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: "This small garrison keeps careful watch over river traffic approaching Greyhawk. It comprises some 20 men and always includes at least two lieutenants. Trained homing pigeons are used to alert the Free City to any major approaching danger, although the Selintan beacon system is being installed here as a backup. Life is usually quiet here for the men, who tend to lose a lot of their wages gambling with the gnomes of Grossettgrottell."{{csb|FTA|24|Campaign Book}}
: "This small garrison keeps careful watch over river traffic approaching Greyhawk. It comprises some 20 men and always includes at least two lieutenants. Trained homing pigeons are used to alert the Free City to any major approaching danger, although the Selintan beacon system is being installed here as a backup. Life is usually quiet here for the men, who tend to lose a lot of their wages gambling with the gnomes of Grossettgrottell."{{csb|FTA|24|Campaign Book}}


; [[Diamond Lake]]
; [[Diamond Lake]] and [[Diamond Lake Garrison]]
: One of the Domain's mining towns, on the shores of the lake at the headwaters of the [[Ery River]]{{csb|PG||map insert}}; three days' travel from the [[Free City]].{{cite dungeon|124|57|Backdrop: Diamond Lake}}
: One of the [[Domain of Greyhawk]]'s mining towns, on the shores of the lake at the headwaters of the [[Ery River]]{{csb|PG||map insert}}; three days' travel from the [[Free City]].{{cite dungeon|124|57|Backdrop: Diamond Lake}}
: More than 60 militia personnel are stationed here.  Their duties include "patrolling the northern hills, keeping watch over the [[lizardfolk]]-infesied [[Mistmarsh]] to the south, and liaising with [[halfling]], [[gnome]], and [[dwarf]] communities in the region."{{csb|FTA|24|Campaign Book}}{{cite dungeon|124|57|Backdrop: Diamond Lake}}
: More than 60 militia personnel are stationed here.  Their duties include "patrolling the northern hills, keeping watch over the [[lizardfolk]]-infesied [[Mistmarsh]] to the south, and liaising with [[halfling]], [[gnome]], and [[dwarf]] communities in the region."{{csb|FTA|24|Campaign Book}}{{cite dungeon|124|57|Backdrop: Diamond Lake}}
: "The [[Blackwall Keep]] militia may call for reinforcements from here if trouble erupts in the Mistmarsh, so it is not entirely a backwater post."{{csb|FTA|24|Campaign Book}}  
: "The [[Blackwall Keep]] militia may call for reinforcements from here if trouble erupts in the Mistmarsh, so it is not entirely a backwater post."{{csb|FTA|24|Campaign Book}}  

Latest revision as of 13:29, 28 June 2025

Greyhawk Organization
Cairn Hills Force
Other names:Cairn Hills defense force
Type:Military
Leader:Commander Schinus Balint
Members:Soldiers of almost any class

The Cairn Hills force (or Cairn Hills militia) is the colloquial name given to the station of the Greyhawk Militia assigned to patrolling and defending the Cairn Hills in the Domain of Greyhawk.

Description

The main objectives of the Cairn Hills Force is to "offer protection to the miners in the hills, and frequently go out culling monsters and humanoids."[1] They also engage in some diplomacy with other settlements in the region, but not subject to their jurisdiction (like Grossettgrottell). They also aid tax collectors in their appointed rounds. "In addition to the specific duties of each garrison, each must provide aid, when needed, to ... those who pay taxes or tithes, or who provide other returns."[2]

History

Many years ago, Zagig "reformed the militia and led it to many victories over bandits in the Cairn Hills."[3] This seems to be the first time an organized effort was made by the Domain of Greyhawk to quell activity there.

The Cairn Hills force was originally six garrisons, but "during the springs of 583 and 584 CY, lizardfolk from the Mistmarsh became unusually active and attacked livestock and some outlying farms. This resulted in the construction of two new tower keeps to the north and south of the marsh: Blackwall Keep and Marsh Keep."[4]

Members

Most often, members of the Cairn Hills force are fighters, as would be expected of soldiers. There are also mages and priests (typically clerics of warlike de1t1es such as Heironcous)[1]

Notable individuals

Headquarters

Cairn Hills posts

"The expanded Cairn Hills militia has eight bases: three well-fortified keeps, four forts, and one housed garrison."[6]

