Greyhawk Timeline
Greyhawk Timeline
Greyhawk Timeline
Greyhawk Chronology
Ash = "From the Ashes" Boxed set for Greyhawk -- 2nd Edition
WGWS = "The World of Greyhawk -- Fantasy World Setting" (earliest version)
T1-4 = "The Temple of Elemental Evil" (mega-module)
WGR1 = "Greyhawk Ruins" (Castle Greyhawk module)
WG8 = "Fate of Istus" (2nd edition transition module)
Note: some of Kirk's listings remain without a quoted source as I have yet
to locate them. Many seem to come from the City of Greyhawk Boxed Set
(CGBS) which I am looking through along with the GH hardcover.
just thought you might be interested in what you see so far, and so you can
give me praise, advice, comdenation, or whatever. . . :)
-Ed
What follows are my best estimates for the most important events (and their
dates) in Zagig Yragerne's life. Hope you find it useful...
c.308-312 Zagig attends the Academy of Art and Science in the city of
Greyhawk under the tutelage of The Grey Savant (a mysterious
figure who was reputedly both a wizard of awesome power and a
priest of Boccob.) The Academy is a school of learning founded
by The Grey Savant in CY 118 by the banks of the river Selintan.
The trading village of Greyhawk slowly grew around this famed
place of learning, attracting many of the most learned men and
women of the Flanaess.
Given that Zagig is the son of the city's lord and was born with a
brilliant mind, it is not unreasonable to assume that he would have attended
the best institution of higher learning in the entire region. The Grey Savant
is my own invention, and provides a logical rational for why a school of
learning (what later became the Grey College) would have been founded in what
amounted (at the time) to a modest trading town (although the druidical
circle and the magical nature of the region would have alot to do with this.)
It also allows me to connect the influence of Boccob with Zagig very in early
in his life.
c.312 Following the mysterious death of The Grey Savant, Zagig ends
his formal studies at the Academy. The Academy of Art and Science
is renamed the Grey College in honor of the former servant of
Boccob.
Given that a figure such as the Grey Savant would probably not have
encouraged many of Zagig's proclivities, I thought it appropriate that this
year be a significant one. The death of the Grey Savant not only allows me
to establish the Grey College as we know it today, but it also allows me to
provide a reason for Zagig to get out there and see the world.
320 All serious historians of the life of Zagig Yragerne, number this
year as among the most important in his life. He was profoundly
changed by the events of this seminal year. During the chance
exploration of an old Suloise cairn, Zagig Yragerne encounters
an Avatar of Boccob (or some equivalent manifestation.) Based on
that experience he decides to take up the practice of magecraft.
Zagig's subsequent return to the city and desire to initiate the
construction of Castle Greyhawk in a remote location from the
city were seen as extreme eccentricities for the young warrior
lord. Work on Castle Greyhawk will continue through to the end
of the century.
Now that we have Zagig wanting to become a mage, and given that he
founded both the school and the guild of wizardry (later of course) it is
necessary to find him someone under whom he has apprenticed. I would argue
that it was none other than the famed Mage and Bard, Heward (who also happens
to be a distant relative, according to the Glossography, p.35) As a Quasi-
deity, Heward is both old enough and powerful enough to have provided Zagig
with the needed training in the magical arts. I have chosen the period of
apprenticeship arbitrarily, but 9 years seems reasonable. By assuming that
he achieves 9th level during this time, I allow him to satisfy the Dual-
classed rules that allow him to use his powers as a warrior. It is also
fortunate, that Heward is such an unconventional wizard. It provides a
logical reson for a lot of Zagig's interest in 'wild' magic and his interest
music, humor, and puns. All in all, I'd say a pretty good match.
c.329-339 Wanderings of the Mage and Warrior, Zagig Yragerne. Zagig returns
to the city of Greyhawk on many occasions, most often to maintain
the works at Castle Greyhawk by infusing it with new funds.
Otherwise he is seen as an accomplished, if eccentric Mage, who
travels the length and breadth of the Flanaess in search of the
wondrous and mysterious. He is accompanied by many of the former
members of the Company of Seven. (Some of the travel is even
thought to have been otherworldly.)
Having left the company of Heward, this decade allows the Mage, Zagig
some time to go off and see more of the world. Of course it is entirely
conjecture on my part, but serves to flesh out and fill in the gaps in his
story. From time to time, he is in the company of some of the members of the
Company of Seven. Many interesting things would have happened to Zagig during
this decade in his life.
c.339 Upon the death of the Gynarch of Hardby, Zagig Yragerne becomes
titular ruler of the Land of Greyhawk, Landgraf of the Selintan,
and Despot of Hardby. By all accounts, this initiates a period
which historians refer to as the Greyhawk Rennaisance. Not only
does the city flourish from Zagig's generous rule, but many of
the neighboring states of the Flanaess gain indepedence during
the next few decades, making the Flanaess a brighter more hope-
filled place. It is during this time, from a seemingly
inexhaustible source of funds, that Zagig Yragerne begins the
construction of most of what we know as modern Greyhawk. (Due
to his interest in secular affairs, Zagig's progress as a mage
is slow and steady.) Zagig becomes well known for putting magic
to practical use.
