Sheldomar Valley
2. Tri-states of
Ulek
Want to know more?
Excerpt on Keoland from Living Greyhawk Journal #1 at Wizards.
5 Reasons to Visiti the Sea Princes at Greyhawkery.
5 Reasons to Visit Keoland at Greyhawkery.
1. Keoland
The Kingdom of
Keoland is the oldest, largest nation of the western Flanaess, founded by a combining of Suel and Oerid migrants
with indigenous Flan and demi-human
realms. Keoland prospered and grew along the bountiful Sheldomar Valley for centuries, until the lion throne entered an
imperialistic era where it briefly pushed the kingdoms boundaries north and
eastward, eventually turned back at Veluna
during the Short War. This warlike
stance led the eastern demi-human states to withdraw full support, soon
followed by the secession of Keoland’s western fiefs. This strife was further
complicated by the rise of the Sea
Princes who took the farthest southern lands as their own. A failed
campaign to retake these parts resulted in the softening of Keoland’s monarchy,
as they recognized the autonomy of their neighbors and friendly relations returned
to the valley. Only the piratical Sea Princes continue to needle the Keoish
coast, while to the north, the Knights
of the Watch stand ready for reprisals against Keoland.
3. Gran March
The martial nation of Gran March is a fief of the Kingdom
of Keoland instituted by an ultra-religious order of knights whose code
still influences the present day Knights
of the Watch. Despite being relatively peaceful and productive, the
original order was very repressive and forced conscription on its populace. No
wonder, as the people of the March rejoiced when the order was defeated during
the Small War against Furyondy. Today the March is less
restrictive; now electing its commandants, but it continues to defend the Sheldomar Valley from foreign threats
with its vaunted mailed cavalry.
4. Bissel
The March of
Bissel or Littlemark was once part of Keoland
until it was lost in the Small War
to Furyondy over a century ago. Positioned
at the crossroads of trade, the small but resourceful Bissel was eventually
granted its independence for bravery in service by the margrave when he rescued
the king from a humanoid ambush. Since then Bissel serves as border security
against further incursions from the west, thus protecting Furyondy and Keoland
alike, the latter providing assistance from the Knights of the Watch. Mercenaries and adventurers comprise much of
the “border companies” under the flag of Bissel. Continuing support from
neighboring states ensures that these companies are well-equipped and armored
to serve their duty.
5. Geoff
The Grand Duchy of
Geoff is an old isolated realm on the western fringe of the valley,
surrounded by mountains, forests and the Rushmoors.
Originally a Flannae domain, this
bountiful, fog-shrouded land is now of mixed heritage; a peaceful region of
herders, farmers and miners including many demi-humans. Geoff has seen little
conflict in its long history besides internal intrigues and continual raids by
giants from the Crystalmists of
which are handled with elven support and sometimes Sterich to the south.
Despite Geoff’s stance, the grand duke is still friendly to the kingdom and
enjoys a mutual alliance in times of trouble.
6. Sterich
The Earldom of
Sterich is a favored western vassal of Keoland
set next to the Jotens and Crystalmist Mountains. Sterich is best known
for its abundant mineral wealth, worked by loyal clans of gnomes and dwarves
then traded down the Davish River to
other Sheldomar states for goods it
lacks. The prosperity of this land has created an unusually high number of
petty nobles and uplifted even commoners to aristocratic status. Like Geoff to the north, Sterich is always
on guard from annual incursions of giant-kin and other monsters from the west.
This situation though dire, has not prevented the earldom from sending military
support to Keoland if called upon.
7. Yeomanry
The Yeomanry
League is a warm, sheltered land bound by mountains, hills and rivers,
consisting of mixed tribes peacefully coexisting beside local demi-humans and
sharing a unique tradition of democratic government. Famed for its spearmen,
the Yeomanry was once under the rule of Keoland
yet they persisted in their ways while serving the crown in most part because
of the kingdom benefitted greatly from the natural resources of the region. The
Yeomanry however joined in a general revolt during the kingdom’s imperialist
phase and though relations are good today, the league has been an independent
state ever since. Spokesmen for the Yeomanry council are elected by vote of any
citizen with a trade or who has ever borne arms in defense of the league.
8. Sea Princes
The Hold of the
Sea Princes was once the southernmost fief of Keoland until it came under the rule of self-styled noble buccaneers
who took advantage of mainland wars in the north to become the bane of the
entire Azure Sea. Safe by land due
to the Hool Marshes, the Hold was eventually
defeated by the combined fleets of the Azure coast. Though the Hold still has
the strongest navy in the west, it was forced to tone down their piratical ways,
instead focusing attention on the exploration and exploitation of the southern
jungle coasts for new, lucrative resources. This new found mercantile wealth
was followed by the practice of slavery for the Holds’ numerous fertile farms.
The Yeomanry opposes this as does a faction behind the current Prince of Monmurg.
Excerpt on Keoland from Living Greyhawk Journal #1 at Wizards.
5 Reasons to Visiti the Sea Princes at Greyhawkery.
5 Reasons to Visit Keoland at Greyhawkery.
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