Chapter 7: Tammeraut's Fate - Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Chapter 7: Tammeraut's Fate. Five years ago, a hermitage devoted to the contemplation of nature was established in an abandoned island fortress, once the site of a beacon meant to warn against invasion from the sea. The folk of the hermitage opened the island to people of all faiths, promising a place for those seeking solitude and peace. But that peace has now been shattered, and the characters must determine what force of evil has slain the residents of Firewatch Island almost to the last-and how to prevent the even greater tragedy to come. Tammeraut's Fate is an adventure designed for four to six 9th-level characters. About the Original Prolific adventure writer Greg Vaughn spun this tale of horror on the high seas for Dungeon 106 in 2004. Like much of Vaughn's work, this scenario builds a chilling scenario that requires the players to peel through several layers of mystery, decipher the truth of the matter, and face down supernatural horrors to end a threat before it can grow to its full power. Background Several years ago, a fearsome pirate named Syrgaul sailed the sea aboard his war galley, Tammeraut. Syrgaul and his crew showed no mercy to those who crossed their path, killing the crews of those ships that fell prey to him. Syrgaul was a mighty sorcerer, and his crew was bloodthirsty and skilled in both sailing and killing. Worse still, Syrgaul claimed allegiance to Orcus, the demon lord of the undead. Orcus did indeed seem to favor Syrgaul, who often benefited from strong winds in his sails and swirling currents that prevented his prey from escaping. In return, the pirate captain made sacrifices to the demon lord. Syrgaul eventually met his end just over ten years ago. As he and his crew approached a naval post called Firewatch Island to plunder it, a priest garrisoned at the outpost implored the sea god, Procan, for mercy. Whether because of luck or because the cleric's prayers were answered, a sudden storm swept through the area, capsizing Tammeraut and...