Coming Soon: Oerth Journal 26

I don't want to jump the gun here, but I think the Oerth Journal ezine needs a friendly promotional nudge in order to get them to release their newest issue. Recently I was given a proof copy of the 26th issue and liking what I saw, I contributed comic to it (I think my last one was in issue #23). The theme for this issue as mentioned in the official Oerth Journal blog, is "Beyond the Flanaess." I think you'll all dig this issue when it comes out as it covers some exotic locations only hinted at in canon or novels, but are built upon in such a way that DMs can take the maps, monsters and hooks and run with it without mussing up their own campaigns.

I'll keep my eye out and update everyone when #26 is ready for download. Oh, and if anyone is interested in contributing to the OJ, click on the link above to the OJ blog for information. Later.

Update 4/19/2021: The Oerth Journal blog is no more, but you can find all the OJs including issue #26 at GreyhawkOnline.

New Article: The Dolmen of Artur

It's been a busy month over at Canonfire! as another new article has been published, this time from a frequent contributor to the site and forums named "Smillan." Smillan combines an interestingly esoteric location from old school AD&D and a hazardous area of the Vesve Forest in this piece, entitled The Dolmen of Artur: 

A "dolmen" is a single-chambered tomb, usually composed of three -- or more -- large upright stones, supporting a flat capstone. This was usually covered with earth so as to create a barrow mound. So, technically, Artur’s Dolmen should be "Artur’s Barrow," but I must play the hand that Gygax dealt me. This is the brief mention -- in the 1st edition DMG, p. 164 -- which list "crushing" an artifact against Artur’s Dolmen as a suggested way of destroying it.

If you need a destination for an epic artifact quest the Dolmen of Artur might be for you. Enjoy!

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

New Article: Fighter Kits and Class Options

There's a new article over at Canonfire.com by frequent contributor (and avid Greyhawkery reader) Argon, entitled Fighter Kits and Class Options Part 1. Argon has alot of new writings in store for Greyhawk fans and this is his latest effort, bringing his own spin on some classic warrior types for campaigns (3.5/Pathfinder) in the World of Greyhawk. Enjoy!

"In this treatise, you are presented with some new fighter kits and alternative fighter classes: The Rhennee Darkhagards, the Sheldomar Swordsman, the Myrmidon and the Swashbuckler."

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

Fiction: Return of the Spider Queen, part1

"Aalas -- Son of Agnure of Hommlet -- begins to lead his company away from the Fane of Tiamat, but he quickly realizes that he has little choice but to return to the Fane in an attempt to free his imprisoned step-father."

New from the Greyhawk fansite, Canonfire! is an action packed fiction series created by Flint. This is not Flint's first contribution to Canonfire!, but it does follow his knack for serialized adventure narratives. In the first part of Return of the Spider Queen, we follow Aalas and company as they find trouble in the form of some quite vindictive dragons and some hobgoblins drop by as well. Why not? Read and enjoy!

READ THE STORY HERE

Maps: Ancient Greyhawk

I'm feeling slow this week so I'm bringing out an unfinished map to an unfinished project of mine to show everyone. One of my favorite things about the World of Greyhawk is discussing obscure references and trying to piece together maps in order to recreate the cultures that preceded those seen in the starting timeline of the setting (generally 576 CY). Based on my research this is what the central Flanaess looked like during the ancient Flan kingdoms of Sulm, Itar and part of Ahlissa. For those unfamiliar, these fertile realms existed in the setting's timeline thousands of years before the founding of the City of Greyhawk and before the adjacent region was changed into the Bright Desert by a malevolent curse. See the book Rary the Traitor for more info on that. I can't say what I need this map for right now, but in the meantime comments or additions would be appreciated, so that maybe I'll finish it someday. Or even better, if someone else has been working on similar ancient Flan maps then hey, you're my new friend! Have a good day and don't forget to also download Wonders of Ull: Oldskool Edition!

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL MAP

New: Wonders of Ull (Oldskool Edition)

As previously reported, long time Greyhawk fan and co-conspirator, Braggi has been working on a monster 1e/2e conversion of my anthology of editionless Ull articles, titled aptly Wonders of Ull Oldskool Edition. I may be biased, but this PDF document is top-notch in my opinion. Not only does it pull together years worth of Ull gazetteer entries, monsters, magic, NPCs and adventure hooks, it also includes an all new old school hex map of the Ull region created by Braggi. In short Wonders of Ull Oldskool Edition contains everything you need to run a full campaign in this rugged unforgiving land (pre-Greyhawk Wars no less). 

Ah, but that's not all! Braggi has also provided bonus material, "reclaiming" the generic AD&D module I9: Day of Al'Akbar so that it works in the Baklunish West. Make no mistake, whatever edition you play, the gritty information in this document will be useful to any GM looking to spice up their World of Greyhawk game with an exotic Baklunish theme. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD WONDERS OF ULL (OSE) HERE

Atlas the Flanaess: Ahlissa

The demi-goddess of cartographers, Anna Meyer has posted a new section of her ongoing Atlas of the Flanaess. This region depicts part of the Kingdom of Ahlissa, formerly southwestern part of the Great Kingdom of Aerdy. Download this new section and the others on the home page to enjoy the amazingly nuanced mastery of Anna's maps.