Greyns
| Greyns | |
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| (Nation) | |
| Pronunciation | GRĀNZ
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| Titles |
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| Alignment | Neutral Good
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| Capital | St. Tithus
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| Ruler | King Thi'Kiel Siarre
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| Government | republic
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| Demonym | elves, humans, half-elves
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| Adjective | Greyan
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| Languages | Elven, Common
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| Religions | Elven Pantheon,
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Once inhabited primarily by scattered tribes of goblinoids and orcs, the small island of Greyns is the furthest known eastern point short of the Maelstrom. When the elves were driven east by human conquest in Gailifor, many elves balked at the leap of faith necessary to sail into the Maelstrom. These carved out a life among the orcs, goblins, kobolds and assorted demihumans of Greyns. The island subsequently changed hands when Church crusaders, followers of St. Tithus, reconquered the elves in the name of spreading their religious fervor.
Finally, in 1227, a substantial half-elven uprising was able to drive off both the human crusaders and defeat the xenophobic leaders of the elven clans, establishing Greyns as a half-elven homeland.
Greyns is replete with the spirit of liberty. Its inhabitants are primarily half-elves, as well as humans of elven lineage, although a few full-blooded humans and elves still call this land home (and are welcome to do so). The theocratic rule of men and elves, however, is at an end, and the nation stands as a Constitutional Republic, guaranteeing liberty, justice, and both social and religious freedom, regardless of race of creed.
Major Cites
A powerful dormant volcano known as Shoanti Eth'soh, or "The Breath of the Fire God," lies in the middle of the island. The volcano is said to have been formed when the elves laid claim to the island. Their fire god, Shoanti, smiled on them and blasted the former inhabitants of the island, weakening them such that the elves could gain a foothold.
Salinas, the great salt desert, lies on the southern end of the island, spanning several hundred square miles of nearly uninhabitable blasted rock salt. Scholars are certain that the salt flats are the result of encroachment by the Elemental Demiplane of Salt on the Prime Material plane. Whatever the case, the area is dangerous, though the fine, blasted sandscape can be navigated by those willing to risk it to make contact and barter with the strange entities that inhabit this forsaken place.
Real-World Comparison
Greyns is something like post-revolutionary America or Great Briton following the Norman-Saxon wars. In regards to its significance to the exploration of the New World, Greyns may be likened to the Canary Islands, in that they are the last port of rest before crossing a vast expanse of dangerous oceans.
Campaign Role
Greyns is the closest inhabited location to the Maelstrom. While sailing directly from the east coast to the new world adds only a few weeks to the journey (which in itself is around four months), there is a distinct advantage to re-provisioning at the ports of Greyns. Furthermore, Greyns is in a uniquely advantageous position to benefit from not only the dissolution of the Maelstrom (and the resulting reduced frequency of storms along the eastern coast of Greyns), but also from being the nearest port willing and able to purchase the rich bounty of the New World. Indeed, the half-elven nation has, perhaps, the keenest of all possible interests in the conquest of the New World.