Hardby

Greyhawk Realm
Gynarchy of Hardby
Motto/Nickname
Region	Central Flanaess
Ruler	Ilena Norbelos
Government	Gynarchy
Established	-278 CY
Capital	Hardby
Major Towns	Hardby
Provinces
Resources
Coinage
Population	5100
Races	human (72%), half-orc, halfling, dwarf, gnome, half-elf, elf
Languages	Common
Alignments	LN
Religions	Ehlonna, Joramy, Lirr, Mayaheine, Myrhiss, Norebo, Osprem, Pelor, Procan, Saint Cuthbert, Wee Jas, Xerbo, Zilchus
Allies	Greyhawk City
Enemies	Bright Lands, Pomarj

Hardby (also known as the "City of the Scorned") is a city in the Central Flanaess, in what is now known as the Domain of Greyhawk.

History

Hardby was founded in -278 CY by Ena Norbe, a Safeton wizard of Suel extraction who established the town (originally known as Norbe Harbor) as a gynarchy, to be forever ruled by women. The town has only ever had one official male ruler, Zagig Yragerne, who ruled as Despot from 339 to 351 CY. The town has been ruled by the City of Greyhawk since 582 CY, the Despotrix reduced to the status of figurehead, and resentment simmers.

Geography

Hardby is built around a deep port called Hard Bay, at the foothills of the Abbor-Alz hills. For many, Hardby is the gateway to the south and to the Bright Desert.

In its heyday, Hardby's claimed land as far north as the Neen River.

Government

Hardby is still ruled in name by the Despotrix Illena Norbelos, though in practicality the town is ruled by Greyhawk's Directing Oligarchy through Military Governor Wilbrem Carister, the captain of the Hardby Marines.

Behind the scenes, Hardby is controlled by Retep Mandel. A lieutenant of Vesparian Lefanel of Greyhawk, he controls much through his network of assassins, rogues, and spies.

Military

Hardby is protected by the Mountaineer Militia and by the Hardby Marines, both of which are controlled by the City of Greyhawk. The Marines have six war galleys and a total of 80 men, most of them lawful neutral or lawful evil. The Mountaineers have installed a garrison of about 300 men. Day to day order is maintained by a City Watch.

Bibliography

• Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
• -----. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.

• Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.

• Looby, Paul. "Hardby: City of the Scorned." Dungeon #109. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004.

• Moore, Roger E. Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.

• Niles, Douglas, and Carl Sargent. The City of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989.

• Reynolds, Sean K, and Chris Pramas. Slavers. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.

• Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.