South Province {Ahlissa}
The South Province of the Great Kingdom (Ahlissa)
His High and Radiant Grace, the Herzog of the South Province —Chelor III, Fasstal of Ahlissa, Idee and Sunndi, Overlord of Onnwal
Fighter/Thief; 11/5
House: Naelax-Selor
Capital: Zelradton (7,000 )
Population: 400,000
Nobility, Gentry, Landed Knights soldiery: 4,000
Demihumans: Doubtful
Humanoids: Few (20,000)
Ethnicities: Oeridian (Major), Suel (Minor)
Resources: foodstuffs, silver
State religion: Hextor, God of War
The ruler of South Province, a cousin of the Overking in Rauxes, is in disfavor. All previous attempts to regain the lost portions of the fief have been turned back in defeat, and the revenues coming to the Malachite Throne have diminished considerably, for the lost territories were rich indeed. Thus the Herzog has stated the intent to stake his entire personal fortune on a last attempt to break the Iron League. Success, of course, would make most of his title something more than hot air, regain favor for him in Rauxes, swell his coffers to bursting with wealth, and lastly give much wicked satisfaction to him.
At the present time the holding extends only to the fief of Ahlissa and the central lands always retained by the Herzog, the territory around Hexpools and the Thelly River (and portions of this are even claimed by the Censor of Medegia who seeks to take advantage of the Herzog's disgrace). While native troops, except for those of the petty nobles and gentry serving the Herzog, are unreliable at best, the heavy cavalry is considered to be highly effective, and mercenary men-at-arms, exceptionally well armed and equipped, make the Army of the South formidable.
If the viceroy carries through with his vow, a major war can be anticipated soon. If it does erupt, it is certain that Nyrond and Almor, Prelacy of will move to support the Iron League — comprised of Idee, Irongate, Onnwal, and Sunndi.
The Iron Hills
The series of highlands reaching eastward from the city of Irongate and demarking the fiefs of Ahlissa and the County of Idee in the west are known as the Iron Hills. Most of these hills are in the hands of the Iron League, though Ahlissa still lays claim to these hills. Very high-grade ore is taken from the mines there, as are several sorts of precious metals. Dwarves and gnomes do much of this mining.
The Herzog maintains mining operations within the hills, and has stationed orcish and goblinoid mercenary companies around his mining camps to serve as both protection from raids and to raid the indigenous dwarven and gnomish clans scattered throughout the hills. Although the members of the Iron league protest, there is little they can do short of war.
Ahlissa claims, on the other hand, that the Iron League is stealing the iron ore from these hills and not allowing them to collect duties and fees from the mining operations of the demihumans. The Herzog's tax collectors are turned away whenever they appear, forcing Chelor to resort to raids to collect what he feels is rightfully his.
Chelor is right, to a degree. The gnomes and dwarves move the ore, as well as other precious metals such as gold and platinum, through their underground realms into smelting companies located within the City of Irongate. Once the iron is smelted, it is loaded onto merchant ships and transported to nations such as Nyrond, and kingdoms to the northwest, through the Free City of Greyhawk.
In Times of war the dwarves and gnomes refuse to fight for the Herzog.
There are also rumors that rich veins of mithril and adamantium have been found deep underground.
