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APTTEER 4 | ssa
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86
86
 Chapter 4: Salvage Operation
রळ੘ߣ૳রঽ્੅ঽ૳૳ঽ੘জকક૙ெळߣ૙૳ঽ૳૳્કଚଚळद
adrift at sea, its one-time owner sees a
ÕfYd[`Yf[]lgj][gn]jYdgkl^gjlmf]&
:mlo`Yll`]^gje]jgof]j[Yffglcfgo
is that the ship has a new master—a
oj]l[`]\\jma\$\jan]feY\Zq[Yffa-
ZYdakeYf\Yll]f\]\ZqY`gj\]g^n]f-
gegmkh]lk&
Salvage OperationakY<<Y\n]flmj]\]ka_f]\^gj
^gmjlgkap,l`%d]n]d[`YjY[l]jk&
Background
L`]e]j[`Yflhjaf[]9mZj][c<jYddagfgf[][gmfl]\
`aek]d^Yegf_l`]ja[`]kl^gdcg^`ak[alq&@akljY\]
Ö]]loYkgf]g^l`]dYj_]klYf\egklhjgkh]jgmkg^alk
caf\$oal``mf\j]\kg^k`ahkmf\]j`akZYff]j\g\_af_
klgjek$hajYl]jYa\k$Yf\YimYla[egfkl]jklg[Yjjq
_gg\kY[jgkkl`]ogjd\&
Q]l9mZj][cÌkkm[[]kkh]j`Yhk[Ye]lgg^YklYf\
lgg]Ykadq3Ydl`gm_``akhjgÕlk]n]flmYddqklYZadar]\$
`akYeZalagfc]hl]phYf\af_&Q]YjkY_g$`ak[gflY[lk
afl`]kgml`]jfbmf_d]kj]hgjl]\l`Yl`][gmd\egfgh-
gdar]ljY\]afjYj]kha[]kYf\`]jZkZqeYcaf_`]Ynq
afn]kle]flkafl`]Yj]Y&9mZj][clggcl`]ghhgjlmfalq
YkYkmj]l`af_Yf\d]Yh]\Yll`][`Yf[]lg_]l]n]f
ja[`]j&@]kgd\g‫ץ‬eYfqg^`akYkk]lkYf\[gfn]jl]\l`]
hjg[]]\klghjgh]jlq\]]\kYf\hjgeakkgjqfgl]k$l`]f
k][mj]\l`YlhgjlYZd]o]Ydl`YZgYj\Emperor of the
Waves$l`]^gj]egklk`ahaf`akÖ]]l&
9mZj][cÌkhdYfoYklg[gfn]jll`]k]fgl]kZY[caflg
[Yk`o`]fl`]k`ahj]Y[`]\alk\]klafYlagfafl`]kgml`$
Zml^Yl]afljg\m[]\Y[jm]dloakl$Yf\Emperor of the
Waves\akYhh]Yj]\&9klgjek]hYjYl]\l`]k`ah^jgealk
]k[gjl$Yf\aloYkf]n]j`]Yj\^jgeY_Yaf&<]nYklYl]\Zq
l`]ÕfYf[aYddgkk$9mZj][coYkj]\m[]\lgl`]da^]klqd]
g^Yfgj\afYjqe]j[`Yfl&
The true fate of Emperor of the Waves akcfgofgfdq
lgY^]o&L`]k`ahoYkf]Yjdqkmfcafl`]klgjel`Yl
\jgn]alg‫[ץ‬gmjk]$Zmlalj]eYaf]\k]Yogjl`q&9^l]jl`]
klgjekmZka\]\$alkkmjnanaf_[j]oe]eZ]jk\jghh]\
Yf[`gjf]YjYfmf[`Yjl]\akdYf\&O`]fl`]q[Ye]
Yk`gj]lgdggc^gj^gg\Yf\oYl]j$l`]q\ak[gn]j]\l`]
akdYf\oYkaf`YZal]\ZqljaZ]kg^hjaealan]`meYfk$
gj[k$Yf\_gZdafk$jmd]\Zq[jm]d\jma\ko`gogjk`ah]\
Dgdl`af`]jYkh][lYkl`]Im]]fg^Kha\]jk&L`]\jma\k
hjgehldq`Y\l`]^]oj]eYafaf_kYadgjk\akhYl[`]\Zq
l`]ajmf\]jdaf_kYf\[dYae]\l`]k`ahYkYka_fg^^Yngj
^jgel`]aj\Yjc_g\\]kk&
Aflae]$l`]akdYf\ÌkhghmdYlagfZ][Ye]^jY[lmj]\aflg
log^Y[lagfk$]Y[`g^o`a[`lja]\lg]pl]jeafYl]l`]
gl`]j&Gf]_jgmh[dYae]\[mklg\qg^l`]k`ahYf\mk]\al
YkY`]Y\imYjl]jk$klg[caf_aloal`kmhhda]kYf\\]^]f\-
af_al^jgeYkkYmdlkZql`]]f]eq_jgmh&O`]fl`]oYj
]fl]j]\alkÕfYdl`jg]k$l`]k`ahoYkaf\Yf_]jg^Zjaf_
gn]jjmfZql`]dYf\%ZYk]\^gj[]k&Afj]khgfk]$jYl`]j
JULIAN KOK
l`YfklYqaf_Yf\Õ_`laf_algml$l`][mdlaklkYZgYj\l`]
k`ahhmdd]\mhYf[`gjÈYf\l`YfcklgYfg‫ץ‬k`gj]oaf\$
l`]qjg\]l`]oYn]kYf\d]^ll`]akdYf\^YjZ]`af\&
 >a^l]]f\YqkY_g$9mZj][cj][]an]\ogj\l`YlEmperor
of the Waves`Y\Z]]fkhgll]\Y\ja^lafl`]kgml`]jf
k]Y$YhhYj]fldqY_`gklk`ah&L`]fgZd]hjgehldqmk]\
YkarYZd][`mfcg^`akkYnaf_klg`aj]Yk`ahYf\[j]o
lgkYadlgl`]\]j]da[l&9mZj][cZ]da]n]k`][Yfj]klgj]
`akklYf\af_a^`]j][gn]jkl`]\]]\kYf\\g[me]flk
l`YlkYad]\oal`l`]k`ah&Fgo$Ydd`]f]]\kYj]Y^]o
ZjYn]kgmdkYZd]lg\]Ydoal`o`Yl]n]jl`j]Ylkea_`l
hj]k]fll`]ek]dn]kYZgYj\l`]EmperorYf\Zjaf_ZY[c
`ak^gjlmf]&
Adventure Summary
Salvage OperationklYjlkYkYfafn]kla_YlagfY\n]flmj]$
afo`a[`l`][`YjY[l]jkZgYj\Emperor of the Waves
Yf\]phdgj]alkmhh]j\][ck&9kl`]qn]flmj]aflgl`]
k`ahÌkdgo]j\][ck$l`akk[]fYjagZ][ge]kegj]g^Y
\mf_]gf[jYodaf[jYeh]\$\Yf_]jgmkkhY[]k$oal`n]j-
eafYllY[caf_af[dgk]imYjl]jk&;`YjY[l]jko`gkmjnan]
l`gk]l`j]YlkYf\hmk`gfÕf\l`]dgo]kl`gd\kÖgg\]\
oal`k]YoYl]jYf\af^]kl]\oal`mf\]Y\&
 9kl`][`YjY[l]jkÕ_`ll`]ajoYq^gjoYj\afk]Yj[`
g^9mZj][cÌk_gYd$l`]h]jadkg^l`]k]YÕfYddqlYc]l`]aj
\]dYq]\[dYaegfl`]Emperor$afl`]^gjeg^Y`mf_jq
]d\]jg[lghmk&L`ak[j]Ylmj]ÕjklYkkYmdl]\l`]k`ah
k]n]jYd\YqkZ]^gj]l`][`YjY[l]jkYjjan]&Alkhj]nagmk
jYehY_]^Yad]\lgk[mlld]l`]k`ah$l`gm_`l`]g[lghmk
km[[]]\]\af\]ngmjaf_gj\jgofaf_YdegklYddg^alkdan-
af_g[[mhYflk&
 LgkYql`Yll`]Emperorfgo`YkYkc]d]lgf[j]o
ogmd\Z]Yfgn]jklYl]e]fl&G^Yddl`][mdlaklko`g]k-
[Yh]\l`]akdYf\$gfdqYkaf_d]]nad\jma\j]eYafkYdan]
YZgYj\k`ah&L`]`Yd^%gj[Cj]dd?jg`d_kladdhjY[la[]k`ak
worship of Lolth at a shrine inside the ship and is aided
af`ak\]^]fk]g^l`]n]kk]dZqnYjagmkcaf\kg^kha\]jk$
koYjekg^n]jeaf$Yf\gl`]jegfkljgkala]k&
 L`][daeYpg^l`]Y\n]flmj]akYjY[]Y_Yafkllae]Yk
l`]g[lghmkj]lmjfk^gjYÕfYdgfkdYm_`l$oal`\][ck
Ögg\af_$l`]k`ahkafcaf_$Yf\[`YjY[l]jkk[jYeZdaf_
l`jgm_`l`]\akafl]_jYlaf_`mddafYjY[]^gjl`]ajdan]k&A^
Cj]ddgj`akeafagfkYj]kladdYdan]$l`]qhj]k]flYfY\\a-
lagfYdgZklY[d]Z][Ymk]l`]qYdkg\gfÌloYfllg_g\gof
oal`l`]k`ah&
 Afgj\]j^gjl`][`YjY[l]jklgj][]an]l`]ajhYqe]fl
^jge9mZj][c$l`]qemklZjaf_ZY[cY`]YnqZgp^jge
l`][Yj_g`gd\Èhgl]flaYddq^gj[af_l`]elg[`ggk]
Z]lo]]feYcaf_Yima[c]k[Yh]Yf\Y[[gehdak`af_
l`]ajeakkagf&
Placing the Adventure
Salvage Operation was written to take place in a coastal
region of any campaign setting. Aubreck’s history as a
once-powerful merchant makes a port city or a large port
town the best starting place for the adventure.
CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation
87
 Adventure Hooks
Hmddaf_l`][`YjY[l]jkaflgl`akY\n]flmj]akj]dYlan]dq
kaehd]&9mZj][cak\]kh]jYl]^gj`]dh$q]lfglimal]j]Y\q
lglah`ak`Yf\&@]^]Yjkl`Yla^`]khj]Y\kl`]f]okg^
l`]]ph]\alagflggoa\]dq$gl`]jlj]Ykmj]k]]c]jkea_`l
Z]Yl`aelgl`]Emperor&
 >gjY\\alagfYdaf[]flan]$[gfka\]jafk]jlaf_Yd]_]f\
aflgqgmj[YehYa_fl`YldafckEmperor of the Waves
lgYeY_a[al]egjkge]gl`]jgZb][lkgm_`lZql`]
[`YjY[l]jk&L`Ylal]eea_`lZ]af[dm\]\afl`][Y[`]
kgm_`lZq9mZj][c$gjal[gmd\Z]klYk`]\YoYqkge]-
o`]j]gfZgYj\&
Salvagers Wanted
9mZj][c`Yk[`Yj_]\`ak`Yd^%gj[Zmld]jN]jl`]_oal`
Õf\af_YkmalYZd]ZYf\g^Y\n]flmj]jk^gj`akmj_]fl
eakkagf&LYdd$dYfcq$Yf\YocoYj\$l`]Zmld]jakfglY-
Zd]^gjl`]kaf_d]lmkcl`Ylbmlkgml^jge`akdgo]jbYo$
Yf\^gjl`]oYq`akoYjlqkcaf[gfljYklkoal``akÕf]$
f]Yl[dgl`af_&N]jl`]_akg^l]fj]khgfkaZd]^gj[Yjjqaf_
gmlimYka%d]_Yd\]Ydaf_k^gj9mZj][c$kg`]ako]ddY[-
imYafl]\oal`l`]kgjlkg^lYn]jfkYf\affkl`][`YjY[-
l]jkea_`lZ]^gmf\af&
 O`]fl`][`YjY[l]jkYj]Zjgm_`llg9mZj][c YeYd]
human noble!$l`]qima[cdqfgl]l`Yl`]`Ykk]]fZ]ll]j
\Yqk&@akeYfkagfakdYj_]Zmljmf\gof$Yf\`ak[dgl`]k
`Yn]fÌlZ]]f^Yk`agfYZd]^gjYld]YklYq]Yj&@]c]]hk`ak
ajgf%_jYq`Yajhmdd]\ZY[cafYk`gjlhgfqlYad$Yf\`ak
emklY[`]akf]Yldql]f\]\&
 9mZj][c]phdYafkl`Yll`]k`ah`gd\kYeY_a[Zgp
[gflYafaf_hjgeakkgjqfgl]kYf\hjgh]jlq\]]\kogjl`
YlglYdg^)(($(((_h&@]g‫]ץ‬jkl`][`YjY[l]jkY^]]
g^)(h]j[]fl )($(((_h!lgj][gn]jal&9kY_]klmj]g^
_gg\^Yal`$`]g‫]ץ‬jkl`]eYfY\nYf[]hYqe]flg^*((
_h& =n]fa^l`]qljql`]ajZ]klZmlkladd^Yadlgj][gn]jl`]
Zgp$9mZj][c[YffglY‫ץ‬gj\lghYql`]eYfql`af_egj]&!
@]kYqkl`Yll`]k`ahoYkj][]fldqkhgll]\Y\ja^l$Yh-
hjgpaeYl]dqÕn]\Yqkgml^jgedYf\&
 L`]fgZd]akogjja]\l`Ylkge]gf]]dk]ea_`l[dYae
l`]k`ahÌk_gg\kYkkYdnY_]a^`]\g]kfÌlY[lima[cdq&@]
`YkYdj]Y\q`aj]\Yk`ah$Soul of Winter$Yf\Y[j]olg
egmflYeakkagflgl`]\]j]da[l&Fgo`]f]]\kY\n]flmj-
]jklg_gYdgf_Yf\ZgYj\l`]Emperorgf[]l`]qj]Y[`
al$l`]fÕf\l`]ZgpYf\Zjaf_alZY[c&
Trouble Along the Way
The journey to the derelict takes 1d4 + 3 days. If you want
to spice up the trip, then about halfway through it a group
of sahuagin stumble upon Soul of Winter and attempt
to board it.
A band of 18 sahuagin, led by a sahuagin priestess and
a sahuagin baron, wait until late at night to slip aboard
the ship by swimming alongside and climbing to reach
the deck. They try to slay the crew and passengers using
stealth, hoping to avoid raising an alarm. Their plan is to
clear out the ship, then lurk nearby to ambush anyone who
comes to investigates the derelict.
 7KHVDKXDJLQVWULNHśUVWDWDQ\VHQWULHV7\SLFDOO\G
4 dwarves from the crew are stationed on the deck at night
as lookouts. If they are slain, the sahuagin then split up to
attack the cabins below. If you don’t have access to a sam-
ple deck plan, assume the characters are divided between
two cabins on the lower deck.
 7KHVDKXDJLQśJKWXQWLOVL[RUPRUHRIWKHLUJURXSDUH
slain. When that occurs, the survivors retreat to the wa-
WHUDQGŜHH
 9mZj][c\]k[jaZ]kl`]ZgpYkeY\]g^k`afqZdm]
e]lYd&AlakhY[c]\afka\]Yogg\]f[jYl]ZjYf\]\oal`
a large letter A&L`][jYl][Yf]YkadqZ]hja]\gjZjgc]f
gh]f$Zmll`]Zgp[YfÌlZ]gh]f]\]p[]hloal`YhYkk-
ogj\cfgofgfdqlg9mZj][c&Al[gflYafkYddg^9mZj][cÌk
\]]\kYf\hjgeakkgjqfgl]k$kladdk]Yd]\afoYl]jhjgg^
ojYhhaf_k&L`]fgl]kYj]\jYof^jgeYdYo^md_gg\
l]ehd]l`YloaddhYql`]egmlgfdqY^l]jl`]gja_afYd
gof]jg^l`]Ykk]lk_an]kh]jeakkagf$Yf\l`]ajnYdm]
oadd]fYZd]9mZj][clgj]Zmad\`akZmkaf]kkgf[]`]j]-
\]]ekl`]e^gj`aek]d^&
Soul of Winter
EYff]\ZqY[j]og^klmj\q\oYjn]k$Soul of Winter
akYkYadaf_k`ahjmfZq`]j[YhlYaf$Ogd_YjOaf\jmf]
DFeYd]\oYj^veteran!&Lgc]]hl`][`YjY[l]jk^jge
aeh]\af_`ak[j]o$`]afkaklkl`Yll`]qj]eYafafl`]aj
imYjl]jk$Y[jYeh]\[`YeZ]jZ]dgo\][c$\mjaf_l`]
ngqY_]&L`][j]o[gfkaklkg^l`ajlq\oYj^guards, all of
o`gej]eYafYZgYj\Soul of Winter\mjaf_l`]Y\n]f-
lmj]$kaf[]l`]q`Yn]fglZ]]fhYa\^gjYfql`af_gl`]j
l`YfljYfkhgjl&
 9mZj][c`Ykhmj[`Yk]\kmhhda]k^gjl`][`YjY[l]jkÌ
eakkagfYZgYj\l`]\]j]da[l&L`ak_]Yj$Ydj]Y\qYZgYj\$
af[dm\]k2klm\\]\d]Yl`]jYjegj^gjYfq[`YjY[l]jo`g

About the Original

Drawn from Dungeon 123, Mike
Mearls’s 2005 adventure “Salvage
Operation” is a rare tale that takes
place entirely at sea. This grim
story features an epic assault by a
titanic octopus and a race to escape
a sinking, monster-infested ship.
Decrepitude and decay (along with
a bit of demon worship) persist
throughout this unusual dungeon
crawl, with the characters’ courage
being tested just as much as the
seaworthiness of the Emperor of
the Waves!
