Think about what brings you to Saltmarsh. Do you live here? Are you a pirate? Did you travel here for trade? A lot of the fun in Saltmarsh is the flavour of the region and it's inter-workings. I'll provide a bunch of background info to check out in case you can't access it (I think you can).
I'm happy to have you play good or evil characters! If you want to be a member of the Scarlet Brotherhood, i'll make it work (though I make no promises on character longevity should party conflict occur lol). One of the nice things about PbP, is should you split as a group, the game is still very playable and I can run 2 threads, interweaving them.
Saltmarsh is a nondescript fishing village tucked away on the southern coast of the Kingdom of Keoland. For several generations, Keoland was a formidable military power. Its superior cavalry and bold knights pushed the kingdom’s borders outward to the north, west, and east. Each successful campaign increased both the crown’s wealth and power, and each one in turn drew the kingdom’s attention even farther north. The southern coastal regions of Keoland remained a backwater.
The crown’s benign neglect allowed piracy and banditry to flourish. Saltmarsh and similar towns kept to fishing, content to maintain a low profile and avoid governmental entanglements. Decades ago, the pirates who prowled the waters off Saltmarsh grew strong enough to create their own realm, a loose confederacy known as the Hold of the Sea Princes. With the rise of that nation came increased raids on Saltmarsh and its neighbors. The Sea Princes’ raiding ships pillaged the coast for more slaves to support their growing realm, and Saltmarsh suffered heavily. The memories of those times loom heavily over the area, and the locals’ hatred of the Sea Princes runs deep.
In time, Keoland’s victories in the north gave way to a string of defeats in which its neighbors pushed the kingdom back to its original boundaries. With the world closing in, King Kimbertos Skotti looked to the south and saw unchecked banditry and a rising pirate nation. The crown struck peace treaties with its former foes to the north, raised a navy, and dealt a sharp check to the ambitions of the Sea Princes — but the conflict is by no means over.
King Skotti has decreed that the pirates must be put down, the sea lanes secured, and trade cultivated. If Keoland cannot prosper as a military force, it must grow mightier as a center of trade.
Saltmarsh, remote though it might be from the center of power in Keoland, is entering a new phase of its life as it reacts to the king’s plans. The crown’s agents want to expand the village’s port and make it a prime location for trade with the world beyond. In another recent development, a band of dwarves — bearing a decree from the king himself — have arrived and begun to excavate the hills and seaside cliffs near town, looking for precious metals. If their work bears fruit as expected, the mine stands to become a major factor in the village’s — and, indeed, the entire region’s — prosperity.
Naturally, not all of Saltmarsh’s residents feel the same way about the recent developments in and around their community, which is the key issue that affects their lives and livelihood. Although the recent changes stand to bring new prosperity to the area, many locals don’t want to see their home changed. At the same time, as an undercurrent through all the goings-on, agents of the secretive and mysterious Scarlet Brotherhood work to thwart Keoland’s ambitions while advancing their own.
Saltmarsh’s roughly five thousand residents are predominantly human, with the dwarven mining contingent of about two hundred workers the largest non-human faction in town. Elves and halflings draw no special notice, since the Silverstand hosts a wood elf enclave and a few halfling villages are tucked in the hills around town. The residents react to other visitors, especially tieflings and dragonborn, with a mixture of curiosity and fear.
The traditionalist faction is an alliance of the prominent fishing families and merchants in town, along with the workers who rely on those industries for a living. The traditionalists remember the terrible times during the Sea Princes’ raids and have no desire to see the crown’s ambitions lead to open war. The smugglers who operate in the area tend to be traditionalists. Most pose as merchants and rely on their local contacts to move goods through the region without interference from the town guard or royal agents. Smuggling has long been an easy way to make money in Saltmarsh, and locals generally look the other way, seeing it as a victimless crime.
The traditionalists would like to see the dwarves’ mining efforts fail and interest from the north wane, so that Saltmarsh’s dependable fishing trade can thrive and the smugglers in the area are left alone. They resent the intrusion of outsiders seeking to transform Saltmarsh and undoubtedly drain power from the fishing families to give to dwarves and merchants.
