Shield Lands
| Restored Holy Realm of the Faithful of the Shield Lands | |
|---|---|
 The arms of the Shield Lands, depicted in the LGG (2000). | |
| General information | |
| Region: | Nyr Dyv, Northern Flanaess |
| Government | |
| Ruler: | Honorable Lordship the Knight Commander, Earl of Walworth |
| Government: | Commonwealth of lords ruled by highest ranking noble of Walworth Isle |
| Demographics | |
| Capital: | Critwall |
| Major towns: | Bright Sentry, Admundfort |
| Population: | 60,000[1] or 65,000[2] 27,000 (in 591 CY) |
| Races: | Humans (79%), halflings (9%), elves (5%), dwarves (3%), gnomes (2%), half-elves (1%), half-orcs (1%) |
| Languages: | Common, Halfling, Elvish |
| Groups | |
| Religions: | Heironeous*, Saint Cuthbert, Mayaheine, Pholtus, Trithereon. |
| Enemies: | Iuz, Horned Society, Bandit Kingdoms |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Resources: | livestock, foodstuffs |
| Coinage: | Knight (gp), axeman (ep), shield (sp), sheaf (cp) |
The Shield Lands, properly known as the Restored Holy Realm of the Faithful of the Shield Lands, is a political state of the Flanaess.
History
[edit | edit source]The Shield Lands were once part of Ferrond, which broke off from the Great Kingdom in 254 CY. The Shield Lands later broke off from Furyondy sometime in the fourth century CY [citation needed].
In the early fourth century CY, the lords to the south of the Middle Lands (the progenitor to the Bandit Kingdoms nearest the Nyr Dyv's coast, previously part of Ferrond, formed the Shield Lands to stop raids from the Free Lords.[3] The two battled each other for more than two centuries, without change.[3]
Post Greyhawk Wars
[edit | edit source]The Shield Lands stand until the Greyhawk Wars, specifically Flocktime of 583 CY, when Iuz invades and easily defeats them, in part because they refuse help from Furyondy for fear of reabsorption. Part of the Shield Lands is reclaimed during the Great Northern Crusade, but much of it thereafter remains occupied.
Geography
[edit | edit source]The Shield Lands are located in the central portion of the Flanaess, on the northern shores of the Nyr Dyv.
In 591 CY, the most populous towns are Critwall (pop. 14,300), and Bright Sentry (pop. 2,700, located on Scragholme Island). Admundfort once had a population of approximately 5,000, but has been occupied by the forces of Iuz's since 587 CY, and any accurate figure is presently impossible to ascertain. All other cities and towns have been destroyed by Iuz.
People
[edit | edit source]Population
[edit | edit source]In 576 CY, the largest settlement is Admundfort, a metropolis of 21, 300 people. The total population of fighting age persons is 65, 000.
In 591 CY, the population of the Shield Lands only totals some 27,000 persons, and Admundfort being only 5,000 or so people.
The vast majority (almost 80%) of the population are humans, mainly of Oeridian descent, with both Suel and Flan ancestry. halflings are the next largest group (9%), followed by elves (5%), dwarves (3%), and gnomes (2%), with half-elves and half-orcs making up the remainder of the population (approximately 1% each).
Religion
[edit | edit source]The most popular deities among the Shield Lands's citizenry are Heironeous (favored by the State), Saint Cuthbert, Mayaheine, Pholtus, and Trithereon.
Languages
[edit | edit source]The most widely spoken languages, before the occupation by Iuz's forces, are Common, Halfling, and Elvish.
Government
[edit | edit source]The national capital of the Shield Lands is Critwall.[2][4]
The Shield Lands is a Commonwealth of Lords and is ruled by the highest-ranking noble of Walworth Isle.
Depending on the year or source, there have been different Knight Commanders, but the position is still traditionally held by the Earl of Walworth Isle, where Admundfort is.
- 576 CY—Alesh Kaarth (dragonborn)[5] or
- 576 CY—Earl Holmer (human)[2]
- 588 CY+—Katarina of Walworth (LG female human Pal15 of Heironeous), formerly Lady Marshall; cousin to Earl Holmer[6]
After the death of Lord Holmer, Earl of Walworth, the holder of this position is Her Most Honorable Ladyship, Countess Katarina of Walworth, Knight Commander of the Shield Lands.
Heraldry
[edit | edit source]The state's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Gules, a tower sable within a bordure argent, or "a black tower, on a field of red with a silver border."
Economy
[edit | edit source]Resources
[edit | edit source]The Shields Lands have a large number of livestock and foodstuffs in the central and northern regions, but these resources are not exported.
In later years, (585 CY and 591 CY) the region is occupied by Iuz and what little territory remains under the control the Knight Commander and the Commonwealth, as the Free Lands, does not boast many natural resources.