ATTILA ADORJANY

CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation

88
 Map 4.1: Emperor of the Waves
oYflkal$logda_`l[jgkkZgokoal`lo]flqZgdlk]Y[`$
Õn]-(%^ggl[gadkg^jgh]$log_jYhhdaf_`ggck$lo]dn]
lgj[`]k$log`]Yd]jÌkcalk$kapnaYdkg^Yflalgpaf$logpo-
tions of healing$Yf\logkY[ck^gj[Yjjqaf_lj]Ykmj]gml
g^l`]k`ah&
State of the Ship
9^l]jk]n]jYd\YqkYlk]Y$Soul of Winter[ge]kafka_`l
g^l`]dggeaf_$k`Yll]j]\`mdcg^l`]\]j]da[lEmperor
of the Waves&Ogd_YjOaf\jmf]Zjaf_kSoul of Winter
oal`af-((^]]lg^l`]\]j]da[lYdgf_alkklYjZgYj\ka\]$
[dgk]]fgm_`lgeYc]gmlalkeYbgj]pl]jfYd^]Ylmj]k&Alk
eYklk`Yn]Z]]fk`gjfg‫ץ‬$Zmll`]mhh]j\][cYhh]Yjk
[d]Yjg^\]Zjak$Yka^o`Yl]n]j`all`]k`ahoYkkljgf_
]fgm_`lg[Yjjqg‫ץ‬l`]eYklk$kYadk$Yf\ja__af_&Alk
Õ_mj]`]Y\$gf[]YeYb]kla[Yf_]dafÖa_`l$`YkZ]]f
`Y[c]\Yf\\akÕ_mj]\&
;YhlYafOgd_YjYf\l`]kYadgjkYZgYj\Soul of Winter
]phj]kkYeYr]e]fll`Yll`]EmperorakkladdYÖgYl&9fq
[`YjY[l]jo`g`Ykl`]kYadgjZY[c_jgmf\gjhjgÕ[a]f[q
oal`oYl]jn]`a[d]kfgl]kl`Yll`]k`ah`Ykkm‫]ץ‬j]\
`]Ynq\YeY_]Y[jgkkalkmhh]j\][ck$[gfkakl]floal`
l`]]‫[]ץ‬lg^Ylqh`ggfgjla\YdoYn]&L`]n]kk]ddaklkfg-
la[]YZdqlghgjl$]na\]f[]l`Yll`]EmperorÌkZYddYkl`Yk
k`a^l]\$l`gm_`l`]af[daf]\g]kfÌlYhh]Yjk]n]j]]fgm_`
lgeYc]egnaf_Yjgmf\gf\][c`YrYj\gmk&L`]k`ah
ja\]kdgoafl`]oYl]j$aehdqaf_l`Yll`]Zad_]Yf\hgk-
kaZdq]n]fl`]dgo]kl\][cYj]Ögg\]\&A^fg[`YjY[l]jk
`Yn]l`]YhhjghjaYl]ZY[c_jgmf\gjhjgÕ[a]f[q$Ogd_Yj
`mddl`Ylaf\a[Yl]kalj][]fldq[Ye]mf\]jYllY[c^jgeY
k]Y_gaf_[j]Ylmj]&
 L`][YhlYafgj\]jklogkYadgjklg^]jjql`][`YjY[l]jk
to the EmperorafYjgoZgYl&L`]kYadgjkZjaf_jgh]k
Yf\_jYhhdaf_`ggcklg_an]l`][`YjY[l]jk]YkqY[[]kk
lgl`]eYaf\][c&K[Ydaf_l`]Yd_Y]%kda[c`mddg^l`]k`ah
oal`gmlYjgh]j]imaj]kYkm[[]kk^md<;)(Klj]f_l`
9l`d]la[k![`][c&L`]j]Yj]fghgjl`gd]kgjdYj_]gh]f-
af_kafl`]`mddg^l`]k`ah$eYcaf_l`]eYaf\][cgj
imYjl]j\][cl`]gfdqoYqafka\]&9dddg[Ylagfkgfl`]
k`ahYj]a\]flaÕ]\gfeYh,&)&
Soul of Winter[ge]kfg[dgk]jl`Yf-((^]]llgl`]
\]j]da[l&9^l]jlYcaf_l`][`YjY[l]jkmhlgl`]k`ah$l`]
kYadgjkegn]*((^]]lYoYq^jgel`]Emperor and hold
l`]ajhgkalagf$oYalaf_^gjl`][`YjY[l]jklgj]Yhh]Yjgf
l`]mhh]j\][coal`l`]lj]Ykmj]^jgeZ]dgo&
Upper Deck
L`]eYaf\][cg^Emperor of the Wavesakdac]dql`]Õjkl
hYjlg^l`]k`ahl`][`YjY[l]jk]phdgj]ÈYf\oaddZ]l`]
dYklklY_]g^l`]aj\]kh]jYl]]k[Yh]&
Webs Aboard Ship
([FHSWZKHUHRWKHUZLVHQRWHGWKHORZHUGHFNRIWKH
EmperorLVśOOHGZLWKVKHHWVRIZHEELQJ$UHDVśOOHG
with webbing are lightly obscured. Ranged attacks made
DJDLQVWFUHDWXUHVLQDUHDVśOOHGZLWKZHEELQJDUHPDGH
with disadvantage. In addition, the creatures found aboard
the ship are adept at hiding among the webs. As an action,
[Yfhgafll`]k]^Y[lkgml&L`][YhlYafYdkgeYc]kal
[d]Yjl`Yl`]kmkh][lkl`]k`ahakdac]dqlgkafc\mjaf_
l`]l]f\Yqkalogmd\lYc]lglgoalZY[clghgjl&
MIKE SCHLEY
 FglYddg^l`]k`ahÌknakaZd]\YeY_]ak\m]lglae]Yf\
o]Yl`]j&Oal`Ykm[[]kk^md<;)-Afl]dda_]f[] FYlmj]!
[`][c$Y[`YjY[l]j[YfkhglaehY[l\YeY_]lgl`]k`ahÌk
DQ\VXFKFUHDWXUHFDQDWWHPSW'H[WHULW\6WHDOWKFKHFNV
to hide from any character that it is more than 5 feet away
from. Many of these creatures begin encounters having
already tried to hide; make checks as appropriate to deter-
mine each creature’s success at evading detection.
CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation
89
 1. Main Deck
The Emperor’s upper decks slope gently down toward
the ship’s port side. The forecastle and quarterdeck are
empty, and short wooden stumps are all that remain of
the ship’s masts. The double doors leading to cabins
fore and aft appear intact, as does the metal grate in the
GHFNWKDWRŚHUVDFFHVVWRWKHORZHUGHFNV$VLGHIURPWKH
rhythmic creak of the ship’s badly weathered timbers, all
seems quiet.
L`akYj]Yakmfg[[mha]\&L`]\ggjklg^gj]Yf\Y^lYj]
fgldg[c]\ Zmlk]]Yj]Y+!$Yf\l`]k`ahÌko`]]dlmjfk
]YkadqYf\^j]]dq&9[`YjY[l]jo`geYc]kYkm[[]kk^md
<;)(Afl]dda_]f[][`][c\]l]jeaf]kl`Yll`]o`]]dak
fgdgf_]j[gff][l]\lgl`]k`ahÌkjm\\]j$Yf\al[YfÌlZ]
mk]\lgkl]]jl`]k`ahmfladl`]n]kk]dmf\]j_g]k]pl]f-
kan]j]hYajk&
L`]\][cakeYjj]\afhdY[]kZqZdgg\klYafk$fgla[]-
YZd]lgkge]gf]o`geYc]kYkm[[]kk^md<;)-Oak-
\ge H]j[]hlagf![`][c&9km[[]kk^md<;)(Oak\ge
E]\a[af]![`][cl`]j]Y^l]jj]n]Ydkl`Yll`]klYafkYj]
YZgmll`j]]\Yqkgd\&
 L`jgm_`l`]_jYl]k]laflgl`]\][c[YfZ]k]]fY
dY\\]j]pl]f\af_\goflgYj]Y-$Zmll`]_jYl]akjmkl]\
k`ml&Al[YfZ]oj]f[`]\gh]foal`Ykm[[]kk^md<;)-
Klj]f_l` 9l`d]la[k![`][cgjkeYk`]\YhYjl 9;)-3)(
`alhgaflk3aeemfalqlgÕj]$hgakgf$Yf\hkq[`a[\Ye-
Y_]!&9fqgf]o`gh]]jk\gofaflgYj]Y-Y^l]jl`]_jYl]
akj]egn]\Yf\km[[]]\kgfY<;)(Oak\ge H]j[]h-
lagf![`][ckhglkk]n]jYdÕkl%kar]\kha\]jk[jYodaf_
Ydgf_l`]oYddkg^l`]hYkkY_]Z]dgo&L`]kha\]jkaee]-
\aYl]dqk[mlld]YoYq^jgeYfqfgak]gjda_`l&
2. Altar to Lolth
A rough stone altar dominates this cabin. Strange
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around it, and humanoid skulls ring the wall above, each
mounted on a wooden spike. The corners of this room
are piled with garbage and debris—crudely cut wooden
logs, smashed furniture, torn sacks, shattered crates,
and small piles of dried palm fronds. A staircase de-
VFHQGVIURPWKHVRXWKHDVWFRUQHUDQGDQDFULGRGRUśOOV
the air.