At their best, traditionalists are community-minded folk who want Saltmarsh to return to its old way of doing things, arguing that the town has survived for a century by sticking to its original priorities. They suffered mightily due to the Sea Princes’ depredations and remember the days when the crown turned a blind eye to their troubles. Their loyalty to the king runs second to their desire for peace and quiet.
Loyalists
The loyalists consist of newcomers who arrived from the northern reaches of Keoland, loyal to King Kimbertos Skotti. They feel that the town should focus on becoming a useful asset to the crown and value the good of the kingdom before the good of the region. The town guard, the dwarves, and the local farmers are generally loyalists.
The loyalists care about security. They want to keep Keoland’s enemies at bay while ensuring law and order. They see smuggling as a key problem, as it enriches the Sea Princes at the cost of the royal treasury and the efforts of honest merchants.
Above all else, the members of this faction put their faith in law. They exert influence through the town guard, though they remain within their legal authority.
At their best, the loyalists want to grow Saltmarsh into a trading hub with a higher standard of living and improved security. If the Sea Princes are held in check and the sea lanes cleared of threats, Saltmarsh can grow to become the envy of the world.
At their worst, the loyalists see the people of Saltmarsh as a barrier to growth. The locals are little more than allies of the Sea Princes, traitors who for too long have evaded the crown’s notice. If they were to do as the loyalists tell them, then perhaps this fish-reeking pile of a town could become something respectable.
Scarlet Brotherhood
The Scarlet Brotherhood claims that the bloodline of its followers traces back to an ancient empire, the Suel Imperium, and their goal is to restore the old Suloise noble houses to prominence in the world. As scions of a realm that once enjoyed unmatched arcane power and a vast dominion, its members see themselves as superior to all other folk and the only ones fit to rule.
For decades, this group has been concocting a conspiracy to spread fear, chaos, and uncertainty across the land. When the time is right, the Brotherhood will strike to seize the reins in kingdoms all across the world. Already its assassins have slain those who might oppose their sinister plans. In almost every court in the land, from the most remote backwater barony to the imperial courts of world powers, the Brotherhood’s agents have quietly assumed positions of influence.
Unlike the other factions in Saltmarsh, there is no good side to the Scarlet Brotherhood. As unrepentant megalomaniacs, they are villains through and through.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM Spoiler:
10
It is a crisp spring afternoon in Saltmarsh. The smell of the salt-water and fish carries on the air currents, and you can hear the mild waves breaking down by the docks equally from more or less anywhere in town, a trick of the local geography. The mood in the town is joyous. The fishing boats hauled in a massive catch 2 days ago, which means more money in everybody's pockets. The Wicker Goat Inn and Tavern is bustling, filled with regulars and passerbys.
A tall, well built human male stands behind the bar. Surprisingly, and disconcertingly to some folk, 2 Aarakocra are here, an unusual sight in this remote area.
A table in the middle of the bar has a complicated game of dice going. A halfling at the table seems to be doing very well. Proportionally, a large tribal man does NOT seem to be doing so well, and does not seem pleased.
At a table by herself, a member of the 'cloth' sits alone, surveying things. A human male sits at the bar drinking.
Quark is eating a plate of (as raw as they will serve it, if not completely raw) fish, with refined table manners. A napkin is neatly tucked under her chin, protecting her fancy leather vest.
She is absent mindedly keeping an eye on the people in the room, more by habit than need. Are they good eggs, she wonders, or bad eggs?
Korik bears his teeth with his elongated canines and lets out a loud huff. Then slowly he begins to let out a loud and heartfelt laugh. He hits the little man on the back with great enthusiasm.
"You are a funny little one! I know I am beat and I have been told I need to keep some of these pieces of metal for food. I am hungry and if I lose anymore I might have to eat a small snack."
