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The '''Greyhawk Wars''' (also known as the '''Greyhawk War'''{{cite card|1993|307 of 495|Morgan Ravenstar}} or the '''Great War'''){{csb|Wars|30-31|Adventurer's Book}}{{csb|Wars|3, 8|Rulebook}} is the collective name applied to several armed conflicts which raged across the [[Flanaess]] from [[582 CY|582]]-[[584 CY|584]] [[Common Year|CY]].  
The '''Greyhawk Wars''' (also known as the '''Greyhawk War'''{{cite card|1993|307 of 495|Morgan Ravenstar}} or the '''Great War'''){{csb|Wars|30-31|Adventurer's Book}}{{csb|Wars|3, 8|Rulebook}} is the collective name applied to several armed conflicts which raged across the [[Flanaess]] from [[582 CY|582]]-[[584 CY|584]] [[Common Year|CY]].  


''(Note: In some historical texts, the "Great War" can also refer to the [[Baklunish-Suloise War]], but this is an uncommon usage.)''
==History==
==History==
Initial hostilities were provoked by the evil demigod [[Iuz]], but rapidly expanded to cover most of the Flanaess as opportunistic nations used the conflict to further their own ends. This conflict saw the unification and expansion of the [[Pomarj|Orcish Empire of the Pomarj]] as well as a desperate attempt by the [[Great Kingdom]] to reclaim its former glories.
Initial hostilities were provoked by the evil demigod [[Iuz]], but rapidly expanded to cover most of the Flanaess as opportunistic nations used the conflict to further their own ends. This conflict saw the unification and expansion of the [[Pomarj|Orcish Empire of the Pomarj]] as well as a desperate attempt by the [[Great Kingdom]] to reclaim its former glories.
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Hostilities were ended in [[584 CY]] when the [[Scarlet Brotherhood]], for unknown reasons, put out the first call for a "grand truce".{{csb|Wars|24|Adventurer's Book}} Then, a peace conference was convened in [[Harvester]] [[584 CY]]{{csb|Wars|24|Adventurer's Book}} which was known as the "Great Council".  It lasted six months.{{csb|Wars|24|Adventurer's Book}}
Hostilities were ended in [[584 CY]] when the [[Scarlet Brotherhood]], for unknown reasons, put out the first call for a "grand truce".{{csb|Wars|24|Adventurer's Book}} Then, a peace conference was convened in [[Harvester]] [[584 CY]]{{csb|Wars|24|Adventurer's Book}} which was known as the "Great Council".  It lasted six months.{{csb|Wars|24|Adventurer's Book}}


[[Rary|Rary the Traitor]] attempted to interrupt the Day of Great Signing and some members of the [[Circle of Eight]] died in the confrontation.  Following, the treaty was immediately ratified by the delegates of the Grand Council.{{csb|Wars|24|Adventurer's Book}}
[[Rary|Rary the Traitor]] attempted to interrupt the [[Day of Great Signing]] and some members of the [[Circle of Eight]] died in the [[Battle of the Grand Hall]].  Following, the treaty was immediately ratified by the delegates of the Grand Council.{{csb|Wars|24|Adventurer's Book}}


The final [[Pact of Greyhawk]] was brokered in the [[Free City of Greyhawk]], which was removed from the areas of battle and had been largely unaffected by the Wars. The Wars came to be named for the city as a result.
The final [[Pact of Greyhawk]] was brokered in the [[Free City of Greyhawk]], which was removed from the areas of battle and had been largely unaffected by the Wars. The Wars came to be named for the city as a result.
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The storyline leading up to the Greyhawk Wars is presented in the 1991 adventures ''[[Five Shall Be One]]''<ref>{{cite book| last =Sargent| first =Carl| authorlink =Carl Sargent| title = [[Five Shall Be One]]| publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1991| location =| series = WGS1| id = 9317xxx1501| isbn = 1-56076-070-2| page =63 }}
The storyline leading up to the Greyhawk Wars is presented in the 1991 adventures ''[[Five Shall Be One]]''<ref>{{cite book| last =Sargent| first =Carl| authorlink =Carl Sargent| title = [[Five Shall Be One]]| publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1991| location =| series = WGS1| id = 9317xxx1501| isbn = 1-56076-070-2| page =63 }}
</ref> and ''[[Howl from the North]]''<ref>{{cite book| last =Henson| first =Dale “Slade”| authorlink = Dale Henson | title = [[Howl From the North]] | publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1991| url = | location =| series = WGS2| id =9337XXX1401| isbn = 1-56076-143-1| page =63 }}</ref> (WGS1 and WGS2).  These modules were intended to enable DMs to involve their players in the events that precipitate the start of the Wars.
</ref> and ''[[Howl from the North]]''<ref>{{cite book| last =Henson| first =Dale “Slade”| authorlink = Dale Henson | title = [[Howl From the North]] | publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1991| url = | location =| series = WGS2| id =9337XXX1401| isbn = 1-56076-143-1| page =63 }}</ref> (WGS1 and WGS2).  These adventures were intended to enable DMs to involve their players in the events that precipitate the start of the Wars.


