Furyondy Kingdom of Furyondy
His Pious Majesty, The King of Furyondy —
Belvor IV
Capital: Chendl (pop. 15,600)
Population: 350,000+
Demi-humans: Some
Humanoids: Doubtful
Resources: foodstuffs, cloth, gold
The Viceroyalty of Ferrond was founded upon several small states during the height of Aerdian power (c. 100 CY). It was aimed at giving the Great Kingdom a strong satrapy on the western frontier from which further conquest could be launched. The Viceroy ruled from the Clatspur Mountains to the Nyr Dyv, from the Lortmils in the south to the far shores of Whyestil Lake, and beyond, in the north. As the power of the Malachite Throne in Rauxes waned (c. 200 CY), the viceroys of Ferrond ruled more by their own writ and less by the leave of the Aerdi overlords. In 898 O.R. the heir to Viceroy Stinvri (the Viceroyalty had become hereditary some years previously) was crowned in Dyvers as Thrommel I, King of Furyondy, Prince of Veluna, Provost of the Northern Reaches, Warden General of the Vesve Forest, Marshall of the Shield Lands, Lord of Dyvers, etc. The adjunctive states were soon lost, but the central core of the kingdom was sound and viable and has persisted. Belvor IV is a most noble and just king, and his realm is closely allied with that of Veluna, constantly warring upon the evil Horned Society and Iuz, as well as lending contingents to expeditions mounted by the Earl of the Shield Lands against the Bandit Kingdoms. Furyondy's belled heavy cavalry is famous throughout the Flanaess, as are their light infantry units drawn from the Vesve Forest. The standing army of the kingdom numbers only a few thousand, but noble and militia contingents swell its numbers to 20,000 or more in time of need. The Furyondian fleet upon the Whyestil absolutely commands that body of water, and there also is a Furyondian squadron upon the Nyr Dyv, sailing from its base at Willip. The kingdom's colors are blue and red stripes.
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: Kingdom of Furyondy
Ruler: His Pious Majesty, the King of Furyondy, Belvor IV (LG male human Pal16 of Heironeous)
Government: Feudal monarchy, hereditary kingship (no current heir) limited by Noble Council
Capital: Chendl
Major Towns: Baranford (pop. 2,200), Caronis (3,000), Chendl (15,600), Crockport (3,400), Free Borough (3,100), Gorsend (5,200), Grabford (8,800), Greatwall (4,400), Kisail (2,300), Libernen (3,900), Littleberg (7,700), Pantarn (2,500), Redoubt (5,900) Willip (19,000)
Provinces: Eight major provinces ruled by hereditary nobility (the "Seven Families")
Resources: Foodstuffs, cloth, gold, wines, fish, shipbuilding supplies
Coinage: [Furyondy standard] paladin (pp), wheatsheaf (gp), knight (ep), sheridan (sp), common (cp)
Population: 1,481,800—Human 79% (Osbf), Elf 9% (sylvan 60%, high 40%), Halfling 5%, Dwarf 3%, Gnome 2%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1%
Languages: Common, Velondi (far west), Elven, Halfling
Alignments: LG*, NG, LN
Religions: Heironeous, Rao, St. Cuthbert, Mayaheine, Zilchus, Trithereon, Fharlanghn, Beory
Allies: Veluna, Shield Lands, Highfolk, Ulek States, Verbobonc, Dyvers, Knights of the Hart
Enemies: Iuz, Scarlet Brotherhood, Rhennee (distrusted), Horned Society
Transformed nearly 350 years ago from a Vice royalty under Aerdy rule to an independent nation, Furyondy is a fertile land but one which has suffered greatly in the Wars. Some northern territory has been lost to Iuz, and Chendl is still being rebuilt after its seige, using resources this impoverished land can barely afford. Much of its naval power was lost on the Whyestil Lake, although from Willip, a goodly remnant sails the Nyr Dyv. It suffered grievous loss of manpower during the battles against Iuz, although it has been reinforced by Shield Landers who fled here when their homeland fell.
King Belvor IV must manage a balancing act, given the divisions of the seven noble houses of the kingdom. The northern nobles have been bled dry by the wars and desperately need money and men. The southern nobles resent the heavy taxes, even though they know they must pay them, and they are suspicious of excessive influence on Belvor from several quarters: from Veluna, which has a powerful say in Furyondian affairs given its greater strength; from the militaristic Knights of the Hart (sustained by the north ern nobles) who urge a revenge campaign on Iuz; from the ambassador of the Highfolk, allied with Furyondy during the wars; and from those Vesve folk whose infantry similarly allied with the kingdom. Most of Furyondy's residual army strength comes from veterans and levies raised by these nobles, and the King has no money to pay for mercenaries. Belvor feels his difficulties keenly and longs to rebuild his land, which he loves deeply. He is known to finance speculative quests from his own monies.
