Rel Mord
| Rel Mord | |
|---|---|
 Rel Mord and environs, as shown on the Paizo map (2005). | |
| General information | |
| Realm: | Nyrond |
| Size: | Metropolis |
| Government | |
| Authority: | King Lynwerd I |
| Government: | Hereditory monarchy |
| Alignment: | LG, LN*, NG, CG, N |
| Demographics | |
| Population: | 46,500 (591 CY) |
| Races: | Human, Olve, Halfling (stout), Dwarf, Gnome, Half-elf, Half-orc |
| Languages: | Common, Nyrondese, Old Oeridian, Elven, and Halfling |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Heironeous*, Beory, Rao, Pelor, Zilchus, Norebo, Pholtus, Ralishaz, Boccob, Delleb, Celestian, Istus |
| Organizations: | Royal University of Rel Mord, Iron Fist Guild |
Rel Mord is the capital of the Kingdom of Nyrond. An impressive, walled fortress-city, Rel Mord lies upon the upper Duntide River.
History
Rel Mord is one of the three Aerdi "Cities of Enlightenment",[1] and thus built after the defeat of Nyrond by the Aerdi at the Battle of a Fortnight's Length in -110 CY.[note 1]
King Dunstan I called the Great Council of Rel Mord in the city in Harvester, 450 CY.[2][3]
The city had never been scarred by warfare near the end of the 6th century (579 CY).[4]
Prior to the Greyhawk Wars the large garrison present kept civil disturbance minimal, although the trade in copper, silver and gems did attract criminal activity including violent theft.[4]
Geography
The city is located deep in Nyrond, on one of the vast grasslands that dominate the south-eastern part of the Flanaess. The Duntide River lies on the north-western edge of the city, flowing from the north-east to the south-west.[4]
Cityscape
The city has the appearance of a fortress which it was built as. Important structures such as the city walls, fortresses, fortlets, the city dungeon jail, temples and mansions are built of stone. More common buildings such as shops, poorer and more common residences, and warehouses are built of brick and timber.[4]
The city features:
- The Royal Palace - A massive stone structure in the center of the city which is the residence of the royal family, advisers and royal officals.[4]
- The City Fortress - A large castle featuring massive towers topped by siege engines, overlooking the Fortress Bridge and the Duntide River (which is the only gap in the city walls). Five docks service the fortress and the naval ships protecting the city.[4]
- The City Walls - The city is surrounded by a curtain wall 30 feet high and 10 feet thick, with battlements lining the top and a small tower every 100 feet. There are 3 main gates in the city walls, each featuring a stone gatehouse, which are usually open at all times but can be closed in emergencies.[4]
- The Fortlets - 2 small castles that provide additional strongholds to defend the city.[4]
- Commoners' Residences - Housing the city's middle class (shop owners, artisans and crafters, merchants, military officers), these buildings range from apartments buildings (housing 3-6 families) to single dwellings housing richer families.[4]
Notable Locations & Buildings
These include:
- The Iron Fist Guild Building - Headquarters of the Iron Fist Guild in Nyrond. Half of the building is a tavern and temporary barracks.[4]
- Public Square - Paved in granite stone with a wooden stand at the southern end, here royal criers announce important news and proclamations. The square also hosts any occasional public executions by the headsman's axe. Otherwise the square is constantly is use as a thoroughfare.[4]
- City Baths - The mainly middle and upper class clientele visit the baths which feature wooden stoves to heat river water that is then delivered (along with towels) by servants to the dozens of wooden tubs in use. In the evening the baths will be crowded by crafters and laborers after a long day's work, in the hotter months seeking a cool bath instead (at cheaper rates). The poorer elements of the city make do with bathing in the Duntide River.[4]
- Royal University of Rel Mord, which is loosely connected to the Temple of Delleb.[5]
People
Population
The human population of citizens in 576 CY was 46,500.[6]
In 591 CY, Rel Mord's total population stood at 46,500 persons.[7] This is a significant recovery from spring of 585 CY, when the city's population was recorded as 34,200 as over a quarter of its population had fled since the Greyhawk Wars.[8]
Demographics
The races of Nyrond can all be expected to be found here, being humans (with an Oeridian dominance, and Suel present, as ethnic background), Olve (mainly sylvan with a small high elf presence), Halfling (stout), Dwarf, Gnome, half-elf and half-orc.[7]
