The Story Set-Up

Ahoy there, brave adventurers! Are you ready to plunge into a world where the salty spray of the sea carries whispers of ancient evils and forgotten treasures? I’m here to chart your course through the perilous and captivating Ghosts of Saltmarsh, a D&D campaign that will test your courage, wit, and sea legs like never before.

Forget dusty dungeons and predictable forests. In Saltmarsh, the real adventure lies where the land meets the churning waves. You’ll navigate the intricate politics of a bustling fishing town haunted by its past, unravel the mysteries of shipwrecks teeming with spectral guardians, and brave the crushing depths in search of long-lost secrets.

What you need to play

Please ensure that you have a working mic/headset and webcam (optional but encouraged).

You will need D&D Beyond (FREE version), the AboveVTT app added to your D&D Beyond Account (FREE), and Discord.

Materials Provided

The GM will provide you with access to all materials needed on D&D Beyond including content sharing on D&D Beyond.

What to Expect (if you are new or experienced):

– Engage in thrilling naval combat: Command your own vessel, outmaneuver cunning pirates, and face monstrous creatures of the deep in heart-pounding clashes on the open sea.

– Uncover ancient conspiracies: Peel back the layers of Saltmarsh’s history to expose hidden cults, long-forgotten rituals, and threats that lurk beneath the seemingly tranquil surface.

– Explore eerie and atmospheric locations: From haunted mansions clinging to windswept cliffs to submerged temples guarded by mythical beasts, each locale is rich with detail and brimming with danger.

– Forge alliances and make difficult choices: The factions of Saltmarsh vie for power, and your decisions will shape the fate of the town and its people. Will you side with the pragmatic council, the secretive smugglers, or forge your own path?

– Encounter unforgettable characters: Interact with a vibrant cast of salty dogs, shrewd merchants, enigmatic scholars, and terrifying foes, each with their own motivations and secrets.

Why you will enjoy this game

This campaign relies on collaborative storytelling about fantasy heroes adventuring in a world of magic and mystery complete fantastical creatures.

This campaign is designed with a balance between combat, exploration, and roleplay. The intense exploration and combat drive the adventure, but the roleplay of the players determines the direction of the story and outcome.

Player choices not only determine this story, but they have ramifications in the world around them in this immersive campaign.

If you like chills, thrills, intrigue and story twists, you will like this game.

If you like exploration, puzzle solving, and roleplaying to determine allies and enemies, all while your character’s life is in jeopardy, you will like this game.

Whether you are looking to learn the game or are an experienced player willing to help others learn you will enjoy this game.

Character Creation Guidelines

You will need a Level 1 character using the D&D 5e or 2024 ruleset (Legacy or Expanded). Try to align your choices with the Story Set-Up but leave room for character growth. This is a long form campaign with a planned ending. As a team, the group can finalize character choices and ideals as we begin the adventure. I will ask you why your character is with this group and why they have a common goal.

This campaign takes place in the Forgotten Realms, so you may prefer to stay within that realm for continuity’s sake. We can discuss exceptions that won’t unbalance the campaign.

Backstories and character concepts are encouraged. Keep it simple! A paragraph is usually enough to give you something to start with while allowing your character room for growth during the adventure.

The Campaign is designed to encompass Levels 1-14

Gameplay Themes/Content Warnings

This campaign includes horror elements, violence, treachery, betrayal, and evil. Romance is kept PG-13, with a fade-to-black style when it becomes intense. Know that if you have any specific lines and veils they will be heard and handled respectfully.