"We come here with no peaceful intent, but ready
for battle,
determined to avenge our wrongs and set our country free."
—William Wallace
To understand a king, you must understand the land that
weened him, its history, and its people.
Who are the Fruztii? Barbarians, some would say,
ruthless, vicious barbarians. Warlike. Thieves. Killers.
There is some truth in that: the Fruztii made war upon
the Aerdi, as those people pushed their frontier north; they raided those very
same interlopers, taking what they could, and killing when they must. Must they
kill, you wonder? Yes, the Fruztii would respond; for if they did not provoke
fear in the hearts of the Aerdi, their enemy would surely come again. To no avail,
because they did.
But to paint the Fruztii with so broad a brush would do
them dishonour. They are a strong people, a proud people, an independence
people. And yes, they are also as fierce and as unforgiving as the peninsula
that molded them.
Vatun had decreed that His people would be as the steel He
wielded, so He guided them to a land that would forge them thus. And He left
the Fruztii as vanguard to the Rhizian’s foes.
To what sort of land did He lead them? A cold, bleak
land, some would say.
They would be wrong.
The Rhizian peninsula might appear as such at first
glance. Few trees grow tall, and those that do cluster together where the wind
blows weakest. Snow drifts high, like dunes of a desert, sculpted by a frigid
wind as icy as the sea from which it was born. It sweeps away the weak. And girds
that which endures it.
But those bitter winters pass, as all things do, and the
spring reveals a very different Rhizia. Sea birds wheel above rocky coasts. Beyond
those, golden grasses flow with the wind’s ever-present flow. Hills rise higher
and higher, until heather abounds. Moose roam, beavers dam, and bears angle the
snowmelt that rush back to the sea in torrents. And a panoply of colour
blankets the rolling hills, in contrast to the stark white peaks of the Corusks
and the Griffs that soar in the distance.
But for all its beauty, beware. It can be a dangerous
land.
The Corusks form a bow. the backbone of the
Thillonrian Peninsula which runs from the Solnor Ocean in the east, north and
west and then southwest where the range terminates (Hraak Pass). While the
lower parts of the mountains are inhabited by humans, various bands of evil
humanoids and monsters of all sorts dwell in the central fastness. It is
thought that this range possesses little in the way of valuable ores or gems. [WOGA - 52]
Being only a trifle lower than the Corusks. the Griff
Mountains are similarly uninviting to human settlement, although there are some
sprinkled here and there, for these mountains do contain valuable mineral
deposits. [WOGA – 52]
109 CY
Did the Rhizians always raid the Solnor coast? No. They
farmed and fished. They plowed their fields and tended their herds. And tested
their mettle against their brethren, who would take those lands from those too
weak to deserve them.
And then the Aerdi came. And all that changed.
Several centuries after the founding of Aerdy, the
Suel barbarians began their sea raids. Apparently, they had been content to war
with each other through the dim years that preceded their attack on the Aerdy
coasts. The Fruztii were the dominant nation in these early raiding
expeditions, even going so far as to establish settlements south of the Rakers,
on the border of the Great Kingdom. Their raiding became so chronic that
eventually the Aerdi sent troops to deal with the settlements directly. Many
battles were fought over the years, but the Fruztii resisted all attempts to
dislodge them. Eventually, the armies of the Great Kingdom overwhelmed the
combined force of Suel barbarians, and the Frost Barbarians took most of the
losses. The Fruztii were never again dominant in the north. [LGG – 44]
316 CY
Strangers came
to Rhizian shores. Quiet, curious emissaries from a southern kingdom they
called “Shar.” Kin, they claimed. Wishing only well.
The affairs of
the Great Kingdom have always been remarked upon, near and far, so it comes as
no surprise that tales of its conflict with blonde barbarians to the north
would eventually come to the Kingdom of Shar’s attention. They were puzzled.
Who might these be?
Could these
barbarians be what remained of Pellipardus’s house?
One of Zellifar's minions, the High Priest
Pellipardus, slips away from the Zolites and takes his minor family to the
Ratik area, in the North. [
OJ1]
Could they be what became of the fabled Houses of
Pursuit?
