Is Ghosts of Saltmarsh Horror?
Ghosts of Saltmarsh is indeed a horror-themed adventure, incorporating elements of nautical horror, mystery, and fantasy, making it a unique and thrilling experience for players. The module’s setting, a haunted fishing village on the coast of the Azure Sea, provides the perfect backdrop for a spine-tingling adventure filled with supernatural occurrences, undead creatures, and dark magic.
Introduction to Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Ghosts of Saltmarsh is an anthology of updated modules and adventures from previous editions, including three adventures from the classic ‘U’ series, modified to use the 5th edition rules. This allows the adventures to be played in the order they are presented in the book or dropped into a home campaign.
What Makes Ghosts of Saltmarsh Horror?
The horror elements in Ghosts of Saltmarsh are deeply rooted in its setting and storyline, which involves drowned sailors stirring to unnatural life, animated by dark magic and sent forth in search of revenge. The cult of a forbidden god extends its reach outward from a decaying port, hungry for fresh victims and willing recruits, adding to the sense of foreboding and terror.
FAQs About Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Q1: Is Ghosts of Saltmarsh Good for Beginners?
Ghosts of Saltmarsh is accessible to nearly anybody, including beginner DMs, despite adding entirely new rules to 5e, making it a great choice for those looking to start their D&D journey.
Q2: What is the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh About?
The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh is about an evil alchemist’s mansion that stands alone on a cliff, looking out towards the sea, with mysterious lights and ghostly hauntings keeping away the people of Saltmarsh.
Q3: What is the Plot of Ghosts of Saltmarsh?
The plot of Ghosts of Saltmarsh involves drowned sailors stirring to unnatural life, animated by dark magic, and the cult of a forbidden god extending its reach outward from a decaying port.
Q4: How Long Does Ghosts of Saltmarsh Take?
The duration of Ghosts of Saltmarsh depends on the players’ pace, with a weekly, 4-hour session being a good estimate, but it can take longer if the players take their time and enjoy the RP and scenery.
Q5: What Does Ghosts of Saltmarsh Add?
Ghosts of Saltmarsh adds a variety of seafaring adventures, enough to take characters from level 1 to level 12, and introduces the port town of Saltmarsh, the perfect starting point for a nautical campaign.
Q6: Is Ghosts of Saltmarsh Forgotten Realms?
Unlike many official 5th Edition adventure books, Ghosts of Saltmarsh is set in the Keoland region of the Greyhawk setting by default, rather than anywhere in the Forgotten Realms.
Q7: When to Level Up in Ghosts of Saltmarsh?
It is recommended to level characters to 2nd level when they have cleared the first and second floors of the mansion and 3rd level by the time they have cleared out the smugglers in the caves below the mansion.
Q8: Is Ghosts of Saltmarsh Good for New Players?
The adventures are meant for four to six players, and it would be appropriate to scale encounters back some, as some of the encounters in it are really brutal for first-level characters.
Q9: How Many People Can Play Ghosts of Saltmarsh?
The adventures are meant for four to six players, making it a great choice for a small to medium-sized group of players.
Q10: What World is Ghosts of Saltmarsh Set?
Ghosts of Saltmarsh is set in the Keoland region of the Greyhawk setting, nestled on the coast of the Azure Sea, making it a unique and immersive setting.
Q11: Is Ghosts of Saltmarsh a Campaign?
Ghosts of Saltmarsh is both an adventure anthology, sourcebook for seafarers, and tour guide to the coastal pearl that is Saltmarsh, but it’s not a campaign in the classical sense.
Q12: Is Vecna a God in Forgotten Realms?
Vecna is a once-human king and lich from Oerth who ascended to godhood, making him a powerful and feared deity.
Q13: Is Ghosts of Saltmarsh an Anthology?
Ghosts of Saltmarsh is an anthology of updated modules and adventures from previous editions, including three adventures from the classic ‘U’ series.
Q14: Where Do I Put Saltmarsh in Forgotten Realms?
Saltmarsh can be placed in the South East of the Moonsea region, not far from Elmwood on the far NW edge of the Cormanthor forest, making it a great addition to any Forgotten Realms campaign.
Q15: How Do You Turn Ghosts of Saltmarsh into a Campaign?
To turn Ghosts of Saltmarsh into a campaign, you can run the adventures as usual with side quests, add a warship that makes port early on, and have the admiral stay in port to provide assistance to the loyalists, making it a cohesive and engaging campaign.