activity in the banquet hall.

42. Throne Room

Assuming the occupants have not left, read:

The sahuagin speaking to the baron is complaining about offensive remarks made by another sahuagin. The sahuagin wants the baron to punish the offender. The baron is growing impatient with the pettiness and is close to feeding all involved parties to the Maw of Sekolah in area 37.

Baron Kepmak (sahuagin baron) sits on his throne, while high priestess Thadrah (sahuagin high priestess; see appendix C) stands at his side. The complainant is a sahuagin, while the two floating at attention are sahuagin champions (see appendix C). Two shell sharks (see appendix C) swim high above the throne; they are the pets of the baron and defend him if he is attacked.

If the characters observe the interaction for 10 minutes, they witness the baron rise and issue an angry judgment before turning to consult with the priestess on other matters. The two sahuagin champions and the sahuagin complainant leave through the main entrance in the south and travel to their respective posts.

Development

Combat in the throne room attracts the attention of a wandering patrol, which arrives in 1d6 + 1 rounds. A direct attack is likely to wipe out a party that tries to kill the entire royal group; the characters' mission was designed as a reconnaissance effort for good reason.

A character who searches around the throne discovers a single gold drop earring worth 30 gp on the floor between the throne and the north wall. The earring belongs to the baroness, who is currently in area 45 accusing a servant of stealing it.

Treasure

The baron wears a platinum armband (200 gp). He also carries the key to the coffer in area 52.

43. Royal Servant's Chambers

From here, the characters can hear an argument taking place in x.

Treasure

The contents of the coffer are partially spilled on the floor, as though they had been rummaged through recently. The coffer contains a sack holding 50 ep. A cheap mirror and several decorative but worthless stones lie on the floor near the coffer.

44. Living Quarters of the Baroness

From here, the sounds of the argument taking place in area 45 are louder.

Treasure

The statuette (500 gp) is made of electrum.

45. Sleeping Quarters of the Baroness

As the party approaches the area, presuming the occupants have not previously left, read:

When the characters can see into the room, read:

Baroness Seklaz (sahuagin baron) looms over her servant (sahuagin), accusing it of stealing one of her earrings. The earring is, in fact, lost behind the throne in area 42, where the baroness dropped it days ago. A single sahuagin wave shaper (see appendix C) waits by the entryway. It was summoned to dispose of the servant and waits for the baroness's command to do so. If the characters enter combat with these three, the sahuagin servant slips away to find a nearby patrol (see "x") and returns with reinforcements in 5 rounds.

Treasure

The baroness wears a platinum armband (500 gp).

The coffer contains the following treasure:

A leather harness with platinum buckles (50 gp)
A gold ring set with coral (50 gp)
A canvas bag containing 125 pp
A pearl-handled dagger (20 gp)

46. Baron's Living Quarters

The object on the table is a silver medallion, about 2 inches in diameter, on a fine silver chain. One side of the medallion carries an engraving of a shark. The other side's engraving depicts a dozen tridents offset in a circle to form the shape of a star; this symbol is the baron's personal seal. The medallion is worth 30 gp and is also the key to the coffer in room 47.

47. Baron's Sleeping Quarters

A character who makes a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check notices the secret door in this room.

Baron's Coffer

The coffer has a keyhole meant to trick would-be thieves. There is no lock behind the keyhole—the actual locking mechanism is a slot hidden under the lid of the coffer. This slot cannot be opened by using thieves' tools. A character who succeeds on a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check notices the slot and realizes that the coffer is trapped. The trap can be disarmed by a character who makes a successful DC 16 Dexterity check using thieves' tools. Also, sliding the medallion found in area 46 into the slot disarms the trap and opens the coffer.

Attempting to pick the keyhole or opening the chest without disarming the trap triggers the trap. If the trap is triggered, a large blade swings out, slicing anyone within 5 feet of the coffer. Creatures caught in the blade's path must make a successful DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 18 (4d8) slashing damage on a failed save or half the damage on a successful one.

