Page 105 - ghosts-of-saltmarsh

residents can be persuaded to leave peacefully, however, 2. COMMON AREA
especially if the characters create a ruse to make it .
appear that Ozymandius or the cult leaders have given '
permission for them to do so. This combination dining hall and gambling den reeks
If a fight does break out after negotiation, most of of greasy, soured food. The main feature of the room
the survivors are not eager to die. If Ozymandius and is a makeshift table made of burned planks supported
Ogmund are defeated, the veterans will surrender if Bay-
at either end by upended barrels. Beneath the table are
leaf is alive and capable of counseling them to do so. He
several small kegs that serve as chairs. Scraps of food are
also throws down his weapons or attempts to flee.
strewn across the table and on the floor nearby.
TREASURES U NTOLD Three weary-looking humans look up, startled, as
The Winding Way, a series of trapped passages leading you appear.
to the abbey's treasure chamber, is a well-kept secret.
The senior clerics were slain by the pirates, and with Ogmund (gladiator) and two disciples (one acolyte, one
them went knowledge of the abbey's riches. Now only cultist) sit at the table gambling.
Bayleaf knows about the Winding Way. He was in-
This is the dining and recreation area for the survi-
formed of the tunnels by the overlord who led the abbey,
who wanted him ready to defend them if needs arose. vors. The guards and clerics have a standing argument
over who should keep the area clean. As a result, no one
The elf does not know the actual layout of the place, nor
is willing to clean the place.
does he know about its guardians. He uses his knowl-
Development. The moment the characters are spot-
edge of the place's existence as a bargaining chip for get-
ted, Ogmund takes a defensive posture and questions
ting off the island. Bayleaf has not told any of the other
why they are there. The commotion is certainly heard
survivors about the Winding Way.
by the rest of the survivors, who soon poke their heads
out of their quarters. See "The Survivors' Response"
LOCATIONS IN THE RUINS for guidance on the party's initial encounter with the
The following locations are identified on map 5.3. Areas survivors.
1- 10 represent the ruined cellar, and areas 11-14 repre-
sent the Winding Way. Access between the two is found 3. KITCHEN
in area 6. • •
A large cauldron filled with smoldering charcoal burns
THE R UINED CELLAR
in the center of the room. Assorted cookware and sea-
The abbey's remaining clerics and guards spend their
sonings rest on the floor and on shelves. There is also an
days here in charred. uncomfortable quarters.
ornate scroll tube on the shelf. The room is fairly clean,
1. RUBBLE AND CELLAR ENTRANCE but the air is humid and greasy. A large tub of dirty water
• stands in the corner, surrounded by dirty dishes .
All that remains of the abbey is a great square of stones
filled with burned and blackened rubble. As you approach The cauldron was originally used in the abbey laundry,
the sooty stones, it is obvious someone has been sorting but the survivors rescued it from the ruins and now use
it for cooking. Meals prepared here consist of boiled veg-
through the debris. Assorted oddments are piled inside
etables and fried meat. Characters can find little of value
the scorched square of the foundation stones. Ruined
here except three large butcher knives (treat as dag-
cooking utensils, crushed pots and pans, mangled ket-
gers). The scroll tube on the spice shelf contains a scroll
tles, and less identifiable metal objects lie in one pile. of simple recipes (ftatbread, fish stew, and seagull loaf).
Broken crockery, platters, plates, porcelain, and pottery
4. 0GMUND'S QUARTERS
are heaped in another.
A great deal of wood has been sorted into one large
T
mound of badly burned scraps. In the center of the ruins This chamber reeks of wine. Small kegs are scattered
is an opening, and as you move nearer, you see a stone everywhere. A floor-to-ceiling wine rack filled with bottles
staircase leading down into darkness. dominates the southern wall. A crudely made pallet of
rags and sacks covers the center of the room.

If the characters investigate the piles of rubbish, they
find nothing of value. The survivors have sorted through The old wine cellar serves as Ogmund's private quar-
the remains of the abbey, and all valuable or usable ob- ters. All the kegs and bottles are empty. A careful search
jects have been removed. The pile of charcoal is used of Ogmund's foul-smelling pallet reveals a pouch con-
as fuel for cooking and heating. The stairs lead down to taining 25 gp and a dagger with a laminated whalebone
a charred wooden door (AC 15, 30 hit points, damage handle and scabbard. worth 50 gp. Ogmund has also
threshold 5), which can be forced open by a character stashed a backup high-quality suit of studded leather ar-
who makes a successful DC 14 Strength check. mor and a pair of sturdy leather boots in one of the kegs.

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