Canonfire!

Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:26 am Dwarven Strongholds

Is there an official list of Dwraven Strongholds in the Flanaess?
I suppose the Dwarven kingdoms have more than one.

Thu Mar 28, 2013 2:57 pm

In the surrounding lands close to the Free City of Greyhawk you can find the following: Greysmere, Karakast, and Dumadan. All are referenced in From the Ashes, the Greyhawk City boxed set, The Adventure Begins, and also Players Guide too.

No doubt others exist far beyond, but not sure about 'canon' references citing them specifically.

-Lanthorn

Thu Mar 28, 2013 4:48 pm

Right off the bat, the Principality of Ulek undoubtedly has some, as the Prince is a dwarf. The Iron Hills under the rule of King Holgi Hirsute could also be considered a dwarven stronghold.

Most major mountain ranges have dwarves resident in them, though large strongholds are unlikely. Ruined stronghold would include the Pits of Azak-Zil in the Bright Desert and the Bueateous Cones of Bakklarren (sp?) in the Sulhault Mountains. They are described in Greyhawk Adventures and From the Ashes, respectively.

Greyhawk canon does not really describe a whole lot of lost dwarven strongholds and the such... that is more an artifact of Forgotten Realms, where you cannot throw a rock without hitting a lost dwarf/elf city. This is not tos ay you could not incorporate one or more of those into a Greyhawk campaing. The original Savage Frontier accessory listed numerous abandoned strongholds, as did the subsequent "The North" boxed set, and frankly almost every other acessory was not complete without at least one.[/i]

Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:58 pm

I know you said official, but there is a really nice fan-made history of the dwarves of Greyhawk and an accompanying map.

Fri Mar 29, 2013 2:10 am

Glorvardum: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=lg/lgmp/20041123a

Also possibly Radruundar, the ruined, goblin-infested former dwarf stronghold in Axe of the Dwarvish Lords (suggested to be in the Yatils). Not exactly Greyhawk, but written with Greyhawk in mind.

Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:16 pm

Not sure how much of a "stronghold" it is, but Dwarfhaven on Lendore Isle is home to Fortubo's sole high priest on all of Oerth (Dr88).

The "Birthplaces for Demihuman characters" table in the Glossography contains some clues. For all of its nearby dwarf strongholds, the Domain of Greyhawk has only a 2% chance of being the birthplace for dwarven adventurers. The Principality of Ulek is the undisputed dwarf mecca (12%). Sterich boosts a remarkable 6%, more than most locations (FtA's "Skirmish in Sterich" reports many dwarves in the Good Hills).

The biggest surprise, IMO, is the Wild Coast, with a 7% chance for dwarves. Many surely fled there when the Pomarj fell, but the fact that they settled is telling. Either the Wild Coast is home to many sundered dwarves or the supposedly-barren land is more mineral-rich than humans realize. The Wild Coast fiefdom of Karmagia described in Dr90 sits on a "mother lode" of gold and it's Lord Valdis von Wodinshirk is most likely a dwarf, judging by his name (GH has a number of Germanic dwarven names, like the former dwarf citadel Stoneheim [Atlas of the Flanaess 76], the Drachensgrabs, etc.).

Sat Mar 30, 2013 8:28 am

Vestcoat's mention of Sterich reminded me of the Dispatches column in LGJ #2, which mentions the dwarven citadel of Num-Theraz; held by the retreating humanoids as of 591. It is located in a "... deep valley in the Crystalmists," and borders the western County of Astarikan. A Prince Durrok Korend is gathering a dwarven army in the town of Ilaren (presumed to be in Astarikan) to recapture Num-Theraz.

Tue Apr 02, 2013 8:48 am

Good catch!

Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:30 am