The coffer contains the following items:

A leather harness adorned with small rubies and platinum buckles (75 gp)
A canvas bag with 20 pp
An ornately carved stone box containing six portions of rapture weed (see the sidebar)
A silver frame (25 gp) holding a portrait of the baroness painted in oil
A statuette of a shark made from gold (200 gp)

Fortress Level 3

This level is submerged in cold (but not frigid) seawater. The following locations are identified on map 6.3.

48. Barracks

Unless the characters conceal their arrival, they are noticed before they reach the foot of the stairs.

A sahuagin champion is preparing four sahuagin coral smashers for patrol duty (see appendix C for both). A sahuagin wave shaper watches the formation from near the foot of the stairs, and two sahuagin deep divers are nearby (see appendix C for both). The group attacks the characters when they become aware of them.

Development

Once the sahuagin spot the party, the wave shaper tries to flee up the stairs to find help. The characters farthest into the room can prevent its escape if the players state their intentions quickly enough. Exercise care, for even if the two upper levels have been completely cleared of sahuagin, there are enough sahuagin in various parts of this level to devastate the party.

If the wave shaper gets away, it returns to join the fight along with a guard patrol (see "x"). These forces arrive in this area 3d6 + 6 rounds after the wave shaper makes its escape.

Treasure

There are thirty-six coffers in this room. A long search of all the coffers turns up a total of 390 ep, three dozen leather harnesses with simple copper buckles (1 gp each), and an anemone stuck in a glass bottle.

49. Champions' Armory

This armory contains the following equipment:

Six ornately carved spears
Six tridents, each with a pearl (10 gp) set into the grip end
Eight warhammers with a shark motif carved into the head

On the floor at the end of one of the racks is a small metal cage divided into two chambers. One chamber contains a gold-colored fighting-fish. In the second chamber, a bright silver fighting-fish bobs leisurely. The fish swim away if released.

50. Torture Chamber and Dungeon

The characters hear muted noise at the crossroads of areas 50 and 53. From the south come the sounds of spectators in the arena urging the combatants as they fight. From the north they hear an occasional scream from the locathah undergoing torture and the raucous noise of the torturers enjoying their pastime.

Three sahuagin champions are torturing a locathah here (see appendix C for both). If the sahuagin become aware of the party, they abandon their work and attack.

Victim

The locathah on the rack is named Borgas. He can speak Common as well as Aquan. He has no possessions. He is very grateful to the characters if they rescue him and eager to accompany them for the rest of the adventure (after which he returns to his tribe).

He and his giant eel were captured by sahuagin while on a hunting trip. He knows little of the fortress but can describe x and 3df, as well as the corridors leading from those areas to the torture chamber.

Borgas is particularly concerned about the fate of his giant eel companion, which he saw forced into cell 50c by the sahuagin. He asks the characters to help him in going to the eel's aid without delay.

Cell Doors

Each cell door can be opened easily by lifting the bronze bar off its brackets. Borgas had been kept in cell 50e since his capture.

50a. Empty Cell

This cell is unoccupied.

50b. Sea Lion Cell

A sea lion (see appendix C) was captured by the sahuagin along with its triton master (see cell 50d) and is now being caged until a suitable opponent can be found to pit against it in the arena. If the triton is not with the characters when this door is opened, the sea lion attacks with extreme ferocity. If the triton is with the characters, he can calm and control the sea lion.

50c. Decay-Filled Cell

The characters experience some difficulty in opening this door, even with the bar removed. This is because the giant eel (Borgas's companion) died in the confined space, and its body partially blocks the door. Continued pressure and a successful DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check eventually opens the door sufficiently for a character or Borgas to squeeze inside.

Dead Eel

The cell is only 20 feet square, like the others, and a giant eel more than 20 feet long could not be expected to survive long in such confinement. In fact, the eel hastened its own death by vainly battering at the walls and door. Now it hangs, bloated and distended, in the water and occupies most of the available space.

Corridor

When the sahuagin first took over the fortress, this area was much smaller, though a passage led north to the second entrance to the fortress on this level.

The sahuagin decided they no longer needed this entrance, so they blocked off the passage by leaning a stone slab up against the north wall of this cell.

The thrashings of the giant eel in its death throes have partially dislodged this slab, so if a character enters the room, a small opening is discovered in the north wall. Now that the slab has been moved, it is easy to open the passage up completely. Beyond, the passage and the guard room still exist in their original dimensions, though the entrance is now under 70 feet of water.

