Pale
| Pale | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The arms of the Pale, as depicted in the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000). | |||||||||
| General information | |||||||||
| Region: | Old Aerdy West | ||||||||
| Government | |||||||||
| Ruler: | Theocrat Ogon Tillit | ||||||||
| Government: | Theocracy | ||||||||
| Alignments: | LN*, LG, LE | ||||||||
| Established: | 450 CY | ||||||||
| Demographics | |||||||||
| Capital: | Wintershiven | ||||||||
| Major towns: | Eltison, Hawkburgh, Hatherleigh, Holdworthy, Landigard, Ogburgh, Rakervale, Stradsett, Wintershiven | ||||||||
| Provinces: | Twenty-seven city wards and low diocses, divided unevenly among nine archdioceses | ||||||||
| Population: | 395,000 | ||||||||
| Races: |
| ||||||||
| Languages: | Common, Flan | ||||||||
| Groups | |||||||||
| Religions: | Pholtus*, Saint Ceril, all other religions suppressed. Beory, Phyton, Velaeri, and Wee Jas worshipped in secret | ||||||||
| Allies: | Many churches of Pholtus, Tenh nobles converted to Pholtus | ||||||||
| Enemies: | Dimre, Iuz, Stonehold, all orcs, goblinoids, and giants; heretics, pagans, wizards, religions with criminal or evil aspects | ||||||||
| Miscellaneous | |||||||||
| Resources: | Foodstuffs, copper, gems (IV) | ||||||||
| Coinage: | Bright (pp), gold glory (gp), silver sun (sp), silver moon (sp), basic (cp) | ||||||||
The Pale, properly known as the Theocracy of the Pale, is a political state situated in the Old Aerdy West region of the Flanaess, just west of the Rakers.
History
[edit | edit source]In official material, the Pale is progressively described as increasingly more inflexible and discriminatory:
- In 591 CY, the theocracy is noted for intolerance, religious persecution, and enforced state religion.[2]
- In 594 CY, "the theocracy suppresses all other religions, but secret cults to most of the other gods exist."[3]
At the height of the Great Kingdom, the Head of the Church of Pholtus was given the title of Holy Censor, which brought duties of oversight of the court system. Later Overkings turned against the church and removed this title, prompting many Pholtus worshippers to begin feeling persecuted and flee to the area which becomes the Pale. Fighting alongside the early settlers was Ceril the Relentless, who founded the Council of the Nine. In 342 CY, the first Theocrat of the Pale was chosen by the Council, though the land remained theoretically under Great Kingdom rule. But in 356 CY, Nyrond declared independence, claiming the Pale, which then tried to seize its own independence, but failed, remaining under Nyrondian rule.
In 450 CY, the leaders of the cult of Pholtus convinced the King of Nyrond to grant them independence in return for promises of mutual aid and assistance. This proved a hollow assurance, as the Pale's government largely followed a policy of leaving its neighbors to be killed and then trying to bully them into handing over lands to it. It thus remained neutral in the Greyhawk Wars.
In 588 CY, the Pale's forces invade and seize eastern Tenh.
Geography
[edit | edit source]A land of moderate size, the Pale is bordered by the Rakers, the Phostwood, and the Gamboge Forest. The Pale is divided into nine archdioceses.[2]
Climate
[edit | edit source]"Winters in the Pale are harsh and unforgiving and ... only two seasons exist in the Pale (it is said): the unbearable winter and the barely bearable “summer,” when crops are grown with difficulty."[2]
People
[edit | edit source]The Theocracy of the Pale has two evenly populated cultures in 591 CY. It is one of the few places in the Flanaess where indigenous people of near direct Flan lineage can be found, and they are considered particularly handsome by folk from all corners of the Flanaess. There are also people of Aerdi (Oeridian) descent. Those with significant Flan heritage are considered of lower social status by the Aerdi upper class, and intermarriage between the two groups is rare. The Flan-descended Palish tend to prefer the countrysides, working as farmers and laborers, and they steadfastly remain close to traditional culture by practicing nature-based faiths which are persecuted by the Pholtans.[2]
A few Palish families have humans with elven ancestry, especially in the south.[2]
Population
[edit | edit source]The Pale boasts a total population of 395,000 in 591 CY, 96% of which are human. The others include a very small number of halflings and elves.[4]
Religion
[edit | edit source]The faith of Pholtus, deity of Light, Resolution, and Law, is the official religion of the Pale. Religious intolerance exists within the Pale, with all religions suppressed except for that of Pholtus. A servant of Pholtus, Saint Ceril, is the Pale's patron saint.