Zellifar parleys with the Houses of Pursuit. His Arch
Mage, Slerotin, unleashes a Mass Enfeeblement on their house mages, and a Mass
Suggestion upon the other members of the Houses. Slerotin is blasted by magical
energies upon the casting of these mighty spells, leaving the Rift Canyon as
the only physical remains of this energy. The remnants of the Three Pursuing
Houses (Schnai, Fruztii, Cruskii) are devastated and blasted by magic. Their
mages minds are wiped of all magic, and the people are confused and terrified.
In mass they flee, pell mell, northeastward, except one family. [OJ1]
They wondered.
They were skeptical. Could Slerotin have traveled so far, and could he have
rent the oerth? Many doubted both as myths. But still, they wondered.
Curiosity
beckoned.
By 5831 SD,
relations were established with the Suel tribes of Schnai, Fruztii, and Cruskii
in the northern lands. The people of the Thillonrian peninsula had adapted
their original culture for their cold new homes, and the representatives of the
Kingdom of Shar (actually Brotherhood members) took some getting used to. The southerners’
gifts of exotic woods and fine weapons eventually won over the barbarian kings.
Culturally primitive by Brotherhood standards, the northern barbarians were
beautiful examples of unpolluted Suel bloodlines, and many specimens were lured
to Shar as “emissaries.” With the intent of improving the southern Suel stock. [SB – 4]
If any were wholly
seduced by the words of these wise emissaries from Shar, it was the Schnai.
356 CY
It was thus for centuries. The emissaries of Shar picked
the flower of the Fruztii’s youth; and the Aerdi migrated ever north, and the
Rhizians soon realized that these sons of Johydee would never cease coming.
When the Kingdom of Aerdy became an empire, its
leaders determined to crush the troublesome barbarians pushing down from the
Thillonrian Peninsula and settling in the strip of land between the Rakers and
Grendep Bay. Being indifferent sailors, the Aerdians opted to attack overland,
and began sending strong parties northward to drive the invaders from the north
back to their homeland. After many sharp skirmishes, a large contingent of
imperial troops was routed, and full-scale warfare began. [WOGG - 20]
The Fruztii were successful at first. The Aerdi were
confined below the Blemu Uplands; but before long, the Aerdi legions struck a
line of palisades upon its heights. And spearheaded into the broad plains below.
And then into the Loft Hills at the foot of the Rakers.
It was there that they began to raise their stone walls.
The Fruztii tribes had retreated before the Aerdians,
but sent out calls for their kin, and these doughty fighters poured down by
land and sea for the prospect of battle and loot. Over 10,000 assembled and attacked
the works under construction at Spinecastle. [WOGG - 20]
And it was there that the Fruztii took their stand,
intent on ridding their land of the Aerdi menace, once and for all.
A relief force fought a pitched battle with these
barbarians, most of whom were slain - along with several thousand imperial
soldiers. [WOGG - 20]
The barbarians counterattack the construction site of
Spinecastle in the winter but are defeated by the forces of Knight Protector
Caldni Vir in the Battle of Shamblefield. Overking Manshen names Vir the first
marquis of the Bone March. [LGG- 90]
They failed.
The newly won fief was named for the remains of this
struggle, the Battle of the Shamblefield, or Caldni Vir's Charge. [WOGG - 20]
So many perished, that the rivers flowed red. So many
bones littered the fields about Spinecastle, the new fief was named The Bone
March.
c. 500s
It was into this world that Rälff was born.
The Fruztii are weak. Subjugated by the Schnai. Restless
to command their fate, once again.
The Frost Barbarians are the weakest of the three
nations (of Suel peoples) inhabiting the Thillonrian Peninsula, called Rhizia
by these peoples. They have never recovered from the Battle of Shamblefield,
and have been under the suzerainty of the Schnai for the past two decades - and
several times previously as well. The supposed figurehead placed upon the
throne of the Fruztii has, however, built his kingdom carefully, and in
actuality it is now independent in all but oath. [WOGA - 21]
512 CY
Rälff is born. This is total conjecture on my part, so bear
with me. If Rälff lived to the ripe old age of 75 when Hundgred ascended
the throne, this would be the year he was born.
520 CY
No one would doubt that the Fruztii are an adventuresome
people, a fearless people.
There have always been those who were dissatisfied with
their lot, beholden to the Schnai; those eager to be ride of the yoke they wore;
and it was those who ventured out in search of a means to shake it off.
What were they looking for?