TSR published the official version of the history of the Wars themselves in the ''Adventurer's Book'', included as a component of [[David Cook]]'s 1991 board game ''[[Greyhawk Wars (game)|Greyhawk Wars]]''.  This official timeline and description of events was later re-posted on the WotC *Wizards.com* website.<ref>{{cite web |author=Cook, David "Zeb" |authorlink=David Cook |title=Official History of the Greyhawk Wars |url=http://www.wizards.com/Greyhawk/DnDGreyhawkWars.asp |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210233426/http:/www.wizards.com/Greyhawk/DnDGreyhawkWars.asp |archivedate=10 February 2001 |format= |work=Wizards.com |publisher=[[WotC]] |date=1999 |accessdate=8 March 2023 }}</ref>  The board game allowed participants to play the events of the Wars as a strategic simulation, controlling various political entities, military units, and heroes of the World of Greyhawk in competition with other players.
TSR published the official version of the history of the Wars themselves in the ''Adventurer's Book'', included as a component of [[David Cook]]'s 1991 board game ''[[Greyhawk Wars (game)|Greyhawk Wars]]''.  This official timeline and description of events was later re-posted on the WotC *Wizards.com* website.<ref>{{cite web |author=Cook, David "Zeb" |authorlink=David Cook |title=Official History of the Greyhawk Wars |url=http://www.wizards.com/Greyhawk/DnDGreyhawkWars.asp |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210233426/http:/www.wizards.com/Greyhawk/DnDGreyhawkWars.asp |archivedate=10 February 2001 |format= |work=Wizards.com |publisher=[[WotC]] |date=1999 |accessdate=8 March 2023 }}</ref>  The board game allowed participants to play the events of the Wars as a strategic simulation, controlling various political entities, military units, and heroes of the World of Greyhawk in competition with other players.


Meanwhile, game developer Carl Sargent had been working on a significant update for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting as a whole.  This was published in 1992 as a boxed set entitled ''[[From the Ashes]]''.  The boxed set detailed the situation on the [[Flanaess]] in the aftermath of the Greyhawk Wars.  ''From the Ashes'' was followed in 1993 by a series of Sargent sourcebooks and modules providing additional information regarding the updated setting, including ''[[The Marklands]]'',<ref>{{cite book| last = Sargent| first = Carl| authorlink = Carl Sargent| title = [[The Marklands]]| publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1993| url = | location =| series = WGR4| id =9398XXX1501| isbn = 1-56076-559-3| page =95}}</ref> ''[[Iuz the Evil]]'',<ref>{{cite book|last = Sargent| first = Carl| authorlink = Carl Sargent| title = [[Iuz the Evil]]
Meanwhile, game developer Carl Sargent had been working on a significant update for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting as a whole.  This was published in 1992 as a boxed set entitled ''[[From the Ashes]]''.  The boxed set detailed the situation on the [[Flanaess]] in the aftermath of the Greyhawk Wars.  ''From the Ashes'' was followed in 1993 by a series of Sargent sourcebooks and adventures providing additional information regarding the updated setting, including ''[[The Marklands]]'',<ref>{{cite book| last = Sargent| first = Carl| authorlink = Carl Sargent| title = [[The Marklands]]| publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1993| url = | location =| series = WGR4| id =9398XXX1501| isbn = 1-56076-559-3| page =95}}</ref> ''[[Iuz the Evil]]'',<ref>{{cite book|last = Sargent| first = Carl| authorlink = Carl Sargent| title = [[Iuz the Evil]]
| publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1993| url = | location =| series = WGR5| id =9399| isbn =| page = }}
| publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1993| url = | location =| series = WGR5| id =9399| isbn =| page = }}
</ref> and ''[[City of Skulls]]''.<ref>{{cite book| last = Sargent| first = Carl| authorlink = Carl Sargent| coauthors =| title = [[The City of Skulls]] | publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1993| url = | location =| series = WGR6| id =9405XXX1501| isbn = 1-56076-608-5| page =63}}
</ref> and ''[[City of Skulls]]''.<ref>{{cite book| last = Sargent| first = Carl| authorlink = Carl Sargent| coauthors =| title = [[The City of Skulls]] | publisher =TSR, inc.| year =1993| url = | location =| series = WGR6| id =9405XXX1501| isbn = 1-56076-608-5| page =63}}

