The History of Obsidian Bay

About This History

As kingdoms and cities in the Flanaess go, Obsidian Bay is a relative newcomer. Founded in CY 513, the city is just over 80 years old, which is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the centuries-old Free City of Greyhawk or the millennium-old Kingdom of Keoland. Yet that short time, the city has managed to have a significant impact on its corner of the content, bringing an increasingly large slice of civilization to the savage lands of the Pomarj.

This document provides an overview of the city and its history. It attempts to highlight the major events in the city’s life, serving as a primer for newcomers and a refresher for oldtimers.

All dates are given using the “Common Year”, which is the number of years since the crowning of the first Overking of the Great Kingdom in Rauxes. The history of the Flanaess dates centuries before this.

CY 295-512: The Poor March

For most of its history, the Pomarj was a desolate land inhabited by a handful of humanoid and human tribes as well as numerous monsters.

In 295 CY, an alliance between the prince of Ulek and King Tavish I of Keoland sends an invasion force into the Pomarj and conquers the region. The land is carved into a dozen small baronies and awarded to favored families of the crown to be ruled as subfiefs under the protection of the prince of Ulek. Amazing material wealth begins to flow from the newly-founded realm. source: Living Greyhawk Journal, p. 88.

During this time, the dwarves of the Principality construct a wide variety of fortifications and minds. Foremost of these is the dwarven city of Khelez-mar, founded in CY 300 and located deep within the Drachensgrab mountains

In CY 305, Highport was constructed atop the foundations of a smaller town exporting the wealth of the Pomarj to the world. source: Living Greyhawk Journal, p. 88.

The fortress of Khelez-Mar fell in 495 CY, more than a decade before the Hateful Wars:

510 CY: Forced out of their mountian lairs in the Lortmils, the humanoids invade and conquer the Pomarj. source: Greyhawk Gazetteer

CY 513: The Founding of Obsidian Bay

The Pomarj has long been a wild, brutal land that called out for heroes. The citizens of Obsidian Bay answered that call. The Free City was established by the Griffin's Guild -- a band of good-aligned adventurers from Onwal -- Coldeven 27, CY 513 as a frontier village.

CY 588: The War of Exile

CY 590s: The Great Expansion==