Both the date and the events are my conjecture, but are quite
reasonable things to assume, given the current relative importance of the
City of Greyhawk's wizards. The Sagacious Society is real enough (WGR4
Marklands) while the Conclave Arcanum is my own creation.
356 A year notable for the establishment of the Kingdom of Nyrond,
where Zagig had seemed to have played an important diplomatic role.
I had to lay a foundation for his reputed madness, and here it is.
None of this is official, of course, but it seems to be the most logical
progression of events toward such an end. Zagig's interest in so-called
'wild' magic probably dubbed him as a 'loon' by many of the more orthodox
members of the Society of Magi. We are, afterall, talking about men and women
who couldn't care less if your the Lord of the city or not - magic is magic,
and right is right. Zagig's opponents probably spread the rumor that he was
'mad' in order to weaken his reputation. Of course, given that Zagig had
such a great sense of humor, what did he care if he was dubbed the 'Mad
Archmage.'
The City of Greyhawk boxed set (FFF) firmly establishes this date as
CY 393. Following along my argument above, I tried to provide a logical reason
why Zagig would found the guild and there it is. The locales mentioned above
are not TSR's, but my own, so they haven't been detailed anywhere. I can
provide strong rationales for both their names and their locations as I have
already sketched them out, but not fully detailed them. If anyone expresses an
interest I could send in what I have, as these things are easy to incorporate
in anyone's campaign. I just threw them in from my own stuff as interesting
tidbits, to make the history sound more authentic.
c.395-409 During this period, the last in his public life, the Lord of
Castle Greyhawk is seen with less and less frequency. It is
presumed that his seeming 'madness' (propaganda spread by members
of the Directing Oligarchy and certain opponents in the Society
of Magi) has taken him. The number of his proclomations and
edicts fall to less than one a year.
The World of Greyhawk Campaign Guide (p. 23-25) implies that Zagig
simply 'vanished' after many years of rulership. His motivation for doing
this is implied in WGR1, Greyhawk Ruins. I have arbitrarily chosen this year
to be CY 409 which agrees well with WGR1's assumption that the Castle was
occupied for less than a century. It is quite reasonable to assume that the
city would have thought him dead after so long and productive a life, so they
would have made his 'death' official. The fact that he moved his work
underground is clearly established in WGR1, Greyhawk Ruins as is the fact
that numerous friends and retainers went with him.
c.409-505 During this long period in Zagig Yragerne's life, the so-called
Mad Archmage, conducted tremendous amounts of magical research.
He travelled extensively, including to worlds such as Krynn and
Abeir-Toril, and extra-planar. He met with only a very few close
friends, who kept the secret of his continuing existence. He was
kept from Nerull's grasp by many rejuvenating magics, but Zagig
sought a more permanent solution...
This simply provides an explanation for the long gap between Zagig's
disappearance, in the year I have arbitrarily chosen as CY 409 and his
ascension to godhood in CY 505. WGR1, Greyhawk Ruins implies that Zagig did
much traveling, particularly to other worlds, so none of this is unreasonable.
Given that he was not as yet, immortal, Zagig no doubt used the conventional
poitions and elixirs that other powerful wizards use in order to extend their
lives. Presumably, it was during this time that he discovered the method
by which he would capture the nine demigods, and by which he would make
himself immortal. Alot of the interesting accomplishments under Castle
Greyhawk (described in WGR1) were probably also achieved during this time.
The WGCG (p. 25) names CY 498 the year in which the City of Greyhawk
was proclaimed Free and Independent. It also implies the enusing decline in
the city from the time of Zagig's rule. I'm just providing a reasonable
context underwhich such a proclamation would have occured.
Given that Zagig ascended in CY 505 and that the timeline stops at
CY 585, this fact is implicit. The City of Greyhawk sourcebook also implies
that exploration of the Castle Greyhawk is fairly recent, which would make
Tenser, Lord Robilar, and Co. among the first to do so, probably in CY 550s
and 560s.
The first fact (and date) is clearly established in the first campaign guide.
The second (about Iuz) is implied in WGR1, Greyhawk Ruins. The battle and
it's participants, is described in WGR5, Iuz the Evil and is implied in many
other source material. As far as the names of the demigods are concerned,
other than Iuz, I only know that the demigod Wastri, was definitely among
them. I'm looking despertely for where I read this, since it was many years
ago. I suggest that Rudd and Zuoken were also among the prisoners, but as for
the others, who is to say. I have my own theories of course...
