Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 1171022" data-attributes="member: 6294">Kull's 7th Report - Part 4As might be expected, the map pre-dated the fall of the fortress.  This in itself was not what drew my interest, though it would doubtless make the item valuable to collectors.  What was important to my eyes was what the map depicted: in the time before the fall of the tower, the extent of the swamp was far less than it is today.  It covered - at most - one sixth of the area.I do not share the druid's fascination with the minutiae of nature, but it was clear that this sudden and geometric increase in the size of the swamp could not be natural.  The means by which the swamp had been increased could not immediately be proven, but my suspicions - shared by Gnorric and the druid - were that the crystal orb we had found might have some relevance to the matter.  This suspicion was all but confirmed by the discovery of an aged note in a disused part of the complex, which read "Place the orb within the castle.  It will do the rest".  Just as the fort has subsided beneath the waters of the swamp, so has the land as a whole.If the increase in the swamp was caused by magical means, then it is likely that it can be reversed in the same manner.  Compared to this knowledge, the rescue of the five village women is of small importance, welcome though it may be.It is my intention to investigate the cause of the swamp's expansion, and ascertain how it was accomplished.  If it is possible to do so, I intend to learn the means to reverse the effects.  Were the swamp returned to its previous size, it would ease travel in the region and reclaim many lost acres of farmland, leading to a greater era of prosperity and security: prosperity and security that will be owed to the strength and vigilance of Hextor.On my return to Saltmarsh, I spoke to several of the locals, and consulted the old council logs.  It appears that this coast was once plagued by pirates, operating out of a chain of islands near the coast.  The old fort was originally built to watch for these pirates and thwart their attacks.  It seems likely to me that these islands may well hold the key to the secret.  There can be no doubt that the pirates would have wanted the fort destroyed, though it appears that their actions to achieve this end had repercussions far beyond what they could have intended.  I plan to investigate these islands at the earliest opportunity. Before I begin my investigation, however, I have several other matters to which I must attend.First, the lizardfolk must be warned against the folly of alliance with any future group of newts that may enter these territories.  Saltmarsh stood by them, when the sahuagin attacked.  I mean to see that they stand by Saltmarsh, should the need arise.  I delivered this warning to the lizard ambassador, giving him the head of the newt chieftain as I did so.  He seemed to understand this message, and has agreed to convey it to his own chieftain.Second, as I will need to spend some considerable time away from Saltmarsh in order to investigate the islands, I will need to appoint someone to handle the role of sheriff.  There are none in town who can be trusted with this responsibility, so I intend to travel to the city of Mellin, where I can hire a warrior with the proper training to enforce the laws and command the militia.  In light of the unreliability of the lizardfolk, this step is doubly necessary.  Third, while I am in Mellin I will be seeking news of the world beyond Saltmarsh.  The villagers tell me that while I was at the fort, many troops passed along the old swamp road, heading north.  The troops spoke of trouble with orcs and other humanoids, and rumours are circulating that the Border Keep has fallen.  If true, this means that the lands to the north are open to invasion by the orcish tribes.  It is important that I learn more of the situation in Mellin, so that I can judge the extent of the threat.  It may even be that I will have to travel north to determine the situation in person.I will be leaving for Mellin in the morning.  I will report again after my return.In Hextor's Name,Kull Redfist</blockquote>

Verification