Page 81 - ghosts-of-saltmarsh

The Politics of Power by Lucia Domici (5 gp), another
rather obscure work dealing with the shiftier side
of politics.
The Triwnph of Diplomacy by Tyrons Scroot (5 gp),
Si'URI V
a history of the author's successes in the field of
diplomacy.
The Occult Properties of Gemstones by Archmage
Tenser (IO gp). This book is another ofTenser's tomes
on his favorite subject (wealth) and follows on from his
earlier book, The Magical Properties of Gemstones
(found in area 2 of the house in The Sinister Secret
of Saltmarsh). If the players want their characters to
read this book and ask to know something of its con-
tents, your imagination might be stretched! Reading
the book conveys no special advantage to the charac-
ters, and most of the contents are too obscure for full
comprehension.
A Lizard Language and Common Tongue Grammar
written by an anonymous author (10 gp), although the
introduction describes him as a druid. Intensive study
of this book allows the reader to learn Draconic, the
native language of the lizardfolk. You decide the time
required to acquire this new language. (The downtime
rules in Xanathar's Guide to Everything provide some
guidelines.)
The Nature of the Sahuagin by Professor Gaxm (15 gp).
This slim volume contains a detailed account of the
nature of sahuagin. Jf players want their characters
to read it and ask to know something of its contents.
T HE C OOPERATIV E M I NISTER summarize the passages that deal with the sahuagin
Sauriv, the lizardfolk minister, offers the characters the in the Monster Manual. omitting statistical details
most direct route to gaining a peaceful audience with the such as Armor Class, Hit Dice, and so forth, and in-
queen and a positive resolution for both Saltmarsh and the form the players that the rest follows in the same vein.
lizardfolk. In conversation with the characters, he should
immediately inform them that it's the sahuagin that pose Treasure. The chest is locked and can be opened by
the true threat to the region. a character who makes a successful DC 12 Dexterity
What He Wants. The minister wants what the queen check using thieves· tools. It holds these items: a leather
wants: a strong alliance, united for the purpose of driving bag containing 50 ep. a Aask of perfumed oil (5 gp),
the sahuagin back into the deeps. a velvet bag containing five pearls (3 gp each), and a
small vial of basic poison (see chapter 5 of the Player's
Handbook.).
39. Mrn1snrn's SLEEPING QUARTERS
40. DRILL HALL
A single bed is set against the east wall. A small wooden
•
bookcase containing five books stands against the south This open area features six floor-to-ceiling pillars that
wall; beside it is an old leather chair. Against the west demarcate a central area bare of furniture. In this central
wall of the room is an iron chest, with a closed padlock area. the earth floor has been packed closer than else-
in the hasp. On top of the lid rests a single glove. Next to where, as if by the passage of many feet. Several wooden
the bed stands a tall wardrobe, its door partially open. It benches stand near the north and south walls.
appears to be empty. A large mattress has been fixed to the center of the
• east wall. Attached to it is a large target dummy with the

Any character who inspects the chest notices that its key head of a fish-like creature atop it.
is adhered to the rear exterior panel of the chest with a Several lizardfolk are practicing combat against one
blob of sticky resin. The blob is poisonous to the touch, another or throwing javelins at the dummy. A powerfully
and any creature that touches it with bare skin must built and tall lizardfolk female stands with several of
succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poi-
soned for 1 hour. The poisoned creature can repeat the the heavily armored warriors. She observes the training
saving throw every 15 minutes. The glove atop the chest through narrowed eyes. Another lizardfolk stands near
has traces of the poison resin on its fingertips- a fact the leader, dressed in a kelp-colored robe and holding a
obvious to anyone inspecting the glove. long, polished tooth.
The five books are among the minister's favorites: •

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