MIGRATING BANDS BEGAN settling the eastern portion of the Oerik Continent — Flanaess — over a millenium ago. The Flan tribesmen were hardy and capable hunters but not particularly warlike, and their small and scattered groups made no appreciable civilizing efforts. The Suel Peoples, mainly fleeing from the great wars in the Suloise Empire, moved northward through the Kendeen (Harsh) Pass of the southern Crystalmist Mountains (now known as the Hellfurnaces) and spread out in all directions. The fierce Oeridian tribes likewise moved east, thrusting aside Flan and Suloise in their path. The Oerid migrations were similar in cause to those of the Suel, in that the Baklunish-Suloise Wars, and the hordes of Euroz and associated humanoid groups used as mercenaries by both sides, tended to pillage northward and eastward, driving the Oerids before them. When the Invoked Devastation came upon the Baklunish, their own magi brought down the Rain of Colorless Fire in a last terrible curse, reducing the Suloise Empire to what is now the Sea of Dust.
History of Greyhawk
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160
223
Beginning of the Baklunish-Suloise Wars -- all Dates are OR
Era beginning/end -
179
First employment of humanoid mercenaries
Era beginning/endThe Oerid migrations were similar in cause to those of the Suel, in that the Baklunish-Suloise Wars, and the hordes of Euroz and associated humanoid groups used as mercenaries by both sides, tended to pillage northward and eastward, driving the Oerids before them.
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187
Oerid migrations east of peak point.
Discovery, ExplorationFor two centuries the Oerid and Suel battled each other and the fragmenting humanoid hordes for possession of the central area of the Flanaess, incidentally engaging the Flannish and demi-humans.
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198
Suloise migrations begin.
Discovery, ExplorationFor two centuries the Oerid and Suel battled each other and the fragmenting humanoid hordes for possession of the central area of the Flanaess, incidentally engaging the Flannish and demi-humans. In a few places the two racial stocks intermixed — notably the Sheldomar Valley where, except for the Hold of the Sea Princes, the peoples of the Kingdom of Keoland, Gran March, the Ulek States and nearby petty lands are mixed Oerid-Suel stock. To the far north, four of the strongest and fiercest clans managed to retain large stretches of ground as Suloise. The majority of the Suelites were pushed to the extreme south, into the Amedio Jungle, the Tilvanot Peninsula, the Duxchan Islands, and even as far as across the narrow Tilva strait into Hepmonaland.
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223
Invoked Devastation of Rain of Colorless Fire strike
Disaster / DestructionWhen the Invoked Devastation came upon the Baklunish, their own magi brought down the Rain of Colorless Fire in a last terrible curse, reducing the Suloise Empire to what is now the Sea of Dust. Meanwhile, sufficient numbers of the Baklunish remained to hold the northern plains and maintain their small states against all comers—Euroz, High Jebline, Jebli, Celbit, and such humanoids alike.
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428
Founding of the Kingdom of Aerdy.
FoundingThe strongest tribe of the Oeridians, the Aerdi, settled the rich fields east of the Nyr Dyv and there founded the Kingdom of Aerdy, eventually to be renamed the Great Kingdom.
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535
Battle of a Fortnight's Length.
Military actionAfter several decades of increasing growth, power, and prestige, Aerdy embarked upon a series of conquests, the greatest of which was the defeat of the Nyrondal cavalry squadrons at the Battle of a Fortnight's Length. Thereafter, Aerdy was known as the Great Kingdom, whose monarch held sway from the Sunndi swamplands in the south, westward along the shores of the Telfic Gulf and the Sea of Yar, to the Nyr Dyv and from thence northward through the Shield Lands and beyond the Tenh. The writ of the Overking of Imperial Aerdi eventually extended to Furyon and Voll (now Veluna), across the northern prairies as far as Perrenland. For three centuries the Aerdy held a vast empire which fluctuated in extent but little, until after the third Celestial House (dynasty) when the borders began to close in upon the original territory of the Aerdi.
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645
Overking crowned in Rauxes; frontiers of Great Kingdom reach Greyhawk City.
Cultural eventThe writ of the Overking of Imperial Aerdi eventually extended to Furyon and Voll (now Veluna), across the northern prairies as far as Perrenland. For three centuries the Aerdy held a vast empire which fluctuated in extent but little, until after the third Celestial House (dynasty) when the borders began to close in upon the original territory of the Aerdi.
