Saltmarsh

From Great Library of Greyhawk
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Greyhawk Settlement
Saltmarsh
Heraldry of Salinmoor, by Anna Meyer, Creative Commons license, BY-NC-SA
Heraldry of Salinmoor, by Anna Meyer
Realm: Keoland
Size: Town
Established: 465 CY
Government: Town council
Population: 5,000
Races: Human, Dwarf, Elf, Halfling
Languages: Common
Religions: Procan, Obad-Hai
Organizations: Traditionalists, Loyalists, Scarlet Brotherhood
Allies: Keoland
Enemies: Scarlet Brotherhood

Saltmarsh is a small, respectable fishing town in the Viscounty of Salinmoor, in the southernmost part of Keoland, noted for adventuring although it is normally a sleepy little town. In the late 570s CY it was likened to a small south-coast English fishing town of the 14th Century.[1]

History[edit]

Establishment[edit]

During Keoland's Imperial period (c. 286 CY - 488 CY), the kingdom's expansion was characterized by conquest to the north which brought considerable wealth to the kingdom. Its southern coastal reaches, particularly those separated from the rest of Keoland by the Dreadwood, saw very little of this growth.[2] A disastrous attempt by King Tavish III to conquer lands to the south in 453 CY lead to his death, and his successor Tavish IV chose to withdraw his forces from the frontier territories.[3]

It was in this region that Saltmarsh was established in 465 CY,[4][5] in the waning years of the Imperial era. A group of four adventurers, unsupported by the Keoish military, cleared the region of a brutal tribe of lizardfolk and used their personal wealth to establish the town of Saltmarsh, on what had been a sparsely populated site consisting of a handful of buildings.[4]

Saltmarsh grew steadily, reaching a population of around 2,000, which remained steady for several years. Its proximity to the sea established it as a significant fishing town.

Recent history[edit]

Some years ago, with the Keoish south coast poorly defended by the crown, Saltmarsh was itself attacked by slavers of the Sea Princes, a coalition of pirate factions who control territories to the southwest bordering on the Hool Marshes.[2][6]

Another victim of the slaver raids was the nearby regional capital of Seaton. The city was sacked, and nearly a thousand refugees fled to Saltmarsh. Around the same time, adventurers dealing with sahuagin in the Hool Marshes returned to Saltmarsh with a great deal of plundered wealth. The resulting increase in wealth and population began a period of rapid expansion for the town, and its proximity to the Dreadwood and Hool Marshes has made it a popular home for adventurers.[4]

Recently, King Kimbertos Skotti has shifted his focus to protecting Keoland's southern border, resulting in an influx of wealth and political interference in Saltmarsh as the King enacts plans to develop the town as a major port. This has sparked controversy among the locals, with loyalist and traditionalist political factions attempt to support and oppose the King's plans, respectively.

Geography[edit]

Saltmarsh is situated in the Viscounty of Salinmoor, in southern Keoland. It is located on the coast of the Azure Sea, south of the Dreadwood. It lies nestled amongst three low hills where the Kingfisher River arrives at the sea. Within about 10 leagues (30 miles) away are woodlands; the Drowned Forest, the Silverstand, and the Dreadwood. To the west, just across the Kingfisher River are the Hool Marshes and the Dunwater River which feeds them. Two larger towns, Burle and Seaton, are each about twenty miles away (Burle inland to the northwest, Seaton along the coast to the east).

The abandoned Makaster House is located outside Saltmarsh, at the edge of a cliff. Local legend holds that it is haunted, a rumour spoken of several locales in this region.

Townscape[edit]

Saltmarsh lacks the underground sewage system found in cities of Keoland. The streets are lined with open gutters leading to the Kingfisher River or the ocean, though they are not perfect. Locals also leave barrels of waste on street corners, where they are collected by laborers in the employ of the town's dungsweepers' guild.[4]

Travel[edit]

The small fishing town of Rawnis is some forty leagues northeast of Saltmarsh.[7]

People[edit]

The majority of the population, in keeping with Keoland generally, are mainly human. The inhabitants are relatively sober, hard working and amiable.[1]

Population[edit]

In 576 CY the population was approximately 2,000.[1] By 591 CY it was estimated to have grown to 3,000,[8] and by 595 CY to 3,850.[4]

Following the establishment of King Skotti's renovation plans for the town, the population is around 5,000. (Ghosts of Saltmarsh, p.11; date unspecified.)[9]

Demographics[edit]

The residents of Saltmarsh are predominantly human. The largest non-human faction is a mining group of two hundred dwarves. Wood elves inhabit a small enclave, and halflings have various local settlements and can sometimes be seen in the town.

