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History: Add fire in 508 CY. Add citation to Note for Fate of Istus dating of founding being incorrect.
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History: Amend Note as to founding to remove "incorrect" reference
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==History==
==History==
Rel Mord is one of the three [[Aerdi]] "[[Cities of Enlightenment]]",<ref>''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]'', p.93</ref> and thus built after the defeat of  Nyrond by the Aerdi at the [[Battle of a Fortnight's Length]] in [[-110 CY]].<ref group=note name=founding>''[[Fate of Istus]]'' at page 14, which is set in about [[579 CY]], suggests the city was built about 2 centuries prior, but this cannot be correct as the city was built by the Aerdi prior to Nyrond becoming independent again in [[356 CY]] per ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]'' at page 23. </ref>
Rel Mord is one of the three [[Aerdi]] "[[Cities of Enlightenment]]",<ref>''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]'', p.93</ref> and thus built after the defeat of  Nyrond by the Aerdi at the [[Battle of a Fortnight's Length]] in [[-110 CY]].<ref group=note name=founding>''[[Fate of Istus]]'' at page 14, which is set in about [[579 CY]], suggests the city was built about 2 centuries prior, but other source material indicates the city was built by the Aerdi prior to Nyrond becoming independent again in [[356 CY]] per ''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]'' at pages 23 and 77. </ref>


King [[Dunstan I]] called the [[Great Council of Rel Mord]] in the city in Harvester, [[450 CY]].<ref>''[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting]]'', p.39</ref><ref>''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]'', p.77</ref>
King [[Dunstan I]] called the [[Great Council of Rel Mord]] in the city in Harvester, [[450 CY]].<ref>''[[World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting]]'', p.39</ref><ref>''[[Living Greyhawk Gazetteer]]'', p.77</ref>

Revision as of 17:51, 4 January 2022



Greyhawk Settlement
Rel Mord
Rel Mord and environs, as shown on the Paizo map (2005).
General information
Realm:Nyrond
Size:Metropolis
Government
Authority:King Lynwerd I
Government:Hereditory monarchy
Alignment:LG, LN*, NG, CG, N
Demographics
Population:46,500 (591 CY)
Races:Human, Olve, Halfling (stout), Dwarf, Gnome, Half-elf, Half-orc
Languages:Common, Nyrondese, Old Oeridian, Elven, and Halfling
Groups
Religions:Heironeous*, Beory, Rao, Pelor, Zilchus, Norebo, Pholtus, Ralishaz, Boccob, Delleb, Celestian, Istus
Organizations:Royal University of Rel Mord, Iron Fist Guild

Rel Mord is the capital of the Kingdom of Nyrond. An impressive, walled fortress-city, Rel Mord lies upon the upper Duntide River.

History

Rel Mord is one of the three Aerdi "Cities of Enlightenment",[1] and thus built after the defeat of Nyrond by the Aerdi at the Battle of a Fortnight's Length in -110 CY.[note 1]

King Dunstan I called the Great Council of Rel Mord in the city in Harvester, 450 CY.[2][3]

In 508 CY fire destroyed much of a crowded area of residences in the western commoners' district. Over 500 people died, and during the clean up that followed laborer crews complained of hauntings and strange events which led to the area being abandoned.[4]

The city had never been scarred by warfare near the end of the 6th century (579 CY).[5]

Prior to the Greyhawk Wars the large garrison present kept civil disturbance minimal, although the trade in copper, silver and gems did attract criminal activity including violent theft.[5]

Geography

The city is located deep in Nyrond, on one of the vast grasslands that dominate the south-eastern part of the Flanaess. The Duntide River lies on the north-western edge of the city, flowing from the north-east to the south-west.[5]

Cityscape

The city has the appearance of a fortress which it was built as. Important structures such as the city walls, fortresses, fortlets, the city dungeon jail, temples and mansions are built of stone. More common buildings such as shops, poorer and more common residences, and warehouses are built of brick and timber.[5]