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857
Age of Great Sorrow commences.
Military actionMixed Oerid-Baklunish nomad bands gradually moved into and laid claim to the steppe lands beyond the Yatil range, pushing eastward as far as the Griff Mountains. Border skirmishing with the southern nations was inevitable as these wild horse- men pushed into the Flanaess. Perhaps the civilized states could have stopped their eastward progress had they not been busy fighting with the Aerdi for their independence. Perranders, Velunians, Furyondians and Tenhas achieved success, establishing independent status one after the other in a series of minor but bloody wars
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964
Nomads appear in North, outer dependencies of Aerdy gain sovereignty.
Era beginning/endBorder skirmishing with the southern nations was inevitable as these wild horsemen pushed into the Flanaess. Perhaps the civilized states could have stopped their eastward progress had they not been busy fighting with the Aerdi for their independence. Perranders, Velunians, Furyondians and Tenhas achieved success, establishing independent status one after the other in a series of minor but bloody wars
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1000
Kingdom of Nyrond established; Kingdom of Keoland at peak.
FoundingThe ruling Aerdi dynasty, the House of Rax, was at the time sundered by an internal feud and the junior branch, then known as Nyrond, declared its lands free of the rule of the reigning Overking and sovereign. The senior branch of the House of Rax, weakened by warfare in the rebellious provinces, was powerless to prevent the move.
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1081
Turmoil Between Crowns.
Civil actionThe last heir of the House of Rax fell to assassination during the Turmoil Between Crowns. When the demon-seeing House of Naelex ascended the Malachite Throne, the whole of the South Province refused to swear loyalty, and joined the Iron League.
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1090
Founding of the Iron League; Bandit Kings sack Trigol; Rise of the Sea Princes.
Civil actionWhen the demon-seeing House of Naelex ascended the Malachite Throne, the whole of the South Province refused to swear loyalty, and joined the Iron League. This pact with the Free City of Irongate, the Szek of Onnwal, and the Lord of the Isles certainly gave the League a stronger bargaining position. It also assured the League's status by enabling member states to negotiate a treaty of mutual protection with the Kingdom of Nyrond. This treaty remains in force to this day.
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1105
Demi-human realms of Ulek and Celene are affected.
Military actionConsensus of opinion holds that all of the Overkings who have ruled from the Malachite throne since circa 450 CY (the line of the House of Naelax) are insane or demon-ridden or both. Evil is in the ascendancy everywhere in the Flanaess, while the Great Kingdom revels in debauchery.
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1123
Might of Iuz grows, humanoid invasions become common.
Military actionTribes of vicious humannoids have banded together and rule whole areas: Bone March, Iuz (certainly under the leadership of humans), the Pomarj.
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1142
County of Urnst becomes Palatinate under Duchy of Urnst; Greyhawk becomes a free city
Civil action -
1157
Rise of the Horned Society; humanoids take Pomarj
Military action -
1207
Bone March falls to humanoids
Military action -
1213
Battle of Emridy Meadows — Horde of Elemental Evil scattered.
Military actionThe Battle of Emridy Meadows highlights this growing realization of mutual interests. Contingents of men-at-arms and cavalry from Furyondy and Veluna, together with a force of dwarves from the Lortmils, gnomes from the Kron Hills, and an army of elven archers and spearmen fought together against a vast horde of evil men and humanoids (ores, gnolls and ogres predominantly). The opposing forces met on the grassy fields south of the Velverdyva river several leagues below the city of Verbobonc.
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1217
Scarlet Brotherhood first reported; Prince of Furyondy/Provost of Veluna kidnapped.
Criminal ActivityThe Prince, betrothed to the daughter of the Plar of Veluna, and serving as Provost of that state, as well as Marshall of Furyondy, was of key importance to the forces of good. Upon his marriage to Jolene of Veluna, the two states would have become a joint entity, the Archcleric ruling in matters spiritual, and the Prince (ascending the throne to become King) ruling in matters temporal. This state, with demi-human alliances, certainly would have waged continual war with the evil nations, and its previous success boded ill for opponents.
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1220
Guide to the World of Greyhawk completed.
Artistic creation