Eldritch Lords

Template:Greyhawk Organization The Eldritch Lords of Rel Deven are perhaps the most enigmatic group of magicians in the Flanaess. Little to nothing is known of them outside of the city of Rel Deven. This isolation began before the Greyhawk Wars, but the wars certainly aided in making the isolation thorough and complete.

History

The organization was founded in Rel Deven, one of the three great Aerdy cities of the "Enlightenment" (the others being Rel Mord and Rel Astra).

They were once an association of artificers and mages that developed, duplicated and guarded some of the ancient secrets of High Oeridian magic for the Overkings of old. Over the centuries they've created heroic weapons, staffs and symbols of office. They have even been known to ensorcel entire buildings, fortresses, towers and ships. But the Turmoil Between Crowns changed their role dramatically.

The Eldritch Lords, who are mostly of House Cranden, refused to pledge their allegiance to the first first Overking of House Naelax, Ivid I of North Province. They spirited away much of the Malachite Throne's magic which was in their care and closed their ancient and prodigious archives to the new Overking's heralds. They avowed to keep this isolationist attitude until, as they stated, "a true heir of Nasran sits upon the Celestial's Seat of Heaven." Their collective power enforced their determination in the decades between 446 CY and the Greyhawk Wars.

The organization has begun to leave off older customs, they no longer wear the stiff, high-backed lacquered collars of office that towered a foot over their shoulders. Their influence over the city of Rel Deven has grown over the course of the last century and a half as they cut all ties with Rauxes. The have unquestionably become one of the power nodes within the city.

The Overking Ivid V summoned the Eldritch Lords to his cause during the great war, they refused to answer. For that refusal, Ivid V laid siege to Rel Deven while simultaneously putting Almor and it's capital, Chathold, to the torch. The Overking dispatched 500 men from Ahlissa, in the South Province, and 1100 men from the central fiefdoms to take the city and enforce his will. Only a token force survived and reported that fiery death rained down from the heavens, swallowing the great host en masse. Rel Deven, itself, was untouched.

The long-term intentions of the Eldritch Lords continue to remain a mystery. Yet, the feeling is that some great secret lies buried beneath their cold, solemn faces.

Bibliography

• Holian, Gary. "Demogorgon's Champions: The Death Knights of Oerth, part 2." Dragon #291. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002.
• -----. "Sorcerous Societies of the Flanaess." Oerth Journal #3. Council of Greyhawk, 1996.