"In the midst of Chaos,
there is also opportunity"
--Sun Tzu, The Art of War
 |
| A Semblance of Normality |
Those new nations need look to their borders, and
posture, lest those others find them weak and seek to absorb them.
Invariably, a semblance of normality settles in. Enemies,
old and new, take a moment, and take stock, and begin to build again.
Who will prosper, one might wonder? Those who prepare for
a resumption? Or those who hammer sword and shield into plowshare?
590 CY
The Scarlet Brotherhood controlled the sea
lanes between the Aerdi Sean and the Densac Gulf, and the Azure Sea.
The Brotherhood commands the
southern seaways, with naval blockades in the shark-infested waters of the
Tilva Strait, and in the so-called "Southern Gates" of the Azure Sea,
between the Amedio Jungle and the Tilvanot Peninsula neat the Olman Isles. [LGG - 98]
Trade shrank as the Tilva Strait
closed, and piracy had plagued the seas north of it ever since, if the
reduction of trade could actually be conceived as its cause. The Solnor Coast
had always been beleaguered by pirates and privateers.\Spindrift Sound itself is
navigable, but shipping is menaced by the Scarlet Brotherhood and the
activities of a few pirates based on the eastern Medegian coast. [LGG - 68]
But what could be done about it?
 |
| A Return...With Startling Tales |
Much had changed, even as things
remained the same.
The realm of the Sea Barons
seems little changed—different faces, same daggers in the backs, as one wag
remarked. A small fleet set sail across the Solnor Ocean from Asperdi in 586
CY, returning in 589 CY (missing several ships and many crewmen) with startling
tales of the lands beyond the horizon. This has sparked great interest in a
return voyage, particularly in Ratik, Rel Astra, and the villages of the
northern barbarians, as well as among young sharks of the Sea Barons. [TAB - 29]
What might be there, they
wondered? Getting there would be dangerous, surely; but surely there was opportunity
there, too. Markets! The lucrative markets to the west were all but closed to
the eastern shores. Belligerent states stood between them and the Nyr Dyv and
beyond. The Tilva Strait was blockaded. And it had proved a long and dangerous
voyage round the horn of Hepmonoland.
Why not venture east then….
Not all states west were
belligerent. But they were battered, and impoverished by the war that showed
every possibility of flaring up again, much like fire is wont to do when the
flames appear spent.
Lynwerd I needed time to repair
its Nyrond’s roads, its cities and its trade routes. It needed to strengthen
its armies, as well. But all that costed money he did not have, from taxes
levied from people who had fallen, and were not replenished.
Nyrond lost nearly seventy
thousand soldiers in the Greyhawk Wars. Though her armies held off Aerdy's
siege, they did so at terrible cost. Archbold had expended the nation's entire
treasury, and had depleted much of his family's wealth. Hideously in debt to
the Urnst States, the king faced a future of mined fields and horrible food
shortages. Nearly half of his holdings were in tax rebellions. Many of the
nation's best mages, craftsmen, and nobles fled Nyrond for easier lives to the
west. Whether Nyrond would fall was never an issue. The question was simply
that of timing. [LGG - 78]
Lynwerd was in desperate need of
help. And allies.
Urnst would be of no help. Pay
us what you owe us, they cried, unsympathetic to Nyrond having borne the brunt
of Ivid’s wrath, and Iuz’s, while they had neglected to come to nation’s aid.
Not Nyrond’s, not Almor’s. Neither to the Iron League’s. Nor Furyondy’s; or the
Shield Lands’, either.
Whose side had Urnst been on,
Lynwerd wondered?
Despite Nyrond’s increasingly
withering poverty, Lynwerd lent aid where he could.
[King Lynwerd] spent 590
overseeing the repair and strengthening of his kingdom’s roads, armies, cities,
and trade links. He finally managed to have weapons, clothing, food, and other
assistance sent to the gnome clans of the Flinty Hills, winning their approval
despite their grumbles over the tardiness of the aid. He approved trade with
the Lordship of the Isles and the United Kingdom of Ahlissa (the latter to the
shock and outrage of many in his court). [TAB - 31]
King Lynward restructured
Nyrond’s provinces (and cut government size…including the Royal Talking Bird
from the Amedio Jungle).