Nyrond generally is Lawful Neutral in alignment, with Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, and Neutral also prevalent.[7]
Notable Individuals
Factions & Organizations
Rel Mord hosts the headquarters of the Iron Fist Guild.[9]
Religion
Rel Mord is a center of worship for Istus.[10]
The common religions of Nyrond can be expected to be followed here, being Heironeous (the official state religion), Beory, Rao, Pelor, Zilchus, Norebo, Pholtus, Ralishaz, Boccob, Delleb, Celestian.[7]
Following the Greyhawk Wars superstitions and the worship of evil gods (including Hextor and Incabulos) began to grow as a sign of the despair of the common folk.[11]
The city features temples of:
Languages
The common languages of Nyrond can be expected to be spoken here, being Common, Nyrondese, Old Oeridian, Elven, and Halfling.[7]
Government
Rel Mord is the capital of the Kingdom of Nyrond.[12]
Following the reorganization of provincial administration under King Lynwerd I that commenced Needfest 1, 591 CY Rel Mord was placed within the Province of Justcrown.[7]
Heraldry
Economy
Rel Mord is a center of trade. Prior to the Greyhawk Wars many caravans would pass through the city travelling between Almor and north-western lands, while the Duntide River briought trade - the hillfolk of the Flinty Hills lumber trade and merchants trading precious metals and gems from dwarven mining in the Rakers.[4]
The City features a Food Market where farmers come from the surrounding countryside of the province of Justcrown to sell fresh fish, vegetables, and grain from dozens of horse carts that double as stalls. It also features a separate Goods Market where crammed covered stalls sell most wares including weaponry and armor, but rarely magical items. Despite constant policing by the local sentinels, thieves and pickpockets can still be a problem even before the Greyhawk Wars.[4]
The city features shipyards and piers in two dock areas on the Duntide River, that service merchant and passenger vessels. Three large warehouses service each dock area. The yardmaster's office is located next to the southern piers.[13]
The Royal Mint was moved to Womtham in 577 CY to be closer to the source of coinage metals (from the Flinty Hills), and by spring 585 CY the old building had become a dormitory and almshouse for the poor.[8]
Military
The city is protected by a large garrison, including light infantry, archers and artillerists.[4]
Part of the force of soldiers garrisoning Rel Mord acts as a police force known as the "sentinels", authorized to use deadly force as needed but strictly within the limits of the law.[4]
Gallery
Maps
-
Fate of Istus (1989) -
The Marklands (1993) -
Rel Mord in Nyrond Gazetteer, Living Greyhawk.
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Rel Mord in the Living Greyhawk Campaign
Rel Mord featured in numerous adventures during the Living Greyhawk campaign in the Nyrond player-region. It was also detailed in the "Nyrond Gazetteer" fan-created sourcebook.
External Links
References
Notes
- ↑ Fate of Istus at page 14, which is set in about 579 CY, suggests the city was built about 2 centuries prior, but this cannot be correct as the city was built by the Aerdi prior to Nyrond becoming independent again in 356 CY.[citation needed]
Citations
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.93
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting, p.39
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.77
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.14.
- ↑ a b c d WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.16.
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting, p.39
- ↑ a b c d e f Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.75.
- ↑ a b WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.77.
- ↑ Fate of Istus, pp.14 & 17-22
- ↑ World Of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting, p.71
- ↑ WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.65.
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting, pp.18
- ↑ Fate of Istus, p.15
Bibliography
- Findley, Nigel, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss, and Robert J. Kuntz. Fate of Istus. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.
- Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
- Findley, Nigel, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss and Robert J. Kuntz. WG8 Fate of Istus. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. Item code TSR9253.
