“The sea is a desert of waves,
A wilderness of water.”
― Selected Poems
“Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single
thought of which the sea would not be part.”
―
 |
| The Guardians of the Seas |
We are privateers, they say. Their ships may bear letters
of marque from the Overking, but a writ from Rauxes is but a piece of paper. There
are those who call them pirates, regardless their letters of marque, saying
that there’s little distinction between their methods and those they vie with.
What’s in a name, then? Privateer or pirate; each of them fall upon those that
take their trade to the high seas, each take their prize, with one supposedly
reaving and thieving, the other declaring they are upholding law and order and
suppressing smuggling, only targeting “enemies of the state.”
Guardians of the
seas, the protectors of the coast? If they are, a perfidious protector are
they.
577 CY
In 577 CY the
Sea Barons finally landed a blow upon the northern Barbarians.
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.
This event notwithstanding, many of the vessels from
the cold north did manage to avoid patrolling warships and successfully raid
North Province and the Baronial Isles. Captured cargo and undesired weapons are
said to find a ready market at Dekspoint (at the easternmost tip of Loftwood
Peninsula) or at Marner in Ratik. [Dragon #63 – 16]
577 – 578 CY
The Turmoil
Between Crowns and the sundering of the south that created the Iron League had
taken their toll. The ties that bound the Houses to the Malachite Throne had
tightened as taut as they might stretch. One wondered which strand would snap
next.
During the period of CY 577 to 578, the machinations
of the See of Medegia seemed aimed at sapping the strength of the Malachite
Throne as much as they chivvied the Great Kingdom’s enemies south and east.
Likewise, the prideful Sea Barons appeared bent only upon their own ends.
[Dragon #63 – 15]
578 CY
The Overking
fretted over the constant threat from the north. Luckily, for the Malachite
Throne, the Ice Barbarians had divided their attention, looking to their own
most hated enemy.
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.
[Dragon #57 – 14]
But it wasn’t
these enemies that concerned the Overking. The Barbarians were rabble, to his
mind. The real enemies were Nyrond and their ally, Almor. Ivid ordered the
islanders inland in support of his cousin, Grenell. The Sea Barons were
reluctant to obey, expecting waves of Barbarians from the north that still had
not come, but the obeyed, as bid.
A fleet from the recalcitrant Sea Barons has been
dispatched to aid the cousin of the OverKing, who commands North Province.
It is rumored that this movement came down as an
Imperial order from Rauxes to help alleviate the problems created by the
incursions of Almor and Nyrond into the southern part of Bone March, as well as
to answer the North Provinces’ call for aid against these attacks. These
incursions come at a time of continued raids from the humanoid bands near
Bellport who have not thrown in their banners with the Herzog as of yet.
[Dragon #59 – 24]
The forces of the Sea Barons were not only sent to him
by the Overking, but they are excellent troops as well. [Dragon #63 – 16]
They would be. They had tangled with the Rhizians and
southern pirates on both land and sea.
With the addition of the contingent of troops from the
Sea Barons, the Herzog’s array again approaches a strength of 10,000, and
attaining that size would likely prompt the Herzog into initiating a campaign
of his own. [Dragon #63 – 15]
It would seem that Grenell was as reluctant to receive
these recalcitrant pirates as those privateers were to aid the Naelaxians.
It is known to Herzog Grenell that his new general is
not in favor of having any of the troops from the Sea Barons with the main body
of the North Provincial array. Hooglish detests and distrusts the eastern
islanders. Friction, including insults, is rife between the General’s command
and that of Lord Aldusc. [Dragon #63 – 16]
 |
| "Hurricane Ivid." |
Most people
of the Sea Barons recall this three-day storm, which some laughingly called
"Hurricane Ivid."
[Ivid – 90]
It would take
years for the islanders and coastal communities to recover from “Ivid’s” wrath.