In 590 CY, with starvation
commonplace and sedition the language of the people, Lynwerd initiated a number
of radical policy shifts designed to improve the well-being of the country. He
first trimmed the size of his court, releasing from service some 397
"functionaries," three standing chamber orchestras, a 30-boy choir,
several dozen clerics, eighteen archivists, and a well-known and extremely
popular talking bird from the Amedio Jungle. A general restructuring of
Nyrond's internal political boundaries followed, and it seems as though the
"Reformer King" has only begun to heal his wounded nation. [LGG - 79]
One wonders why Lynwerd would
decree that a Grand Celebration should be held in honor of the fifth year of
his reign. In truth, he was not in favour of such a celebration, but his
advisors thought it prudent. Nyrond’s
enemies should not see their foe so stricken by poverty, they said. Nyrond must
present the very presence of strength and prosperity. Lest they see us as
vulnerable, they said.
We are all spent, Lynwerd
said. Who might attack us, he asked? Grenell? He was beset with the orcs
he had invited into his ranks. The Bone March? It was embroiled in its struggle
with Ratik; and wont to squabble amongst itself. The Pale? They would not dare,
what with the Bandit Kingdoms infested by Iuz’s hobgoblin hordes. That left
Ahlissa, he reasoned, and Xavener’s armies were as tired as his. None would
dare attack us, Lynwerd said.
The Old One might, they
countered.
The Court of His August
Supremacy, Altmeister of All the Aerdi, King Lynwerd I of Nyrond, has announced
Grand Celebration of the fifth year of His August Supremacy's coronation. The
celebration will be held in the Royal Capital of Rel Mord, during Growfest.
Invitations are being prepared and will be sent out by the newly expanded Royal
Mail Service. All Nyrondese nobility and that of allied states will be invited
to participate in this regal event. [LGJ#0 - 12]
Overking Xavener was of similar
mind. Not insofar as lending aid and charity to those in need. He was of similar
mind infofar as he too needed money to rebuild, even if he was nowhere near in
such such dire straits as Lynwerd. Trade need flow; and for this reason, he directed
that a new path be laid for the Windmarch.
In 590 CY, Overking Xavener
directed his kinsmen, assisted by the priesthood of Zilchus, to create a new
path for the Windmarch, an ages-old annual trade route that once ran from
Chathold downriver to Nulbish and Pontylver, then upriver all the way to
Eastfair. The Windmarch survived even during the mad and murderous reign of the
Ivids of House Naelax, but with the latter stages of the Greyhawk Wars and the
collapse of the Great Kingdom the Windmarch ended, as travel became too unsafe
for the merchants involved.
The overking intends for the
new "Windmarch of Ahlissa" to strengthen trade within his empire, as
well as the infrastructure (roads, bridges, mail routes, river traffic), the
tax base, internal political ties, and the Ahlissan army. The army, including
units from the principalities, has been directed to secure the new Windmarch
route from bandits, renegade orcs and military units, troublesome minor nobles,
outside aggression, the Scarlet Brotherhood, etc. The Windmarch is not meant to
improve external trade; holding the empire together is a higher priority.
[LGG - 25]
 |
| Xavener |
The whole of [Alhissa] is now
ruled from a newly sired capital, Kalstrand, where Overking Xavener of House
Darmen has established his royal court. Use of the term "Malachite
Throne," which once described the office of the overking, is now
considered vulgar. House Darmen, the priesthood of Zilchus, and the Royal Guild
of Merchants constitute the most dominant power block in the kingdom through
their control of trade and administration of the cities.
The mandate given to Overking
Xavener by these factions is very clear: They want him to reestablish Aerdy as
the preeminent economic and political power in the Flanaess, avoiding further
warfare at all costs. An enormous black market in medicines, weapons, clothing,
livestock, and food threatens the legal economy, and Xavener has acted to
tightly draw together the provinces under his banner by restoring the imperial
hierarchy. His recent restructuring of the system of nobility, once top-heavy
with princes of minor power, has created much ill will between lesser and
greater noble houses for control of territory, taxes, and merchant traffic
within Ahlissa and with outside states. Most of Ahlissa's lords, however, are
loyal to the new order because it has reduced the chaos and restored a sense of
purpose to the kingdom. [LGG - 22]
Allegiances need be
strengthened. Marriages need be arranged. What remained of the Celestial Houses
of the south need be tied to the throne—not any throne—his throne.
