Pale: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Realm | ||
|image = | |image = [[Image:Pale01.jpg]] | ||
|caption = | |caption = The arms of the Pale, as depicted in the ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]'' (2000). | ||
|name = Theocracy of the Pale | |name = Theocracy of the Pale | ||
|motto = | |motto = | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
|ruler = Theocrat [[Ogon Tillit]] | |ruler = Theocrat [[Ogon Tillit]] | ||
|government = Theocracy | |government = Theocracy | ||
|established = 450 | |established = 450 | ||
|capital = [[Wintershiven]] | |capital = [[Wintershiven]] | ||
| | |major_towns = [[Eltison]], [[Hawkburgh]], [[Hatherleigh]], [[Holdworthy]], [[Landigard]], [[Ogburgh]], [[Rakervale]], [[Stradsett]], Wintershiven | ||
|provinces = Twenty-seven city wards and low dices divided unevenly among nine archdioceses | |provinces = Twenty-seven city wards and low dices divided unevenly among nine archdioceses | ||
|resources = Foodstuffs, copper, gems (IV) | |resources = Foodstuffs, copper, gems (IV) | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
A land of moderate size, the Pale is | A land of moderate size, the Pale is bordered by the [[Rakers]], the [[Phostwood]], and the [[Gamboge Forest]]. The Pale is divided into nine archdioceses. | ||
===Climate=== | ===Climate=== | ||
It is said the Pale has only two seasons, the unbearable winter and the barely bearable summer, when crops can, with difficulty, be grown. | It is said the Pale has only two seasons, the unbearable winter and the barely bearable [[summer]], when crops can, with difficulty, be grown. | ||
==People== | ==People== | ||
| Line 52: | Line 51: | ||
===Languages=== | ===Languages=== | ||
As a former province of the [[Great Kingdom]], [[ | As a former province of the [[Great Kingdom]], [[Languages|Common]] is a very common language in the Pale. The [[Languages|Flan]] spoken in neighboring Tenh is also spoken in the nation. | ||
==Government== | ==Government== | ||
| Line 62: | Line 61: | ||
===Executive branch=== | ===Executive branch=== | ||
The Theocrat is selected from the Council of the Nine, and believed to be chosen by Pholtus himself to rule from the Throne of the Sun for the rest of his life. | The Theocrat is selected from the Council of the Nine, and believed to be chosen by Pholtus himself to rule from the Throne of the Sun for the rest of his life. | ||
[[Ogon Tillit]] (LN male human Clr16 of Pholtus) is the Theocrat from before [[576 CY]]{{csb|WoG|30}} and well after [[591 CY]].{{csb|LGG|80}} | |||
===Legislative branch=== | ===Legislative branch=== | ||
| Line 85: | Line 86: | ||
The [[Templars of the Church Militant]] work within the religious and military hierarchies, and are charged with conducting the Inquisition. The roaming High Legates are particularly feared for their ability to put those they meet to the Question. The soldiery of the Pale boasts some of the best training in the Flanaess, and the nation's borders are well patrolled and defended. Travel within the Pale is more peaceful than in most lands although the [[Troll Fens]] remain deadly. | The [[Templars of the Church Militant]] work within the religious and military hierarchies, and are charged with conducting the Inquisition. The roaming High Legates are particularly feared for their ability to put those they meet to the Question. The soldiery of the Pale boasts some of the best training in the Flanaess, and the nation's borders are well patrolled and defended. Travel within the Pale is more peaceful than in most lands although the [[Troll Fens]] remain deadly. | ||
==Bibliography== | == References == | ||
=== Notes === | |||
<references group="note" /> | |||
=== Citations === | |||
<references /> | |||
=== Bibliography === | |||
*[[Gygax, Gary]]. ''The World of Greyhawk''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980. | *[[Gygax, Gary]]. ''The World of Greyhawk''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980. | ||
:———. ''[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983. | |||
*[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K. Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. | *[[Gary Holian|Holian, Gary]], [[Erik Mona]], [[Sean K. Reynolds]], and [[Frederick Weining]]. ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. | ||
*[[Lenard Lakofka|Lakofka, Lenard]]. "Gods of the Suel Pantheon." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #88. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1984. | *[[Lenard Lakofka|Lakofka, Lenard]]. "Gods of the Suel Pantheon." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #88. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1984. | ||
*[[Moore, Roger E]]. ''[[The Adventure Begins]]''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998. | |||
* [[Carl Sargent|Sargent, Carl]]. ''[[Ivid the Undying]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. [https://greyhawkonline.com/download/16370/?tmstv=1727302323 PDF by William Allman with maps]. Original RTF archived:[http://web.archive.org/web/20081218001449/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads Wizards.com]. WGR7 or WGRx | |||