Borgas is noticeably upset to discover the death of his companion, and this discovery makes him even more determined to get revenge on the sahuagin.

50d. Triton Cell

The figure is Kysh (see appendix C), who was captured by the sahuagin along with his sea lion companion (see x). He is being held until a suitable opponent can be found for him to fight in the arena. He has been stripped of his possessions.

He is more than willing to go along with the characters on their adventure, then returns to his own tribe after leaving the fortress.

Kysh was unconscious when he was brought into the fortress, so he has no idea of its layout, nor does he know what has happened to his sea lion companion.

50e. Empty Cell

This cell was occupied by Borgas before he was removed to be tortured.

51. Large Armory and Stores

Five shell sharks (see appendix C) swim above the racks in this room. They have not been fed in some time and attack the characters on sight.

Stored Items

If the characters want to count all the items in here, they find the following supplies:

Twenty-three lengths of rope
Fifty hides of various sizes (2 gp each)
Two hundred nails
Fifty hooks and buckles
Forty-eight warhammers
Seventy daggers
Eighty-four spears
Seventy tridents

Secret Door

The secret door in the south wall consists of a slab of stone hinged along its top edge that swings open toward area 52. Noticing the door requires a successful DC 14 Wisdom (Perception) check. A character who examines the two tridents at the south end of the rack along the east wall notices that the tines are blunt, not sharp; these are used to prop up the secret door when it is open.

52. Treasure Chamber

The threshold of the chamber at the south end of the passage is trapped with a glyph of warding spell.

The glyph can be spotted by a character who makes a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check while examining the floor in this area. The glyph is triggered if any creature passes from the corridor into the chamber. If that occurs, each creature within 20 feet of the glyph must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (5d8) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Coffer

The coffer is locked; the key to open it is carried by Baron Kepmak in area 42. It can be opened by a character who makes a successful DC 14 Dexterity check using thieves' tools.

The coffer is also trapped. A character who searches the coffer and makes a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Investigation) check discovers the trap. A character who makes a successful DC 15 Dexterity check using thieves' tools can disarm the trap. The trap is triggered if a character fails to disarm it, or if the coffer is opened without first disarming the trap.

When the trap is triggered, a stone slab springs out of the ceiling in the passage, knocking the secret door closed (and with sufficient force to break the tridents if they are being used to support the secret door). Any creatures standing near the door must make a successful DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 18 (4d8) bludgeoning damage from the door as it closes.

Trapped Inside

The slab is badly damaged, riddled with cracks after crashing into the doorway. The party can spend a few minutes clearing the rubble away to gain access to the exit. Alternatively, a character who makes a successful DC 18 Strength check clears the rubble in a matter of moments.

The sound of the slab being smashed rings through the nearby rooms, drawing the attention of the three sahuagin champions (see appendix C) in area 50, if they are still alive. They arrive 5 minutes later with twelve sahuagin and two sahuagin coral smashers (see appendix C) drawn from area 60.

Treasure

The four canvas sacks hold 500 ep each. The coffer contains the baron's personal treasure:

Two platinum and pearl coronets of sea elf design (700 gp each)
A fine pearl necklace (500 gp)
Two gold wristbands inlaid with diamonds (250 gp each)
A silver ring bearing the signet of the Prince of Monmurg, a spire rising against a blue ocean sky.
200 pp scattered loosely

53. Arena

This area consists of two distinct sections, so the description of what the characters see depends on which section the party enters from.

Central Arena

The arena proper lies somewhat lower than the rest of this level. Double doors at the south end of a downward-sloping passage running south from the crossroads near the torture chamber (area 50) provide access to this section. These doors can be barred from the outside with bronze bars set in brackets, preventing any combatant from escaping in that direction.

The walls of the arena rise 30 feet from the floor to the lower edge of the gallery, which is supported by pillars at each corner. A clear quartz dome, slightly convex, rests on the four edges of the gallery and arches over the arena, so that at its center the dome is about 40 feet above the arena floor.