Latest revision as of 09:38, 1 September 2025

The Greyhawk Wars (also known as the Greyhawk War[1] or the Great War)[2][3] is the collective name applied to several armed conflicts which raged across the Flanaess from 582-584 CY.

(Note: In some historical texts, the "Great War" can also refer to the Baklunish-Suloise War, but this is an uncommon usage.)

History

Initial hostilities were provoked by the evil demigod Iuz, but rapidly expanded to cover most of the Flanaess as opportunistic nations used the conflict to further their own ends. This conflict saw the unification and expansion of the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj as well as a desperate attempt by the Great Kingdom to reclaim its former glories.

Fronts of the war

The North

The Empire of Iuz manipulated the Thillonrian tribal groups to attack Stonehold and had the Fists attack Tenh.[4] Iuz then waged war against the nations surrounding his own "empire"; Bandit Kingdoms, Horned Society, and Shield Lands.[4] He nearly overextended his armies in pushing south to attack Furyondy, and the extended and costly war with Furyondy saw the loss of tens of thousands of lives.[5]

The East

The Great Kingdom turned its sights on neighboring realms Nyrond and Almor.[4]

The West

Geoff and Sterich were invaded by giants. Ket invaded and occupied Bissel.[4]

South

The disparate tribes of the Pomarj swarm northward out of the peninsula, attacking the Wild Coast and throw themselves eastward against the iron shield that is the dwarves of the Principality of Ulek. The eastern half of the Principality is lost.[4]

The Scarlet Brotherhood silently work against nations all over the Flanaess, but when they throw off their disguises and come out of hiding, they take the Hold of the Sea Princes, Idee, Onnwal, and the Lordship of the Isles from within.

End of the war

Hostilities were ended in 584 CY when the Scarlet Brotherhood, for unknown reasons, put out the first call for a "grand truce".[6] Then, a peace conference was convened in Harvester 584 CY[6] which was known as the "Great Council". It lasted six months.[6]

Rary the Traitor attempted to interrupt the Day of Great Signing and some members of the Circle of Eight died in the Battle of the Grand Hall. Following, the treaty was immediately ratified by the delegates of the Grand Council.[6]

The final Pact of Greyhawk was brokered in the Free City of Greyhawk, which was removed from the areas of battle and had been largely unaffected by the Wars. The Wars came to be named for the city as a result.

Aftermath and dissolution

The year of the signing of the Pact of Greyhawk (585 CY) is known as the Year of Peace, though this is something of a slight misnomer.[7][8] There was "peace" in that there was no longer continent-wide wars, but there was still some strife, skirmishes, and though a much-reduced level of hostilities.[9][10][11]

Raids and forays were frequently denied as being ordered by national rulers.[10] Rulers often claimed such were "due to poor discipline, retaliations, preemptive strikes against warlike preparations and so forth. ...The ambassadors ... blame the other for skirmish battles and trot out their own excuses."[10]

Furyondy, though, continued to work against Iuz, seeking to "deal a telling blow" against him, heedless of the Pact.[12] In direct violation of the Treaty, King Belvor IV began the Great Northern Crusade to reclaim the lands taken by Iuz in the Great War.[13][14] Also, "once the Pact of Greyhawk was discarded by Furyondy and Veluna in 586 CY, other nations also disregarded it and began claiming or reclaiming territory they desired."[15][16] Afterward, the Pact is no longer in force.[17]

Publication history

TSR made a meaningful shift in the World of Greyhawk™ in 1991. The Greyhawk Wars are the in-game catalyst used to allow TSR game developers, principally Carl Sargent, to take the setting in a new direction.

