“My soul is full of longing
for the secret of the sea,
and the heart of the great ocean
sends a thrilling pulse through me.”
―
 |
| Glot |
Before long, though, the thick fogs retreat before the
Solnor’s insistence, and Glot’s prominence is apparent. It oversees much of
Cruski, from the Ustula Highlands to
the Sables. Indeed, no fleet might approach the Cruski coast when not guarded
by its fleets of rolling bergs without Glot having spied them long before they
might land. Nor could they, for Glot is vigilant. They have need to be. For they
have many enemies.
The Ice Barbarians inhabit the bleak shores of the
Thillonrian Peninsula's north and east coasts. They will raid their cousins to
the south, the Snow and Frost barbarians, or raid with them into Ratik or the
more tempting Great Kingdom. In high summer they often find fighting by
rounding the coasts of the Hold of Stonefist, and the Cruskii have both hatred
and respect for the dour inhabitants of that land. Their most despised enemy,
however, is the Sea Barons, whose ships they attack on sight, and whose isles
they often attack and plunder – usually at a price. Of late these raiders have
joined with Frost and Snow barbarians in order to counter the growing strength
of the coastal defenders of the Great Kingdom and the Sea Barons. [WoGA – 26]
Their recent alliance
with their Rhizian brethren, the Suelii, and the Archbaroncy of Ratik is practical,
presently; advantageous to all in sooth, for the time being. Mayhap a
necessity, given recent history. But tenuous, at best.
 |
| Lolgoff Bearhear |
Unsteady, because Lolgoff Bearhear is wise beyond his years.
He does not trust the recent benevolence of the Schnai. Nor should he. And he
has seen the duplicity of the Order of the Scarlet Sign, and tales tell that
the southerners are still to be found in the Halls of the Fruztii
and Schnai.
But Lolgoff also knows that keeping these perfidious allies close is wiser than allowing them to prepare their eventual betrayal
unobserved.
Until then, he will reap what benefit he might.
The Suelii called themselves by names in the Cold
Tongue, too: Cruski, the Ice Clans, who are the most noble and brave; Schnai,
the Snow Clans, who are the most numerous and strong; and Fruztii, the Frost
Clans, who are the bulwark and first in battle. They battled with each other
over the long years since Vatun lay down in the cold, but they would always
join their hosts together when an outsider threatened. The Schnai perfected the
art of building longships, and the Fruztii found adversaries for the barbarian
nations to fight and plunder. The Cruski joined with their cousins on many of
these raids, taking special joy in fighting their particular rivals, the Sea
Barons of Aerdy. [LGG – 55]
Their raids
notwithstanding, Glot has, and always had, prospered, regardless its harsh climate.
Despite the
dangers that have hardened its inhabitants. It is this reason Glot has always
been vigilant. There has always been peril lurking high above it.
 |
| The Corusks |
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). [WoGA – 52]
Corusk
Mountains: The ice-capped Corusk Mountains are the backbone of the Thillonrian
Peninsula. While the lower reaches are farmed with difficulty by humans,
giants, ogres, trolls, and other monsters dwell in the central fastness.
Monsters are less numerous farther east, but freezing fogs sweep down from the
heights to threaten travelers. It is thought that this range possesses little
in the way of valuable ores and gems. [LGG – 142]
It is not devoid
of either, actually; but few have ventured into its valleys to test the theory.
Glot (Pop 5,100)
Population:
60,000
Demi-humans:
Few
Humanoids:
Likely in mountains
Resources:
furs, copper, gems (I) [I = base value 10 gp]
[WoGA – 35]
Copper is indeed
mined north of Glot, if not by the Suelii themselves.
If the Corusks
are considered poor in ores and gems, its base and slopes are not in lustrous
woods and fur.
 |
| Sable Wood |
Nor are their
coasts poor in fisheries and ivory. Salmon abounds.
Halsjaken: This river drops swiftly from the western
Corusks, bending north past Glot to flow into the Spitzfjord. [LGG – 152]
Solnor Ocean: Kraken, Walruses [FtAR#11]
Works of art are realised from the tusks, a
wonder to behold. So too their expression from soapstone.
Solnor Ocean:
The Solnor ("birthplace of the sun" in Old Oeridian) is believed to
be the mightiest of Oerth's four oceans. [LGG – 149]
A huge
clockwise current sweeps up the coast of the eastern Flanaess, carrying ships
from the Thillonrian Peninsula out to sea, and bringing curious debris
(doubtless from whatever land is on the Solnor's far side) to the shores, of
Hepmonaland and the Lordship of the Isles. [LGG – 149, 150]
If only the Cruski were to carry their curiosities
of ivory and stone with them to the ports they “call upon,” and not just their
steel. If they did, they would be more welcome. Few have seen their works, though. Indeed,
few truly know the reclusive Cruski; fewer still have visited Glot, their
capital, and fewer still their innumerable coastal villages, of which there
are far more than the “civilised” think. And they have been there for far
longer than they imagine.
