Back to Basics

Strange noises echo up from the depths of the ruined tower, believed to have been built in ages past by the great mage, Zenopus. The local villagers have asked you to investigate the ancient tunnels beneath the tower, and put an end to any threats.

Requires access to adventure pack Definition: Adventure Pack A list of all adventure packs  : Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh

Back to Basics
Heroic level:	3
Epic level:	32 (considered Legendary)
Duration:	Medium
Heroic XP:	♣508Solo/Casual ♦916Normal ♥983Hard ♠1,052Elite
Epic XP:	♣8,036Solo/Casual ♦13,722Normal ♥14,050Hard ♠14,378Elite
Takes place in:	Ruined Tower Basement
Bestowed by:	Eyrk Hollums
NPC contact:	Eyrk Hollums
Quest acquired in:	Saltmarsh
Patron:	The Gatekeepers
Base favor:	3
Purchase:	Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh
Extreme Challenge:	No

Loading screen

Overview

Eyrk believes there is smugglers in the old tower. They hear noises coming from there, but what is concerning are the screams heard in the middle of the night. You should go and check it out.

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Spoiler Warning: Spoiler material below this point!

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Objectives

• Explore the Tunnels
• Bypass the Barrier
• Defeat the Mage
• Defeat the Nightmare
• (Optional) Access the Treasure Room — Bonus (10%): Heroic( ♣51 ♦92 ♥98 ♠105 ) Legendary( ♣804 ♦1,372 ♥1,405 ♠1,438 )
• (Optional) Slay the Ancient Flameskull — Bonus (10%): Heroic( ♣51 ♦92 ♥98 ♠105 ) Legendary( ♣804 ♦1,372 ♥1,405 ♠1,438 )
• (Optional) Slay Capitan Eulford — Bonus (10%): Heroic( ♣51 ♦92 ♥98 ♠105 ) Legendary( ♣804 ♦1,372 ♥1,405 ♠1,438 )

Known Traps

Trap and Lock DCs

• Double length, horizontal Blades in the west hallway, Control panels at both ends.

Tips and Misc

• Welcome to D&D's first dungeon! The Tower of Zenopus was included in the original Basic Rules in 1977, under the name "Sample Dungeon".
• To complete the quest; just run the shortest path clockwise and use the three levers in the rooms you pass through. None of the optionals has to be visited.
• Slay Captain Eulford

1. Jump into the fast flowing stream and swim to the very end, Captain Eulford is in a secret room in this area. Before you open the secret door, you can use the purple lever to illuminate one of the three treasure room lights.

• Access the Treasure room

1. To open the treasury you need to illuminate three lights.
2. Leave the stream at the first opportunity via a rock slope on the right-hand side, if you miss this there is a bridge with a ladder shortly after. The blue light switch can be found near to the secret door (Secret door is already in a revealed state) before you get to the bridge. The final switch (green) can be found just through the door after crossing the bridge.

• Slay the Ancient Flameskull

1. To summon the flameskull, press the runes beneath the braziers.

• It may be possible to attack the final boss through the barrier over the door with certain AoE effects.needs verification

Bonus XP

• Aggression bonus: 34 or more monsters killed +10% Bonus.( ♣51 ♦92 ♥98 ♠105 )
• Onslaught bonus: 67 or more monsters killed +15% Bonus.( ♣76 ♦137 ♥147 ♠158 )
• Tamper bonus: 1 or more trap disarmed +10% Bonus.( ♣51 ♦92 ♥98 ♠105 )
• Observance bonus: 1 or more secret door discovered +8% Bonus.( ♣41 ♦73 ♥79 ♠84 )
• Mischief bonus: 26 or more breakables smashed +8% Bonus.( ♣41 ♦73 ♥79 ♠84 )
• Vandal bonus: 34 or more breakables smashed +10% Bonus.( ♣51 ♦92 ♥98 ♠105 )
• Ransack bonus: 41 or more breakables smashed +15% Bonus.( ♣76 ♦137 ♥147 ♠158 )

Loot

• Chests: 4

1. One for Killing Captain Eulford
2. One for Killing the Flameskull
3. One in the Treasury
4. One End Chest

• Collectables: 4
  • Adventurer's Pack — in the west room (room J)
  • Rubble — in the central room (room A)
  • Rubble — in the east room (room P)
  • Crude Altar — in the crypt (room N)

NPC end rewards

Randomly generated loot, ML correlates with effective quest level.