580s CY
“Ivid”
notwithstanding, Ivid’s war with the Golden League ground on, causing as much devastation
inland as “Ivid” had wrought on the coast.
War has been
a steady diet of the Overking’s realm for several years. Allies are few, but
include the Herzog of South Province, the See of Medegia, certain tribes of
humanoids to the north (those crushed in actions between the North Province and
Bone March) and certain factions of the Sea Barons, though the latter—as a
whole—are quite untrustworthy. [WG8 – 69]
The Sea Barons’
commitment to Ivid’s war was tepid, at best. They answered his call, but only
insofar as by manning coastal garrisons, their ships always at the ready, eager
for any excuse to abandon the Naelaxian cause they believed was none of their
concern. They set sail at the merest suggestion that the Barbarians had been
spotted on the horizon, and at any hint that there might be trouble on the
southern seas.
Elven ships were also sighted farther east on the
Solnor by Sea Barons' ships in the late 580s, perhaps exploring or trading with
distant elf colonies. [LGG – 68]
581 CY
Few Asperdi were
committed to Ivid’s cause. Some abandoned the Great Kingdom altogether, dodging
his draft. Ivid’s war was an Aerdi war, after all, a Celestial Houses war; and
very few of the Asperdi considered themselves a member of any of those august pureblood
clubs. What Suel or Oeridian/Flan Asperdi would call their self an Atirr or a Garasteth,
let alone a Naelax or a Torquann? None, truth be told. Certainly not Sheroyl
Kubiak.
 |
| Sheroyl Kubiak |
This mercenary group has traveled in nearly all parts
of the Flanaess. They settled in private quarters in Greyhawk City, looking for
work but have had trouble finding employment, possibly because of their
Baklunish appearance. In the suspicious and prejudiced times of the past few
years, no one has been willing to gamble on a group that might be spies from
Ket or worse.
Certain reliable rumours indicate the group is
trustworthy, pointing to the Suloise wizard who ravels with these men as
evidence. Sheroyl Kubiak, an albino Suloise from the lands of the Sea Barons,
has been part of this band for ten years. Wasim Qharallah and his men would all
die for her, and Sheroyl will do host anything for her band of brothers.
[PGtG – 31]
The odd person among them is their mage, Sheroyl
Kubiak, an albino Suloise from the lands of the Sea Barons who has a past she
does not speak of. She joined the group in Sefmur in 581 CY. [FtAA – 74]
582 CY
Others remained. Most remained, and did their bit,
whatever that might be. What might that be? Whatever their feudal lords told
them it was.
Basmajian Arras
The Commander of the Sea Barons is a middle-aged
copper-haired man, survivor of decades of piracy, ship-to-ship battles and
assassination attempts. [PGtG – 24]
Others found their way into Ivid’s service; and then out
of it.
 |
| Erthara (Kallarn) |
Small at 5' 1" and slender of build, Erthara
(almost always known by her first name alone) is 37 years old, with long wavy
auburn hair and hazel eyes. […] Erthara's father is a captain among the Sea
Barons, and she still manages to get some goods smuggled into Rauxes through
that route and via Roland. She has to pay the Town Guard, but she can afford
that from her looting of many nobles' houses in the past.
Erthara is an important council member of the Thieves'
Guild (long driven underground by Ivid). […]
Erthara is a good "street level" contact
within Rauxes. She has maps of Undercity areas and knows the patrol times of
the Town Guard in various sections of Rauxes. However, she is thoroughly unprincipled,
and she is not above informing the Town Guard of one or two subversives from
time to time. Dealing with her is safest if one can offer some magical aid to
disguise her (especially a permanent magical item). Such an item would be
useful for her forays into the city. [Ivid – 37]
 |
| Sencho Foy |
Ivid V ordered the Great Kingdom's armies to muster,
with the intention of paying back his foes for centuries of impudence. The war
that followed was staggering in scope and consequence. [LGG – 15]
Ivid expected a
quick victory. He was wrong.