"For more than 200 years, church inquisitors of Pholtus have been rooting out clerics of other gods wherever they find them."[3]
Theocracy Pholtans, and the Pholtan government consider "all other states and peoples of the Flanaess are regarded as pagans or heretics, minor enemies of the Pale by default;"[2]
The hierarchy of the Pale is particularly hostile to religions with criminal or evil aspects.[4]
In secret, however, many leave offerings to Beory, the Oeridian agricultural gods, Phyton, and Wee Jas.
Languages
[edit | edit source]As a former province of the Great Kingdom, Common is a very prolific language in the Pale. The Flan language spoken in neighboring Tenh is also spoken in the nation.[4]
Society and culture
[edit | edit source]The Theocracy of the Pale has been relatively closed and stagnant since Nyrond first invaded the country in the fourth century CY, and has been living under an inquisition since then. Although, it sends waves of evangelist clerics into its neighbors seeking converts.[2]
Monasteries near the western woods and the eastern foothills of the Rakers have some of the most impressive libraries and respected philosophers around.[2]
Law
[edit | edit source]In 591 CY, to police the people in their religious practice, there are itinerant High Legates who enforce religious laws and perform inquisitory functions.[2]
Magic
[edit | edit source]In 591 CY, wizards are considered unbelievers because they frequently follow deities like Boccob and Mellifleur, and thus are always suspected of heresy.[2]
Education
[edit | edit source]Government
[edit | edit source]It is worth noting that the alignment of "most local government and law-enforcement officials"[5] in the Theocracy of the Pale is lawful neutral.[4][6][7] "Despite... unpleasant aspects, Good exists in the Pale."[2]
The Pale is a theocracy administered in the name of Pholtus. All government offices are held by Pholtan clerics. The Pale is ruled from Wintershiven by a religious bureaucracy with command over the military, law enforcement, economics, trade, and nearly every aspect of life.
"Clerics hold almost all government positions. .... [they] have a massive bureaucracy that directly controls trade, the courts, and the military."[3]
Administrative divisions
[edit | edit source]The Pale is divided into nine archdioceses, which are in turn divided into twenty-seven city wards and low dioceses.[4]
Executive branch
[edit | edit source]The Theocrat is selected from the Council of the Nine, and believed to be chosen by Pholtus himself to rule from the Throne of the Sun for the rest of his life.[2]
Ogon Tillit (LN male human Clr16 of Pholtus) is the Theocrat from before 576 CY[8] and well after 591 CY.[4]
"The roaming High Legates are given great authority and are much feared in the Pale for their ability to put someone to the Question."[2]
Legislative branch
[edit | edit source]The term "legislative branch" would be best used to describe the Council of the Nine, which assembles four times a year in Wintershiven to advise the Theocrat. However, the Theocrat's power is absolute, and all power to make laws ultimately rests in him.[2]
Judicial branch
[edit | edit source]The judges of the Pale, like every other government official, are priests of Pholtus.[2]
Heraldry
[edit | edit source]The Pale's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Purpure, a pale ermine between an increscent dexter and a mullet of six points sinister or.
