RPG Retro Review : The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh

This week I'm taking a look back to the 1981 release of the Dungeons and Dragons classic module, "U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh". Check it out!
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[@RPGmodsFan]

At the time, U1 was a unique and fun module. A "haunted house", a smuggling ring, and a "ghost ship" to boot!

[@elguntor]

Scooby Doo, where are you!

[@RPGmodsFan]

@@elguntor LOL. He was on Saturday Morning Cartoons. :-D

[@dokushirizo]

Holy moly! I love your channel too! You and Captain need to come together OH and "yourpocketgm"

[@RPGmodsFan]

@@dokushirizo Thanks, me and the Captain did do a collab videos on the S2 Module. I will have to reach out to him again to see if he would like to do another collab video. Likewise, I would also need to reach out to YourPocketGM.

[@coyotebrown2294]

I remember playing it back in the day, and in between fake haunting and smugglers the Scooby Doo jokes were non-stop.

[@captcorajus]

Lol.. good to know. I had a feeling that I wasn't the only one!

[@dr.winstonsmith]

We used to call it the Scooby Doo module. Loved it, still do.

[@linkandshiek5522]

I am actually adding even more Scooby-Doo elements to it for a pulp adventure game I am testing. The players saw a film projected image of a man in a sheet costume walk through a wall.

[@Basement2006]

I’ve never played any of these modules but so many of your videos have given me meaningful inspiration for my own games. So I’d really like to thank you for the craftsmanship of your videos!

[@captcorajus]

Wow! Thank you so much. Really, its stories like yours that inspire me to keep making videos, as that is the exact reason I do it. Thank you for the kind words.

[@paulprecour3636]

I think this was the first D&D module I purchased where we had pure fun with it. Kind of like a Greyhawk/Lovecraftian village of Innsmouth mashup. Was able to work in a few of the (TRADEMARK WARNING AHEAD) Cthulhu (tm) monsters from the original Deities and Demigods for the rest of the U Series.

[@DarkNog]

In my campaign, the players are sent by their king to Saltmarsh. Their job is to make contact with a spy in Saltmarsh, who is under cover there and then follow his orders. When the players get to Saltmarsh however, this spy is nowhere to be found. At this point, the townspeople talk up the sinister rumours happening around town. These include:sightings of different coloured lights in the empty spooky house miles away along the cliff's side. A local drunk who has been to the house says he saw vampires in the basement. The players also have nightmares of a cackling old hag if they roll below a 5 whilst taking a long rest (there's a hag in the Dreadwood according to the 5e version and I think I will use this as a plot hook later). I also make sure to say that there have been some disappearances from town lately. The smuggling gang has in fact kidnapped my players' spy contact. The gang have been hired by the BBEG to do a bunch of other stuff, which the spy is able to tell the players about after he gets rescued from the ship. The lizardmen are also doing some other stuff for the BBEG (another plot hook) and are being paid in weapons so they can fight the sahuagin.

[@TheEldarGuy]

One of my all time favourite modules. Many times I used this as a starter module. Thanks Cap!

[@unacceptableviews1505]

My Dungeon Master called it "The Friend Folio",hahaha.It was a great book with some really cool but weird monsters and we loved how it expanded the monsters list,thereby expanding our game.Cheers.

[@russellharrell2747]

People's Front of Canada the FF was a great alternate monster manual with just plain weird and freaky stuff to throw at your players. Who doesn’t love dire corbies, flumphs and bullywugs? Not to mention LLOTH herself!!

[@AeonVoom]

Aw yiss. Another piece from captcorajus this week!

[@worldbigfootcentral3933]

Being a gamer from the mid-70's, i truly enjoy your videos. Please keep making them!

[@kevinbrennan-ji1so]

Love the review. You're spot on in this one. I'll always have fond memories of this module, as it was the first one I participated in as a player and the DM did an excellent job of playing up on the spooky and ghostly themes, such that I was shocked when I found out the 'secret'. Reading through it later, I do wish the town had been mapped out and populated, but I guess there were limitations on page count back then and I wouldn't have removed anything that was included.

[@johnhall8046]

I remember adapting this module for use with 2nd Edition AD&D, and that one of the modifications I made was changing the dead alchemist from an illusionist to a transmuter (a wizard who specializes in transmutation spells).

