Rookroost
| Rookroost | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Realm: | Bandit Kingdoms |
| Size: | City |
| Government | |
| Authority: | Lord Marshal Arus Mortoth |
| Government: | Military dictatorship and influential thieves' guild |
| Alignment: | Neutral |
| Established: | 329 CY |
| Demographics | |
| Population: | 17,500 (591 CY) |
| Races: | Humans, orcs, half-orcs, non-humans |
| Languages: | Common, Old Oeridian |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Iuz |
| Organizations: | Thieves' guild |
| Allies: | Iuz |
| Enemies: | Tenh |
The Free City of Rookroost is the de facto capital of the Bandit Kingdoms. It holds this position as the largest city in the strongest fiefdom of the Bandit Kingdoms. It is part of the Empire of Iuz in 591 CY.
The name "Rookroost" refers to both the Free City and the territory under its control.[1]
History
Establishment
Rookroost was founded in 329 CY by Latavius, an Oeridian robber-baron who used the settlement as a base from which to raid road and river traffic in the surrounding territory.[2] The town was initially no more than a a walled fort atop a low hill some 50 feet in height, but soon grew rapidly into a larger settlement, necessitating the construction of further walls.[1]
Latavius was assassinated suddenly in 371 CY and replaced by the former commander of his personal bodyguard. This would establish a long-standing tradition of assassination as a method of succession of rulership.[1]
Growth
Rookroost quickly grew into a significant settlement handling much legitimate trade.[2] During its early period, new walls were repeatedly constructed to enclose the new area. This resulted in the city consisting of concentric circles. Eventually, the city stopped building new walls, with the result being almost half the city's buildings lie outside of the walls.[1]
Recent history
In 578 CY, Rookroost survived a siege by Tenha forces. A treaty was subsequently signed, in which Rookroost agreed to stop raiding western Tenh.[2]
In 583 CY, following the invasion of the neighboring Midlands by Iuz, Rookroost joined forces with Iuz. The following year, 584 CY, it was made a regional capital of the Bandit Kingdoms.[2]
The city's ruler, "The General" Pernevi, was quietly assassinated and secretly replaced by the cambion Kerzinen, a loyal and trusted servant of Iuz who assumed Pernevi's form. Following the Greyhawk Wars of 582 to 584 CY, he adopted the title The Baron. [3]
On 17 Fireseek, 585 CY, two priests of Iuz were murdered. In response, the city's ruler had four members of the thieves' guild rounded up and tortured to death by fiends in public.[3]
In turn, "Pernevi" was deposed when the Flight of Fiends destroyed many of his fiendish advisors in 586 CY. Lord Marshall Arus Mortoth replaced him and restructured the city's government to favor humans.[2]
Late in 588 CY, forces of Iuz based in Rookroost marched into Tenh.[4]
Geography
Rookroost is located just southeast of the Fellreev forest. The city controls much surrounding territory: as of 591 CY it is bordered by the Cold Run river to the west, including substantial portion of the Fellreev Forest; the Zumker River to the west, marking its border with Tenh; north seventy-five miles from the Artonsamay River up to the Bluff Hills;[5] and south across the Artonsamay River to the Rift Barrens.[2]
Although the Empire of Iuz formally recognized Rookroost as a regional capital, the city's area of territory control is not defined formally by any charter. Rather, it is based largely on how much it can hold by force.[6] The city has attempted to conquer abandoned territories western Tenh.[7]
Cityscape
Rookroost is a large walled city built upon a hill some fifty feet tall, and featuring several concentric walls constructed over centuries as the city grew. The city's districts grow progressively wealthier as one travels inward, with the city's most high-status individuals inhabiting the innermost area known as The Peak. Rookroost's poorest, among them many half-orcs and other non-human peoples, inhabit Outwall, the area outside of the outermost wall.[1]
Ravens, the city's namesake, are a common sight on rooftops, especially in the central plaza adjacent to the ruler's abode. According to legend, shortly after the city was founded, a seer predicted the city would never fall to invaders as long as rooks roosted around the central square.[1]
Many Oeridian deities have temples here. They include Zilchus, god of wealth; Erythnul, popularly worshiped by nonhumans; Hextor, popular among military and police; and Kurell, popular among members of the thieves' guild. Atroa, Celestian, and Fharlanghn have small temples, and small shrines to gods of the orcs and others havebeen built in Outwall.[1]
Travel
People
Population
Rookroost had a population of 17,310 in 576 CY.[8] Its population dipped to 11,650 after the Greyhawk Wars.[9]
By 591 CY, the population of Rookroost is 17,500.[10]
Demographics
The population of Rookroost is primarily human, mostly of Oeridian descent. Many orcs, half-orcs, and other non-humans inhabit the city. Some half-fiends have taken up residence here, although many were banished during the Flight of Fiends.[2]
Prior to the Greyhawk Wars, the city had a substantial half-orc enclave, who were among those recruited for service by the priesthood of Iuz.[11]
Notable individuals
- Lord Marshall Arus Mortoth, a warlord and secretly a half-fiend, rules the city.
