Onnwal Free State Member of the Iron League
His Noble Authority Ewerd Destron, the Szek of Onnwal
Capital: Scant (pop. 4,700)
Population: 40,000
Demi-humans: Dwarves (2,000)
Humanoids: None
Resources: platinum, gems (III)
Onnwal was originally a lesser fief of the Herzog of South Province, to be granted as he saw fit to his faithful followers. The oppressive rule of the Great Kingdom brought great discontent and instigated open rebellion, the whole of the South Province being in arms. All of the lower portion was lost to the empire when the Iron League was founded in 447 CY. This alliance joined Onnwal with the Free City of Irongate (which barred the Onnwal peninsula), Idee, Sunndi, and the demi-humans of the Glorioles and Hestmark Highlands in economic and military alliance. Onnwal and Irongate supplied the sea power, while the other members furnished troops for land actions — although strong contingents from both of the former places were also sent to battle. Irongate was besieged by Aerdian forces for several months, but in the battle of a Thousand Banners the siege was lifted when a ruse panicked the northerners, and great numbers of them were subsequently slain by a combined host of men and Gray Elves of the League. While never invaded, Onnwal is subject to periodic sea raids from the Herzog's squadrons. The major port of Scant is exceptionally well fortified because of this fact. Other than a small force of regulars and her marines, Onnwal relies upon levies in time of war.
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: Obedient State of Onnwal (Scarlet Brotherhood or, Free State of Onnwal (rebels, member of the Iron League)
Government: Hereditary feudal monarchy (currently contested)
Ruler: Contested: (Scarlet Brotherhood) Exalted Sister Kuranyie (LE female human Mnk10
(rebels) His Noble Authority, Jian Destron, the Szek of Free Onnwal (LN male human Ftr8),
and His Honor Rakehell Chert, Commander of the Free Onnwal Army of Rebellion (N male human Rog18)
Capital: Scant (but see below)
Major Towns: Scant (pop. 4,500)
Provinces: One city district (Scant, held by the Scarlet Brotherhood), twenty-four lairdships and village
mayorships (nearly all held by rebels)
Resources: Platinum, gems (III, includes pearls)
Coinage: Sea eagle (pp), gull (gp), wader (ep), goose (sp), duck (cp)
Population: 85,500—Human 79% (Os), Dwarf 9% (hill), Gnome 5%, Halfling 3%, Elf 2%, Other 2%
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Gnome
Alignments: LE*, NE (SB rulers in Scant LG, LN*, N, CG, CN (Scant citizens, "Free Onnwal" rebels)
Religions: Scarlet Brotherhood gods (SB rulers in Scant Osprem, Zilchus, Procan, Norebo, Xerbo, Jascar, Fortubo (rebels)
Allies: [of Brotherhood rulers] Scarlet Brotherhood, Lordship of the Isles, elements in the Pomarj; [of rebels] Irongate, Sunndi, Nyrond, Duchy of Urnst, Greyhawk
Enemies: [of Brotherhood rulers] dwarves and gnomes of the Headlands, Irongate, Sunndi, Nyrond, Duchy of Urnst, Greyhawk, County of Urnst; [of rebels] Scarlet Brotherhood, Lordship of the Isles, Pomarj. Ahlissa is regarded as an enemy by both sides.
Overview: Onnwal is a small realm, located on a large peninsula that extends westward from the Principality of Ahlissa (of the United Kingdom of Ahlissa), dividing the eastern Sea of Gearnat from the Azure Sea. Most of its lands are accessed primarily from the sea, for the neck of the peninsula is choked by the Headlands, which are almost impassable to most traffic. The city-state of Irongate, with its warding walls and fortresses, borders Onnwal in the east and guards the few passes onto the peninsula. These formidable barriers have generally isolated the realm from the affairs and conflicts of the continent.The lowlands that form the head of the peninsula are covered in rich pastures. These lands are home to clusters of small farms that surround villages connected to each other by a spidery road network spreading out from Scant. Mining of silver and platinum in the western foothills of the Headlands is the primary industry of the nation, but this activity has slowed to a crawl since revolt spread across the countryside. Food was once exported to Irongate, but the Scarlet Brotherhood halted such shipments out of Scant.