The city features:

  • The Royal Palace - A massive stone structure in the center of the city which is the residence of the royal family, advisers and royal officals.[5]
  • The City Fortress - A large castle featuring massive towers topped by siege engines, overlooking the Fortress Bridge and the Duntide River (which is the only gap in the city walls). Five docks service the fortress and the naval ships protecting the city.[5]
  • The City Walls - The city is surrounded by a curtain wall 30 feet high and 10 feet thick, with battlements lining the top and a small tower every 100 feet. There are 3 main gates in the city walls, each featuring a stone gatehouse, which are usually open at all times but can be closed in emergencies.[5]
  • The Fortlets - 2 small castles that provide additional strongholds to defend the city.[5]
  • Commoners' Residences - This northern districts house the city's middle class (shop owners, artisans and crafters, merchants, military officers), and these buildings range from apartments buildings (housing 3-6 families) to single dwellings housing richer families.[5]
  • Wealthy Residences - This eastern district of the city contains the small mansions of the city's upper class, being rich merchants, businessmen and minor nobles, with well groomed trees and bushes. Sentinels patrol the streets, and the mansions house servants and mercenary guards.[6]
  • Poor Residences - This western district of the city contains the poorly maintained apartment buildings housing the lower class of the city, being peddlers, laborers, tradespeople and low paid mercenaries and soldiers. Minor criminals frequent the district, and sentinels only occasionally patrol the area usually for specific purposes.[6]

Notable Locations & Buildings

These include:

  • The Iron Fist Guild Building - Headquarters of the Iron Fist Guild in Nyrond. Half of the building is a tavern and temporary barracks.[5]
  • Public Square - Paved in granite stone with a wooden stand at the southern end, here royal criers announce important news and proclamations. The square also hosts any occasional public executions by the headsman's axe. Otherwise the square is constantly is use as a thoroughfare.[5]
  • City Baths - The mainly middle and upper class clientele visit the baths which feature wooden stoves to heat river water that is then delivered (along with towels) by servants to the dozens of wooden tubs in use. In the evening the baths will be crowded by crafters and laborers after a long day's work, in the hotter months seeking a cool bath instead (at cheaper rates). The poorer elements of the city make do with bathing in the Duntide River.[5]
  • Royal University of Rel Mord, which is loosely connected to the Temple of Delleb.[6]
  • Royal Minting House - This iron clad structure used to contain the forges which minted the copper and silver coins of the realm.[6] The mint moved to Womtham in 577 CY and the building then became a dormitory and almshouse for the poor.[7]
  • Law Courts - This octagonal building houses 21 judges that deal with civil and criminal, and is guarded by sentinels whose headquarters is also housed there containing a barracks and armory. The sentinels headquarter also contains various police records and the office of the grand captain of the sentinels.[6]
  • City Dungeon - The city jail is contained in a stone building that sits atop an underground network of 5 levels of cells. The lowest level houses the "Rat Pit" containing permanent prisoners.[6]
  • Temple of Pelor - This stone building houses a modest chapel and rooms for the sick and wounded.[6]
  • Ruins - An area of the western commoners' district residences destroyed by fire in 508 CY (1152 OR). The area contains half burned sections of weak and dangerous buildings, is overgrown with bushes and small trees and is haunted which lead to much of it being abandoned and never rebuilt.[6]
  • Temple of Hextor - The building is a black marble and iron plate monument.[6]

People

Population

The human population of citizens in 576 CY was 46,500.[8]

In 591 CY, Rel Mord's total population stood at 46,500 persons.[9] This is a significant recovery from spring of 585 CY, when the city's population was recorded as 34,200 as over a quarter of its population had fled since the Greyhawk Wars.[7]

Demographics

The races of Nyrond can all be expected to be found here, being humans (with an Oeridian dominance, and Suel present, as ethnic background), Olve (mainly sylvan with a small high elf presence), Halfling (stout), Dwarf, Gnome, half-elf and half-orc.[9]