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k`jaf]lgDgdl`$l`]\]egfim]]fg^kha\]jk&L`]kcmddk
Yj][jY[c]\$o]Yl`]j]\$Yf\gZnagmkdqgd\&
Dmjcaf_mf\]jl`]_YjZY_]Yf\\]ZjakakY`gklg^
n]jeaf`]d\kY[j]\Zql`][mdlaklkg^Dgdl`Èkha\]jk
g^]n]jqkar]Yf\lqh]&A^Yfqgf]gl`]jl`Yfl`]\jma\
Cj]ddkh]f\kegj]l`YfY^]oege]flkafl`akjgge$
one giant spiderZmjklk^jgel`]o]Zkgfl`]hgjlka\]$
while an ettercap]e]j_]k^jgel`]klYjZgYj\ka\]g^
CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation
90
l`]jgge&9ll`]kYe]lae]$^gmjswarms of insects
(spiders)[jYodl`jgm_`l`]\][c^jgeZ]dgo&9fq[`Yj-
Y[l]jo`g`YkYhYkkan]H]j[]hlagfk[gj]g^),gjdgo]j
akkmjhjak]\& Afla_`limYjl]jk$j]e]eZ]jl`YlYkoYje
[Yfg[[mhql`]kYe]khY[]YkYfgl`]j[j]Ylmj]&!
Captain’s Log. 9[`YjY[l]jo`gk]Yj[`]kl`jgm_`l`]
\]Zjakafl`]jggeYf\km[[]]\kgfY<;)-Oak\ge
H]j[]hlagf![`][cÕf\kl`]k`ahÌkd]\_]jYf\l`][Yh-
lYafÌkdg_$Zgl`ojall]faf;geegf&
 L`]dg_\]lYadkl`]k`ahÌkdYklngqY_]$af[dm\af_Yf
Y[[gmflg^l`]l]jjaZd]klgjel`Yll`j]oEmperor of
the Wavesg‫[ץ‬gmjk]Yf\k]hYjYl]\al^jgealk]k[gjl&
Jmffaf_dgogf^gg\Yf\\jafcYZd]oYl]j$l`]k`ahoYk
^gj[]\lg\jghYf[`gjg‫ץ‬Yfmf[`Yjl]\akdYf\&L`]dYkl
]fljq\]k[jaZ]kYfYllY[cZqgj[kl`Yl^gm_`lYdgf_ka\]
_gZdafkYf\egfkljgmkn]jeaf&L`gm_`l`][j]o^]f\]\
g‫ץ‬l`akafalaYdYllY[c$l`]qkm‫]ץ‬j]\`]Ynq[YkmYdla]k&
L`]ÕfYd]fljqj][gj\kl`][YhlYafÌk^]Yjl`Yll`akYllY[c
ea_`l`Yn]Z]]fl`]hj][mjkgjlgYf]n]fdYj_]jYkkYmdl&
Treasure. 9eafgjg‫]ץ‬jaf_lgDgdl`ak[gf[]Yd]\
Zql`]em\Yf\dall]jgfl`]\][c&9k]Yj[`g^l`]
[YZafmf[gn]jkYkeYddkY[c[gflYafaf_l]fj]\jmZa]k
)((_h]Y[`!&
3. Navigator’s Room
L`]\ggjaflgl`akjgge^jgel`]eYaf\][cak`]d\k`ml
ZqYl`a[ceYkkg^o]ZZaf_Z]`af\al&Al[YfZ]^gj[]\
gh]foal`Ykm[[]kk^md<;)-Klj]f_l` 9l`d]la[k![`][c
gjZjgc]fl`jgm_` 9;)-$)0`alhgaflk$aeemfalqlg
hgakgfYf\hkq[`a[\YeY_]$j]kaklYf[]lgha]j[af_Yf\
kdYk`af_\YeY_]!&
 K`]]lkg^o]ZZaf_Õddl`akjgge$km[`l`YlYfql`af_
egj]l`Yf)(^]]l^jgel`]]fljYf[]Yhh]YjkYkdalld]
egj]l`YfYnY_m]k`Yh]&@a\\]fafl`]o]ZkYj]Y
fYjjgoklYaj[Yk]\gofYf\$f]Yjl`]Zgo$YlYZd]Yf\
^gmj[`Yajk&
 L`]o]Yl`]j]\^mjfalmj]`]j]akogjl`d]kk$Zmll`]
lYZd]akkladd[gn]j]\oal`[`YjlkYf\eYhk&
 9giant spider and an ettercap dmjcf]Yjl`][]adaf_
YZgn]l`]lYZd]$[gehd]l]dq`a\\]fafo]ZZaf_Yf\
k`Y\go&L`]qYllY[cl`]Õjkl[j]Ylmj]lg]pYeaf]l`]
[`YjlkYf\eYhk$_Yafaf_kmjhjak]mfd]kkl`][j]Ylmj]
`YkYhYkkan]H]j[]hlagfk[gj]g^)/gj`a_`]j&
 ;geZYlafl`akYj]YYjgmk]kl`]`mf_jqn]jeafaf
l`]\][ckZ]dgo&:]_affaf_)\,jgmf\kY^l]jl`]_aYfl
kha\]jÌkafalaYdYllY[c$gf]swarm of insects (spiders)
Zgadkmhl`]klYajk^jgeYj]Y,]Y[`jgmf\$mkaf_l`]
kYe]afalaYlan][gmflYkl`]_aYflkha\]j&L`]koYjek
c]]h[geaf_mflad^gmj`Yn]]fl]j]\l`]Õ_`l$mfd]kkl`]
hYkkY_]^jgeYj]Y,akZdg[c]\kge]`go&=Y[`koYje
YllY[ckl`]f]Yj]kl[j]Ylmj]&
Lower Deck and Cargo Hold
L`][YZafkZ]f]Yl`l`]eYaf\][cYj]`ge]lgl`]
\jma\Cj]ddÈYf\lgl`]emj\]jgmk[j]Ylmj]kmf\]j
`ak[gfljgd&
4. Webbed Doorway
L`akYj]Yakfglk`jgm\]\afk`]]lkg^o]Zk$mfdac]egkl
g^l`]dgo]j\][c k]]l`]ÉO]Zk9ZgYj\K`ahÊka\]ZYj!&
9o]Zg^Y\a‫]ץ‬j]flkgjlklj]l[`]kY[jgkkl`]\ggjoYq
Z]lo]]fl`akkeYdd[`YeZ]jYf\l`]o]kl]f\g^Yj]Y
- Yll`]hgafleYjc]\oal`Y\gll]\daf]!&L`ak^j]k`dq
khmfo]Zak\a‫[׹‬mdllgkhgl&9[`YjY[l]jo`ghjgZ]k
Y`]Y\oal`Yhgd]gjYo]Yhgf$gjo`g`YkYhYkkan]
H]j[]hlagfk[gj]g^)/gj`a_`]j$[Yfkhgll`]o]Z&Gl`-
]joak]$l`]Õjkl[`YjY[l]jl`jgm_`l`]\ggjoYqZdmf\]jk
aflgalYf\akj]kljYaf]\$Yka^l`]q`Y\Z]]f`alZqY_aYfl
kha\]jÌkO]ZYllY[c&
A^Yfq[j]Ylmj]ak[Ym_`lafl`]o]Z$l`]g[[mhYflkg^
Yj]Y-Yj]\jYofaflgl`akYj]YYf\YllY[caee]\aYl]dq&
Treasure. 9Õf]kadn]jZjY[]d]l *-(_h![YfZ]^gmf\
gfl`]ÖggjY_Yafkll`]oYddafl`]fgjl`]Ykl[gjf]jg^
l`akYj]Y&
5. Spider Nest
L`]fgjl`Çkgml`k][lagfg^l`ak`YddoYqakÕdd]\oal`
k`]]lkg^o]ZZaf_ k]]l`]ka\]ZYj!&
9fettercapdmjckaf`]j]$dYl[`af_gflgl`][]adaf_
gn]jl`]\ggjlgYj]Y.&Loggiant wolf spiders are
h]j[`]\gf]al`]jka\]g^l`]\ggjoYq^jgeYj]Y,&L`]q
YllY[c$_Yafaf_kmjhjak]gn]jYfq[j]Ylmj]oal`YhYkkan]
H]j[]hlagfk[gj]g^).gjdgo]j$o`]fYfq[j]Ylmj]ak
[Ym_`lZql`]o]Zafl`]\ggjoYqd]Y\af_^jgeYj]Y,
gjo`]fYfq[j]Ylmj]]fl]jkYj]Y-Y^l]jl`Ylo]Zakj]-
egn]\&Kap swarms of insects (spiders) lie elsewhere in
l`akYj]Y$oal`logkoYjekbgafaf_l`]Õ_`l]Y[`jgmf\&
A^l`][`YjY[l]jk]fl]jl`akhYkkY_]oYq^jgeYj]Y)(
afkl]Y\g^^jgeYj]Y,$l`]kha\]jkoYalmfladl`][`YjY[-
l]jkÌYll]flagfak^g[mk]\gfl`]\][c_jYl] k]]Z]dgo!