{{index|title=Theocracy%' AND Topic LIKE '%Pale}} | |||
[[Category:Realms]] | |||
[[Category: | |||
Latest revision as of 08:20, 2 September 2025
| Theocracy of the Pale | |
|---|---|
 The arms of the Pale, as depicted in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000). | |
| General information | |
| Region: | Old Aerdy West |
| Government | |
| Ruler: | Theocrat Ogon Tillit |
| Government: | Theocracy |
| Alignments: | LN*, LG, LE |
| Established: | 450 CY |
| Demographics | |
| Capital: | Wintershiven |
| Major towns: | Eltison, Hawkburgh, Hatherleigh, Holdworthy, Landigard, Ogburgh, Rakervale, Stradsett, Wintershiven |
| Provinces: | Twenty-seven city wards and low dices divided unevenly among nine archdioceses |
| Population: | 395,000 |
| Races: | Human 96% (FO), Halfling 2%, Elf 1%, Other 1% |
| Languages: | Common, Flan |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Pholtus*, Saint Ceril, all other religions suppressed. Beory, Phyton, Velaeri, and Wee Jas worshipped in secret |
| Allies: | Many churches of Pholtus, Tenh nobles converted to Pholtus |
| Enemies: | Dimre, Iuz, Stonehold, all orcs, goblinoids, and giants; heretics, pagans, wizards, religions with criminal or evil aspects |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Resources: | Foodstuffs, copper, gems (IV) |
| Coinage: | Bright (pp), gold glory (gp), silver sun (sp), silver moon (sp), basic (cp) |
The Pale, properly known as the Theocracy of the Pale, is a political state situated in the Old Aerdy West region of the Flanaess, west of the Rakers.
History
At the height of the Great Kingdom, the Head of the Church of Pholtus was given the title of Holy Censor, which brought duties of oversight of the court system. Later Overkings turned against the church and removed this title, prompting many Pholtus worshippers to begin feeling persecuted and flee to the area which now is the Pale. Fighting with the early settlers was Ceril the Relentless, who founded the Council of the Nine. In 342 CY, the first Theocrat of the Pale was chosen by the Council, though the land remained theoretically under Great Kingdom rule. But in 356 CY, Nyrond declared independence, claiming the Pale, which then tried to seize its own independence, but failed, remaining under Nyrondian rule.
In 450 CY, the leaders of the cult of Pholtus convinced the King of Nyrond to grant them independence in return for promises of mutual aid and assistance. This proved a hollow assurance, as the Pale's government has largely followed a policy of leaving its neighbors to be killed and then trying to bully them into handing over lands to it. It thus remained neutral in the Greyhawk wars. In 588 CY, the Pale's forces invaded and seized eastern Tenh.
Geography
A land of moderate size, the Pale is bordered by the Rakers, the Phostwood, and the Gamboge Forest. The Pale is divided into nine archdioceses.
Climate
It is said the Pale has only two seasons, the unbearable winter and the barely bearable summer, when crops can, with difficulty, be grown.
People
The native folk of the Theocracy of the Pale are primarily Flan/Oeridian hybrids, and are considered particularly handsome by folk from all corners of the Flanaess. Those with significant Flan heritage are considered lowborn by the Aerdi upper class, and intermarriage between the two groups is rare. Oddly, those with Flan heritage are considered more attractive than the purebred Aerdi. The Flan-descended Palish tend to stick to the countrysides, working as farmers and day laborers, and they tend to stick close to the "pagan" faiths persecuted by the Pholtus-worshiping Oeridians. A few Palish families contain half-elves, especially in the south.
The Pale's society has been relatively closed and stagnant since Nyrond first invaded the country more than two centuries ago, and has been living under an inquisition since that time.
Population
The Pale boasts a total population of 395,000, 96% of which are human. The others include a very small number of halflings and elves.
Religion
The faith of Pholtus, god of Light, Resolution, and Law, is the official religion of the the Pale. Religious intolerance exists within the Pale, with all religions suppressed except for that of Pholtus. A servant of Pholtus, Saint Ceril, is the Pale's patron saint.
All non-Pholtus-worshipping states and peoples of the Flanaess are considered pagans or heretics, and thus minor enemies of the state. Wizards are always suspected of heresy. The hierarchy of the Pale is particularly hostile to religions with criminal or evil aspects.
In secret, however, many leave offerings to Beory, the Oeridian agricultural gods, Phyton, and Wee Jas.
Monasteries near the western woods and the eastern foothills of the Rakers have some of the most impressive libraries and respected philosophers around.
