Pomarj
| Orcish Empire of the Pomarj | |
 |
|
| The arms of the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj. | |
| Demonym: | Pomarji[1] |
|---|---|
| Region: | Pomarj & Wild Coast |
| Ruler: | Despot Turrosh Mak |
| Government: | Dictatorship |
| Established: | 582 CY |
| Capital: | Stoneheim |
| Major towns: | Blue, Highport, Kalen Lekos |
| Resources: | silver, electrum, gold, gems, slaves |
| Coinage: | No official standard |
| Population: | 476,000 |
| Races: | Humans, Orcs, Goblins, Hobgoblins, Gnolls, Ogres, Kobolds, Flinds, Bugbears, Trolls(?) |
| Languages: | Orcish, Common, Goblin |
| Alignments: | Various |
| Religions: | Orc pantheon, Beltar, Syrul, goblin pantheon, Earth Dragon |
| Allies: | Scarlet Brotherhood |
| Enemies: | Principality of Ulek, Celene, Domain of Greyhawk (not including Safeton, Narwell) |
The Pomarj can refer either to a large peninsula located in the central Flanaess, or to the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj, located in the same region.
History[edit | edit source]
Before the Great Migrations, the Pomarj was mainly a desolate region populated by primitive Flan tribespeople who revered equally primitive deities of earth and sky. Eventually, small numbers of outcast Suel settled the region. The region received little notice from the rest of the world for centuries, remaining largely isolated.
In 295 CY, King Tavish I of Keoland and the Prince of Ulek, seeking to exploit the Pomarj's mineral wealth, raised an army to invade and subjugate the region, an endeavor which was accomplished in the span of a few years. The Pomarj was divided up into roughly a dozen small baronies, which were awarded to favored families of the Keoish throne. These subfiefs were administered by and under the protection of the Principality of Ulek. Over the next few decades, mining brought great wealth to these petty barons. In 305 CY, the town of Highport was constructed on the north coast to share these riches with the rest of the Flanaess.
In 461 CY, the Principality of Ulek had withdrawn from Keoland to gain palatinate status. The barons of the Pomarj at this time, being subjects of the Prince of Ulek, had no voice in the Council of Niole Dra. Dissatisfied with their position, the Pomarj barons broke with the Principality of Ulek in 463, declaring their own independence. The barons ejected the Prince's dwarven garrisons and declared Highport their capital. Despite this apparent unity, however, each baron ruled his state independently, and feuds were common. Many barons assigned themselves grandiose titles, such as archbaron, duke, or prince. The baron of Suderham, even went so far as to dub himself "King of the Drachensgrabs."
In 498 CY, the Hateful Wars began as an alliance between Celene and the Ulek States sought to drive the orcs, goblins, and other evil humanoids from Lortmil Mountains. The Prince of Ulek invited the former barons of the Pomarj to join the alliance, but the lords of the Pomarj refused, fearing reabsorption into the Principality and seeing little reason to involve themselves in what they viewed as chiefly a conflict between non-humans. By 510 CY, the Hateful Wars were over, but this conflict would have great repercussions for the Pomarj.
In 513 CY, hordes of surviving orcs, goblins, and other evil creatures from the Lortmils, having few places to hide from their elven and dwarven foes, fled to the Pomarj, emerging from the Suss and falling upon Highport in a destructive rage. After six assaults on the Highport city gates, the city eventually fell to the orcish armies. This is known as the Night of Bloody Spears In a matter of months, all of the other former baronies, save the hidden city of Suderham, also fell to the humanoid invaders.
Over the next few decades, the Pomarj became essentially a backwater filled with orcs, goblinoids, and other evil creatures, as well as a haven for human bandits, pirates, slavers, and other criminals. Various humanoid tribes carved out territories. Any good humans left lived as slaves, or else waged a losing guerilla war against the invaders.
By 574 CY, the last king of Suderham was assassinated by the Slave Lords, who turned the town into their base of operations. The Slave Lords managed to bring much of the Pomarj under their control, but by 580 CY their power was broken after bands of adventurers hired by the Lords of Gearnat disrupted their operations and leadership (the events of Scourge of the Slave Lords).
During the Greyhawk Wars of 582-584 CY, a powerful orc chieftain named Turrosh Mak united the Nedla and other humanoid tribes of the Pomarj, and invaded the surrounding lands, bringing much of the Wild Coast and the Principality of Ulek under his control. Mak named his "empire where none has stood" the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj. Though much of the land west of the Jewel was reclaimed by the Principality of Ulek in 586 CY, Mak continues to hold power in the region, and his empire shows no signs of decline.[2]
Geography[edit | edit source]
The Pomarj proper is a peninsula dividing the Azure Sea from the Sea of Gearnat. It is bordered by the Jewel River to the west, the Suss Forest and Woolly Bay to the north, with the Straights of Gearnat to the east and the Azure to the south. The borders of the Empire are slightly larger, extending north along the Wild Coast, stopping only a few leagues south of Safeton. The Empire's western border once stretched as far as the foothills of the Lortmils, but much of this land has since been reclaimed by the Principality of Ulek.
