Pale (Greyhawk)

in universe
Nofootnotes|date=February 2008

In the "World of Greyhawk" campaign setting for the "Dungeons & Dragons" role-playing game, the Pale, properly known as the Theocracy of the Pale, is a political state situated in the Old Aerdy West region of the Flanaess, west of the Rakers.

History

At the height of the Great Kingdom, the Head of the Church of Pholtus was given the title of Holy Censor, which brought duties of oversight of the court system. Later Overkings turned against the church and removed this title, prompting many Pholtus worshippers to begin feeling persecuted and fleeing to the area which now is the Pale. In 342 CY, the first Theocrat of the Pale was chosen, though the land remained theoretically under Great Kingdom rule. But in 356 CY, Nyrond declared independence, claiming the Pale, which then tried to seize its own independence, but failed, remaining under Nyrondian rule.

In 450 CY, the leaders of the cult of Pholtus convinced the King of Nyrond to grant them independence in return for promises of mutual aid and assistance. This proved a hollow assurance, as the Pale's government has largely followed a policy of leaving its neighbors to be killed and then trying to bully them into handing over lands to it. It thus remained neutral in the Greyhawk wars. In 588 CY, the Pale's forces invaded and seized eastern Tenh.

People

The native folk of the Theocracy of the Pale are primarily Flan/Oeridian hybrids, and are considered particularly handsome by folk from all corners of the Flanaess.

Government

The Pale is a theocracy administered in the name of Pholtus, god of Light, Resolution, and Law. All government offices are held by Pholtine clerics. Religious intolerance exists within the Pale, with all religions except Pholtus suppressed.

Heraldry

The Pale's coat of arms is blazoned thus: "Purpure, a pale ermine between an increscent dexter and a mullet of six points sinister or".

References

*Gygax, Gary. "The World of Greyhawk" (TSR, 1980).
**Gygax, Gary. "World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting" (TSR, 1983).

*Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. "Living Greyhawk Gazetteer" (Wizards of the Coast, 2000).