Gallery

The gallery is tiered on three levels, with 10 feet between levels, so that the uppermost tier is 50 feet above the floor of the combatants' area and the ceiling 10 feet higher than that. Access to the gallery is provided by short passages in the east, south, and west walls. Each tier has a row of stone benches that surround the area, except for flights of steps that provide access to the benches.

On the lowest tier, in the center of its south side, the row of benches is broken by three special seats. The center and western seats, the largest and most ornately decorated, are reserved for the baroness and baron, and the eastern seat, larger and better decorated than an ordinary bench but not so finely as the baroness's and baron's, is for Blademaster Makaht. Any sahuagin of lesser rank caught in these seats immediately goes to the top of the list for the next fight in the arena.

On important occasions, more than two hundred sahuagin fill the arena to watch the sport, but at present fifty-five are here: forty-nine sahuagin, five sahuagin champions, and Blademaster Makaht (sahuagin blademaster, see appendix C), who sits apart from the rest in his special seat. The warriors and lieutenants are scattered around the area. All the sahuagin in the gallery have their usual weapons and equipment.

In the arena proper, two sahuagin are locked in mortal combat, each unarmed and tearing at the other with vicious claws and bone-crushing bites. They are settling a major grievance in the traditional sahuagin manner: a duel to the death, using only nature's weapons. They have no possessions.

Observing the Action

If the characters enter any part of the arena, what they can see depends on their point of entry and the extent of their precautions and concealment. Anyone entering the arena floor draws immediate attention, unless they are invisible or otherwise cloaked from view. If the sahuagin spot intruders, the crowd erupts into chaos. The five champions rush forward to attack, while 1d6 + 4 sahuagin swim down to block the exit. The rest watch the fight with glee, rushing to join the fight if three or more champions are slain or the characters rush past the sahuagin guarding the exit.

An intrusion into the gallery is not as dangerous, since the sahuagin are absorbed by the battle taking place below. A successful DC 10 Dexterity (Stealth) check allows a character to avoid drawing attention so long as they don't attempt to interact with the sahuagin. Otherwise, use the sahuagin's passive Perception as normal to see if activity attracts their attention. If characters are spotted in the gallery, assume that 2d6 + 2 sahuagin and 1d3 sahuagin champions (see appendix C) are within 30 feet and rush to attack. The rest watch and cheer the fight, joining in if more than half the original attackers are slain. If the characters flee, the original attackers pursue them, but the rest return to watching the entertainment.

54. Barracks

There are twenty off-duty sahuagin here. They talk, check their equipment, sharpen their weapons, or simply swim lazily around. Most of their weapons have been laid aside, though within easy reach.

Treasure

The unlocked coffers here are empty. Each sahuagin carries a pouch with 12 sp.

Development

Noise of melee here will certainly be heard at the guard post (area 58), bringing two sahuagin champions (see appendix C) and six sahuagin to this area to investigate 3 rounds later. The two sahuagin champions (see appendix C) in area 55 also hear the combat and arrive on the round after it starts.

55. Champions' Quarters

Two sahuagin champions (see appendix C) talk idly. The other two who bunk here are at the arena (area 53).

Treasure

The unlocked coffers each contain two harnesses with silver buckles (10 gp each) and a canvas bag holding 40 ep. One coffer contains a set of game pieces carved from coral (10 gp).

56. Chamber of the Wave Shapers

Though originally built to house more than twenty sahuagin, this area has recently been reserved for the sahuagin wave shapers. Currently, two sahuagin wave shapers (see appendix C), six sahuagin, and two shell sharks (see appendix C) occupy this area.

Development

Sounds of combat in this area are heard by the sahuagin wave shaper in area 57, who joins the battle immediately.

Treasure

The unlocked coffers are empty. Each sahuagin carries a pouch with 12 sp.

57. Wave Shaper's Quarters

One sahuagin wave shaper (see appendix C) magically assembles and disassembles the salt on the table.

Treasure

One coffer is empty; the other contains a small coral carving of a shark (20 gp) and 75 gp, scattered across the bottom.

58. Guard Post

Two sahuagin champions (see appendix C) and six sahuagin keep watch in this area.