Military Forces
Standing Army
Total Force: 10,000 (Elite Forces Loyal to the Herzog)
Morale: 15
- 660 Sailors
- 450 Marines
- 1,000 Heavy Cavalry (Order of the Iron Shield)
- heavy warhorse
- plate mail
- plate barding
- medium shield
- heavy lance
- horseman's mace
- longsword
- 1,500 Medium Cavalry
- medium warhorse
- chain mail
- chain barding
- medium shield
- medium lance
- horseman's mace
- broad sword
- 500 Light Cavalry / Hobilars
- light warhorse
- leather
- light crossbow
- horseman's mace
- broad sword
- small wooden shield
- 3,000 Heavy Infantry (Hextor’s Guard)
- plate mail
- longsword
- medium shield
- 1,500 Medium Infantry
- chain mail
- light crossbow
- longsword
- medium shield
- 500 Archers
- leather
- longbow
- short sword
- 300 Light Crossbowmen
- chain mail
- light crossbow
- short sword
- 100 Heavy Crossbowmen
- chain mail
- heavy crossbow
- short sword
- 300 Engineers
- leather
- short sword
- 200 Artillerists
- leather
- short sword
- 90 Sappers
- dagger
- pick axe
- 15,772 support personnel (includes clergy)
- 1,423 support personnel for navy
- 55,000 support personnel for aristocracy
Militia/Men-at-Arms
Total Militia: 40,000
Morale: 10
- 270 Reserve Marines
- short bow
- short sword
- leather armor
- small wooden shield
- 2,000 Medium Cavalry
- medium lance
- horseman’s mace
- broad sword
- chainmail
- medium shield
- chain barding
- 3,000 Light Cavalry / Hobilars
- light crossbow
- short sword
- spear
- leather armor
- small shield
- 8,000 Heavy Infantry
- awl pike
- short sword
- plate mail
- 10,000 Medium Infantry
- fauchard
- short sword
- chainmail
- 8,730 Light Infantry
- short bow
- spear
- short sword
- leather
- 4,000 Archers
- longbow
- broad sword
- dagger
- leather
- 3,000 Light Crossbowmen
- light crossbow
- broad sword
- leather
- 500 Artillerists
- short sword
- padded
- 500 Sappers
- pickaxe
- dagger
- none to padded
- 500 Engineers
- short sword
- padded
- 1,000 Scouts
- short bow
- spear
- short sword
- leather
- 20,000 support personnel
Conscripts
Total Conscripts: 40,000
Morale: 7
- 5,000 Light Cavalry / Hobilars
- spear
- short sword
- padded armor
- small shield
- 15,000 Light Infantry
- spear
- short sword
- padded armor
- small shield
- 10,000 Medium Infantry
- 15,000 spear
- 25,000 glaive
- short sword
- leather
- some have medium wooden shield
- 7,000 Archers
- 15,000 long bow
- 15,000 short bow
- spear
- padded armor
- 2,000 Light Crossbowmen
- light crossbow
- short sword
- padded armor
- 1,000 Skirmishers
- short bow
- spear
- padded armor
Naval Forces
Relmor Bay Fleet (Prymp)
All marines and sailors armed with the following:
- short bow
- short sword
- leather armor
- small wooden shield
- 2 x Galleons
- Crew: 150 per ship
- Peacetime Marines: 100 per ship
- Wartime Marines: 150 per ship
- Armament: Heavy ballistae, catapults for bombardment
- 3 x Cogs
- Crew: 30 per ship
- Peacetime Marines: 20 per ship
- Wartime Marines: 30 per ship
- Armament: Small catapults for coastal defense
- 2 x Patrol Boats
- Crew: 20 per ship
- Peacetime Marines: 15 per ship
- Wartime Marines: 25 per ship
- Armament: Swivel-mounted crossbows
Riverine Patrols
- 4 x River Galleys
- Crew: 35 per ship
- Peacetime Marines: 25 per ship
- Wartime Marines: 40 per ship
- Armament: Light ballistae
- 6 x Scout Boats
- Crew: 15 per ship
- Peacetime Marines: 10 per ship
- Wartime Marines: 20 per ship
- Armament: Crew-operated short bows
- Wartime Marines (Militia/Men-at-arms): 270
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Military Numbers Explanation
The total military force of the South Province of the Great Kingdom was determined by combining Gary Gygax’s World of Greyhawk Glossography with historical norms.
The standing army, calculated at no more than 2.5% of the population, does not count against the population totals, as it is considered a "garrison" force per the Guide to the World of Greyhawk. This includes naval forces.
Aristocracy forces (nobility, gentry, and landed knights) are calculated at 1% of the population deemed fit for military service. These forces are not deducted from the given population numbers.
Militia/Men-at-Arms and Conscripts each comprise 10% of the population, with reserve marines drawn from the Militia/Men-at-Arms pool. Each military branch has an assigned morale value, reflecting their relative morale compared to other branches and highlighting the unreliability of South Province conscripts.
These figures do not include mercenary companies, legions, or corps that may be hired, whether human, humanoid, or otherwise. The Knights of Doom, an organization sworn to Overking Ivid V, are loyal solely to him and do not take orders from Herzog Chelor III.
Currently, the numbers do not reflect humanoids who may be subject to the Herzog and required to answer a call to arms, which could add approximately 4,000 troops.
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