585 The current plans and activities of Zagyg are unknown, save of
course, to the All-Seeing One, Boccob. It is presumed that he is
working on certain projects relating to the dissemination of
otherworldly magics (particularly those of a group calling
themselves the Red Wizards of Tay, Hay or something to that
effect.) Conflicts between Zagyg and the servant of another power
of Magic, Azuth have been noted by many of Boccob's priests. Where
this may lead is anyone's guess. But these, of course, are matters
for those who live in the heavens...
Zagig CN 28*
Leomund NG 24
BlackOne NE(n) 20
Serten LN(e) 26
Tuerny CE(n) 21
*Zagig is really the demigod Zagyg who can cast any spell (LVL 1-9) at
will, with magic use equivalent to a 28th Level Mage.
EYE OF BOCCOB
/ \
/ \
/ \
/ _______ \
/ / ___ \ \
/ / / \ \ \
\ \ \___/ / /
\ \ _______ / /
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\ /
\_____________/
[...deletions...]
I've included a brief writing of some of the early history of the world,
and my thoughts on times, ect. Nothing very orginal, just background
material really.
The world of Oerth has four great continents. Little or nothing has been
written about 3 1/2 of them - a great deal has been written about the
eastern portion of the continent Oerik - the world of Greyhawk, also know
as the Flanness. The history of Flanness starts in the west, with three
separate groups migrating eastward into Flanness.
The Oeridians moved from the area the Dry Steppes and migrated over almost
all of the Flanness. Their influence has affected almost every "civilized"
region of the continent with the exception of the free city of Greyhawk.
Presumably, they were fleeing from the Baklunish/Suloise war which
threatened to crush them between.
The Suels, fleeing the devastating war with the Baklunish came across the
Hellfires and moved north eastward toward what is now the area of the Frost
barbarians, and south eastward towards the Hepamonaland. Curiously, few of
them ever moved north of a line extending roughly from the Kron Hills to
Nyr Dyv to the regions of the Theocracy of the Pale. Perhaps it is
coincidence, but the limits of their migration include the area of
Hepamonaland, the Frost, Snow and Ice Barbarians, The Scarlet Brotherhood,
and the Wild Coast. With the exception of the last, they are the sole
settlers of these areas.
Other influences include the Baklunish who founded most of what is now the
Tiger and Wolf Nomadic lands, and everything north and east of the Yatil
Mtns and Barrier Peaks. There is a strange similarity between the
Baklunish and Oeridians, perhaps because of a common past. The original
Flan people have been pushed back to small areas including Ratik, the Duchy
of Geoff, and the Rovers of the Barrens. Nevertheless, their continue to
have a strong and proud tradition.
Much of the history of the migrations was influenced by the
Baklunish/Suloise war. The war started in CY-485 and ended 63 years later
with the Invoked Devastation and Rain of Colorless Fire. There is no clue
as to what started the war, or why it raged so long. It can be inferred
that the war was a draw, since the Suels resorted to powerful sorcery and
brought the Invoked Devastation upon the Bakluni. The most powerful
Baklunish magi responded with the Rain of Colorless Fire, which destroyed
most of original Suloise empire, turning it into the Sea of Dust.
Undoubtely there is still a thriving Baklunish civilization thriving in the
north eastern portion of the continent. I have found references to the
cities-states of Euroz, High Jeblinc, and several others thriving as little
as 750 years ago. Their location is not noted on any map. It is
inconceivable, short of a massive natural diaster, that these cities have
totally disappeared from the face of the Oerth. Conceivably, there are
even some surviving Suloise in the extreme south western portion of the
continent, but they are of no concern to modern Flan.
As a rule of thumb, you should equate CY 576 with 1980 or 1979 AD. Both
are the year that the Greyhawk map and Gazetteer were first published. If
you are following the assumption that one game year equals one real year,
1994 is CY 590. There are equalivant years for Suloise, Olve, Bakluni,
Flannae, and Oerid. A brief conversion chart is shown.
CY SD OC BH FT OR
Common Suloise Olve Bakluni Flannae Oerid
1 5516 4463 2660 2151 645
Greyhawk citizens recognize a seven day week, with twelve 28 day months a
year, and four 6 day festivals between each group three months. This
results in a year being 12x28 + 4x6 or 360 days.
Note: in CY 579, TSR revised the length of festivals to be seven days long,
resulting in 364 days in a year.
The common days are Starday, Sunday, Moonday, Godsday, Waterday, Oerthday,
and Freeday. Of these, Godsday is the day of worship, and Freeday is the
day of rest.