The bronze gate is normally closed (down). It can be raised and lowered by a chain and pulley mechanism on the north wall next to the gate. Under normal circumstances, it takes 3 rounds to raise or lower the gate, but an emergency device allows the gate to be dropped in a split second with a muffled clang (not audible outside this area except for in x).

The gate (AC 18, 50 hit points, damage threshold 14) can be forced open by a character who makes a successful DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check.

Net Trap

Installed in the ceiling of the short corridor leading south from area 58 to area 60 is a large net trap. The net falls when a creature in area 58 releases the rope holding it in place. The net is not hidden.

When a creature releases the net, a 10-foot-by-20-foot net falls from the ceiling. Each creature standing under the net as it falls must make a successful DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained by the net. A creature trying to free itself or another creature from the net must make a successful DC 14 Strength check. If the net takes 30 slashing damage, it is destroyed, and all creatures restrained by it are freed.

59. Abandoned Guard Post

Most of the guards stationed here have slipped away to watch the fight in area 53. A sahuagin champion (see appendix C) and one sahuagin are left behind.

The bronze gate is normally closed (down). It can be raised and lowered by a chain and pulley mechanism fastened onto the east wall. Under normal circumstances, it takes 3 rounds to raise or lower the gate, but there is an emergency device which, if activated when the gate is raised, allows the gate to be dropped in a split second with a muffled clang (outside this area except for in area 60).

The gate (AC 18, 50 hit points, damage threshold 14) can be forced open by a character who makes a successful DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check.

Net Trap

Installed in the ceiling of the short corridor leading south from area 59 to area 60 is a large net trap. The net falls when a creature in area 59 releases the rope holding it in place. The net is not hidden.

60. Temporary Barracks

This area will eventually house the drill hall and assembly area for the fortress, but at present sixty-eight sahuagin are barracked here, awaiting the completion and flooding of their accommodations on level 1.

The occupants include forty-five sahuagin, ten sahuagin coral smashers, seven sahuagin champions, four sahuagin deep divers, and two sahuagin wave shapers (see appendix C for all but the sahuagin). The sahuagin in this area are socializing, performing drills, or resting in the seaweed beds. Six shell sharks (see appendix C) also swim in the cavern, close to the roof of the natural area to the south. Shoals of tiny silver fish dart about here and there, obstructing vision in places.

Gate

The gate barring the cave mouth is an extra-large device, 20 feet wide by 20 feet high. Its mechanism is correspondingly larger than others elsewhere. The bronze gate is normally closed (down), though it can be raised and lowered by one of two chain and pulley mechanisms. One is fastened to the wall on the inside of the cavern, to the east of the cave mouth. The other is outside the cavern, also to the east of the cave mouth. Under normal circumstances, it takes 3 rounds to raise or lower the gate, but an emergency device can drop the gate in a split second with a muffled clang (not audible on this level other than in areas 58 and 59).

The gate (AC 18, 100 hit points, damage threshold 14) can be forced open by a character who makes a successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) check.

Treasure

Each sahuagin has a leather pouch containing 12 sp. Ten canvas sacks contain the personal possessions of the champions: a total of 860 ep, twelve uncut gems of various sorts (10 gp each), and a variety of personal items with no monetary value.

61. Old Guard Room

This room and the nearby passages have not been altered by the sahuagin. They are roughly hewn from the rock and display none of the precision that characterizes sahuagin construction.

Conclusion

If the adventurers achieve their objectives and return safely to Saltmarsh, they receive a hero's welcome. They are granted Saltmarsh citizenship, and a house is set aside for them to use, rent-free, whenever they wish.

If you want to continue the story, proceed with the "x." That information assumes that the characters take on a role in the upcoming invasion of the stronghold and provides guidance on how to play out those events. If you and the group want to move on to other challenges instead, a full-scale assault on the fortress takes place about fourteen days after they return to Saltmarsh. The sahuagin are wiped out and their plans destroyed, thus removing the threat to the town and the races living in the area. The lizardfolk return to their home and, though the Saltmarsh militia suffers losses, the area settles down to its former peaceful ways.

The Assault

Because of the characters' familiarity with the sahuagin fortress and their obvious skill at staying alive, the Saltmarsh council involves them in their battle plans.

