Celene Kingdom of Celene
Her Fey Majesty, Yolande, Queen of Celene, Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind
Capital: Enstad (pop. 6,950)
Population: 20,000
Demi-humans: Gray Elves (9,500), Sylvan Elves (8,000), Gnomes (13,500), Halflings
Humanoids: None
Resources: foodstuffs, cloth, silver
This small land west of the Wild Coast beyond the Welkwood has long been under the rule of Olven folk. Although these are good creatures, they do not welcome strangers (with cause), and little certain knowledge of Celene or its Court exists. The realm is friendly with the Ulek states, and an alliance between Celene and these countries was responsible for the campaigns which drove all of the humanoids from the Lortmil Mountains — although the defeated forces of humanoids subsequently invaded and took over the Pomarj. A small number of humans and half elvenfolk dwell in Celene, many serving in its military, for continual warfare is carried on (in the Suss Forest and beyond the Jewel River) with the Pomarj humanoid tribes.
The Living Greyhawk Gazetter (LGG) is a sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Setting is 591CYProper Name: Faerie Kingdom of Celene
Ruler: Her Fey Majesty, Queen Yolande, Perfect Flower of Celene, Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind (CG female elf Wiz13/Ftr2)
Government: Hereditary feudal monarchy in which royal house and all noble houses are elven; currently has no official political relations with any outside nation
Capital: Enstad
Major Towns: Enstad (pop. 7,200)
Provinces: Many manorial estates, castles, and townships governed by princes, dukes, counts, and barons in a chaotic patchwork
Resources: Foodstuffs, cloth, silver, fine wine and spiritsCoinage: Moonveil (pp) suncrown (gp), starcloak (ep), bellflower (sp), oakleaf (cp)
Population: 140,000—Elf 79% (gray 55%, sylvan 45%), Human 9% (Sof). Half-elf 5%, Gnome 3%, Halfling 2% (tallfellow 50%, lightfoot 25%, stout 25%), Other 2%Languages: Elven, Common, Sylvan, Gnome, Halfling
Alignments: CG*, NG, LN, N, LG
Religions: Elf pantheon*, gnome pantheon, Ehlonna, Phaulkon, Phyton, halfling pantheon
Allies: Duchy of Ulek (minor), Knights of Luna (but see below)
Enemies: Pomarj, Iuz. However, Celene has politically isolated itself from all surrounding states.
This small land has always been under the rule of elves, and gray elves have always been dominant within the Great Court. Centaurs, sprites, brownies, and their kin prowl the western Welkwood and Suss Forest, jealously guarding Celene's borders. Celene is renowned for magnificent green wines, bards, song, and arts of the highest achievement—or was so, before the Wars.
In happier days, Celene allied well with the Ulek states, especially the elf-dominated Duchy. Historically, the states acted together against the humanoids of the Lortmil mountains, and elf and dwarf worked together to this end. However, during the wars, Celene became strongly isolationist. It did not act to help the brave dwarves and gnomes against the Pomarj invaders, even though on its own borders, its own ordinary folk had long battled against them in the Suss Forest.
Perhaps Queen Yolande was ill-advised; perhaps she takes a long view, beyond the present troubles. Certainly, there are elves in Celene who believe humanity to be only marginally less barbarous than hobgoblins and ores. But many in her realm regard the elves' failure to support those who trusted and loved them as cowardice, even treachery. Some elves fought with the dwarves and gnomes at the Battle of the Pass of Celene, and they, among others, proclaim that they no longer revere the Great Court.
A grouping of elves within Celene's own lands has coalesced to oppose Yolande: the Knights of Luna favor the active support of their brethren in Veluna and the Duchy of Ulek, and even support alliance with the dwarves of the Ulek states. They remain yet a secret society, although they have members in the Great Court who seek to persuade Yolande to direct support for the be leaguered nations of the central Flanaess.
Celene is a land in turmoil, and Yolande's dogged refusal to become involved in the central conflicts of the Flanaess goes against the spirit of many Celenians.
Overview:Celene is the principal nation of the elves in the Flanaess. Ruled by an elven monarch of Faerie lineage, the Grand Court is imbibed of the Fey Mysteries, from the frolics to the passions, and all rites are observed with deliberate care. Queen Yolande is foremost in these devotions, and this has given her the reputation, in human lands, of being oblivious to events beyond Celene's borders. This is only partly accurate, since the queen sometimes receives ambassadors from foreign lands and displays a clear understanding of events in the larger Flanaess. However, she has also clearly stated that she wishes no elves to die in humanity's wars.
