Sea Baronies
| Dominion of the Sea Barons | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Region: | Old Aerdy East (former Great Kingdom) |
| Government | |
| Ruler: | His Noble Prominence Basmajian Arras, Lord High Admiral of Asperdi, Commander of the Sea Barons |
| Government: | Independent feudal monarchy with hereditary leadership; a different noble family governs each island, but all owe fealty to Asperdi |
| Alignments: | CN*, CE, NE, N |
| Established: | 102 CY |
| Demographics | |
| Capital: | Asperdi |
| Provinces: | Three islands under government control; two not controlled |
| Population: | 154,000 |
| Races: | Human 79% (So), Halfling 9%, Elf 5%, Dwarf 3%, Gnome 2%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1% |
| Languages: | Common |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Procan, Xerbo, Osprem, Norebo, Syrul, Kurell, Nerull, Ralishaz, Celestian |
| Allies: | Rel Astra, Ountsy, Roland |
| Enemies: | Scarlet Brotherhood, Lordship of the Isles, Frost Barbarians, Ice Barbarians, Snow Barbarians, Lendore Isles (distrusted) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Resources: | Seafaring technology and knowledge, shipbuilding supplies |
| Coinage: | (Modified Aerdy) orb (pp), gold baron (gp), noble (ep), penny (sp), common (cp) |
The Sea Barons, properly known as the Dominion of the Sea Barons, are an independent feudal monarchy ruling, at least in name, over five islands in the Asperdi-Duxchan chain in the Solnor Ocean.
History
The region known today as the Dominion of the Sea Barons was settled by the Flan long ago. During the Great Migrations, the Suloise colonized its southern islands.
In -195 CY (or 450 OR, the calendar used at the time), some groups of mixed Oeridians and Flannae descent dwelling near the Gull Cliffs developed more advanced nautical skills than was typical for the natives of the Kingdom of Aerdy of that time and so became known as the Aquaerdians. They launched two expeditions across the Solnor Ocean; both returned with news of a habitable land far to the east, ripe for colonization though, they judged, unsuitable for trade.
In -122 CY (522 OR), disenchanted as they were with the current expansionistic politics in Aerdy, the majority of the Aquaerdians departed the Flanaess for Western Oerik; those that remained behind were among the ancestors of the Sea Barons.
After the founding of the Great Kingdom, the overkings sought to expand their dominion overseas in order to counter the raids of the barbarians of the Thillonrian Peninsula and the Suel pirates to the south. During the first century CY, Overking Manshen sent colonists to the isles and decreed a competition between the Celestial House of Garasteth and House Atirr, with the builder of the greatest fleet given rulership of the new realm. Baron Asperdi of House Atirr won handily, and the largest island was named for him and his descendants. The Oeridian colonists always avoided the Isle of Serpents, fearing its alleged curse.
With the aid of the Sea Barons and their naval prowess, the Great Kingdom captured the Suel-dominated Lordship of the Isles in 168 CY. After the founding of the Iron League, the Lordship of the Isles seceded from the Great Kingdom, and the Sea Barons and the Lordship of the Isles became deadly enemies. The Sea Barons defeated them at the Battle of Medegia in 572 CY, but the Lordship of the Isles has regained its power in recent years with the resources of the Scarlet Brotherhood at their disposal.
In 584 CY, Leastisle was sacked by marauders. Its city of Vernport is now a dangerous and anarchistic free city.
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.
- Mentzer, Frank. Doc's Island. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR Hobbies, 1983.
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
- -----. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, unpublished. Available online: [1]