The Plan

The allied forces have devised a simple but effective plan. They begin with an attack by Saltmarsh's militia against the entrance (area 1). Once the sahuagin commit troops to the defense of the gate, the aquatic factions of the alliance will attack through the entrances on x. The humans will then keep the sahuagin busy on x while their allies sweep through the lower levels and eventually crush the defenders in a pincer attack.

The Saltmarsh council explains that the characters' role is to serve as a strike force, disrupting the sahuagin defenses and slaying as many foes as possible before the main force engages the enemy. A cunning party should have the chance to take out numerous defenders, open the gate in area 1, and slay sahuagin leaders, possibly without ever raising an alert. It's a daunting task, but the party has their allies' full confidence.

Resources

Before being ferried from to a landing point near the sahuagin fortress, the Saltmarsh council provides the characters with 1 potion of invisibility and 1 potion of gaseous form for each party member. The council makes it clear that these items are on loan to the party and that they expect the return of any unused items.

The Attack

The allied forces are destined for victory, but their degree of success is yet to be determined. Success in the battle is determined by how many victory points the characters accrue during their infiltration. Every time the party defeats a foe or achieves a strategic goal, they gain victory points, as detailed on the following table. Keep a running total of how many victory points the party earns during their incursion. If the group caused particular damage to the sahuagin fortress on their first visit, feel free to grant them a discretionary 5 to 15 victory points based on the scope of the destruction.

Victory Points

Defender	Point Value
Sahuagin	1
Sahuagin champion	3
Sahuagin coral smasher	5
Blademaster Makaht	10
Opening the gate at area 1	15
Baron Kepmak	25
Raising no alert	25

The Defense

By the time the party returns to the fortress, the sahuagin have reinforced their numbers. Every area of level 1 now holds sahuagin defenders preparing for battle, acting as reserves, or otherwise planning the fortress's defense. Areas 1, 5, and 19 have particular encounters associated with them (see "x"). For every other area, consult the following table to determine what sahuagin forces linger there.

The sahuagin throughout the fortress fight to the death, though the last surviving sahuagin of every group will attempt to escape to raise the alert (see "x").

Sahuagin Defenders

Area	Defenders
1–4	2d6 sahuagin
5–11	3d6 sahuagin and 1 sahuagin champion*
12–18	3d6 sahuagin, 2 sahuagin champions, and 1 sahuagin coral smasher

*See appendix C

Timing

The party doesn't have forever to conduct their assault. Saltmarsh and its allies only give the characters a brief period to weaken the sahuagin forces. While you should encourage the party to be hasty, keep the exact time before their allies' attack nebulous. This allows you to have troops from Saltmarsh show up in the party's defense should they get into trouble.

For you, though, the party has 30 rounds.

After the characters enter the fortress, start a tally of how many rounds they've spent inside, encouraging them to act fast before they're discovered. After set periods of time the sahuagin begin to notice that something is not as it should be and raise their alert level (see "x').

At the end of this period, check the party's victory points. If their number of victory points meets or exceeds 75, "x" occurs (see below). The party has unlimited time to face Baron Kepmak, but at the end of this encounter, the characters' allies appear and the assault draws to a close.

On Alert

Prepared for attack, the sahuagin forces readily charge into battle once they know the assault has begun. The fortress rings with the sounds of sahuagin preparing for battle, echoing with clanging weapons and Sahuagin shouting. If the party is wily, they might use the din to their favor and catch their foes unaware.

The general combat readiness of the sahuagin is summarized by whether or not they are on alert. When the party reaches the fortress, the sahuagin are not alert. This can change quickly, though. If any of the following circumstances occur, the alert is raised—the sahuagin know the enemy is among them!

When noted in an encounter area.
A sahuagin flees battle and reaches Blademaster Makaht in area 10 or Baron Kepmak via area 19.
The party makes any sort of noise greater than angry shouting and clashing arms—particularly noisy magical effects like fireball or thunderous smite.

Reinforcements. As soon as the fortress goes on alert, sahuagin reinforcements begin roaming the halls. These reinforcements only appear once the characters have already engaged with an area's defenders. Every 2d4 rounds after combat begins in an area, 3d6 sahuagin and 1 sahuagin champion (see appendix C) arrive. If the PCs manage to defeat all the sahuagin in a room (plus reinforcements) no further defenders appear.