Z]^gj]YllY[caf_&
Cargo Hold Access.9ogg\]f_jYl][gn]jkY`gd]af
l`]\][cl`Yld]Y\k\goflgYj]Y)*&L`]_jYl]akZY\dq
jgll]\Yf\[gn]j]\afo]Zk$Yf\alkmfkY^]fYlmj][YfZ]
fgla[]\gfdqZqY[`YjY[l]jo`ghjgZ]kl`]ÖggjY`]Y\
oal`Yhgd]gjo`g`YkYhYkkan]H]j[]hlagfk[gj]g^
),gj`a_`]j&9[`YjY[l]jo`ghmlkl`]aj^mddo]a_`lgf
l`]_jYl]Zj]Yckl`jgm_`Yf\^Yddkaflgl`][Yj_g`gd\
Yj]Y)*!&L`]^Yddaflgl`]oYl]jÕddaf_l`]`gd\\]Ydkfg
\YeY_]$Zmlal[Yl[`]kl`]Yll]flagfg^l`]_`gmdkafl`]
`gd\&L`]_jYl][YfZ]gh]f]\gjZjgc]fl`jgm_`]Ykadq
ZqYfqgf]o`gj][g_far]kalk[gf\alagfZ]^gj]egn-
af_gflgal&
6. Food Storage
Thick webbing chokes this room, partially covering
strung-up bones, shriveled limbs of humanoids and an-
imals, and other gruesome remains. Four human-sized
bundles hang within the mass of webbing, a little less
than ten feet into the room, while small spiders scurry
everywhere.
9[`YjY[l]jo`goYl[`]kl`]o]ZZ]\Zmf\d]k^gjY^]o
ege]flkYf\km[[]]\kgfY<;)(Oak\ge H]j[]h-
lagf![`][cfgla[]kl`Yll`]qg[[YkagfYddqk`m\\]jYf\
loal[`afYoYqfgl[Ymk]\Zql`]eglagfg^l`]Em-
peror&Oal`afYj]^gmjmaw demons k]]Yhh]f\ap;!$
k]jnalgjk\jYof^jgel`]9ZqkkZql`]Õ]f\ak`eY_a[
[gmjkaf_l`jgm_`l`]o]Zk`]j]&Cj]ddYf\l`]gl`]j
[mdlaklkkh]fleYfq`gmjk`]j]kYf[la^qaf_l`]o]ZkYf\
g‫]ץ‬jaf_jal]klgDgdl`$Yf\l`]_g\\]kk`Ykj]oYj\]\
l`]eoal`l`]k]k]jnalgjk&Cj]dd`Ykq]llg^j]]l`]e$
Z][Ymk]`]ogjja]k`]akfgl[mjj]fldqkljgf_]fgm_`lg
[geeYf\l`]e&
 =Y[`[g[ggf[YfZ]lgjfgh]foal`Ykm[[]kk^md<;
)*Klj]f_l` 9l`d]la[k![`][c$gjal[YfZ]YllY[c]\ 9;
)(3)(`alhgaflk3aeemfalqlgZdm\_]gfaf_$hgakgf$Yf\
hkq[`a[\YeY_]!&O`]fl`]Õjkl\]egfakk]ldggk]$l`]
gl`]jkZ][ge]Y_alYl]\Yf\[Yfmk]YfY[lagflgl]Yj
l`]ajoYqgmlg^l`]o]ZZaf_&
Treasure. 9^]oZgf]kYf\kcmddkg^kY[jaÕ[aYdna[laek
Yj]`a\\]fafl`]o]ZZaf_&9[`YjY[l]jo`geYc]kY
km[[]kk^md<;)(Afl]dda_]f[] Afn]kla_Ylagf![`][cÕf\k
YhYajg^_gd\]Yjjaf_k *((_h!Yf\Ynaf]f][cdY[]k]l
oal`YfYe]l`qkl *-(_h!`a\\]fYegf_l`]o]Zk&
7. Krell’s Cabin
Palm fronds are piled up in one corner of this room to
make a crude bed. Nearby, a stone-tipped wooden spear
and an oblong shield lean against the wall. The shield
bears the symbol of a humanoid skull with spiders crawl-
ing from its eye sockets. Two weathered humanoid skulls
hang from wooden pegs on the wall.
L`akjggek]jn]kYkCj]dd?jg`d_Ìkh]jkgfYd[`YeZ]j&
Mfdac]egklg^l`]dgo]j\][c$alakfgl[gn]j]\afk`]]lk
g^o]Zk&=n]jkaf[]l`]YllY[cZql`]g[lghmkcadd]\l`]
gl`]j[mdlaklkY^]o\YqkY_g$`]`YkYZYf\gf]\l`ak
jggeYf\kh]f\kegklg^`aklae]hjYqaf_afYj]Y)(&
 9fq[`YjY[l]jo`gafkh][lkl`]Z]\Õf\kk]n]jYdo]dd%
_fYo]\`meYfga\Zgf]keap]\afoal`l`]hYde^jgf\k&
8. First Mate’s Cabin
The smashed wreckage of a bed, dresser, and desk
FRYHUVWKHŜRRURIWKLVURRP7KLFNZHEVH[WHQGIURP
ŜRRUWRFHLOLQJPDNLQJLWLPSRVVLEOHWRFOHDUO\VHHWKH
walls beyond. Hundreds of tiny spiders move through
the webs.
9ddhYjlkg^l`akjggeYj]]f_md^]\afk`]]lkg^o]Zk&
L`][YZaf[gflYafkfgl`af_g^afl]j]kl$Yf\l`]kha\]jk
hgk]fgl`j]Yl&
9. Spider Chambers
7KLVURRPLVśOOHGZLWKVPDVKHGIXUQLWXUHFUXVKHG
ZRRGHQER[HVDQGRWKHUGHEULVDOOFRYHUHGZLWKWKLFN
layers of spiderwebs.
O`]fl`]\ggjlg]al`]jg^l`]k]o]Z%Õdd]\jggekak
gh]f]\$`mf\j]\kg^lafqkha\]jkk[mlld]^gj[gn]j&L`]k]
Yj]Yk[gflYaffgl`af_g^afl]j]kl&
CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation
91
 10. Unholy Shrine
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EORRG$FLUFOHKDVEHHQFDUYHGLQWRWKHŜRRUôVZRRGHQ
planks and spiderwebs cover the walls and ceiling. Two
humanoid-sized bundles attached to the ceiling writhe as
hundreds of tiny spiders swarm over them.
