Woodwych
| Woodwych | |
|---|---|
 Woodwych map, by John Knecht in The Marklands (1993). | |
| General information | |
| Realm: | Kingdom of Nyrond |
| Size: | City |
| Government | |
| Authority: | Duchess Verin Talnith |
| Government: | Provincial county (Barony of Woodwych, later Duchy of Woodwych) |
| Alignment: | LG, LN*, NG, CG, N |
| Demographics | |
| Population: | 24,300 (591 CY) |
| Races: | Human, elves, Halfling (stout), dwarves, gnomes, half-elves, half-orcs |
| Languages: | Common, Nyrondese, Old Oeridian, Elven, and Halfling |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Fharlanghn, Heironeous*, Beory, Rao, Pelor, Zilchus, Norebo, Pholtus, Ralishaz, Boccob, Delleb, Celestian |
Woodwych is a walled city in western Nyrond, in the Barony of Woodwych, near the Celadon Forest.
Geography
Woodwych is located in the north western part of Nyrond, near to and to the north east of the Celadon Forest. It sits on the western highway halfway between Hammensend (on the Nesser River border with the Urnst States) and Swan Bore on the Duntide River. Curtulenn lies to the road to the north, on the Franz River being the border with the County of Urnst.
History
Following the Greyhawk Wars the local ruler of Woodwych, Baron Bastrayne, was one of the dominant local rulers in the western lands of Nyrond, along with the ruler of Beetu. Bandits and highwaymen were a real hazard in the area. This alienated most people who were surly and inhospitable as a result, avoiding strangers as well as despising the Court and King Archbold III. They were downtrodden and despairing, adopting a strategy of trying to conceal anything they owned or earned from the reluctant tax collecting militia. Locals had become experts in dishonesty by omission or lies, with thieves and rogues began to flourish.[1]
In the hard economic time after the Wars Archbold revoked the traditional autonomy of the Celadon Forest within Nyrond, allowing even encouraging nobles and militias to extract taxes from the area. The local Nyrondese entered the fringes of the forest logging, and burning undergrowth for grazing. Baron Bastrayne has also found the area to be a source of resources.[2] The Celadon wood-folk initially tried talking the Nyrondese from logging and hunting their forest, then drove them away by force. The Baronial Guard and militia then mounted raids, killing wood-folk and elves, in retribution resulting in full scale skirmishing in and around the Celadon.[3]
Baron Bastrayne and Bailiff Radnen Gryppe feigned support for the king, and managed to dispatch about 70% of taxes and tithes demanded by King Archbold. However, the two imposed additional taxes and tithes and were skimming abut 30-40% for themselves. King Archbold would hear no ill of Bastrayne given his delivery of more tax revenue than most in hard economic times. Bastrayne denounced the rebels in the Celadon Forest as "terrorists", and exaggerated in reports about his troops imposing law and order including protecting vital trade on the highway west. He imposed virtual martial law on the city using his 100 strong personal Baronial Guard, and preventing anyone reporting back to the king about his activities. The city as a result was a grim and hard place, with the locals cowed and afraid.[1]
In 586 CY Baron Bastrayne and Bailiff Gryppe fled with the bulk of the tax money they had skimmed. The Baron's despoiling of the Celadon Forest and inhabitants being in rebellion was revealed in full to the new king, Lynwerd. Lynwerd’s men were unable to find Bastrayne who disappeared without trace. The elves and wood-folk of the Celadon were in full revolt, attacking anyone who entered the forest. Lynwerd had to deploy troops to secure the Celadon's borders, but refrained trying to take control of the forest lands.[4]
As part of the administrative reforms by King Lynwerd in 590 CY, Woodwych was made the provincial capital of the Barony of Woodwych under Baroness Verin Talnith.[5]. The new baroness appeared to be as ruthless as her predecessor.[6]
In Spring 591 CY the Royal Mail Service and the Baroness of Woodwych offered a reward of 1,000 gold nobles for the capture of the bandit leader "Crippled Max" for crimes against members of the Service in the area of Adrean's Landing in the Barony.[7]
People
Population
In Spring 585 CY the population was approximately 21,000.[1]. By 591 CY it had grown to 24,300.[5]
Demographics
The usual races of Nyrond would 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]
Notable individuals
Notable individuals or persons from or in Woodwych include:
- Baroness and later Duchess Verin Talnith.
- Former Baron Bastrayne.
- Former Bailiff Radnen Gryppe.
