GreyhawkOnline brings you a look at the background events leading up to 577 CY, in the aftermath of the Battle of Emridy Meadows.
Thrommel IV of Furyondy and Lady Jolene of Veluna’s marriage has been put on hold, irrevocably after the disappearance of Thrommel.

Here’s a look at Greyhawk’s star-crossed lovers—a brief explanation of why their union would matter so much.

When darkness gathers, so must light. The Temple of Elemental Evil gathered a host of vile forces, and to meet it, the nations of Furyondy, Veluna, Verbobonc, and Celene formed an alliance. A brave heart in the form of Prince Thrommel IV of Furyondy, and Provost of Veluna gathered these forces to meet it head on at the battle of Emridy Meadows. However, if these forces were going to remain together a natural and pure soul such as Lady Jolene of Veluna was needed to meld it. Here is a brief overview of their stories, and attempted union:

“And during that glorious fortnight, the Righteous Hosts of Prince Thrommel IV the Paladin-Prince smote the Temple of Elemental Evil at the Battle of Emridy Meadows.”—Minstrel of Thrommel-

One of the most significant moments in Oerth’s history is the grand and gory Battle of Emridy Meadows where the combined forces of Veluna, Furyondy, Verbobonc, and Celene battled the gathering evil at the Temple of Elemental Evil. This decisive strike against evil in 569 CY resulted in most of the masterminds of the temple being routed, with some remnants of the cult of Tharizdun fleeing to pursue their nefarious deeds another day. Thrommel IV’s thunderous cavalry charge which trampled all opposition that stood in its path at the climax of the battle is remembered fondly by most. While Thrommel is the heart of this alliance on the battlefield, Lady Jolene, Supreme Mistress of the Celestial Order of the Moons of Veluna is the soul of the citizenry of these nations due to her expertise and lived experiences.

Furyondy

The deeds of Furyondy are well documented in the annals of history. A triumphant kingdom that managed to make itself independent from the Great Kingdom of Aerdy in the east. Furyondy became a kingdom with its own monarch and allied with other nations, including the Archclericy of Veluna, and the Viscounty of Verbobonc. Shortly after this declaration, its alliances were tested and a rift occurred between Veluna and Furyondy, spurred on by Keoland, a rival kingdom to the south in a minor conflict called the Short War.

Veluna

While the establishment of Furyondy is a tale of independence, grit, and determination, the founding of Veluna is one of peace, cooperation, and tolerance. Veluna was founded when an Oeridian tribe (the Vollar) wandering east prior to the Twin Cataclysms settled upon a confluence of the Velverdyva and Fals rivers, guided by the light of Luna, one of Oerth’s twin moons. There, they lived peacefully in this river valley along with the native Flan tribes, which was largely not the norm due to Oeridian’s nature and reputation for conquest. This “Vale of Luna” eventually caught the attention of elves from Celene who were weary of blood-thirsty conquering humans, because they had finally encountered another civilization who understood what it meant to co-exist.

It is impossible to talk about the history or culture of Veluna without understanding the impact of Rao’s influence on the Vale. Rao’s guiding principles are peace, serenity, and reason. His priests are often mediators, lawyers, and adjudicators. With Luna’s aid again, centuries later in 9 CY, the artifact the Crook of Rao was discovered in the current city of Mitrik, the spiritual capital of Veluna. Since then, Veluna has been the spiritual home of the religion being led by the Canon (currently Canon Hazen), and Plars being represented by Velunan nobles. These nobles representing the seven Diocese of Veluna, and one seat from Verbobonc are what comprise the Celestial Order of the Moons.

Thrommel IV

Four years after the Battle of Emridy Meadows—in 573 CY—Prince Thrommel IV, the Crown Prince of Furyondy and the Provost of Veluna, mysteriously disappeared, some even say abducted. Some point fingers at the cult of Tharizdun, others at the Scarlet Order, some conspirators even blame the Kingdom of Nyrond; however, the abductors have never been found. The true tragedy in this abduction is that it interrupted the betrothal of Prince Thrommel IV and Lady Jolene, thus disrupting the unification of the Kingdom of Furyondy and the Archclericy of Veluna—the unification of heart and soul.

Jolene

At a young age, Jolene was appointed as Supreme Mistress of the Celestial Order of the Moons. She truly represented the people of Veluna well, since her father is Plar Eldried, Sarnieth of Grayington, and her mother is an elven maiden from Celene. Embracing her heritage came easy as she explored and revered the land, but she also understood the politics and hierarchy of powers governing the land between nations. Because she is a soul so true to herself and her people, Jolene knew Veluna could not stand alone forever. When the Temple of Elemental Evil began stirring in Verbobonc, she knew it was time to strengthen their alliance with Furyondy once more.

While the deeds and character of Prince Thrommel and Lady Jolene are impressive on their own, their union would have made both them and their people stronger. The heart of a warrior without the compassion of the people is just a fool-hardy knight. The soul of a nation and a religion without a stout vessel is just an ideal without an idol.

Inspirations for roleplay

Even though there are clearly plenty of reasons above for Jolene to want Prince Thrommel rescued that can be used as inspiration, it is important to be creative and come up with reasons for PCs, too. Here are some to ideas to inspire players and Dungeon Masters alike:

  • A cleric of Rao wishes to spread their religion further to the Kingdom of Furyondy, making it more established in this country devoted to Heironeous.
  • A bard wishes to write a story about the Paladin-Prince and wants to see him battle once again.
  • A druid wishes to see Thrommel be held accountable for not fully stamping out the Temple of Elemental Evil.
  • A paladin would love to have the glory of rescuing Thrommel.
  • A monk of Heironeous who wishes for peace, wants to see Furyondy learn more from Veluna.
  • A fighter wants to learn the way of the sword from Thrommel.
  • A wizard or sorcerer wants to inquire more about the relationship between Thrommel and his sword Fragarach.
  • A monk wanting to reach enlightenment between peace and war wishes the same for two once-allied countries in the Flanaess.
  • A DM who wants to tell a story about a peaceful nation and a combative nation finally ally with one another.
  • A DM who wants to tell a story about another kingdom who wants to interfere in these nations becoming allied.
  • A DM who has a nefarious secret society that wants to stop this union at all costs.