- The Respendant Crynar Randal was born to an upper-class merchant in Rookroost.[12]
- The cambion Baron Kerzinen, former ruler of Rookroost, was one of the most notable and trusted servants of Iuz.[13]
Religion
As part of the Empire of Iuz, Iuz is worshiped here.
Languages
Common is the language most spoken in Rookroost. Some wealthy and powerful humans speak Old Oeridian as a mark of status.[1]
Government
Dictatorship
A military dictator governs the city. The ruler in 591 CY was Lord Marshall Arus Mortoth, a powerful fighter/assassin who attained the position by murdering his predecessor, in the traditional method. Most of Mortoth's government are human, and his rule favors humans over other races. Few clerics of Iuz are in his government, and his mostly human cabinet are suspected to have weak loyalty to Iuz. He hires a hill giant as his chief constable.[2]
Thieves' guild
A powerful thieves' guild holds significant control over the city and its government, although the current Lord Marshall is not known to have any connection to the group.[2] His predecessor, General Pernevi, previously had a formal power-sharing agreement with the guild in the hopes of protecting himself from assassination: The General would handle military and national policy, and the guild controlled the rest. Corruption and bribery remain standard practice.[1]
The most recent known head of the thieves' guild is Guildmother Elara Mornstar, who served as Pernevi's head of secret police, although The General sought to have her assassinated.[1]
Other guilds
Trade guilds hold significant power in Rookroost, and non-guild members operating in the city are pressured out of business, sometimes by violence. They are generally connected to the government and thieves' guilds, to whom they pay hefty fees. In turn, guild membership requires a large fee. Major guilds include those for blacksmiths, merchants, teamsters, and mages.[1]
Military
Rookroost has a standing army of several thousand men. It is financially supported by significant "protection payments" levied on lands through which it moves. Several hundred are stationed outside the city walls to guard against rebellion.[1] The military contains an army of 100 orogs and other nonhumans imported from elsewhere in the Empire of Iuz.[3]
A formal police force numbering some 300 individuals serves the city's ruler. They are identified by wearing the city's crest on their leather armor, and are often equipped with swords, as well as clubs and maces. The police are undisciplined and poorly paid, and commonly engage in extortion and bribery.[1]
Guards enforce a legally mandated charge of 1 sp to enter one of the city seven gates (5 sp for a one-day pass, or 10 gp for a pass which is valid for the rest of the month). Such passes are simply written on parchment by guards, who eagerly take the assignment in the hopes of making extra money. Guards will often attempt to make a profit by charging other fees, including a 2 gp "weapon fee".[1]
Heraldry
Rookroost's military forces use their own heraldry along with the heraldry of Iuz.[2]
Economy
Resources
Some farming occurs in the lands around the city.[14]
Trade
Much legitimate trade is conducted here.[2] Weapons are significant export.[15] Large entry fees are charged at the city's gates.[1]
Major trade routes connect Rookroost to the settlements of Marsakeer, Senningford, and Narleon; the latter leads to Nevond Nevnend, from which Rookroost imports food, slaves, and some equipment.[3]
Currency
The coinage minted in Rookroost includes the golden Lord, the silver Lady, and the copper Knave. The coins are crudely minted compared to the currency of other realms. Foreign currency is widely accepted, but an exorbitant exchange rate is levied on non-local coins, such that ten gold pieces minted in the Free City of Greyhawk might only buy 4 or 5 gold pieces worth of goods in Rookroost. By law, change must be given in local currency, and bartering is common to avoid this hefty tax.[1]
Rumors & legends
It is suspected the Lord Marshall's human government only feign their loyalty to Iuz.[2]
Creative origins
The story of the city's ravens resembles a real-world folk belief the United Kingdom will fall if the ravens which inhabit the Tower of London ever leave.
