Dimre
| Dimre | |
|---|---|
| Error creating thumbnail: File missing The heraldry of Dimre, illustrated by Anna Meyer (2024). | |
| General information | |
| Other names: | Grand Theocracy of Dimre |
| Region: | Bandit Kingdoms |
| Government | |
| Ruler: | Szek (or "High Canon") Winvid |
| Government: | Theocracy |
| Established: | c.300-350 CY[1] |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Pholtus |
The Grand Theocracy of Dimre is a minor realm found in the Bandit Kingdoms in the Northern Flanaess. It is reknown primarily for being a nation with a reputation for religious intolerance.
Description
Dimre is considered one of the more powerful Bandit Kingdoms[2] because they can hold their own domain against rivals which might challenge them.[3]
History
"A small, powerful state, Dimre once raided Tenh and Nyrond through the Phostwood and Nutherwood. Founded prior to the Great Council of Rel Mord by the charismatic canon of a heretical apostate cult of Pholtus, Dimre is greatly reviled in the Pale. Brave young templars are often sent by the Pale’s theocrat to undermine the little realm. The appalling failure rate of such endeavors has led many to suggest (in private) that Dimre presents the Pale with a convenient means for disposing of challengers to the status quo. After several embarrassing defeats in the summer of 583 CY, even the armies of Iuz chose to let matters stand, signing a pact of nonaggression and alliance with Dimre.... Dimre’s clergy preaches that to understand the glory of Light, one must first walk hand-in-hand with Darkness. Its army keeps watch on all borders, allowing none but the faithful to pass into their sacred land."[2]
Geography
"Dimre includes the far end of the Phostwood west of the Artonsamay, and the plains 60-75 miles west of that wooded bend in the river. "[2]
Government
Szek Winvid has been in charge of the Theocracy of Dimre from at least 579 CY through at least 591 CY. In Living Greyhawk, Winvid dies of a stroke in 596 CY (see below).
Military
Land forces
The Theocracy has a respectably-sized infantry and cavalry (300 and 500, repectively, in spring 579 CY).[4][5] While not the largest in the region, by far, they are well-trained and disciplined formal military.
In Living Greyhawk
 | This section contains content from the Living Greyhawk organized-play campaign. |
| Dimre | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General information | |||||||||
| Other names: | Grand Theocracy of Dimre | ||||||||
| Demonym: | Dimrite | ||||||||
| Region: | Bandit Kingdoms | ||||||||
| Government | |||||||||
| Ruler: | High Canon Winvid | ||||||||
| Government: | Theocracy | ||||||||
| Alignments: | Lawful neutral (LE) | ||||||||
| Established: | 350 CY[6] | ||||||||
| Demographics | |||||||||
| Capital: | Falschheit (5,600) | ||||||||
| Major towns: | Klagenfurt (1,850), Krostenburg (1,820), Lippstadt (1,480), Rostock (2,100), Steyr (1,390), Thun (1,710), Ulm (1,950), Zwickau (1,260) | ||||||||
| Population: | 37,000 (plus unknown amount of refugee “converts” from Tenh) | ||||||||
| Races: |
| ||||||||
| Groups | |||||||||
| Religions: | Pholtus | ||||||||
| Miscellaneous | |||||||||
| Resources: | Beats, potatoes, goat, phostwood, humanoid slaves | ||||||||
| Coinage: | Dimre produces its own currency | ||||||||
| These statistics only apply to Dimre in the Living Greyhawk campaign (591-598 CY).[6] | |||||||||
History
Geography
Terrain and climate
"It is a flat, ugly landscape, with little appealing to it save for a short span during the early spring months when the plains are aflame with wildflowers of wondrous variety. These blooms are among the few things that grow with any regularity in this place. The land is pocked with stony outgrowths, making it difficult to till. While the Phostwood sits hauntingly beautiful on its sunrise face, the other trees which grow here are stunted and thorny, and burn with a greasy black smoke."[6]
Borders
The Theocracy is bordered to the north by the Artonsamay River, and also to the east by the Artonsamay where it turns to run north-south through the western edge of the Phostwood and Nutherwood, which form the eastern border of Dimre. To the south of Dimre lies the lands controlled by Stoink. The Rift Barrens are to the west, and Johrase to the northwest.
Religion
The dichotomy of the Light and Darkness mentioned in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000) ("To understand the glory of Light, one must first walk hand−in−hand with Darkness.")[2] is expanded in Living Greyhawk, and the religious doctrine is given a name—the Ebongleam. It is detailed in "the fourth book in the holy text of The Blinding Light".[6]
In Falscheit, the capital of Dimre, the temple of Pholtus directs the nation's priests and law. The temple itself, called the Masak, is an enormous structure of stone and mortar built in 350 CY. It is sparsely furnished and spartan, unlike many other temples of Pholtus.[7]
Notable individuals
The following characters are prominent figures in Dimre:[8]
- High Canon Szek Winvid—Priest of the Ebongleam, died of a stroke just after his 60th birthday. Served as High Canon for over 20 years, was the 9th High Canon.
