The Patron's Summons
Elara Voss, a wealthy antiquarian, hires the party to retrieve a relic from the Sunken Fen. She offers 100 gp upfront and a share of the vault's treasure.
Campaign Overview
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A legendary vault, sealed by the gods themselves, holds a treasure of unimaginable power. Its key was shattered into three pieces and scattered across the world. The adventurers must brave treacherous swamps, monster-infested caves, and the open sea to recover the pieces and unlock the vault before a dark cult finds them first.
Player Handout
You are adventurers for hire in the port town of Saltmarsh. A mysterious patron, Elara Voss, seeks brave souls to recover a legendary treasure. The first piece of the key lies in the Sunken Fen, a cursed swamp. Your journey begins now.
Free Act I Preview
The Shattered Key of the Sunken Vault
Act I sets the stage: the adventurers are hired to find the first piece of the Shattered Key, hidden in the Sunken Fen. They must navigate a treacherous swamp, battle its monstrous guardians, and uncover a cult's sinister plot. The act ends with the party in possession of the first key piece and a dire warning of greater threats to come.
Adventure Hooks
The Cult's Shadow
The party discovers that a cult known as the Ebon Tide is also seeking the key pieces. They must race against time to find the first piece before the cult does.
Act Structure
Act I: The Sunken Fen
Recommended level: 1-3The adventurers are hired by Elara Voss to find the first piece of the Shattered Key. They must travel to the Sunken Fen, a treacherous swamp, and retrieve the key piece from a hidden shrine. Along the way, they encounter the Ebon Tide cult and learn of a larger conspiracy.
Objectives
- Travel to the Sunken Fen.
- Find the hidden shrine.
- Retrieve the first key piece.
- Learn about the Ebon Tide cult.
The Meeting with Elara Voss
Elara Voss, a woman with sharp eyes and a knowing smile, spreads a map on the table. 'The Shattered Key,' she says, 'is the only way to open the Sunken Vault. The first piece lies in the Sunken Fen. Bring it to me, and you'll be richly rewarded.'
Elara provides the party with a map and supplies. She warns them of the swamp's dangers and mentions that others are seeking the key.
Checks
- Investigation (DC 12) to notice Elara's nervousness.
- Insight (DC 14) to sense she is hiding something.
Clues
- Elara mentions the Ebon Tide cult.
- She gives the party a journal of a previous explorer who failed.
Transitions
- The party leaves Saltmarsh and heads to the Sunken Fen.
The Sunken Fen
The swamp is a maze of murky water, twisted trees, and thick fog. The air is thick with the smell of decay. Somewhere in the depths, the shrine awaits.
The party must navigate the swamp, dealing with difficult terrain and random encounters. They can find the shrine by following clues from the journal.
Checks
- Survival (DC 13) to navigate the swamp.
- Perception (DC 12) to spot hidden dangers.
Clues
- The journal mentions a 'serpent's mark' on a tree.
- Lizardfolk tracks lead toward the shrine.
Transitions
- The party reaches the hidden shrine.
The Shrine of the Serpent
The shrine is a crumbling stone structure, half-sunk in the swamp. Inside, a cultist chants over an altar, a giant snake coiled nearby. The key piece glows on a pedestal.
The party must defeat the cultist and the snake to claim the key piece. The cultist's journal reveals the location of the second piece.
Checks
- Arcana (DC 14) to understand the ritual.
- Stealth (DC 12) to sneak past the cultist.
Clues
- The cultist's journal mentions the Cragmaw Caves.
- The key piece is magically trapped.
Transitions
- The party returns to Saltmarsh with the key piece.
Milestone: The party reaches level 3 after completing Act I.
Villain Character Sheets
Kaelen the Corruptor
Kaelen the Corruptor is the kind of villain who rarely needs to raise his voice. He wins rooms before he enters them, gathers secrets befor…
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Kaelen the Corruptor Character Sheet
Motivation
Kaelen believes that the vault contains a weapon that can reshape the world. He is willing to sacrifice anything to obtain it.
Personality
Charismatic and manipulative, Kaelen is a master of deception. He is patient and cunning, preferring to work through agents.
Resources
- A network of cultists and spies.
- Knowledge of ancient rituals.
- A small fleet of ships for sea travel.
Battle Plan
Kaelen avoids direct combat, using minions and traps. If confronted, he uses spells to control the battlefield and escape.
Defeat or Redemption
Kaelen can be defeated in combat, but he will return in later acts. He could be redeemed if shown the error of his ways, but this is unlikely.