Stonefort
In the western Cairn Hills, about 45 miles north of the Free City (as the crow flies), on the Great South Peninsula of the Nyr Dyv;[7] this is a very isolated region and is "almost completely unexplored by humans."[8]
"This garrison of 60 militiamen watches over the southern Nyr Dyv. The fort doubles as a penal colony; criminals sentenced to forced labor work in gravel quarries here. Their produce is shipped and then conveyed by wagon to the garrison at Stonebridge and on to the Free City. There are some 80 convicts here at any given time, who have average life expectancies of five years. This posting is truly a grim one, and the militiamen are hard and cruel. Trained tracker dogs are used to chase the very few criminals who escape their shackles and manacles, and they often make short work of any exhausted wretch they catch."[9]
Stonebridge
At the southern end of the gorge of the Selintan, where the river shore steepens as it enters the Cairn Hills; near Huralt's Creek[7] in the Dragonback Hills. There is a literal stone bridge crossing the river here.
"This small garrison keeps careful watch over river traffic approaching Greyhawk. It comprises some 20 men and always includes at least two lieutenants. Trained homing pigeons are used to alert the Free City to any major approaching danger, although the Selintan beacon system is being installed here as a backup. Life is usually quiet here for the men, who tend to lose a lot of their wages gambling with the gnomes of Grossettgrottell."[2]
Diamond Lake and Diamond Lake Garrison
One of the Domain of Greyhawk's mining towns, on the shores of the lake at the headwaters of the Ery River[7]; three days' travel from the Free City.[10]
More than 60 militia personnel are stationed here. Their duties include "patrolling the northern hills, keeping watch over the lizardfolk-infesied Mistmarsh to the south, and liaising with halfling, gnome, and dwarf communities in the region."[2][10]
"The Blackwall Keep militia may call for reinforcements from here if trouble erupts in the Mistmarsh, so it is not entirely a backwater post."[2]
Blackwall Keep and Marsh Keep
Blackwall is on the northern edge of the Mistmarsh at the very southern foot of the Cairn Hills,[7] five days' travel east of the Free City.[10] Marsh Keep is at the southeastern edge of the marsh, near the juncture of the Neen River and Long Brook; approximately midway along Marsh Way and the Dwarfwalk connecting Peculiar Manor and Greysmere.[7]
"Both keeps are strong, stone towers with stockaded horse corrals. Should swift dispatch of messengers be necessary, horses are employed (pigeons tend to get eaten too easily by hawks here). Each keep contains some 40 militiamen. Regular patrols around the edges of the Mistmarsh are mounted from here, although the Marsh isn't entered by these men. Although these are not technically located within the Cairn Hills, they are subsumed under the Commander of the Cairn Hills."[2]
Fort Leman
This is the northernmost of the three "spinal" central garrisons, holding some 50 men. This slightly isolated fort is in an area of low population density and is a listening post more than anything else."[2]
Fort Gellner
This fort is at the eastern extreme of the Mistmarsh, near the headwaters of Mist Lake.[7]
"Of the militia, 10 are members of the elite Mountaineer Militia... Patrols (at least 10 strong) operate in all nearby areas within the hills and spying missions with the Mountaineers' griffons extend well to the south and past the borders with Urnst (by arrangement). The garrison's remit includes tracking down and slaying monsters and groups of humanoids; the men here are warlike. This is a posting where the men see action, and their wages (double normal) reflect that."[2]
Ryell Pass
In the southern Cairn Hills just near where they meet with the Abor-alz.[7]
"The keep here has the same name as the pass in which it stands. The garrison of 80 men here is similar to that at Fort Gellner. This keep serves as a stopping-off and resting point for [griffon riding skyrangers of the]Mountaineer Militia who have overflown the Abbor-Alz mountains from Karistyne's Castle or Storm Keep."[2]

Structure

Each patrol is typically 8 to 14 fighters, comprised one sergeant-at-arms, two junior sergeants, and the rest men-at-arms.[11]

Ranks

The Cairn Hills force uses the same rank structure as the rest of the Greyhawk Militia.

  • Combat Mage (Wiz9)
  • Priest (Clr7)
  • Captain (Ftr9)
  • Lieutenant (Ftr6)
  • Sergeant-at-arms (Ftr3)
  • Junior Sergeant (Ftr2)
  • Man-at-arms (Ftr1)

Publishing history

See also

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ a b The City of Greyhawk (1989), p.9, Folks Fueds, and Factions.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h From the Ashes (1992), p.24, Campaign Book.
  3. ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.59.
  4. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.18, Campaign Book.
  5. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.25, Campaign Book.
  6. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.23, Campaign Book.
  7. ↑ a b c d e f g Player's Guide (1998), map insert.
  8. ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.3, Adventure Maps.
  9. ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.23-24, Campaign Book.
  10. ↑ a b c "Backdrop: Diamond Lake". Dungeon #124 (Jul 2005), p.57
  11. ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.66.

Bibliography

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

Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, Dragon magazine #191 66
Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, Dragon magazine #262 38, 39, 40
Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, From the Ashes: Campaign Book 13, 20, 23, 25, 31, 35, 40, 41, 43-47, 51, 55, 57, 78, 87, 90
Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 51
Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, Living Greyhawk Journal #1 26
Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 29, 54, 59, 62
Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, Slavers, AD&D 2e 27
Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, The Adventure Begins 6, 8, 44, 46, 47, 58, 60, 63, 65, 66, 70, 71, 72, 74, 78, 81, 82, 84, 85, 92, 98, 99, 103, 110, 112
Greyhawk Militia People Group Army, The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps 2, 3
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