Though they have always been the least numerous of the
Suel barbarians, their royal lineage is the oldest. The king of Cruski holds
the title "Fasstal of all the Suelii," indicating his preeminence
among the nobles of the Suel race and giving him the right to pronounce
judgment on any of them. Politically, this has little real importance, for he
has no power to enforce his judgments. However, it is said by some that the god
Vatun granted this authority to the fasstal of the Suelii; if Vatun awoke, the
full authority of the office would return to the fasstal, and a new barbarian
empire would emerge under his leadership. [LGG – 54]
Royal lineage? Fasstal of all the Suelii?
From whence did this come?
Tales tell that the Suelii were once scions of the
long-dead Imperium of old.
Or so it is said.
-422 CY
Long ago, Zellifar, the son of the emperor fled his
father’s Imperium, and that the father sent his Houses of Pursuit to collect
his recalcitrant son and return him to face judgement of treason. It is said
that the Houses pursued the prince far into the east, and that they did indeed
confront the him.
Zellifar parleys with the Houses of Pursuit. His
Archmage, Slerotin, unleashes a mass enfeeblement on the mages of the three
Houses, 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 flee northeastward. [OJ#11] (5094 SD)
The
three houses that eventually settle in the Barbarian States lose almost all
contact with the more ‘civilized’ and good gods of their people. As they begin
to multiply and prosper Kord and Llerg become major gods to them but Fortubo,
Lendor, Lydia and Jascar are forgotten. [OJ#11]
Farther south in Ratik a slightly different mix of
peoples assembles. Gods like Phaulkon, Norebo and Phyton are still remembered.
[OJ#11]
So it is said.
-417 CY
 |
| Into the Thillonrian Peninsula |
The Three Houses of Pursuit move into the Thillonrian
Peninsula. They remember and turn to powers which were basic and strong, Kord
and Llerg, forgetting others in the face of the strong magics of Slerotin.
Wizardly magic is almost entirely forgotten, all magic is feared and only
priests, and skalds used it without fear. Witches are not uncommon, but are
forced away from "normal" men. The skalds and priests develop a runic
alphabet that carry mystic powers. [OJ#1] (5099 SD)
And coming upon the Corusks, they trekked east, until
they could trek no more.
They do not know where they have come from. Their
skalds do not know of the Suel Empire. They have retained memory of their more
primitive gods such as Kord and Llerg. Some others like Phaulkon are still
remembered but the more civilized gods (Lydia, for example), are forgotten!
[OJ#11]
So say the seers of Shar.
Did the Houses pursue? En mass? Or were they but a few.
The seers do not say. Only that they did. Indeed, the Rhizians might have
preceded these pursuers. Mayhap the scions of Fruztii and Schnai and Cruski
came upon them already there? The sagas of the skalds, sung as long as memory, presume
the ancient mariners sailed out of the trackless western sea, birthed from
Vatun’s icy breath. However the Rhizians came to the Thillonrian peninsula, they
were not the first to settle it. The Flan had preceded them.
Fruz (The Cold Tongue): This is the language of the
frost, snow, and ice barbarians; it is predominantly Suloise with some Flan
influences. It has no relation to Common, and even speakers of Suloise find it
hard to comprehend. [FtAA -14]
And it was from
them the Rhizians learned to survive on this harsh shore.
316 CY
 |
| Emissaries from Shar |
By 5831 CY SD,
relations were established with the Suel tribes of Schnai, Fruztii and Cruskii
in the northern lands. [SB – 4]
Travelers
from the south came to call at the courts of the barbarian Suel. Calling
themselves the Brothers of the Scarlet Sign, they claimed to be kin of the
Fruztii, Schnai, and Cruski. By blood, perhaps they were kin, though
distantly—but, in spirit, they were the same devious manipulators who claimed
to rule the ancestors of the northern Suel. They came with tales of the lost
glory of the Suel race and its ruined empire. They told how the Cruski were
descended from an Imperial House, the noble and loyal servant of the last Suel
emperor. [LGG – 55]
They were seen
with distrust at first.
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.
[SB – 4]
320 CY –
570’s CY
But the
emissaries of the Kingdom of Shar are persistent.
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]
500 CY
Old King
Cralstag is born. [Conjecture: Cralstag must have lived long enough to gain
such a distinction.]
530 CY
Old King
Cralstag takes the throne in Glot. [Conjecture.]
540 CY
 |
| Suelii Unity |
The Schnai
also made war on the Ice Barbarians, wresting the Ustula region from them and
holding it for several decades. They never conquered the Ice Barbarians as they
did the Frost Barbarians, however, for the Cruski are nearly as able seafarers
as the Schnai. [LGG – 105]
Old King
Cralstag’s nephew Lolgoff is born. [Conjecture.]
