About the Yeomanry

Proper Name: The Yeomanry League

Who Rules: His Steadfastness, Marius Lindon the Freeholder, Spokesman for the Yeomanry League

Capital: Loftwick (8,400)

Notable Cities: Longspear (7,700), Farvale (4,400), North Reach (3,700), Westburn (2,500). There are also a number of
densely-populated Dwarven fortifications along the southern rim of the Jotens, and a sprawling halfling community in the
center of the Little Hills.

Geography: The Yeomanry League is a relatively isolated independent state located in the far southwest of the known
Flaeness. It is a rich, fertile land surrounded on all sides by formidable natural defenses. To the west lie the mighty
Crystalmists--the highest on the Flaeness--which is teeming with giants, ogres, and the like. To the north is another mountain
range, the Jotens, which is the home to numerous hill and cloud giants. To the east are the Little Hills, in which dwell
considerable numbers of demihumans, mainly halflings and dwarves, and the Javan River--the longest river on the continent.
Finally, the Yeomanry's southern border is blocked by the Hool Marshes, which are home to many monsters, including
lizardmen, renegade humans, and rumors of magical yuan-ti.

Population: ~450,000, including significant numbers of dwarves (19,000), halflings (35,000), and elves (8,000). Most of the
dwarves are scattered along the Yeomanry's northern frontier, especially in the southern Jotens. They defend the fertile valley
from invaders via a number of well-fortified strongholds and citadels that line the border. Almost all of the Yeomanry's
halflings, which are primarily stouts, are in the Little Hills. In fact, they have a sizeable community located due east of
Longspear. The halflings of the Yeomanry are well-renowned for their skill with slings. The high elves of the Yeomanry,
although few in number, are concentrated in two primary regions: in a lightly-wooded area southeast of Longspear along the
Javan River, and in and around the Loftwick. These elves are important to both commerce and trade in the Yeomanry, and they
form the core of a small but powerful group of mages who are headquartered in Loftwick. The demi-human population of the
Yeomanry have a mutually beneficial relationship with the region's humans, and both groups are more than willing to defend
one another from invaders.

Resources: foodstuffs, cloth, silver, gems. For the most part, the people of the Yeomanry are self-sufficient. The region is very
fertile, and farmers can provide enough for all of the Yeomanry's citizens without the need to import goods. The farmers of the
eastern Yeomanry are renowned for the high grade cotton that is grown there, and subsequently a number of highly-skilled
tailors and weavers have made their home nearby. The silver mines are plentiful as well, and the primary gems produced in the
Yeomanry include Onyx, Zircon, Quartz, and the occasional Amethyst.

History: After the Suel migrated into the Sheldomar Valley, many of their number chose a more peaceful existence,
eschewing the retreating Noble Houses and their ambitions to the north and east. Instead these peoples, primarily lowborn
peasantry from the Old Imperium, did not venture far from where they emerged into the Flanaess. They settled the high valleys
between the Jotens and the Tors and mixed with the local Flannae. These new lands, stretching all the way out to the Javan
River, had been well explored by the Suel Imperium prior to the Twin Cataclysms. The explorers had established mining
enclaves and listening outposts decades before the onset of the war, some of which produced notable settlements such as
Melkot in the Tors and Alran on the Jeklean Coast. Certainly, dissident individuals had been escaping Imperial influence to the
shores of Jeklea Bay over the dormant Hellfurnaces for centuries, but these lands were not of great importance until the
destruction of the empire.

In the century following the migrations, the humble folk who settled these lands were conquered and subjugated by a powerful
Suel mage who mercilessly swept through their realm from the east. Lord Asberdies, as the tyrannical wizard was known, had
emerged from the Dreadwood after the terrible destruction of his noble house, the infamous Malhel, some years earlier.
Asberdies ruled the land and its people with cold-blooded ruthlessness in a vain attempt to resurrect a vestige of the glory of
the Old Imperium. The tyrant was eventually cast down after years of dominion, during which his outrages ultimately grew
unbearable. The yeoman farmers bandied together into small cadres of around a dozen fighters to overcome the forces of the
mage in piecemeal fashion through relentless guerrilla strikes upon his forces. Asberdies was soon harried from his throne by
the insurgents, who were eventually able to besiege his stronghold and force him from the land entirely. In the aftermath of
securing their independence, these citizen-warriors realized that they had essentially formed the framework of a government.
They elected their own spokesmen, who in turn chose leaders to direct the affairs of the realm. The Grosspokesmen, as these
leaders would come to be called, established the office of Freeholder, who was essentially an administrator elected to run the
government, military, and conduct foreign policy.

Almost two centuries later, in -96 CY, the leaders of the Yeomanry met with representatives of the expanding Kingdom of
Keoland to discuss their annexation into the latter. Its grosspokesmen and freeholder were welcomed as members of the
Council of Niole Dra, treated as noble peers within the greater realm. Over the next four centuries, the Yeomanry contributed
its well-trained warriors to support the efforts of the kingdom, primarily by securing its borders from invaders and marauders.
They were instrumental in the efforts of King Tavish I to conquer the Pomarj and the southern lands which would become the
Hold of the Sea Princes. But this cooperation ended suddenly, during the reign of Tavish II, when the wars turned from defense
to naked aggression. In 361 CY, the Yeomanry withdrew its forces from the Keoish armies and closed its borders in protest. It
was over a century later that reconciliation between the two sides was finally achieved, when Tavish IV recognized an
independent Yeomanry. Thereafter, the Yeomanry settled into a more peaceful existence, which it has known nearly to the
present day. The result has been the creation of a state ruled by its warrior caste through their spokesmen

