Lynwerd and his ancestors have always held the power to strip nobles of their
landholdings and grant them to others to be administered. Historically, this
has been justified by the claim that the king must have this power to ensure
that common people could not be ruled by greedy nobility who would overtax them.
While Nyrond's kings have not used their power corruptly, they have used their
power to keep lesser nobility firmly in their place.
Nyrond's kings set maximum levels of taxes and tithes throughout the whole kingdom, and nobles were not permitted to exceed the given figures. Most of the administration of the lands was done by the appointees of the king's powerful bailiff-general, whose men collected all taxes and tithes including those imposed by local landholders. Again, this was done to avoid any possibility of people being overtaxed, and had the effect of making sure the king got every last copper owed to him.
The balance of political power in Nyrond is very different today. While some taxes are still required from all citizens and visitors, the rebuilding effort of the knigdom is primarily funded through the collection of tarriffs, road tolls, and city entrance fees.
Criminal offenses are divided into Grievous Crimes (such as murder, sedition, and treason), Injurious Crimes (such as serious assault, tomb robbing, major destruction of property, rioting, magical misconduct and the like), and Crimes of Disrepute (small-beer infringements such as minor assault, bootlegging, coin clipping, minor fraud, and bribery of minor officials). Minor offenses are regarded as more serious if they result in impairment of rebuilding and defense work.
Trials for criminal offenses are presided over by magistrates as above, save for Grievous Crimes, which are investigated by a three-member panel of judges, higher-ranking priests of suitable deities. Magical interrogations are standard practice in cases of alleged Grievous Crimes, but not in lesser cases.
Sentences handed down to those found guilty vary somewhat from province to province, but Grievous Crimes usually merit death or banishment usually accompanied by the severance of a limb or the placing of a curse or geas on the criminal. With other crimes, judges levy heavy fines. Some opt for forced conscription into levies. Others prefer imprisonment or banishment. It is possible to say that heavy fines are now preferred to imprisonment for all but the very worst offenses, however, death is always an option. Corruption has also infested the legal system in many places, so that crimes can be overlooked in return for a bribe. Generally, law in Nyrond outside the big cities and Central Provinces is administered as local rulers see fit. Most are good and lawful men, but these are hard times, and some seek to counter public rebellions and riots with harsh, repressive penalties.
There is a policy of dual Courts of Justice, Local and Royal. The maintaining of the law the Kingdom is under the jurisdiction of the Barons, Dukes and the other rulers of the Provinces. These Lords are charged with appointing and maintaining local law enforcement and Local Courts. So, much of the crime inforcement is under the jurisdictionm of the local appointed representives
As a rule most Crimes of Dispute are handles by Local Courts as well as Injurious Crimes and but the most serious Grievous Crimes. Local officials handle most local murders.
In the Royal Provinces only the most serious of the Grievous Crimes (treason against the crown and sedition) are automatically handled Royal Courts. Though in some cases Royal Courts may preside over Crimes of Dispute and Injury. All cases heard in Justcrown (the King's Lands) are heard by Royal Courts.
For most people in Nyrond asking for Royal Justice rather than Local is not an easy thing. The accused or their representatives must show that there is compelling reason to change the venue and must convice a Representative of the King's High Marshall to handle the case. It must be shown that there is an overriding reason that the Royal Courts must hear the case. This reason may include local prejudice, conflict of interest, gross violations of procedures, or that the local power does not have jurisdiction over the case.
Licensed Adventurers of the Kingdom can automatically ask for Royal Justice do to their special status given by the King.
In a Living Greyhawk Nyrond Game, in which a Player Character commits a crime and is arrested for that crime (that is not a part of the module), the Player Character will have their cases handled after the game is over by the Judge and Triad representative. Sentencing will be done in accordance with the crime commited. The following prison terms are mandatory sentences for the given crimes, the TU number is the amount of time units the character must spend out of action (recorded on the log sheet).
The provincial lords gained control of their own armies when Nyrond separated from the Great Kingdom. The remaining Great Kingdom Legions in Nyrond were divided and allocated to each of the provinces. Over time the Legions were disassembled and became common militias, with the only semblance of the original Great Kingdom roots remaining in the Justcrown province Legion. The Royal Army was created later, in order to provide a common military force among all the provinces.
During times of crisis and war the Royal Army could call up the Provincial Armies as necessary. In this case, the Royal Army also gained command of the Provincial Army, but because of the confusing bureaucratic structure which had evolved over the ages this was a tenuous situation at best.
Prince Lynwerd found himself intrigued by the bizarre structure of the Armies of Nyrond, and studied both the original Great Kingdom army structure and its notable battles as well as the teaching of the Furyondan College of War. He soon decided that Nyrond's military was cumbersome, bureaucratic and highly ineffective. To Lynwerd, this seemed to be epitomized by Royal General Basmajenn. The General obsessed with pomp and ceremony, but was lax on military discipline and training.
