Originally posted to the old TSR message boards on AOL, these posts were compiled from Folder #5. No dates are given on any of the posts, but they do represent a part of Online Greyhawk's history, as well as a source of inspiration and ideas.
The Compilation was edited by Leo DiBenigno and Nathan Irving
The City of Hardby I
Note: The Table of Contents in this collection incorrectly notes QSamantha is the author of this piece, when it is, in fact, Aria13 (which is correctly noted in the piece itself).
A vision of the Despotix of Hardby, which keeps it under the control of the women of that city. The city was originally founded by a renegade group of Suel who believed in the superiority of women, and kept men enslaved (until the City of Greyhawk occupied Hardby and forced them to end the practice of slavery).
Today, the city survives, but is locked in a perpetual battle of the sexes with the male dominated Greyhawk City. The two compete for the hearts and lands of the Wild Coast cities, as well as for parts of the Abbor-Alz (in order to gain the mineral wealth). Whether this Suel city can continue to survive and thrive in an Oerid dominated land is up to the DM to decide...
Included in this piece are a number of groups and institutions, as well as potential adventure plots, based on the history of Hardby, including it's very Suel heritage.
The City of Hardby II
Written by Greyhawk designer Erik Mona (although one might start to seriously question his credibility after reading the introduction to this piece, simply because he actually considers the Estes novels as a potential source of canon), this piece paints a different picture of the Despotix than the version just before it. Now, which is better...on the DM can decide...
Although this version does not delve as far into the city's origins as the previous version, and does not ascribe to it truly unique cultural traits, it does present a more detailed, and more canonical version of the city's history, along with more than a few plot hooks buried in the text which can easily be used by a creative DM to stir up some excitement for the players.
Joramy
Written by QSamantha, this post presents a detailed Faiths & Avatars style writeup of the goddess Joramy and her priesthood. Although little else is included in the section, the fact that the goddess of quarrles and volcanoes has recieved only spotty development in print makes this piece invaluable.
The City of Dyvers
Another piece by QSamantha, this one delves into the city of Dyvers, giving a detailed writeup of Greyhawk City's rival city-state. Including the Sculptors & Mechanics Guild, later made infameous in the Oerth Journal for it's introduction of clockwork technology into the setting.
Oerth's Dwarves
One of the earliest attempts to flesh out the dwarven people that is still floating around Online, this section was written by MB Drapier. It delves into the history and legends of the dwarves, and then quickly detours into their culture, hitting such topics as economics, politics, and law.
The piece then deals with dwarf holds, holdless dwarves, and dwarven coalitions before tackling some final, brief notes on Ulek, the duergar, and derro.
Instant Greyhawk Campaigns
Note: For some reason, the Table of Contents lists this as Part I only, when Part II is definately included in this collection.
This particular piece, by Aria13, is of most use to those just getting into the setting. It, essentially, tells you what you need to run a Greyhawk campaign. Several different types of campaigns are offered, so (in conjunction with the ESD program), a new DM should have little trouble getting into running a 'Hawk game.
Starting in Saltmarsh
Again, with the ESD program, picking up the Saltmarsh series (U1-3) should be easier for a DM new to the setting, or one just looking for a change of pace. With those three modules, a new campaign can be run (as illustrated for us in this piece by Erik Mona). And once those three have been played, the adventure isn't over...the loose ends could keep a party tied up for years by leading into other classic 'Hawk adventures.
(On the final page of this collection, it is noted that this is Best of Greyhawk #1, although they were all renamed when they were revised to have volume number be the same as the number of the folder from which they were compiled. The note on the final page is in error.)
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