Named Chest Drop

Last Edited	Item	Type	Enhancements	ML	Bind	Quests
Update 52.0.2 2 years, 9 months, and 9 days PurpleSerpent	Saltiron Docent  (edit)	Docent	+2 Enhancement Bonus+2 Enhancement Bonus: +2 enhancement bonus to Armor Class. Fortification +53%Fortification +53%: +53% Enhancement bonus to reduced chance of taking critical damage on a critical hit. Resistance +3 Resistance +3: Passive: +3 Resistance bonus to Fortitude, Reflex, and Will Saving Throws. Blue Augment SlotBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20 Saltmarsh ExplorerSaltmarsh Explorer: 5 Pieces Equipped: +5 Artifact bonus to PRR and MRR +1 Artifact bonus to all ability scores	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Back to Basics, end chest
Update 62.1 1 year and 2 days Ulfo	Goldcursed Dagger  (edit)	Dagger	+2 Enhancement Bonus+2 Enhancement Bonus: +2 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. GoldcurseGoldcurse: This weapon applies a dangerous, golden curse to enemies struck! They must succeed on a DC17 Fortitude save on each Critical hit or be Paralyzed by solid gold. Entropic 2Entropic 2: This weapon is intensely powerful, and crackles with destructive, unpredictable magic. It deals an additional 2d6 untyped damage on each hit. Wounding 1Wounding 1: This weapon saps the health from your enemies, dealing 1 Constitution damage on each hit. Red Augment SlotRed Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Back to Basics, end chest
Update 67.3 4 months and 12 days Bladedge	Wind-Swept Buckler  (edit)	Buckler shield	Spellcasting Implement +3Spellcasting Implement +3: Passive: +3 Implement bonus to Universal Spell Power. +2 Enhancement Bonus+2 Enhancement Bonus: +2 enhancement bonus to Armor Class, attack and damage rolls. Insightful Charisma +1Insightful Charisma +1: This item makes the wearer have more flair, granting a +1 insight bonus to Charisma. Radiance Lore +8%Radiance Lore +8: Passive: Your Light and Aligned spells gain a +8% Equipment bonus to their chance to critical hit. Radiance +53Radiance +53: Passive: +53 Equipment bonus to Light and Alignment Spell Power. Saltmarsh ExplorerSaltmarsh Explorer: 5 Pieces Equipped: +5 Artifact bonus to PRR and MRR +1 Artifact bonus to all ability scores Red Augment SlotRed Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Back to Basics, end chest
Update 62.1 1 year and 2 days Cru121	Legendary Goldcursed Dagger  (edit)	Dagger	+15 Enhancement Bonus+15 Enhancement Bonus: +15 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. Legendary GoldcurseLegendary Goldcurse: This weapon applies a dangerous, golden curse to enemies struck! They must succeed on a DC100 Fortitude save on each Critical hit or be Paralyzed by solid gold. Entropic 6Entropic 6: This weapon is intensely powerful, and crackles with destructive, unpredictable magic. It deals an additional 6d6 untyped damage on each hit. Wounding 3Wounding 3: This weapon saps the health from your enemies, dealing 3 Constitution damage on each hit. Improved DestructionImproved Destruction: On Hit: Your target gains a stack of Armor Destruction. (-1 penalty to Armor Class, -1% of its Fortification. 20 Second Duration. Stacks up to 15 times.) This effect may trigger once every second. The Golden CurseThe Golden Curse: A strange inscription winds around this artifact. When the wearer of this item is successfully attacked, occasionally an incredible power comes to the surface, shielding its weilder in solid gold to protect from further attacks. Red Augment SlotRed Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20 Orange Augment SlotOrange Augments Named: Category:Orange augments Yellow Augments Named: Category:Yellow augments Deathblock Elemental Resistance: +5 to +45 Immunity: Fear, Blindness Movement: Feather Falling, Striding: +10% to +30%, Swiftness +5% to +15%, Underwater Action Proof Against Disease, Poison: +2 to +10 Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus (Enhancement bonus) Spell points (Enhancement bonus): +19 to +294 Damage: +1 to +11 Spell penetration: +1 to +9 Red Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	30	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Back to Basics, end chest, or Legendary version of Epic Goldcursed Dagger
Update 67.2.1 5 months and 2 days Stumpy	Legendary Wind-Swept Buckler  (edit)	Buckler shield	Spellcasting Implement +30Spellcasting Implement +30: Passive: +30 Implement bonus to Universal Spell Power. +15 Enhancement Bonus+15 Enhancement Bonus: +15 enhancement bonus to Armor Class, attack and damage rolls. Insightful Charisma +6Insightful Charisma +6: This item makes the wearer have more flair, granting a +6 insight bonus to Charisma. Radiance Lore +21%Radiance Lore +21: Passive: Your Light and Aligned spells gain a 21% Equipment bonus to their chance to critical hit. Radiance +146Radiance +146: Passive: +146 Equipment bonus to Light and Alignment Spell Power. Light Absorption +22% Light Absorption +22%: Passive: 22% Enhancement Bonus to Light Absorption. (Absorption reduces damage from an element by a percentage, after resistance have been taken into account.) Exceptional Charisma +1Exceptional Charisma +1: This item makes the wearer have more flair, granting a +1 exceptional bonus to Charisma. Legendary Saltmarsh ExplorerLegendary Saltmarsh Explorer: 5 Pieces Equipped: +30 Artifact bonus to Physical and Magical Resistance Rating +15 Artifact bonus to Melee, Ranged, and Universal Spell Power +3 Artifact bonus to all Ability Scores +30 Artifact Bonus to Positive, Negative, and Repair Amplification Red Augment SlotRed Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	30	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Back to Basics, end chest, or Legendary version of Epic Wind-Swept Buckler
Update 68 4 months and 3 days BugTime	Legendary Saltiron Docent  (edit)	Docent	+15 Enhancement Bonus+15 Enhancement Bonus: +15 enhancement bonus to Armor Class. Fortification +146%Fortification +146%: +146% Enhancement bonus to reduced chance of taking critical damage on a critical hit. The Golden CurseThe Golden Curse: A strange inscription winds around this artifact. When the wearer of this item is successfully attacked, occasionally an incredible power comes to the surface, shielding its weilder in solid gold to protect from further attacks. Resistance +11 Resistance +11: Passive: +11 Resistance bonus to Fortitude, Reflex, and Will Saving Throws. Dodge +13% Dodge +13%: +13% Enhancement bonus to Dodge. Blue Augment SlotBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20 Yellow Augment SlotYellow Augments Named: Category:Yellow augments Deathblock Elemental Resistance: +5 to +45 Immunity: Fear, Blindness Movement: Feather Falling, Striding: +10% to +30%, Swiftness +5% to +15%, Underwater Action Proof Against Disease, Poison: +2 to +10 Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus (Enhancement bonus) Spell points (Enhancement bonus): +19 to +294 Damage: +1 to +11 Spell penetration: +1 to +9 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20 Legendary Saltmarsh ExplorerLegendary Saltmarsh Explorer: 5 Pieces Equipped: +30 Artifact bonus to Physical and Magical Resistance Rating +15 Artifact bonus to Melee, Ranged, and Universal Spell Power +3 Artifact bonus to all Ability Scores +30 Artifact Bonus to Positive, Negative, and Repair Amplification	30	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	Back to Basics, end chest, or Legendary version of Epic Saltiron Docent

