Kull's 6th Report - Part 2
The journey back to Saltmarsh took nearly two weeks, as I had no option but to travel overland, through difficult and swampy terrain. Thus, by the time I arrived back in the village, the final confrontation with the Sahuagin had already occurred. The alliance of four races; human, sea elf, locathah and lizardfolk; had defeated the enemy, but casualties had been very heavy. Numerous buildings in Saltmarsh were deserted, their former occupants either slain or fled.
Although I was too late to lend my flail to the battle, the bloody flood of injured was still in full flow, overwhelming the handful of clerics and healers the town had marshalled. I set myself to assist in this task, and saved many warriors who would otherwise have died.
Once the wards had been cleared of wounded, I took up the role of sheriff, which had gone unoccupied since the battle with the sahuagin. Checking the previous incumbent's files, I found a great deal of material on the actions of Vincent Reims, the oily proprietor of the local luxuries shop. Reims, a slug-like and sycophantic individual, had always struck me as suspiciously prosperous. Certainly he had never been troubled by the expense of purchasing valuable items I had recovered in my adventures.
Reading through the files, it became clear that the previous sheriff had amassed a huge wealth of circumstantial evidence against Reims, linking him to the smuggling ring that I had destroyed, but had lacked the courage or conviction to put him to the question on his activities. I, on the other hand, suffered no such lack.
At the very next council meeting - a small and sorry affair, with only three of the members surviving, including Reims himself - I confronted the oily merchant, compelling him to speak only the truth, for Hextor's gaze was upon him.
The merchant did his best to dissemble, but his will was no match for his fear of our Lord, and he crumbled into confession, admitting his sins against the town. For myself, I would have put him to death on the spot, but the other councillors merely banished him, confiscating all his goods in the process. Once sold, these items will contribute much to restoring the town's lost wealth.
With Reims dealt with, and the council reduced to two, I demanded the right to take his place. In light of the services I had given the town, and the need it would have of me in the future, I claimed this as no more than my right. Though initially taken aback, the remaining councillors - the innkeep and the Pelorite priest - accepted the validity of my claim with comparative grace.
In the month since those events I have won the right of free worship for Hextor within the town, and begun the construction of the Chapel where services will be held. This should be complete within the month, and will include quarters and storerooms to support a detachment of up to twenty men, should the need arise.
I have also recommenced my program of training for the local militia. The number of able-bodied men and women is much lower than it was before the battle with the sahuagin, but those that remain have a much greater appreciation for the need of the skills I am teaching. Most have shown a marked improvement in their weapon craft, though none display any real ability for command. This is not a significant concern while I remain in the town, but if Hextor's Will leads elsewhere, they will have need of a properly trained officer to take command. As soon as I am able, I plan to travel to the city of Mellin, and consult at the warrior's guild about hiring a man with the necessary skills.
In the mean time, I have been reviewing the populace of the town to see who may possess useful skills, should further troubles arise in this area. These prospective resources have been assisted by the return of several young men from the south, where they had been serving in the army. Those hostilities have now ended, and they have returned to their homes to resume their prior occupations. I have selected the most promising of these men as my deputy, and appointed him Corporal of the militia.
The elven druid I rescued from the goblins has also spent some time in the village recently. While I find his superstitious faith as ridiculous as that of the late, unlamented fool who died on the smuggler's ship, his knowledge of the swamp has been quite useful in establishing patrol routes for the region, and identifying potentially dangerous areas of ground. It appears to be his intent to remain in or near the town for the foreseeable future.
Finally, I have been advised by my fellow councillors that a wizard has recently petitioned for permission to open a store for the sale of 'unusual items' within Saltmarsh. The Pelorite appears most uncomfortable about the fellow who has made the application, suggesting that he has an 'unsavoury look'. For myself, I am far less interested in his looks than I am in his capabilities. A properly trained wizard would be a useful addition to the forces at my command. A council meeting has been called for tomorrow evening, to interview this wizard. Provided he has a proper regard for the laws of the town, I intend to ensure that his application is accepted.
I shall report again once the Chapel is complete.
In Hextor's Name,
Kull Redfist