Celene's borders are formed by the Jewel River in the East, and the Handmaiden River to the west and south. To the north are the Kron Hills and the curving eastern spur of the Lortmils, which form a vast natural arena behind the capital, Enstad. The capital is located in the northwestern corner of Celene, by the headwaters of the Handmaiden River. Enstad is a small city, compared to other capitals, and is dominated by the Palace of the Faerie Queen, with its gold-chased silver domes and spires. Parks and meadows, filled with numerous fountains, pools, and gardens, are the other chief examples of architecture in the elven capital.
All of this is well defended by the Companion Guard, knights under the command of the royal consort. The standing military of Celene is primarily elven light infantry with longswords and longspears, with numerous companies of archers as well. Celene also boasts an elite hippogriff-riding cavalry, chosen from the most noble and experienced gray elven officers in the queen's service. Most forces in the kingdom are loyal to the queen, but dissenting groups such as the Knights of Luna serve leaders with different ambitions. Most of these units are border companies in the Suss or the Welkwood, and many have fought Pomarj orcs in the Principality of Ulek. History: Celene has ever been home to the gray elves of the Flanaess. In ancient days, elven princes held sway from the Velverdyva to the Wild Coast; by the time of the Migrations, their rule had diminished to isolated pockets such as Celene. In those dark days, groups of fleeing Suloise pushed through the Lortmils and entered the elven country, but their sojourn was brief. Such was the wantonness and cruelty of the Suel that most were banished by the elves and driven past the Jewel River. Other human tribes, even among the Suloise, were better received by the elves if they cherished the land and its life. The elves of Celene even offered their allegiance to the benign rulers of Keoland for several centuries, rejecting them only when warlike monarchs took the Keoish throne.
The Grand Court assembled at Enstad to determine the best course for the elves, seeking a leader from among their number. Princess Yolande of Bellmeadow, a fey wizard and accomplished warrior, was hailed by the gathered nobles as their brightest hope. Together with the Ulek Provinces, Celene expelled the royal garrisons of Keoland. Princess Yolande organized the defenses of the elven nation, and Prince Consort Triserron proved an able field commander, besting Keoish forces in a number of short engagements. With their victories came full independence for Celene, and the elevation of Yolande to queen of the new realm.
Other perils soon threatened the elven kingdom. The orcs of the Lortmils, no longer restrained by Keoish patrols, attacked their lowland neighbors with increasing ferocity. These invasions were always turned back, but at great cost, and there seemed no end to the hordes that spewed from the mountains each spring. Celene joined in a defensive alliance with the Ulek States and the Kron Hills gnomes, seeking to contain the nonhuman menace by coordinating the efforts of each nation's military. They achieved limited success, but continued to incur losses, the greatest of these being the death of the prince consort of Celene. While returning from a mission to the County of Ulek, the prince consort was waylaid and slain by orcs in a narrow pass south of the town of Courwood. His tragic death led the elves of Celene to spearhead the Hateful Wars.
The Hateful Wars were a series of conflicts waged for more than a decade against the orcs and goblins in the heart of the Lortmils. Following the Low Road of the Lortmils (the underground passages that linked the major goblinoid lairs), the combined forces discovered every secret stronghold in the chain. Each orc, goblin, and hobgoblin lair was destroyed, together with as many of the hated beings as possible. Forced to the surface, the survivors had nowhere to recover their strength and numbers. After two harsh winters they were driven from the mountains altogether.
The successful prosecution of the Hateful Wars brought Yolande even greater honor: she was invested by the Grand Court with the Mantle of the Blue Moon, giving her the title "Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind." Queen Yolande found little comfort in such artifacts and honorifics while she grieved for her loss, though she took a series of consorts with whom she might practice the Faerie Mysteries. Through the years, Celene and its monarch grew ever more isolationist, until by the time of the Greyhawk Wars Yolande did not even offer assistance to the Principality of Ulek against the orcs of the Pomarj. This inconceivable turn of events led many to wonder if the queen was under the influence of evil advisors, or perhaps even mad. In truth, she merely saw the lives of elves as more important than any other consideration.
Since the Wars, Celene has maintained its official policy of noninvolvement, though many elves have volunteered to fight in the Suss Forest or farther afield. The Knights of Luna are a force of dissension, though many of their most aggressive members are found in the Duchy of Ulek rather than Celene itself. The affairs of the Grand Court are obscure to outsiders, though it would seem that Queen Yolande is still in complete authority. She has even acquired a new honorific: the Perfect Flower of Celene. Clearly, though many Celenese find fault with her policies, they also remember her past greatness, and are not yet willing to turn from her.
Conflicts and Intrigues:Evil nonhumans from the Pomarj remain a constant threat to Celene's southern borders. There have also been some border disputes with Greyhawk. Some members of the Knights of Luna seek to gain control of the Celene military. The Royal Consort recently entered the Moonarch of Sehanine, and has not returned. The queen has summoned diviners to her court in an effort to determine his plight.
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