Weapons? The Legendary Blades of Corusk? Vatun? Who can
say?
Hradji Beartooth was one such seeker.
Hradji Beartooth, a chieftain of the Frost Barbarians,
[…] took a band of men in search of [the fabled city of Skrellingshald, within
the Griff Mountains] in 520.
Hradji returned
later that year with a diminished following and with a greatly increased wealth
which consisted largely of the […] golden spheres. He quite naturally refused
to disclose the location of the mountain, as he planned to gather a stronger
force for the next season and return with still greater booty. Unfortunately
Hradji and the majority of his men died within the year, some of them as soon
as they arrived home. What is more, all those who had any prolonged contact
with the gold similarly sickened and died. Hradji’s heir disposed of the hoard
by trading it to merchant interests in the Great Kingdom, and reputedly the
curse still circulates as the coin of that land, although this last may be a
tale fabricated to weaken the Emperor’s currency. [GA – 91]
Rälff would have been 8 years old when Hradji began his
quest, 9 when he returned.
His head would have been filled with the epic sagas, riven
with heroics against harrowing danger, sung in the Great Hall. So, figures like
Hradji would have made quite an impression on the young prince.
But Hradji’s end would also have inspired caution.
542 CY
Rälff’s “coronation.” This assumes Rälff was 30 at the time. Not
unreasonable, considering his skill with the sword (F 15), but total
conjecture.
549 CY
Hundgred Rälffson was born.
Rälff is 37 when his son was born. Again, not unreasonable. Rälff
surely would have spent his formative years at the knee of trainers, skalds,
and asea.
560 CY
Rälff heard news that the orcs and the gnolls had boiled out
of the Rakers into the Bone March. He wanted to attack. Now is the time, he
said; but his Schnai overlords would have none of it. We shall raid, they
commanded, but we will not invade. Let the orcs and the Aerdi kill one another,
they said. Then we will see.
Rälff seethed.
If only we were free, he thought. If only we
were as strong as we once were, master of our fate: We could strike the March
and take our lands back.
Who would stop them? The orcs? They were only orcs. The
Ratikians? They too were under siege.
But the Fruztii were not strong enough to act alone. And
so long as the Fruztii were under the suzerainty of the Schnai, they would
never be master of their own fate.
Rälff could only watch. And dream. And seethe.
In 560, nonhuman tribes from the Rakers and Blemu
Hills struck into Bone March, subjugating the land in 563 and slaying its
leaders. Herzog Grenell of North Province reached out to these usurpers, seeing
an opportunity. Ratik and its baron, Lexnol III, had been forewarned and
deflected most of the invaders, but could not prevent the disaster that befell
the march. [LGG – 91]
Rälff was 48.
In 560, nonhuman tribes from the Rakers and Blemu
Hills struck into Bone March, subjugating the land in 563 and slaying its
leaders. [LGG – 91]
563 CY
The orcs and gnolls proved too much for the March, and it
fell.
In 563 CY, orcs invaded Spinecastle by secret ways
that offered its defenders little warning or means of preparation. Within just
three years, the nonhuman masses had laid low the nation from the outside in
and the inside out, dominating the realm from Johnsport almost to the Flinty
Hills. A raid into Ratik was attempted, but an alliance between Lexnol and the
Fruztii prevented its success. [LGG – 36]
Perhaps there was treachery afoot? Rälff
had heard talk of the perfidious nature of this Grenell.
Herzog Grenell of North Province reached out to these
usurpers, seeing an opportunity. [LGG – 91]
Rumours abound. But there was no proof.
Rälff dreamed of a day when his people would no longer live
under the heel of the Schnai, when they could be as proud and fierce as they
once were. It had been the Fruztii who had stood against the Aerdian legions, so
long ago, and died, when only a token force from the Schnai had been sent to
aid them.
But who would help him? The Cruski? They too had been
driven from their southern shores by the Schnai. The Cruski would not help.
They were mired in their hubris, and their dream of supremacy.
Rälff realized that he had no friends, no allies. The
Fruztii stood alone.
It was then that a surprising thing happened: A small
ship landed upon his shores at Djekul. With Ratikians aboard, no less.
Ratik and its baron, Lexnol III, had been forewarned
and deflected most of the invaders, but could not prevent the disaster that
befell the march. Lexnol, a skilled leader and tactician, realized that he was
now isolated and no succor would be forthcoming from the south or the court of
Overking Ivid V. He approached the lords of Djekul, who had grown less wary of
the proud Aerdi in the intervening years and were even grudgingly respectful.
