The Free City of Irongate won the poll by a landslide (69%) of course. Nestled on the coast of the Azure Sea and protected by the Iron Hills, this city has withstood invasions by the Great Kingdom (Battle of a Thousand Banners) and the Scarlet Brotherhood (Greyhawk Wars) over the years. I equate this fortress to Minas Tirith combined with Moria with a navy to boot. In addition to formidable physical defenses, and elite human and demihuman soldiery, Irongate boasts the likes of archmage, Elayne Mystica among its magical defenders. It would take an aerial assault to have a chance at cracking this city open. Biggest threat to Irongate? Still the Scarlet Brotherhood because they can infiltrate the place like the Greeks into Troy. In a stand up battle however, there may be no nation that can assail Irongate. Only a dual siege/embargo could work and that's not even a sure thing due to Irongate's purported magical gates.
The Free City of Greyhawk comes in second naturally at a measly 18%. The City of Greyhawk has a fortress and some of the loftiest walls in the Flanaess, but the city is rather accessible to attack from many directions. Iuz threatens from the north, the Pomarj from the south, the Temple of Elemental Evil from the west and Rary the Tratior could conceivably swing in from the east. What keeps all the evil at bay? Greyhawk's domain full of interesting terrain from swamps to hills to open plains and rivers. Greyhawk's armies would be inclined to take the fight to an opponent or ambush before falling back to it's walls. Once in the city, the populace is easily the most resourceful in the world. The Guild of Mages alone could rain hellfire down on an invading force. The various temples would keep Greyhawk properly healed, while the Thieves, Beggars and Assassin's Guild would begin a guerrilla campaign against the enemy. Then of course, there is the abundance of adventuring parties with limitless access to magical weaponry who would rise up to defend their home turf. Biggest threat to Greyhawk? If all four the enemies I listed above combined their forces at once. The worst outcome would involve Iuz's clerics mass-raising undead from Greyhawk's considerable catacombs, thus causing chaos from within. An invasion of Greyhawk would truly be epic.
Next on the poll is Hesuel Ilshar (7%) the capital of the Scarlet Brotherhood. Little is known of this city since it is a well-kept secret. Ilshar also lies atop a plateau on a remote peninsula. Any invading army has to A) cross the Azure Sea, B) defeat several outposts inland before climbing the plateau to then C) cross the desolate plateau before D) assaulting the high city walls. Ilshar has been stood for centuries without fear of any attack and is likely to have fewer siege weapons or standing garrisons. This doesn't mean their guard is down. After exposing their existence in the Greyhawk Wars, Hesuel Ilshar is probably on alert for spies ahead of any future counter-offensives. The Brotherhood's monks, assassins and thieves are only equaled by Greyhawk's. Biggest Threat to Ilshar? The Iron League. This alliance (including Lordship of the Isles if they break away from the SB) has a lot of reasons to go after the Brotherhood. The Iron League has the naval power and is resourceful enough to attack from more than one direction on the plateau. It would be a slog for sure, but once under siege Hesuel Ilshar wouldn't last long without aid.
Admundfort comes in at 3% on the poll. The capital of the Shield Lands is on the Isle of Walworth and is historically the most defensible place on the Lake of Unknown Depths. How Iuz came to conquer this city for a time is uncertain to me, I suspect profane magic and treachery. When at full muster, this city with its knights and navies could withstand most conventional attacks quite well. Biggest threat to Admundfort? Still Iuz. The mainland Shield Lands is too wide open and is meant to shield Furyondy from the Bandit Kingdoms more than a demonic, arcane, undead assault by a demigod. Admundfort otherwise is unassailable by simple bandits, ogres or hobgoblins.
The Free City of Rel Astra and Rookroost both came in last at 0%. Apparently no one believes these places are most defensive and rightly so. Rel Astra has the largest population in the Flanaess and a good port. This means they can militarily put up a good fight on land or sea. Lord Drax has not been put to the test yet, but this is possibly due to good diplomacy more than might. Rel Astra's biggest threat would naturally be its own kinsmen from Aerdy. It's a rich city but any king vying to unite the Great Kingdom again would be hard to fend off from land. And finally, Rookroost in the Bandit Lands is another multi-ringed city-fortress along the lines of Minas Tirith. Rookroost prophetically has never been taken in battle so long as ravens remain roosting in the city. Against Iuz however, thee city opted to join him instead of testing his evil might. I have a feeling Rookroost would put up a good fight, but limited long-term resources, reinforcements (bandit kings don't get along) and lack of comparable magic power would cause its eventual fall to Iuz.
Good analysis? Tell what you think and check out my next poll soon!
I chose the City of Greyhawk. The reason? The Academy of Magic.
ReplyDeleteIrongate might be a "rock" upon which mundane armies can be smashed, but I don't think Irongate packs the "fire power" of Greyhawk. It would take an incredibly large army to wear down that many magicians.