Other races are unfamiliar to the locals, and dragonborn and tieflings are particularly likely to frighten them.[9] The Faithful Quartermasters of Iuz are a group led by Captain Xendros (CE female tiefling priest). She is involved in making discreet private purchases and sales behind the scenes to the actual trade interests as well as plots to ruin and. It is specificlaly noted "no one inquires too closely" about the captain[10]

A chance is also noted of encountering ships crewed by friendly tieflings or dragonborn, or neutral dragonborn, which implies their presence somewhere else in the region, at least.

In 595 CY, around 80% of the town is human, with minorities of halfling, half-elf, gnome, elf, dwarf, and half-orc inhabitants, with a small number of other races.[4]

Religion[edit]

Saltmarsh has a Temple of Procan, as well as a Sea Grove of Obad-Hai[11].

Since Saltmarsh is part of Keoland, it should be noted there are numerous deities worshipped even though only two are known to have a strong presence in the town. The most popular deities among the Keoish are Heironeous, Phaulkon, Saint Cuthbert, Fharlanghn, Ehlonna, Lydia, Osprem, Zilchus, Kord, Xerbo, Norebo, Olidammara, the Seldarine, and Trithereon.[12]

Languages[edit]

The most widely-spoken languages in Keoland are Common, Keoish, Elvish, Gnomish, and Halfling.

Government[edit]

Town council[edit]

Saltmarsh is governed by a town council of six elected members. The most senior member of the council holds the title of Lord Mayor, and is elected by the other five. He retains his position for life, and can only be removed by a unanimous vote of impeachment by the rest of the council. The other five members of the council are elected by popular vote of the citizens of Saltmarsh, and also hold their positions for life.[4]

The council meets at the town hall at the start of each season. At these meetings, the council votes on new laws and other issues, and listens to citizens' grievances. The Lord Mayor's vote counts for two, and often needed to break ties. The Lord Mayor also has sole power to call emergency council sessions.[4]

As of 595 CY, the Lord Mayor is Erolin Timerkitos, who has held the position for nearly thirty years. He is descended from Orrin Timerikos, one of the town's original founders, whose family have continuously held a position on the council since it began.

As of 595 CY, the other council members are Egan Lassiter, Hoskin Lashti, Lira Tolivar, Lyra Ivessa, and Toren Aerakin.[4] Other members to hold the position at one time include Eda Oweland, Gellan Primewater, Eliander Fireborn, Manistrad Copperlocks, and Anders Solmor.[2]

The local administration can deal with justice and law-enforcement, and debtors and bankrupts are dealt with particularly harshly.[1]

Heraldry[edit]

Any town heraldry or symbol is unknown. The town presumably makes use of the heraldry of the Viscounty of Salinmoor, within which it is located. (illustrated above)

Economy[edit]

Fishing is the main industry. There are some tiny farms in the neighboring countryside. There is a small weekly market attracting traders from Burle and Seaton.[1]

High value imported goods such as silk and brandy attract a 25% excise duty in Saltmarsh.[13] This has the effect of creating an incentive for the smuggling of such goods.

Resources[edit]

The Azure Sea provides sufficient fish stocks to support the fishing industry. The town is also surrounded by some farmland although such is only exploited to a limited degree given only "tiny" farms are located nearby (in late 570s CY).[1]

Trade[edit]

Rumors and legends[edit]

As of the late 570s CY, four miles east of Saltmarsh, just inland of the old coast road and looking out to sea, stands a "Haunted House". The fields around it, though prime agricultural land, remain untended and rank with weeds. Up until the late 550s it was the residence of an aged alchemist magician of sinister reputation. The owner suddenly and without explanation disappeared, the house was abandoned, and by the late 570s CY was dilapidated. Locals who infrequently explored the house, due to rumors of a secret hoard of alchemical gold, returned with stories of a decayed house and monstrous perils.

