"Now for the bare-pick'd bones of majesty
Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest
And snarleth in the gentle eyes of Peace."
Shakespeare, King John (1589)
 |
| Now for the bare-pick'd bone of majesty |
But Iuz was patient, for all his flailing about in his rage after his release.
578 CY
Despite
his youth, King Ralff II of the Fruztii understood subjugation. His people had
turned to their cousins to the east in their hour of need and found the
duplicitous hand of the perfidious Schnai. The Schnai had lent their support.
Yes, but that help came at a cost: suzerainty. The Fruztii had lost their
governance. Indeed, they had lost their pride. Once, they were the terror of
the Solnor Sea. Now, they were a subjugated people. The Shnai commanded them,
calling their commands guidance. They had learned their lessons well from the
diplomats of Shar, long ago.
No more, he thought. He extended his hand to Ratik and they had taken
it, and they had been true to their words. They had stood side by side with his
people when the tribes of Schnai had not. Therefore, he turned to Ratik again:
Train my people, he said, and when he sent the pride of their youth to Marner,
the Archbaron not only trained them in the modern art of War, he equipped them
for such. And so, when Ralff looked again to the East, he understood that he
had kin there, he had obligations there, but he also understood that he had no
friend there.
The Fruztii sent raiding bands to sea with the Schnai, but due to careful
urgings, numbers of mercenary troops also moved southward into Ratik and joined
the Baron’s troops there. These Fruztii returned with knowledge of organized
warfare and good-quality arms and armor and formed the core of a new standing
army organized by King Ralff II in 578. The four companies of foot and one
troop of horse actively patrolled and brought most of the realm under order.
Chief men and nobles not raiding were prevailed upon to contribute men to
patrol their own territories, so that by the end of the year, the frequency of
banditry and humanoid raiding bands had been reduced to an all-time low. Even
the high country around the head of the Jenelrad River was peaceful, and its
Jarl swore an oath of fealty to Ralff. Without actually declaring independence
from Schnai overlordship, the King of Fruzti showed that he was again capable
of fielding an army capable of either defending his territory or taking
another’s. The Schnai conveniently ignored the resurgence, probably hoping that
the involvement in Ratik would again reduce the Frost Barbarians to vassal
status. [Dragon #57 - 14]
But Ralff’s gambit was already bearing fruit.
Ratik had been hard pressed, and were in dire need of allies. They had held
their own of late, thanks to the elves and dwarves and gnomes, but if they were
unable to push the orcs and gnolls back from their borders, their days were
numbered. Ratik had helped him. He would help Ratik.
Battle of the Loftwood
 |
| The Vile Rune |
The manpower pool of the Archbarony was totally dry in 577. Because of
the relatively good relations between the Fruztii and Ratik, the woodsmen and
elven warders of the Timberway were moved south to the Loftwood, and new
recruits were formed into units of light troops called the Volunteer Borderers.
The usefulness of the new Volunteer Borderers was proved in the summer
of 578 when one of this formation’s patrols discovered that the orc tribe of
the Vile Rune was indeed moving northward. In addition to 5,000 tribe members,
the force had 2,000 goblins, 1,000 norkers and xvarts, and 1,000 hobgoblins,
orgrilIons, gnolls, and ogres. With this detestable agglomeration were nearly
2,000 bandits and brigands serving as mercenaries. Its forerunners were
worg mounted goblins, a handful of whom were slain to obtain the intelligence.