[@briancherry8088]

My players followed the footsteps to the trap door and ended up going straight to the basement. sigh. So much for the "haunted" house.

[@michaelernest1076]

I always love the way the old modules were named 😊

[@SupremeCleave]

Thanks for reviewing this one! I have loved this module, along with Danger at Dunwater and The Final Enemy, since their initial release. What a great series... way ahead of it's time. Keep up the great work :)

[@jonathanduplantis1403]

The u 1 to 3 are awesome. 33 years I've been playing them

[@legisnuntius]

Saltmarsh was detailed in the DMG II from 3rd edition. In running this adventure several times, the party never considered getting into the politics or interacting with the NPCs much. Danger at Dunwater required a more thorough description. The first part of the module is appropriate for a party of 1st level characters, although the climax can give them some difficulty, particularly if they are the sort that charges in. It is more appropriate for an experienced DM, but newbies to DnD enjoy it very much. The DM must present the haunted house as haunted and add additional descriptions such as, creaking floor boards that give the sense that someone is walking around, moving objects around when the party's back is turned, jump scares using the spiders and vermin etc. The inner laboratory of the alchemist should be very suspenseful with the DM asking for absolute clarity on what the party is doing and where they are located. The party will likely expect the dead alchemist to attack at any moment. In one final kick, the DM can shatter the PC's relief after solving the mystery and include undeniable, supernatural phenomenon that indicates that disturbing the alchemist turned the estate into an actual haunted house. One of the best features of this adventure is the description and maps for the Sea Ghost. Everyone I knew who had this module used it for flushing out a ship or ship battle in a homebrew adventure. This was great before the release of the Forgotten Realms supplement Pirates of the Fallen Stars and for 3.5 edition the book Stormwrack, which provided more detailed material for seafaring adventures.

[@fulminatus6241]

You start an OSR three part series and a old school review. The holidays are starting early. My thanks.

[@kyleolson8977]

"Let's see who this Ghost really is......Mr. Sanbalet!" "That's right, and I would have got away with it if it wasn't for you meddling adventurers and that familiar of yours!"

[@jayharms5522]

Love the review. Great work. Keep 'em coming!

[@DnDnBeer]

Scooby Doo was exactly what I was thinking!

[@t.s.180]

100 % my favorite module and series of all-time. I bought this when it was fairly new, probably in 82 or 83. I've run it at least three times. Definitely better with a bit more mature and seasoned players.

[@HowtoRPG]

Thank you for this great review.

[@torenatkinson5708]

10:20 - since the Zenopus Tower adventure has smugglers in it and the NPC fighter... does that work for or against the titular 'secret' of the mansion (if you run Zenopus first)?

[@captcorajus]

ABSOLUTELY! In fact, I've done that!

[@kendo2377]

One of the best low level modules made. 'The Village of Hommlet'' was another great one.

[@IRmetal9456]

This module rocked. A new group I played with this was our start

[@southron_d1349]

Re-writes of U1's haunted house section kickstarted two of my campaigns and provided a side quest on the way to an adaptation of "Against the Cult of the Reptile God" in a third. Good stuff. 3e's DMG vol II did a post-U series "update". Mixed success is probably the kindest description. Looking forward to running the newest update some time soon.

[@serigraph73]

I was not very familiar with this adventure at the time i viewed this, but once you started talking about it, all i could think about was Scooby-Doo, so it was cool when you brought it up towards the end...

[@dokushirizo]

It would be so much fun to watch all of the modules being played from A1 and beyond. It would be awesome to have the mechanics of the time being used. Talk about nostalgia. Or 5e rules. That'd just be so neat either way.

[@SeanCSHConsulting]

Had that one back in the day. It carried an exotic air, coming from across the pond as it were. Also, a ghost-mystery mod was different enough that it seemed a challenge to run and play.

[@jiml9856]

This was the first adventure I ever played. I died twice before getting in the house. Giant weasels and the snakes in the well got me. I recently ran my 5e group through the saltmarsh adventure in Ghosts of Saltmarsh. They had a blast. They're now in Orlane trying to figure out what's going on with the temple there...

[@orrinellis856]

Played this module in 4 hrs in pathfinder 1e they set the house on fire an recruited the smugglers

[@captcorajus]

Fire!