Before Nyrond entered the Greyhawk Wars, Prince Lynwerd convinced his father to appoint himself as Militant Commander of the Justcrown Legion. This was an old position from the Great Kingdom that Lynwerd had learned of. In modern Nyrond most people didn't know what to think of it, and much to General Basmajenn's chagrin, gave Lynwerd as much leeway as he was willing to take, which was given more because he was Prince than because he was Militant Commander.
During the wars Prince Lynwerd used his position to temper the potential military disasters being planned by the General. He spread the more loyal officer corps of the Justcrown Legion throughout the rest of the army, increasing training and discipline. The chain of command did become more confusing during this time, but not much more than it was before hand. People tended to follow the orders of those who knew what they were talking about and able to make payroll (something Lynwerd guaranteed, at least for those troops under the command of the Legion). General Basmajenn was not happy with this usurping of his command, but there was little he could do, as the troops liked the Prince.
As the wars were wrapping up, Lynwerd found himself on the field in northern Nyrond when he learned of his brother's treason. He broke camp and with the bolstered Justcrown Legion and hurried back to Rel Mord, only to find his brother had fled the city.
While Archbold recovered, Lynwerd had some time to consider the military structure of Nyrond. After he was crowned in 586 CY he restructured the military along with the provinces. Much of the lesser trained troops of the Army, composed of the provincial militias, were dismissed. The remaining Royal and Provincial Armies were then divided into seven Legions, each commanded by its own Royal General, with names and heraldry based on the original Great Kingdom legions of the Viceroyalty of Nyrond. Lynwerd was careful to divide out the loyal officers from the original Justcrown Legion between all of the new legions. Royal General Basmajenn was given command of the Fourth Legion, and the other Field Generals were granted the rank of Royal General in other legions. The original Justcrown Legion became the Ninth Legion. Provincial lords are allowed to maintain their own militias, but the number of people allowed is directly related to the area's population, they cannot be trained in heavy warcraft, and the chain of command is clearly defined into the Legions if called up.
Royal General Basmajenn's first order as Imperator of the Fourth Legion was to reclaim and secure the Almorian protectorate in concert with the First and Third Legions. Lynwerd gave him the temporary title of Consul for the three Legions, even though they were not acting in the same immediate vicinity. The General had immediate and surprising success and within months had pressed to Bloodcrystal, Duke Szeffrin's old capital. The Fourth legion later pressed south to Onyxgate. Upon arriving at the keep they found it empty; and inhabited the place. The General had plans of waiting out the winter and commanding the reclamation of Almor as Consul in relative comfort. However, when spring arrived, the entire Fourth Legion was missing. Searches revealed no evidence of foul play, but strange occurrences were noted at the castle and those who searched its depths never returned.
Each legionnaire carries all their necessary supplies. In addition the troopers carry supplies necessary to erect a nightly camp with full palisade. Experts in military discipline and maneuvers, each legion can perform numerous formations ranging from the tank like turtle formation to a skirmish line.
The active military count is:
Legions 52,121 legionnaires Cavalry 3,312 equestrians Militia 17,549 Navy 8,934 sailors (243 functional river and sea craft; 61% of 396 total)
Nyrond's Military forces were heavily hit during the Greyhawk wars, losing approximately 70,000 men. In the intervening years some changes have occurred in the military, but they have by and large retained their post-war numbers. Many of the Militia were also put into inactive duty after the wars. Before the war Nyrond had approximately:
Legions 75,000 legionnaires Cavalry 15,000 equestrians Militia 60,000 Navy 26,000 sailors (379 functional river and seacraft; 58% of the 654 available)
Immediately after the war (approximately 587CY) the troop counts where:
Legions 42,000 legionnaires Cavalry 3,000 equestrians Militia 35,000 Navy 13,000 sailors (59 functional river and sea craft; 13% of the 432 available)
King All military units ultimately are responsible to the crown Militant Commander Head of all Military units, Adviser to the King *Grand Consul temporary rank assigned in times of emergency Consul Field Marshals, commanding multiple Legions *Proconsul Rank assigned to military governors of occupied territories or areas under martial law.
These ranks can be filled by either nobles or people from other branches of the Military (Consuls have commonly been Generals, Admirals and nobles). These ranks are only given by appointment from the King.
As of Patchwall 592CY, the following notable officers hold their given ranks in the Nyrond Military:
Militant Commander – Vacant (dismissed when Lynwerd was crowned)
Grand Consul – none
Consul of the Almorian Campaign, Duke Younard
Consul of the Fleet, Royal Admiral Ramol Hugarnd (M, Navy Fleet III)
Consul of the Northern March, Royal General Lie Myariken (M, Legion VII, Midmeadow)
Royal Admiral Toran Anhur (M, Navy Fleet II)
Royal Admiral Gassondian Mantus (M, Navy Fleet I)
Royal General Tival Nyrson (M, Legion I, Almor/Mithat)
Royal General Lahrage Osmeran (M, Legion II, Womtham)
Royal General Dairo Hanshal (M, Legion III, Almor/Narsel Mendred)
Royal General Haninys Voresaul (F, Legion V, Korenflass)
Royal General Nora Zamdronha (F, Legion IX, Justcrown)
There are six primary Legions and two special Legions known as the Legio Arcanus and the Legio Divinus (or the Arcane Legion and the Divine Legion). These additional legions do not operate independently, and instead their members are interspersed throughout the primary legions, providing Arcane and Divine support as Magisters and Chaplains. Members of Legio Arcanus and Legio Divinus all have a commissioned-officer rank, and can be called upon in the line of command in crisis situations.
