A daunting request?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

bravesirpatrick

Mar 20, 2006 8:12:18
Would it be possible to get a reader's digest version of everything that has happened in the World of Greyhawk up till now? :D I don't own any of the Greyhawk supplements (even though I've been playing for 15+ years) and really want to know what the players (characters) would know about their world. I know it may be asking a lot, but I'd really appreciate it.

Also, what are the locations (regions) for all of the human, demi, and humanoid races in Greyhawk (mostly for naming purposes using the EBoN)?

Thanks,

BraveSirPatrick
#2

Mortepierre

Mar 20, 2006 8:57:17
Would it be possible to get a reader's digest version of everything that has happened in the World of Greyhawk up till now? :D I don't own any of the Greyhawk supplements (even though I've been playing for 15+ years) and really want to know what the players (characters) would know about their world. I know it may be asking a lot, but I'd really appreciate it.

Whoa! Even a short version would take a lot of pages. Methink that's a job for Grodog :P

Long story short: After years of building tension, skirmishes, and small "local" wars, the **** finally hit the fan in 582 CY with the start of the GH's equivalent of World War I. It wasn't until the signing of the GH's Peace Treaty (585 CY) that things calmed down somehow, leaving most nations exhausted and an opportunistic Scarlet Brotherhood in charge of many (formerly) independent countries (Lordship of the Isles, Idee, Onnwal, Hold of the Sea Princes), not to mention the Azure Sea.

In-between 585 and 591 CY, most nations have been slowly rebuilding, restoring trade, roads, and fortifications. One can sense they're all planning for World War II. Some major players suffered setbacks (Iuz, SB, ..) while others managed to secure small gains (Furyondy, Shield Lands, ..).

Nothing "canon" exists beyond 591 CY but if you participate in LG, you'll have witnessed 5 years of events all over the Flanaess (current date in Living Greyhawk is 596 CY).

If you want more details, I suggest you start reading what's available out there (which is a lot), beginning with (arguably) the best historical source:
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/tamerlain/Greyhawk/GreyChrondex41.html

Also, what are the locations (regions) for all of the human, demi, and humanoid races in Greyhawk (mostly for naming purposes using the EBoN)?

Well, they are all over the place. The (1e) World of GH boxed set had a table where you could randomly determine which region your demi-human PC was from (if you really had no clue) but that's about it.

Basically, the NW is mostly (human) Baklunish, the SW is a fair mix of everything (and anything), the NE Flan/Oeridian/humanoid, and the SE Oerdian/Suel. Demi-humans tend to live within human nations which aren't too paranoid about other races or in their own countries (elves -> Celene, dwarves -> Principality of Ulek, etc..)
#3

Amaril

Mar 20, 2006 18:09:27
Nothing "canon" exists beyond 591 CY but if you participate in LG, you'll have witnessed 5 years of events all over the Flanaess (current date in Living Greyhawk is 596 CY).

That's not entirely true. There were a few Greyhawk-specific adventures in Dungeon Magazine that took place after 591 such as the Istivin campaign arc.
#4

Mortepierre

Mar 21, 2006 2:48:45
Well, yes, I'll grant you that. But it depends on whether you consider Dungeon's adventures as "canon" or not (no offense intended to Erik and his brave GH-loving crew)
#5

thanael

Mar 21, 2006 7:56:49
There are probably a few good web sites out there with introduction material. or perhaps even with a player's guide.

This site is an excellent example: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/5037/atlas/atlas.html

as is this one: http://myweb.cableone.net/tedra/

and this one: http://www.dancingshaman.net/blood/
(esp the Brief History of the Flaenaess: http://www.dancingshaman.net/blood/history.htm)

Or try the GH wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyhawk


The LGH sites surely have nice PGs for their respective regions.
#6

bravesirpatrick

Mar 21, 2006 12:51:30
Thank you all very much. This will give me something to chew on for a while. Happy adventuring and tell Mordy I said hi :D
#7

grodog

Mar 21, 2006 23:08:38
Whoa! Even a short version would take a lot of pages. Methink that's a job for Grodog :P

LOL. What's that, Mortepierre---because I'm the most verbose of us? :D :D

Seriously, I highly recommend that you buy the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, since it'll give you one-stop shopping for the history of the setting.