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Monsters

Name ( picture )	CR	Type	Race
Ancient Flameskull ( view  • edit )	♦5Normal ♥7Hard ♠10Elite ●♦35Epic Normal ●♥44Epic Hard ●♠39Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Captain Eulford ( view  • edit )	♦5Normal ♥7Hard ♠10Elite ●♦35Epic Normal ●♥44Epic Hard ●♠39Epic Elite	Humanoid	Human
Magus Winfred ( view  • edit )	♦5Normal ♥7Hard ♠10Elite ●♦35Epic Normal ●♥44Epic Hard ●♠39Epic Elite	Humanoid	Human
Marsh Crawler ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Vermin	Spider
Marsh Ghoul ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Undead	Ghoul
Nightmare (nightmare) ( view  • edit )	♦5Normal ♥7Hard ♠10Elite ●♦35Epic Normal ●♥44Epic Hard ●♠39Epic Elite	Evil Outsider	Devil
Saltmarsh Crayfish ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Vermin	Crayfish
Saltmarsh Goblin Shaman ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Goblinoid	Goblin
Saltmarsh Goblin ( view  • edit )	♦2Normal ♥3Hard ♠6Elite ●♦30Epic Normal ●♥34Epic Hard ●♠38Epic Elite	Goblinoid	Goblin
Saltmarsh Ooze ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Ooze	Gray Ooze
Saltmarsh Rat ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Animal	Rat
Saltmarsh Skeleton Archer ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Saltmarsh Skeleton ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Smuggler Deck Boss ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Humanoid	Human
Smuggler Deck Hand ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Humanoid	Human
Smuggler Lookout ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Humanoid	Human
Smuggler Sneak ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Humanoid	Human
Smuggler Sorceror ( view  • edit )	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦32Epic Normal ●♥36Epic Hard ●♠40Epic Elite	Humanoid	Human