Though the winter halted armies, it seemed to spur
diplomatic efforts forward. The Bone March, fairly reeling from promises of
gold and land, cast its lot with Ivid V, pledging to march when the snows
lifted. Ahlissa, sensing its fate could have been like Medegia’s, affirmed its
intention to fight at the Overking’s side. The Sea Barons too expressed their
steadfast resolve, while the North Province crowed about its ever faithful
loyalty to the crown. [Wars – 14]
Steadfast resolve does not equate with actual action,
though.
Sencho Foy might have confirmed the Sea Barons’
cooperation and resolve, but Admiral Basmajian Arras decided that protecting
his fleet for what might come was more important than spilling the blood of his
sharks in battles with Nyrond. There were enough enemies afloat on the sea,
much closer to home, for islanders to go looking for trouble elsewhere, in his
opinion.
He was not wrong, in that regard.
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. [WGS1 – 4/ WGS2 – 6]
 |
| Admiral Basmajian Arras |
During the wars, [the Mage-prince] Lakaster cooperated
fully with Ivid’s orders regarding the use of Winetha as a vital supply port
and in cooperating with the Sea Barons. Lakaster saved himself that way, and he
also saved the Winethan navy by confining it to port for fear of barbarian sea
raids. Indeed, shortly after Ivid demanded that Lakaster dispatch his vessels
to Asperdi to support the Sea Barons (an order Lakaster refused), the
barbarians raided the city and Winetha’s six war galleys were vital in
preserving the city. Ivid did not issue the same order to Lakaster again.
[Ivid – 62,63/Dragon #204 – 53]
When at last spring came […] ships from the Sea Barons
and the Lordship of the Isles raced to Grendep Bay to end the barbarians’
longship raids. [Wars – 15]
Basmajian’s remaining fleet remained in perpetual defence
of the home islands.
Under Admiral Basmajian, the Sea Barons remained out
of the Wars and kept their fleets largely confined to their ports and the
Solnor Ocean. [FtAA – 36]
Ivid was livid!
The Sea Barons were not as successful: though they
gained control over the Aerdi fleet, the Overking closed all mainland ports to
them. Left with only hostile non-Aerdi neighbors, the Sea Barons sued for
peace. [Wars – 4]
Sencho Foy ordered Basmajian to “cooperate” thereafter,
concerned about reprisals. This is not to say that any more of his sharks were
shipped inland.
As the clouds of spring cleared in the east, [s]hips
of the Sea Barons – the sharks of Ivid V – patrolled the waters of the Aerdi
Sea. [Wars – 19]
582 – 584 CY
 |
| Asperdi City |
Ivid was not the only one livid. Basmajian Arras had had
enough of Sencho Foy’s deference to the Malachite Throne, however soft his
submission.
The old High Admiral, Sencho Foy, suffered a sad
mishap early in Aerdy's entry into the Greyhawk Wars. He choked on a fishbone
stuck in his throat (although some say the dagger which had impaled the fishbone
first did the important damage). [FtAA – 36]
The old admiral suffered one of those sudden deaths so
common among Aerdy rulers, and his replacement is a stern and hard man who has
the support of the barons of the two remaining isles, Fairisle and Oakenisle.
All are aware that they are faced with increased threats and unknowns.
[Ivid – 88/Dragon #206 – 35]
 |
| The Sea Barons |
Pop.: 45,000 (plus 8,000 on Leastisle)
Capital: Aspedri (pop. 7,750)
Ruler: Lord High Admiral Basmajian Arras
Rulership: Moderate-High (except Leastisle)
Cost Multiplier: 110%
[Ivid – 88]
[Basmajian] Arras kept the Sea Barons out of the
Greyhawk Wars and favors neutrality, though there are concerns about the Sea
Barons' ability to stay neutral in the face of recent shipbuilding efforts by
the Great Kingdom of Northern Aerdy, which may allow Aerdy to attack. He lives
richly and well. [PGtG – 24]
Lord Basmajian thought it best to reaffirm mutual
protection pacts and trade alliances with those coastal settlements that had
begun to distance themselves from Ivid’s mad rule.