Languages
As a former province of the Great Kingdom, Common is a very common language in the Pale. The Flan spoken in neighboring Tenh is also spoken in the nation.
Government
The Pale is a theocracy administered in the name of Pholtus. All government offices are held by Pholtan clerics. The Pale is ruled from Wintershiven by a religious bureaucracy with command over the military, law enforcement, economics, trade, and nearly every aspect of life.
Administrative divisions
The Pale is divided into nine archdioceses, which are in turn divided into twenty-seven city wards and low dioceses.
Executive branch
The Theocrat is selected from the Council of the Nine, and believed to be chosen by Pholtus himself to rule from the Throne of the Sun for the rest of his life.
Ogon Tillit (LN male human Clr16 of Pholtus) is the Theocrat from before 576 CY[1] and well after 591 CY.[2]
Legislative branch
The term "legislative branch" would be best used to describe the Council of the Nine, which assembles four times a year in Wintershiven to advise the Theocrat. However, the Theocrat's power is absolute, and all power to make laws ultimately rests in him.
Judicial branch
The judges of the Pale, like every other government official, are priests of Pholtus.
Heraldry
The Pale's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Purpure, a pale ermine between an increscent dexter and a mullet of six points sinister or.
Economy
Resources
Much of the Pale's food comes from herd animals who feed on the tough vegetation, and much food is imported from other realms. The Pale's mines yield copper and gems.
Currency
The Pale's coinage includes the Bright (platinum pieces), gold glory, silver sun, silver moon, and basic (copper pieces).
Transportation
Military
The Templars of the Church Militant work within the religious and military hierarchies, and are charged with conducting the Inquisition. The roaming High Legates are particularly feared for their ability to put those they meet to the Question. The soldiery of the Pale boasts some of the best training in the Flanaess, and the nation's borders are well patrolled and defended. Travel within the Pale is more peaceful than in most lands although the Troll Fens remain deadly.
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.30.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.80.
Bibliography
- Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
- ———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Lakofka, Lenard. "Gods of the Suel Pantheon." Dragon #88. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1984.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Sargent, Carl. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. PDF by William Allman with maps. Original RTF archived:Wizards.com. WGR7 or WGRx
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic coin - Copper Piece (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Bright coin - Electrum piece (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #294 | 28 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | The Fright At Tristor | 7 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 81, 82 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 4 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 47 |
| Gold Glory - Gold pieces (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 2, 30 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 30 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 6, 7, 9, 12, 25, 26, 34, 43 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Polyhedron magazine #163 | 111 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Return of the Eight | 59 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 44 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Saga of Old City | 7, 124, 126, 138, 145, 152, 237 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The Adventure Begins | 7, 17, 18, 23, 30, 31, 107, 108 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The Scarlet Brotherhood | 23, 24 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WG8 Fate of Istus | 14, 45, 47, 49, 50, 56, 126 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IBC, 2, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 23, 24 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WGR4 The Marklands | 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 75, 79, 80, 81, 83, 89, 90, 91, 92 , 93, 94, 95 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 48, 68, 72, 73 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WGS1 Five Shall Be One | IBC, 4 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WGS2 Howl From the North | 6, 15, 31 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 13, 20, 21, 29, 30, 37, 52, 55, 57, 59, IBC |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 10, 11, 17, 31, 32 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | B1 In Search of the Unknown (1st & 2nd printing), D&D Basic | 6 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Into the Borderlands: Original Adventures Reincarnated #01, D&D 5e | 27 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Come Endless Darkness | 38 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 3, 24 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 19 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | City of Hawks | 142 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #052 | 18, 19, 20 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #055 | 18 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #056 | 21 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #088 | 11 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #233 | 93 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #253 | 44 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #294 | 27, 28 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #297 | 92 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #306 | 95 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #315 | 52, 53, 54 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #358 | 32 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #AN4 | 20 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The Fright At Tristor | 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 27 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 4, 10, 11, 22, 24, 31, 32, 34, 45, 49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 76, 78, 90, 95 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 53, 60, 76, 96 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #1 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #10 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #2 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Greyhawk Adventures | 75, 86 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book | 7, 17, 31 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Ivid the Undying | 3, 12, 20, 35, 146 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 12, 24, 44, 59, 60, 78, 108 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | IC, 16, 25, 26, 27, 59, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 89, 96, 108, 112, 113, 114, 123, 124, 140, 141, 153 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 3, 10, 13 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #1 | 4, 30, 32 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 30 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 29 |
| Silver Moon coin - Silver pieces (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Silver Sun coin - Electrum pieces (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Throne of the Sun (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 81, 82 | |
| Throne of the Sun (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | WG8 Fate of Istus | 47 |