After the death of Malkar how the next 20 years developed.

Estallia – In the early 4820s king Alistir struck up a relationship with the young heir of Skoorl, Vlaslavii (a protectorate of the larger kingdom). At the time many eyebrows were raised as the young sorceress (daughter of Vlaslavi) and the king were betrothed. Their marriage cemented the alliance between the two lands and – after ten years of joint rule – Estallia absorbed Skoorl entirely. In cy 4827 their firstborn son, Vlaslar, was born. This further strengthened the kingdom and such was his prowess that he ascended the throne on his sixteenth birthday (cy 4843)…Estallia grows solidly under his leadership.

Khulandir – Under the rulership of Queen Jirenna, the Khulandir elves keep themselves to themselves; their borders neither infiltrated nor expanded in the last twenty years. The queen turned her thoughts and resources inwards – temples were built, soldiers were trained, and the sleeping elven giant spent the last two decades involved in their own affairs.

Drenai – The eastern kingdom saw many changes over the last two decades. King Albiorn, the most powerful and wisest king in their recent history, died under mysterious circumstances (cy 4826). His replacement, King Rufus IV, soon establishes himself as a worthy successor – young, sharp-minded, he takes the huge network of spies and diplomats to a new level. In his eighteen year reign to date Rufus IV has an emissary in every major city, every major settlement on Grayhawk. The word Drenai is slowly becoming synonymous with espionage and intrigue…in that respect it has overtaken Van Myrid as a haven for all things dubious.

Bretonia – The problems of Gundren (the mother of the dead emperor Sarrik Ramadius II) dog her for two troubled decades. Unrest and civil revolt are not helped when Illeum Runesabre (the once steward) leaves Bretonia for good – his journey takes him to the western isles, where he eventually settles on the Isle of Ice and builds an academy of sorcery. Later he proclaims himself ruler – after draining many of Bretonia’s best minds and best sorcerers.

Gundren is powerless to stop the brain drain, just as she is powerless to halt the scheming and plotting of the noble houses. Only the power of her father – King Archibald of Rosen – keeps the noble houses at bay. Despite her problems and despite the lack of available suitors (many nobles are afraid of her influences with Rosen) she manages to cling to power. Many of the outlying regions (in the old Eren lands for example) actively revolt against her. Though she maintains peace it is on a knife edge. Trade and growth are hit hard – the instability of the region leads to a slow exodus as the merchant princes and noble lords take their business to Myrid or Drenai.

All in all Queen Gundren’s position is untenable. Many wait to see whether the ageing king Archibald dies (though the old king seems to have strange vitality for a man in his eighties!) – in the shadows the noble houses wait…perhaps for civil war…

Myrid – King Viator Varkos takes the relatively poor kingdom in the northern region and produces one of the richest economies on Grayhawk. Traders, merchants, noble lords and even slavers all find refuge in the prosperous region. By exacting a small tariff from the many thieves guilds (some in other kingdoms) he quickly built a huge treasury…that treasury was then re-invested into building programs, roads, impressive properties, markets, and many embassies to house the growing retinue of ambassadors that flocked to Van Myrid.

The decline of Bretonia has only fuelled the accelerated growth of Myrid. In the last two decades the population has escalated to almost twice its original size…and Viator did something that no king before him ever managed – he built an army. This army is stronger, faster, better trained, and possesses the best weapons of any army on Grayhawk. Suddenly the sleeping giant woke. Kings turned their heads as Viator’s realm grew with astonishing speed.

So far the military might have seen nothing but peace, a peace largely mirrored by the rest of Grayhawk. But there are rumours…talk in shadows that Viator is merely the puppet of a more powerful individual. Much talk is made of the relationship between Viator and the dark legend that is Muziel…some even believe that they are one and the same…

Talkhand – A sleepy kingdom overshadowed by the might of its closest neighbour – Darim. There is an old adage that nothing much happens in Talkhand…it is a place where old veterans go for a quiet and peaceful life. Nothing has changed much…several monarchs have come and gone (see attached Monarchs spreadsheet). Talkhand moves to whatever tune Darim sings…it has always been so and probably always will be…

Darim – The cultural and military capital of the east of Grayhawk. The capital of Kai grew as four kings followed the outgoing monarch (Thanodar). The most recent king (Brallon II) ascended to the throne on cy 4840 and is seen as a steady hand – up to now he has concentrated on re-constructing the awesome citadel of Kai (this practise is the Darim equivalent of coming of age – a new king likes to make his mark on society and the best way to do that is to build a taller tower!).

Brallon II is only just turning his attention to what many see as the growing economic threat of Myrid, though his advisors were not prepared for his decision to invade the Nadir lands to the north and drive out the orcs and other nomadic peoples of that vast open landscape. It is the only area of Grayhawk currently under conflict – the Drenai and King Archibald of Rosen are said to be livid with Brallon II’s wanton use of extreme force against what are a basically peaceful nomadic peoples.

The new Darim king seems unconcerned as he marches across the Nadir enslaving, destroying and sharpening his troops fighting skills.