Historically, the cities of Rinloru and Winetha have
not been as intimately intertwined as the now-common appellation “Twin Cities” implies.
Winetha developed as a naval base and fishing town, and also as a trade port
for importing goods the Sea Barons brought in from their isles and the lands to
the south. [Ivid – 62/Dragon #204 – 53]
Pearl Beacon also trades with the Sea Barons, though
most vessels head for Winetha rather than to this southern outpost. [Ivid –
66/Dragon #204 – 56]
He felt lesser loyalty to those who had not.
The Sea Barons now raid parts of the eastern coast of
Aerdy (though they trade with Rel Astra), skirmish with Lendore and the Lordship
of the Isles, and prefer to avoid needless combats with the barbarians.
[FtAA – 36]
The old Medegian lands offer a soft target and the
Barons raid there, but apart from the occasional foray into Hepmonaland to loot
the spices, ivory, and furs which come from that vast land, that is about the
limit of the Barons' current exploits. [Ivid – 88/ Dragon 206 – 35]
The Sea
Barons and northern Barbarians raid the Lordship’s fleet. [TAB – 18]
A shark has to live, after all.
583 CY
Did the war stir
up sahuagin up from the deeps? It was as if they knew the surface dwellers were
vulnerable, and that the coastal settlements were left all but undefended.
In the past two years, the sahuagin have grown more
bold and even attacked a coaster recently, and some fear that someone, or
something, is organizing and directing the creatures. Since their numbers, and
home location, are unknown, this makes people increasingly anxious. [Ivid –
89/ Dragon #206 – 36]
The Barons began to patrol in the vicinity of the Sinking
Isle, expecting to find their archipelago increased by one, or at the very
least, its narrows aboil with the savage fishy folk.
(Winter)
They also wanted to investigate developments in the
Duxchan Isles.
[A]sudden coup replaced Prince Latmac Ranold of the
Lordship of the Isles with his distant cousin, Prince Frolmar Ingerskatti. The
new ruler surprisingly proclaimed his support of the Great and Hidden Empire of
the Scarlet Brotherhood. [Wars – 15]
What might that
mean to access to the western seas? They were soon to find out.
With Duxchan ships and charmed monsters, the
Brotherhood set up a blockade along the Tilva Strait, effectively choking
mercantile trade between the east and west. [LGG – 98]
A complete blockade of the straits was applied, with
only ships of the Scarlet Brotherhood or Lordship of the Isles being allowed
free passage. Cargo from other states could be shipped by Lordship vessels
through the straits for an exceptionally high fee. [LGG – 150]
584 CY
With his fleets
north and south, try as he might, Basmajian could not stem the tide of the
desperate fleeing from the madness of the Overking.
Lord Basmajian has worked hard since his accession
during the wars to ensure that the fate that befell so many other nations is
not shared by his own. He kept his fleets out of the Greyhawk Wars, but the Sea
Barons were not prepared for the sacking and capture of the smallest of their
realms, Leastisle, by marauders in 584 CY. [LGG – 100]
 |
| Leastisle |
These usurpers pale in comparison to the external
threats that the remaining three barons face, and they are confident they will
win back the small barony. However, they cannot afford the effort so long as
the Scarlet Brotherhood's threat in Duxchan exists, and so long as they lack a
treaty with the barbarians of the north. For the time being, Vernport on
Leastisle remains a free city, if a dangerous and anarchistic one. [LGG –
100]
Leastisle's baron was overthrown in 584 CY, and the
isle is in complete anarchy. [LGG – 99]
Lord Basmajian was not alone in his troubles.
So, after the wars Lakaster is in a strong position.