During these encounters, it's possible that the party could be overwhelmed by foes. Consult the "Handling Mobs" section in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master's Guide to help deal with large numbers of enemies.

Concluding the Assault

Ultimately, the assault ends with one of three possibilities. If the PCs retreat, they meet Saltmarsh's human attackers as they launch their offensive. The attack force thanks the characters for their efforts and charges into battle.

If the PCs are defeated, Saltmarsh's forces arrive just in the nick of time. While some troops pull the characters to safety, the remainder overwhelm the remaining sahuagin forces. The characters are ferried back to Saltmarsh, all the while being hailed as heroes willing to sacrifice everything for the cause.

Alternatively, if the characters confront Baron Kepmak, they might decapitate the sahuagin forces, practically ending the offensive before it begins.

In any of these cases, refer to the Triumph or Failure sections afterward.

Assault Encounters

Level 1 of the fortress teems with defenders. While most sahuagin are clustered as described in "The Defense," a few locations prove central to the fortress's security.

1. North Entrance and Guard Post

The sahuagin have tightened their defenses at the north entrance. Expecting an attack, they no longer use the causeway and keep this gate sealed at all times of day. As the gate provides the only access to level 1 of the fortress, the party's first challenge will be getting in.

How the character's infiltrate the fortress is up to them, but might include the following strategies:

The party can sneak in magically by using the potions the Saltmarsh council provided.
The party might try to talk their way in, but the challenge of deceiving the sahuagin guards has increased, requiring a DC 20 Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) check. If the party previously tricked their way into the area this way, they have disadvantage on these checks.
The party might want to try sneaking into the fortress elsewhere, but they'll find even tighter security underwater. The success of whatever clever infiltration methods the party proposes is left to your discretion.

However the party gains access to the fortress, they find the north entrance under heavy guard. A sizable force of ten sahuagin, two sahuagin champions, and two sahuagin coral smashers hold ranks here, prepared to face whatever attack might come. Any conflict here that lasts for more than 5 rounds puts the entire fortress on alert.

The room's other features are the same as detailed earlier in the adventure, though the net trap has been disabled. The gate functions the same, though, which is of especial note as the party's allies would be greatly aided if it were open when they attack.

5. Unfinished Barracks

The sahuagin are using these barracks as a forward command post. Thirty sahuagin, three sahuagin champions, five sahuagin coral smashers, and Blademaster Makaht (sahuagin blademaster, see appendix C), if he survived, are now stationed here.

If the party engages the sahuagin in combat here, the defenders' numbers and central location on the level instantly raise the alert.

Treasure. Amid mundane supplies rests a box made from tightly grown pink coral. Inside is a necklace of adaptation and 4 potions of healing.

19. Hall

The sahuagin mount a desperate defense here, determined to protect their leaders below. An elite force of six sahuagin champions and four sahuagin coral smashers maintain a guard post here.

If the defenders are slain, a shrill battle cry rises from the level below. Regardless of how long the party has spent in the fortress, Baron Kepmak and his honor guard join the fray. Begin the following encounter.

The Baron's Counterattack

Incensed by his forces' slaughter, Baron Kepmak, leader of the sahuagin forces, takes the field. This is your chance to add a dramatic finale to the assault, as the baron leads eight sahuagin champions into battle. The baron roars as he launches into battle, attacking the largest character and cursing them in Sahuagin (calling them ichor-less tide pool dwellers and the like).

If the party wishes to flee, the baron's gargling guffaws follow them down the hall, but he and his retinue do not pursue. The party soon encounters the Saltmarsh forces, which appreciatively spirit them to safety.

However, if the party stands and defeats the baron, all sahuagin in the room stop attacking when he falls, their shock turning to terror. In the momentary silence, the sound of booted feet precedes the appearance of Saltmarsh's forces. The sahuagin swiftly retreat. The bulk of Saltmarsh's troops take up pursuit, with a few remaining to escort the characters away. The party has done enough. It's time for them to claim their reward.