Overking Xavener of Ahlissa
has secretly tried to marry the Trine of Ountsy to a Darmen prince. [LGG - 94]
And the practice of fostering
the heirs to rival Celestial Houses had to be renewed.
Once that was complete, Xavener
could look to reclaiming what remained of those rebellious states of the Iron
League.
Could he?
The Iron League was not what it
was. Idee had been reclaimed, but Onnwal had proved a tough for
the Scarlet Brotherhood to crack, Sister Kuranyie has discovered. It might
prove as difficult for Xavener, too.
 |
| Rebellious Onnwal |
In late 590 CY, they garnered
his official, though measured, support; Irongate now recognizes Destron's government
in exile in exchange for the export of desperately needed supplies to the
besieged capital of the Iron League. Sister Kuranyie (in hiding to prevent her
assassination) has demanded a relief force from Kro Terlep to quash the
rebellion. However, troubles for the Scarlet Brotherhood elsewhere have made
her situation lose priority in the hierarchy, so long as control of the port of
Scant is maintained. [LGG - 80]
One wonders what plans the
Brotherhood have with Onnwal? It’s strategic position, commanding the Gearnat
Strait alone makes it a prize worth keeping; so, why did they not send
reinforcements? Were they displeased with Sister Kuranyie? Did they take
measures, hitherto unmarked upon?
Onnwallers succeeded in
recapturing the manor house of Count Cadwale and found butchered Brotherhood
forces inside.
Since 586 CY, rebellious
Onnwallers had tried to recapture [Cadwale] manor unsuccessfully, until a storm
raging in off the Gearnat veiled their assault. Inside, they discovered a scene
of unrivalled butchery amongst the Brotherhood's troops. Several of the
Onnwallers remained inside overnight to investigate and were found dead the
following morn. Both sides now avoid the area, unsure of what lurks below the
house. [LGJ#0 - 12]
More importantly, what plots
might the Brotherhood be planning?
Cobb Darg, mayor of Irongate, is
a curious one. The Brotherhood had tried to deal with him once before. And
failed.
For a man, the Lord Mayor is
unusually short […] and stocky, but his wile and wisdom is legendary. […] His
wisdom comes from having lived before the Turmoil Between Crowns, secretly
working as a member of the Iron League since before its inception—and indeed
perhaps its founding. [Dragon #351 - 44]
The reason for his longevity is
up for debate, but his wile and wisdom are not. If it were not for Darg,
Irongate would most certainly have fallen, as Onnwal had.
Onnwal’s hope of liberation
might lie with the cagey Darg.
In 590 CY, Cobb Darg extended
his support to the freedom movement in Onnwal, but he is now being pushed to
intervene directly to retake Scant. Close relations are maintained with
Dwarfking Holgi Hirsute of the Iron Hills, who has no love of Ahlissa, as well
as the new elven king of Sunndi, who still pledges his support to Irongate and
remains its greatest ally. [LGG - 58]
Sunndi was in no position to
help her former ally. Wastri began stirring again. Assuming he had ever
stopped.
Even as the Scarlet Brotherhood
began divesting itself of its most belligerent “colonies,” it continued its
campaign to dominate the ports of the southern seas: Dullstrand, the Sea
Barons, the Spindrift Isles.
They were less successful in
that pursuit where the Spindrifts were concerned. Elven Ships from Lendore began
sinking ships from the Lordship of the Isles.
Elf-crewed Lendorian ships
have sunk three Lordship vessels in the last six months (a fact not widely
publicized); their reasons for attacking are unknown. [LGG - 72]
Next to nothing is known of
events in the Spindrift Isles, though elven ships are often seen cruising the
Aerdi and Oliatt Seas. The fleet sent forth by the Sea Barons across the Solnor
in 586-589 CY believes it saw elven ships on several occasions many hundreds of
leagues from the Spindrifts. Were they exploring, or on regular runs to elven
colonies elsewhere? An elven ship was seen in the Densac Gulf as well in 589 CY,
and many wonder if the elves are allowed to pass through the straits or have
managed to sneak through using magic. It is also possible the elves are
rounding Hepmonaland as the Rel Astrans claim to have done. Many wonder what
the Spindrift Isles have become under elven rule, and contact with the sea
elves (as they are sometimes called) is hoped to occur soon. [TAB - 29]
Many wonder what might the See
of Medegia had become, as well.