Some dozen years ago, a cavernous bore was found at the foot of the Crystalmists in the western end of the realm. This tunnel,
which supposedly pierces the range and leads to the Sea of Dust, has brought renewed attention to the Yeomanry, much of it
unwanted. This activity is concentrated on "Dark Gate," a new town near the site, which now enjoys a frontier economy. In
590 CY, adventurers appeared in town with armor and weapons made of strange black metal that disintegrated within days.
But with tales of other great riches and wondrous magic laying beyond the entrance to the passage, many have come to test
their fortunes. The new Freeholder, Marius Lindon, who was elected in 589 CY, has paid little attention to these developments
thus far. His efforts have concentrated on the giant troubles in the north. Raids from the Jotens in 590 CY and early 591 CY
have threatened the city of Loftwick, and he has set about reinforcing its defenses lest his realm suffer a fate similar to Sterich
or Geoff.

During the Greyhawk Wars, the Yeomanry was willing to aid Furyondy against Iuz, but the giant troubles guaranteed that its
forces had to stay within the nation's confines. Unlike the unfortunates of Geoff and Sterich, the stout, well-trained and armed
Yeomen fought off the giant/humanoid incursions and this state remains a strong, powerful, and well-equipped armed camp.
However, chaos in surrounding regions have brought a flood of refugees into the Yeomanry from Keoland, the Hold of the Sea
Princes, and elsewhere, which has forced the government to become more active in international diplomacy.

Government: The Yeomanry is one of the few representative democracies in all of the Flanaess. The land is divided into 36
districts, of which five are high (towns governing large domains) and 31 are low (rural areas with scattered villages). All
citizens of age who have fought for the Yeomanry (referred to locally as raising the spear) are entitled to elect spokesmen for
their community. They are also given the right to purchase land from either the state or another landowner, should that
opportunity arise. Those spokesmen in turn elect representatives who serve in the Council of Common Grosspokesmen, a
legislative organization that decides the affairs of state. Each of the 36 districts has three Grosspokesmen to represent the
interests of their constituency. The only stipulation that limits who may run for office is that the candidate must be a citizen
(meaning one who has raised the spear) in good standing. The Council of Common Grosspokesmen thus has 108 members, all
of whom must be elected every five years.

In addition to the Council of Common Grosspokesmen, there are also a number of greater landowners within the Yeomanry.
The number of greater landowners has fluctuated over the long existence of the Yeomanry as a sovereign state, but currently
they are 36 in number--one for each of the primary districts within the country. In the early history of the Yeomanry, there
were a considerable number of independent landowners within its borders. As the state and the system of government matured
over time, a number of landowners bought or sold land, some moved to other parts of the Flaeness, and still others passed on
without leaving any legal heirs. Over the last two centuries, the borders of districts have stabilized for the most part, although
there are a number of other landowners who would love to become part of this elite group of 36. These greater landowners for
the most part have been the most successful in the development of their lands. As a result, communities have sprung up around
their castles or keeps, and they have become Lords of a sort, although not in name. The primary role of the greater landowner
is to oversee the daily commerce and development of his district. Success of the commoners results in the success of the
landowners, and thus these landowners are very involved in the politics and happenings of their region.

There has been some debate within the Council over the last few years concerning the various districts within the Yeomanry.
Some districts have become quite wealthy, while others are poorer, less populous, and more remote. However, all of the
districts still have the same amount of representation despite these very obvious differences. Therefore, there has been recent
political tension in the otherwise orderly political atmosphere of the Yeomanry.

From this pool of greater landowners, The Council of Grosspokesmen selects a Freeholder who acts as the chief administrator,
head diplomat, and commander of the Free Captains of Battles of the Yeomanry as a whole. Usually this freeholder is a
renowned citizen of the land who is distinguished by military success, high morale of the commoners of his region, and a
thriving local economy. The term length for a Freeholder is eight years. In CY 589, Crispen Redwell, citing his advancing
years, stepped down after nearly two terms (14 years) of service as the freeholder. His son has taken over as the greater
landowner of his region.

Despite its wealth and strength, the Yeomanry does not seek political muscle in the Flanaess. Keoland is distrusted because of
its historical ambitions on the land, and there is a powerful mood against sending aid to the north. People are aware that, had
this happened during the Greyhawk Wars, the Yeomanry might have fallen to giants. The Yeomanry extends support directly
only to the demihumans in the hills and mountains around its borders.

Armed Forces: Due to the incentives that a person receives for serving in the Yeomanry militia, enlistment is entirely
voluntary, and the Yeoman government has never had any trouble meeting their needs for manpower. Because of its voluntary
nature, morale is very high and the soldiers are both proud and energetic in their work. The soldiers of the Yeomanry are
mostly spearmen and crossbowmen. The mountaineers provide heavy, pole-armed troops and light slingers. The greater
freeholders furnish the small cavalry contingents, and they equip their peasants with armor and weapons and train theim in
self-defense. As such, nearly all common men and women in the Yeomanry own at least leather armor, a hand weapon, and a
bow or crossbow of some kind, and many own polearms as well. Demi-humans are enlisted in time of need, for they too are
electors of the land. Elvish spear and bow unites, dwarvish mailed foot, and halfling light troops are brought to the field when
the army of the Yeomanry sallies forth. Distrust of its neighbors, combined with a strong sense of pride and nationalism, means
that the Yeomanry refuses to import mercenaries to defend its people and resources, although it is a fairly common sight to see
refugees from Sterich complementing Yeoman regulars.

