The Mere of Dead Men

The Mere of Dead Men is a saltwater swamp located along the shore of the Sword Coast between Waterdeep and Neverwinter. The Mere of Dead Men got its name from the thousands of dwarves, elves, and humans of the Fallen Kingdom who were slain here during the invasion of an orc army many years ago. The High Rode goes along its eastern edge. The swamp is roughly 100 miles long and 30 miles wide along the shore.

The swamp is extremely dangerous. Various monsters lurk in its murky depths and very few civilized races call it home. There are a few villages on its outskirts but most people who once populated the area have been driven out by the rising waters. One settlement of note is Duskhaven, a small blightstool farming village located along the outskirts of the Mere about a mile from the highroad.

The mere is full of trees, vines, islands, and ancient ruins. A deep fog covers the swamp making visibility difficult. Much of the terrain is difficult to traverse and travelers often find themselves in knee-high water. Small canoes can be used to cross parts of the swamp but without the proper skill this can be an extremely dangerous endeavor.

Legends claim that when the Death God Myrkul was destroyed in 1358 above the Sword Coast some of his essence washed into and became trapped in the swamp. This collection of divine/arcane energies caused the dead corpses littering the swamp's depths to rise. These undead roam aimlessly, as they have no necromancer or master controlling them, and pose a serious threat to those unlucky enough to be traversing the marsh.

Bullywugs, giant frogs, various undead, bats and shambling mounds are common in the marsh. Rumors of hags, black dragons, cultists, and slavers have also been heard by the locals.