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 |
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.[1]
History
Establishment
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 use 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
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
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
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 emplo of the town's dungsweepers' guild.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag 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.)[7]
Demographics
The residents of Saltmarsh are predominantly human. The largest non-human faction are 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.[7]
In 595 CY, around four fifths of the town were human, with minorities of halfling, half-elf, gnome, elf, dwarf, and half-orc inhabitants, with a small number of other races.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag.
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.[8]
Languages
The most widely-spoken languages in Keoland are Common, Keoish, Elvish, Gnomish, and Halfling.
Government
Town council
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.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
The local administration can deal with justice and law-enforcement, and debtors and bankrupts are dealt with particularly harshly.[1]
Heraldry
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.
Economy
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.[9] 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).[1]
Trade
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 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) there have been reports of ghastly shrieks and eerie lights emanating from in the house.[1]
Publishing History
See Also
Gallery
Maps
External Links
References
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, p3
- ↑ a b Ghosts of Saltmarsh, p.7.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetter, p.65.
- ↑ a b c d [Dungeon Master's Guide II], p.119-152.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ a b Ghosts of Saltmarsh, p.11.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p63.
- ↑ U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, p15
Bibliography
- Browne, Dave J with Don Turnbull. U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1981.
- Decker, Jesse, David Noonan, Chris Thomasson, et al. Dungeon Master's Guide II (3e). Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast. 2005.
- Holian, Gary. The Kingdom of Keoland. Living Greyhawk Journal #1. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast. 2000.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Mearls, Mike. Ghosts of Saltmarsh. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2019.
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
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, 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 | 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 | 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 | Located in: Keoland, | Reference | SEE ALSO U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh |
| U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh | Adventure | Located in: Keoland, | Dungeon Master's Guide II, D&D 3.5e | 119 |
| U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh | Adventure | Located in: Keoland, | Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e | 5, 38 |
| U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh | Adventure | Located in: Keoland, | U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh | All |
| U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh | Adventure | Located in: Keoland, | U2 Danger at Dunwater | 2, 4, 18-20, 28, 29 |
| U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh | 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 |