It also should be noted that Theodain Eriason, one of Greyhawk's fabled 'Circle of Eight,' hails from the Yeomanry and
posesses a small manor just outside of Loftwick. He is an elven wizard of considerable power, and it passionate about
protecting the land he loves.
 Geography
Burn River: The Burn River is a fairly long waterway that south. These marshes are also home to renegade humans,
begins deep in the Hellfurnaces and flows eastward into humanoids, and many types of monsters.
the Javan River near the city of Farvale. It is swift-running
in many places, but is wide enough and stable enough to
accommodate small and medium-sized vessels. The river
is choked with silt running off from the mountains.

Crystalmists: The higest peaks in the Flanaess can be

found in the Crystalmist Mountains, a massive midground
of the chain that includes the barrier Peaks to the north and
the Hellfurnaces to the south. Amid the high summits and
weird valleys of the Crystalmists dwell various monsters,
tribes of humanoids, and no few giants and ogres.
Precious metals and gems can be found here as well, but
only for prospectors at least as good with sword and shield
as with pick and spade. Several holds of mountain
dwarves fit that description, and make a rich living trading
with the superstitious folk of the Dry Steppes to the west
with Sterich and the Yeomanry to the east. The source of
the Davish River is a gargantuan glacier in the
geographical armpit where the Crystalmists intersect with
the Jotens.

The Escarpment: The Escarpment is a natural fault in the

otherwise flat land of the Yeoman interior that manifests
itself as a sheer cliff ranging from 80 to 150 feet high. It
runs for several leagues in a fairly north-south direction.
At the bottom of the cliff lay several patches of thick
marsh and swampland. Until recently, the Escarpment was
impassible to caravans travelling between Loftwick and
Longspear, and merchants had to add two to three days
extra travel to their journey to go around it. However, in
583 CY, a long, sturdy ramp (named Farrier's Ramp, after
its designer) was built to allow merchants to save time. In
order to fund the project, the Council of Grosspokesmen
agreed to levy a small toll to those utilizing the ramp, but
the days saved are well worth the price for most
merchants. The government is in the process of designing
and building a keep at the top of the Escarpment adjacent
to Farrier's Ramp to protect travelers as they cross and to
keep vandals away.

Despite the recent construction, the region surrounding the

Escarpment is relatively unpopulated, and various
monsters and bandits loom about in hopes of an easy meal
or ambush. Furthermore, the face of the Escarpment is
dotted with countless caves. Most of them are so small that
only birds can lair therein, but others are much larger and
potentially could house something much more dangerous.
Some of the caves are rumored to spread for miles under
the fertile Yeoman plain.

Hool Marshes: After the initial rush of the Hool River

from the high lake and freshets in the Hellfurnaces, it
begins to meander across the plains, and most of its length
is surrounded by quaking mires and bottomless pools.
This forms a natural boundary between the lands of the
Yeomanry and the holdings of the Sea Princes to the
Javan River: This river is the longest on the continent,
beginning high in the Barrier Peaks and coursing
southward for hundreds of miles before turning east and
emptying into the Azure Sea above Monmurg in the Hold
of the Sea Princes. It is useable by large vessels only to
the town of Cryllor in the Good Hills of Keoland.
Jotens: The Jotens is the largest spur of the Crystalmist
mountain chain. The Jotens are known as the legendary
hope of numerous tribes of antagonistic hill giants, and
scattered bands of cloud and stone giants are known to
dwell within the Jotens as well. The southern end of the
Jotens is well-defended by sturdy Yeomanry spearmen and
dwarven irregulars. Fighting between the giants and the
people of Sterich continues to the north.
Little Hills: The Little Hills form the eastern Border of the
Yeomanry, where the Jotens turn south to follow the
course of the mighty Javan River. The hills are 'little' only
in comparison to the mighty mountains that loom nearby.
Considerable numbers of demi-humans dwell in the Little
Hills, along with communities of men. The hillsmen and
dwarves who populate the Little Hills are known for their
ferocity in battle and have been employed in Keoland as
mercenaries for centuries. The city of Longspear, in the
foothills of the Littles, is an active trade center and guards
the northeasternmost point of the Little Hills.
Long Pond: Long Pond is an oval-shaped lake attached to the
Burn River. Despite the dirty appearance of the river. Long
Pond is unbelievably clear. Locals claim that the lake has
magical healing powers which are also responsible for its
transparency. A family of nerieds are rumored to be living
beneath its surface.
Sule River: A tributary of the Burn River, the Sule meets
with it at the western edge of Long Pond. It is a wide,
shallow river which is rarely more than 20 or 25 feet deep.
Local fisherman harvest fish from the river using rafts and
shallow barges, as the river is not navigable to larger vessels.
Tors: The Tors are a mesa-like series of hills located at the
terminus of a spur of the Crystalmist range. They mark the
southernmost lands of the Yeomanry, and the western Tors
are home to the independent walled city of Melkot. Where
the Tors meet the Hool Marshes, they become quite
dangerous, being full of monsters and humanoid tribes that
frequently raid the Yeomanry. As such, these wild hills are a
constant source of trouble for the Yeomen.
Wick River: The smallest of the Yeomanry’s major rivers,
the Wick begins in the western Jotens and winds southwards
through Loftwick and into the Burn River. It is a narrow,
swift-flowing river suitable for only small merchant vessels.
Here is a so-far incomplete list of a number of lesser towns
and villages within the Yeomanry.

Abbeyvale (pop 400)

Abbeyvale is a small village a day's ride west of Westburn
along the confluence of the Wick and Burn Rivers. Despite
the relatively dry climate, irrigation has allowed a thriving
farming community to exist here. The primary agricultural
product is wheat, and some livestock grazes here as well. Not
surprisingly, a large abbey dedicated to Phyton lies at the
outskirts of town here. It is very old, and rumored to be
haunted. The monks within the abbey deny such rumors
vehemently. Abbeyville has one small inn/tavern, the Fat
Friar.

