Archbold III
| Archbold III | |
|---|---|
 Archbold III of Nyrond, c. 591 CY, as depicted in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000). Art by Vince Locke. | |
| Names and titles | |
| Title(s): | (when king) His August Supremacy, King Archbold II of Nyrond; Duke of FlintHill; Altmeister of All the Aerdi, etc. |
| General info | |
| Occupation: | Former King |
| Home: | Nyrond |
| Alignment: | Lawful Good |
| Gender: | Male |
| Species: | Human |
| Ethnicity: | Oeridian |
| Class: | Fighter 17 (585 CY) |
| Dates | |
| Age: | c. 68 (at death) |
| Birthdate: | 527 CY |
| Death: | 595 CY |
Archbold III was a king of Nyrond in the late 6th century CY.
While king his title was His August Supremacy, King Archbold III of Nyrond; Duke of Flinthill; Altmeister of All the Aerdi, etc.[1]
History
Archbold was born circa 527 CY (he was 58 years old in the Spring of 585 CY).[2]
At some stage Archbold commissioned Marquel, a paladin of Nyrond, to investigate rumors coming from the Densac Gulf and Tilvanot Peninsula. Traveling in disguise, Marquel traveled even farther south and, while unable to penetrate the ranks of the Scarlet Brotherhood, he recorded every rumor, tale, and experience of his journey in his book An Honest Traveler's Strange Tales of the South which provided the best source of information on the Scarlet Brotherhood.[3]
In 579 CY reacting to increased militarism by the Great Kingdom, Nyrond under Archbold with Almor, and the Iron League banded together to form the Golden League which fought the War of the Golden League over the next 2 years, and drained both sides financially and militarily to no real outcome.[4]
In 583 CY Archbold led a huge army through the Nutherwood hoping to defeat the Stonefist occupation of Tenh under Sevvord Redbeard. This was in part to bolster his popularity in Nyrond's north, but also to counter accusations he had allowed the troublesome Tenh to collapse. Elven contingents allowed the army to infiltrate the Phostwood, and overwhelm the few Stonefist forces there. They then burst from the forest to attack the main Stonefist forces. Sevvord executed some commanders as an example and sacrificed forces to allow the rest to muster near the village of Ternsmay, where he was outnumbered but held the better ground. Fighting lasted for an entire day and into the night, and Stonefist forces fell back, but Nyrond lost 3,000 soldiers and Archbold suffered grievous wounds. The battle ended in a stalemate.[5][6]
Months later, as part of a widespread attack against various realms[7], Ivid's Northern Army converged on Innspa and Almor seemed certain to fall before the might of the Glorioles regiments. Archbold amassed the largest force in Nyrond's history in response, leaving crops to wither in the fields and bandits free to roam. As 583 came to a close, Nyrond signed the Eastern Pact of Alliance with various allies in Oldred to ensure the containment of Ivid's armies, but the Theocracy of the Pale refused to due to Nyrond's many "heresies".[8] However, the Scarlet Brotherhood soon took Idee and Onnwal. Irongate and Sunndi were too geographically isolated and involved in their own struggles to assist under the Pact. Almor was defeated, and by the end of 584 CY Nyrond could count only on aid from the Urnst States.[9]
After Ivid V was assassinated then reanimated, the massacres that ensued in the Great Kingdom caused Archbold to launch counterattacks against the Army of the North between Womtham and Innspa which lacked support due to the political chaos. Herzog Grenell of the North Province rebelled against the Overking to try to stop Nyrond. Grenell and the orcs of the Bone March halted the Nyrondese armies in the Flinty Hills, callously sacrificing human and orcish troops to grind Archbold's advance to a halt. Although he could advance no further against the combined armies, tantalized by the prospect of ultimate victory Archbold refused to break off his assault. Meanwhile, the South Province also seceded and the Great Kingdom fragmented.[10]
During the Greyhawk Wars Nyrond lost some 60,000 to 70,000[11] dead in battle against the Great Kingdom, as well as the financial cost on the kingdom which resulted in heavy taxes. Some 120,000 also fled the realm seeking work or safety. King Archbold by the time of the Wars was older, and for too long left command of the armies either to old cronies or assumed it himself, leaving him with too much to do. He also pulled too many men away from farming at crucial times to fight, ruining the kingdom’s wartime crops.[12]
Archbold continued to maintain high taxes after the Wars, both to maintain the armies and pay back the loans from Urnst and Greyhawk that funded the Wars[13]. The Urnst states continued to support Nyrond.[14] However, the need was also caused by the loss of income from the loss of territory in the Flinty Hills during the Wars, being to half in silver and gems of what it had been.[15] The high taxes caused some nobles and bailiffs to refuse to levy them due to their harshness and effects.[16] They also caused tax riots in and about Midmeadow which had to be quelled.[17]
Despite the high taxes, many troops and sailors were unpaid or owed pay by Spring 585 CY and on the verge of mutiny or desertion.[18]
Archbold also attracted criticism for continuing to maintain food exports to the Pale after the Wars, when Nyrond had reduced food production, to maintain the alliance with the Pale.[19] He allowed the Baron of Woodwych to ignore the previous autonomy of the Celadon Forest and log timber and extract taxes, leading to virtual rebellion there and anger from the Duchy of Urnst. He realized his error too late, and was unable to reverse his blunder.[20]
In Spring 585 CY Archbold was rumored to suffer periodic amnesia and drools over his food. It was speculated he was suffering from slow poisoning, or perhaps growing senile. This was all untrue at the time — the King was simply worried and under extreme pressure.[21]
Due to the problems facing Nyrond, by Spring 585 CY many were hoping or seeking for Lynwerd to take over from his father. However, Lynwerd resisted this out of loyalty and love for his father despite seeing his failings.[22]
In the Fall of 585 CY, Archbold was almost assassinated by his younger son, Sewarndt. Fighting erupted in the capital, but Archbold's eldest son, Lynwerd, won the day, taking the throne in Fireseek 586.[23]
After suffering a stroke in 585 CY, he abdicated the throne in Fireseek of 586 CY in favor of his eldest son, Crown Prince Lynwerd.