Currency
[edit | edit source]The Shield Lands do not currently have a standard coinage; however, when found, the following coins are used most often: the gold knight (gp), electrum axeman (ep), silver shield (sp), and copper sheaf (cp).
In Legends of Greyhawk
[edit | edit source] | This section contains content from the "Legends of Greyhawk" organized-play campaign. It is officially published by WotC's licensee and is based on the DMG (2024), so may differ from earlier publications. |
The Shield lands is used as an organizational region in the Legends of Greyhawk campaign by one of the Premier Organizers, Baldman Games, as the name of one of the individual regions they administer for the campaign. Shield Lands games are hosted at in-person conventions in Canada by Unite the Factions,[7] but are later are distributed online through DnDBeyond.
The region's premiere is planned for at Fan Expo Canada on August 27, 2026 with three adventures, A Knight Bereft of Meading, Wild Valor, and All Eyes on Meadford.[7]
The official website for the campaign includes a regional page for the Shield lands. (See External Links, below).
External links
[edit | edit source]- The Shield Lands on
legendsofgreyhawk.com.
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (1980), p.15.
- ↑ a b c World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), p.34, Guide.
- ↑ a b Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.31.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.102.
- ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.163.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.102, 105.
- ↑ a b Welcome to the Shield Lands. legendsofgreyhawk.com. BMG (27 May 2026). Archived from the original on 27 May 2026. Retrieved on 27 May 2026.
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.
- Moore, Roger E. The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
- 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
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axeman coin - Electrum pieces (Shield Lands) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 102 |
| Chalice of the Shield Lands | Item | Greyhawk Adventures | 77 | |
| Knight coin - Electrum pieces (Shield lands) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 102 |
| Shield coin - Silver pieces (DoUrnst, Nyrond, Shield lands) | Item | Coin, | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 75, 102, 124 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Artifact of Evil | 7, 343, 346 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Against The Giants: The Liberation of Geoff | 70 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Bastion of Faith | 4, 44, 45 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Come Endless Darkness | 38 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 4, 6, 43, 44, 48, 59, 73, 74, 85 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 18 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | City of Hawks | 142 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #037 | 11 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #052 | 18, 19, 20 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #055 | 18 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #056 | 20, 21 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #068 | 71 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #209 | 14 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #253 | 44, 46 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #256 | 49 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #262 | 38 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #293 | 90 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #297 | 92 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #306 | 97 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #315 | 51, 52, 53, 54 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #354 | 23 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dragon magazine #AN4 | 21 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Dungeon magazine #032 | 61, 62, 64, 71 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 4, 6, 9, 10, 16, 22, 28, 37, 92, 94 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 4, 8, 9, 11, 31, 70, 85 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #2 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #9 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Greyhawk Adventures | 39, 42, 47, 50, 77, 82, 88 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Greyhawk Wars: Adventurer's Book | 9, 10, 16, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Castles: Hart | 2, 37 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 15, 16, 17, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 45, 46, 51, 58, 59, 61, 62, 74, 102, 103, 104, 105, 129, 149, 152, 159, IBC |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #0 | 3, 13 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #1 | 4, 30, 32 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 19, 30 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 30 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 30 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 19, 31 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 6, 10, 12, 27, 34, 49, 55 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Polyhedron magazine #163 | 109 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Return to White Plume Mountain | 3 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | S1-4 Realms of Horror, Adventure Booklet | 23 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | S2 White Plume Mountain (1st-3rd printing), AD&D 1e | 2 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | S2 White Plume Mountain {Expanded} (4th+ printing), AD&D 1e | 2 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 6, 41, 105 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | Saga of Old City | 6 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | The Adventure Begins | 3, 5, 17, 19, 21-23, 36, 60, 62, 69, 76, 83, 86, 91, 92 , 116, 126 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 4 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | 1993 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set | 456 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | WG12 Vale of the Mage | 5, 52 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | WG6 Isle of the Ape | 22 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | WG8 Fate of Istus | 21, 58, 62, 86, 87 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | WGA4 Vecna Lives! | 22 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IC, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 25 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | WGM1 Borderwatch | IBC, 2, 3, 8, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28, 30 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | WGR4 The Marklands | 3, 11, 20, 22, 31, 41, 62 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 1, 4, 34, 35, 37, 38, 41-48, 51, 67, 75, 80, 84, 86, 88, 90, 93 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | WGR6 City of Skulls | 10, 11, 13, 55, 62, 63 |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 10, 13, 19, 22, 34, 55, 60, 76, 79, IBC |
| Shield Lands | Kingdom | (576 pop: 60000), (591 pop: 27000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 9, 11, 17, 31, 32 |
| Warlord Blade of the Shield Lands (Sword) | Item | Greyhawk Adventures | 88 |