Hestmark Peaks

The Glorioles are the only mountains of note in the southeast Flanaess. They are visible from the capitals of Ahlissa and Sunndi, yet they are low and worn by age compared to many of the mountain reaches of the Flanaess.

Ecology and inhabitants

Flora

The forests that cloak the Glorioles are primarily coniferous, but include firs, larches, birches, and oaks. Rain is frequent in these peaks, and the low-lying areas are swampy. In the forests can be found grasses, mosses, ferns, heather, whortleberry, and cranberry, with bracken and wildflowers in the clearings. Fungi and medicinal herbs abound.

Fauna

Sleek panthers can be found in the Glorioles, especially near Mount Bolwhurgirn, also called Panther Peak. Insect swarms are a problem in the swampy lowlands during the summer months, and bird species include sparrowhawks, blackbirds, woodpeckers, and finches. Badgers, rabbits, foxes, and squirrels are common.

Inhabitants

The humans who live in the lowlands of the Glorioles are of Flan descent, with strong Oeridian admixture. Halflings and gnomes live among them in harmony, preferring homes that blend with the natural features. Refugees from Almor can also be found in the area.

More dangerously, tribes of stone giants and hill giants can be found in the peaks, ancient enemies of the dwarves. They are served by ogres and ruled by shamans of Grolantor. Trolls can also be found in the area, some of them also serving Grolantor's faithful.

Features and settlements

The Glorioles are, first and foremost, the home of the dwarven kingdom of Glorvardum. The Crypts of Iron Souls is a Fading Land constructed by the dwarves. Settlements of humans, gnomes, and halflings exist on the lower slopes.

The Glorioles are dominated by two major mountains and a number of minor ones.

• Kilvangath is the Dwarven word for the mountain known as Kroonburzh by the lowlanders.
• Bolwhurgirn is the Dwarven word for the mountain known as Parentarr by the lowlanders. It is also known, less formally, as Panther Peak.

The foothills of the Glorioles descend in a series of gradual plateaus many miles from the actual range, blending with the Hestmark Highlands to the south and the Rieuwood to the west.

Passes

• The Pass of Anbek is one of several deep passes that Sunndi with the outside world. It is strongly held by the dwarves of Glorvardum.
• Another pass leads directly to Pitchfield, Sunndi's capital, and has thus been the site of many battles. This one has alternately be held by the dwarves, giants, and Great Kingdom, but it is currently firmly controlled by the Sunndians.

References

Bibliography

• Broadhurst, Creighton, Paul Looby, and Stuart Kerrigan. "Fading Lands." Wizards of the Coast. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004. Available online: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg/lgmp/20040323a
• -----. "The Glorioles." Wizards of the Coast. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004. Available online: [1]
• -----. "Glorvardum." Wizards of the Coast. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004. Available online: [2]

• 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.

• Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.

Zavoda Index Entry

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index page has a list of sources, abbreviations, and a link to the full index.