Thus alerted, the Marshal of the Archbarony laid a trap which the unsuspecting
invaders blundered into. The humanoid horde moved north along the fringe of the
Loftwood where it butts against the hills. At the northern terminus of the
trees there awaited the full army of Ratik, its numbers made to appear three
times greater by magical means. The gnomes held the western (hillside) flank,
while the light forester troops and elves formed the other arm of the “U,” well
concealed in the dense timber. The Battle of the Loftwood saw considerable
magical competitions in addition to the standard hand-to-hand combat between
the strongest fighters on the opposing forces. The real fighting was between
the masses of troops, however, and this was fierce in the extreme. At one
point, a score of foreign volunteers saved the day because their leader, Queg,
a Fruztii, had prepared an extensive ambush with rocks, tree trunks, pits, and
trees to set fire to. This action turned back 250 or more hobgoblins, killing
or wounding half of them, so that the flank of the Archbaron’s army couldn’t be
turned. Simultaneously, the gnomes on the left flank were nearly broken by a
rush of gnolls, bandits, and goblins, and were saved only by the superb
slinging of a flanking group of the Hillrunners and the innate tenacity of the
gnomes themselves. Finally, the scale was tipped by an attack on the right (of
the orc horde) by the elves and foresters. The humanoid invading force broke
and fled, and in the rout there was a great slaughter. [Dragon #57 - 14]
Seuvord Redbeard
saw dissention among his Atamans, and knew he had to suppress it. He knew that
he could not afford to be embroiled in a civil war. His “nation” was surrounded
by enemies: The Rovers were once again increasing in strength to the west, and
raids into those Barrens were far more perilous than they had been short years
before. And except by all but the strongest of efforts, the passes to Tenh and
Fruztii were closed to him. Were civil war to divide his lands, those enemies
were sure to fall upon them and destroy them. He needed to unite his people. He
also wished his own line to retain the Mastership of the Hold as a hereditary
right, so he called a great council at Purmill, with promise safe conduct for
all who attended. The Atamans were dubious. And they had right to be. Vlek had
promised the very same, and look what happened to the Coltens? They came, but
they came with a show of strength. With spears extended, and hands upon the
pommels of their swords.
In CY 578, shortly after Tenh had coronated its new Duke, the Master of
the Hold became Rhelt Seuvord I of Stonehold. Several of his cousins took ill
from a mysterious flux shortly after the coronation, and about a dozen others
were reported fleeing into the Griff Mountains with a small band of loyal followers. [Dragon #57 - 14]
 |
| Hurricane Ivid |
[Most people of the Sea Barons] recall this
three-day storm, which some laughingly called "Hurricane Ivid."
[Ivid - 90]
Nyrond knew all too well that The Great Kingdom would try to take back those lands that were once theirs. They knew that the Kingdom’s first step would surely be to cut them off from the rest of the Iron League. Nyrond could not have that. It was only a matter of time before they would meet upon the waters of Relmor Bay.
The first major naval
skirmishes between the Great Kingdom and the powerful Nyrondese navy took place
in Relmor Bay in CY 578. Some say the Nyrondese engineered these skirmishes,
preparing for what they considered to be an inevitable war.
Certainly, Ivid V was making noises at court
about reclaiming Aerdy's great imperial heritage, and Nyrond was the first
major power heading west. He did have designs on Nyrond, but it may well be
that the Nyrondese forced his hand. [Ivid - 4]
Overking Ivid V was livid when he heard of his fleet’s first skirmish with Nyrond. How dare they, he screamed! What cheek! The Iron League! The Golden League. Iron was meant to be wielded! And the only thing golden about them was that they had all grown fat on the lifeblood of the Motherland! They will pay, he declared, and he called for total war against Nyrond and its allies.
Overking Ivid V was livid when he heard of his fleet’s first skirmish with Nyrond. How dare they, he screamed! What cheek! The Iron League! The Golden League. Iron was meant to be wielded! And the only thing golden about them was that they had all grown fat on the lifeblood of the Motherland! They will pay, he declared, and he called for total war against Nyrond and its allies.
The reports of war,
blood, and great conquests being made by the hated barbarians and
barely-civilized Fists of the North excited and enraged the overking. Egged on
by the priesthood of Hextor, Ivid entered the fray by storming into Nyrond and
its ally Almor. [Ivid - 4,5]
The Golden League had no choice but to reciprocate and declare war on Great Kingdom.
The Golden League had no choice but to reciprocate and declare war on Great Kingdom.