In more recent years (in the late 570s CY) there have been reports of ghastly shrieks and eerie lights emanating from in the house.[1]

Publishing History[edit]

See Also[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Maps[edit]

External links[edit]

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. a b c d e f g U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, p3
  2. a b c Ghosts of Saltmarsh, p.7.
  3. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.65.
  4. a b c d e f g h i Dungeon Master's Guide II, p.119-152.
  5. DMG2, p.121, establishes that Saltmarsh was founded "130 years ago". The canonical "current" date for products released in 2005 is 595 CY, giving a date of 465 CY for the establishment of Saltmarsh.
  6. Ghosts of Saltmarsh asserts that the Sea Princes raids occurred within living memory, though the canonical date of the book is unclear. The establishment of the Hold of the Sea Princes (444 CY) is described as "decades ago", but mentions of King Skotti date it to no earlier than 564 CY.
  7. Dungeon #77, p.62, To Walk Beneath the Waves.
  8. Living Greyhawk Journal #1, p17
  9. a b Ghosts of Saltmarsh, p.11.
  10. Ghosts of Saltmarsh, p14.
  11. Ghosts of Saltmarsh, p26
  12. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p63.
  13. U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, p15

Bibliography[edit]

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Index is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, and his work as continued and updated by Eric Johnson, Richard DiIoia, Jason "PupickDad" Jacobson, a French fan group, and numerous other fans over the years. The wiki page for the EGI has a list of sources, full product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Carpenter's guild (Saltmarsh) People Group Guild, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 17
Carpenter's Guildhall (Saltmarsh) Building Hall, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 17
Cemetery (Saltmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 18
City Gates (Saltmarsh) Infrastructure Gate, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 123(Map), 124
City Gates (Saltmarsh) Infrastructure Gate, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 13, 15(Map)
City Walls (Saltmarsh) Infrastructure Defensive Structure, Wall, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 122, 123(Map), 124
Council Hall (Saltmarsh) Place Ward, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 16
Crabber's Cove (Saltmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 17
Dwarven Anvil, The (Saltmarsh) Building Shop, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 16, 17
Eliander Fireborn (Captain of the Guard) (Saltmarsh) Non-player character Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 9, 10, 12-14, 16-20, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 227
Eliander Fireborn (Captain of the Guard) (Saltmarsh) Non-player character Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 8
Eliander's House (Saltmarsh) Building House, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 14, 15(Map), 18, 19, 20
Empty Net, The (Saltmarsh) Building Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 14, 15(Map), 19, 29
Erolin Timertikos (Lord Mayor of Saltmarsh) Non-player character Male, Human, [Ari6/Ftr3], Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 120, 134, 149
Fishmongers' Plants (Saltmarsh) Place Quarter, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 17
Geolin (Commander, Saltmarsh Town Hall Guards) Non-player character Female, dwarf, Pre-gen [F1][F2][F3][F4], Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 120, 139
Geolin (Commander, Saltmarsh Town Hall Guards) Non-player character Female, dwarf, Pre-gen [F1][F2][F3][F4], U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh 29
Geolin (Commander, Saltmarsh Town Hall Guards) Non-player character Female, dwarf, Pre-gen [F1][F2][F3][F4], U2 Danger at Dunwater 31
Geolin (Commander, Saltmarsh Town Hall Guards) Non-player character Female, dwarf, Pre-gen [F1][F2][F3][F4], U3 The Final Enemy 45
Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e Adventure Adventure - Located in: Keoland, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 2, 8, 9, 11, 14
Green Market (Saltmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15, (Map), 16
Grust Redbeard (Warden Saltmarsh Jail) Non-player character Male, Half-Orc, Ftr11, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 120, 142
Haunted House {Makaster House} (Saltmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 21, 23(Map), 37, 38, 39-50, 51, 52, 252
Haunted House {Makaster House} (Saltmarsh) Place Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 11
Hoolwatch Tower (Saltmarsh) Place Defensive Structure, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 123(Map), 125
Hoolwatch Tower (Saltmarsh) Place Defensive Structure, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 16(Map), 17
Ingo the Drover's House (Saltmarsh) Building House, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 17
Keledek Tower (Saltmarsh) Building Tower, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 14, 15(Map)
Kester's Leather Goods (Saltmarsh) Building Shop, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 16
Kord, Cathedral of (Saltmarsh) Building Cathedral, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 123(Map), 126