NEEDFEST
Fireseek
Reading
Coldeven
GROWFEST
Planting
Flocktime
Wealsun
RICHFEST
Reaping
Goodmonth
Harvester
BREWFEST
Patchwall
Ready'reat
Sunsebb
Appendix A
I've used a 7 day festival for this chart. Formatting is bound to be off.
GROWFESTPlantingFlocktimeWealsun
1 Apr 2 Apr 9 May 7 Jun 4
2 Apr 3 Apr 10 May 8 Jun 5
3 Apr 4 Apr 11 May 9 Jun 6
4 Apr 5 Apr 12 May 10 Jun 7
5 Apr 6 Apr 13 May 11 Jun 8
6 Apr 7 Apr 14 May 12 Jun 9
7 Apr 8 Apr 15 May 13 Jun 10
8 Apr 16 May 14 Jun 11
9 Apr 17 May 15 Jun 12
10 Apr 18 May 16 Jun 13
11 Apr 19 May 17 Jun 14
12 Apr 20 May 18 Jun 15
13 Apr 21 May 19 Jun 16
14 Apr 22 May 20 Jun 17
15 Apr 23 May 21 Jun 18
16 Apr 24 May 22 Jun 19
17 Apr 25 May 23 Jun 20
18 Apr 26 May 24 Jun 21
19 Apr 27 May 25 Jun 22
20 Apr 28 May 26 Jun 23
21 Apr 29 May 27 Jun 24
22 Apr 30 May 28 Jun 25
23 May 1 May 29 Jun 26
24 May 2 May 30 Jun 27
25 May 3 May 31 Jun 28
26 May 4 Jun 1 Jun 29
27 May 5 Jun 2 Jun 30
28 May 6 Jun 3 Jul 1
RICHFESTReaping GoodmonthHarvester
1 Jul 2 Jul 9 Aug 6 Sep 3
2 Jul 3 Jul 10 Aug 7 Sep 4
3 Jul 4 Jul 11 Aug 8 Sep 5
4 Jul 5 Jul 12 Aug 9 Sep 6
5 Jul 6 Jul 13 Aug 10 Sep 7
6 Jul 7 Jul 14 Aug 11 Sep 8
7 Jul 8 Jul 15 Aug 12 Sep 9
8 Jul 16 Aug 13 Sep 10
9 Jul 17 Aug 14 Sep 11
10 Jul 18 Aug 15 Sep 12
11 Jul 19 Aug 16 Sep 13
12 Jul 20 Aug 17 Sep 14
13 Jul 21 Aug 18 Sep 15
14 Jul 22 Aug 19 Sep 16
15 Jul 23 Aug 20 Sep 17
16 Jul 24 Aug 21 Sep 18
17 Jul 25 Aug 22 Sep 19
18 Jul 26 Aug 23 Sep 20
19 Jul 27 Aug 24 Sep 21
20 Jul 28 Aug 25 Sep 22
21 Jul 29 Aug 26 Sep 23
22 Jul 30 Aug 27 Sep 24
23 Jul 31 Aug 28 Sep 25
24 Aug 1 Aug 29 Sep 26
25 Aug 2 Aug 30 Sep 27
26 Aug 3 Aug 31 Sep 28
27 Aug 4 Sep 1 Sep 29
28 Aug 5 Sep 2 Sep 30
BREWFESTPatchwallReady'reatSunsebb
1 Oct 1 Oct 8 Nov 5 Dec 3
2 Oct 2 Oct 9 Nov 6 Dec 4
3 Oct 3 Oct 10 Nov 7 Dec 5
4 Oct 4 Oct 11 Nov 8 Dec 6
5 Oct 5 Oct 12 Nov 9 Dec 7
6 Oct 6 Oct 13 Nov 10 Dec 8
7 Oct 7 Oct 14 Nov 11 Dec 9
8 Oct 15 Nov 12 Dec 10
9 Oct 16 Nov 13 Dec 11
10 Oct 17 Nov 14 Dec 12
11 Oct 18 Nov 15 Dec 13
12 Oct 19 Nov 16 Dec 14
13 Oct 20 Nov 17 Dec 15
14 Oct 21 Nov 18 Dec 16
15 Oct 22 Nov 19 Dec 17
16 Oct 23 Nov 20 Dec 18
17 Oct 24 Nov 21 Dec 19
18 Oct 25 Nov 22 Dec 20
19 Oct 26 Nov 23 Dec 21
20 Oct 27 Nov 24 Dec 22
21 Oct 28 Nov 25 Dec 23
22 Oct 29 Nov 26 Dec 24
23 Oct 30 Nov 27 Dec 25
24 Oct 31 Nov 28 Dec 26
25 Nov 1 Nov 29 Dec 27
26 Nov 2 Nov 30 Dec 28
27 Nov 3 Dec 1 Dec 29
28 Nov 4 Dec 2 Dec 30