Bogspur (pop 140)

Bogspur is an old, dying village on the outskirts of the Hool
Marshes. It sits on the bank of a large, swampy lake. The
villagers of Bogspur make their living through fishing,
frogging, and alligator hunting. Most of them are very poor,
and their contact with the rest of the Yeomanry is sparse, at
best, and as such they are wary of visitors. It is home to one
old, leaky tavern, the Frog Bog.

Burn (pop 250)

Like Abbeyville, Burn is a small farming and livestock
community resting along the north bank of the river of the
same name. It does have a rather large mill along the river
that grinds the local wheat into flour for a small fee.
Interestingly, Burn has several skilled and popular bakers in
its midst, and the town produces cakes, pies, and pastries that
are exported to the surrounding communities. Should business
continue as such, Desserts will replace flour as the primary
export.

Coldfair Green (pop 550)

Coldfair Green lies at the heart of Yeoman wine country. The
town sits at the base of the Javan River and is surrounded by
lush, green hills that are perfect for grape growing. The
people are proud of their vintage, as it has won a number of
awards for taste in the Sheldomar Valley, much to the chagrin
of the larger Keoish wineries to the north. Interestingly, one
of the wine storage facilities burned down recently—locals
suspect arson. Despite its size, Coldfair Green does not have
a Grosspokesman at current, although Humphrey
Goldengrape, one of the more popular distillers in town, has
vied to pry the position away from an existing
Grosspokesman. Should the townsfolk vote for him, the
seat surely would become his.
Cottonton (pop 700)
Like Dart, Cottonton is situated in the beer-making region
of The Yeomanry. The town got its name from the cotton
plantations that once covered the region. Cottonton still
has a cotton mill and fine weavers, but the cotton grown in
the area is of a lesser quality than that grown around
Daywine and points south. However, the industrious
citizens of Cottondon have managed to still make a profit
with their inferior cotton by distilling it into brandy and
rum. Cotton Brandy is very sought after in the Yeomanry,
and can fetch a very high price in times of shortage. Their
Grosspokesman is Jackob (Cotton Jack) Greendragon (CG
hm F/T 6/4), an ex-naval captain. He runs the town's
largest inn (the WoodWyrm, which, ironically, is shaped
like a ship). The Woodwyrm was the name of Cotton
Jack's own vessel. Cotton Jack retired here to be nearer to
the source of the one thing he truly loves, Cotton Rum.
Cotton Jack has put his knowledge of ships to good use in
Cottonton. He has erected tall, narrow towers with "crow's
nests," not unlike those found on a ship, atop various
buildings around town, to serve as watchtowers. Since
their construction, bandit raids into Cottonton have
diminished considerably.
Daresbury Delph (pop 410)
Located at the southern foot of the Little Hills, Daresbury
Delph is a small farming and hunting community. This
part of the Yeomanry is particularly rich in wild game,
especially dove and quail, and the village tends to cater to
those who appreciate such pleasures. The town has an
annual festival which attracts hunters from around the
Yeomanry. The hunter who catches the fattest quail wins
a feat in his or her honor. Gennard Lufkin, a 14-year old
stable boy, has won the contest the last two years in a row.
Dark Gate (pop 550)
No town has received as much interest in the Yeomanry
over the last decade as Dark Gate. It is located in a lightly-
wooded area just north of the Hellfurnaces some 12 miles
southwest of Westburn. In 579 CY, a tunnel was
discovered at the foot of the mountains that reportedly ran
for miles to emerge in the Sea of Dust leagues to the west.
Furthermore, the tunnel was rumored to link with deep,
subterranean caverns that held indescribable horrors and
amazing treasures. In 590 CY, adventurers appeared in
town with armor and weapons made of strange black metal
that disintegrated within days. But with tales of other great
riches and wondrous magic laying beyond the entrance to
the passage, many have come to test their fortunes. As
such, Dark Gate was created, in a short span of only a few
years, as a sort of frontier town that catered to the wants
and needs of those who wished to explore the tunnel,
named the Passage of Slerotin.
Dark Gate has brought increased attention from all around
Oerth to the Yeomanry, and much of it is unwanted.
Agents from the Scarlet Brotherhood, the Empire of Iuz,
and elsewhere have been discovered in and near the town.
Adventurers from everywhere have turned the town into a
wild, almost lawless region where those who have the coin
can get almost anything. Treasures, both major and minor,
have trickled in from the tunnel, and this only enhances the
excitement and attention that both the town and the Yeomanry
have received over the last decade.
Dart (pop 600)
Dart, located on the Old Road, sits in the heart of the
Yeomanry's wine and beer making country. It serves as the
seat of the ___ District, a large yet poor region that has been
on the decline since the building of the New Road. Legends of
a headless horesman that runs through the town on stormy
nights, is told in the town's largest inn, the Wicker Man.
Dart's people are a superstitious lot, having been terrorized by
undead, including a vampire still rumored to be buried in the
center of town. Dart has a permanent gallows in the town
square, and it is used quite often as justice tends to swift in
town, thanks primarily to Grosspokesman Troth Mance, a
stern man with no tolerance for insubordination. Troth also is
passionate about clearing monsters from his district, and he
commonly hires adventurers to deal with the occasional
denizen that terrorizes the countryside.
Daywine (pop 300)
Daywine is a small, sleepy farming village that serves at the
marketplace for a number of small cotton and vegetable farms
that surround it. It is home to one inn/tavern, the Belching
Bugbear, run by a family of halflings (led by Pip