Lars Tannerson (Commander Saltmarsh Eastgate) Non-player character Male, Human, Ftr4, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 120, 124, 125
Leap, The (Saltmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 18
Makaster House {Haunted House} (Saltmarsh) Place Living Greyhawk Journal #1 17
Mariners' Guild (Saltmarsh) People Group Guild, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 31, 97, 98, 107, 109
Mariners' Guildhall (Saltmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 17
Mining Company Headquarters (Saltmarsh) Building Manor, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 14, 15(Map)
Obad-hai, Sea Grove of (Saltmarsh) Building Religious building, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 18
Old Harbor (Old Saltmarsh, Sartmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 13
Old Saltmarsh Settlement Reference SEE Old Harbor
Old Saltmarsh Settlement Reference SEE Saltmarsh
Pelor, Cathedral of (Saltmarsh) Building Cathedral, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 122, 123(Map), 126, 127, 138, 146, 227
Procan, Temple of (Saltmarsh) Building Temple, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 18, 29
Salmarsh Sendings (Saltmarsh) Building Shop, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 123(Map), 126
Saltmarsh Barracks Building Barrack/Watch station, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 13, 14, 15(Map)
Saltmarsh Beacon (Lighthouse) Building Lighthouse, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 120, 122, 123(Map), 152
Saltmarsh Jail Building Jail, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 12, 13, 14, 15(Map)
Saltmarsh Militia People Group Army, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 10, 12, 30, 137
Saltmarsh Town Council People Group Council, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 7, 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 32, 50, 59, 61, 65, 84, 111, 139
Saltmarsh, town of Settlement Keoland, Settlement, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 3, 4, 106, 107, 108, 119-152, 123(Map), 153, 227
Saltmarsh, town of Settlement Keoland, Settlement, Dungeon magazine #077 62
Saltmarsh, town of Settlement Keoland, Settlement, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 7-35, 15(Map), 23(Map), 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 46, 49, 50, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 80, 84, 111, 113, 137, 138, 139, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 256
Saltmarsh, town of Settlement Keoland, Settlement, Living Greyhawk Journal #1 17
Saltmarsh, town of Settlement Keoland, Settlement, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15
Saltmarsh, town of Settlement Keoland, Settlement, U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh 1-5, 9, 12, 15, 23, 24, 27
Saltmarsh, town of Settlement Keoland, Settlement, U2 Danger at Dunwater 1-8, 20, 25, 28-30
Saltmarsh, town of Settlement Keoland, Settlement, U3 The Final Enemy 1-9, 12, 36-38, 42, 46
Sea Grove of Obad-Hai (Saltmarsh) Geographical feature Woods/Forest/Jungle, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 18
Sharkfin Bridge (Saltmarsh) Infrastructure Bridge, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 16
Silver Raven (Saltmarsh) Building Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 120, 122, 123(Map), 140
Snapping Line, The (Saltmarsh) Building Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 16, 19, 29
Standing Stones (Saltmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 18, 31
The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh Adventure Adventure - Located in: Keoland, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 3, 4, 21, 28, 37-59, 61, 65, 79, 80, 111, 229, 246, 247, 248, 252, 253
The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh Adventure Adventure - Located in: Keoland, Reference SEE ALSO U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh
U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh Adventure Adventure - Located in: Keoland, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 119
U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh Adventure Adventure - Located in: Keoland, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 5, 38
U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh Adventure Adventure - Located in: Keoland, U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh All
U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh Adventure Adventure - Located in: Keoland, U2 Danger at Dunwater 2, 4, 18-20, 28, 29
U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh Adventure Adventure - Located in: Keoland, U3 The Final Enemy 1-4, 6, 7, 37, 38
Vera Orrenti (Commander Saltmarsh Westgate) Non-player character Female, Human, Ftr5, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 120, 124, 125
Walthas Kang (Commander Saltmarsh City Watch) Non-player character Male, Human, Ftr11, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 120, 124, 140
Watchtowers (Saltmarsh) Building Defensive Structure, Barrack/Watch station, Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 123(Map), 124
Weekly Market (Saltmarsh) Place Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 16
Wicker Goat, The (Saltmarsh) Building Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 123(Map), 125, 126
Wicker Goat, The (Saltmarsh) Building Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 14, 19, 29
Winston's Store (Saltmarsh) Building Shop, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 15(Map), 18, 29