Elenoria – The Elenorian elves grow strong under the rulership of the beautiful Queen Illyanth. Valadain, the Godslayer, becomes queens consort and settles down in the royal palace. The Elenorians embrace him as one of their own and Valadain and Illyanth produce two sons; Brendil (now 17) and Calandrin (now 15). These two boys train in illustrious company (the two children of Willowstar, Malakar and Elena are regular visitors) and both of them quickly master the art of combat and sorcery. Elenorian law states that the forest can only be ruled by a woman but there are no fears for the succession – Illyanth has three or four thousand years left yet!

The shining example of elvendom on Grayhawk grows steadily…a slow mobilisation (barely noticeable) is to counter the growing force of Myrid…though no conflict exists between them presently there is history between Viator and the Elenorians.

Kordos – A small kingdom at the southern edge of Bretonia. This kingdom benefits from the slow drain of its larger neighbour’s resources and prospers out of Bretonia’s decline. The new king, Gathas, is a man thought by many to have ambitions on the throne of Bretonia…though some think he does not have marriage in mind!

Rosen – The stoic king Archibald of Rosengrad has sat on the throne of his mountainous land for almost forty years. Although a relatively small kingdom he is the most respected ruler around. Many kings fear his temper, the wiser ones fear his influence with the undead. Three of the oldest vampiric houses on Grayhawk have a base there, and more importantly they have his blessing.

A superior military strategist he has seen war, fought and won against impossible odds and is a stabilising force in central Grayhawk. All kings on Grayhawk give him time and ask for his advice. Although in his eighties he has the appearance of a much younger man. Some speculate that he has made some pact with the vampiric lords that gives him unnatural longevity…Archibald himself merely laughs it off and puts it down to diet, regular exercise and a sharp mind.

Archibald has at his disposal some of the finest fighting men on Grayhawk…honed against the demonic forces of Azael twenty years ago they have gone from strength to strength and become almost invincible. Some believe that his armies will one day march to the aid of his daughter; Gundren of Bretonia.

The death of Malkar twenty years ago shook the world. The Fallen Ones as they were called wandered aimlessly whilst Willowstar herself became a recluse to have her twin children – Malakar and Elena. Early speculation was that these two children would become gods and take the place of their father. To date that has not happened and whilst Willowstar remains as the dominant religion on Grayhawk a second power has emerged.

Jarik, along with his Glaennyn cohorts Sharoshi and Hamroth, built five monasteries and created an organisation called the Guardians of Balance. These monasteries produced a movement, small at first but more recently Guardians have sprung up all over Grayhawk to spread the message of their master; Jarik. The followers of Jarik are just beginning to gain power – real tangible abilities; the further their studies the greater their power. Many believe that a new god of balance is emerging…some say that the Lord of Dragons will be the counterbalance to the growing power of Willowstar’s children.

So little is known about Malakar and Elena that rumours and stories have sprouted everywhere. Most of these are pure speculation without a shred of truth. It is widely believed that Willowstar is going to reveal the true nature of her children before long; many of the displaced Fallen Ones still wait for that day.

Strangely the death of Malkar has made Grayhawk a safer place over the last twenty years. Such a monumental burst of activity is always followed by a period of inactivity. Peace is everywhere and the emergence of Jarik and his Guardians of Balance has refocused every mind on the planet – given them a new direction and freed them from the treadmill of their lives. Nothing is inevitable anymore. When Valadain dealt Malkar the deadly blow it shook the universe – the implacable became unstable and the power balance shifted forever.

Because of this many people became cautious…Muziel, for instance, vanished. Sure enough rumour about him spread, but the last twenty years has past without any sighting of the dangerous Echeron lord. Even in the cauldron of Myrid’s markets and forums they talk only of trade and money…Muziel has become a myth, a tall tale told now only in the seediest taverns.

Grayhawk is free from the clutches of demonic influence at last. The fifth millennium of Grayhawk’s history sees a period of unrivalled growth, both in the population and in the sorcerous and cultural areas of life. New fighting techniques emerge. Greater skills and spells are developed and academies are now a norm in every major citadel.

Only in Bretonia is there decline. Gundren clings by her fingernails to power – the shadows gather in the background as the noble houses (and some other kings) plot her downfall. But who amongst Grayhawk’s great and good is going to strike the first blow?

A selection of the most popular rumours of the day – some, a few or none of which are true.

Jarik has secretly sired a child with Willowstar. Half man half dragon it displays the most fearsome characteristics of both parents – cold blooded yet charming, innocuous yet powerful.

Valadain has slain the two children of Malkar after the son Malakar tried to avenge his father’s death. The Godslayer is currently being hunted by an enraged Willowstar.

Jarik has emptied the Sundered Isles and the Darklands (over 100,000) and taken them to Kulland to build a new kingdom.

Muziel has killed one of the kings of Grayhawk and is currently acting as an impostor on one of the thrones.

Illeum Runesabre builds an undead army on the Isle of Ice and is about to resume control of Bretonia once more.

Malakar will soon assume control of the Fallen Ones. Astronomers, soothsayers and many exponents of the Paths point to strange anomalies in their charts – and the emergence of two new stars in the sky.

There have been sightings – particularly at the scene of battles or when many deaths have occurred – of a strange tall man in a black hood and cowl…he carries a scythe!

Jarik unleashed a great storm in the Abyss – the Maelstrom itself – and in twenty years it has ripped apart half of the six hundred and sixty six planes…demons are fleeing for their souls!

Back