His military forces are intact. Winetha is subject to barbarian coastal raids,
but these are not as severe as those inflicted on the Sea Barons. [Ivid –
63/Dragon #204 – 54]
585 CY
The Sea Barons
were finding their island nation more isolated by the year.
Basmajian and the other Barons want to keep their
ships close to home for protection [.] [Ivid – 88/ Dragon #206 – 35]
A grave
future threat is sure to come when the shipbuilding programs of the Great
Kingdom of Northern Aerdy and the United Kingdom of Ahlissa turn these realms
into naval giants over the next decade. [TAB – 18]
Basmajian began looking for allies in the most unusual
places.
Agents of the Sea Barons have approached Evaleigh to
gain access to Marner. [LGG – 91]
Basmajian favors an alliance, or at least a truce,
with the barbarians and Ratik. His argument is that this would remove the
greatest threat to the Sea Barons, and leave them better able to handle the
others. However, the Barons of the other isles do not agree. They point out
that such an agreement might not go down well with the eastern Aerdi cities
with which the Sea Barons trade. [Ivid – 88/ Dragon #206 – 35]
But young sharks
will be young sharks.
 |
| A New Astrolabe |
And now, they could venture further out asea than ever
before.
The new astrolabe […] has just invented [by the wizard
Livensten]—and his almanacs showing how to compute latitude and distances from
the position of sun and moons—is receiving considerable approval from the
galleon captains. These aids have enabled the Sea Barons to become true
ocean-goers should they wish, in contrast to their traditional role as coastal
defenders and patrollers. [Ivid – 90/ Dragon #206 – 37]
Although tech was not always a match for mother Beory,
Velnius, or Xerbo.
Recently a Sea Barons vessel was blown off course and
sighted the [orc] camp [at Montesser]; an initial attempt to loot it was
swiftly fought off by the well-drilled orcs, and the captain of the Asperdi
vessel was sufficiently impressed to make peace with them. Now, the Sea Barons
ship goods here, as the orcs desperately want better weapons and armor to
defend themselves and tools to work their gardents. In exchange for the goods,
the orcs provide foodstuffs and information about events in Medegia. The
captain of the Asperdi vessel is always interested, given his trading with
cities north of this troubled land and his periodic raiding of Medegian coastal
towns and villages. [Ivid – 105]
Basmajian kept his ear to the trade winds. But news from
the Duxchan Isles was scarce and of mixed reliability. Had he believed the
rumours that the Duxchan’s alliance with the Scarlet Brotherhood was not as
portrayed, he might have attempted to infiltrate those hated isles, he might
have considered aiding his most hated foes. He might also have discovered that
the would be rebels there had little desire to lash out against their
overlords, rather preferring to spend their strength against his people,
instead.
Many [Duxchan] isle lords chafe at the rule of the
Scarlet Brotherhood, despite the improved opportunity to take revenge on their
longtime enemies, the Sea Barons. [LGG – 72]
586 – 589 CY
 |
| Across the Solnor Ocean |
The realm of the Sea Barons seems little changed –
different faces, same daggers in the backs, as one wag remarked. [TAB – 29]
Had the Duxchan pirates infiltrated the Asperdis? None
could believe that could be so. Besides, their fears had become fixed on the
threat from the mainland.
The Sea Barons are very disturbed at events in the
Great Kingdom of Northern Aerdy and are undoubtedly considering raids against
shipbuilding facilities in Winetha and elsewhere. [TAB – 29]
Trade waned.
Very soon the ports of the east coast began to wonder what might lay over the
eastern horizon.
A small fleet
of ships set sail across the Solnor Ocean from Asperdi in 586 CY, to
discover what did. [TAB – 29]
Next to nothing is known of events in the Spindrift
Isles, though elven ships are often seen cruising the Aerdi and Oljatt Seas.