With the Fruztii, Lexnol forged an affiliation called the Northern Alliance.
Ratik subsequently became fully independent of the Great Kingdom and had the
might to both hammer the orcs and gnolls of Bone March and dissuade an invasion
from North Province. [LGG – 91]
For years they were
subject, directly or indirectly, to their Snow Barbarian cousins. It was not
until the reign of the current king's father that they truly emerged from the
Schnai's yoke. The alliance with Ratik that has flourished in the last twenty years
has given the Frost Barbarians greater influence in the region. [LGG – 44]
575 CY
Rälff sent warriors he could ill-afford to lose to help
those once-hated Ratikians. He wondered if doing so was wise. If he were
further weakened, he would surely fall to these besieged “northern” Aerdians,
should they betray him. They were Aerdi, after all. It was they who had stolen
their southern fields; and it was no secret that the Aerdi had always coveted
the whole of the Timberway; and that the Aerdi had always wanted to be ris of
the troublesome Rhizians, once and for all.
But he did. And this Lexnol did not betray him. Even more
surprising, this Lexnol thanked him for his trust.
It was time to test his alliance with Lexnol. He had
stood with Ratik against the orcs of the March. Now, would Lexnol stand with
him against the hated Fists of Stonehold?
Lexnol did.
A recent pact concluded between Fruztii and Ratik saw
a joint army wreak havoc in the Bone March, and during the next campaigning
season [576] clear the north pass of the "Fists" (see Hold of
Stonefist). [WOGA – 21]
576 CY
Fruztii, Kingdom of (Frost Barbarians)
His Most Warlike Majesty, King Rälff of the Fruztii (F 15)
Capital: Krakenheim (pop. 3,300)
Population: 50,000+/-
Demi-humans: Few
Humanoids: Some
Resources: foodstuffs, furs, silver, gold
[WOGG - 17]
577 CY
Even as Rälff was coming to an understanding
with the Ratikians, the Schnai were listening to whispers of greatness from
emissaries from the Kingdom of Shar, their trusted Suel brethren from southern
shores.
You are the terror of the north, those whispers said. All
fear you, they said. And the Schnai believed them.
During the season of 577, much minor activity took
place along the coast of North Province and off the northern end of the Island
of Asperdi. Some raiders were met and actions were fought; some slipped
through, some turned elsewhere. Reportedly a squadron of seven Schnai longships
were set upon whilst sinking the hulks of two provincial merchants, the vessels
Marntig and Solos. Guided by the smoke and flames, a flotilla of Baronial
warships surprised the barbarians. Three of the Schnai were rammed and sunk. In
hand-to-hand action, the flagship of the barbarians’ fleet was captured, but
the three remaining longships escaped after jettisoning all of their captured
cargo.
The flagship was occupied with the help of prisoners
who broke free during the confused fighting and set fire to the vessel’s sail.
Jarl Froztilth, leader of the Schnai, many of his men, and the captured ship
were all taken to Asperdi. News of this success was said to have greatly
heartened the Herzog. DRG 63 – 16
578 CY
While the Schnai were blinded by their pursuit of glory, Rälff
quietly began to strengthen his people, thanks to his new understanding with
Lexnol of Ratik.
But Rälff understood that he need step carefully.
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]
Emissaries from
the Kingdom of Shar continued to visit Rälff’s court, as well; and as always, they whispered sweet words in his
ears. Just as they whispered those very same words to the Schnai.
Rälff listened, but he did not heed.
The southern Suel proclaimed that the Fruztii must only
trust in the blood of their Fathers, but Lexnol had proven true to he and his
people, and he would be true to Lexnol and his.
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. [Dragon #57 – 15]
579 CY
Lexnol was not the only one in search of allies in this
new, ever-shifting, political climate. Rälff most certainly was, as well.