Grins evilly at the halfling. Laughs more, smacks the halfling on the back again
Eeek sits in silent contemplation, "Another one of my kind, I never thought this day would come". Eek tries to keep a close eye on the patrons in the bar, almost skittish around so many people, but his gaze is drawn to the other Aarakocra, knowing he is staring but unable to stop himself. His right hand runs up and down the worn hempen rope he wears across his body, an unconscious motion when he is nervous or uncertain. He had heard the rumours at the docks after arriving back from the latest fishing trip and had come to the inn to see for himself.
"You should go talk to her", he thinks to himself and attempting to steal his courage he takes a swig from his tankard, but his distraction causes him to spill some of the ale onto his shirt, adding another large stain to the serviceable but worn garment. "Damnit", He mutters as he begins to whipe at the spill with his hand.
Jayson takes a sip of his wheat grass juice, "Why am I not getting any stronger" he murmurs to himself. He eyes the strange people at the bar. Are they here to pillage the land like everyone else? he ponders. "Ugh! This is so good. Another!" he blurts out though a half gag.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Eeek, his courage having fled curses under his breath and stands up to head to the bar to get another drink and to find a towel to try and clean up his shirt.
I'd like to look around and see if I notice anything out of the ordinary, other than the other Aaracokra in the room
"What comfort would the temple afford me Faûn. My family wiped away, dissolved, all's left, a trinket?" He looks at her with a green mustache. "No, I think not. My future's been set. All that's left to do now is to clean up." A small belch escapes mid sentence with the sharp smell of a recently mowed lawn.
He sweeps his arm wide displaying the motley crew of patrons stopping at the messy one at the bar and quips "It seems Saltmarsh is 'for the birds' now"
Eeek seeing himself being centered out quickly withdraws to a dark corner, his hands reflexively stroking the tattered rope across his chest, his desire for another drink gone as he attempts to fade into the shadows in a dark corner of the bar.
Eeek, his courage having fled curses under his breath and stands up to head to the bar to get another drink and to find a towel to try and clean up his shirt.
DM : How would you like us to ask to check out the room to see if we notice anything?
Typical way would be to announce that you are looking around and do a perception roll in thread Perception:17
Quark’s knife clatters loudly. She doesn’t seem to notice. She takes her time to carefully untuck and fold her napkin while scanning the room for the other Aarakokra she‘d seen earlier.
Hopefully her feathered brethren hadn’t heard the xenophobe.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
That's just it. I don't know! I'm still waiting on Lord McGuffin to return from his voyage to tell me. I was away apprenticing for a Sorcerer as my father insisted. I got the news and left immediately. Nobody seems to be giving me any straight answers. And you know I don't mean anyone in particular. I was speaking of all these outsiders. He catches Quark's eye and shakes his head as if in apology "no offense meant" sort of way Persuasion 18
Korik's smile slips off his face and he clutches at a talisman with one hand but and takes a deep breathe. Without turning around, he growls out
I understand your distrust of outsiders. I am here because we trusted outsiders and now I have no home and I am alone. If not for the marines, I would be suffering a life worse than death. I understand lose and I understand rage but you must focus your rage on the ones who are responsible for your plight.
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Setting up a campaign for friends. To be edited.T
Think about what brings you to Saltmarsh. Do you live here? Are you a pirate? Did you travel here for trade? A lot of the fun in Saltmarsh is the flavour of the region and it's inter-workings. I'll provide a bunch of background info to check out in case you can't access it (I think you can).
I'm happy to have you play good or evil characters! If you want to be a member of the Scarlet Brotherhood, i'll make it work (though I make no promises on character longevity should party conflict occur lol). One of the nice things about PbP, is should you split as a group, the game is still very playable and I can run 2 threads, interweaving them.
SALTMARSH
FACTIONS
Traditionalists
Loyalists
Scarlet Brotherhood
If you could all pick a font color to use for any in character speaking it would help. I tend to use this color for NPC's since it's easy to see.
There may be some stumbles at the start but we'll quickly fix it! DM'ing friends is easier than DM'ing random entities!
DM Spoiler:
10
Quark is eating a plate of (as raw as they will serve it, if not completely raw) fish, with refined table manners. A napkin is neatly tucked under her chin, protecting her fancy leather vest.
