Elmshire

This pastoral settlement of halflings has grown to become a major centre for the diminutive demihumans, no doubt because of its proximity to The Free City of Greyhawk itself. Halflings, as a rule, enjoy the Free City for a time but grow tired of living there. Consequently, more than 4000 of them have settled here, near the inlet of the Selintan River. Elmshire appears quite different human communities, as it is spread out and has no community core. It is said that a man could walk from one end of Elmshire to the other and be only vaguely aware he has passed through a significant settlement. Popular deities in Elmshire include Ehlonna, Arvoreen, Pelor, Yondalla, Cyrrollalee, and Sheela Peryroyl. The majority of clerics in Elmshire are female. This has long been a tradition in halfling communities, but it is quite pronounced here. Male clerics are primarily found among Arvoreen’s worship, working as warriors or scouts.
During 583 CY, an outbreak of a mysterious plague known as Yellow Eye decimated this community and nearly a quarter of the population died. The reasons for this are wholly mysterious, but the wasting symptoms and catastrophic infectious phases of the plague appalled and terrified the halflings, who became a more fearful folk afterwards. Traditionally a city of good food and good cheer, Elmshire is still recovering from the ordeal. Many of the survivors feel guilt at having outlived younger loved ones who died.
Another dramatic event marked Elmshire and damaged its hospitality only two years later. In the spring of 585 CY, about forty adult halflings disappeared in separate incidents while on guard duty along the Midbay shoreline. An investigation revealed that the guards were being drugged by a renegade halfling in league with an evil Rhennee family. These Rhennee worked for Iuz, and they took the kidnapped halflings across the Nyr Dyv to an unspeakable fate in the Empire of Iuz. Public outcry was so intense that the normally placid nature of Elmshire’s citizens was completely discarded. The halflings involved were branded, beaten, and exiled as a result, their lands and possessions seized for public auction. The ringleader, Permen Merrifoot was hanged after a trial lasting three days, and his body was burned to ashes. The town of Elmshire then turned completely against the Rhennee, attacking two barges with missile fire in 585 CY, and the bargefolk have avoided the town completely since then. No longer welcome, the Rhennee are regarded by almost all halflings as evil until proven otherwise.

Type

Village