Cj]dd?jg`d_$l`]dYklkmjnangjg^l`][mdlaklko`g]k-
[Yh]\l`]akdYf\$k]im]kl]j]\`aek]d^`]j]Y^l]jl`]Õjkl
g[lghmkYllY[c&@]YllY[ckYll`]Õjklka_fg^afljm\]jkÈ
a^\qaf_^gjDgdl`aklgZ]`ak^Yl]$`]k]]cklgkdYqYk
eYfq[`YjY[l]jkYkhgkkaZd]&
Cj]ddakYeYd]`Yd^%gj[druid$oal`l`]k][`Yf_]k2
• Cj]ddak[`Ygla[]nad&
• @]`Ykl`]k]jY[aYdljYalk2O`]fj]\m[]\lg(`al
hgaflk$`]\jghklg)`alhgaflafkl]Y\ Zml[YfÌl\gl`ak
Y_Yafmflad`]Õfak`]kYdgf_j]kl!&@]`Yk\Yjcnakagf
gmllgYjYf_]g^.(^]]l&@]kh]Yck;geegfYf\Gj[&
• @]`YkYKlj]f_l`k[gj]g^)0$o`a[`_an]k`aeY
#,ZgfmklgYllY[cjgddkYf\\YeY_]jgddkoal``ak
imYjl]jklY‫&ץ‬
• @]`Ykl`]ÖYeaf_kh`]j] spell prepared rather than
animal messenger&
 AfY\\alagflgCj]dd$l`ak[YZafYdkg[gflYafkloggiant
spidersdmjcaf_afY^Yj[gjf]j$Yf\Cj]ddÌkh]lphase
spider fYe]\Jgad!&Mfd]kkl`][`YjY[l]jko]j]mfmkm-
Yddqima]lo`ad]eYcaf_l`]ajoYql`jgm_`l`]k`ah$Cj]dd
`Yk`]Yj\l`]eegnaf_Yf\Õ_`laf_egfkl]jkafgl`]j
Yj]Yk&:]^gj]l`]Õ_`lZ]_afk$`]`Yklae]lg[Yklshille-
laghgfl`]imYjl]jklY‫]`ץ‬oa]d\k$barkskin for defense,
and hjg\m[]ÖYe]afhj]hYjYlagf^gjY[gf^jgflYlagf&
CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation
92
 L`]h`Yk]kha\]jkh]f\kalklae]afl`]:gj\]j=l`]-
j]Yd&AlYll]ehlklgYeZmk`Cj]ddÌk^g]k$egnaf_l`jgm_`
oYddkmffgla[]\Z]^gj]]fl]jaf_l`]EYl]jaYdHdYf]lg
YllY[cYoarYj\$kgj[]j]j$gjkaeadYjdqnmdf]jYZd][`YjY[-
l]j&L`]log_aYflkha\]jkljqlghjgl][lCj]dd&Gf]Õ_`lk
^jgel`]_jgmf\$o`ad]l`]gl`]j[daf_klgl`][]adaf_
Yf\YllY[ck\gofoYj\$]fYZdaf_Zgl`DYj_][j]Ylmj]k
lgj]eYafafl`]^jYq&
Ending Hostilities. Cj]ddcfgokl`Yll`]Emperor
ogfÌlklYqYÖgYl^gj]n]j&@][YfZ]h]jkmY\]\lgd]Yn]
oal`l`][`YjY[l]jkafkl]Y\g^Õ_`laf_l`]ea^kge]gf]
afl`]hYjlqkm[[]]\kgfY<;*(;`YjakeY H]jkmY-
kagf![`][clgoafl`]\jma\Ìk[gfÕ\]f[]&9fgj[gj`Yd^%
gj[[`YjY[l]jeYc]kl`ak[`][coal`Y\nYflY_]&Gf[]
Cj]ddakkY^]`]kdahkYoYqlg[gflafm]`ak^gmdogjk`ah&
Treasure. 9ddl`][mdlaklkÌ[]j]egfaYdgZb][lkYf\
lj]Ykmj]Yj]klgj]\afYogg\]fZgpYdgf_l`]hgjloYdd&
L`]Zgp[gflYafkspell scrolls of gust of wind and pro-
tection from poison, a potion of heroism, a potion of wa-
ter breathing, a cloak of protection$-(/_h$Yf\)11kh&
11. Galley
L`]\ggj`]j]ak\YeY_]\Yf\`]d\k`mlZqjmklqajgf
khac]k&AlemklZ]^gj[]\gh]foal`Ykm[[]kk^md<;)-
Klj]f_l` 9l`d]la[k![`][cgj[`ghh]\YhYjl 9;)-$)*
`alhgaflk$aeemfalqlghkq[`a[Yf\hgakgf\YeY_]!&
Judging from the stove along one wall of this room, this
was once the galley. Now the area is cluttered with bones
and debris. Badly damaged metal knives and other cook-
ware hang from hooks in the ceiling, while the choking
VWHQFKRIURWWLQJŜHVKśOOVWKHDLU$VWDLUZD\OHDGVXS
SAM KEISER
near the stern. Tiny spiders crawl over everything.
L`][mdlaklkc]hll`akYj]Y^j]]g^o]ZkYf\mk]\al^gj
^gg\klgjY_]&L`]f$Y^l]jl`]ajkmhhda]kjYfdgo$k]n]jYd
g^l`]eZYjja[Y\]\l`]ek]dn]kafl`akjggelgk]ar][gf-
ljgdg^l`]j]eYafaf_kmhhda]k&Afj]khgfk]$l`]j]klg^
l`][mdlaklkklgje]\l`]Yj]Y$kd]ol`]j]Z]dk$Yf\Y\\]\
l`]aj[gjhk]klgl`]k`ahÌkdYj\]j&9ddl`YlÌkd]^lfgog^
Yddl`]j]Z]dkYj]k[jYhk$Ykl`]dgf]kmjnangj Cj]dd!`Yk
[gfkme]\l`]dYklg^l`]e&
Trapdoor. 9egd\qljYh\ggjafl`akYj]Yd]Y\k\gof
aflgl`][Yj_g`gd\&Al[YfZ]]Ykadqkhgll]\ fg[`][cj]-
imaj]\!&9ZYj`YkZ]]fafk]jl]\l`jgm_`Yk]lg^jmkl]\
ZjY[c]lklgc]]halk`ml&L`][mdlaklkmk]\l`ak\ggjlg
\]dan]jkY[jaÕ[]klgl`]_`YklkZ]dgo$Yf\l`]qc]hl
alZYjj]\Z]lo]]fl`gk]lae]klghj]n]fll`]mf\]Y\
^jge]k[Yhaf_&
12. Cargo Hold
This deck runs the length of the ship and features no
EXONKHDGVRUZDOOV'DUNPXUN\VHDZDWHUśOOVLWWRD
depth of three feet, sloshing against old, moldering
crates piled against the ship’s port hull.
L`]oYl]jl`YlÕddkl`akYj]Yak\a‫[׹‬mdll]jjYaf^gjE]-
\ame[`YjY[l]jk&KeYdd[`YjY[l]jkemklkoaeo`ad]af
l`][Yj_g`gd\&
L`ak\][cakYhjakgf^gj^gmj ghastsÈ^gje]jdqY
_jgmhg^l`a]n]ko`gklgo]\YoYqafl`]`gd\Z]^gj]l`]
EmperordYkld]^lhgjl&O`]fl`]k`ahoYkoYqdYa\Zq
l`]klgje$l`]q[gmd\fgl]k[Yh]^jgel`]`gd\Yf\]n]f-
lmYddqklYjn]\lg\]Yl`&L`][mdlaklk^gmf\l`]mf\]Y\
o`]fl`]qlggc[gfljgdg^l`]k`ahZmlna]o]\l`]eYk
]eakkYja]kg^l`]aj\Yjc_g\Yf\^]\l`]eoal`g‫]ץ‬jaf_k
g^danaf_kY[jaÕ[]k&
 L`]_`Yklk[mjj]fldq`a\]afl`]Zgog^l`]`gd\$
Z]f]Yl`l`]oYl]j&L`]qogfÌlj]n]Ydl`]ek]dn]kmflad
[`YjY[l]jk]fl]jl`akYj]YYf\YhhjgY[`l`]ajhgkalagf$
o`]j]mhgfl`]mf\]Y\kmj_]gmlg^l`]oYl]j&9fq[`Yj-
Y[l]jo`gk]hYkkan]H]j[]hlagfk[gj]ak))gjdgo]jak
kmjhjak]\Zql`]_`Yklko`]fl`]qYllY[c&9[j]Ylmj]
hYjYdqr]\ZqY_`YklÌk[dYok`gd\kalkZj]Yl`YmlgeYla-
[Yddqa^al[gddYhk]kaflgl`]oYl]j$ZmlakYljakcg^\jgof-
af_mfd]kkalakhmdd]\gmlY_Yaf&K]]ÉKm‫ץ‬g[Ylaf_Êaf
[`Yhl]j0g^l`]Player’s Handbook&
Treasure. Gf]g^l`]_`Yklko]YjkYkadn]jZjY[]d]l
k[mdhl]\lgdggcdac]Yloakl]\lgf_m] /-_h!$Yf\Yf-
gl`]jgf]o]YjkY_]e%klm\\]\Z]dl ,((_h!&L`][jYl]k
Yf\Zgp]kYj]jgll]\$Yf\l`]_gg\kafl`]eYj]ogjl`-
d]kkÈoal`gf]]p[]hlagf&
Aubreck’s Box.9kYfY[lagf$Y[`YjY[l]j[YfYll]ehl
Y<;)-Oak\ge H]j[]hlagf![`][clgkhglY[jYl]
eYjc]\oal`Yklqdar]\d]ll]jA&9fgl`]jY[lagfakj]-
imaj]\lggh]fal$j]n]Ydaf_l`]Zgpafka\]&
L`]Zdm]e]lYdZgpakeY\]^jgeeY_a[Yddq]f`Yf[]\
ajgfl`Ylakaeh]jnagmklgjmklYf\`Ykafnmdf]jYZadalqlg
Ydd\YeY_]&Al`Ykfgdg[cgjdYl[`$Yf\al[YfÌlZ]gh]f]\
ZqYfqfgjeYde]Yfk&K]]ÉEgnaf_9mZj][cÌkLj]Ykmj]Ê
^gj\]lYadkgf[Yjjqaf_l`]ZgpY^l]jl`]]d\]jg[lghmk
YllY[ck$Yf\^gj_]llaf_l`]lj]Ykmj]kY^]dqg‫ץ‬Emperor
of the Waves&
Death of the Emperor
K`gjldqY^l]jEmperor of the Waves was spotted drifting
gfl`]gh]fk]Y$Yf]fgjegmk]d\]jg[lghmkZ]_Yflg
klYdcl`]k`ah&Al`YkYdj]Y\qYllY[c]\l`]n]kk]dgf[]$
and that assault worsened the EmperorÌk[gf\alagf$
gh]faf_mhY^]od]Yckl`YlYj]fgo[Ymkaf_l`]`gd\lg
Ögg\&:]da]naf_l`Yla^aloYalkdgf_]fgm_`$l`]oj][c
oadd]n]flmYddqkafcZ]f]Yl`l`]kmj^Y[]$l`]g[lghmk`Yk
remained in the area, lurking in the water a hundred
^]]lZ]dgo& L`][j]Ylmj]akÕpYl]\gfZjaf_af_\gof
the EmperorYf\hYqkfg`]]\lgSoul of Winter or the
jgoZgYll`YloYalk^gjl`][`YjY[l]jk*((^]]lYoYq^jge
l`]\]j]da[l&!