See also Rulers of Nyrond.
Description
Archbold III was described in Spring 585 CY as 5', 11" tall, of heavy-medium build, with typical Oeridian heritage with reddish brown hair, lightly tanned skin and brown eyes.[24] By 591 CY he had withered with age. His hair had turned white with age and was worn long accompanied by a flowing beard.[25]
Personality
Archbold was described as a valiant and decent man.[26]
By Spring 585 CY he had become a weak, ageing king, broken by the war.[27] Archbold was a good, decent, and kingly man who had suffered a great shock in Nyrond's failure to win any decisive victories in the Greyhawk Wars. He had become dogmatic, stubborn, and unwilling to hear dissension. Nyrond was a land of the good and great and had to be defended and protected even if it meant hardship. He was most worried about the border with Almor, but saw external enemies everywhere. Right could only triumph through might, and he was desperately afraid Nyrond would fall under his rule. He had grown tired and increasingly ineffectual as his tunnel vision caused more and more of his distant land holders and nobles to forsake or challenge him.[28]
Abilities
In Spring 585 CY Archbold had the following attributes (2nd edition) Str 18/35, Con 16, Int 15, Wis 15, Cha 17. [29]
In 576 CY Archbold was a 16th level fighter (1st edition).[30] In Spring 585 CY he was a 17th level fighter (2nd edition).[31]
Possessions
In Spring 585 CY Archbold always wore a ring of free action, a ring of mind shielding, and an amulet of proof against detection and location. In combat he wore plate mail +5 and shield +5. He also had access to various magical items as required given his position as King of Nyrond.[32]
Relationships
Archbold had two sons, King Lynwerd I and Prince Sewarndt.
Living Greyhawk Campaign
In the Living Greyhawk campaign Archbold was killed by his son Sewarndt in 595 CY when he staged a coup against King Lynwerd.
References
Citations
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting, p.29
- ↑ The Marklands, p.90
- ↑ Greyhawk Wars, p.26
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.78
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.78
- ↑ Greyhawk Wars, p.10
- ↑ Greyhawk Wars, pp.11&13
- ↑ Greyhawk Wars, p.14
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.78
- ↑ Greyhawk Wars, pp.21-22
- ↑ From the Ashes, p.32
- ↑ The Marklands, p.58
- ↑ The Marklands, p.63
- ↑ From the Ashes, p.31
- ↑ The Marklands, p.62
- ↑ The Marklands, p.59
- ↑ From the Ashes, p.31
- ↑ The Marklands, p.63
- ↑ The Marklands, p.62
- ↑ The Marklands, p.62
- ↑ From the Ashes, p.79
- ↑ The Marklands, p.68
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.16
- ↑ The Marklands, p.90
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.76
- ↑ The Marklands, p.60
- ↑ The Marklands, p.60
- ↑ The Marklands, p.90
- ↑ The Marklands, p.90
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting Glossography, p.17
- ↑ The Marklands, p.90
- ↑ The Marklands, p.90
Bibliography
- Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
- -----. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
- -----. 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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book | 10, 11, 14, 21, 26 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | Ivid the Undying | 147, 149, 152 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 12, 105 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 16, 76, 78 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | Night Arrant | 113, 118, 150, 157, 160-165, 169, 202, 224, 225, 227, 228, 236, 237, 241, 258, 259, 280, 282 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 25 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | Return of the Eight | 59 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | The Adventure Begins | 30 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | WG8 Fate of Istus | 14, 17 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | WGR4 The Marklands | 58-69, 72, 74-80, 82, 84, 85, 87-95 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 29 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 17 |
| Archbold III (King) | Non-player character | [F17], | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 31, 32, 79 |