She is absent mindedly keeping an eye on the people in the room, more by habit than need. Are they good eggs, she wonders, or bad eggs?
“HA! I win again dear tribal man sir! Have you had enough for one day or shall I win some more! Hehe!”
Korik bears his teeth with his elongated canines and lets out a loud huff. Then slowly he begins to let out a loud and heartfelt laugh. He hits the little man on the back with great enthusiasm.
"You are a funny little one! I know I am beat and I have been told I need to keep some of these pieces of metal for food. I am hungry and if I lose anymore I might have to eat a small snack."
Grins evilly at the halfling. Laughs more, smacks the halfling on the back again
"I like you. Join me and lets eat."
Eeek sits in silent contemplation, "Another one of my kind, I never thought this day would come". Eek tries to keep a close eye on the patrons in the bar, almost skittish around so many people, but his gaze is drawn to the other Aarakocra, knowing he is staring but unable to stop himself. His right hand runs up and down the worn hempen rope he wears across his body, an unconscious motion when he is nervous or uncertain. He had heard the rumours at the docks after arriving back from the latest fishing trip and had come to the inn to see for himself.
"You should go talk to her", he thinks to himself and attempting to steal his courage he takes a swig from his tankard, but his distraction causes him to spill some of the ale onto his shirt, adding another large stain to the serviceable but worn garment. "Damnit", He mutters as he begins to whipe at the spill with his hand.
Pringles laughs nervously at the intimidating barbarian but shakes it off and looks happily at the barbarian.
“I’d love to join you for a meal! I’m in such a great mood, meal and drinks are on me!!”
Pringles orders food and drinks for the barbarian and himself.
Pringles and Korik ask the bartender for any rumours around town.
Jayson takes a sip of his wheat grass juice, "Why am I not getting any stronger" he murmurs to himself. He eyes the strange people at the bar. Are they here to pillage the land like everyone else? he ponders. "Ugh! This is so good. Another!" he blurts out though a half gag.
Eeek, his courage having fled curses under his breath and stands up to head to the bar to get another drink and to find a towel to try and clean up his shirt.
I'd like to look around and see if I notice anything out of the ordinary, other than the other Aaracokra in the room
Perception:17
"What comfort would the temple afford me Faûn. My family wiped away, dissolved, all's left, a trinket?" He looks at her with a green mustache. "No, I think not. My future's been set. All that's left to do now is to clean up." A small belch escapes mid sentence with the sharp smell of a recently mowed lawn.
He sweeps his arm wide displaying the motley crew of patrons stopping at the messy one at the bar and quips "It seems Saltmarsh is 'for the birds' now"
Eeek seeing himself being centered out quickly withdraws to a dark corner, his hands reflexively stroking the tattered rope across his chest, his desire for another drink gone as he attempts to fade into the shadows in a dark corner of the bar.
Stealth: 13
Typical way would be to announce that you are looking around and do a perception roll in thread Perception: 17
OoC: BUSSSSSY day at work. WIll update in the AM, possibly tonight :)
Quark’s knife clatters loudly. She doesn’t seem to notice. She takes her time to carefully untuck and fold her napkin while scanning the room for the other Aarakokra she‘d seen earlier.
Hopefully her feathered brethren hadn’t heard the xenophobe.
18 Perception or 16 Insight
That's just it. I don't know! I'm still waiting on Lord McGuffin to return from his voyage to tell me. I was away apprenticing for a Sorcerer as my father insisted. I got the news and left immediately. Nobody seems to be giving me any straight answers. And you know I don't mean anyone in particular. I was speaking of all these outsiders. He catches Quark's eye and shakes his head as if in apology "no offense meant" sort of way Persuasion 18
Korik's smile slips off his face and he clutches at a talisman with one hand but and takes a deep breathe. Without turning around, he growls out
I understand your distrust of outsiders. I am here because we trusted outsiders and now I have no home and I am alone. If not for the marines, I would be suffering a life worse than death. I understand lose and I understand rage but you must focus your rage on the ones who are responsible for your plight.