Military
[edit | edit source]"The soldiery of the Pale is among the best trained and most disciplined in the Flanaess, and the borders are well patrolled and defended."[2]
"Pholtus worshiping pious templars command military units of any size, and they report directly to high-level clerics."[3]
The Templars of the Church Militant work within the religious and military hierarchies, and are charged with conducting the Inquisition. The soldiery of the Pale boasts some of the best training in the Flanaess, and the nation's borders are well patrolled and defended. Travel within the Pale is more peaceful than in most lands although the Troll Fens remain deadly.[2]
Travel
[edit | edit source]Because of the efficiency of the Palish military, "travel within the Pale among the most peaceful in the Flanaess."[2]
Economy
[edit | edit source]Resources
[edit | edit source]Much of the Pale's food comes from herd animals who feed on the tough vegetation, and much food is imported from other realms. The Pale's mines yield copper and gems.[4]
Currency
[edit | edit source]The Pale's coinage includes the Bright (platinum pieces), gold glory, silver sun, silver moon, and basic (copper pieces).[4]
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.30, Guide.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.81.
- ↑ a b c d Complete Divine (2004), p.130-131.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.80.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.19.
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.14, Guide.
- ↑ "Adding Depth to the Flanaess". Dragon #52 (Aug 1981), p.20.
- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.30.
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
- ———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Lakofka, Lenard. "Gods of the Suel Pantheon." Dragon #88. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1984.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- Noonan, David. Complete Divine. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004. Item code 88036.
- Sargent, Carl. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. PDF by William Allman with maps. Original RTF archived:Wizards.com. WGR7 or WGRx
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic coin - Copper Piece (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Bright coin - Electrum piece (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | Dragon magazine #294 | 28 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | The Fright At Tristor | 7 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 81, 82 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 4 |
| Council of Nine (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Council, | WG8 Fate of Istus | 47 |
| Gold Glory - Gold pieces (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | B1 In Search of the Unknown (1st & 2nd printing), D&D Basic | 6 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Into the Borderlands: Original Adventures Reincarnated #01, D&D 5e | 27 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Come Endless Darkness | 38 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 3, 24 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 19 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | City of Hawks | 142 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #052 | 18, 19, 20 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #055 | 18 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #056 | 21 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #088 | 11 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #233 | 93 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #253 | 44 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #294 | 27, 28 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #297 | 92 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #306 | 95 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #315 | 52, 53, 54 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #358 | 32 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Dragon magazine #AN4 | 20 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The Fright At Tristor | 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 27 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 4, 10, 11, 22, 24, 31, 32, 34, 45, 49, 52, 55, 58, 61, 76, 78, 90, 95 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 53, 60, 76, 96 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #1 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #10 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #2 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Greyhawk Adventures | 75, 86 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book | 7, 17, 31 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Ivid the Undying | 3, 12, 20, 35, 146 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 12, 24, 44, 59, 60, 78, 108 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | IC, 16, 25, 26, 27, 59, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 89, 96, 108, 112, 113, 114, 123, 124, 140, 141, 153 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 3, 10, 13 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #1 | 4, 30, 32 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 30 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 29 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 2, 30 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 30 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 6, 7, 9, 12, 25, 26, 34, 43 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Polyhedron magazine #163 | 111 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Return of the Eight | 59 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 44 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | Saga of Old City | 7, 124, 126, 138, 145, 152, 237 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The Adventure Begins | 7, 17, 18, 23, 30, 31, 107, 108 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The Scarlet Brotherhood | 23, 24 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WG8 Fate of Istus | 14, 45, 47, 49, 50, 56, 126 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IBC, 2, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 23, 24 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WGR4 The Marklands | 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 75, 79, 80, 81, 83, 89, 90, 91, 92 , 93, 94, 95 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 48, 68, 72, 73 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WGS1 Five Shall Be One | IBC, 4 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | WGS2 Howl From the North | 6, 15, 31 |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 13, 20, 21, 29, 30, 37, 52, 55, 57, 59, IBC |
| Pale, Theocracy of the | Kingdom | (576 pop: 200000), (591 pop: 395000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 10, 11, 17, 31, 32 |
| Silver Moon coin - Silver pieces (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Silver Sun coin - Electrum pieces (Theocracy of the Pale) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 80 |
| Throne of the Sun (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 81, 82 | |
| Throne of the Sun (Theocracy of the Pale) | People Group | WG8 Fate of Istus | 47 |