Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Preparing for the Drowned Ones

The hermitage offers an abundance of tactical oppor-

tunities to defend against the coming attack. Invite

the players to concoct a plan to reinforce the old for-

tress, and to decide on a course of action for when the

drowned ones breach the defenses.

The survivors do not participate in combat against the

drowned ones. Even if they aid in the defensive prepara-

tions, come nightfall they retreat to area 25.

DEFENDING THE FORTRESS

Among the tactics the players might come up with, you

can help steer them toward the following options.

ARROW SLITS

The second level of the hermitage features numerous ar-

row s lits looking onto the exterior of the building. Char-

acters who specialize in ranged attacks and magic can

use the arrow slits to launch arrows, bolts, and spells at

the drowned ones as they approach.

FLORAL ASSAULT

The assassin vines growing near area 15 can be moved

elsewhere in their pots, as long as their murderous

nature is temporarily quelled. The charm of plant com-

mand found in area 11 can help in this effort.

RAT PACK

If the characters did not kill all the rats in area 11, they

serve as excellent guards and alarms. The rats attack

any drowned ones that enter through that area.

REINFORCING THE DOORS
There are five entrances into the hermitage-the double
doors at the front (area 4). two doors at the back of the
fortress (areas 11 and 12), the door leading in from the
rampart (area 17), and the watchtower door (area 21).
Enough wood and nails can be found inside the her-
mitage to reinforce all the doors. The main obstacle is
time.1t takes a character 1 hour to gather the required
materials and reinforce one door. The time is cut in
half if another character (including one of the survi-
vors) helps.
A reinforced door cannot be broken through with a
Strength check, but must be battered down (AC 15, 30
hit points, immunity to poison and psychic damage).
This fact helps slow the undead. since they are forced to
fight their way through doors.

RrGGING THE ROOF
The aging slate tiles on the roof can be easily rigged
to collapse. This tactic is especially useful if the victim
falls some distance into an area where the characters
have open space to make attacks (area 7, for example).

OlL OF SLIPPERINESS
If the characters have discovered this magic oil in
area 12 or area 22, it can be applied in front of entry
points. on stairs, or anywhere they want to slow the
undead down.

Death from the Deep

As soon as the sun sets, the drowned ones begin their

underwater trek from the Pit of Hatred to the shores

of Firewatch Island. They arrive at the island about an

hour after sundown. lf the characters are still on the

island at sundown and are observing the shoreline, you

can foreshadow the undead assault:

i As the last rays of the evening sun slant across the dark

waters of the bay, you catch movement from the corner

of your eye along the beach-a dark humanoid form

standing si lently in the surf. You are positive it wasn't

there a moment ago. With the next crashing breaker,

you lose sight of the intruder in the deepening dark-

ness. When the spray clears, the figure is gone. Night

has fallen.

I

• The undead assault against the hermitage can be played
  out in two broad scenarios. Both offer roughly the same
  challenge but provide different experiences for the play-
  ers and characters. Choose the experience you think
  your players will enjoy the most. or create your own,
  incorporating any of the following elements and infor-
  mation you desire.
  The drowned ascetics, drowne d assas sins, and
  drowned blades that make up the ranks of the undead
  are all described in appendix C.

SCENARIO 1: UN DEAD HORDE

Use this scenario if the characters have prepared well

for the onslaught. 1f the undead arrive and are not

slowed by reinforced doors, traps. and attacks made

against them through arrow slits, the characters have

little chance of survival.

The drowned ones arrive as a single mass, trying to

overwhelm the defenders with sheer numbers. The in-

tention with this scenario is to make the players and the

characters feel as though the island teems with undead.

An epic battle ensues, and if that battle is won. no fur-

ther attacks come.

When the undead arrive, they attempt to batter down

the doors of the hermitage, intent on entering and

slaying any mortal defenders. Have the drowned ones

assault the doors leading into the different areas of the

fortress using the following guidelines.

Area Creat ures

4 S zombie s, 3 drowned blades, 1 dro wned ascetic

11 5 zombies , 2 drowned blades, l drowned ascetic

12 l drowned ascetic

17 1 d rowned assassin

21 1 drowned blade

The zombies amble near the indicated doors but do

not attack them. They enter the hermitage only after the

doors are breached by the drowned ones.

The drowned assassin that tries to enter through area

17 climbs onto the battlements from area 14 first.

l'fl/\l'lfR 7 ·1 \IMLK,\llT'S I \If