Greenkeep

Greyhawk Realm

Greenkeep
Government
Authority:	Lord Yanboli
Alignments:	Chaotic neutral
Established:	c.300-350 CY

Description

The Greenkeep itself is a castle in the northern extent of the Bandit Kingdoms. It gets its name because of a "radiant green glow" which emanates from the keep itself when it is dark and the temperature is very low. The folk of who live in the region make up one of the stronger forces in the Bandit Kingdoms. There are It is a The primary leader of these groups (c. 576-578 CY) is Lord Yanboli (male half-elf Ftr5/Mu5/Thf5).

The Defenders of the Greenkeep are a variety of barely-aligned groups collectively seen as pillagers found in the Bandit Kingdoms. It is also a meta-org in the Living Greyhawk campaign (see below).

History

After the end of the fighting in the Greyhawk Wars, in Sun's ebb 584 CY, a mysterious black cloud appeared in the sky above the keep and blasted the keep with lightning and acid pouring down from the heavens, and the keep was destroyed and instantly ruined. There were only a few survivors.

Geography

The Greenkeep is one of the stronger forces in the Bandit Kingdoms, and is one of the largest by area, comprising nearly six hundred square miles. This is mostly the eastern Fellreev] south of the Artonsamay River.

People

Notable individuals

• Raspalan (male human Mu, necromancer.—a minor princeling of House Garasteth garrisoned with the troops; a necromancer, originally from near Rinloru.

Resources

The region claimed by the Defenders of the Greenkeep is known for producing lumber, furs, and skins for trade.

Rumors and legends

The destruction of the Greekeep in 584 CY is rumored to be a targeted attack against Raspalan by a vengeful enemy of his.

There are constant tales and rumors of Raspalan performing horrible experiments in the dungeon below the keep, with unusual materials, and doing harmful and malefic research.

In Legends of Greyhawk

The Greenkeep is a region of Bandit Kingdoms, which will be premiering as part of the Legends of Greyhawk organized play campaign in March 2026. Casey Brown, author of The Unofficial Living Greyhawk Bandit Kingdoms Summary (2016), is a consultant for the region

In Living Greyhawk

Greyhawk Organization

Defenders of the Greenkeep
Alignment:	Chaotic neutral
Leader:	None (various leaders)
Members:	Groups of raiders

Description

Of the forces of men who escaped the slaughter at Steelbone Meadows, few have fared worse than the self−styled “Defenders of the Greenkeep”. These loosely aligned bands of raiders occupy the sliver of forestation between the Artonsomay River and the darkened plains of the grim Fleichshriver. Theirs is a hard life of struggle as they must not only contend with the fiendish remains of Iuz’s preeminent citadel in the Combination of Free Lords, but also the indigenous wood elf and orc tribes of the Felreev, neither of whom are overly sympathetic to their cause.

History

The years following the occupation of the Bandit Lands were hardest on these men. Few of them were foresters and they lacked even the most basic woodland skills of foraging and survival. They were forced to eek out an existence as raiders, striking out at all potential targets. Harassed by the Dazark orcs of the Artonsomay as well as the deadly sylvan elf clans of the eastern Fellreev, these folk had few friends among the Reyhu they could turn to. And so for years they found themselves trapped. Poorly equipped, there was no ready supply of even the most essential provisions to fill their needs. No more than one or two camps dared gather together for more than a day for fear of an ambush by the Dazark or that a member of Iuz’s Greater Boneheart would snuff them out on a whim. Still, these men found pleasure in each other’s company and appreciated with grim humor the straits Olidammara had thrust upon them.

In more recent years their situation has improved, in large part to Skannar Hendrick and his company at the fort that share’s his name. While the “Defenders” still do not enjoy any formal alliance between the displaced Reyhu and the elves of the Fanlareshen, they have found a way to profit from mutual interests. The Defenders monitor the movements of the Dazark orcs as well as comings and goings from the Fleichshriver for the Reyhu and elves. In turn, they receive basic provisions. It is an alliance built on desperate need, not on good will or trust. The Reyhu, even many of those of Fort Hendrick, were once considered fair game by these men and have not forgotten their mercenary spirit. With no central leadership to bind these scattered bands of Defenders, they are cautious. Not all have fared so poorly, and some continue to raid the camps of their brothers’ allies. If there were ever a group to survive on their own terms, with no one to call friend, it is the Defenders.

