Saltmarsh
| Saltmarsh | |
|---|---|
 Heraldry of Salinmoor, by Anna Meyer | |
| General information | |
| Realm: | Keoland |
| Size: | Town |
| Government | |
| Government: | Town council |
| Established: | 465 CY |
| Demographics | |
| Population: | 5,000 |
| Races: | Human, Dwarf, Elf, Halfling |
| Languages: | Common |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Procan, Obad-Hai |
| Organizations: | Traditionalists, Loyalists, Scarlet Brotherhood |
| Allies: | Keoland |
| Enemies: | Scarlet Brotherhood |
Description
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 it was likened to a small south-coast English fishing town of the 14th Century.
History
The town was established in 465 CY.
Geography
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).
People
The majority of the population, in keeping with Keoland generally, are mainly human. The inhabitants are relatively sober, hard working and amiable.
Population
In 576 CY the population was approximately 2,000. By 591 CY it was estimated to have grown to 3,000, and by 595 CY to 3,850.
Ghosts of Saltmarsh (indicated as "setting agnostic" in 2019 but clearly located in Greyhawk) indicates the population as 5,000.
Religion
As part of Keoland, 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. Procan as the Oeridian god of Seas, Sea Life, Salt, Sea Weather, and Navigation would be a natural deity to worship in a maritime location like Saltmarsh. To the extent the Old Faith was followed in a rural location such as Saltmarsh, Obad-Hai would also be a natural deity.
Languages
The most widely-spoken languages in Keoland are Common, Keoish, Elvish, Gnomish, and Halfling.
Government
The town is administered by a Town Council. The local administration can deal with justice and law-enforcement, and debtors and bankrupts are dealt with particularly harshly.
Heraldry
Economy
Fishing is the main industry. There are some tiny farms in the neighbouring countryside. There is a small weekly market attracting traders from Burle and Seaton.
High value imported goods such as silk and brandy attract a 25% excise duty in Saltmarsh. This has the effect of creating an incentive for the smuggling of such goods.
Resources
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).
Rumors & Legends
As of the late 570s, 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 was dilapidated. Locals who infrequently explored the house, due to rumours of a secret hoard of alchemical gold, returned with stories of a decayed house and monstrous perils. In more recent years there have been reports of ghastly shrieks and eerie lights emanating from in the house.
Publishing History
See Also
Gallery
Maps
External Links
References
Citations
Bibliography
Zavoda Index Entry
Saltmarsh [TWN]
Saltmarsh City/Town/Village Dungeon Magazine #077 62
Saltmarsh (Pop 3,850) (595 CY) City/Town/Village Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e 3, 4, 106, 107, 108, 119-152, 123(Map), 153, 227
Saltmarsh (Pop 5,000) City/Town/Village Ghosts of Saltmarsh All, 15(Map), 23(Map)
Saltmarsh (Pop 3,000) (591 CY) City/Town/Village Living Greyhawk Journal #1 17
Saltmarsh (Pop 2,000) (576 CY) City/Town/Village U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh 1-5, 9, 12, 15, 23, 24, 27
Saltmarsh (Pop 2,000) (576 CY) City/Town/Village U2 Danger at Dunwater 1-8, 20, 25, 28-30
Saltmarsh (Pop 2,000) (576 CY) City/Town/Village U3 The Final Enemy 1-9, 12, 36-38, 42, 46