 O`]fal`]Yjkfgak]^jgel`][`YjY[l]jkÌÕ_`lY_Yafkl
l`]_`gmdkafYj]Y)*$l`][j]Ylmj][ge]kZY[c^gjYf-
gl`]jYllY[c& >gjZ]kl\jYeYla[]‫[]ץ‬l$qgmk`gmd\lae]
l`]g[lghmkÌkj]Yhh]YjYf[]lg[gaf[a\]oal`l`][`YjY[-
l]jkÌ\ak[gn]jqg^9mZj][cÌkZgp&!
 L`]g[lghmkj]hj]k]flkYj]Ydl`j]Yllgl`][`YjY[-
l]jk&9kl`][j]Ylmj]YllY[ck$]eh`Ykar]l`][`Ygkl`Yl
]fkm]kafl`]k`ah&KoYjekg^kha\]jkk[jYeZd]Y[jgkk
l`]oYddkYf\\][ckafYhYfa[$Ykk]eZdaf_aflg]n]j
dYj_]jeYkk]k&L`]k`ah[j]YckYf\daklkegj]k]n]j]dq
Ykkge]l`af_YkkYmdlkal^jgel`]gmlka\]$alklaeZ]jk
snapping and water pouring through the widening
[jY[ckafl`]`mdd&Oal`afege]flk$l`][`YjY[l]jk[Yf
k]]l`]g[lghmkÌkYjekkfYcaf_l`jgm_`Zj]Y[`]kafl`]
`mdd$_jYkhaf_^gjYfql`af_l`]q[YfojYhYjgmf\&>jge
l`Ylhgaflgf$\gfÌl_an]l`]hdYq]jkl`]dmpmjqg^hgf-
\]jaf_l`]aj[`YjY[l]jkÌf]plegn]k&Hmk`l`]elgeYc]
^Ykl\][akagfkYf\\g]n]jql`af_qgm[Yflgj]af^gj[]
l`]a\]Yl`Yll`]qÌj][Ym_`lafYhYfa[c]\Öa_`l^jgeY
kafcaf_k`ah&
Octopus Attack
L`]g[lghmkÌkYllY[ck`Yc]kYf\ladlkl`]k`ahkgnag-
d]fldql`Ylegnaf_Yjgmf\l`]k`ahZ][ge]k\a‫[׹‬mdl&
9fqkmjnanaf_egfkl]jkhYfa[Yf\k]]clg]k[Yh]l`]
k`ah$YllY[caf_l`][`YjY[l]jka^l`]q[jgkkhYl`k&A^l`]
[`YjY[l]jkeYc]allgl`]mhh]j\][c$l`]qemkl`Yadl`]
kYadgjkYZgYj\l`]jgoZgYl^jgeSoul of Winter and wait
^gjl`]ZgYllgj]Y[`l`]e&
Movement
Egn]e]flaklja[cqYkl`]k`ahjg[ckZY[cYf\^gjl`&
Lj]Yll`]ÖggjYk\a‫[׹‬mdll]jjYaf&
 ;daeZaf_klYajkgjYdY\\]jj]imaj]kY<;)(Klj]f_l`
9l`d]la[k![`][c$mfd]kkY[`YjY[l]j`YkY[daeZaf_
kh]]\&GfY^Yad]\[`][c$Y[`YjY[l]j^Yddkhjgf]afl`]
khY[]o`]j]l`][daeZZ]_Yf&
Rescue
Gf[]l`][`YjY[l]jkj]Y[`Yj]Y)Yf\[Ydd^gj`]dh$l`]
kYadgjkafl`]jgoZgYlljqlgj]k[m]l`]e&AllYc]k)(
jgmf\k^gjl`]jgoZgYllgj]Y[`l`]Emperor&
 GZk]jnYflhdYq]jkea_`lj]Ydar]l`Yll`]g[lghmkak
^g[mkaf_alk]‫ץ‬gjlkgfl`]k`ah&9fqgf]o`gd]Yhkgn]j-
ZgYj\gj_]lkaflgl`]jgoZgYlakkY^]^jgel`]g[lghmk$
l`gm_`egfkl]jkYZgYj\l`]k`ahl`Ylk]][`YjY[l]jkaf
the water follow suit and might attempt to swarm the
jgoZgYl k]]ÉGl`]j=f]ea]kÊZ]dgo!&
CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation
93
 Thrashing Tentacles
L`]g[lghmkZYll]jkl`]k`ah$ljqaf_lgkeYk``gd]kYf\
l]Yjaf_YoYqYlYfq[j]Ylmj]kallgm[`]k&L`]l]flY[d]k
kljac]ima[cdq$kh]Yjaf_l`jgm_`ka\]kg^l`]k`ah&Gfdq
dm[c[YfkYn]l`][`YjY[l]jk^jgeZ]af_`alZql`]e&
9ll`]klYjlg^]Y[`[`YjY[l]jÌklmjf$l`YlhdYq]jeYc]k
Y<;)(<]pl]jalqkYnaf_l`jgo&GfY^Yad]\kYn]$l`Yl
[`YjY[l]jlYc]k/ *\.!Zdm\_]gfaf_\YeY_]^jgel`]
l]flY[d]kÌ^jYfla[l`jYk`af_&
L`ak]‫[]ץ‬lYdkgYhhda]klgl`]egfkl]jkYZgYj\l`]
k`ah&Lgc]]hl`af_kkaehd]$jYl`]jl`YfjgddkYnaf_
l`jgok^gjl`]eYkkme]l`]qlYc]+ )\.!Zdm\_]gfaf_
\YeY_]Yll`]klYjlg^l`]ajlmjfk&
Attacking the Octopus
9[`YjY[l]j[YfYll]ehllg\jan]g‫ץ‬l`]g[lghmkZq
\]Ydaf_\YeY_]lgal&9[`YjY[l]j[Yfmk]YfY[lagflg
eYc]YjYf_]\YllY[cgje]d]]YllY[c$gjlg[YklYkh]dd&
9kkme]l`YlYfqYllY[cjgddk`alZmlYj]fgl[jala[Yd`alk$
Yf\\akj]_Yj\Yfq]‫[]ץ‬lg^l`]YllY[cgjkh]dd^gjl`ak
hmjhgk]gl`]jl`Yfl`]\YeY_]al\]Ydk&
A^l`]lglYd\YeY_]^jgeYddl`]YllY[ckgjkh]ddkmk]\
gfl`][`YjY[l]jÌklmjfak*(gj`a_`]j$l`]g[lghmkak
ege]flYjadqkdgo]\2]Y[`[`YjY[l]j\g]kfglf]]\lg
eYc]kYnaf_l`jgokY_Yafkll`]l`jYk`af_g^l`]l]flY-
[d]kmfladl`]]f\g^l`Yl[`YjY[l]jÌkf]pllmjf&
Other Monsters
A^l`][`YjY[l]jkd]^lYfqg^l`]egfkl]jkYZgYj\l`]k`ah
Ydan]$l`gk][j]Ylmj]kljqlg]k[Yh]l`]EmperorZ]^gj]
al_g]kmf\]j&Cj]ddYf\l`]]ll]j[YhkYj]afl]dda_]fl
]fgm_`lgk]]ckY^]lq&L`]qjmk`lgl`]lgh\][cYf\
bmehaflgl`]oYl]j3l`]f$gf[]l`]jgoZgYlYjjan]k$l`]q
ljqlgk]ar]alYf\Ö]]&
L`]eYo\]egfkafYj]Y.Zj]Yc^j]]gfjgmf\*Yf\
jmk`lgl`]mhh]j\][c&L`]qYllY[cgl`]j[j]Ylmj]kaf-
\ak[jaeafYl]dq$[Yjaf_gfdqYZgmlkhj]Y\af_[`Ygk&=Y[`
gf]YkkYmdlkl`][dgk]kl[j]Ylmj]l`YlakfglY\]egf&
 L`]n]jeafYZgYj\k`ahÖ]]lgl`]mhh]j\][ck$j]Y[`-
af_Yj]Y)Zqjgmf\+&L`]qYllY[cl`][`YjY[l]jkgf
ka_`lYf\Õ_`llgl`]\]Yl`&
Moving Aubreck’s Treasure
L`]e]lYdlj]Ykmj]ZgpakZmdcqYf\`Yj\lg`Yf\d]&
Gf[]l`]]d\]jg[lghmkYllY[ck$Yf\l`]k`ahakhal[`af_
Yf\Ögg\af_$l`]ZgpZ][ge]k\a‫[׹‬mdllgegn]&
Gf]gjlog[`YjY[l]jk[Yfljqlg[Yjjql`]Zgp&9
[`YjY[l]j[Yfmk]YfY[lagflgha[cmhl`]ZgpgjhYkk
allgkge]gf]]dk]oal`Ykm[[]kk^md<;)*Klj]f_l`
9l`d]la[k![`][c&GfY^Yad]\[`][c$l`][`YjY[l]j
\jghkl`]Zgp&
@go^Yklkge]gf]egn]koal`l`]ZgpakZYk]\gf
l`]ajKlj]f_l`k[gj]$Ykk`gofgfl`]lYZd]Z]dgo&
A^log[`YjY[l]jk[Yjjql`]Zgp$l`]lglYdg^l`]aj
Klj]f_l`k[gj]k\]l]jeaf]k`go^Ykll`]q[Yfegn]&