Yet even in such difficult times, ordinary Furyondians are good-natured, kindly people, sun ny of disposition and not insular as so many others are (though those close to the borders with Iuz are less trusting). They understand the need for rebuilding and protection and pay very heavy taxes willingly. Most believe war will come again, within a decade, and this time it will be a fight to the finish. They are prepared to work hard and sacrifice all to that end. Furyondy is a land with a glorious past, and its people do not forget this.
Overview:Modern Furyondy spans the land between the mighty Velverdyva and Veng Rivers, from the Nyr Dyv in the south to the southern shore of Lake Whyestil in the north. The nation abuts the grand Vesve Forest, but claims only a small part of that expanse.
The two great lakes moderate the weather throughout most of the year. Rain is more common in the north, making a depressing land even more miserable. Winter brings a great deal of snow, but is not particularly harsh.
Furyondy both profits and suffers from the disposition of its neighbors. The alliance with friendly onetime satellite nations like Highfolk and Veluna balances the depredation suffered at the hands of Iuz and, until recently, the Horned Society. The Greyhawk Wars changed the nation's borders; for several years, much of the northern provinces of Kalinstren and Crystalreach were occupied by Iuz.
War also brought about severe economic depression for the north, and a massive drain on the royal coffers. As a result, much of the king's wealth has been depleted. Much of the nationwide road system, once Furyondy's pride, lies in shambles unless supported by the wealth of local lords. This has had a deleterious effect upon the nation's economy, and trade is at an alarming low.
Though it suffered great losses in the Greyhawk Wars (582-584 CY) and the Great Northern Crusade (586-588 CY), and stands to lose even more to the newly declared eternal war against Iuz, Furyondy still boasts one of the most impressive standing armies in all the Flanaess. Augmented by war-hungry mercenaries and adventurers from distant lands, the full force of infantry and cavalry stand at about twenty thousand soldiers, with roughly the same number of warriors provided by local lords.
The Furyondian Royal Navy, based in Willip, patrols the Nyr Dyv, keeping the coasts (mostly) free of pirates and dangerous monsters. The Willip Arsenal, the largest dockyard in the Flanaess, has grown considerably in the last six years as the nation replaces dozens of lost ships.
The heartlands of Furyondy are governed by the king and by the Seven Families, each of whom control a single province within the kingdom. These nobles live to the fullest of their grand titles. The courts of dukes, barons, and earls rival that of the king himself. The provinces of Furyondy follow, with capitals and rulers.
Crystalreach, County of Grabford Count Artur Jakartai (LG male human Pal17 of Heironeous)
Fairwain Province Chendl (royal capital) King Belvor IV (LG male human Pal16 of Heironeous)
Gold County Libernen Countess Kyaren Rhavelle (N female human Wiz4 (illusionist))
Kalinstren, Barony of Crockport Baroness Jelleneth Kalinstren (CG female human Ftr9)
Littleberg, Barony of Littleberg Baron Jemain (LG male human Ftr11)
Reach, Duchy of the Caronis Duke Bennal Tyneman (CN male human Rog12)
March, Viscounty of the Gorsend Viscount Luther Derwent (N male human Ftr4)
Willip, Barony of Willip Baron Xanthan Butrain (LN male human Ftr8)
History: In the aftermath of war, participants and spectators always seek to cast one nation in the role of good, the other in the role of evil. If the Old One presents an all too obvious threat, Furyondy presents salvation. Were it not for the valor of Furyondy's knights, the resolve of its peasant levies, and the magic of its steadfast allies, the Flanaess very likely would be under the complete control of Iuz the Evil Furyondy is a place of chivalry, a bastion of good in these very troubled lands.
The realm began nearly five hundred years ago as the Viceroyalty of Ferrond, the proudest jewel in the crown of Aerdy. In those distant days, Ferrond consisted of modern-day Furyondy (Furyon) and Veluna (Voll), Highfolk, the Shield Lands, the Quaglands (Perrenland), and the hilly regions northeast of the massive Vesve Forest, then known as part of the Northern Reaches. The viceroy ruled fairly from Dyvers, where he was attended by scores of noble families culled from the Great Kingdom, as well as ennobled Flan who served Aerdy.
Ferrond followed Aerdy's feudalistic model, resulting in considerable profit for Rauxes though creating extremely difficult lives for the majority of Ferrondians. As the Aerdy empire faltered under incompetent overkings, the nobles of Ferrond withheld their imperial tithes, ruling by their own writ more than by the commands of their distant liege.
