Welcome to the Legends of Saltmarsh

The year is 576, and the region surrounding Saltmarsh finds itself in the midst of turbulent times.

Caught between the epic struggles of the rogue nation of pirates known as the Hold of the Sea Princes to the south and the Kingdom of Keoland to the north, the small fishing village of Saltmarsh stands at a precarious crossroads.

The Kingdom of Keoland, an ancient realm with a lineage stretching back almost 1,000 years, has experienced a gradual decline over the past two centuries. Its ambitions to expand its empire to the north have been met with resistance, leaving the southern coast vulnerable to pirate raids and attacks. In the year 434, pirates seized the opportunity and launched their assaults known as Azure's Tide, resulting in a stalemate by 464 and the emergence of the rogue nation known as the Hold of the Sea Princes. A fragile truce has prevailed for over a century, but tensions are mounting. Rumors of the Scarlet Brotherhood's presence add an additional layer of uncertainty and power struggles to the region.

The Kingdom of Keoland, recognizing the need to fortify its defenses, has strengthened its navy and established a formidable naval base in Seaton. Meanwhile, the pirates of the Hold of the Sea Princes have amassed wealth through illicit trade, gold smuggling, and the abhorrent practice of slavery. The entire area is a powder keg ready to ignite.

Saltmarsh finds itself in a perilous position, serving as a small village with a remote garrison outpost that would crumble under a pirate siege. The traditionalists within the town yearn to return to their humble fishing ways and maintain neutrality, while the loyalists align themselves with the Kingdom of Keoland, advocating for further fortifications and the transformation of Saltmarsh into a major trade port. The tension between these factions is palpable, and the talk of war hangs heavy in the air.

Amidst this volatile backdrop, a significant discovery has captured everyone's attention: rare metals have been unearthed near Saltmarsh. The Kingdom of Keoland has struck a grand bargain with a Dwarven mining company, offering protection, trade, and prosperity in exchange for a share of the newfound wealth. News of this discovery has reached the ears of the Hold of the Sea Princes, and spies now prowl the docks of Saltmarsh, seeking information about these valuable resources. It is also certain that if the Sea Princes' spies are present, the secretive Scarlet Brotherhood has taken a keen interest as well.

Adding to the dangers faced by the realm, Saltmarsh is surrounded by untamed wilderness. The Hool Marshes are home to lizardfolk, the Drowned Forests of dark magic, and the Dreadwoods are steeped in legends of horrors and monstrous creatures.

Indeed, it is a perilous time in a perilous place, where alliances shift, tensions rise, and the unknown lurks at every turn. The fate of Saltmarsh and the entire region hangs in the balance, as its inhabitants navigate treacherous waters both on land and at sea.