Running Notes
Recommended party: 4-5 characters of levels 1-3
Session Zero
Session Zero: The party meets in Saltmarsh, creates characters, and receives the quest from Elara Voss. They can also explore the town and gather supplies.
Scaling Guidance
For a party of 3, reduce the number of enemies in each encounter. For a party of 5, add an extra enemy or increase hit points. Adjust difficulty as needed.
DM Advice
Encourage the party to use stealth and diplomacy in the swamp. The cultist's journal is a key clue for the next act. Keep the tone dark and mysterious, with a sense of impending doom.
Secrets & Clues
- The Ebon Tide cult is seeking all three key pieces to unleash a powerful entity from the vault.
- Elara Voss is actually a member of a rival organization that wants to keep the vault sealed.
- The second key piece is hidden in the Cragmaw Caves, guarded by goblins and a trap.
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Villain Character Sheets
Kaelen the Corruptor
Kaelen the Corruptor is the kind of villain who rarely needs to raise his voice. He wins rooms before he enters them, gathers secrets befor…
Premium Campaign Feature
Free campaign generations include one villain sheet. Additional villain, NPC, and player-facing module character sheets are available in premium campaigns.
Subscribe NowMonsters & Enemies
Premium Campaign Feature
Free campaign encounters use official monsters only and do not include generated monster sheets. Subscribe to create custom campaign monsters and enemy stat blocks.
Subscribe NowVillain Plans
Kaelen the Corruptor Character Sheet
Motivation
Kaelen believes that the vault contains a weapon that can reshape the world. He is willing to sacrifice anything to obtain it.
Personality
Charismatic and manipulative, Kaelen is a master of deception. He is patient and cunning, preferring to work through agents.
Resources
- A network of cultists and spies.
- Knowledge of ancient rituals.
- A small fleet of ships for sea travel.
Battle Plan
Kaelen avoids direct combat, using minions and traps. If confronted, he uses spells to control the battlefield and escape.
Defeat or Redemption
Kaelen can be defeated in combat, but he will return in later acts. He could be redeemed if shown the error of his ways, but this is unlikely.
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Encounters
Swamp Ambush
Encounter Builder
Moderate
Suggested Level: 1-2
As the party treks through the Sunken Fen, they are ambushed by a group of lizardfolk and a giant poisonous snake.
Creatures
Terrain Features
Murky water, thick reeds, and fallen logs provide cover and difficult terrain.
Treasure
The lizardfolk carry a small pouch with 15 gp and a potion of healing.
DM Notes
The lizardfolk are not inherently hostile; they are protecting their territory. A successful Charisma (Persuasion) check (DC 12) can avoid combat.
Shrine of the Serpent
Encounter Builder
High
Suggested Level: 2-3
The hidden shrine is guarded by a cultist of the Ebon Tide and his summoned giant constrictor snake. The cultist attempts to use the key piece to summon a greater horror.
Creatures
Terrain Features
The shrine is a crumbling stone structure with a central altar. The floor is slick with water, and pillars provide cover.
Treasure
The cultist carries a key piece, a scroll of darkness, and a potion of healing.
DM Notes
The cultist will try to complete a ritual to summon a shadow demon. If the party interrupts the ritual, the cultist fights to the death.
Cave of Echoes
Encounter Builder
Moderate
Suggested Level: 2-3
After learning the second key piece is in the Cragmaw Caves, the party must navigate the dark tunnels and face a pack of giant bats and a goblin ambush.
Creatures
Terrain Features
The cave is dark, with narrow ledges and a deep chasm. Stalactites provide cover.
Treasure
The goblins have a small hoard of 30 gp and a stolen shortsword.
DM Notes
The goblins are not part of the cult; they are simple raiders. They can be bribed or intimidated to avoid combat.
Magic Items
Serpent's Fang
Completed
Serpent's Fang
Uncommon
A dagger with a wavy, green-tinged blade. It grants a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. Once per day, the wielder can speak a command word to coat the blade in venom, dealing an extra 1d6 poison damage on the next hit.
Location
Found in the Shrine of the Serpent, hidden in a secret compartment.
Attunement
No
Amulet of the Swamp
Completed
Amulet of the Swamp
Uncommon
This green amulet allows the wearer to breathe normally in swampy or murky water and grants advantage on Constitution saving throws against disease.
Location
Given by Elara Voss as a reward for completing the first quest.
Attunement
Yes
Potion of Water Breathing
Completed
Potion of Water Breathing
Common
A potion that grants the ability to breathe underwater for 1 hour.
Location
Found in the Cragmaw Caves, in a goblin's stash.
Attunement
No
Player Characters
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