Purpleberry). They make a fine beer, appropriately called
"Hairfoot Stout," that is renowned in the region. There is a
small temple to Phyton (Ernest, hm CG P3) in town, as well
as a mercantile, blacksmith, and mill. Blake Whitesheaf, a
retired paladin, has a small manor in town. He is disinterested
in further adventure and is content with his new life.
Eastcot (pop 220)
Eastcot is a small town on Westburn Road that rests at a well-
traveled merchant crossroads. As such, a number of inns and
tavers are in Eastcot. In fact, were it not for these inns,
Eastcot would be little more than scattered farms and rolling
hills. A very small town mainly Inns and taverns a rest stop
on the Westburn Road. Its largest inn, The Earth Wyrm, is a
favorite haunt of adventures heading south and east towards
wilder lands. Eastcot can get a bit rowdy at times; thus the
militia is well-represented in town. The captain of the guard,
William Cressel (LN hm F6) runs a well-kept and large jail.
Lawbreakers are put to work on chain gangs repairing roads,
cleaning stables, and digging latrines.
Emberton (pop 300)
Emberton is a small community on the New Road on the
banks of the Sule River. It is approximately mid-way
between Loftwick and the Escarpment. Emberton is a
relatively quiet and uneventful town whose people are content
with raising bees for both honey and wax. Some lumber also
comes from Emberton. In recent months a family of
incredibly large swans have been seen along the river. The
superstitious people believe that it is an good omen and that
the swans are there to protect the town.
Gnome (pop 600)
Of the 2,000 or so gnomes that reside in the Yeomanry, most
of them are concentrated in and around the Little Hills. The
"originally named" Gnome is the largest town within the
Yeomanry that consists almost entirely of gnomes, although
the occasional halfling can be found within Gnome as well.
As with most gnomes, the citizens of Gnome are renowned
for their engineers, scientists, sages, and inventors (Yeoman
gnomes prefer this more refined term over the more
commonly used 'tinkerer.').
Those of larger stature, like humans, will find difficulty
navigating Gnome. Almost all of the buildings, avenues,
and furniture cater to those who are gnome-sized. One
tavern, The Tick Tock Tavern, does provide larger beings
with comfort, but its prices are quite high.
The great Clock Tower in Loftwick is the handywork of
Gnome artisans, although the clock took more than a
century to complete. The works and animatronics of this
clock are said to be unprecedented in the Sheldomar
Valley, although the gnomes themselves are irritated that
the clock, after 200 years of service, is now 1 second slow.
They are currently plotting a solution.
The Gnomes have little time for Yeoman politics, and as
such they have no Grosspokesman. In times of trouble they
will muster their forces to assist the Yeoman militia, and
recent kobold raids in the Little Hills have created a need
for such a muster.
Hardwick (pop 2,100)
Hardwick is a large town, some would say a small city,
resting a few leagues south of the Escarpment on the
relatively flat plains of the Yeoman interior. Unlike other
towns on the Old Road, Hardwick has experienced
tremendous growth and prosperity. The primary reason
for this is that Hardwick is a large enough city to warrant
direct trade from Loftwick, Longspear, and Melkot, and it
generates enough resources through farming and fishing
on the River Sule to warrant the presence of traveling
merchants. The river valley is particularly rich in this
region of the Yeomanry, and a number of crops are grown
around Hardwick, including cotton, beans, tomatoes, field
corn, apples, and pears. Not surprisingly, there is a huge
Farmer’s Market in the center of town where local farmers
sell their wares. Of course, despite its name, the market is
not limited only to farmers.
Hardwick’s current Grosspokesman is Conrad
Featherington, a middle-aged man who has spent most of
his life as a bean farmer. He came into office at a time
when the town’s citizens were unsure of what sorts of
economic effects construction of the New Road would
have on Hardwick and other towns on the Old Road. At
that time, Featherington took the lead among local farmers
to try to convince the Yeoman government to reconsider
their plans. As luck would have it, Hardwick has not been
hurt as much as the smaller, surrounding villages has, and
as such Featherington has become quite popular.
Grosspokesman has become a full-time job for him, and
his eleven children have taken over farm duties. His oldest
son, Dwight, is said to be one of the more eligible
bachelors in town and has shown a propensity for magic.
Hardwick is the home of a number of inns and taverns, the
most popular of which are the Grinning Goblin, the
Basket, and Herbert’s Lament. The latter received its
name when Herbert Raineer, it’s builder, was killed before
the inn was complete. It is said that guests can hear his
ghost hammering and sawing late at night, obviously in an
attempt to complete his project. Major temples in
Hardwick are dedicated to Phyton, Beory, Jascar, and
Lendor. Despite its focus on farming, a number of
adventures use Hardwick as their base of operation when
exploring the caves and catacombs of the Escarpment.
Highfell (pop 450)
Highfell is a small village set inside the Little Hills a few
miles away from the Javan River. The town, like others in the
region, produces wine as a primary commodity, and the
vineyards surround the town proper on all sides. The town
corroborates on producing Highfell White, the local vintage.
It is a sweet, light wine that is best, according to the
townsfolk, when drank with fish. The wine is bottled locally
and sold for export in surrounding lands. Highfell is home to
one particularly old and comfortable inn, the Cracked Keg.
The inn is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a long-dead
elven noble, but it has not been seen in some years. Those
who remember the last sighting claim that it was trying to
lead them towards a hidden treasure. Highfell, while
predominantly human, is also home to about 100 halflings.