[The war
spanned] two years, ending in a minor strategic victory for Ivid's field army
under the leadership of the Herzog, and seeing the withdrawal of Almorian and
Nyrondese armies to the west of the Harp River. [WG8 Fate of Istus - 69]
But The Great Kingdom could not wage total war against the Iron League. The Sea Barons needed to remain north to guard the coasts and sea-lanes there, for The Schnai and Cruski began to raid.
But The Great Kingdom could not wage total war against the Iron League. The Sea Barons needed to remain north to guard the coasts and sea-lanes there, for The Schnai and Cruski began to raid.
[As per their treaty,] the Schnai
agreed to give up the land south of Glot along the east coast. The Snow
Barbarians gained more gold and silver, while the Cruski regained their
southern harbors. This made the raids into North Province and the Isles of the
Sea Barons all the easier next year, and most of the able-bodied men were away
on those journeys when the warbands of Stonefist (now Stonehold) rode into the
tundra which the King of Cruski claimed. The few wandering tribes of Coltens
there welcomed the invaders, while surviving Cruskii headed east as quickly as
possible. The returning warriors were enraged at the boldness of the invasion,
and it is likely that the attention of the Cruskii will be trained on a war
with the Stoneholders in 579. Some 50 ship captains are already pledged to
sail, and more are expected. [Dragon #57 - 14]
Without
The Great Kingdom’s oversight, the North slid into a state of endless conflict.
The Bandit Kingdoms made forays into Tenh, the Pale, Nyrond, County of Urnst,
parts of the Shield Land and Furyondy. They were bold. They were crafty. They
were also directed by the Horned Society.
 |
| Bandits in Tenh |
His
father fallen at the Battle of Rockegg Pass, Eyeh III, of Tenh was crowned in
Nevend Neverond to much fanfare and praise. He was his father’s son, they said;
he will see us through these trying times. He had a vision of the trying times
ahead as the circlet was raise over and upon his head, and he wondered how he
might do just that, for his enemies were many and his allies few.
At a convocation in
Nevond Nevend during Neefest, 578, Ehyeh III was crowned Duke, and the Tennese
celebrated greatly. The old Duke’s son was more warlike than his doughty
father, and his early training as a fighter on the frontiers made Ehyeh III
particularly anxious to secure all avenues against invasion. [Dragon #56 - 27]
As Ivid clashed with Nyrond and Almor, the Schnai
and Cruski raided up and down the Solnor coast, landing warriors, murdering and
pillaging, carrying away what they could, leaving broken villages and pillars
of smoke I their wake. They howled and bellowed. They laughed, knowing in their
hearts that is was what Vatun wished of them.
[The] Lord High
Admiral reacted promptly to the summons of the Overking — this despite some
severe raiding from the northern barbarians. Asperdi has recently dispatched a
sizable contingent of ships and men to the North Province. In essence, this
force represents a squadron of warships to control the sea, while a solid block
of fighting men, most of them veterans of skirmishes with barbarian raiders,
stiffens the forces of the Herzog. Led by the Admiral’s eldest son, Lord
Captain Aldusc, known as a respectable commander and excellent strategist, the
convoy reached Bellport about mid-year in CY 578. The warships are now reported
to be operating along the coast. Included are no fewer than six large galleys
and perhaps a score of other warships. The troops were divided after landing
into main and reserve groups. [Dragon #63 - 15]
The Hierarchs had all but defeated the Rovers. They turned their attention to other fronts, no longer concerned about the nuisance that dwelt there. However, the Rovers and Wolves would not be defeated. They lunged and nipped and darted away, necessitating legions there that could have been better used elsewhere.
The Hierarchs had all but defeated the Rovers. They turned their attention to other fronts, no longer concerned about the nuisance that dwelt there. However, the Rovers and Wolves would not be defeated. They lunged and nipped and darted away, necessitating legions there that could have been better used elsewhere.