Failure

It'd be challenging for the characters to achieve no victory point during the attack, but if they flee at the first sign of opposition or don't participate after agreeing to do so, they face a chilly welcome upon returning to Saltmarsh. The assault went on without them, but the allied forces took heavy losses, only barely managing to defeat the sahuagin. The characters are asked, politely but firmly, to leave the Saltmarsh area. The town councillors wish them a safe journey, as long as it is one way.

Triumph

Regardless of how the party's strike unfolded, the characters are sent to the rear of the attacking force for rest, healing, and eventual escort back to Saltmarsh. The characters' degree of success depends on how many victory points they achieved during the assault. Several hours after returning to Saltmarsh, the town council informs the party of the attack's success and presents them with their reward:

Pyrrhic Victory (Less than 50 victory points). The alliance was victorious, but with heavy casualties. The sahuagin relinquish their lair and escape, perhaps returning later for revenge. The Saltmarsh council rewards the party for their effort, granting them 700 gp and a favor: free passage aboard a ship headed to any seaport within a week's travel of town. This favor can be called in whenever the characters please.

Victory (51 to 125 victory points). The alliance carries the day with expected casualties. The Saltmarsh council rewards the party with 1,000 gp and one random item from Magic Item Table F in the Dungeon Master's Guide (alternatively, you might just grant them one or more of the following: a +1 weapon of their choice, +1 shield, +1 wand of the war mage, or a tan bag of tricks). Additionally, the council grants them a favor, as noted above, but to any destination within a month's travel of town.

Total Victory (126 or more victory points). The characters effectively gained control of the entire first level of the fortress. This caused the remaining sahuagin to panic before Saltmarsh's forces crashed into their defenses. Any sahuagin fortunate enough to escape are unlikely to ever be heard from again. The Saltmarsh council rewards the party with 1,400 gp, three random items from Magic Item Table F in the Dungeon Master's Guide (or, you might just grant them one or more of the following: a +1 weapon of their choice, +1 shield, +1 wand of the war mage, or a tan bag of tricks). They also grant the characters a favor, as noted above, but to wherever the characters please.

Bonus (Baron Kepmak Defeated). If the characters managed to defeat Baron Kepmak, Saltmarsh's forces find the sahuagin in utter chaos, the strong ineffectually trying to force panicked, weaker troops into the fray. In addition to their other rewards, the Saltmarsh council rewards the party with an additional 1,000 gp and a treasure long held in the town vault, a silver raven figurine of wondrous power. In the aftermath, the characters are hailed as heroes by the allied forces. They never have to pay for a drink in Saltmarsh again.

Contents

Chapter 6: The Final Enemy

Background

Council of War

Lizardfolk

Merfolk

Locathah

The Master Plan

Lay of the Land

Mission Goals

Approach by Sea

Sahuagin Stronghold

General Features

Decorative Tiles

Corridors and Rooms

Doors

Gates and Pillars

Illumination

Furniture and Seaweed Beds

Those Who Rule

Baroness Seklaz

Baron Kepmak

High Priestess Thadrah

Blademaster Makaht

Inhabitants

Patrols in the Fortress

The Mission Begins

Arrival at the Island

Entrances

Rocky Exterior

The Causeway

Sahuagin Roster, Level 1

Sahuagin Roster, Level 2

Sahuagin Roster, Level 3

Fortress Level 1

1. North Entrance and Guard Post

Guarded Gate

Net Trap

2. Guard Post

Development

3. Unfinished Champion's Quarters

4. Champion's Quarters

5. Unfinished Barracks

6. Champions' Quarters

7. Unfinished Champions' Quarters

8. Makeshift Storeroom

9. Armory

10. Disorganized Storeroom

11. Tidy Storeroom

12. Guard Post

Development

Metal Gate

13. Slave Pen

Elmo the Emaciated

Elmo's Secret

Healing Elmo

Elmo's Death

14. Unfinished Guest Room

15. Guest Room

16. Larder

Carcasses

Bones

17. Large Storeroom

18. Secret Room

Coffer

Treasure

19. Hall

Development

Stairs

Treasure

Fortress Level 2

20. Large Hall

21. Blademaster's Quarters

Coffer

22. Champion's Quarters

Coffer

23. Champions' Quarters

Coffer

24. Living Quarters

Treasure