[H]is birth city [is] Jotsplat. [Dungeon #133 – 39]
Old King
Cralstag is without an heir. [Conjecture. If he did, his nephew would not have
been crowned, assuming the throne is hereditary. Norse cultures were, so I
assume the Rhizians were.]
c. 562 CY
Assuming [SABRALA STARBREAKER] is
20 at the time of WGS1 (see 582 CY), she would have been born in 562 CY.
c. 570s CY
The Cruski
joined with their cousins on many of these raids, taking special joy in
fighting their particular rivals, the Sea Barons of Aerdy.
This was the
life of the barbarian Suel for hundreds of years, through victories and losses.
Their freedom was undiminished, but it was subtly threatened several decades
ago. [LGG – 55]
The emissaries
of the Kingdom of Shar had returned. They called themselves the Order of the
Scarlet Sign.
Old King
Cralstag viewed them with distrust, as his father did before him.
573 CY
 |
| Old King Cralstag |
The emissaries
of the Scarlet Brotherhood, as always, offered many gifts and whispered many
promises. They offered passage to any of their brethren who wished to accompany
them south. All their whispers sounded like orders to Cralstag’s ears.
Old King
Cralstag knew well that his ancestors, be they slaves or scoundrels, were never
the lapdogs of an emperor who stank of magic. So he told the Scarlet Brothers,
and before all in his court, as his judgment on their words. For this, the
Brothers murdered him soon thereafter—not with clean blade or strength of arms,
but with hidden venom in his cup. [LGG – 55]
The Brotherhood
were cunning and stealthy. But Lolgoff had heeded his uncle’s concerns. And
though he was not attentive enough to prevent Cralstag’s death, he was quick to
call those responsible to task.
The king's
nephew, Lolgoff, knew the old king's judgment and the manner of his death. When
the Brothers were brought before him, they spoke words of praise and honor for
the dead king, and they smiled. Lolgoff smiled too, as he cut them apart with
the old king's sword, for he honored Cralstag in deeds, not words. As king and
fasstal, Lolgoff pronounced his judgment: The Brothers of the Scarlet Sign
should receive only death in the kingdom of Cruski. [LGG – 55]
Lolgoff is 33.
576 CY
 |
| Orvung |
Are you, Orvung asked himself? No matter, he decided,
thinking such queries might lead to his own passing. We ought not to set our
Cruski kin adrift, he agreed, and thus he considered a way that might keep them
close.
The Snow Barbarians are the strongest and most
numerous of the northern peoples. Several decades ago they captured the west
coast below Glot and have managed to hold it since. [WoGA – 35]
He considered their desire to regain the Ustula
Highlands. Lolgoff was young and inexperienced; Orvung knew he could wrest the
Highlands back from him if he should desire to.
Orvung was not the only one concerned with how the
Cruski’s longships might be engaged. Talks began; and one wonders what might
have actually been on the table….
It is rumored that the Baron of Ratik has sent
messages to the King of the Schnai proposing four-way cooperation to take the
Hold of Stonefist and the Bone March. Supposedly this proposal offers Glot and
Krakenheim as possible gains for the Schnai, while the Fruztii and Cruski would
divide the Hold, part of Timberway would be returned to the Frost Barbarians,
and Ratik would rule Bone March. The reaction to these proposals can not be
guessed, but the Schnai are undoubtedly keeping an eye on the joint
Fruztii-Ratik ventures of late. [WoGA
– 35]
Whatever was
agreed upon, Glot remained Lolgoff’s seat of power. The Ustula Highlands were soon
to be returned to Cruski control.
577 CY
Perhaps it was agreed that Lolgoff’s longships were to join Orvung’s
sailing south. Because they did.
Their raiding
served them well. A great many slaves were taken from southern shores. And much
silver and gold were gathered from southern ports.
The attention
of the Cruski was directed wholly to the south, where choice plunder could be
gained during the summer raiding season. [Dragon #57 – 14]
Events amongst
the Schnai were quite similar to those of their cousins to the north, in that
they generally raided southwards and carried heaps of goods back to towns of
their realm. [Dragon #57 – 14]
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. [Dragon
#63 – 16]
The Schnai were not as lucky as the Cruski,
though.
 |
| Suelii Asea |
The Schnai limped
home. And though they put on a brave face, their fleet had taken more damage
than they saw fit to reveal. Be that as it may, Lolgoff saw much, and new
better.