- -----. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Gillespie, Brandon. Living Greyhawk, NYR3Intro-01 The Revenant of Rel Mord. Renton, WA: WotC; RPGA, 2002.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
- -----. The Marklands, p. 77-78. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Bath (Rel Mord) | Building | Bath, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 78 |
| Council of Rel Mord | People Group | Council, | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 7 |
| Delleb, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | Dragon magazine #263 | 49 |
| Delleb, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 15, 16 |
| Durinken of Rel Mord (Canon) | Non-player character | [C15], | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 28 |
| Durinken of Rel Mord (Canon) | Non-player character | [C15], | WGR4 The Marklands | 65, 91 |
| Goods Market (Rel Mord) | Place | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 78 | |
| Heironeous, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC |
| Hextor, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24 |
| Iron Fist Guild (Rel Mord) | People Group | Guild, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23 |
| Iron Fist Guild (Rel Mord) | People Group | Guild, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 78 |
| Iron Fist Tavern (Rel Mord) | Building | Tavern, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 19 |
| Men O'Steel Tavern (Rel Mord) | Building | Tavern, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 78 |
| One Lamp (Rel Mord) | Building | Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 78 |
| Palindren of Rel Mord (High Priest) | Non-player character | WGR4 The Marklands | 65, 66 | |
| Pelor, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 15, 16 |
| Pelor, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 77 |
| Pholtus, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC |
| Rao, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC |
| Rat Pit (City Dungeon) (Rel Mord) | Building | Jail, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 16 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 8 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 19 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Dragon magazine #057 | 16 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Dragon magazine #065 | 12 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Dragon magazine #069 | 28 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Dragon magazine #243 | 89 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Dragon magazine #263 | 44, 49, 50 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Dragon magazine #AN4 | 21 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 31, 70 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 64, 76 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | From the Ashes: References Card | #2 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | From the Ashes: References Card | #3 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Greyhawk Adventures | 13, 91 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book | 25, 27 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 13, 36 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 23, 26, 75, 77, 78, 82, 93, 123, 151 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 9, 12 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 29 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 30 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Night Arrant | 93, 94, 98, 104, 111, 122, 147, 154, 155, 157-159, 164, 169 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Sea of Death | 64 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | Saga of Old City | 7, 138, 227, 228, 231, 241, 242, 249, 250, 257, 278, 280, 281, 283, 287 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | The Adventure Begins | 27, 28, 30, 31, 59, 85, 110, 119, 120 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | 1993 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set | 455 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | LT3 The Doomgrinder | 26 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | The Tomb of Horrors—Greyhawk Classics Book 7 | IC |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | The Scarlet Brotherhood | 35 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | WG8 Fate of Istus | 1, 12, 14-17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28, 47, 62, 122 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IBC, 13 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 42, 60, 63-65, 68, 69, 75-79, 82, 85, 91 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | WGS1 Five Shall Be One | 29 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | IC, 29, 71 |
| Rel Mord | Settlement | Nyrond, Capital, City, Walled, (576 pop: 46500), (585 pop: 34200), (591 pop: 46500), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | IC, 1, 2, IBC |
| Rel Mord, Eight Sages of | People Group | Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book | 25 | |
| Rel Mord, Great Council of | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #AN4 | 21 |
| Rel Mord, Great Council of | People Group | Council, | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 4, 31, 32 |
| Rel Mord, Great Council of | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 26, 77, 82, 123 |
| Rel Mord, Great Council of | People Group | Council, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | 13 |
| Rel Mord, Great Council of | People Group | Council, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 29 |
| Rel Mord, Royal Annals of | Building | Library, | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 7 |
| Rel Mord, Royal Mint of Nyrond at | Building | Mint, | WGR4 The Marklands | 82 |
| Rel Mord, Royal University of | Building | College or School, | Dragon magazine #263 | 50 |
| Rel Mord, Royal University of | Building | College or School, | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 5 |
| Rel Mord, Royal University of | Building | College or School, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 77 |
| Rel Mord, Treaty of | Kingdom | Treaty, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 47 |
| Rivermans Repose (Rel Mord) | Building | Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 78 |
| Royal Palace (Rel Mord) | Place | Palace, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC |
| Royal University (Rel Mord) | Building | College or School, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 15, 16 |
| Royal University (Rel Mord) | Building | College or School, | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 1, 2 |
| Ryshenkens Roll (Rel Mord) | Building | Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , | WGR4 The Marklands | IC, 78 |
| Tyrolian of Rel Mord | Non-player character | WGS1 Five Shall Be One | 29 | |
| Xanthretyn of Rel Mord | Non-player character | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 70 | |
| Zilchus, Temple of (Rel Mord) | Building | Temple, | WGR4 The Marklands | IC |