Structure

The Defenders are an odd lot. They move freely between camps and rarely make lasting friends. They refer to one another as brother, even though they may never know the name of their companion. Each of them is aware that the next day may find them dead at the hands of an orc or elf, which gives them a zest for life and a care−free, almost reckless spirit. They fight like cornered animals with an intensity that rivals the barbarians of the north. They simply have nothing left to lose. They have a saying amongst their ranks: “Death is easy.”

Some tribes choose to ally themselves with the Old One’s minions during 594 CY, and the remaining tribes allied with the Reyhu−Fanlareshen during 595 CY.

Tribes Allied with the Reyhu—Fanlareshen

Tribe of Bim Kreade

Bim Kreade (CN − Male Human) and his band are one of the longest running residents of this section of the Fellreev. Fleeing here after the massacre at Steelbone Meadows, his hearty band fought through fiends and orcs before finally coming to rest in this corner of the Fellreev. His band is the most capable from a military standpoint but they have little skill in forestry, trading or farming. They subsist almost entirely by raiding Iuzian supply trains to the camps north of Fleichshriver; as well as the Uroz and Jebli orc encampments.

This tribe currently has no allies – the minor tribes are upset over raids into their territories by Bim and his band. Bim Kreade currently has a death warrant out for him for raids against Iuzian supply trains. (Human− 90%, Half−Elf−10%)

Tribe of Ondrish Zelweil

Ondrish Zelweil (NG − Male Half−elf) leads a band of predominantly half−elves, which gives them reasonably close ties to the sylvan elves in the Fellreev. While not fully allied, the majority of the trade between the Defenders of Greenkeep and the Rehyu−Elf alliance happens through this tribe. Baila, Ondrish’s emissary to Clan Fanlareshen, arranges meetings between the two groups, which has helped this tribe adapt well to forest life. Because of the cooperation of the sylvan elves of the Fellreev, this tribe has acquired access to certain spells and skirmishing techniques that have allowed them to hold their own against the frequent raids of Iuz. Ondrish believes that biding their time is the best option and prefers to slowly grow the tribe’s power while staying out of direct sight of the Old One. These actions have not come without cost; Ondrish fields a much smaller force then the other tribes. He must devote a much larger portion of his tribe to food gathering than the others who rely more on raiding. Ondrish's relationship with the elves has lead to some jealousy amongst several of the minor and major tribes. On at least one occasion it has erupted into open combat. (Half−Elf−65%, Human−30%, Halfling−5%)

Minor Tribe of Svigena Moskene

Svigena Moskene (N − Male Human) survived the fall of Capitol in the Duchy of Artonsamay. He once served as an officer in the guard and claims to remember very little of the events surrounding the fall of Capitol. To this day he has no knowledge of how he ended up in the Fellreev or who healed his wounds. Svigena runs a tight ship and regularly sends his men out to attack caravans of Iuz on their way to Fort Skagund. His group has a deep and bitter hatred for Iuz and his forces and they take every opportunity to harass them. The result is that he has lost almost all those who fled here with him. For this group every battle could be their last. (Human−75%,Half−Elf−15%,Gnome−5%,Dwarf−3%,Elf−2%).