The fleet sent forth by the Sea Barons across the Solnor in 586-589 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? [TAB – 29]
In the years since the Greyhawk Wars, some of the
surviving exiles have joined together with half-elven captains on the Medegian
coast. It is an open secret that they are smugglers, willing to transport any
cargo for a price. Several of these ships secretly accompanied the flotilla of
the Sea Barons in their voyage over the Solnor in 586-589 CY. The Spindrift
exiles were thought to be searching for the last members of the Council of
Five, who had fled across the waves when the clerics of Sehanine usurped their
authority. [LGG – 69,70]
587 CY
 |
| Assassins Among Us |
[T]he Duxchaners, with the resources of the Scarlet
Brotherhood at their backs, have made a comeback. Two captains loyal to the Sea
Barons were killed and replaced by agents of the Brotherhood in 587 CY. The
spies were uncovered, but the Sea Barons are extremely concerned that they will
be targeted by the Scarlet Ones to suffer the same fate. For that reason, they have
allied with Lord Drax and the Free Cities of the Solnor Compact, keeping a
close watch over the activities of their captains. [LGG – 100]
589 CY
The fleet that set sail in 586 CY return[ed] late in
589 CY (missing several ships and many crewmen) with startling tales of the
lands beyond the horizon. This has sparked general 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]
590 CY
Why do the
Duxchaners hate the Asperdi so? I suppose a long habit is hard, if not
impossible, to break.
The [Duxchan] islanders have a long history of
animosity toward the Great Kingdom particularly the Kingdom’s former province
of the Sea Barons, whom the Lordship islanders hate with a fury. The sailors,
diplomats, and others who have come from the Lordship appear to share this
attitude to an extreme, leading to speculation that these crews were carefully
recruited for their absolute loyalty and with the promise that their success at
such trade would move the Brotherhood to aid them in some way in their eternal
war with the Sea Barons. On the other hand, one wag has stated that he would be
on his best behavior, too, if his family were in the hands of the Brotherhood’s
treacherous goons. That no red-robed overseen were found among the crews is
usually credited to the faith that the Brotherhood has in them, though the same
wag as before – a merchant of some standing – said it was just good marketing
on the part of the Brotherhood to gain everyone’s sympathy and get others to
let their guard down. [TAB – 34]
591 CY
Having discovered
who lay behind the assassination of their captains, the Barons are cautious
about outsiders. Indeed, they are somewhat paranoid concerning them.
It comes to no
surprise then that emissaries of the Scarlet Sign were turned away, regardless
how enticing the diplomats were with offers of trade deals and mutual
beneficence.
The seamen and barons here are very uncertain of their
future, not knowing with whom to ally. They have kept Scarlet Brotherhood
"advisers" at a safe distance after seeing what happened to Latmac
Ranold. Basmajian himself is believed to favor an alliance with Ratik and the
Frost Barbarians, but it will be years before the other barons agree to any
kind of binding concord. [FtAA – 36]
They need not worry. Yet.
Korenth Zan
[is] ignoring the Sea Barons and the Spindrift isles, seeing them as
insignificant forces, or at best potential thorns in the sides of Ahlissa and
Northern Aerdi. [SB – 24]
The Scarlet Brotherhood already extends its tendrils
into southern Aerdy, and the probable initial goals of the Brotherhood are the
capture of the Sea Barons and the subversion of South Province. [Ivid – 25]
 |
| Rel Astra |
Basmajian’s main ally at present are Rel Astra,
Ountsy, and Roland, the Solnor Compact.