The storyline leading up to the Greyhawk Wars is presented in the 1991 adventures Five Shall Be One[18] and Howl from the North[19] (WGS1 and WGS2). These adventures were intended to enable DMs to involve their players in the events that precipitate the start of the Wars.

TSR published the official version of the history of the Wars themselves in the Adventurer's Book, included as a component of David Cook's 1991 board game Greyhawk Wars. This official timeline and description of events was later re-posted on the WotC *Wizards.com* website.[20] The board game allowed participants to play the events of the Wars as a strategic simulation, controlling various political entities, military units, and heroes of the World of Greyhawk in competition with other players.

Meanwhile, game developer Carl Sargent had been working on a significant update for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting as a whole. This was published in 1992 as a boxed set entitled From the Ashes. The boxed set detailed the situation on the Flanaess in the aftermath of the Greyhawk Wars. From the Ashes was followed in 1993 by a series of Sargent sourcebooks and adventures providing additional information regarding the updated setting, including The Marklands,[21] Iuz the Evil,[22] and City of Skulls.[23]

The tone of Sargent's post-Wars material was intentionally darker and more grim than pre-Wars TSR publications. These changes generated mixed reactions from fans of the setting, failed to sufficiently revive sales and led to TSR's cancellation of the product line in late 1993.

See Also

See also:

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

References

Notes

Citations

  1. 1993 Trading Cards, card #307 of 495, Morgan Ravenstar
  2. Wars (1991), p.30-31, Adventurer's Book.
  3. Wars (1991), p.3, 8, Rulebook.
  4. a b c d e The Adventure Begins (1998), p.19.
  5. WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.4.
  6. a b c d Wars (1991), p.24, Adventurer's Book.
  7. From the Ashes (1992), p.9, Atlas.
  8. From the Ashes (1992), p.20-21, Atlas.
  9. WGR5 Iuz the Evil (1993), p.46.
  10. a b c WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.38.
  11. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.16.
  12. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.47.
  13. Player's Guide (1998), p.12, 24.
  14. The Adventure Begins (1998), p.20.
  15. Player's Guide (1998), p.12.
  16. The Adventure Begins (1998), p.31.
  17. The Adventure Begins (1998), p.5.
  18. Sargent, Carl (1991) Five Shall Be One, WGS1, TSR, inc., p. 63 ISBN: 1-56076-070-2. 9317xxx1501
  19. Henson, Dale “Slade” (1991) Howl From the North, WGS2, TSR, inc., p. 63 ISBN: 1-56076-143-1. 9337XXX1401
  20. Cook, David "Zeb". Official History of the Greyhawk Wars. Wizards.com. WotC, 1999. Archived from the original on 10 February 2001. Retrieved on 8 March 2023.
  21. Sargent, Carl (1993) The Marklands, WGR4, TSR, inc., p. 95 ISBN: 1-56076-559-3. 9398XXX1501
  22. Sargent, Carl (1993) Iuz the Evil, WGR5, TSR, inc. 9399
  23. Sargent, Carl (1993) The City of Skulls, WGR6, TSR, inc., p. 63 ISBN: 1-56076-608-5. 9405XXX1501