Nyrond generally is Lawful Neutral in alignment, with Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, and Neutral also prevalent.[9]

Notable Individuals

Factions & Organizations

Rel Mord hosts the headquarters of the Iron Fist Guild.[10]

Religion

Rel Mord is a center of worship for Istus.[11]

The common religions of Nyrond can be expected to be followed here, being Heironeous (the official state religion), Beory, Rao, Pelor, Zilchus, Norebo, Pholtus, Ralishaz, Boccob, Delleb, Celestian.[9]

Following the Greyhawk Wars superstitions and the worship of evil gods (including Hextor and Incabulos) began to grow as a sign of the despair of the common folk.[12]

The city features temples of:

  • Delleb.[6]
  • Pelor.[6]
  • Hextor (despite his worship being severely frowned in in Nyrond).[6]

Languages

The common languages of Nyrond can be expected to be spoken here, being Common, Nyrondese, Old Oeridian, Elven, and Halfling.[9]

Government

Rel Mord is the capital of the Kingdom of Nyrond.[13]

Following the reorganization of provincial administration under King Lynwerd I that commenced Needfest 1, 591 CY Rel Mord was placed within the Province of Justcrown.[9]

Heraldry

Economy

Rel Mord is a center of trade. Prior to the Greyhawk Wars many caravans would pass through the city travelling between Almor and north-western lands, while the Duntide River briought trade - the hillfolk of the Flinty Hills lumber trade and merchants trading precious metals and gems from dwarven mining in the Rakers.[5]

The City features a Food Market where farmers come from the surrounding countryside of the province of Justcrown to sell fresh fish, vegetables, and grain from dozens of horse carts that double as stalls. It also features a separate Goods Market where crammed covered stalls sell most wares including weaponry and armor, but rarely magical items. Despite constant policing by the local sentinels, thieves and pickpockets can still be a problem even before the Greyhawk Wars.[5]

The city features shipyards and piers in two dock areas on the Duntide River, that service merchant and passenger vessels. Three large warehouses service each dock area. The yardmaster's office is located next to the southern piers.[14]

The Royal Mint was moved to Womtham in 577 CY to be closer to the source of coinage metals (from the Flinty Hills), and by spring 585 CY the old building had become a dormitory and almshouse for the poor.[7]

Military

The city is protected by a large garrison, including light infantry, archers and artillerists.[5]

Part of the force of soldiers garrisoning Rel Mord acts as a police force known as the "sentinels", authorized to use deadly force as needed but strictly within the limits of the law.[5] The sentinels wear blue cloaks and chain mail, and officers are denoted by a silver, triangular badge.[15]

Maps

Rel Mord in the Living Greyhawk Campaign

Rel Mord featured in numerous adventures during the Living Greyhawk campaign in the Nyrond player-region. It was also detailed in the "Nyrond Gazetteer" fan-created sourcebook.

References

Notes

  1. Fate of Istus at page 14, which is set in about 579 CY, suggests the city was built about 2 centuries prior, but other source material indicates the city was built by the Aerdi prior to Nyrond becoming independent again in 356 CY per Living Greyhawk Gazetteer at pages 23 and 77.

