KULLPORT IS A CRIM, CUTTHROAT OUTPOST OF
civilization where adventurers can resupply
and take refuge. Yet few souls of the surface
world have any clue how to reach this shad-
owy reflection of Waterdeep, making any
ta lk of the Port of Shadow akin to a rumor,
or a warning- which is just how its deni-
zens like it.Reaching Skullport
The routes by which adventurers can arrive at Skullport
are described below.
THROUGH UNDERMOUNTAIN
Skullport is connected to level 3 of Undermountain by
the underground River Sargauth and by five meander-
ing subterranean passageways: Beggar's Rest Pass,
Shadow Pass, S teamfall P ass, Taglath's Gap, and
Whisperhaunt Pass. See maps 25 and 26 in this section
for the locations of these routes.
THROUGH THE SEA CAVES
S k u 11 port can be reached by traveling through a series
of natural caverns and magical locks that stretch from
the South Sea Caves on Waterdeep's shore to the River
Sargauth far below Mount Wate rdeep. Crashing waves
and jagged rocks make the outermost of these flooded
caves dangerous to navigate. Dozens of old ships lie
wrecked within, their swollen hulks home to sea hags,
merrows, and other aquatic creatures.
The waters grow calmer as one travels deeper into
the mountain, where a series of magic locks control
the water level. Vessels descend hundreds of feet as
they pass between them. Where the locks end is a vast
cavern containing a smooth stone retaining wall thatrises (^10) feet above the water's surface. The partially
collapsed remnants of a te n-story-tall hoist loom above
the retaining wall. This contraption was designed to lift
a vessel of almost any size, swing it over the wall, and
lower it down the other side to the River Sargauth 100
feet below. Skull port lies just a few hundred yards far-
ther along the underground river. Time and neglect have
rendered the hoist nonfunctional, thus preventing large
s hips from reaching the Port of Shadow. Many denizens
of Skullport would like to fix it, but they lack the mutual
trust and cooperation required for such a project to suc-
ceed. The absence of the hoist has n't stopped all man-
ner of nefarious sorts from using their own ropes to haul
rowboats and other small craft over the barrier wall.
Skullport Overview
Skullport fills an immense cavern. The town has three
levels: a lower level, a middle level, and a top level. A
stone bridge connects the southern end of the town
to an island around which flows the sluggish River
Sargauth. The island is called Skull Island, and atop
this island stands a fortress garrisoned by minions of
the beholder crime lord known as Xanathar.Skullport
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