There was little news from the
See; none really since Spidesa had disappeared into Ivid’s dungeons, and Ivid’s
armies had defeated Osson.
Rumours abound: Medegia was
overrun by fiends and undead, it was Hell on Oerth, that only fools ventured
there, as none ever returned. All are inaccurate, if not entirely untrue. Rel
Astran forces under Lord Drax had ventured there, and lived to tell the tale.
 |
| Lord Drax |
Wait.
Who is Drax?
Drax is an animus. He was an
obvious target for Ivid, given the power and wealth of Rel Astra and Drax's
position as scion of a rival royal house. During the wars, Drax sent armies to
Rauxes as Ivid asked, but the crucial event was the sack of Medegia and the
subsequent attempt to loot Rel Astra itself by troops which had become overfond
of slaughter and pillage. Obviously, Drax was furious about this and ordered
his own troops in the overking's service to pillage and ruin as many of Ivid's
supply lines as possible. Those orders were intercepted, and Drax was magically
abducted; for once, there was no advance warning from his fiend-sage.
Ivid released Drax, assuring
him that the imperial armies had attempted to loot Rel Astra from a fit of
overexuberance and that their commanders had been suitably disposed of. Drax
feigned understanding and alliance, but as soon as he returned to his city he
began planning to overthrow the overking. He does not have any true natural
allies in this. Other princes of his own house, Garasteth, are wary of the old
tyrant. No one has ever truly known what Drax really thinks and believes, so no
one has ever trusted him much. Drax's tactic, therefore, has been to accumulate
as much wealth as possible to buy allies and resources, and to use the power he
has to force others to accept him. [Ivid - 96]
Both Ahlissa and Rel Astra
claim the chaotic lands of Medegia. As of 591 CY, forces from Rel Astra have
captured nearly a quarter of the old See, and intend to hold it despite the
efforts of Prince Gartrel of House Darmen in Pardue. Life in Medegia has been
hard going, however, and many dreadful discoveries surface there every month.
[LGG - 94]
 |
| His Transcendent Imperial Majesty, Xavener I |
And no wonder:
Drax also lays claim to much
of old Medegia, and here his claim is but a formality. These lands are in chaos
and ferment, and Drax's claim is only to establish a precedent should some form
of peace descend upon them. No one disputes the claim because no one cares.
[Ivid - 96]
That said, Drax had become a
force to be reckoned with.
Few cared, though.
Many of Drax's old concerns,
when he was but the constable mayor of Rel Astra, have evaporated. Once, Drax
had to seek alliances with the Sea Barons and Medegia to balance the oppressive
forces of the overking in North and South Province. Now, with North Province
seceded and mostly concerned with barbarians, humanoids, and Rinloru's madman
ruler, that threat is gone. South Province has no interest in this far-away
city. The Sea Barons come to him, rather than the other way around. [Ivid - 96]
They ought to care.
Just as Drax has strengthened
his rulership to the point of tyranny, he has many fewer external political
threats to worry him. [Ivid - 96]
Drax desires to absorb the
Sea Barons into the Solnor Compact and create a new coastal Garasteth kingdom,
with Rel Astra as its capital. Three agents of the Scarlet Brotherhood were
hung from the walls of the old admiralty, following a fire at the docks last
year. A mysterious group called the Dweomermasters took over the mages' guild
and has made its power felt in Astran society. [LGG - 94]
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:
Overking Xavener of Ahlissa, by Vince Locke, from Living Greyhawk Gazatteer, 2000
Cobb Darg, by John Gravato, from Dragon Magazine #351, 2007
Wastri, by Jeff Easley, from Dragon #71, 1983
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
9577
The Adventure Begins, 1998
9578
Player’s Guide to Greyhawk, 1998
11374
The Scarlet Brotherhood, 1999
11742
Gazetteer, 2000
11743
Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, 2000
Ivid
the Undying, 1998
Dragon
Magazine, 351
OJ
Oerth Journal, appearing on Greyhawk Online
LGJ et. al.
Greychrondex,
Wilson, Steven B.
Greyhawkania,
Jason Zavoda
The
map of Anna B. Meyer
No comments:
Post a Comment