Circle of Eight

This group of wizards was formed by the archmage Mordenkainen as a tool to manipulate political factions of the Flanaess in an attempt to preserve the balance of power within the region and preventing any one faction from gaining the upper hand. Original members include Bigby of Mitrik, once Mordenkainen’s apprentice and now an archmage in his own right; the rotund and jovial Otto, who favors the kitchen over the laboratory; Drawmij, who oversees Keoland and the south from his undersea lair near Gradsul; and Nystul of Tenh, who wishes to expand the Circle to combat the growing threats across the Flanaess. The newer members are the redoubtable Warnes Starcoat of Urnst; the beautiful Jallarzi Sallavarian of Greyhawk, one of the most dynamic members and the only woman in the Circle; Alhamazad the Wise of Zeif, who is intent on preserving Baklunish culture; and the cold, unemotional elf, Theodain Eriason. Mordenkainen remains the ninth member, a “shadow leader” dictating his agenda

to others and influencing the Flanaess through his powerful network of agents and servitors. Past members include Tenser the Archmage, who left the Circle, chafing at Mordenkainen’s agenda, to promote the forces of Good; the now deceased Otiluke, a secret member who was also the President of the Society of Magi; Leomund, who retired in 576 CY; Bucknard, who mysteriously vanished in 579 CY; and Rary of Ket, who betrayed the Circle right before the Signing of the Pact of Greyhawk, killing Otiluke

and Tenser. One of Tenser’s clones was retrieved by adventurers in 585 CY and the archmage is now alive and well.

Grey Circle

The Druids of the Western Nyr Dyv region have many allies. Worship of the Oerth Mother (Beory), Obad-Hai, and Pelor dates back thousands of years and many of the common folk still worship the Old Faith. Little is known of the druids themselves. The Druids of the Grey Circle have declined in power over the centuries and have managed to guard their secrets well.

Greyhawk Directing Oligarchy

The City of Greyhawk and its domain are ruled by a Directing Oligarchy comprised of the city’s most important leaders: priests, merchants, guildmasters, leaders of the City Watch, influential wizards, and others with political pull. The number of Oligarchs usually varies between 12 and 18. The Lord Mayor is chosen by the Directing Oligarchy from among the Oligarchs themselves.

Greyhawk Guild of Assassins

Greyhawk’s Guild of Assassins is often considered the Thieves’ Guild and the Directing Oligarchy’s enforcement arm, although it is a separate entity. Little is known of them publicly.

Greyhawk Guild of Thieves

Greyhawk’s Guild of Thieves enjoys a legitimacy that is rarely seen elsewhere. The Guild avoids destabilizing the local economy and gives the city a cut of the profits. In return, the Guild is allowed to operate and even involve itself in the government. That being said, their activities are still criminal and those caught will be punished more often than not.

Greyhawk Guild of Wizardry

Established by Zagig Yragerne in 393 CY, the Guild of Wizardry is open to all wizards and sorcerers, regardless of race and temperament. Wizards seeking to improve themselves or obtain magical gear are well-advised to seek out the Wizards’ Guildhall. The Guild Library is said to hold the largest collection of magical and magic-related tomes in the Flanaess, and probably on the whole Oerth.

Greyhawk Militia

The Greyhawk Militia, which falls under the leadership of Nerof Gasgal and Tigran Gellner, CaptainGeneral of the Watch, is made up of several groups:

City Watch: Responsible for keeping the peace in Greyhawk itself, the City Watch is led by Tigran Gellner, but the day-to-day affairs are seen to by the City Constable.

Cairn Hills Militia: The Cairn Hills militia has eight bases throughout the Cairn Hills and adjoining the Mistmarsh: Stonefort, Stonebridge, Diamond Lake, Blackwall Keep, Marsh Keep, Fort Leman, Fort Gellner, and Ryell Pass. Led by Commander Schinus Balint, the militia spends the majority of its time dealing with bandits and evil humanoids.

Gnarley Forest Militia: The militias who patrol the Gnarley Forest have three bases (Narwell, Ford Keep, & Tricaster), as well as two camps (Adalorn & Greenleaf).

Safeton Border Guards: The ever-present threat of the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj keeps Turin Deathstalker’s Border Guards battle-ready.

Mountaineers: This elite group is based at Storm Keep near the Abbor-Alz Mountains. Storm Keep boasts over a dozen griffons that trained skymen use as mounts to spy out the lands. Carstane Geronten commands the garrison.

Hardby Marines: Commanded by Captain Wilbren Carister, the Marines boast six war galleys. They protect Hardby, Safeton, and the waters between from pirates and orc sea raiders from the Pomarj. Narwell Headhunters: Led by Captain Romerian Timane, the Headhunters seek out escaped criminals and bandits, mostly from the Wild Coast.

Greyhawk Society of Magi

Led by Torrentz Hebvard, only powerful members of the Guild of Wizardry are allowed to join the Society of Magi. As a consequence, little is known of the society and its motives.

Scarlet Brotherhood

For centuries, the Suloise culture of the Tilvanot Peninsula developed in isolation and secrecy to form the Scarlet Brotherhood, a racist order dedicated to preserving the culture and purity of the ancient Suel Imperium, and bring about the conquest of the Flanaess, without regards to the lives of others. For decades, the Brotherhood has worked behind the scenes, using assassins and spies to mold governments. Their existence quite suddenly became known when, during the Greyhawk Wars, the Scarlet Brotherhood conquered the Hold of the Sea Princes, Onnwal, Idee, and the Lordship of the Isles using treachery, sabotage, assassination, and piracy. Some of this land has since been lost. The Brotherhood controls the southern waters, making them the most powerful maritime power in the Flanaess and allowing them to deal in slavery. Many of the Brotherhood’s operatives are monks and assassins, all of Suloise origin.

The Seekers

This loose-knit society of explorers, adventuring scholars, and fortune hunters scours the world for ancient secrets and lost magic. Though some members claim high-minded goals, the primary ambition of most Seekers is personal enrichment, and the order is notorious for cutting corners and damning the consequences of their insatiable curiosity and greed. For this reason they remain a secret society, working in the shadows and pooling information to benefit themselves, regardless of the moral or

financial cost.