Pressure by the nobles holding the Shield Lands
prevented the all-out move which the Hierarchs have long wished to make down
the Ritensa River to the northern shore of the Nyr Dyv. The diabolical leaders
of the Horned Society would gladly have allowed luz his hoped-for gains to
their west, in order that they themselves might take Willip and overrun the
Shield Lands. Instead, the Hierarchs, ignorant of luz’s plans, spent themselves
in dribblets, first against Furyondy and the Shield Lands and then in defending
against mounting incursions of war parties from the north. Just as their forces
were about to turn southward again, reacting to the contest between luz and
Furyondy, a major raid struck into the Society’s north, and the Hierarchs’ army
had to turn around and move with all speed northward. [Dragon #56 - 20]
On that first day of contact there was only
light skirmishing, as the Rovers and their allies probed for weaknesses, and
the Hierarch in turn attempted to discover just how powerful an enemy he faced.
On the next day, kobold and bandit scouts prevented an attack from the forest
coming as a complete surprise. The attacking footmen and elves were easily
repulsed, while the well-trained humanoid infantry, supported by missile troops
and light horse, withstood several determined charges by the other contingent
of the invaders. A stand-off of several days’ duration ensued, with Blontug
growing progressively more certain that his enemy was not numerous enough to be
a real threat, but unable to bring them to battle because his force lacked
sufficient mobility. [Dragon #56 - 20]
A major victory was narrowly missed by the
Hierarch, but [their] aim was accomplished. The allied force was beaten and
driven off, although cavalry losses on the part of the Society were excessive,
and the enemy had established itself firmly in the northern portion of the
Fellreev. [Dragon #56 - 21]
The new
Duke of Tenh wasted no time. The Bandits were raiding his western demesnes with
increasing brazenness. He attacked what he expected to be the usual disorganized
rabble, expecting an easy victory. He was treated to easy victories at first.
The Bandits scattered. But as he plunged deeper into their territories, their
resolve stiffened.
The Bandit Kingdoms were never a collective. They had never trusted one another. With good reason: They plotted against one another; they raided one another with abandon. But they stood together when threatened. Even if that meant betraying their mother, their brother, their “ally.” For they knew that if they did not, they would have been put to the sword long before.
The Bandit Kingdoms were never a collective. They had never trusted one another. With good reason: They plotted against one another; they raided one another with abandon. But they stood together when threatened. Even if that meant betraying their mother, their brother, their “ally.” For they knew that if they did not, they would have been put to the sword long before.
When Rovers of the
Barrens overran the northern border of the Horned Society in 578 CY, the
Guardian General of Warfields was among those bandit lords who pledged their
support to the Hierarchs. [LGG - 29]
Duke Ehyeh’s plan was
to sweep west to the junction of the Bluff Hills and the Rakers. He then would
move north into the hills, clear them in a rapid westward push, and garrison
any strongholds found there. He would then swing back southeast to overrun the
land between the Bluff Hills and the Zumker. Any bandit forces caught by the
move would be trapped and destroyed. With this accomplished, the next move
would be to bring a second force across the Zumker, just above the Artonsamay.
The two would then handle expected bandit lord reaction, take Rookroost, and
secure all of the territory as far west as the Fellreev. Contemplated along
with these actions was an even more ambitious plan to begin the next year,
which would secure all the land west of the Artonsamayas far as the Tangles. [Dragon #56 - 27,28]
[News] came from Rookroost that the Zumker
had been crossed in force by Duke Ehyeh, and the Tenhese were sweeping through
the Bluff Hills to clear them of resistance before turning south toward the
open country beyond. The normally independant and warring leaders of the Bandit
Kingdoms had rapidly declared common cause against Tenh, and all the units with
the Hierarchs’ army rode off, despite the threats and imprecations of Blontug. [Dragon #56 - 21]
The Fellands were
conquered by the forces of Tenh in the spring of 578 CY, and ceased raiding
eastward for a time.
