Nessermouth

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Greyhawk Settlement
Nessermouth
Nessermouth, from The Marklands map (1993).
General information
Realm:Nyrond
Size:Town
Government
Authority:Viscounty of Eventide (since 591 CY)
Government:Local bailiff & sheriff (Spring 585 CY); later provincial ruler appointed by monarch
Demographics
Population:3,100 (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
Enemies:Scarlet Brotherhood

Nessermouth is a port town and naval base in western Nyrond on the mouth of the Nesser River flowing into Relmor Bay.

Geography

Nessermouth is located on the mouth of the Nesser River, at the southwestern corner of the Kingdom of Nyrond, on Relmor Bay where it meets the Sea of Gearnat to the west. Onnwal sits to the south across Relmor Bay. The Gnatmarsh lies to the north, the Abbor-Alz and Bright Desert to the north west, and The Small Ports along the coast of Relmor Bay to the east.

History

In 575 CY the Weird of Gnatmarsh destroyed a naval squadron and took control of the mouth of the Nesser River. Warnes Starcoat and a company of allies then dealt with her.[1]

Following the Greyhawk Wars, in Spring 585 CY the local bailiff refused to give any taxes to King Archbold III above pre-war levels as sought. This enjoyed the full support of the townspeople. Life remained good despite the poor conditions generally elsewhere in Nyrond, due to plentiful local produce.[2]

The bailiff used local taxes to pay the wages of the navy personnel, who otherwise would not have been paid on time or at all, which avoided them taking control of the town for the King. The town was simply too far from Mithat or Oldred for Archbold to use force to overtake the town. Nessermouth at the time operated as virtually a free town, and although trade was reduced living standards remained good and naval morale better than elsewhere.[3]

People

Population

In 585 CY the population was approximately 3,400[2].

In Spring 585 CY a quarter of the population were exiled Onnwalese.[2] The town was an insular community, wishing not to hear news from elsewhere.[4]

By 591 CY the population had shrunk to 3,100.[5] Presumably this was due to the Onnwalese emigres having returned to Onnwal with its general liberation (except Scant) in the years after the Greyhawk Wars.

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.[5]

Nyrond generally is Lawful Neutral in alignment, with Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, and Neutral also prevalent.[5]

Religion

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.[5]

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.[6]

Languages

The common languages of Nyrond can be expected to be spoken here, being Common, Nyrondese, Old Oeridian, Elven, and Halfling.[5]

Government

Nessermouth is located within the Kingdom of Nyrond.

In Spring 585 CY the town was administered by a bailiff appointed by King Archbold III, the king not having trusted any local landowner to control such a vital strategic port.[2] Outsiders generally at that time had to give up arms and armor to the local sheriff while in Nessermouth.[7]

Following the reorganization of provincial administration under King Lynwerd I that commenced Needfest 1, 591 CY, it was presumably placed under the control of the Viscounty of the Eventide with the provincial capital at Shantadern.[5]

Economy

Prior to the Greyhawk Wars Nessermouth was a major port of call for vessels from Scant in Onnwal, trading Iron League products with Nyrond across the safety of the strait. By Spring 585 CY that trade was long gone. Scarlet Brotherhood vessels tried to trade there, but Onnwal refugees there made it plain they would sink any such vessel visiting Nessermouth. Fishing in the broad estuaries is very good and many large seabirds are hunted and trapped for food. The small saline marshes around the estuary likewise yield many game animals.[2]

Military

Nessermouth hosts a naval base that protects the mouth of the Nesser River. Four caravels and one galley were based here as of Spring 585 CY, and kept Scarlet Brotherhood ships away from the coastline. At that time the navy was paid directly by the local bailiff from taxes collected, had better morale than elsewhere, and were seen as protectors by the locals unlike elsewhere along the Relmor Bay coast.[2]

Living Greyhawk campaign

In the Living Greyhawk campaign, Nessermouth featured in several adventures. It was also detailed in the "Nyrond Gazetteer" fan-created sourcebook. The organizing Triad for the Nyrond region created maps of Nyrond showing the borders of various provinces, including that Nessermouth fell within the Viscounty of the Eventide.[8]

Map

  • Map of Nyrond in "Nyrond Gazetteer"[9]
    Map of Nyrond in "Nyrond Gazetteer"[9]

Nessermouth page on Nyrond Living Greyhawk Triad web site via Way Back Machine

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Living Greyhawk Journal No. 0, p.11
  2. ↑ a b c d e f The Marklands, p.73
  3. ↑ The Marklands, p.74
  4. ↑ The Marklands, p.74
  5. ↑ a b c d e f Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, p.75
  6. ↑ The Marklands, p.65
  7. ↑ WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.74.
  8. ↑ Nyrond Gazetteer. Living Greyhawk campaign, Nyrond Triad. 2008. Archived via Way Back Machine
  9. ↑ "Geographical Areas". Nyrond Gazetteer. Living Greyhawk campaign, Nyrond Triad. 2008. Archived via Wayback Machine

Bibliography

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

Nessermouth Settlement Nyrond, Town, Naval base, (585 pop: 3400), (591 pop: 3100), Dragon magazine #299 99
Nessermouth Settlement Nyrond, Town, Naval base, (585 pop: 3400), (591 pop: 3100), Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e Dis, 13, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33, 36, 51, 52, 54, 75, 76, 77
Nessermouth Settlement Nyrond, Town, Naval base, (585 pop: 3400), (591 pop: 3100), Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 75, 149
Nessermouth Settlement Nyrond, Town, Naval base, (585 pop: 3400), (591 pop: 3100), Oerth Journal #25 25
Nessermouth Settlement Nyrond, Town, Naval base, (585 pop: 3400), (591 pop: 3100), WGR4 The Marklands 73, 74
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