The peninsula is dominated by the Drachensgrabs, a range of hills which ascend to the height of mountains at their highest point. The soil of the land is poor, making cultivation of crops difficult.
Artifact of Evil by Gary Gygax describes "the fair shores of the Pomarj, where snow never fell." [page 344]
People[edit | edit source]
Population[edit | edit source]
As of 591 CY, the population of the Pomarj was estimated at 476,000 persons, with 43% being orcs, 28% humans (mainly of Suel and Oeridian ancestry), 15% goblin, 10% hobgoblin, and 4% of other races.
Religion[edit | edit source]
The orcish pantheon, led by Gruumsh, is heavily favored in the Pomarj, as are Beltar, Syrul, and the goblin pantheon, led by Maglubiyet. The cult of the Earth Dragon is also a potent force on the peninsula.
Languages[edit | edit source]
The most widely spoken languages in the Pomarj are Orcish, Common, and Goblin.
Government[edit | edit source]
The Orcish Empire of the Pomarj is a dictatorship which oversees various humanoid tribal leaders. The dictator's power is enforced by his large personal army made up of warriors from his own orcish tribe.
The national capital is Stoneheim.
Administrative Divisions[edit | edit source]
The Orcish Empire of the Pomarj is made up of numerous territories, the vast majority ruled by non-human tribal leaders.
Settlements include:
- Stoneheim, the capital.
- Blue.
- Fenrill.
- Highport.
- Kalen Lekos.
- Lost Fenrill.
- Outramd Keep.
- Suderham.
- Strandkeep Castle.
Executive Branch[edit | edit source]
As of 591 CY, the Pomarj's chief of state is His Most Ferocious Majesty, the Despot Turrosh Mak, who has held power since the Greyhawk Wars.
Legislative Branch[edit | edit source]
Heraldry[edit | edit source]
The Pomarj's coat of arms is blazoned thus: Argent, a medusa's head caboshed gules. This device was traditionally used by the goblins of the Pomarj, before being adopted by Turrosh Mak's government.
In addition to the state's official heraldry, several of the humanoid tribes have traditionally carried their own devices:
- Hobgoblins: Gules, a demon's skull armed argent.
- Orcs: Sable, a human skull argent.
Economy[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
The Pomarj's resources include silver, electrum, gold, gems, and slaves.
Currency[edit | edit source]
The Pomarj has no standard national coinage, but several official and unofficial currencies do exist, minted by most cities, towns, and powerful non-human tribes. Note that some of these currencies are out of date.
Transportation[edit | edit source]
The roads of the Pomarj are not well-maintained, which is not surprising for a nation ruled by orcs. The land does boast a few ports however, including Highport and Blue.
Military[edit | edit source]
The Pomarj can field large numbers of non-human troops, and many are trained at the capital city of Stoneheim. The Pomarj has no navy to speak of, though some pirates and mercenaries are employed to harry the shipping lanes of the Sea of Gearnat and the Azure Sea. It is rumored that the Pomarj can also call upon the Scarlet Brotherhood for aid.
In Living Greyhawk[edit | edit source]
 | This section contains content from the Living Greyhawk organized-play campaign. |
From 596-598 CY the Domain of Greyhawk and the Principality of Ulek were in a complete state of war with the Pomarj. The Principality mounted major offenses and were able to reclaim most of the disputed territory the Pomarj had taken.
Then, however, talks began in secret in 598 CY between Mak and Lord Mayor Nerof Gasgal to end the war. The treaty would have also incidentally established a new nation to be called the Jebli Free State (a goblin nation) as a 'buffer zone on the Wild Coast between the Domain and the Pomarj.
It is widely believed those treaty negotiations were the impetus or trigger which led Turin Deathstalker to assassinate Lord Mayor Gasgal in 598 CY.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Maps[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.
- "Alternate History of the Pomarj and Turrosh Mak" at Canonfire!.
- "Turrosh Mak and His Generals" at Canonfire!.
References[edit | edit source]
Citations[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Dungeon #109 (Apr 2004), p.100
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.88.
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- Bloch, Joseph. "See the Pomarj -- and Die!" Dragon #167. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991.
- Cook, David. "History of the Greyhawk Wars." Wars. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1991. Available Online: [1]
- Gygax, Gary. Artifact of Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1986.
- ———. 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. Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998.
- Reynolds, Sean K., and Chris Pramas. Slavers. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.
- Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Index is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, and his work as continued and updated by Eric Johnson, Richard DiIoia, Jason "PupickDad" Jacobson, a French fan group, and numerous other fans over the years. The wiki page for the EGI has a list of sources, full product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goblin Shield of the Pomarj +2 | Item | Greyhawk Adventures | 87 | |
| Orcish Empire of the Pomarj | Kingdom | Reference | SEE Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | |
| Pomarj Coast | Region | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 11 | |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | A1 Slave Pits of the Undercity | 2 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | A1-4 Scourge of the Slave Lords | 3, 8, 9, 12, 18, 23, 24, 29, 47, 56, 97, 125 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | A3 Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords | 2 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | A4 In The Dungeons of the Slave Lords | 2 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Artifact of Evil | 7, 15, 20, 29, 30, 37, 45, 51, 52, 60, 105, 231, 344 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Come Endless Darkness | 83, 240 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | The City of Greyhawk: Adventure Cards | 8 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | The City of Greyhawk: Folks, Feuds and Factions | 33, 43, 56, 70, 77 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | The City of Greyhawk: Gem of the Flanaess | 18, 35 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | City of Hawks | 201, 356 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #037 | 11 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #043 | 12 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #052 | 22 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #055 | 18 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #057 | 13, 16 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #089 | 22 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #167 | 10, 11, 13 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #188 | 29 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #191 | 67, 68 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #195 | 94 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #206 | 41 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #233 | 93 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #256 | 47, 50 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #264 | 47, 48 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #274 | 100, 101, 102 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #276 | 89 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #292 | 101 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #306 | 95 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dragon magazine #315 | 51, 54 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dungeon magazine #019 | 7 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dungeon magazine #030 | 23 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dungeon magazine #073 | 58, 59, 71, 73 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Dungeon magazine #085 | 33, 35, 36, 38 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 7, 10, 13, 16, 21, 24, 34, 36, 40, 41, 47, 49, 54, 56, 57, 64, 72, 76, 87 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 6-8, 13, 17, 39, 42, 45, 47, 50, 51, 55, 64, 77, 80, 81, 86 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #1 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #2 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | From the Ashes: References Card | #8 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Greyhawk Adventures | 40, 73, 87, 91, 95, 96 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders | 3, 4, 10, 16 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Greyhawk Wars: Adventures | 15, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Ivid the Undying | 94 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 6, 8, 11, 12, 15, 20, 26, 27, 33, 36, 38, 41, 55, 84, 101, 109 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 11, 15, 16, 17, 33, 38, 39, 40, 42, 51, 52, 59, 63, 65, 66, 72, 79, 86, 87, 88, 107, 116, 117, 119, 120, 121, 127, 133, 135, 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, 147, 148, 152, 157, 159, 182 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #1 | 24, 26, 30 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #2 | 19 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 12 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 3 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #5 | 31 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Monster Manual 2, AD&D 1e | 60 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 5, 8, 10, 26, 27, 39, 49, 54, 59 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | PHBR2 - The Complete Thief's Handbook | 83 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Return of the Eight | 7, 32 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 14, 18, 19, 20, 27, 31, 33, 37, 38, 39, 42-45, 53, 60, 62, 63, 65, 67, 75, 77, 81, 82, 84, 86-89, 92, 99, 100, 106, 109, 118-124, 127 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | T1-4 The Temple of Elemental Evil | 29 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | The Adventure Begins | 3, 16, 18, 19, 33, 60, 62, 69, 98 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | LT3 The Doomgrinder | 2, 10, 29, 40 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | The Scarlet Brotherhood | 5 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | WG11 Puppets | IC |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | WGA4 Vecna Lives! | 22, 49, 91 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IC, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | WGQ1 Patriots of Ulek | 2, 3, 11, 12, 14, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | WGR3 Rary the Traitor | 18 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | WGR4 The Marklands | 9 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | WGR5 Iuz the Evil | 5, 49, 90 |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | IC, 9, 11, 12, 14, 21, 27, 31, 34, 39, 42, 47-49, 53, 54, 57, 58, IBC |
| Pomarj Peninsula {Poor March} | Region | (591 pop: 20000), | World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) | 9, 17, 30, 32 |
| Pomarj, Black Wine of the | Item | Beverage (wine), | City of Hawks | 201 |
| Pomarj, Goblins of the | People Group | People, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IC |
| Pomarj, Hobgoblins of the | People Group | People, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IC |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Dragon magazine #195 | 94 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Dungeon magazine #073 | 58 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | From the Ashes: Campaign Book | 50-52, 57 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 109 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 17, 40, 42, 51, 59, 63, 72, 116, 118, 119, 121, 129, 131, 148, 150, 152, IBC |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #3 | 26, 29 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Living Greyhawk Journal #4 | 28 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Player's Guide to Greyhawk | 5, 25, 59, 61 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Return of the Eight | 32 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 2, 5, 8, 27, 33, 34, 38-40, 43, 44, 46, 60, 62, 63, 67, 86-90, 98, 106, 123 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | The Adventure Begins | 3-6, 8, 16, 33-36, 42, 44, 47, 54, 62, 63, 64, 66, 69, 74, 76, 79, 86, 90, 100, 101, 119, 123, 125 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | The Adventure Begins: Adventure Maps | 2, 3, 4 |
| Pomarj, Orcish Empire of | Kingdom | (576 pop: 20000), (591 pop: 476000), | LT1 The Star Cairns | IC |
| Pomarj, Orcs of the | People Group | People, | The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) | IBC |
| Pomarji | People Group | People, | Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e | 52 |
| Ring of the Pomarj | Item | Encyclopedia Magica - Volume III | 987 | |
| Ring of the Pomarj | Item | Greyhawk Adventures | 73 |