Bludstein Geography

From A Player's Guide to Greyhawk (TSR, 1983)

Perrenland Ruler: His Gravity, Franz, Voormann of All Perrenland Capital: Schwartzenbruin: (pop. 25,000 +) Population: 200,000 Demihumans: Some Humanoids: Some Resources: Copper

The original Flan tribes dwelling in the Yatil Mountains were far more warlike and fierce than most of their fellows elsewhere in the Flanaess. The would-be invaders were absorbed by these powerful clans - Oerids, Suloise, and even a few of Baklunish stock. Attempts at expansion into Perrenland by Furyondy and later Ket were vigorously resisted by the inhabitants, strong mountaineers and valley-dwelling folk alike. These attempts, as well as nomadic incursions into the area, brought the various clans together in a loose association under the banner of the strongest of their number, Perren, c. 400 CY. Clan holds were marked into cantonments, and the leaders (hetmen, voormanns, or whatever) elected an executive head, like unto a king with limited powers to rule for an eight-year period, with counsel from the assembled clan leaders.

This system has proven workable for the nation, and Perrenland is relatively prosperous through trade with the northern nomads, the Baklunish states, and Veluna-Furyondy. Her chief export is her well-trained mercenary bands, however. Such a force is typically made up of pikemen (30%) and pole armed mountaineers (20%), with lowland crossbowmen (30%) and other infantry (10%) armed with battleaxe, flail, etc. rounding out the infantry contingent; the remaining 10% is cavalry. Half of the horse is heavy, coming mainly from the Schwartzenbruin area, while the remainder is medium, bow armed cavalry from the Clatspur region. Although Perrenland does not claim the valley of the Quagflow River below the Clatspur Range, the High Elves from that region will often be seen in service with a band of Perrenlanders. (Such forces serve as scouts and light infantry and are bow armed; such an addition is typically equal to 10% of the human force.) Bands of mercenaries of this sort will be found in armies fielded by Veluna, Furyondy, and Bissel. Even Ket has used them in a dispute with Tusmit.

Perrenland is always careful to maintain strict watch on all frontiers. Bodies of superb militia can be raised in but a single day to support the permanent garrisons which are quite small. A small squadron of warships suffices to assure the nation of maintaining Lake Quag as its own private domain. These vessels are also used as escorts for merchant barges and cogs traveling down-river.

Back to Bludstein Campaign