Gnatmarsh
The Gnatmarsh is an extensive area of very treacherous wetlands on the western border of Nyrond.
Geography
The Gnatmarsh stretches along the east bank of the Nesser River from the Celadon Forest to below the joining of the Duntide River, which feeds into it.[1] The Nesser River would be the preferred means of travel between the Nyr Dyv and Sea of Gearnat if not for the Gnatmarsh, as it is navigable for its whole length even to deep-draft seafaring ships[2]. It is still well traveled except in the summer when insect swarms are horrific.
History
The area was previously the lair of the Weird of Gnatmarsh, the leader of a witches coven, until defeated by Warnes Starcoat and companions in 575 CY.
Following the Greyhawk Wars and the general breakdown of the economy and administration in Nyrond in the years following, soldiers and militia means to patrol the northern margins of the Gnatmarsh from Callistor and along the Nesser and Duntide rivers did not, allowing monsters to emerge from the swamp and attack locals and ships.[3]
In 591 CY rumors arose that an illegitimate son of King Lynwerd had surfaced among the witches of the Gnatmarsh.[4]
Ecology
These bogs are home to many ghastly creatures and spawn myriad of biting insects during the summer months.[5] The swamp is a source of disease as a result.[6]
Nearby Callistor is a market for produce harvested by locals, including swamp hay, trapped animals and birds, and the great eels to be found there.[7]
Inhabitants
The infestation of monsters discourages heavier use of the Nesser River as a trade route.[8]
Local swamp-folk pole about on flat-bottomed boats, fishing and trapping in their small, often untrustworthy punts with sharpened wooden spears, snares and few real weapons. [9]
Inhabitants include[10]:
- Lizardfolk.
- Trogolydtes.
- Alligators.
- Otyughs.
- Giant eels.
- Human bandits.
Rumoured inhabitants in 586 CY included[11]:
- A green dragon.
- Two headed marsh trolls.
- Liches.
- Swamp water elementals.
Features and settlements
While there are presumably small settlements of bandits, humans and other humanoids in the Gnatmarsh, none are known or of note.
Notable features and locations include:
- The sunken tower of the Weird of Gnatmarsh.
Gnatmarsh in Living Greyhawk
Gallery
Maps
External links
References
Citations
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting, pp.51 & 54
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.152
- ↑ The Marklands, pp.61-62, 70
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.79
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting, p.51
- ↑ The Marklands, p.70
- ↑ The Marklands, p.70
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.153
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.154
- ↑ The Marklands, p.70
- ↑ The Marklands, p.71
Bibliography
- Gygax, Gary. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983 (ISBN 0-88038-344-5).
- Sargent, Carl. The Marklands. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 51, 54, 56 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 19 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Dragon magazine #191 | 66 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 61, 63 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | From the Ashes: References Card | #12 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Greyhawk Adventures | 74 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 79, 153 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 11 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 29 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Night Arrant | 122, 129, 147, 149 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Oerth Journal #08 | 36 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Oerth Journal #31 | 17,18,19 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 9, 40 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Return of the Eight | 59 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | Saga of Old City | 7, 288 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | The Adventure Begins | 54 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | WG6 Isle of the Ape | 27 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | 21, 23, 25 |
| Gnatmarsh | Geographical feature | Marsh, | WGR4 The Marklands | 61, 62, 69, 70 |
| Staff of Gnatmarsh | Item | Encyclopedia Magica - Volume IV | 1281 | |
| Staff of Gnatmarsh | Item | Greyhawk Adventures | 74 | |
| Weird of Gnatmarsh | Non-player character | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 153 | |
| Weird of Gnatmarsh | Non-player character | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 11 | |
| Weird of Gnatmarsh | Non-player character | Return of the Eight | 59 | |
| Weird of Gnatmarsh | Non-player character | WG6 Isle of the Ape | 27 |