Lordship of the Isles
| The Lordship of the Isles | |
|---|---|
 The arms of the Lordship of the Isles, as depicted in the Living Greyhawk Gazeteer (2000). | |
| General information | |
| Region: | Old Aerdy East |
| Government | |
| Ruler: | Prince Frolmar Ingerskatti |
| Government: | "Independent monarchy" (principality), actually a puppet of the Scarlet Brotherhood |
| Alignments: | N, CN, NE*, LE, CE |
| Demographics | |
| Capital: | Sulward |
| Provinces: | Seven islands: duchy of Diran, duchy of Ansabo, duchy of Ganode, county of Jehlum, county of Mirim, county of Luda, barony of Temil |
| Population: | 266,000 |
| Races: | Human 79% (Soz), High Elf 9%, Halfling 5%, Dwarf 3%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1% |
| Languages: | Common, Ancient Suloise, Elven, Halfling |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Osprem, Xerbo, Norebo, Syrul, Wee Jas, other Suloise gods |
| Allies: | Scarlet Brotherhood |
| Enemies: | Sea Barons, Iron League, Lendore Isles (distrusted), Ahlissa (distrusted) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Resources: | Rare woods, spices, shipbuilding supplies, sugarcane, pineapple, coffee |
| Coinage: | Great anchor (pp), sunship (gp), dolphin (ep), trident (sp), shelly (cp) |
The Lordship of the Isles is a series of small island states off the eastern coast of the Flanaess between the Aerdi Sea and the Oljatt Sea. The islands are also known as the Duxchan Islands, part of the Asperdi-Duxchan archipelago.
History
Nearly a thousand years ago, Suel migrants sailed to the Duxchan Islands, conquering the Olman, and Touv who already occupied the isles.
When the Aerdi expanded south into Sunndi, they had control of the entire Flannaess' Solnor Ocean coast, and desired to add the islands that would give them control over the seaways to their empire. By this time, people of Suel descent had been ruling the Duxchans for centuries. While the islands that would become known as the Dominion of the Sea Barons were colonized quickly, the Duxchans offered considerable resistance, as its inhabitants were feared and capable pirates.
In 166 CY, Overking Erhart II committed his combined navies to put an end to the Duxchaner marauding after they set the Pontylver shipyards ablaze. Lord Admiral Aeodorich of House Atirr led the fleet; the town of Dullstrand was founded to be the base for the invasion. After less than two years of warfare, Atirr's armada defeated the Duxchaners and their allies at the Battle of Ganode Bay. Subsequently, the Aerdi settled the Duxchan Islands in great numbers, founding the city of Sulward as their capital. The population of the islands, however, remained largely Suel, with local Suel lords incorporated into the new government. An Aerdi lord, subject to the herzog of South Province, was appointed as the prince of the new Lordship of the Isles.
The island lords became rich from southern trade over the next few centuries. The population of Ansabo was still viewed as piratical, but they were kept in check.
The prince of the Isles joined the Iron League in 448, after the Turmoil Between Crowns brought the fiend-seeing house of Naelax to the Great Kingdom's throne. In retribution, the overking gave letters of marque to the Sea Barons, allowing them to target any Lordship vessel. The two island nations have fought many battles since then, cumulating in the Battle of Medegia in 572 CY. In 564 CY, the Suel-descended duke Latmac Ranold of Ansabo became the new prince of the Isles after the Oeridian lords failed to agree upon a suitable heir. After the battle of Medegia, his prestige was badly shattered and his previously tight grip on power loosened.
Prince Ranold was deposed during the Greyhawk Wars, when a little-known Suloise man called Folmar Ingerskatti of Ganode took power. Prince Ingerskatti withdrew the Lordship of the Isles from the Iron League and allied the nation with the Scarlet Brotherhood. Most are aware that Ingerskatti is nothing but a puppet for the Brotherhood, but little can be done about it. Many other nobles throughout the realm have fallen, especially Oeridian ones, replaced with loyal Suel.
As of 590 CY, open warfare has broken out between the Lordship and the free ports of the Azure Sea, although Olinstaad Corond of the Principality of Ulek has in desperation agreed to ally with the Lordship, giving them free access to his port in the city of Gryrax.
Geography and climate
The seven islands of the Lordship separate the Aerdi Sea from the Oljatt Sea. Their climate is tropical, with extreme heat and humidity year round, save during the tropical storms that blow in the Oljatt during Low Summer.
The three largest islands are the duchies of Diren, Ansabo, and Ganode. Three smaller islands, the counties of Jehlum, Mirim, and Luda, are next largest. Finally, the tiny island of Temil, barely thirty miles in length, is ruled by a petty baron subject to the duke of Diren.
People
The humans of the Lordship are mainly Suloise, especially in Ansabo and Ganode. Oeridian blood is most common in Diren, Jehlum, Mirim, and Luda. Olman and Touv-descended people are common throughout the isles, but they are considered lower-caste and often enslaved by the gentry.
Government
Economy
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.