Hardby

Greyhawk Realm

Gynarchy of Hardby
Hardby and environs, illustrated by Anna Meyer.
General information
Motto:	City of the Scorned
Region:	Central Flanaess
Government
Ruler:	Despotrix Ilena Norbelos
Government:	Gynarchy
Alignments:	LN
Established:	-278 CY
Demographics
Capital:	Hardby
Population:	5,100 (591 CY)
Races:	human (72%), half-orc 22%, halfling 2%, dwarf 1%, gnome 1%, half-elf 1%, elf !%
Languages:	Common
Groups
Religions:	Ehlonna, Joramy, Lirr, Mayaheine, Myrhiss, Norebo, Osprem, Pelor, Procan, Saint Cuthbert, Wee Jas, Xerbo, Zilchus
Allies:	Greyhawk City
Enemies:	Bright Lands, Pomarj

Hardby (also known as the "City of the Scorned") is a city in the Central Flanaess, in what is now known as the Domain of Greyhawk.

History

Hardby was founded in -278 CY by Ena Norbe, a Safeton wizard of Suel extraction who established the town (originally known as Norbe Harbor) as a gynarchy, to be forever ruled by women. The town has only ever had one official male ruler, Zagig Yragerne, who ruled as Despot from 339 to 351 CY. The town has been ruled by the City of Greyhawk since 582 CY, the Despotrix reduced to the status of figurehead, and resentment simmers.

Geography

Hardby is built around the eastern portion of a deep port called Hard Bay which is just off Woolly Bay, at the foothills of the Abbor-Alz hills. For many, Hardby is the gateway to the south and to the Bright Desert. The harbor itself is navigable by even large ocean-sailing ships. The southern edge of Hardby faces onto sea cliffs which help make Hard Bay more secluded and a safer harbor. There are several lighthouses along the coast near the town to help ships avoid danger. Around the western curve of the bay, following to the south opposite the cliffs is a large promontory on which rests one of the lighthouses, which also houses

In its heyday, Hardby claimed land as far north as the Neen River.

Other Towns and Villages

• Orz: A small fishing village (pop.300) known for the "Orz Aurora" which appear in the skies over the village. (entirely non-magical). The fishers are renown for using a special crossbow fitted with a fishing line attached to the barbed bolt.
• Arok's Landing: Founded by a devotee of Osprem, Arok Foamborne, who was shipwrecked here; now led by a priestess of Procan, Nawenda Foamborne, his descendant. A large number of craftspeople work and live here (pop.600) at the 3 tanneries and shipyard.
• Megas' Landing: The smallest of the local fishing villages (pop.180). An unusually orderly and communal locale where people all rise and sleep at dawn and dusk like clockwork, and the fishboats all come and go at the same times.

Estates and Manors

• Deermide's Manor:
• Hardfield Manor:
• Jonnosh Manor:
• Maynem's Manor:

Keeps and Castles

• Bright Tower Keep:
• Delway Castle:
• Storm Keep:
• Sevant's Tower:

People

Notable NPCs

Government

Hardby is still ruled in name by the Despotrix Illena Norbelos, though in practicality the town is ruled by Greyhawk's Directing Oligarchy through Military Governor Wilbrem Carister, the captain of the Hardby Marines.

Behind the scenes, Hardby is controlled by Retep Mandel. A lieutenant of Vesparian Lafanel of Greyhawk, he controls much through his network of assassins, rogues, and spies.

Administrative divisions

• Northend (High Chapel)
• Dock District
• Fish Town
• Tradetown
• The Ebbfields

Military

Hardby is protected by the Mountaineer Militia and by the Hardby Marines, both of which are controlled by the City of Greyhawk. The Marines have six war galleys and a total of 80 men, most of them lawful neutral or lawful evil. The Mountaineers have installed a garrison of about 300 men. Day to day order is maintained by a City Watch.

Gallery

• 
  by Wayne Reynolds, Slavers, p33
• 
  by Ben Wooten, Polyhedron magazine #168
• 
  Palace of the Gynarchs Dungeon #109
• 
  Dock District
  Dungeon #109
• 
  High Chapel District (Northend)
  Dungeon #109

Maps

• 
  Hardby by Sam Wood, Slavers, p35
• 
  City of Hardby by Rob Lazzaretti, Dungeon #109
• 
  Palace of the Gynarchs by Rob Lazzaretti, Dungeon #109
• 
  Woolly Bay by Rob Lazzaretti, Dungeon #109

References

Bibliography

• Brunner, Frank. "Strike on the Rabid Dawn." Dungeon #111. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004.
• 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.
• Howery, David. "Ghazal." Dungeon #30. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991.
• Looby, Paul. "Hardby: City of the Scorned". Polyhedron #168 (contained inside Dungeon #109). Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004.
• Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
• Niles, Douglas, and Carl Sargent. The City of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
• Reynolds, Sean K, and Chris Pramas. Slavers. 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.

Hardby [KNG][TWN]
        A4 Pg# - 20
        AOE Pg# - 7,71,72,75,106,159,161,231,346
        CED Pg# - 119
        COG:FFF Pg# - 9,89
        COG:GOTF Pg# - 15,16,18,32,33,45,96
        COH Pg# - 41
        DRG#191 Pg# - 65,66
        DRG#195 Pg# - 95
        DRG#262 Pg# - 40
        DUN#30 Pg# - 23,24,28,30,40
        FTAC Pg# - 1,7,10,14-17,19,21,30,47,50,58,59,66,77,
                79,85,86,88,90
        FTAR#3
        LGJ#1 Pg# - 1,26,27
        LGJ#2 Pg# - 11
        NA Pg# - 232
        PGTG Pg# - 4,5,16,33,59
        POLY#92 Pg# - 16
        SLV Pg# - 1,2,4,5,7,32-36,38,39,42,47,48,50,60,61,78,106
                109,122
        SOOC Pg# - 6,16,288,294,338
        TAB Pg# - 3-7,12,16,29,33,35,42,44,47,48,51,54,56-58,64,
                68,70,71,103,115,123
        TAB:AM Pg# - 2,3,7
        TSC Pg# - IC,3,13,14,17,30,34
        WG5 Pg# - 3,21,24
        WGA4 Pg# - 49
        WGM1 Pg# - IBC
        WOGA Pg# - 23,25,41,48
        WOGG Pg# - IBC