Religion
The city features a chapel of Fharlanghn.[8]
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.[9]
Languages
The common languages of Nyrond can be expected to be spoken here, being Common, Nyrondese, Old Oeridian, Elven, and Halfling.[5]
Government
Woodwych is located within the Kingdom of Nyrond.
In Spring 585 CY the Baron based in Woodwych administered the lands for about 40 miles around the city, including the small settlements along the road to Hammensend and on to Urnst.[1]
Following the reorganization of provincial administration under King Lynwerd I that commenced Needfest 1, 591 CY Woodwych was part of the Barony of Woodwych.[10][11]
Military
In Spring 585 CY there were 100 Baronial Guard and 800 troops stationed in the city, with about 300 troops stationed in the surrounding lands mainly patrolling major roads. The Baronial Guard comprised mostly heavy infantry and cavalry, and about a dozen "specialists" feared by all as spies.[1]
At the same time, about 15 Baronial Guard and 20 Woodwych had defected to join forces with the Defenders of Celadon based in Copperstead plotting to depose Baron Bastrayne.[3]
Heraldry
The Living Greyhawk campaign Triad for the Nyrond region created heraldry for various provinces. (At right.)
Economy
Woodwych was located on the major highway through north-western Nyrond to the Urnst states, being a major trade route. This made the patrolling and protection of trade along those roads important.
Woodwych was usually a major base of trade with the Celadon Forest. Due to the exploitation of the Celadon and virtual rebellion by the wood-folk and elves there against Baron Bastrayne, trade after the Greyhawk Wars instead focused through Beetu due to Count Romadnen Bereman there not implementing the King's edict to exploit the forest.[3]
Rumors and legends
In Spring 585 CY it was rumored that:[1]
- Desperate messengers who rode for Rel Mord taking reports of the Baron's activities were ridden down and killed by the Baronial Guard.
- Evil men had found their way into the Baronial Guard.
In Living Greyhawk
 | This section contains content from the Living Greyhawk organized-play campaign. |
In the Living Greyhawk campaign, Woodwych 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.[12]
The Nyrond Meta-Region adventures also revealed the fate of Baron Bastrayne and Bailiff Radnen Gryppe, in the Star Haunt of the Celadon Forest.
External links
Woodwych page on Nyrond Living Greyhawk Triad web site via Way Back Machine
References
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e f WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.69.
- ↑ WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.62.
- ↑ a b c WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.70.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.30.
- ↑ a b c d e f Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.75.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.139.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Journal #3, p.28
- ↑ Gygax, Gary. Saga of Old City. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985. p284.
- ↑ WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.65.
- ↑ WGR4 The Marklands (1993), p.75.
- ↑ Map of Nyrond in "Nyrond Gazetteer" issued by the Living Greyhawk Campaign Nyrond Triad. Available at Nyrond Living Greyhawk Triad web site via Way Back Machine
- ↑ Nyrond Gazetteer. Living Greyhawk campaign, Nyrond Triad. 2008. Archived via Way Back Machine
Bibliography
- Gygax, Gary. Saga of Old City. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1985.
- Sargent, Carl. The Marklands. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- "Dispatches: News from Around the Flanaess (Spring 591 CY)". Living Greyhawk Journal #3. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, February 2001.
- Meyer, Anna B.. Greyhawk Heraldry. 2020.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bastrayne of Woodwych (Baron) | Non-player character | [F9], | Dragon magazine #191 | 66 |
| Bastrayne of Woodwych (Baron) | Non-player character | [F9], | The Adventure Begins | 30, 31 |
| Bastrayne of Woodwych (Baron) | Non-player character | [F9], | WGR4 The Marklands | 62, 69, 70, 71, 89, 90 |
| Fharlanghn, Chapel of (Woodwych) | Building | Chapel, | Saga of Old City | 284 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 19 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | Dragon magazine #065 | 12 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | Dragon magazine #191 | 66 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 15 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | From the Ashes: References Card | #3 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 75, 139 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 48 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | Saga of Old City | 7, 124, 282, 283, 286, 287 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | The Adventure Begins | 30, 31 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | WGR4 The Marklands | 60, 62, 69, 70, 76, 78, 89, 90 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | WGR6 City of Skulls | 30 |
| Woodwych city | Settlement | Nyrond, City, Walled, (585 pop: 21000), (591 pop: 24300), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | IBC |
| Woodwych, Barony of | Province | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 77 | |
| Woodwych, Barony of | Province | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 28 |