CY 579 can be the year of the Fruztii if things go
right. If an alliance to conquer Bone March is struck, the price to archbaron
Lexnol will probably be the entire Timberway forest. If, instead, the Snow
Barbarians choose to turn upon their allies, they might indeed take all of
Ratik to the Loftwood. A nucleus of about 2,000 infantry and 500 light cavalry,
with noble and chief contingents of about five times that number of foot, makes
King Ralff a power to be reckoned with in the Thillorian area. It is also
rumored that certain mountain dwarves have been won over to the king by large
gifts of gems and gold taken from actions in the eastern end of the Griff
Mountains. If this is actually so, then it is quite possible that Ralff has
greater plans than are now evident. [Dragon #57 – 14]
One should have more than one ally, Rälff
realized. While Lexnol continued to be true to their pact, his son’s sight had
turned south.
In 579 CY, Lexnol's only son, Alain IV, the heir to
the throne of the archbarony, married Lady Evaleigh, the daughter of the count
of Knurl. The county was the only surviving province of Bone March, and the
union was arranged to improve the lot of both realms. [LGG – 91]
Alain acquired the dream of uniting Ratik and Bone
March, but failed to convince the king of the Frost Barbarians of his plan to
drive out the nonhuman tribes. Many whispered that Alain was encouraged in
these ambitions by his step-family, particularly the count of Knurl, whose
position between Bone March, North Province, and Nyrond was grossly precarious.
In certain agreement were the immigrants from Bone March, who were driven from
their lands by the invaders. [LGG – 91]
580 CY
The Euroz wished to put an end to Ratik’s alliance with Rälff
and the Fruztii.
Grenell wished an end to it as well; as did Rauxes.
The successful alliance of
the Barony of Ratik and the Frost Barbarians has caused much consternation in
Bone March (and among the Baron of Ratik's political enemies in Rauxes). The
tribes of the Bone March are still smarting from the drubbing they received
last year from the combined Ratik-Fruztii armies, so the evil leaders of the
humanoids have determined that the northern alliance must be dissolved. Certain
espionage elements in Marner that usually work for the Overking were contacted,
and an agreement was reached. In a daring raid, the Seal of the Alliance was
stolen from the Baronial Vault. This symbolic parchment was endorsed and
blessed by the gods of both Ratik and Fruztii, and the superstitious Frost
Barbarians place great store in its continued safety. [WOGG – 29,30]
The following year, the Seal of Marner was stolen by
agents of Bone March, an effort by the nonhumans to quash the alliance between
Ratik and the Frost Barbarians. The document was recovered before it was
secreted to Spinecastle, but not before news of the theft drove a small wedge
between the Fruztii and Ratikans. [LGG – 91]
In 580 CY, intruders from Bone March attempted an
audacious act of treachery by stealing the Seal of Marner, an object blessed by
the gods of the Suel barbarians that was the symbol of the new Northern
Alliance. The plot was foiled when the raiding party was captured in Kalmar
Pass before making it back to Spinecastle with their prize. [LGG – 36,37]
581 CY
Although Trust had been tasked when the Seal of Marner
had been stolen from Marner, the two beleaguered nations carried on out of
mutual need.
The alliance between Ratik and the Frost Barbarians
against the humanoids of the Bone March has born fruit over years of
cooperation. The forces of Ratik now occupy the Loftwood and are preparing for
a major assault on the city of Johnsport, backed by a naval attack along the
coast to the east.
The other joint operation of these states has been
against the Hold of Stonefist. Fruztii forces have now secured the pass south
of the Hraak forest and control the land for some 20 miles around.
The Ice Barbarians have supported the Fruztii to some
extent by making naval raids along the northern coast of Stonefist. The Snow
Barbarians have concentrated on attacks on Great Kingdom and Sea Baron
shipping, although some of the Schnai have been seen “assisting” the Frost
Barbarians in Stonefist.
It is rumored that the King of the Snow Barbarians was
not taken with a plan for the three barbarian groups to ally with Ratik—not
because he didn’t trust the Baron of Ratik who proposed the plans—but for
simpler reasons. Major invasion of the Bone March would drive humanoids in
their tens of thousands into North Province and might precipitate an allout
attack from the Great Kingdom. The King, being wily and crafty, prefers more opportunistic
and piratical actions.
One final piece of the puzzle is the attitude of the
Duchy of Tenh. Duke Ehyeh has become notably more friendly to the Frost
Barbarians of late. The actions of Ratik and the Frost Barbarians stir up the
Bone March, which causes trouble for the Great Kingdom and for the Theocracy of
the Pale. Both states have hostile attitudes to the Duchy. So, Ehyeh discreetly
allows Frost Barbarian emissaries across his lands to organize shipments of
weapons from the best source of weaponry in the whole of Oerth—the Bandit
Kingdoms.
