The Rivers of the Rhennee Archives

History of the South East, Part 4: From Sea to Sea to Sea

2020-05-02T08:54:00-04:00May 2nd, 2020|

History of the South East, Part 4: From Sea to Sea to Sea“Men are so quick to blame the gods: they saythat we devise their misery. But theythemselves- in their depravity- designgrief greater than the griefs that fate assigns.”― Homer, The Odyssey The Great Kingdom had swelled, spanning from sea to sea to sea. It declared peace and prosperity for all, and believed all nations were blessed that were protected by its benevolence. In truth, it only desired peace in the interest of its personal prosperity, and for its own pleasure. Not all nations wished their wealth to enrich the capital. Not all nations wished to be blessed by it, and cracks were forming, in the west, where it had begun, and in the north, where it was never welcome. Even within, where its corpulence and rot were only just then beginning to boil and fester. c. 100 CY The Great Kingdom had reached its greatest height, its widest expanse. It spanned from sea to sea to sea. And had grown to vast to be administered as one. It needed parceling, partitioning, governance from regional capitals. Thus, was “Dyvar” raised from town to port, its intent to oversee the Viceroyalty of Ferrond, itself founded from the amalgamation of Feryon, Voll, the Highfolk, the Quaglands, and the Shield Lands and the Northern Reaches. And then, the Great Kingdom, pleased with itself, turned away from their responsibilities there, and set the course for its eventual independence, for the Kingdom never again gave its west another thought, until it was to late to do so. In truth, the Kingdom had more pressing matters to deal with, closer to home, ... read more!

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Figurines of Wondrous Power of the Rhennee

2020-02-22T03:14:45-05:00February 22nd, 2020|

The River of the Rhenfolk once again brings us searching for information about the culture and practices of the river gypsies of the Flanaess. Read on, dear Greyhawker! This article brings you lore of Rhennee magical items - specifically, some of their Figurines of Wondrous Power and related items. Our loquacious host and narrator is the unflappable Meritaelin Vindreşkaya, the talkative rapscallion who defies cultural stigma to quietly talk to the "gadjo" that's you and me - the outsiders. "Once again, gadjo, I am your trusted guide to introduce you to the magic of my people, the Rhennee and the magic of the Waters themselves! These magical tokens bring forth beloved animals, who share the Waters with us, and are treasured in myth and lore." "Ah, so, gadjo, you come again - asking questions about my people, the Rhennee! I understand that you know so little of us … it is natural to wonder and ask. You have come seeking to learn, and Meritaelin shall teach you our ways! … What's this you ask? You wish to hear tales of magical talismans and items of curious power? Yes, trusted Meritaelin knows legends of such things!Sit! Sit, and I shall tell you my tale of a late-night meeting, along the banks of the Selintan River ... My boots sank into the black mud of the river bank, squelching with every heavy step, weighted with an inch of mud surrounding each foot. I struggled in near darkness to see the man several arm spans in front of me. He'd told me that he'd take me to a secluded cove where a magical boat was hidden, but I couldn't see ... read more!

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History of the North, Part 5: The Coming Storm

2020-02-15T08:58:00-05:00February 15th, 2020|

History of the North, Part 5: The Coming Storm "Men's evil manners live in brass; their virtues we write in water.' Shakespeare, Henry VIII (1613) Act 4, sc.2, l.45 The forces of weal and good had much to celebrate. Iuz was no more. Iggwilv’s tyranny had been vanquished. But more than even these great victories, they had stood against a great menace that had hitherto lurked in a quiet corner of the world. However, no reprieve lasts forever. Evil rises again and again, and all must be vigilant, for it rises in the most unexpected places. One might expect that it takes root in tangled forests and fetid swamps, but that is not true; it festers in the hearts of the lustful, the wrathful, in avarice and vanity, pride and vainglory. And in the soul of the defeated. Thus, the greatest Evil might rise up in the most unlikely places, a village, or a hamlet, unseen. c.550 CY A collection of hovels and their slovenly inhabitants formed the nucleus for the troubles which were to increase. A wicked cleric established a small chapel at this point. The folk of Hommlet tended to ignore Nulb, even though it was but six miles distant. [T1 The Village of Hommlet] The village of Nubb began to fester with all manner if evil folk, culminating with the founding of the soon infamous Temple of Elemental Evil. The troubles began soon thereafter. Local caravans, gnome clans and the neighboring village of Hommlet, became easy targets for bandits from that region. [The Battle of Emridy Meadows, by Mike Bridges] 568 CY News of this evil quickly spread to the Viscounty of ... read more!

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The Laughing Turtle -Ecology of a Rhenee “tavern”

2025-12-03T22:56:53-05:00January 23rd, 2019|

Made up of Rhennee barges that come and go seasonally, The Laughing Turtle is one of the more unique "taverns" in all of the Flanaess. Just as the fare changes along with the barges that make it up, one never knows what perfidy can be found when coins change hands at The Laughing Turtle. The Laughing Turtle Ahh!! So, gadjo! I see you've come to see your good and faithful friend Meritaelen, seeking information, eh?! As I always have, I shall answer your questions and share tales told by my people, the Rhennée. The Lake is our life. The waters give us all that we could ask of life. We are born, live, and die on our barges, and the umbilical cords of our children plunge into the Lake of Unknown Depths. They are not simply “the water” as so many gadje call them. The Waters give us life, they tell us of the future, and they guide us out of the past into the rest of our lives. Our people do not believe that we ever truly leave each other; we say our partings like anyone else, but there is no word for “goodbye” in our language. Many know that we congregate in communities with those of our own homeland; each one a brother, sister or cousin. We find each other whenever we can and always offer each other company and companionship… and the result is most often celebration. Among the places we most often find each other is the MidBay region of the Nyr Dyv. We gather here in small, out of the way coves and bays that dot the coastline of ... read more!

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