Publication history
Rookroost first appeared in the The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (the "Folio"). The city maintained its status as capital of the Bandit Kingdoms throughout editions of the game, up to and including the D&D third edition Living Greyhawk Gazetteer.
Rookroost featured prominently in both WG8 Fate of Istus and WGS1 Five Shall Be One as a campaign starting city.
In Living Greyhawk
In the Living Greyhawk organized play scenarios, the Bandit Kingdoms region was assigned to players in the real-world US states of Texas and Oklahoma. The Bandit Kingdoms triad produced a large amount of content, producing almost 19 "rounds" (four-hour sessions) of content per year, well in excess of Wizards of the Coast's initial goal of 8 rounds per year, which was not reached by all regions.
Casey Brown wrote a 92-page book, BDKR1 Unofficial LG Bandit Kingdoms Summary (April 2012), to sum up the eight years of adventures in the Living Greyhawk Bandit Kingdoms region.
Among the Rookroost-specific events include a series of disappearances in 592 CY, an assassination attempt against Lord Marshall Arus Mortoth in 594 CY (in which Mortoth, secretly the cambion Kerzinen in disguise, fakes his death and assumes the identity of his would-be assassin), the discovery and exploration of Latavius' tomb in 596 CY, a slaadi infestation harming the city's trade routes and infesting the city's sewers in 597 CY, the deposition of Guildmother Elara that same year, and the deposition of Kerzinen by the new thieves' guild leader in 598 CY, who outlaws the worship of Iuz.
Notes
Though not perfectly clear, the names of the cambion posing as the ruler of Rookroost are given in two sources. The first source (WG5) gives the cambion's actual name, while the second (LGG) gives the name the cambion used as an imposter. WG8 Fate of Istus (1989) names Oeridian human 12th level fighter/thief Pernevi, nicknamed "The General", as Rookroost's military dictator. WGR5 Iuz the Evil (1993), set in 585 CY[16], has General Pernevi assassinated and replaced by cambion imposter Baron Kerzinen of Rookroost. The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.29, says General Pernevi was killed by Arus Mortoth, secretly a cambion (or "half-fiend" in in third edition), shortly after the Flight of Fiends banished Pernevi's fiendish advisors in 586 CY.
= In Living Greyhawk
Template:Living Greyhawk= While Mortoth's real identity is not explicitly mentioned in the LGG, the fact that he is a cambion suggests it is another alias of Kerzinen. This would mean Kerzinen(Pernevi) survived the Flight of Fiends only to fake his own death and take a new identity posing as his own assassin, Mortoth. The Living Greyhawk continuity assumes this is the case. Kerzinen performs the same trick yet again in 594 CY, slaying Mortoth and posing as his own killer Demmel Tadurinal.[17] Eventually, this third impersonation was discovered in 597 CY and that "the cambion shapechanging demon ... had been posing as Rookroost’s various leaders since the end of the Greyhawk Wars."[18] Kerzinen is finally forced to retreat to the Abyss in 598 CY.[19] After the final defeat of Kerzinen, Rhaedrick Avenfear was named Plar of Rookroost.[19]
See also
Gallery
External links
References
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.3-5.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.29.
- ↑ a b c d WGR5 Iuz the Evil (1993), p.53-54.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.23.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.61.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.59.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.112.
- ↑ The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (1980), p.8.
- ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.25, Atlas of the Flanaess.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.25.
- ↑ WGR5 Iuz the Evil (1993), p.47.
- ↑ 1992 Trading Cards, card #224, "The Resplendent" Crynar Randal
- ↑ WGR5 Iuz the Evil (1993), p.15.
- ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.78, Atlas of the Flanaess.
- ↑ Wars (1991), p.8.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.4.
- ↑ BDKR1 Unofficial LG Bandit Kingdoms Summary, p.25, Old Enemies, New Friends , RPGA. (2004).
- ↑ BDKR1 Unofficial LG Bandit Kingdoms Summary, p.43, In a Manor of Seeking., RPGA. (2007)..
- ↑ a b BDKR1 Unofficial LG Bandit Kingdoms Summary, p.51, Loot Free or Die Hard. , RPGA. (2008)..
Bibliography
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean Reynolds and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. Item code 11743.