Before the wars there were ten primary legions in operation. After Lynwerd was crowned he reorganized much of the military and disbanded four of the primary legions, either because their numbers were too few after the wars or due to sedition in the ranks.
All Imperators have gilded staffs representing their authority. For Legio Arcanus and Legio Divinus, there are no ranks below Tribune (the entry rank is a Tribue). Instead of Royal General, the highest rank in Legio Arcanus is Magister Magnus, and the highest rank in Legio Divinus is Pontifex Magnus.
General Royal General for Imperator of a Legion Praetor Praetor Magnus for Imperator of a Division Major Captain Captain Magnus for Imperator of a Company Tribune Major Serjeant Serjeant Corporal Legionnaire
While these are the primary stations for each legion, they have regular patrols and routes throughout Nyrond. The First Legion is stationed in Mithat, and provides the most support for the navy. The Ninth Legion is posted in Rel Mord, and has at least one Division posted in the remaining counties which do not have a Legion presence.
Legion Headquarters Legion I (Kingfisher) Almor (Mithat) Legion II (Drake) Womtham (along the Bone March Border and the Duchy of the Flint Hills) Legion III (Lion) Almor (along the Allyssa border) Legion V (Serpent) Korenflass Legion VII (Bloodhound) Midmeadow (Northern and Western Border and the Gamboge) Legion IX (Eagle) Justcrown (spread througout remaining counties)
The ruinous effect of the wars upon the noble class has created the most room for upward mobility and elevation to the peerage that has ever existed in the history of the Kingdom. However, it will take years to reconstitute the Cavalry to its pre-war strength.
Ranks within the Cavalry follow the lines of nobility. This can often be confusing and contradictory, especially when working alongside the rigid command structure of the Legion.
There is also a large faction of Reservists within the Militia. These are soldiers who have been trained to serve in the Militia, but who are on standby and are not on active duty. Reservists are not counted as part of the total number of Militia.
Militia usually report to their local Liege lord. However, any Legion Imperator can call up a Militia unit and place it under their command (even going so far as to activate Reservists).
After the Greyhawk wars many Militia were released from service. Others were offered ranks within the Legions.
Local Lord
Captain
Lieutenant
Serjeant
Soldier
Other than the local Lord, all ranks of Militia fall underneath the command of an Imperator. Depending upon the level of local Lord, a Praetor Magnus or Royal General can command them.
The Navy is divided into three fleets. The First Fleet is stationed out of Nessermouth, and is tasked with patrolling and guarding Nyrond's rivers (including the Harp river). The Second fleet is stationed out of Oldred, and is tasked with patrolling and guarding Nyrond's shores, sharing duties with the Third Fleet in patrolling Rel Mor bay. The Third fleet has traditionally been stationed out of Oldred, but for political reasons has recently moved its official headquarters to Mithat. The Third Fleet is tasked with deep sea and all other naval coverage. Oldred is still the home to the largest shipyards, and the Third Fleet still maintains a large base there as well.
The ships of the First Fleet are mostly composed of smaller galleys, barges and other river-capable craft including sloops and cutters. The ships of the Second Fleet are mostly cutters, triremes, and larger galleys. The Third Fleet has some galleys as well as deep sea-worthy ships including cutters, sloops and galleons. Due to funding and personell problems, many of the ships have fallen into disrepair or simply have been mothballed until they are needed again. These craft are stored in the shipyards of Oldred and Mithat. Approximately only 50% of Nyrond's Navy is active at any given time.
Of unique note is a project begun by the Third Fleet in 582CY to build a special grand galleon designed by a team of Gnome engineers as a massive flagship which could hold four hundred men, with multiple ballistae and catapults. Construction of this massive five-decked and four masted ship has been considered outrageous by its critics, and was eventually put on hold during the Greyhawk wars due to the lack of funding and personell. It remains to this day partially completed in the shipyards of Oldred. Despite the perceived failings of the design, recent efforts have begun to find new funding and start construction again.
In all cases the commander of a boat or ship is referred to as Captain, regardless of other rank.
Admiral Commander Lieutenant Ensign Chief Petty Officer Petty Officer Seaman 1st class Seaman 2nd class Seaman 3rd class
Playing a Nyrondese Citizen It is important to again note that everybody in Nyrond was adversely affected by the war. As such, most have taken to treating outsides rather gruffly and at arms length. This goes doubly for half orcs and barbarians. These are just reminders of the war and invoke hostility and prejudice. If a PC chooses to be a half-orc or a Barbarian (or both) they can expect to be treated with disdain and hatred.
Once a person befriends a PC, they will be a stanch supporter of him or her. This obviously will take time and effort and isn't likely to occur in a single scenario. Influence points really carry some weight in Nyrond and shouldn't be treated lightly.
[ Gazetteer
]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]