Hey again Greyhawkers! Continuing on with the relaunch of GREYHAWKERY I have another new column that I'll regularly add to, and this one may be familiar to anyone who has downloaded and read Oerth Journal #32. The nobility of the Hold of the Sea Princes (576 CY) is something I have used extensively in my campaign, and I've made supporting political maps for in the past. Be sure to get these maps if you haven't already so you can track this column better. In this column, starting with the ruler of the Hold, Prince Jeon II, I am expanding on material already present in my OJ #32 article, as well as giving suggestions and scenarios for what these assorted nobles are best suited in your own Greyhawk campaign. Feel free to comment and offer your own insights to this project and enjoy!
His Royal Highness, Prince Jeon II of Monmurg; Ruler of the Azure Sea; Captain of all the Fleets; etc. (House Rhola, Prince’s Fleet, Fighter 17)
Prince Jeon II hails from a family who can trace their lineage back to heroes and kings from the earliest days of the Kingdom of Keoland. His great-grandfather and namesake Jeon I, famously died at the Battle of Jetsom Island aboard his legendary ship the Sea Prince. Jeon II has only ruled the Hold since 573 CY. Before the prince was elevated to the head of the House of Peers, he was an adventuring buccaneer who boastfully has sailed every sea in the Flanaess, and whose dalliances are the stuff of bardic song. In fact, foreign nobles from Rel Astra to Gradsul are known to winter in the Hold of the Sea Princes as guests of the famed Prince of Monmurg. Prince Jeon II is an ardent follower of Kelanen the Prince of Swords, and likewise he privately acts as a patron for aspiring adventurers.
Jeon’s mighty warship, the Azure Jewel stands as an imposing and inspiring symbol among the bustling harbor of Monmurg. The Prince’s palace in Monmurg is where the ruling House of Peers gather twice a year. Originally built by Keoland to pacify the pirates of Toli, this fortress overlooks the entire city and harbor. Inside its high buttressed walls is a veritable museum of Suel history; weapon displays, marble busts and statues of the Holds’ greatest heroes and captains line each hall.
Politics and Intrigues: Jeon’s stance against slavery may have eased tensions with foes of the Hold like Yeomanry and Keoland, but his support in the House of Peers has suffered since he allowed Sasserine to become a free city in 575 CY. Traditionally, House Rhola’s main rival is House Toli. While the two princes are amicable in public, Prince Varek IV is constantly scheming to bring failure and scandal to Jeon. Commodore Oratero of Jetsom Isle is Jeon’s best friend and closest advisor. The two have endured many battles and duels over the years, forging an unbreakable bond. Jeon is notably the most eligible bachelor in the Sea Princes, and the fact he has no (known) heirs is the source of continual match-making efforts.
Jeon II is a high-level NPC contact who can be used as the focal point for major political drama or even high-stakes naval warfare. He makes an excellent benefactor for dangerous missions on behalf of the Hold and House Rhola. Published examples are Jeon sending heroes to investigate deserted Sea Princes settlements in the Amedio, (Treasures of Greyhawk) and sending adventurers to acquire the ancestral Sword of the Dragon. (Treasures of Greyhawk)
House of Peers in the Sea Princes
The Hold of the Sea Princes comprises thirty domains, divided amongst a dozen noble houses. A few of these houses can trace their lineage back hundreds of years to the first Suel migrations, while most are merely fabricated hereditary titles of pirate captains who settled down a century ago. While the Hold is currently ruled by the Prince of Monmurg, the Prince of Port Toli has led the House of Peers for much of the Holds’ history. In political situations, the twelve houses are evenly divided between naval factions called the Princes’ Fleet and the Toli Armada. Those Sea Princes captains who choose to avoid house politics, nominally defer to a fleet named the Hold Flotilla in times of war.
The Hold of the Sea Princes comprises thirty domains, divided amongst a dozen noble houses. A few of these houses can trace their lineage back hundreds of years to the first Suel migrations, while most are merely fabricated hereditary titles of pirate captains who settled down a century ago. While the Hold is currently ruled by the Prince of Monmurg, the Prince of Port Toli has led the House of Peers for much of the Holds’ history. In political situations, the twelve houses are evenly divided between naval factions called the Princes’ Fleet and the Toli Armada. Those Sea Princes captains who choose to avoid house politics, nominally defer to a fleet named the Hold Flotilla in times of war.
Hey Mike > I am about ready to kick off my next Greyhawk game in the Hold of the Sea Princes, and I am using a lof of your material as back drop and to spin off into adventures. I'm also leaning toward the modules UK2 & 3 in Berghof and surrounding regions. The work you've done on this region is incredible!
ReplyDelete~ Gary
ReplyDeleteThanks Gary! Be sure to stay tuned to this column. I will have another noble next week, and I potentially have 28 more after that.
Hey Mike,
ReplyDeleteBring back your sea princes campaign! I loved that read. I am about to run Saltmarsh in 5e and hopefully, they will be lured into a bit piracy/ privateering. I have wanted to run something like this since reading your campaign write up.