One of the more famous Yeoman rogues, Throckmorton
Cherryberry (NG 1/2m R10) hails from Highfell, although he
rarely is within the city’s confines.
Jemison (pop 1,050)
Nestled at the foot of the Little Hills, Jemison is an unwalled
medium-sized town that survives on farming from the south
and the quarrying of marble and quartz in the hills to the
north. It serves as the seat of the Blanche District. The
Grosspokesman of the region is Ely Cobblefoot, an aging
merchant who has decided to step down once the current term
is complete. He has three grown children--two sons and a
daughter--all of whom are married. Most of the citizens
worship Phyton, and a large temple has been erected by the
citizenry in the center of town (Myridan, CG hf P7). Three
notable inns are in Jemison as well--the Hungry Halfling, the
Spinning Wheel, and Maiden's Lament. The latter of these is
popular with the military presence in town, and is rumored to
be a safehouse for escaped slaves and refugees from the Sea
Princes.
Jemison's most notable resident is Gunther Goldenbrazier
(CG hm 0-lvl), a sage known for his skills as an herbalist and
alchemist. He is in is early fifties and knows the cures (and
causes) of poisons and concoctions that many people have
never heard of. He has devised potions that have improved the
productivity of crops in the region, and as such he is very
popular in town. He resides in a modest cottage to the west of
town.
Kearne (pop 650)
Kearne is a small town a half-day's ride from the horrors of
the Hool Marshes, and is the seat for the district of the same
name. The Grosspokesman is Ursula Herndon, a middle-aged
woman whose family has held the seat for over forty years.
Kearne serves as a common starting point for adventurers
wanting to traverse the fens, and as such there are a
disproportionate number of inns, taverns, and other businesses
that cater to adventuring-types. The most popular inn is the
Woodsman's Axe, run by Boris Grudgetaker, a retired Fighter
(NG hm F6).
Despite its proximity to the Hool Marshes, Kearne is a
pleasant farming and lumber community. Farmers here
primarily grow cotton and barley. A small temple to Pelor sits
here, as does a larger shrine to Phyton. Arthur, a renowned
and skilled woodcarver, peddles his wares in a shop in central
Kearne.
Kelzad (pop 900)
Meaning “Stone” in the original Suel dialect, Kelzad is a very
old settlement in the far northwest. Lore claims that Kelzad
was one of the first settlements founded by the Suel when
they came throught the mountains from the west.
Reclusive and isolationist to the extreme, the citizens of
Kelzad to not welcome outsiders, and the town as such is
very different from anything else in the Yeomanry. The
town is home to only a few large, extended families, ruled
by the Watchers of the Stone—a group of blind albinos
who are rarely seen. The people of Kelzad speak a long-
forgotten Suel dialect and dress eerily alike in flowing
black-and-blue robes. They rarely participate in Yeoman
politics and do not have a Grosspokesman, although the
town’s size would warrant one.
Despite its eccentricity, Kelzad is a wealthy town, thanks
to the gems, silver, and platinum that is mined in the
nearby hills and mountains. In fact, their mines produce
such pure strains of ore that outsiders have claimed that
witchcraft and sorcery must be at work. Despite the
town’s isolationism, its citizens do realize that their wealth
can garner them some influence. As such, a considerable
percentage of the coinage minted in the Yeomanry
originates in Kelzad, and the city as such is well-defended
from raiders. The Yeoman government recognizes the
tremendous resource that Kelzad is, and tries its best to
capitulate the town in order to access its wealth.
Interestingly, the people of Kelzad financially support the
Dustdigger College in Loftwick in its effort to rediscover
Suel artifacts, and the Watchers of the Stone openly
support this. In fact, one of the more renowned
Dustdiggers, Olan Demeter (NG hm R/Dust 3/6) hails
from Kelzad and has the Watchers’ blessing to adventure.
Lasker (pop 350)
Lasker is a small farming community on the far reaches of
the Tors. Some revenue is collected via mineral extraction
from the hills as well. The primary temple in Lasker is to
Phyton, the Suel god of nature, beauty, and farming. Its
high priest is a young, headstrong priestess named Alyssa
(NG hf C4). One large and well-kept tavern, the Diamond
Tavern, sits on the outskirts of town. In recent months
rumors of a snake cult have been spreading around town,
and a recent disappearance of a local family has only
reinforced the paranoia spreading about town.
Midfell (pop 1,000)
Midfell is a large Halfling community situated at the base
of a large, rocky hill. The hill (or fell) itself shows signs of
ancient Dwarven occupation--a number of mines and
caves riddle its exterior. The Halflings of Midfell have
built a number of burrow-homes along the north facing of
the fell, along the small but quick Stock River, which
flows Westward towards Dart. The Grosspokesman
elected by the citizens of Midfell is Oggda Oakbessel (LG
1/2f C6 of Yondalla). "Nanny O" is an old and very fat
halfing who rarely leaves her bed due to her girth. She is
adored by the townsfolk, however, and her re-election is
guaranteed with each election.
The Halflings of Midfell raise a breed of wild, straight-
horned goat (indigenous to the Jotens) that produces rich
milk. Local legends claim that Sagreill Dornish, long-dead
local hero, stole a herd of these goats, along with sacks of
gold, from a giant chieftain and founded the town with his
loot.
Nighford (pop 600)
Nighford is a small farming community north of Farvale
along the Javan River. It sits at the confluence of the
Javan and a small stream used by the town for its water
supply. The most popular resting place for traveler and local
alike is Millicent’s Inn, a quaint old stone building known for
its fine soups. Nigford currently has no Grosspokesman.
Instead of having a formal election, the townsfolk have
decided to name the new Grosspokesman by determining
