Page 304 - Waterdeep - Dungeon of the Mad Mage_Neat

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

SKULLPORT
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