Bibliography

———. "Campaign Journal: The Sea Barons." Dragon #206. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
———. The City of Skulls. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
———. "Fiend Knights and Dark Artifacts." Dragon #206. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
———. Five Shall be One. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991.
———. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
———. "Greyhawk Campaign Journal: Risen from the Ashes." Dragon #191. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
———. Iuz the Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
———. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995 (unpublished). Available online:[1]
———. The Marklands. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
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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 Wars Adventure Dungeon magazine #073 58
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dungeon magazine #105 70
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dungeon magazine #114 103
Greyhawk Wars Adventure The Fright At Tristor 3, 7
Greyhawk Wars Adventure From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 2, 6, 9, 17, 19, 20, 25, 27, 28, 33, 35-44, 46, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 82-85, 89
Greyhawk Wars Adventure From the Ashes: Campaign Book 3-5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 17, 40, 41, 47, 49
Greyhawk Wars Adventure From the Ashes: References Card #1
Greyhawk Wars Adventure From the Ashes: References Card #2
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Ivid the Undying 2, 5, 19, 22, 25, 26, 44, 62, 80, 88, 98, 123, 126, 128, 134, 138, 140, 154, 156, 159, 160, Back Cover
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e Dis, 6, 8, 12, 15, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 44, 55, 56, 62, 64, 74, 75, 84, 89, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 105, 106, 109, 110, 112
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 15, 24, 25, 29, 30, 35, 40, 42, 44, 46, 47, 52, 53, 55, 58, 59, 62, 66, 67, 69, 72, 74, 75, 78, 80, 82, 86, 87, 88, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98, 100, 101, 106, 109, 112, 113, 115, 117, 118, 119, 123, 124, 126, 127, 128, 130, 132, 134, 138, 140, 141, 147, 148, 149, 156, 158, 159, 160, 173
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Living Greyhawk Journal #0 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Living Greyhawk Journal #1 14, 17, 26, 28, 30
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Living Greyhawk Journal #2 8, 29
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Living Greyhawk Journal #3 27, 30
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Living Greyhawk Journal #4 4, 9, 29, 31
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Living Greyhawk Journal #5 29
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Escape from Scant, RPGA 13
Greyhawk Wars Adventure To Catch A Traitor, RPGA 6, 11
Greyhawk Wars Adventure The Glaive's Gambit, RPGA 4
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Player's Guide to Greyhawk 4-6, 10-12, 16, 21, 23-28, 30, 38, 48, 55
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Polyhedron magazine #129 39
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Polyhedron magazine #163 108, 109, 112
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Return of the Eight 2, 3, 20, 47, 58, 59
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Slavers, AD&D 2e 6, 32, 38, 48, 61, 79, 105, 120, 122
Greyhawk Wars Adventure The Adventure Begins 1-6, 8, 15, 17, 19, 25, 27-31, 33, 38, 40, 43, 47, 54, 62, 65, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 76, 80, 85, 88, 89, 94, 99, 101, 105, 108, 110, 113-119, 122, 127
Greyhawk Wars Adventure LT3 The Doomgrinder 16
Greyhawk Wars Adventure The Scarlet Brotherhood 5, 12, 17, 34, 83
Greyhawk Wars Adventure War Captain's Companion Boxed Set: Book 1 38
Greyhawk Wars Adventure WGM1 Borderwatch 2, 24
Greyhawk Wars Adventure WGR4 The Marklands 2, 9, 10, 58, 90
Greyhawk Wars Adventure WGR5 Iuz the Evil 2, 6, 7, 42, 66, 76, 96
Greyhawk Wars Adventure WGR6 City of Skulls 10, 62
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Against The Giants: The Liberation of Geoff 63
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #195 94, 96
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #204 53
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #206 35
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #225 50, 52
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #230 8
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #233 92
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #241 44, 76, 80
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #245 73
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #256 51
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #262 38
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #263 47, 49
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #268 70
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #269 65
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #270 60, 76
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #281 39
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #291 95
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #293 92, 93, 94
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #294 93, 95
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #297 92
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #298 84, 86
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #300 89, 92
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #301 89
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #302 99
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #306 97, 100
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #AN3 21, 22
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dragon magazine #AN4 20
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dungeon magazine #041 46
Greyhawk Wars Adventure Dungeon magazine #053 35
Greyhawk Wars box set Publication Supplement, CGR1 The Complete Spacefarer's Handbook 10
Greyhawk Wars box set Publication Supplement, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 2, 9
Greyhawk Wars box set Publication Supplement, Ivid the Undying 5
Greyhawk Wars box set Publication Supplement, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 6
Greyhawk Wars box set Publication Supplement, WGS2 Howl From the North 5, 42, 54