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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 1414646" data-attributes="member: 6294">Kull's 12th Report - Part 1SaltmarshNew YearTo: Bishop-General Kartrak VisehartCommunication from Kull RedfistGeneral,Despite recent events, I remain a loyal servant of Our Lord, and submit to you this account of my actions, in the hope that it might be judged under the only terms that matter: the success and advancement of Hextor's cause.Three weeks ago, in the aftermath of a skirmish with orc and goblin raiders, I was contacted by the Duke of Durham, who advised that the Baron of Mellin had fallen in battle against the goblinoids, and sought a meeting to discuss the future of the dead lord's realm.  Upon his arrival, the Duke made his proposal: in return for my support for him to annex Mellin, he would confer upon me the title of Marquis of Saltmarsh.This proposal had several points of merit.  First, sufficient goblinoid forces remain that Mellin will require strong and unified leadership in the months to come.  This, a single overlord could provide, far better than the dozens of lesser nobles who remained within Mellin.  Second, and more importantly, my ascent to the position would give Our Lord's faith an even greater position of authority and strength within these lands, which was and remains my principal objective.However, even as the offer was made, I was conscious of my oaths to the church.  To take the mantle of Marquis and support the Duke would require me to give him my fealty, as his feudal subject.  Thus, I contacted yourself, requesting the Church's advice on whether I should accept: a question to which your answer was a most unequivocal 'yes', with the added advice that an administrator would be sent.As directed, I agreed to the Duke's proposal, and awaited the arrival of the administrator.  As soon as he alighted upon the dock, however, it became apparent that he had no understanding of the situation here, nor of the best interests of Our Lord.  I therefore had no choice but to strike him down, for fear that his mistakes would destroy the progress I have wrought.In the twelve months I have spent in this region, the prestige of Our Lord and the support He enjoys has steadily increased.  The security and strength offered by Hextor's power and discipline has won converts and willing support.  As I am sure a man of your experience would know, the best and fiercest soldiers are those who believe in their cause: a strong and willing man is worth a dozen slaves, whether it be in battle or in the fields.The administrator you sent announced - in the hearing of all - that every man, woman and child of Saltmarsh would be enslaved.  He proposed, at a stroke, to reduce Our Lord's power in these lands to less than a tenth of what it is today, and to undo all I have wrought.  For that transgression against the interests of Hextor, he was destroyed.I understand that the Church elders, far from this place, have seen my actions in a different light, and believe I seek only my own power and prestige.  For this, they have ordered my excommunication.  I appeal to you now, as a soldier and general, to consider my actions with cold reason.  If I sought power for myself, why would I tell the Church of the Duke's offer, before I had accepted?  Why, having done so, would I strike down your representative?  Neither the people of Saltmarsh nor my own strength could hope to prevail against the full might of the Church, should you desire to destroy me.  To oppose the will of the Elders is not an act that seeks power, but one that risks destruction.As a token of my loyalty, I disclose to you my plans for the coming weeks.  I shall travel to the ruins of the ancient fortress known as the Beacon, where I believe I will find the final elements of the curse that has transformed this land into a swamp.  From there, it is my intention to seek an end to the curse, and restore the land to its previous state.In the long term, this transformation will secure the strength and vigour of the region, which is now known as the Birch Coast.  In the short term, however, it will earn the enmity of the Duke of Durham, who I am sure believed he had granted to me only a land of poverty and ruin.  He may seek to take the land by force.  I will stand against any such attempt, but without the support of the Church and its strength, I am unlikely to prevail.I trust you will consider my words, and my record as a servant of Our Lord, and consult the augurs as to Hextor's favour.  My faith tells me that I still march in His army: I pray you will not deny me my place in His church.The fate of Our Lord's worship in this land rests with your decision.In Hextor's Name,Kull Redfist</blockquote>

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