Elmshire
| Elmshire | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Realm: | Domain of Greyhawk |
| Size: | Large Town |
| Government | |
| Authority: | His Honor Mayor Windsor Greenshade (590 CY) |
| Government: | Municipal Elected Mayorship |
| Demographics | |
| Population: | 4,000 (plus 3x as many children) |
| Races: | Nearly all halfling |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Ehlonna, Pelor, Yondalla, Cyrrollalee, Arvoreen, Sheela Peryroyl, Brandobaris |
Elmshire is pastoral settlement of halflings located on the shores of the Midbay of the Nyr Dyv.
Description
[edit | edit source]Elmshire has grown to become a major center for the diminutive demihumans, no doubt because of its proximity to Greyhawk itself. Halflings, as a rule, enjoy the Free City for a time but grow tired of living there. Consequently, more than 4,000 of them have settled here, near the inlet of the Selintan River. Elmshire appears quite different than human communities, as it is spread out and has no community core. It is said that a man could walk from one end of Elmshire to the other and be only vaguely aware he has passed through a significant settlement. [1]
History
[edit | edit source]During 583 CY, an outbreak of a mysterious plague known as Yellow Eye decimates this community and nearly a quarter of the population dies.[2] The reasons for this are wholly mysterious, but the wasting symptoms and catastrophic infectious phases of the plague appall and terrify the halflings, who became a more fearful folk afterwards. Traditionally a city of good food and good cheer, it takes Elmshire years to recover from the ordeal. Many of the survivors feel guilt at having outlived younger loved ones who are lost to the disease.
Another dramatic event marks Elmshire and damages its hospitality only two years later. In the spring of 585 CY—about forty adult halflings disappear in separate incidents while on guard duty along the Midbay shoreline. An investigation reveals that the guards are being drugged by a renegade halfling in league with an evil Rhennee family. These Rhennee work for Iuz, and they take the kidnapped halflings across the Nyr Dyv to an unspeakable fate in the Empire of Iuz. Public outcry is so intense that the normally placid nature of Elmshire’s citizens is completely discarded. The halflings involved are branded, beaten, and exiled as a result, and their lands and possessions seized for public auction. The ringleader, Permen Merrifoot is hanged after a trial lasting three days, and his body is burned to ashes. The town of Elmshire then turns completely against the Rhennee, attacking two barges with missile fire in 585 CY, and the bargefolk avoid the town completely afterward. No longer welcome, the Rhennee are regarded by most local halflings as evil until proven otherwise.
Geography
[edit | edit source]People
[edit | edit source]Languages
[edit | edit source]Religion
[edit | edit source]Ehlonna of the Forests is the most common deity revered in Elmshire, and 40% of the population follows her.[3] Other popular deities (the remaining 60%) include Pelor, Yondalla, Cyrrollalee, Arvoreen, and Sheela Peryroyl. Rogues, scouts, and adventurers sometimes give prayers and offerings to Brandobaris. Nearly all halflings in Elmshire are polytheistic and offer worship to more than one deity.[4]
Most clerics in Elmshire are female. This has long been a tradition in halfling communities, but it is quite pronounced here. Male clerics are primarily found among Arvoreen’s worship, working as warriors or scouts.[3]
Gallery
[edit | edit source]-
Article cover, Dragon #262, art by Rebecca Guay -
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean Reynolds and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. Item code 11743.
- Moore, Roger. "A Halfling Haven". Dragon #262. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, Aug 1999.
- Moore, Roger E.. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. Item code TSR9577.
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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Isle, Elmshire | Geographical feature | Island, | Dragon magazine #262 | 37 |
| Big Isle, Elmshire | Geographical feature | Island, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 7 |
| Eastbranch River (Elmshire) | Geographical feature | River, | Dragon magazine #262 | 37 |
| Eastbranch River (Elmshire) | Geographical feature | River, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 7 |
| Eastfields (Elmshire) | Place | Quarter, | Dragon magazine #262 | 37 |
| Eastfields (Elmshire) | Place | Quarter, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 7 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 14, 16, 21 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Dragon magazine #262 | 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Dragon magazine #294 | 90 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 22, 25 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | From the Ashes: Slavers By Midnight | All |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 51 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 7 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Oerth Journal #01 | 19 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Oerth Journal #17 | 29 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Oerth Journal #30 | 3 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Oerth Journal #33 | 22 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 16, 32 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | Return of the Eight | 3, 8 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | The Adventure Begins | 5, 42, 44, 46-48, 50, 53, 62, 64, 68, 69, 71, 79, 94, 96, 103, 104, 115 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 2, 7, 9 |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | LT3 The Doomgrinder | IBC |
| Elmshire | Settlement | Greyhawk, Settlement, (591 pop: 4000), | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 90 |
| Green River (Elmshire) | Geographical feature | River, | Dragon magazine #262 | 37 |
| Green River (Elmshire) | Geographical feature | River, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 7 |
| High Road (Elmshire) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 7 |
| Little Isle (Elmshire) | Geographical feature | Island, | Dragon magazine #262 | 37 |
| Little Isle (Elmshire) | Geographical feature | Island, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 7 |
| Long Trail (Elmshire) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | Dragon magazine #262 | 37 |
| Long Trail (Elmshire) | Infrastructure | Street or road, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 7 |
| Westfields (Elmshire) | Place | Quarter, | Dragon magazine #262 | 37 |
| Westfields (Elmshire) | Place | Quarter, | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 7 |