- Findley, Nigel, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss and Robert J. Kuntz. WG8 Fate of Istus. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. Item code TSR9253.
- Sargent, Carl. WGR5 Iuz the Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993. Item code TSR9399.
- Moore, Roger E.. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. Item code TSR9577.
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashses. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992. Item code TSR1064.
- Cook, David. Wars. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991. Item code TSR1068.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliss Westwind Apothecary (Rookroost) | Building | Shop, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Atroa, Temple of (Rookroost) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Benedicts Trading Coster (Rookroost) | Building | Shop, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 3, 5, 7, 8 |
| Celestian, Chapel of (Rookroost) | Building | Chapel, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Cheap Street (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 3, 5, 7 |
| Crescent (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Dead Mans Passage (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Drunken Dragon (Rookroost) | Building | Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , | WG8 Fate of Istus | 3, 5, 6 |
| Drunken Dragon (Rookroost) | Building | Inn, Tavern, Bar, or Restaurant , | WGS1 Five Shall Be One | 7 |
| Erythnul, Temple of (Rookroost) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Fharlanghn, Temple of (Rookroost) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Funary Gate (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Gate, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Generals Palace (Rookroost) | Place | Defensive Structure, Palace, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Generals Way (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Great Northern Way (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Greyhaven Armorers (Rookroost) | Building | Shop, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Greystaffs Sall D'armes (Rookroost) | Building | College or School, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Gruumsh, Chapel of (Rookroost) | Building | Chapel, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Hextor, Temple of (Rookroost) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Kerzinen of Rookroost (Baron) | Non-player character | Cambion, | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 15, 51, 53, 54, 56, 57, 59, 74, 77, 92, 96 |
| Kurell, Temple of (Rookroost) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Merchants, Guild of (Rookroost) | People Group | Guild, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Northhaven Tavern (Rookroost) | Building | Tavern, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Outwall (Rookroost) | Place | Quarter, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 |
| Palace Guard Inn (Rookroost) | Building | Inn, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 3, 5 |
| Peak Circle Street (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Peak Gate (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Gate, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Peak, The (Rookroost) | Place | Quarter, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 3, 5, 6, 9 |
| Randoms Trading Coster Warehouse (Rookroost) | Building | Shop, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Raven Square (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Ravenshead Inn (Rookroost) | Building | Inn, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | Saga of Old City | 7, 169, 171, 179 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | The Adventure Begins | 23 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | WG12 Vale of the Mage | 48 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | WG8 Fate of Istus | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 40 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IC, 8, 25 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 15, 47, 50, 51, 53, 54, 57, 59, 68, 81, 86, 92, 96 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | WGS1 Five Shall Be One | IC, IBC, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 29, 37 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | WGS2 Howl From the North | 8, 9 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 19, 54, IBC |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | IBC |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | Dragon magazine #056 | 21, 22 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | Dragon magazine #063 | 14 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 22, 73, 78 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | From the Ashes: References Card | #3 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book | 7 |
| Rookroost city | Settlement | Bandit Kingdoms, Capital, Settlement, (576 pop: 17310), (591 pop: 17500), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | IC, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 59, 61, 112 |
| Rookroost, kingdom of | Kingdom | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 29 | |
| Rookroost, kingdom of | Kingdom | Reference | SEE Rookroost city | |
| Sages Tower (Rookroost) | Building | Defensive Structure, Tower, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 40 |
| Serpentine (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Shank, The (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Slayers Brotherhood (Rookroost) | People Group | Guild, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 3, 8 |
| Smiths, Guild of (Rookroost) | People Group | Guild, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Teamsters, Guild of (Rookroost) | People Group | Guild, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5, 9 |
| Thieves, Guild of (Rookroost) | People Group | Guild, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 |
| Thieves, Guild of (Rookroost) | People Group | Guild, | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 54 |
| Triumphant (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Triumphary Gate (Rookroost) | Infrastructure | Gate, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5, 6 |
| Wayfarer Tavern (Rookroost) | Building | Tavern, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| White Elf Inn (Rookroost) | Building | Inn, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Wizards, Guild of {Mages} (Rookroost) | People Group | Guild, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Zilchus, Temple of (Rookroost) | Building | Temple, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 5 |
| Zilchus, Temple of (Rookroost) | Building | Temple, | WGS1 Five Shall Be One | 6 |