- High Canon Oslin Danris, priest of the Ebongleam, succeeded Winvid as High Canon in 596 CY[9][10]
- Canon Morja Keylian—Priestess of the Ebongleam
- Canon Berristan Tarth—Priest of the Ebongleam[note 1]
- Lord Aegon Santagar—High General of the Armies of Dimre[note 1]
- Lord Inquisitor Varys Harlaw—Head of Internal Affairs[note 1]
- Lord Inquisitor Cersai Wylde—Head of Intelligence[note 1]
Society and culture
Law
Magic
Historically, arcane spellcasters were not tolerated in Dimre and they were widely scorned. Szek Winvid changed that in later years, bringing magic users into national serviceusing them in the military and as inquisitors.[8]
Due to the non-aggressdion pact with the Empire of Iuz, only some people were allowed to openly cast spells in Dimre, and only if they openly and truthfully identified themselves as agents of the Ebongleam. These included the clergy of Pholtus, Inquisitors, and spies of the Ebongleam.
Government
In Ready’reat of 596 CY, "Szek Winvid of Dimre dies of a stroke. On his deathbed, he prophesies that a great evil will befall the Bluff Hills area unless the sword Knight’s Herald is taken to Groucester. In addition, he proclaims Osilin Danris (secretly a Palish spy) to be his successor. Osilin is confirmed as the new Szek after the mourning period is over."[9][10] Oslin Danris later converted to the worship of the Ebongleam.[11]
In 591 CY], "Dimre is technically governed from Stoink [by forces of Iuz, though it is autonomous in reality."[12]
In addition to the Canons directly beneath the High Canon (Szek), the Theocracy has a Cabinet which advises the High Canon.
Military
Citizens may be called upon by Dimre officials for military service. It is both mandated legally, and compulsory. Refusing service carries the possibility of capital punishment. This is known as the "Law of Servitude".[13]
Land forces
Relationships
Enemies
Allies
Other
Economy
Resources
Beats, Potatoes, Goat, Phostwood, Humanoid Slaves[6]
Trade
The main export from Dimre is worked Phostwood.[6]
The town of Krostenburg is Dimre's chief trade center for locations within the rest of the Bandit Kingdoms.
Currency
Like many of the other realms in the Combination of Free Lords, Dimre produces it's own currency.[12]
Taxation
"Taxation is relatively light, though farmers are expected to surrender a portion of their crops to the priests at the Masak."[6]
Travel
External links
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
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.19, Catalogue.
- ↑ a b c d Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.26.
- ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.22, Atlas.
- ↑ Dragon #56 (Dec 1981), p.21.
- ↑ "Where the Bandits are". Dragon #63 (Jul 1982), p.14.
- ↑ a b c d e f g Living Greyhawk Bandit Kingdoms Meta-Org Guidebook (2006) (RPGA) , p.20.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Bandit Kingdoms Meta-Org Guidebook (2006) (RPGA) , p.21.
- ↑ a b Living Greyhawk Bandit Kingdoms Meta-Org Guidebook (2006) (RPGA) , p.22.
- ↑ a b Unofficial Living Greyhawk Bandit Kingdoms Summary (2012), p.74.
- ↑ a b Of Ruin, Restitution, and Revival (2006) (RPGA)'.
- ↑ Unofficial Living Greyhawk Bandit Kingdoms Summary (2012), p.40.
- ↑ a b Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.20.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Bandit Kingdoms Meta-Org Guidebook (2006) (RPGA) , p.23.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimre, Grand Theocracy of | Kingdom | Bandit Kingdoms, | Dragon magazine #056 | 21 |
| Dimre, Grand Theocracy of | Kingdom | Bandit Kingdoms, | Dragon magazine #063 | 14 |
| Dimre, Grand Theocracy of | Kingdom | Bandit Kingdoms, | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 22 |
| Dimre, Grand Theocracy of | Kingdom | Bandit Kingdoms, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 26, 27, 30, 31, 114 |
| Dimre, Grand Theocracy of | Kingdom | Bandit Kingdoms, | WG12 Vale of the Mage | 48 |
| Dimre, Grand Theocracy of | Kingdom | Bandit Kingdoms, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IC |
| Dimre, Grand Theocracy of | Kingdom | Bandit Kingdoms, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IC |
| Dimre, Grand Theocracy of | Kingdom | Bandit Kingdoms, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | IBC |