Greyhawk Militia
| Greyhawk Militia | |
|---|---|
| Alignment: | Lawful |
| Type: | Military |
| Leader: | Tigran Gellner |
| Members: | Soldiers |
| Headquarters: | Free City of Greyhawk |
| Enemies: | Guild of Gladiators, Wrestlers, and Professional Combatants |
The Greyhawk Militia, or Free City Militia,[1] is the standing army of the Domain of Greyhawk.
Description
The Free City Militia is the standing army of the Domain. It patrols and protects the Domain from the walls of the city outward, as opposed to the City Watch which operates within the city.
The militia has powers of arrest.[2]
History
In early years of Greyhawk's growth as a city, troops of the Great Kingdom were stationed in the Free City. Soldiers were withdrawn in 230 CY, leaving only local militia to defend the city.[3] Which is a tradition still held to this day, though the organization is now really more of an army than a militia, contemporarily.
Zagig "reformed the militia and led it to many victories over bandits tn rhe Cairn Hills."[4]
After the disappearance of Zagig, "the Guild of Thieves soon had several members on the Oligarchy in its pay, and eventually grew to such power that even the Greyhawk Militia obeyed the orders of its guildmaster."[5]
Several attempts were made by the Homed Society to infiltrate Greyhawk's government and militia, but these were detected and stopped with some difficulty.[5]
During the Greyhawk Wars, the militia forces from Safeton burned Cantona to the ground, because it had been overrun by the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj.[6]
The Safeton Border Guards was formed because "during the Greyhawk Wars, the Greyhawk Militia was ordered to establish posts and garrisons throughout the Cairn Hills and in the northern Wild Coast, to protect Greyhawk's valuable mines and defend the south from invasion by the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj."[7]
"During the springs of 583 and 584 CY, lizardmen from the Mistmarsh became unusually active and attacked livestock and some outlying farms. This has resulted in the drafting of more militia into the area, and the construction of two new tower keeps to the north and south of the marsh: Marsh Keep and Blackwall Keep (technically part of the Cairn Hills Force)."[8]
Activites
"In the daytime, one watchman of the Greyhawk Militia is placed every 300 feet along the top of the surrounding wall [of the Free City]. At night, two sentries stand every 150 feet along the top, and torches are kept lit there by die Lamplighters’ Guild, alternating every 150 feet with the sentries (sentries thus have torches 75 feet to the left and nght of them). In practical terms, about 65 sentries are on the wall during the daytime, give or take a dozen depending on circumstances. At night, this number rises to over 250. The exact numbers of sentries on the wall at any time is kept secret."[9]
During Richfest, Midsummer Day is celebrated as Foundation Day in Narwell (a celebration of the town's founding). There is a parade performed by the Greyhawk Militia.[10]
Members
Many members of the Greyhawk Militia are worshippers of Heironeous, and gather at the Sanctum of Heironeous.[11]
It is not uncommon for those in the City Watch to have previously served in the Greyhawk Militia; notably those at the Artisans' Quarter City Watch Station, who are considered "very patriotic."[12]
Officers of the militia fall into the upper class of society in the free City,[13] while the everyday professional soldiers of the militia fall into the middle class.[14]
Notable individuals
- Sir Gavin Ambus (LG [[male human Ftr13)—once an officer in the Greyhawk Militia; an extremely popular figure in the city of Greyhawk
- Tigran Gellner (LN male human Ftr12)—Captain-General of the Watch. Chosen in 583 CY to replace Sental Nurev as both Director and Captain-General of the Watch.
- Sental Nurev† (LN male human Ftr13)—Captain-General of Greyhawk in 576 CY. Dies under suspicious circumstances in 583 CY and replaced in both offices by Tigran Gellner.
- Turin Deathstalker (LE male human Ftr18)—Commander of the garrison at Safeton in 591 CY.[15]
- Captain Tolliver Trask (LN male human War10)—commander of the Diamond Lake garrison.[16]
- Ralston Tour (N male human Ftr11)—former militia member and proprietor of the Patricians' Club in the High Quarter of the city.