From here, weapons make their way up the Zumker river
to Calbut and then through dangerous foothill territory at the very edge of the
Griff Mountains to the pass east of Kelten. The trade is discreet, but everyone
knows about it. [WGS1 - 4]
582 CY
If there was ever a time that the Fruztii and Ratik might
part company, that time was when Vatun rose.
Vatun has returned, they proclaimed. Rälff
could see the awe in their eyes. They would surely fall to His feet along with
their brethren, and all else would fall to the wayside.
Could it be, he wondered? Was this truly Vatun, come to
lead his people in conquest as foretold? The Schnai were convinced. As was the
Cruski. Rälff
wondered. But he too felt the thrill his people did. He and they girded for
war.
Luxnol despaired.
In 582 CY, the god Vatun appeared to his subjects
among the barbarian tribes of the Thillonrian Peninsula. Ancient legend
predicted that the return of Vatun, who had vanished centuries ago, would
signal the birth of a barbarian empire in the north. Unfortunately, this
particular "Vatun" was actually Iuz, whipping the northmen into a war
frenzy. [LGG – 15]
Immediately prior to the
Greyhawk Wars, they were in brief alliance with Stonehold, as were all the
barbarian Suel, but the alliance quickly dissolved before any military action
by the Fruztii was begun. [LGG – 44]
583 CY
Lies. It was all lies.
How could they be so fooled?
[The Rhyzians] were drawn in by the false Vatun that
briefly deceived them all. When it was revealed that this was a deception of
Iuz the Old, the Suel barbarians withdrew from the alliance created between
their nations and the Stonehold.
A major raid into Stonehold was mounted several years
ago by a combined force of Schnai and Cruski, though they were ultimately
driven back. [LGG – 15]
584 CY
No man lives forever. Rälff had grown old and tired.
His great strength was failing him; and one day, his would body too. Wenta’s
hold on him was waxing, he realized. He feared that Wee Jas would soon pay him
a visit.
And one day, She did. He collapsed and would rise no
more. Indeed, his limbs refused to heed his commands, his words frozen upon his
tongue.
Healers were summoned. The Sisters of Mercy sang over his
frozen form, smudging the smoke that had never failed to loosen the limbs of
the stricken. To no effect. Wee Jas would have what was due her, and the Sisters were never one to dispute her claim to what was hers.
Doctors were brought from Ratik. Even priests of Oerid.
Rälff weakened. Silently. The light faded from his eyes. He
slipped away.
He was 75. That’s a ripe old age, I imagine, for a Nordic
warrior. And was succeeded by his son (age 35, total conjecture; I’ve chosen
this seasoned age to give him time to have risen to Bbn13).
Was Rälff a good king? I think so. He was
successful in emancipating his people from the Schnai, but as we will see, they
were by no means complete masters of their fate.
Ruler: His Most Warlike Majesty, King Hundgred [Rälffson]
of the Fruztii (CN male human Bbn13)
Capital: Krakenheim (pop. 3400)
[FTAA - 25]
The Fruztii are strongly allied to the Archbarony of
Ratik in the south. Their young king has even married a beautiful but
headstrong Ratikkan noblewoman eight years his senior. Changes are already
apparent in the royal court at Krakenheim, with more formal (or "civilized")
trappings in the organization of the government and the military. These changes
do not meet with the approval of many of the older jarls, but they remain loyal
to Hundgred out of respect for his noble father. [LGG – 44]
Ambassadors from the Scarlet Brotherhood were spied in
Djekul. [LGG - 91]
There are
rumbling among Hundgred’s thanes.
And they listen
to the whispered promises of Shar.
One must always give credit where credit is
due. This piece 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.
Special
thanks to Jason Zavoda for his compiled index, “Greyhawkania,” an invaluable
research tool.
The Art:
Sources:
1015 World of Greyhawk Boxed
Set, 1983
1064 From the Ashes Boxed
Set, 1992
9317 WGS1 Five Shall be One,
1991
11743 Living Greyhawk
Gazetteer, 2000
Dragon Magazine 57,63
Greyhawkania, Jason Zavoda
The map of Anna B. Meyer