which of the two frontrunners can build the better bridge
across the local river.
Pendoylan (pop 420)
Nestled in the western fringes of the Little Hills, Pendoylan is
a farming and hunting community with a roughly equal
number of halflings and humans. The two races interact
freely, and the town feels that its diversity is what gives it
strength. A pleasant brook flows through the center of the
village, and a mill on that brook grinds much of the town’s
wheat into flour for both local consumption and export.
Surprisingly, Aelias Tennedrumm (CG em W10), a elven
wizard of some renown, resides in an elaborately decorated
(and magically altered) cave on the outskirts of town. He has
embraced the people of Pendoylan, and they look to him for
advice and assistance on many occasions. Recently he
spearheaded the town’s defense against a marauding band of
Kobolds, led by the ruthless chieftain Ruf. Pendoylan’s
citizens are urging Aelias to run for Grosspokesman, but so
far he has declined. The Wizard College in Loftwick respects
him, but are curious why he doesn’t participate in his
activities.
Shalehal (pop 800)
Shalehal (SHAL-a-hale) has the notoriety of being the only
town in the Yeomanry with an elven majority. It lies in a
wooded area in the far southeast of the Yeomanry. Not
surprisingly, the town's major export is lumber and products
derived therefrom. The elves here take great pride in the
preservation of the surrounding woods, and are very selective
in determining what trees should be harvested. Malethane
Trianius is a renowned woodcarver who lives in Shalehal and
commands great prices for his work. Some say that magic
augments his artistic talents.
Shalehal does have a Grosspokesman, Hianian Fellglade, who
is 'as old as the trees, as wise as the greatest sage, and as stern
as a judge,' according to the townsfolk. The town has made a
pact with the treants who reside in the forest. The treants
protect the town, and in exchange they have a say in what
trees can be used by the elves.
Singleton (pop 650)
Located on the northeast frontier of the Yeomanry, Singleton
is strictly a border town whose purpose is to defend the
Yeomanry’s flanks from marauding giants and humanoids.
Citizens in the region also whisper that the town also protects
the Yeomanry from Keoland expansion, but they keep this
quiet lest they anger people with more influence than they.
Singleton is a rugged, harsh town filled with grizzled soldiers,
hard-working farmers, and anxious adventurers, as the town
serves as a base of operations for adventurers who wish to
explore the northern frontier. It is home to a number of
thrown-together inns and taverns who cater to these people. It
also is home to the best armorer in the Yeomanry, Mervis
Jordmanum, an mammoth of a man who supposedly killed an
ogre with his bare hands as a teenager. Theodain Eriason
recently has been spotted in town—rumors are running
rampant as to the reason why.
Spitalvale (pop 300)
A small hamlet halfway between Deresbury Delph and
Thistledale, Spitalvale would be unknown to most were it
not for its most famous resident—Blaine Holliman. Blaine
is known throughout the Yeomanry as the “Owlman” for
his uncanny ability to find, capture, and train giant owls.
He regularly sells giant owls, both mature and young, to
the Yeoman government to be used as mounts for the
country’s elite Wing Corps. His prices are considerable,
and as such, the government only has six at this point—
hardly enough to be a formidable defense. Rumor has it
that they are attempting to mate their existing owls and
raise chicks on their own. He will sell owls to adventurers,
but the price can be 5,000 freegold or more.
Sule (pop 400)
Named after the river of the same name, Sule actually is a
derivation of Suel. How the name was changed is
unknown, and has become part of town lore. Like many
other towns and villages along the Old Road, Sule is
shrinking as its merchants head to more active trading
grounds. However, it still serves as a marketplace for
livestock raised by ranchers along the Sule valley. Sule
does have a Grosspokesman, one Kelvad Thrist (CN
1/2em M/T 2/4) who is as corrupt as he is charming. He
resents the New Road being built, and it is rumored that he
sponsors raiders and bandits to disrupt traffic along the
New Road. Those villagers that remain see him as a patriot
who fights for the downtrodden.
Tarris (pop 1,400)
Tarris is a large town that sits at the intersection of the
Hardwick Road and the Westburn Road. It is surrounded
by fields of cotton and beans, and pastures full of livestock
can be seen in quantity as well. Despite its relatively small
size, Tarris is completely surrounded by a strong stone
wall and is guarded by a heavy keep. In fact, the town is
so heavily fortified that it almost could be considered a
large stronghold instead of a town. This is attributed
primarily to the disproportionate dwarven population in
town (almost 400 strong at last count), led by Grummett
Hazelnut, a famous engineer. He single-handedly
sponsored the construction of the wall and keep using gold
accumulated during his adventuring days. Not
surprisingly, he is quite popular in town, and his services
are in demand throughout the Yeomanry.
Tarris does have a few simple pleasures to offer to
travelers, however. The Braided Beard is an elegant yet
inexpensive inn/tavern in the center of town that caters to
all. The Grunting Goblin is equally as nice, yet a little
more costly. There are large temples dedicated to Phyton,
Mayaheine, and Moradin in town. Tarris is the home of
Hurst Goldkettle (LG dm W6), one of the only known
dwarven wizards in the Yeomanry.
Thistledale (pop 240)
Thistledale is a hamlet nestled in a lightly-wooded area
near the east banks of Long Pond. The town survives
through farming, fishing, and lumber. A small, locally
used tavern, simply called The Rest, sits in a low valley at
the south edge of town, and it is known for a beef stew that
is second-to-none in the region. It is rumored that
Thistledale's residents are protected by a shape-shifting
