Phinster's Greyhawk Campaign: The Hold of the Sea Princes Background

In the Common year 581 the Hold of the Sea Princes control all sea trade in Jecklea Bay.

Ruler: His Royal Highness Prince Jeon II of House Rhola, Ruler of the Azure Sea and Captain of all Fleets. He is not married and has no heirs. His personal ship the Truculent lies in anchor at Monmurg. The main rival to House Rhola is House Toli.

Government

30 princes rule their territories as they wish and are firce rivals. Prince Jeon is trying to abolish slavery but some of the great houses refuse the requests. The 30 princes and their diplomats meet once a year at a gathering to clear up personal matters or discuss delicate negotiations. This annual meeting is known as the Great Synod and is held in Monmurg at the grand forum Hull Hall. There is a very large navy and each house has a flotilla that comprises the Grand Fleet but they have a modest army. There are several forts, towns and ports along the coast which reach across the Amedio Jungle coast line.

Crime and Punishment

Crime is punished when business and trade is interupted. Murdering a beggar or crewman of a rival vessel is a crime, but not as severely punished as when the victim is a merchantwith connections or ties to a noble family. Theft is always a problem in every city. When goods cannot be bought or sold and taxes paid, then the gallows could be the destiny of the thief or local crime boss, so petty crimes are tolerable but hijacking and large shipments of stolen goods is quickly investigated. The crime can be punished if the perpetrator is caught, but the punishment depends on the victim.

Capitol City: Monmurg Population 25,000 mostly human, some elves, Halflings and few Dwarves.

The People

The Suloise people are fair to tan skinned, brown to blonde hair and have brown to blue eyes. They are a hard people who have raided and lived violent lives having only recently stopped raiding. They prefer spicy food considering most other foreign cuisine too bland to eat. They tend toward Neutral = Chaotic Neutral beliefs. Neutral Evil = Lawful Evil leanings.

Neighboring Countries.

Trade: Food stuffs raised by domestic means are exported routinely. Expeditions to the Armedio Jungle yield Ivory, Rare Wood, Gold and slaves.

Religion

There are many great temples and modest shrines devoted toward Suel gods. The gods of the Flan, Oeridian and Baklunish faiths are looked upon in contempt. Any attempt to build a temple to any god not in the Suel Pantheon is met with opposition and will be torn down in religious fervor.

Procan - the god of oceans, seas and salt is most prominent with great cathedrals existing in the largest cities. The temples are rivaled by those of Xerbo. The followers of Procan may clash with those of Xerbo leading to violence and occasionally murder. The largest temple in the Flanase dedicated to Procan is located in Monmurg. Worshipers are of Neutral and Chaotic Neutral alignment.

Xerbo - While considered a lesser god Xerbo is held in high esteem. He is the Suel god of the Sea, water travel, money and business. His symbol is a dragon turtle. Worshipers are of Neutral alignment. The followers often clash with the followers of Procan int he streets of most cities and towns.

Phyton - The god of beauty and nature of Chaotic Good Alignment. - Small temples and shrines are in cities and towns but more prevelant in the countryside.

Phaulkon - The god of winds, air and clouds. Chaotic Good in Alignment - Small shrines near the docks are easily accessible. Sailors and passengers can make offerings before travel by sea for fair winds.

Norebo - The god of luck, gambling and risk. Chaotic Neutral in Alignment - No shrines exist but prayers are made before undertaking a dangerous task.

Wee Jas - The god of magic and death. Lawful Neutral in alignment - Temples exist near graveyards and burial ships where the dead make their final trip before being cast into the sea.

Syrul - The god of deceipt, false promises and lies. neutral Evil in Alignment. No temples or shrines are seen by the public. Usually a small statue and personal shrine exist in thieves guilds or assassin covens. Agents working with the Scarlet Brotherhood will also have symbols associated with Syrul in their lodging.

Allies

None due to piracy and illicit trade orginating from some of the Sea Princes. Diplomatic efforts continue with Keoland and the Yeomanry, but setbacks occur weekly.

Enemies

Scarlet Brotherhood - This mysterious country sends spies and has clandestine operations throughout the Hold. Many operations include assassination, sabotage, kidnapping, black mail, slavery and theft of government assets. The monks, priests and warriors will make attacks of opportunity against vulnerable targets on the land and sea.

Keoland - Currently some trade and diplomatic efforts are warming up relations. Their ships are targeted by Hold privateers and the practice of slavery by some Sea Princes have often set back negotiations.

Yeomanry - There is a neutral relationship which has been in jeopardy from piracy and subtle slave trade involving The Hold. The attention of the Yeomanry is focused on troubles with giants in the northwest mountains which has prevented open conflict.

Trade and Commerce

The lifes blood of the Hold is commerce. Whether the deals are made at the majestic and opulent trade houses or in the rat infested back alleys of each city is not important. Immoral business among the populace turns a profit as quickly as that of spices and rare wood to countries where law and order prevail ander the watchful eyes of lawful paladins and clerics.

Points of Interest

Port Toli is home to the rival Toli family which stretches the boundaries of ethical and moral commerce. They lead the opposition to the radical changes proposed by Prince Jeon II. More money flows through this city than all oters due to the highly profitable but immoral trade and practices.

The Hool Marshes are created the very slow moving Hool river and is extremely dangerous. Keoland discovered this fact by attempting to invade the Hold through this area over a decade ago. Several units disappeared in the marsh causing the invasion to be halted and bringing an early end to the war.

Hokar City is seated at the base of the mountain ranges and is known for its mining and indulgence in the slave trade. The city is goverened by the Plar of Hool who has no care for the poor working conditions and delights in the cruelty of others. The citizens take pleasure in the great bazaar which is open to all forms of trade and gambling. Life is cruel but fortunes can be easily made for those with the means to buy access and favor to the Plar's associates.

Westgate is on the Great Javan River and has reputation for producing the finest swordsman in the Hold but not much in the way of commerce. The skull of King Tavish III of Keoland is still on dispay from when he was slain at the feet of the walls of the city. The occassional plague breaks out due to the close proximity of the city to the Hool Marsh. The city is a very good base of operations for excursions in to the marsh if you can survive the various outbreaks of plague and disease.