Minor Tribe of Vileem Odrik

Vileem Odrik (CN − Male Elf) was a promising member of the sylvan elves community. A respected fighter who was well liked, he fell out of favor after an argument he was involved in lead to the death of several elves. He would have been tried and hung, but Vileem managed to escape with a small group of supporters. He has eked out an existence with the Defenders since then by providing them with valuable training and knowledge of theforest. He maintains his innocence to this day. (Human−50%, Half−Elf 25%, Elf− 25%)

Minor Tribe of Zaneydel Faindek

Zaneydel Faindek (NE − Male Human) comes from the wastes just north of the Fellreev. A former tribal chieftain with the Wolf Nomads, he fled into the Fellreev after surviving an orc ambush that wiped out most of his tribe. He is anexcellent cavalryman and maintains the Defenders only source of cavalry and horses (albeit a small one). This tribe has been useful in raids on the plains to the south and in scouting out potential caravans to attack. Zaneydel hates all orcs and half−orcs, seeing them as the reason for his current problems. His tribe has never taken an orc or half−orc alive as a prisoner and they do not get along with Yakoro’s tribe at all. (Human−100%)

Tribes Allied with the Nothern Alliance

Tribe of Harmene Dolirand

Harmene Dolirand (CN − Male Human) is first and foremost a survivor. Having fled from Horned Society lands, he has managed to stay one step ahead of those who would see his death. His band is a chaotic bunch that believes in rule through strength. Violent duels for leadership occur frequently and are always fatal to the challenger. His group is suspected of not only using poison, but trading it for goods and services that they need to survive. Thetribe sports the largest number of combatants of any of the tribes, but they are undisciplined and lack the coordination to be anything more then a violent mob – albeit one that can do quite a bit of damage.Currently Harmene has been trying to coax many of the minor tribes into an alliance by offering them goods acquired in reportedly successful raids on Jebli orcs. So far it appears he is having some success. He currently has a loose alliance with all of the minor tribes. He has made overtures to Ondrish and Bim but thus far has been turned down. Due to his affiliations with the Horned Society, Harmene also has a Death Warrant out for his capture. (Human−95%, Half−Orc−5%)

Minor Tribe of Budek Zebinnel

Budek Zebinnel (CN − Male Human) is originally from Rookroost. He had a very profitable thieving operation both before and after the occupation. Unfortunately, a disagreement about membership fees, authorized activities and such had him fleeing the city. He’s had to stay one−step ahead of the Rookroost Thieves Guild ever since. Budek has knowledge of the tunnels under Rookroost, but avoids using them for fear of being caught by the Guild. Budek runs a very efficient group of thieves. His band’s reputation is widespread amongst the Defenders of Greenkeep. Lately, he has started branching out into river piracy and has met with some success. In yet this has not caused any conflicts with the Red Planks, but how long this will last, no one knows. Budek Zebinnel has a price on his head from the Rookroost Thieves Guild (50 gp). (Human−95%, Half−Elf−4%, Halfling−1%)

Minor Tribe of Yakoro the Maul

Yakoro (NE − Male Half−orc) used to lead a squad of Old Wicked’s forces. After losing several caravans to raiders, he found himself unpopular with Cranzer and in fear for his life. For their failures, his unit was to be decimated, so his group decided to flee for the Fellreev. This group is mostly shunned by the other tribes, but Yakoro’s group is almost always used in raiding Iuz’s caravans. Their knowledge of caravan routes, guards and their ability to look like troops of Iuz has proven invaluable. This has allowed them to come to an uneasy truce with most of the other tribes. There is a bitter hatred between this tribe and Zaneydel Faindek’s tribe. At meetings, their members stay far apart. (Half−Orc−85%, Orc−15%).

References

Bibliography

• Bandit Kingdoms Meta-Campain Guidebook, 596 CY. RPGA, Living Greyhawk Regional Triad. 2006.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic	Type	Description	Product	Page/Card/Image
Greenkeep	Kingdom	Bandit Kingdoms,	Dragon magazine #056	21
Greenkeep	Kingdom	Bandit Kingdoms,	Dragon magazine #063	14
Greenkeep	Kingdom	Bandit Kingdoms,	Ivid the Undying	52, 55
Greenkeep	Kingdom	Bandit Kingdoms,	Living Greyhawk Gazetteer	26, 31, 61
Greenkeep	Kingdom	Bandit Kingdoms,	Oerth Journal #33	24