[LGG - 26]
[When] the banners of
Tenh crossed the Zumker River, laying waste the Barony of Groskopf, and then
entered Fellands, the Combination of Free Lords summoned all members to arms to
defend the east. When even the western states responded, the Hierarchs were
enraged, for they needed the bandit troops to eject the nomad and Rover
invaders from the Fellreev Forest and the steppes of the Opicm. In a punitive
invasion, the Hierarchs’ forces seized and occupied both Warfields and
Wormhall. A very tenacious defense by the Abbarrish, reinforced by the survivors
from the conquered territories, and scrapings from Tangles and the Freehold,
caused the halt of the Society’s penetration in the autumn of CY 578. [Dragon #56 - 27]
The [Duke’s] plan
worked with precision, but as soon as the Theocrat [of the Pale] got wind of it
— and his spy system is legendary — disturbing reports began to reach the young
Duke. The Prelate’s growing military strength was at Wintershriven, and the
Faithful Bands were being called up. The Tennese companies originally being
readied for action elsewhere were sent from Redspan on a long march to
reinforce the Yol. Woodsmen were ordered to keep a close watch in the Phostwood
Forest. The Duke entrusted the army in action against the bandit states to the
redoubtable Marshal laba so the new threat could be under his own command. [Dragon #56 - 28]
A truce was negotiated
with the Duke of Tenh; Groskopf ceded the land between the Griff Mountains and
the Zumker to Tenh, and all of the Free Lords of the Combination swore to
refrain from raiding Tenh. Thus freed of immediate warfare on their east, all
of the leaders turned westward to confront the Horned Society, with the express
aim of recovering the lost states and taking reprisals in addition. [Dragon #56 - 27]
A local legend says
the city on the hill will never be conquered, so long as its huge raven
population roosts in the city's central square. So far, the prophecy has held
true. The city resisted a siege by Tenha forces in 578 CY but was forced by
treaty to stop raiding western Tenh. [LGG - 29]
When the Combination
of Free Lords sued for peace near mid-summer, the suit was welcomed, for it
ceded a considerable portion of land to the Duchy, guaranteed bandit
neutrality, and allowed the Tennese military forces to meet the threat now
posed by the Pale. Duke Ehyeh brought a combined army of 4,000 horse and 11,000
foot across the Yol at the edge of Phostwood in Dozenmonth Ready’reat, 578 CY. [Dragon #56 - 28]
Shortly thereafter,
the duke of Tenh's troops crossed the Zumker and threatened Grosskopf.
Warfields withdrew its support for the Horned Society, triggering a punitive
invasion. The miniature kingdom was controlled by Molag until the Greyhawk
Wars. [LGG - 30]
Iuz was on the move as well. He had lay low for too long, imprisoned beneath Castle Greyhawk, and he was eager to bring misery and mayhem to the whole of the Flanaess. But where to start? He decided, much as the Hierarchs’ had, that he could not wage war in the south with the Nomads nipping at his heels, so, he sent his hordes north to lay siege to Eru-Tovar. It would be a simple campaign. It would take them no time at all, he imagined.
Iuz was on the move as well. He had lay low for too long, imprisoned beneath Castle Greyhawk, and he was eager to bring misery and mayhem to the whole of the Flanaess. But where to start? He decided, much as the Hierarchs’ had, that he could not wage war in the south with the Nomads nipping at his heels, so, he sent his hordes north to lay siege to Eru-Tovar. It would be a simple campaign. It would take them no time at all, he imagined.
In the spring of 578,
luz actually-sent an army into the north to take the poor town of Eru-Tovar,
the only real city of the Wolf people, the pride of their Tarkhan. [Dragon #56 - 18]
When siege was laid to
Eru-Tovar the following month, each commander strove to outdo the other, each
wishing credit for taking the Wegwiur stronghold. This lack of co-operation
enabled the defenders, numbering only about 3,400 effective troops, to
withstand almost ten weeks of siege by a force totalling well over 25,000. The
losses by the attackers were compounded by the rival factions often slaying
their wounded cohorts if they held loyalty to the opposite commander. [Dragon #56 - 19]
Tarkhan Bargru of the Wolves took command of his forces and rode against Iuz’ troops to break siege of EruTolvar.
