''The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh'' is a

module Module, modular and modularity may refer to the concept of modularity. They may also refer to: Computing and engineering * Modular design, the engineering discipline of designing complex devices using separately designed sub-components * Mo ...

for the ''

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Several different editions of the '' Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game have been produced since 1974. The current publisher of ''D&D'', Wizards of the Coast, produces new materials only for the most current edition of the ...

'' (''AD&D'')

roleplaying game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal ac ...

, written by

Dave J. Browne Dave J. Browne is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games. Career Dave Browne and Don Turnbull (game designer), Don Turnbull wrote the early TSR UK adventures U1-U3 (1981–1983), which added to the Greyhawk setting. He als ...

with Don Turnbull. The module details a mysterious abandoned mansion at the edge of a town called Saltmarsh, and the secrets contained therein. The adventure is set in the ''

World of Greyhawk Greyhawk, also known as the World of Greyhawk, is a fictional world designed as a campaign setting for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy roleplaying game. Although not the first campaign world developed for ''Dungeons & Dragons''— Dave Arnes ...

campaign setting A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A '' campaign'' is a series of individual adventures, and a ''campaign setting'' is the world in which such adventures and c ...

. ''The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh'' received positive reviews from critics.

Plot summary

''The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh'' can be played by five to ten characters of 1st–3rd levels. The module includes optional pre-generated first level

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for use by the players. The scenario is the first of the ''Underwater'' (U) series of modules set in Saltmarsh, and details a ghostly ship and the haunted mansion of an evil alchemist. The module sleeve contains the following description: The module is divided into two parts, ''The Haunted House'' and ''Sea Ghost'', which are intended to be played consecutively. The first part is set in the town of Saltmarsh and deals with unraveling the secret of the haunted house that lies on the edge of town. The abandoned, dilapidated mansion of an evil alchemist has been the subject of rumors about hauntings and treasure. The second part of the module follows on from the first, expanding on the concept.
preview

Publication history

''The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh'' is the first installment in a series of three modules designed and developed in the United Kingdom, for beginning adventures with ''AD&D'' rules. The adventure was written by David J. Browne with Don Turnbull, and published in 1981 as a 32-page booklet with an outer folder. The publication contains large-scale maps, a full background story, and detailed encounter descriptions for the players and Dungeon Master (DM). The module serves as the introduction to an underwater campaign set in the town of Saltmarsh, which the DM can design from the guidelines provided. The next two modules, '' Danger at Dunwater'' and ''

The Final Enemy ''The Final Enemy'' is an adventure module for the ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (AD&D) fantasy roleplaying game written by Dave Browne with Don Turnbull set in the ''World of Greyhawk'' campaign setting. Plot summary ''The Final Enemy'' is ...

'', continue on from this adventure.

Reception

The module was positively reviewed in Issue No. 35 of ''

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'' magazine by

Jim Bambra Jim Bambra (born 1956)Jim Bambra: Director Summary
Company Check Ltd is a Briti ...

, who scored it 9 out of 10 and described it as entertaining and interesting. Bambra criticized how the first-level characters provided with the module come equipped with

magic items Magic or Magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces * Ceremonial magic, encompasses a wide variety of rituals of magic * Magical thinking, the belief that unrela ...

: "I fail to see how this can be justified, as the module is not difficult enough to warrant the bestowal of magic before play even begins. Magic items should be found by players as treasure and not come as handouts from the DM." Bambra noted that the adventure's main thrust engages the players' problem solving skills, forcing them to piece clues together, and that the encounters in the adventure should present no problems to an intelligent party. Overall, he felt that "TSR (UK) are to be congratulated on their first module, the series should prove to be interesting and entertaining." The module was ranked the 27th greatest Dungeons & Dragons adventure of all time by ''

Dungeon A dungeon is a room or cell in which prisoners are held, especially underground. Dungeons are generally associated with medieval castles, though their association with torture probably belongs more to the Renaissance period. An oubliette (from ...

'' magazine in 2004. Freelance gaming author James Maliszewski calls it "one of the best low-level modules ever written for Dungeons & Dragons" and "a superb example of adventure design". He listed the positive elements of the module as "the very matter-of-fact way it portrays a fantasy world" and the new spin it gives to "the standard low-level D&D tropes". Ken Denmead of ''

Wired ''Wired'' (stylized as ''WIRED'') is a monthly American magazine, published in print and online editions, that focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. Owned by Condé Nast, it is headquartered in San ...

'' listed the module as one of the "Top 10 D&D Modules I Found in Storage This Weekend". According to Denmead, this was "the Scooby Doo episode of D&D modules. Instead of a good old dungeon crawl, players got to explore a big old spooky house, and deal with all sorts of annoying wandering monsters, as well as traps and illusions."

In video games

Dungeons & Dragons Online ''Dungeons & Dragons Online'' is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine for Microsoft Windows and OS X. The game was originally marketed as ''Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach''. Upon switching to a h ...

'' released an adaptation of the ''Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh'' adventure in 2021. The adventures are based on the lore of the original module but also its 5th edition variant, '' Ghosts of Saltmarsh''.

References

;Reviews: *''

Different Worlds ''Different Worlds'' was an American role-playing games magazine published from 1979 to 1987. Scope ''Different Worlds'' published support articles, scenarios, and variants for various role-playing games including ''Dungeons & Dragons'', ''Rune ...

'' No. 20 (1982) *''Fantasy Gamer'' No. 2 (1983)

External links

Review at RPGnet
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sinister Secret Of Saltmarsh, The Greyhawk modules Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1981