Rel Astra has a new defensive alliance with Ountsy and
Roland (the Solnor Compact, signed in 589 CY), and it has very friendly
relations with the Sea Barons. [TAB
– 18]
Sea trade has been much expanded with Ratik, the Sea
Barons, the Lordship of the Isles (under great scrutiny), and any northern
barbarians willing to lay aside their weapons to bargain for goods. [TAB – 18]
Rel Astra[’s] vast shipyards offer safe harbor. In its
expansive markets are displayed half the wonders of the world, and its streets
are trodden daily by dark-skinned folk of Hepmonaland, golden Baklunish in flowing
cloaks, and pale, gruff barbarians of the far north. At any time, a great
chaotic fleet of ships chokes its harbor, bearing the flags of numerous states,
but dominated by those of the Sea Barons and the Free Cities of the Solnor
Compact. [LGG – 92]
But Basmajian and his Sea Barons had best beware. Lord
Drax might prove a greater enemy in the long run than the Lordship of the
Isles, or the Scarlet Brotherhood, could have ever posed.
 |
| A New Coastal Garasteth Kingdom |
The Sea Barons do not desire a permanent alliance with
the Cities of the Solnor Compact, distrusting Drax's motives, but they feign
friendship. The Sea Barons fear assassination or worse by the Scarlet
Brotherhood, and treat with strangers in their lands harshly. Expeditions
launched to the mysterious south in the last few years have returned with tales
of fantastic wonders and riches [.] [LGG – 100]
Ships from resource-hungry lands of the eastern
Flanaess are striking out in search of trading partners, hoping to rebuild from
the wars. The Sea Barons and the east coast city-states of Rel Astra, Ountsy,
and Roland are now exploring the mini-continent of Hepmonaland, returning with
fantastic tales and riches. (Many fall prey to disease, pirates, monsters, and
privateers from the Scarlet Brotherhood and Lordship of the Isles, however.)
Several major kingdoms full of new peoples are said to lie in this tropical
land, some rumored to be at war with the slave-taking Brotherhood. [TAB –
38]
We need not
worry about them, though. The Sea Barons have always kept their options open.
They are likely alwread wary of Lord Drax; he’s a Garasteth, after all;
and the Garasteth have always had designs on their Islands since losing them to
the Atirr.
The Barons know who they are, after all. They’re Atirr,
not Garasteth.
Atirr vessels also trade with the Sea Barons, although
not as often as they once did. [Ivid – 51]
They are more
than Atirr, as well, though, aren't they? They are Suel. They are Flan. Most of all, they
are mariners. They sail the seas, North and South. None shall bar their way, no
matter that they might try.
NORTHEASTERN WATERS
The Solnor Ocean and the vast Grendep Bay are disputed
among the Sea Barons and Ice Barbarians, the latter holding greater sway the
farther north one goes. [FtAA – 48]
SOUTHEASTERN WATERS
These waters comprise the Aerdi and Oljatt Seas, the
Tilva Strait, and the Spindrift Sound. The Scarlet Brotherhood controls much of
these seas, contesting northern areas with the Sea Barons and in a few
incursions from Ice Barbarians [.] [FtAA – 48]
“The sea, the snotgreen sea, the scrotumtightening
sea.”
― Ulysses
One must always
give credit where credit is due. This post 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 exhaustive.
Special thanks
to Jason Zavoda for his compiled index, “Greyhawkania,” an invaluable research
tool.
The Art:
Sea Barons map detail, by Darlene, from World of Greyhawk Boxed Set, 1983
Sources:
1015
World of Greyhawk Boxed Set, 1983
1043
The City of Greyhawk Boxed Set, 1989
1064
From the Ashes Boxed Set, 1992
1068
Greyhawk Wars Boxed Set, 1991
2011A
Dungeon Masters Guide, 1st Ed., 1977
2023
Greyhawk Adventures Hardback, 1988
9025
World of Greyhawk Folio, 1981
9253
WG8, Fate of Istus, 1989
9317
WGS1 Five Shall be One, 1991
9337
WGS2 Howl From the North, 1991
9577
The Adventure Begins, 1998
9578
Player’s Guide to Greyhawk, 1998
WGR
Ivid the Undying, 1998
11374
The Scarlet Brotherhood, 1999
11742
Gazetteer, 2000
11743
Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, 2000
Dragon
Magazine #57, 59, 63, 204, 206
Greyhawkania,
Jason Zavoda
The
Map of Anna B Meyer