Tarkhan Bargru of the Wolves took command of his forces and rode against Iuz’ troops to break siege of EruTolvar.
Following the rise in
power of the humanoid hordes of the cambion, luz, the Wegwuir avoided the eare
east of the Black Water, spending their aggressive energies upon the Tiger
Nomads to the west and even moving south along the Sepia-Uplands to raid
Perrenland. In the spring of 578, luz actually-sent an army into the north to
take the poor town of Eru-Tovar, the only real city of the Wolf people, the
pride of their Tarkhan. As fate would have it, the Chakyiks were themselves
interested in a venture against Ekbir, so they were quite happy to conclude a
treaty. This freed a horde of 20,000 Wolf Nomads to face the invaders. Tarkhan
Bargru himself commanded the force, which consisted of some 2,000 armored
lancers (medium cavalry), 10,000 light horsemen, 7,000 light horse-archers, and
1,000 armored crossbowmen on horseback. [Dragon #56 - 18]
Battle of Black Water Bend
Battle of Black Water Bend
[The Wolf Nomads]
arrived outside Eru-Tovar late in the summer, just in time to raise the siege.
The army of luz retreated eastward, and then fell back along the Black Water,
hoping to withdraw safely to the nearer arm of the Howling Hills where humanoid
reinforcements could be picked up in considerable numbers.
 |
| The Battle of Black Water Bend |
One must always give credit where credit is due. This History is made possible primarily by the Imaginings of Gary Gygax and his Old Guard, Lenard Lakofka among them, and the new old guards, Carl Sargant, James Ward, Roger E. Moore. And Erik Mona, Gary Holian, Sean Reynolds, Frederick Weining. The list is interminable. Thanks to Steven Wilson for his GREYCHRONDEX and to Keith Horsfield for his “Chronological History of Eastern Oerik.”
Special thanks to Jason Zavoda for his compiled index, “Greyhawkania,” an invaluable research tool.
The Art:
Rule-of-One-Liberty by juggernaught9900
Orc-warrior by padawana
hot-tower by aerroscape
Dead-and-Getting-deader by anatofinnstark
War-Horse-Speedpaint by benedickbana
Sources:
1015 World of Greyhawk Boxed Set, 1983
1064 From the Ashes Boxed Set, 1992
1068 Greyhawk Wars Boxed Set, 1991
2011A Dungeon Masters Guide, 1st Ed., 1979
9025 World of Greyhawk Folio, 1980
Orc-warrior by padawana
hot-tower by aerroscape
Dead-and-Getting-deader by anatofinnstark
War-Horse-Speedpaint by benedickbana
Sources:
1015 World of Greyhawk Boxed Set, 1983
1064 From the Ashes Boxed Set, 1992
1068 Greyhawk Wars Boxed Set, 1991
2011A Dungeon Masters Guide, 1st Ed., 1979
9025 World of Greyhawk Folio, 1980
9253 WG8 Fate of Istus, 1989
9577 The Adventure Begins, 1998
9578 Player’s Guide to Greyhawk, 1998
Ivid the Undying, 1998
11742 Gazetteer, 2000
11743 Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, 2000
Dragon Magazine
OJ Oerth Journal, appearing on Greyhawk Online
Living Greyhawk Journal
Greychrondex, Wilson, Steven B.
Greyhawkania, Jason Zavoda
The map of Anna B. Meyer
9577 The Adventure Begins, 1998
9578 Player’s Guide to Greyhawk, 1998
Ivid the Undying, 1998
11742 Gazetteer, 2000
11743 Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, 2000
Dragon Magazine
OJ Oerth Journal, appearing on Greyhawk Online
Living Greyhawk Journal
Greychrondex, Wilson, Steven B.
Greyhawkania, Jason Zavoda
The map of Anna B. Meyer
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