[@johnny88j9]

Schelys map is so small looking for a town of supposed 5000 in Ghosts of Saltmarsh.

[@Leftylives]

I made it so the house is actually haunted. The cursed philosopher stone raises dead inside the house, so if they kill the smugglers, they will raise from the dead after 8 hours.. it makes it a harder and more populated. I am thinking of making the stone an artifact that does this sort of thing.. haven't got to that part yet, the players havent discovered the alchemist yet..

[@mikrogamis721]

It looks like I wasn't the only one that got the Scooby Doo vibe to it when I first bought it. But I do agree, it's a well written series. It was going to be my "starter" module/adventure for my playing group (until they fell apart).

[@zenmaster6780]

My favorite module of all time. I love haunted house stuff and I always provide sound effects and spooky ambience in the background. I’m going to run the ghosts of Saltmarsh soon. I think it’s underrated compared to the other 5e stuff.

[@alanhaddy7499]

Great review as always. We played this back in the day, and there is a risk that burning oil will burn down the house - just a tip to anyone wanting to DM it as you may need some preplanning contingency for this

[@AlexanderAudiobooks]

Nah, the house is by the ocean, next to a marsh. It ought to be super soggy and tough to burn.

[@elguntor]

I love your videos! Keep up the great work.

[@trollson66]

We must have played thru this module 20 times back in the day. Largely the same group of players. Not like we didn't have plenty of other modules available - we just liked this one a lot, like re-reading the same book or re-watching a film. Needless to say we could do it blindfold by 1990...

[@MrRourk]

This is a great module to squeeze into Midderlands. Lots of fun with a little rewrite. Add a little Middergloom fun.

[@Brian-px9gu]

Have you considered doing a full review of U2 and U3 in the manner you did D1/2 and D3? I really enjoyed your review of U1 and would enjoy a review of U2 and U3.

[@opa-age]

Can't think of a more perfect 1st lvl module. The problem with starting a campaign with this module is that it's a really high standard to live up to. BTW I remember at the time most players know this as the "Pseudodragon module".

[@mlfetlesjdrenbref1306]

cool stuff cap! Love it!

[@hambinger]

I remember buying the original when it came out and Being quite annoyed by the "secret" in that it was just a bunch of smugglers. At the time I wanted more monsters!! :) also the lack of town details was annoying to my teenage self. it's a good adventure now that I am more of a role player and less in it for the xp & magic treasure. :)

[@Anaris10]

We did this when it was new and several times since. I claimed the Sea-Elf as a p.c. and never got to play him....

[@Jedidaddyo]

I have run and played this module a few times and each time it was a very different and fun experience. Another playing (as a second edition group) later after the release of fourth edition was a total fail to launch, as the general outline is listed as a historical telling in one of the rules manuals, so, one of the players, without saying anything decided to go off wondering off the narrative wasting half the evening with no progress and a loss of interest before I could decide to pivot into another direction.

[@thethoughtcriminal8786]

Ironically, I have U2, and U3, but I don't have this one. Keep up the good work.

[@geofftottenperthcoys9944]

The POD copy of Fiend Folio is fantastic.

[@derpreusse]

NIce!!!! Lendore Isles next perhaps?

[@RPGmodsFan]

Great idea. I should also put together a video on the L-Series...

[@TygerBlueEyes]

I think i have copy of this stored in my old RPG chest.

[@Aarongorn]

Just found your channel and watched a few videos. Love them! Saltmarsh is one of my favorite modules. I’ve never used Dungeon Master’s Guild. When you purchase a softcover standard color module do you essentially get a reprint of the original module?

[@gregwalter1283]

I accidentally bought this when I was still playing Basic D&D. D'oh! DM'ing taught me to think I needed to improvise and mow a s'load of lawns to buy the AD&D books.

[@captcorajus]

Oh, that's so great. Yeah, man... getting those hard cover books was so great at 14

[@Janshevik]

Hey, is any chance you'd be making a review for the sequels of this module that were also remade into 5e? Danger at Dunwater, Isle of the abbey, until the styes?

[@captcorajus]

very likely!

[@TheGeekDaddy929]

I can't seem to find the map on Paratime, can someone point me to it please?