Strength (Total) Speed Penalty
18 or higher ĭIW
12 to 17 ĭIW
8 to 11 ĭIW
7 or lower &DQQRWPRYHWKHER[
CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation
94
 L`][`YjY[l]joal`l`]`a_`]jafalaYlan]\g]kfglegn]
gfl`]ajlmjfYf\mk]kYfY[lagflgYkkakll`]gl`]j[Yj-
ja]j&Gfl`]k][gf\[`YjY[l]jÌklmjf$Zgl`[`YjY[l]jk
[Yfegn]l`]ZgpY\aklYf[]]imYdlgl`]dgo]jg^l`]aj
logkh]]\k&
 A^l`]log[Yjja]jkYj]]n]jk]hYjYl]\Zqegj]l`Yf-
^]]l$gja^gf]gjZgl`Yj]cfg[c]\hjgf]$Zgl`g^l`]e
\jghl`]Zgp&L`]kar]g^l`]Zgphj]n]flkegj]l`Yf
log[`YjY[l]jk^jgeljqaf_lg[YjjqalYll`]kYe]lae]&
Sequence of Events
>gddgoaf_akYjgmf\%Zq%jgmf\kmeeYjqg^`go]n]flk
hjg_j]kkYkl`]g[lghmkZjaf_k\gofl`]k`ah&
Round 1
L`]g[lghmkZ]_afkalkYllY[c$ojYhhaf_alk]d^Yjgmf\
l`]k`ahYf\ÖYadaf_YoYqYll`][j]Ylmj]kafka\]oal`alk
l]flY[d]k$Yk\]k[jaZ]\YZgn]afÉL`jYk`af_L]flY[d]k&Ê
Round 2
L`]g[lghmkÌko]a_`lYf\ojalaf_l]flY[d]k[Ymk]l`]
k`ahlgdakl+(\]_j]]klghgjl&9ll`]klYjlg^l`akjgmf\$
]n]jq[`YjY[l]jemkleYc]Y<;)(<]pl]jalqkYnaf_
throw, falling prone and sliding 10 feet toward the port
ka\]gfY^Yad]\kYn]&;j]Ylmj]k[daeZaf_gfl`]oYddkgj
[]adaf_\gfglf]]\lgeYc]l`akkYnaf_l`jgo&
 >jgel`aklae]gf$Y[`YjY[l]jo`g^Yddkhjgf]kda\]k
)(^]]llgoYj\l`]hgjlka\]&
Round 3
9kl`]g[lghmk[jmk`]kl`]k`ah$oYl]jhgmjkl`jgm_`
l`]`mddYf\ÕddkYj]Y)*&Egfkl]jk^gmf\afYj]Yk,
l`jgm_`))`Yn]Ö]\lgYj]Y)Zql`aklae]$mfd]kk
klghh]\Zql`][`YjY[l]jk&A^]f_Y_]\af[geZYl$l`]q
Yll]ehllg\ak]f_Y_]Yf\Ö]]&
 9fqkmjnanaf__`YklkafYj]Y)*egn]lgYj]Y)&Mfdac]
l`]gl`]j[j]Ylmj]kYZgYj\l`]k`ah$l`]qklghlgÕ_`l
Yfq[`YjY[l]jkl`]q]f[gmfl]jZmla_fgj]kha\]jk$Cj]dd$
Yf\gl`]j[j]Ylmj]k^gmf\YZgYj\l`]k`ah&
 Egfkl]jkafYj]Y)Yll]ehllgYnga\l`]k]YoYl]j&Af
l`]aj^j]frq$l`]qYllY[cYfq[`YjY[l]jko`g]e]j_]
^jgeZ]dgo&A^Cj]ddakhj]k]fl$`]khglkl`]jgoZgYl
`]Y\af_^gjl`]k`ahYf\Yll]ehlklgk]ar]algf[]alYj-
jan]k&@]lja]klgkoaeZ]f]Yl`al$`a\]$Yf\l`]f]e]j_]
lgYeZmk`l`]kYadgjkYZgYj\al&
Round 4
=n]fa^l`][`YjY[l]jk`Yn]fglq]lka_fYd]\^gjl`]jgo-
ZgYllgha[cl`]emh$l`]kYadgjkklYjljgoaf_lgoYj\l`]
k`ahlgklY_]Yj]k[m]&L`]jgoZgYlYhhjgY[`]kgfl`]
klYjZgYj\ka\]g^l`]k`ah$`ghaf_lgYnga\l`]egfkl]jk
l`Yl`Yn]_Yl`]j]\afYj]Y)&
Round 5
9j]Yk,l`jgm_`))Õddoal`oYl]jYkl`]k`ahZ]_afklg
kda\]mf\]jl`]oYn]k&L`]hgjlka\]g^Yj]Y)akd]n]d
oal`l`]oYl]j$o`ad]l`]ladl]\\][cc]]hkl`]klYjZgYj\
]\_])(^]]lYZgn]al&
Rounds 6 through 13
KlYjlaf_gfjgmf\.$l`]oYn]kZ]_aflgZj]Ycgn]jl`]
k`ah&L`]hgjl`Yd^g^Yj]Y)ak+^]]lZ]dgooYl]j$o`ad]
l`]klYjZgYj\]\_]j]eYafk-^]]lYZgn]al&
 Round 14
A^l`]jgoZgYlZ]_YfalkYhhjgY[`gfjgmf\,$alYjjan]k
Yll`]klYjlg^l`akjgmf\&A^Cj]ddakhj]k]fl$Yk\]lYad]\
YZgn]$`]Yll]ehlklgdYmf[``akYeZmk`Yll`akhgafl&
Rounds 15 through 19
9ll`]klYjlg^jgmf\)-$l`]k`ahjgddkgn]jgfalkhgjl
ka\]&=n]jqgf]afYj]Y)akl`jgofaflgl`]k]Y$*\*(
^]]lafYjYf\ge\aj][lagfYoYq^jgel`][Yhkar]\`mdd&
L`]jgoZgYlegn]k*(^]]lYoYq^jgel`]`mddafYZa\
lgYnga\Yfqegfkl]jk&9fq[j]Ylmj]l`Yl]f\kmhafl`]
oYl]joal`af*(^]]lg^l`]jgoZgYllja]klgkoaelgoYj\
alYf\ZgYj\$YllY[caf_Yfqgf]o`gg‫]ץ‬jkj]kaklYf[]&
Round 20
9ll`]klYjlg^jgmf\*($l`]k`ahkafck&9fqgf]YZgYj\
emklkoaelgkY^]lq&L`]k`ah\]k[]f\k+\*(^]]lYll`]
klYjlg^]Y[`kmZk]im]fljgmf\mfladal`alkZgllge&
Getting Off the Emperor
Gf[]l`]jgoZgYlj]Y[`]kEmperor of the Waves on
jgmf\), gjh]j`Yhkkggf]j!$l`]Zdm]kl]]dZgp[YfZ]
`Yf\]\\gof^jgel`]\][cg^l`]Emperor into the
jgoZgYlYkYfY[lagf&L`]jgoZgYlj]eYafkafhdY[]
dgf_]fgm_`^gjl`]ZgplgZ]g‫؁‬gY\]\Yf\^gjl`][`Yj-
Y[l]jklg[dYeZ]jYZgYj\&:][Ymk]l`]g[lghmk^g[mk]k
on Emperor of the Waves$l`]jgoZgYlakfglafaeea-
f]fl\Yf_]j^jgel`][j]Ylmj]&
SAM KEISER
 9dgf][`YjY[l]jljqaf_lgkoaeoal`l`]lj]Ykmj]Zgp
emklkm[[]]\gfY<;*(Klj]f_l` 9l`d]la[k![`][cYl
l`]klYjlg^l`]ajlmjfgjkafc*(^]]l&Log[`YjY[l]jk
ogjcaf_lg_]l`]jlgkoaeYf\kmhhgjll`]ZgplYc]l`]aj
lmjfkkaemdlYf]gmkdqgfl`]dgo]jg^l`]ajlogafalaYlan]
jgddk&Gf][`YjY[l]jemklkm[[]]\gfY<;)-Klj]f_l`
9l`d]la[k![`][cYll`]klYjlg^l`]k`Yj]\lmjfo`ad]l`]
gl`]j[`YjY[l]jmk]kl`]@]dhY[lagf$gjZgl`[`YjY[l]jk
kafc*(^]]l&L`]log[`YjY[l]jkemklj]eYafoal`af-
^]]lg^]Y[`gl`]j$gjZgl`g^l`]e\jghl`]Zgp&
 A^l`]Zgpak\jghh]\afl`]g[]Yf$alkafck+(^]]lh]j
jgmf\$o`a[`k`gmd\ima[cdqhmlalZ]qgf\l`]j]Y[`g^
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Conclusion
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CHAPTER 4 | salvage operation
95