Most Onnwal citizens are an Oeridian-Suel mix, descendants of settlers who displaced the original Flan natives to build farms. Some Flan tribes remain in the region, but they are not considered citizens and live in the hills, herding animals. Many dwarf clans live alongside these Headlanders, and the lot of them owe fealty to no one though remain on friendly terms with the Iron League.
Currently, Onnwal is divided into two controlling camps. Agents of the Scarlet Brotherhood command the fortified port of Scant and the immediate precincts of the city. While this represents less than 10% of the country, Scant is still the primary gateway to the rest of the Flanaess and the Scarlet Brotherhood fleet can use this city as a base to extort levies from sea traffic passing through the Strait of Gearnat. However, the hinterlands of the country are no longer theirs. A movement calling itself "Free Onnwal" has taken control of most of these lands since a general revolt against the Brotherhood invaders was launched in 586 CY. They have the support of most of the lairdships in the villages outside the capital. These insurgents are led by Lord Jian Destron, son of the deposed and assassinated Szek. His closest adviser is Rakehell Chert, the former leader of the thieves in Scant and now commander of the (ex-thief) guerrillas. These rebels are strongly allied with Irongate and the surviving states of the Iron League, who support them with goods, weapons, and intelligence.
History:After the Aerdi first conquered the lands surrounding the lower Flanmi and founded the kernel of their empire along the Solnor Coast, their ambitions soon turned to the southwest, where great riches awaited. The Flan kingdom of Ahlissa was conquered in the fifth century OR and eventually became the core of mighty South Province. The lands farther south were controlled by the Suel, but a series a brutal wars brought regions such as Idee and Sunndi into the burgeoning Aerdi kingdom (as part of South Province) over the next century. In 598 OR (-46 CY), Onnwal was taken after a long and bloody conflict that ended with the establishment of Irongate and final control of the Headlands for the Aerdi. The peninsula was awarded as a fief to the herzog of South Province, who constructed the port of Scant in 12 CY to facilitate its colonization by the Aerdi. The port also served as a means by which to share Onnwal's resources, particularly the silver and platinum being drawn out the hills, with the markets of Prymp and Chathold. The szeks of Onnwal who administered the land were originally appointed by the herzog in Zelradton and were usually favored members of his court.
When the Turmoil of Between the Crowns sowed rebellion and caused widespread division in the Great Kingdom, Onnwal joined the other southern states who broke from the Malachite Throne. The herzog of South Province failed to force them back into line, and Szek Parmus Destron became an independent lord in the aftermath. Rulership of the land henceforth became hereditary. Onnwal and Irongate provided the primary naval support for the Iron League, with the Szek responsible for shuttling league business between the Azure Sea and their allies in Nyrond and the north. For the next century and a half, Destron's descendants continued to rule the land from their protected capital in Scant. Onnwal, unlike Irongate, failed to recognize the treachery that caused it to fall into the hands of the Scarlet Brotherhood during the Greyhawk Wars. The land had never been invaded and had previously been subjected only to periodic naval raids by South Province The Scarlet Brotherhood assassinated Szek Ewerd Destron and took over the land almost overnight. Some anticipated the takeover just in time, particularly the thieves' guild in Scant, which absconded from the city to the countryside in 584 CY.
The barbaric treatment of the populace by the Scarlet Brotherhood whet the cry for revenge, and a gen eral revolt was launched in late 586 CY before the Brotherhood could crack down on the rebels. The countryside became a battleground during a brief, bitter struggle in which the freedom fighters drove the Scarlet Brotherhood back to the city of Scant. These insurgents have nearly convinced Lord Mayor Cobb Darg of Irongate that they can win back the whole land soon.
In late 590 CY, they garnered his official, though measured, support; Irongate now recognizes Destron's government in exile in exchange for the export of desperately needed supplies to the besieged capital of the Iron League. Sister Kuranyie (in hiding to prevent her assassination) has demanded a relief force from Kro Terlep to quash the rebellion. However, troubles for the Scarlet Brotherhood elsewhere have made her situation lose priority in the hierarchy, so long as control of the port of Scant is maintained.
Conflicts and Intrigues:The Scarlet Brotherhood in Scant plans to approach Turrosh Mak in the Pomarj for the orcs necessary to accomplish this goal. Mak might be paid in slaves drawn from the population of Onnwal. Rebels want to get Irongate actively involved in the war by blockading Scant. Rakehell Chert might approach leaders of the Flan Headlanders, promising them autonomy for the hills if they join his cause.
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