- Horst Manual (N male human Ftr5)—Public Councilor for Clerkburg; former member of the militia and the Gnarleys; fought in the Greyhawk Wars in Furyondy (war hero).
Headquarters
See also: Mountaineer Militia and Cairn Hills Force for listings of the forts and garrisons they occupy.
The militia has a garrison within the city, though it only operated outside the city. At the City Guard Barracks, space is "reserved for extra units of the Greyhawk Militia in case they are needed in the city."[17]
The notable Diamond Lake Garrison is part of the Cairn Hills Force.
Being posted at Two Ford is considered a sign of disapproval. Militia members "do not tend to be stationed here long."[18]
Private armies
The Greyhawk Militia is the only military or para-military force allowed in the city.
"Citizens and visitors cannot bring private armies, militias, or personal guards into the city without a license. This prevents attempts to overthrow the government or spread havoc on a wide scale. Mercenary guards for caravans are licensed by the city through the Union of Merchants and Traders or the Guild of Mercenaries."[19]
Structure
The Domain of Greyhawk's military forces, though technically under the Lord Mayor's authority, are usually commanded by the Domain's highest-ranking military officer, the Captain General of the Watch, who also sits on the city's Directing Oligarchy. The Captain General in 591 CY is Tigran Gellner.
"Greyhawk, which once relied on mercenaries, luck, and a poorly trained farmers’ militia, now has a strong and dedicated army combined with a strong naval presence in Woolly Bay, projected from Hardby and Safeton."[20]
Special divisions
The Greyhawk Militia is a single general service, but it does have several specially trained or stationed units, including:[20]
- Cairn Hills Force, led by Commander Schinus Balint.
- Mountaineer Militia—includes Skypilots (griffon riders),[20] led by Commander Carstane Geronten.
- Hardby Marines—patrol Wooly Bay[20] led by Commander Wilbrem Carister.
- Narwell Headhunters.[20]
- Safeton Border Guards,[20] led by Commander Turin Deathstalker.
- Selintan river patrol, called "Water Rats,"[21]—patrol the Selintan River, four patrols p/day passing any nearby location.
Alignment
Heraldry
Ranks
- Combat Mage (Wiz9)
- Priest (Clr7)
- Captain (Ftr9)
- Lieutenant (Ftr6)
- Sergeant-at-arms (Ftr3)
- Junior Sergeant (Ftr2)
- Man-at-arms (Ftr1)
Resources
Currency
Rumors and legends
Publishing history
See also
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ "Backdrop: Diamond Lake". Dungeon #124 (Jul 2005), p.57
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.70.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.58.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.59.
- ↑ a b The Adventure Begins (1998), p.60.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.3, Adventure Maps.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.8.
- ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.18, Campaign Book.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.78.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.46.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.92.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.112.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.71.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.72.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.101.
- ↑ "Backdrop: Diamond Lake". Dungeon #124 (Jul 2005), p.57
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.85.
- ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.16, Campaign Book.
- ↑ The Adventure Begins (1998), p.68.
- ↑ a b c d e f The Adventure Begins (1998), p.6.
- ↑ From the Ashes (1992), p.14, Campaign Book.
Bibliography
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: (TSR, 1992). Item code TSR1064. 1-56076-341-8
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | Dragon magazine #191 | 66 |
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | Dragon magazine #262 | 38, 39, 40 |
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 13, 20, 23, 25, 31, 35, 40, 41, 43-47, 51, 55, 57, 78, 87, 90 |
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 51 |
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | Living Greyhawk Journal #1 | 26 |
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 29, 54, 59, 62 |
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 27 |
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | The Adventure Begins | 6, 8, 44, 46, 47, 58, 60, 63, 65, 66, 70, 71, 72, 74, 78, 81, 82, 84, 85, 92, 98, 99, 103, 110, 112 |
| Greyhawk Militia | People Group | Army, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 2, 3 |
| Militia, Greyhawk | People Group | Army, | Reference | SEE Greyhawk Militia |