Savants of the Dark Tide

In the Year of the Gauntlet (1369 DR), a wave of monsters from the depths of the Sea of Swords swept into Waterdeep Harbor, nearly overrunning the defenders of Dock Ward. Among their number were a dozen or so aboleths, most of whom were slain during the Deepwater War. However, among their number was a trio of aboleths from the Swordsea Depths who joined the Army of Iakhovas with the deliberate intent of using the assault to sneak into Waterdeep's sewers. During the chaos and confusion, the Savants of the Dark Tide swam into foulest heart of the sewer, where they have since established a nigh-impregnable lair. The Swordsea Depths are the region of the Underdark that extends out into the continental shelf beneath the Sea of Swords. As described in The Seadeeps, this region of the Underdark is wracked by a never-ending three-way war between the aboleths, the drow, and an alliance of svirfneblin and tomb tappers. The Savants of the Dark Tide came to Waterdeep in pursuit of an ancient legend in hopes of gaining a decisive advantage in that war. If the Savants of the Dark Tide can locate and resuscitate the Sargauth Swimmer (a legendary aboleth of enormous size and age rumored to lie dreaming in the Sargauth River), the knowledge it possesses might tip the balance in their interminable war. Since their arrival, the aboleths have moved cautiously, seeking to understand the city above their heads before moving into the depths. The Savants quickly determined that the only organized activity in the sewers was performed by members of the Cellarers' & Plumbers' Guild. As such, individual rogues and others who will not be missed are captured and transformed into skum, whenever possible; however, guild members are enslaved and instructed to stay away from certain parts of the sewers and to stay within the city of Waterdeep, but they are otherwise left to do their jobs. By using already enslaved members to lure more senior members of the guild, the aboleths have thus enslaved the entire leadership of the guild as well. Base of Operations: Drain of Madness. Savants of the Dark Tide (Standard Criminal): AL LE; 15,000 gp resource limit; Membership 86; Isolated (aboleths 3, skum 41, charmed others 38 Dues 0 gp/month (0 gp to join). Authority Figure: Nexil'Vendyliq (LE advanced 18 HD aboleth sorcerer 6/aboleth savant 5) Important Characters. Avidna'Delinskyun (LE advanced 12 HD aboleth sorcerer 6/aboleth savant 4 Inkyl'Deskiboop (NE advanced 13 HD aboleth bard 8/aboleth savant 1) Special: Membership in this organization is involuntary, except for the aboleths. Skum are transformed slaves; and all other members are enslaved proxies of their piscine masters.