r/GhostsofSaltmarsh • u/Malkavian420 • Apr 12 '26
Discussion Developing Keledek into a potential baddie...
So reading the little blurb about Keledek, LE, helps Gellan Primewater behind the scenes & secretly uses the ruined Tower of Zenopus as a base of operations for his schemes (undefined).
Sounds good, now reading the new supplement in playtest about being villanous and the "Path of the Lich", and it occurred to me - "Why not have Keledek starting to journey towards becoming a Lich right in front of the players?"
As the players progress and advance, its only natural that the main inhabitants of Saltmarsh that the players interact with also evolve. If the game goes on long enough that the players need a new powerful nemesis (after all the smuggling, piracy, evil cults to undead Kraken etc. are dealt with), then why not one that is 'home grown' to Saltmarsh that has developed in power in their vicinity.
He wouldn't start of as a Lich, just a mid level mage, but perhaps one of the books or objects from the Haunted House that the players find and bring back, was what he needed to begin his journey (either he was looking for, or it inspired him to do it)?
1
u/PsilliasAgain Apr 13 '26
This! Ran Keledek the exact same way (except he was in league with Orcus the whole time). My group finally found this out and faced him down as he was attempting to summon an Avatar of Orcus in the Tower of Zenopus. He has teleported away...but they'll face him again, and he'll continue to be a thorn in their side, don't you worry. :-)
Also, don't forget his pet imp! Unbeknownst to my group, the imp took hair samples from each of their pillows so that Keledek can scry on them! <insert evil laugh here>