[@jameshenderson4876]

Is called "Town Map 01". Your post helped me find it :)

[@jameshenderson4876]

Edit - I did buy the Town 01 and it is the "same" one as in the video, with the Saltmarsh name removed and blank space in title. I think the detail is a bit less also; not sure in retrospect was worth the $4 but I'll use it anyway. Just will print on paper rather than laminating.

[@biffstrong1079]

Great Module set. People call it a Scooby Do adventure. Im a little older so it reminded me of Abbot and Costello meet ( the mummy , the vampire, the werewolf) take your pick. Built an extensive Town of Salt Marsh for these modules and for jumping off to the Lendore Islands.

[@vinicius0vill]

Hey can I get a link to the map on 4:20? I'm failing at google.

[@VioletDeliriums]

hi capt-c....i bought this dungeon at a b. dalton's bookstore back when it came out and still have it...i thought the picture on the cover was cool and that the idea of a haunted house would be fun!!! even when i was in 8th grade reading it, i thought the same thing: "This is Scooby Doo!!!!" I was actually kind of disappointed by the lack of town map (because i love good towns) and the haunted house being fake....that makes the final rating: "hmmmmmmm".

[@captcorajus]

It IS Scooby Doo tho... the haunting isn't real! I love it! Instead, its pirate! Final rating... Arrrrr! lol

[@VioletDeliriums]

@@captcorajus Ya I think I would appreciate it more as an adult than I did when I was an eighth grader with limited money, and I spent it on something I didn't expect. :)

[@torenatkinson5708]

This review gets a 19 out of 20, with the 1 point taken away for mispronunciation of Saltmarsh ;) Will be running this soon, thanks for the tips

[@zenmaster6780]

Hey Capt, I went to drive thru rpg per your suggestion and some of these were only available on watermark pdf. Just what exactly is that?

[@captcorajus]

in the lower corner of your purchased pdf will appear a very faint image of your drivethruRPG account number and your name. This is to prevent unauthorized distribution and printing of PDFs.

[@zenmaster6780]

@@captcorajus I’m totally new to this , is something I download or they send me a physical copy?

[@captcorajus]

@@zenmaster6780 Depends. Some PDFs are digital download other, other are both digital download and print on demand.

[@zenmaster6780]

@@captcorajus Thank you for helping out an Old Newb

[@dubuyajay9964]

Is this compatible with Mystery at Port Greeley due to lack of map?

[@jh1859]

I'd like to Goodman Games release a conversion/homage to this U series, like with the addition of a fully detailed town.

[@Kine-re6nq]

What is the intro music you use?

[@dubuyajay9964]

Can you potentially turn the fiend folio into the friend folio if you have enough charisma and negotiation skills? 🤪😝😂🤣

[@doctorlolchicken7478]

It’s been years since I ran this. The party, iirc, consisted of an effeminately dressed fighter, a ditzy female bard, a frumpy female wizard, and a scruffy cowardly thief that wanted to eat the whole time. And his Great Dane.

[@captcorajus]

The really important question here is did the Great Dane survive? :)

[@josullivan5604]

ah a classic! i have run it twice! i keep hoping the players will jump at the chance of owning a ship for high seas adventures…and then…nothing…🤦🏻‍♀️

[@destroso]

Could be connected well with treasure hunt

[@RoderickPenTheThird]

It's kinda funny to me that Wizards is pulling a Marvel/DC & is just remaking the original modules.

[@TheNeoMetric]

how much would you charge to run this module? would you ever raise the price per session and complain about it on reddit then delete your post?

[@captcorajus]

Oh man, sounds like you had a bad experience. Sorry to hear. I don't run games online. I have two live games I run each week as it is!

[@DocEonChannel]

SPOILERY NOTES ... ... ... Running this module for players of today there's a couple of things to consider. First, I don't believe anyone would actually trust the NPC Ned as presented, so for my run-through I changed him to a younger and more innocent character with more complex motivations. My players never imagined that he was reporting on them to his benefactor in town. Second, my players not being total murder hoboes they actually stopped to parlay with the lizardfolk on the Sea Ghost. This completely derailed the presented plot of U2 and meant I had to reconstruct that as a diplomatic mission from the start. Oh well. ;)