druid, but currently those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Trollsfoot (pop 380)
Located in the center of the southern Little Hills, Trollsfoot
perhaps is the most racially mixed town in all of the
Yeomanry. While the population of the town is relatively
small, the town can claim humans, halflings, gnomes,
dwarves, and elves among their populace in sizeable numbers,
none with a majority. They have found a common cause in
defending the town from occasional kobold and goblin raids.
They even repelled a marauding band of ogres in 566 CY.
Trollsfoot purposely has no Grosspokesman, as they don’t
want anyone of any one race to represent the entire town.
One particular inn in Trollsfoot, the Hill Hole, is run by a
cheerful half-orc named Frutt. The Hill Hole serves the best
potato soup in the land.
Tumblebrook (pop 1,300)
Tumblebrook sits at the western edge of the lightly-wooded
area that it shares with Thistledale. It gets its name from a
rock-strewn creek of the same name that flows southward
from the Little Hills. It is bustling town that gets its livelihood
from farming, fishing, and recreation. The waters of Long
Pond are cool and crystal clear, and the superstitious people
of the region believe that they hold therapeutic powers of
some sort. As such, a number of small, always-crowded inns
and taverns are scattered throughout town, and there is
considerable non-permanent population in Timberbrook at
any one time.
Tumblebrook is the seat of Frenz County, and it currently has
no Grosspokesman. The most recent official, Marshall
Furlowe, was killed after being thrown from his horse during
a hunting expedition. An election will be held soon to name
the new Grosspokesman.
Urrakbek (pop 450)
Urrakbek is a dwarven town/citadel located along the
Southern Pass at the southern frontier of the Yeomanry in the
mighty Hellfurnaces. The town is located in a long, narrow
valley created by two mighty peaks named Moradin’s Left
and Moradin’s Right by the townsfolk. This walled town is
virtually impregnable, and any travelers wanting to go
through the Southern Pass must walk through Urrakbek. The
Pass in not used by common folk very often, for at its
southern end is nothing but the inhospitable Sea of Dust.
Nevertheless, Urrakbek is integral to the defense of the
Yeomanry, and the dwarves work very closely with the
Yeoman government in maintaining that defense. Visitors to
Urrakbek have noted that the people are not very friendly to
strangers.
Whirgirn (pop 900)
Like Urrakbek, Whirgirn is a dwarven fortification. It is
located above the Northern Pass a day’s walk from Fort Omar
in the forboding Jotens. However, Whirgirn is not a typical
village or town. It is carved from the side of a mountain of
living stone called “The Heart” in dwarvish. Its tall,
foreboding towers jut from the face of the mountain nearly
300 feet above the pass. Visitors to Whirgirn must pass
through a heavily-guarded tunnel at the base of the mountain
and enter a large elevator that takes them into the town.
Armed guards patrol constantly, and it is said that a number of
magical stone constructs await potential invaders. Such
defense is necessary, because giant attacks in the region are
common. Whirgirn has never been conquered by invaders,
although the walls have been breached on many an occasion.
The city is very old—perhaps the oldest still in use in the
Yeomanry, and is littered with tunnels, catacombs, and
chambers that have not been seen by civilized eyes in
centuries. Who knows what horrors lie therein?
Whirgrin is led by Murdruk Hearthmantle (LG dm F8), a
master tactician and leader. He serves as the
representative of the town in the Council of
Grosspokesmen, although he rarely attends meetings in
Loftwick.
Whitehurst (pop 1,000)
Lying halfway between Loftwick and Fort Tilly is
Whitehurst, a mining town similar to Kelzad. Whitehurst's
primary mining product, however, is silver, and the entire
town's commerce revolves around the mining, refining,
smelting, and crafting of that metal. It has an assay office,
a smelter, a number of fine silversmiths and a mint that
turns raw silver into bars for coinage in Loftwick. One
silversmith, Darren Halford, produces the finest silver
weapons in the land. Ironically, it is rumored that Darren is
a werebear who protects the town. These rumors thusfar
are unsubstantiated.
Whitehurst has a Grosspokesman, Lynda Auburnmane,
who lives in a lovely manor with a silver-plated roof. She
is surprisingly young for a woman of her stature, and
competition is fierce among the young men of the town to
win her heart.
Wickler (pop 700)
Wickler is a medium-sized town on the Wick River. It sits
on the Old Road approximately halfway between Lofwick
and Hardwick, and as such it gets some merchant traffic
between the two towns. An otherwise boring hamlet, Wickler
is best known as being the major producer of Yeoman
Wickler, a popular cheese in the land. The citizens are proud
of their cheese, and they will be happy to give people passing
through their town a free taste in hopes that they will leave
with an entire wheel. Interestingly, Bellas Engeltor (LG hm
F/FK 4/6), one of the more renowned Freeknights in the
Yeomanry, hails from Wickler.
Wren (pop 300)
Wren is a major producer of poultry and eggs for the region.
Once a year, the poultry farmers of Wren march thousands of
geese westward along the road to Hardwick. The "Goose
Drive" has turned into a full-blown festival in recent years,
and people come for miles to see the antics.
Wymmswold (pop 260)
Located on a rough road between Sule and Burn,
Wymmswold is a small farming community whose primary
commodity is beans. The town also has a number of cattle
and sheep farmers as well. The town has barely changed in
the last hundred years, and would be unworthy of mention
were it not for its most famous citizen, Flanders McQuinn
(CG 1/2em R11). Although he rarely returns to Wymmswold,
the Yeomanry’s most famous Ranger calls the town
home. He is best known for single-handedly
keeping a force of 300 kobolds from entering the
town by setting scores of booby traps in the
outlying fields.