Citations

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

City Bath (Rel Mord) Building Bath, WGR4 The Marklands IC, 78
Council of Rel Mord People Group Council, Player's Guide to Greyhawk 7
Delleb, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, Dragon magazine #263 49
Delleb, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, WG8 Fate of Istus 15, 16
Durinken of Rel Mord (Canon) Non-player character [C15], Living Greyhawk Journal #3 28
Durinken of Rel Mord (Canon) Non-player character [C15], WGR4 The Marklands 65, 91
Goods Market (Rel Mord) Place WGR4 The Marklands IC, 78
Heironeous, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, WGR4 The Marklands IC
Hextor, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, WG8 Fate of Istus 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24
Iron Fist Guild (Rel Mord) People Group Guild, WG8 Fate of Istus 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23
Iron Fist Guild (Rel Mord) People Group Guild, WGR4 The Marklands IC, 78
Iron Fist Tavern (Rel Mord) Building Tavern, WG8 Fate of Istus 19
Men O'Steel Tavern (Rel Mord) Building Tavern, WGR4 The Marklands IC, 78
One Lamp (Rel Mord) Building Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , WGR4 The Marklands IC, 78
Palindren of Rel Mord (High Priest) Non-player character WGR4 The Marklands 65, 66
Pelor, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, WG8 Fate of Istus 15, 16
Pelor, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, WGR4 The Marklands IC, 77
Pholtus, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, WGR4 The Marklands IC
Rao, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, WGR4 The Marklands IC
Rat Pit (City Dungeon) (Rel Mord) Building Jail, WG8 Fate of Istus 16
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions 8
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess 19
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Dragon magazine #057 16
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Dragon magazine #065 12
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Dragon magazine #069 28
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Dragon magazine #243 89
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Dragon magazine #263 44, 49, 50
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Dragon magazine #AN4 21
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 31, 70
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), From the Ashes: Campaign Book 64, 76
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), From the Ashes: References Card #2
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), From the Ashes: References Card #3
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Greyhawk Adventures 13, 91
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book 25, 27
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 13, 36
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 23, 26, 75, 77, 78, 82, 93, 123, 151
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Living Greyhawk Journal #0 9, 12
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Living Greyhawk Journal #2 29
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Living Greyhawk Journal #5 30
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Night Arrant 93, 94, 98, 104, 111, 122, 147, 154, 155, 157-159, 164, 169
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Sea of Death 64
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), Saga of Old City 7, 138, 227, 228, 231, 241, 242, 249, 250, 257, 278, 280, 281, 283, 287
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), The Adventure Begins 27, 28, 30, 31, 59, 85, 110, 119, 120
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), 1993 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set 455
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), LT3 The Doomgrinder 26
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), The Tomb of Horrors—Greyhawk Classics Book 7 IC
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), The Scarlet Brotherhood 35
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), WG8 Fate of Istus 1, 12, 14-17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28, 47, 62, 122
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) IBC, 13
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), WGR4 The Marklands IC, 42, 60, 63-65, 68, 69, 75-79, 82, 85, 91
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), WGS1 Five Shall Be One 29
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) IC, 29, 71
Rel Mord Settlement Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) IC, 1, 2, IBC
Rel Mord, Eight Sages of People Group Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book 25
Rel Mord, Great Council of People Group Council, Dragon magazine #AN4 21
Rel Mord, Great Council of People Group Council, From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 4, 31, 32
Rel Mord, Great Council of People Group Council, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 26, 77, 82, 123
Rel Mord, Great Council of People Group Council, The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) 13
Rel Mord, Great Council of People Group Council, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 29
Rel Mord, Royal Annals of Building Library, Living Greyhawk Journal #4 7
Rel Mord, Royal Mint of Nyrond at Building Mint, WGR4 The Marklands 82
Rel Mord, Royal University of Building College or School, Dragon magazine #263 50
Rel Mord, Royal University of Building College or School, Living Greyhawk Journal #4 5
Rel Mord, Royal University of Building College or School, WGR4 The Marklands IC, 77
Rel Mord, Treaty of Kingdom Treaty, WG8 Fate of Istus 47
Rivermans Repose (Rel Mord) Building Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , WGR4 The Marklands IC, 78
Royal Palace (Rel Mord) Place Palace, WGR4 The Marklands IC
Royal University (Rel Mord) Building College or School, WG8 Fate of Istus 15, 16
Royal University (Rel Mord) Building College or School, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 1, 2
Ryshenkens Roll (Rel Mord) Building Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , WGR4 The Marklands IC, 78
Tyrolian of Rel Mord Non-player character WGS1 Five Shall Be One 29
Xanthretyn of Rel Mord Non-player character From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess 70
Zilchus, Temple of (Rel Mord) Building Temple, WGR4 The Marklands IC