The death of the aged Viceroy Stinvri in 254 CY signaled a change in Ferrondian politics. No longer would the nobles of Ferrond bow to the "dangerous incompetence" of Rauxes. Instead, they installed Stinvri's heir as Thrommel I, king of Furyondy. The coronation was the cause of much celebrating in Dyvers, and considerable anguish in Aerdy. Immediately, half-hearted skirmishing in the lands north of the Nyr Dyv exploded into conflict bordering on allout war. Unrest from the northern barbarians and military incompetence cost Aerdy any chance at checking the Ferrondian movement. Though it took the Court of Essences more than a century to acknowledge it, Furyondy's independence suffered no serious opposition after 260 CY. Eventually, the excess of Furyondy's nobles and the pride of growing Furyondian nationalism triggered an expansionist phase that saw the annexation of Bissel in 438 CY. Only the secession of Voll (later Veluna) and the strength of Keoland to the south halted Furyondy's aggressive growth.
The year 479 CY saw the appearance of Iuz in the north, and in the following years much of the Northern Reaches was lost to the cambion lord. Furyondy's new preoccupation would not be with internal politics or foreign treaties, but with a demon-spawned tyrant.
King Belvor IV, the realm's current monarch, came to the throne in 537 CY. The events of the last two decades have weighed heavily on his heart, and he has turned from a kindly if forceful gentleman to a bitter, aged warrior. He remains devoted to the teachings of Heironeous, but many believe that Belvor goes through the motions of leadership without spirit, exhausted by war.
Belvor's lesser nobles hold the king in check; their representatives form the basis of a Noble Council convened in the current capital, Chendl. Before the king makes important decrees, he must first garner the support of this body, which often holds its own interests above that of the nation as a whole. Below the king and the Noble Council is an array of minor nobles known as the Knightly Conclave, a parliamentary group that considers any issue it wishes, then offers its opinions to Belvor.
The Greyhawk Wars were not kind to Furyondy. Ever a stalwart foe of the Old One, the nation paid in blood when the armies of Iuz marched south and west. With Bissel overrun by Ket, most of Furyondy's allies were cut off from aiding the nation against waves of orcs, hobgoblins, and demons. Crockport and Grabford fell quickly; Chendl laid besieged for months and suffered significant damage. The Whyestil Lake navy narrowly escaped complete destruction at terrible cost. Furyondy lost nearly thirty thousand men in the fighting. Though refugees from the Bandit Kingdoms and even repentant humans from the Horned Society helped to replace fallen soldiers, they did little to ameliorate the pain and suffering of those who had lost loved ones in the struggle. Expatriate Shield Landers, nearly eleven thousand of them, understood this loss all too well. They emigrated to Furyondy after the fall of their own nation, hungry for retribution and eager to bring the war to Iuz. With the ratification of the great Pact of Greyhawk in Harvester 584, however, the wars came to an end. Furyondy and Iuz alike licked terrible wounds across a newly formed border and miles of physical and emotional devastation.
Despite the Pact of Greyhawk, Belvor and his advisers worked behind the scenes to deal a telling blow to the enemy to the north. An alliance with Veluna, always a strong ally and moral compass for Furyondy, resulted in the recovery of the Crook of Rao and the Flight of Fiends in Coldeven 586 CY. Without his support structure of fiendish officers, Iuz's armies lost much of their striking power and organization. Belvor knew well that this chaos would not last forever. Furyondy's plight demanded action. At great cost to his own power and holdings, King Belvor IV initiated the Great Northern Crusade. Furyondy's armies smashed northward in early Planting, bulwarked by the Knights of the Hart and the archmage Bigby. Fighting continued for more than a year, with few meaningful victories for either side. Finally, in 588 CY, the Battle of Grabford provided Furyondy with a crucial victory that allowed it to encircle Crockport, the base of Iuz's operations in the occupied lands. When the city finally fell to the forces of weal, it was the site of uncontrolled chaos and slaughter of the occupying forces. Crockport had been the goal of the great Northern Crusade. Many fell victim to emotion in its recapture, and few good men remember the event with any degree of pride.
If Crockport had been the initial goal of the Crusade, however, general revenge, and the ultimate destruction of Iuz the Evil soon took its place. Recaptured lands revealed the horrible truth of the occupation—entire villages had been reanimated; Iuz's agents knew no pity, and reveled in destruction and butchery. Exactly three years to the day of calling the original Crusade, Belvor appeared in public in Chendl, proclaiming a "permanent and unalterable state of war" between Furyondy and the Empire of Iuz.
For the past two years, war has continued in the form of cross-border raids and magical assaults, spy operations, assassination and sabotage, and mercenary strikes against supply and headquarters units, Whole months pass without noteworthy actions (in the public eye, at least). Still, the ultimate goal of Iuz's downfall burns in the hearts and minds of all Furyondians.
Conflicts and Intrigues:The Furyondian branch of the Knights of the Hart is becoming increasingly political, to the chagrin of the southern lords. Three cloven-hoofed children were born in the town of Pantarn within the last year. Count Artur Jakartai of Crystalreach is being courted by Shield Landers who desire his help in reclaiming their lost land. King Belvor is aging and has no heir apparent.
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