After a
particularly successful venture in 577, the Cruski and Schnai sat down together
to bargain on a division of the spoils. In the end, 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. [Dragon
#57 – 14]
Unsettled
conditions in the Great Kingdom made for rich loot; coupled with the payment
made by the Cruski for the return of Ustula, the men of the region were pleased
indeed with their wealth in currency, goods, and slaves (thralls). [Dragon
#57 – 14]
Mutual
cooperation between the Schnai and Fruztii, and the Schnai and Cruskii as well,
was at a high level, and the raids from the Hold of Stonefist at a very low
level. [Dragon #57 – 14]
578 CY
Not only did the Cruski sail south with the Schnai, they
harassed the Stonehold coast as they had not done in many a season.
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 [.] [Dragon
#57 – 14]
579 CY
And continued to the next year, as well.
CY 579 is likely to be particularly good
for the Snow Barbarians, for with their northern neighbors looking elsewhere,
and the Frost Barbarians busy with Ratik, the choicest areas for raiding will
be left to the Schnai. [Dragon
#57 – 14]
[I]t 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]
582 CY
Indeed, Lolgoff exercised
his strength upon the Icy and Solnor seas as never before.
The Snow Barbarians, or Schnai, are the most powerful
and populous group, dominating Grendep Bay and the northern Solnor Ocean with
their longships. Their marauding armies, with those of the Ice Barbarians, have
also made themselves into a major force in the land. [WGS1 – 4]
The Ice Barbarians have supported the Fruztii to some
extent by making naval raids along the northern coast of Stonefist. [WGS1 – 4]
One wonders what
Lolgoff and his jarls agreed to, for their warriors were seen further inland
than they had ever ventured, surprisingly so. Who would expect a native of Glot
in the Bandit Kingdoms? Moreso, who would ever have expected that a shield
maiden from the furthest corner of the Flanaess might overflow with sylvan
ancestry?
SABRALA STARBREAKER
 |
| Sabrala Starbreaker |
Sabrala becomes almost possessed when she sings,
recites, or plays the music dearest to her. She almost seems to become figures
in the legends, to assume their mantles and sorrows, and her performance is
breathtaking. The more powerful the legend, the deeper Sabrala becomes immersed
in it and the more inspired she becomes.
Sabrala’s taken name, Starbreaker, comes from an old
Fruztii expression relating to the exhalation of breath in bitterly cold air.
The breath frosts at once and tiny snowflakes fall to the ground appearing like
the breaking of stars. The King once compared Sabrala’s ballad voice to the
gentleness of breath falling to the ground, and in honor of his compliment she
adopted the name she now carries.
Sabrala travels as she will through the world,
freespirited and dreaming, wishing only to learn more of legend, song, magic,
and timelessness. Other-worldly and strange, she is nonetheless not gullible or
foolish. When it is necessary, a bard must sing for her supper and Sabrala
knows how to use her charms and wit. [WGS1 – 33]
Elves has never
been known to inhabit Cruski’s cold shores, so one wonders where this girl’s parentage
might have come from. Then again, little is known about the Corusks, is there?
584 CY
Population 60,000 [FtAR#3]
Capital: Glot
(pop. 5,000) [FtAA – 28]
Has this unexpected increase in their Flanaess
presence taken its toll on Glot’s population? On Cruski’s? One can only expect this would be so; but the
Cruski have never been forthcoming on how many of their kin dwell upon their
coasts.
591 CY
Lolgoff is 51.
Population: 158,800—Human 96% (S), Dwarf 2% (mountain
65%, hill 35%), Halfling 1% (stout), Other 1% [LGG – 54]
Glot and Cruski
have prospered of late. They have ventured out into the world as never before.
And yet, no one seems to know much about these tight-lipped people.
Except one
thing:
Royal hatred of the Scarlet Brotherhood grows, as does
distrust of the Frost Barbarians. [LGG
– 55]
There are
rumours of Brotherhood in Djekul, after all.
Nobles from Ratik have great influence at court but
are not always trusted. Scarlet Brotherhood agents are well received but bring
strange news and promises. Merchants from the Lordship of the Isles have a
growing presence, offering unusually generous trade deals that make some jarls
suspicious. Hundgred's court is growing isolated from other northern barbarian
nations. [LGG – 45]
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:
World of Greyhawk map detail, by Darlene, from the Folio, 1980
Sources:
1015 World of Greyhawk Boxed
Set, 1983
1064 From the Ashes Boxed
Set, 1992
9025 World of Greyhawk
Folio, 1980
9317 WGS1 Five Shall Be One,
1991
9337 WGS2 Howl from the
North, 1991
11374 The Scarlet Brotherhood,
1999
11742 Gazetteer, 2000
11743 Living Greyhawk Gazetteer,
2000
Oerth Journal #1, #11
Living Greyhawk Journal, #1
Dragon Magazine #57,63
Dungeon Magazine #133
Greyhawkania, Jason Zavoda
The map of Anna B. Meyer
