History of Greyhawk

Ancient burial tombs were established in the Cairn Hills by several races, of which only the Flan are recognised. The three other older races are collectively referred to as the Cairn Builders.

After decades of conflict between the Suel Imperium and the Baklunish Empire, the Suloise Mages of Power called down the Invoked Devastation upon the Baklunish. In retaliation, a cadre of Baklunish wizard-clerics brought the Rain of Colourless Fire upon their hated enemies. Both empires were destroyed, leaving only the Dry Steppes and the Sea of Dust. Suloise refugees, migrating eastwards, soon crossed the Crystalmist Mountains into the Flanaess, often fighting for control against the Oeridians. Most Baklunish survivors fled north towards the Yatil Mountains or Dramidj Ocean.

Iuz mysteriously disappeared. A Cult of Iuz soon appeared worshipping the Old One as a god.

Iuz freed from imprisonment under Castle Greyhawk and returned to his lands as a god made flesh. Thousands of those who had been “unfaithful” were murdered upon his return.   The Circle of Eight revealed that not only was Zagig (now called Zagyg) still alive, but he was also the demigod servant of Boccob, the god of magic.   Nerof Gasgal, a master thief, became Lord Mayor of Greyhawk.

Iuz appeared to the Thillonrian Barbarians as their god, Vatun. Uniting the Northmen with the Hold of Stonefist, he quickly conquered the Duchy of Tenh before the alliance broke up. Returning to his homeland, Iuz then conquered the Horned Society, Bandit Kingdoms, and the Shield Lands in quick succession. Furyondy was invaded, and much of its northern territory was captured and laid waste.   Taking advantage of the chaos, Ivid V of the Great Kingdom invaded Sunndi, Almor, and Nyrond, conquering all but the latter. Ivid attempted to ensure loyalty by having his generals and nobles assassinated and reanimated as intelligent undead. He in turn was assassinated, though the Church of Hextor restored him to undead “life”, after which he known as Ivid the Undying. In 584 CY, a half-orc named Turrosh Mak united the humanoid tribes of the Pomarj, conquering several cities of the Wild Coast and nearly half of the Principality of Ulek. The appeals of the Prince of Ulek to Yolande, the Olven Queen of Celene, fell upon uncaring ears. Celene closed its borders to even its most trusted allies, refusing to let elf blood fall in non-elf wars. The Knights of Luna were formed by elves who opposed Queen Yolande’s neutrality during the Greyhawk Wars.   That same year, decade-old paranoia regarding the Scarlet Brotherhood came true, as advisors in courts throughout the Flanaess were found to be Brotherhood agents. The Lordship of the Isles, Idee, Onnwal, and the Hold of the Sea Princes fell under the influence of the Scarlet Sign, from treachery or invasion. The Brotherhood was revealed as an evil, racist order dedicated to preserving the culture and purity of the ancient Suel Imperium, without regard to the lives of others.

Delegates from battle-weary lands gathered in the City of Greyhawk to declare peace, fix borders, and mandate an end to hostilities. Because of the site of the treaty, the great conflicts soon became known as the Greyhawk Wars. Before the signing, the archmage Rary of Ket slew two members of the Circle of Eight before escaping to the Bright Desert with his cohort, Lord Robilar.

Canon Hazen of Veluna employed the Crook of Rao, a powerful artefact, in a special ceremony that purged the Flanaess of nearly all fiends inhabiting it. Outsiders summoned by Iuz, Ivid the Undying or other evils fell victim to this magical assault, which became known as the Flight of the Fiends. King Belvor IV of Furyondy quickly joined Canon Hazen in declaring the Great Northern Crusade, to regain lands lost to Iuz during the Greyhawk Wars, thus breaking the Pact of Greyhawk.   Immediately after the Flight of the Fiends, it was announced in Rauxes, the capital of the Great Kingdom, that Ivid V was no longer Overking, though it was unclear if he had actually died. As nobles and generals fought over the Malachite Throne, the City of Rauxes was engulfed in a strange magical field that prevented approach. Herzog Grenell of the North Province soon declared himself Overking of the Great Kingdom of Northern Aerdy. The following year, Xavener I was also crowned as Overking of the United Kingdom of Ahlissa.