TEXT: ~1~ 
  A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SHIELD 
  LANDS 
   
  The Shield Lands is located near the 
  center of the Flanaess, on the northern coast 
  of the Nyr Dyv.   By land, we are nearly 
  surrounded by the hostile Empire of Iuz.   
  Our nation stretches from the 
  Ritensa River to the road between the Plague 
  Fields and the traitorous Alhaster and the 
  Nyr Dyv to the Vigilant Highway.  In 
  addition two islands, Walworth Island and 
  Scragholme Island are part of our nation.  
  We have only have two population centers 
  that would be considered cities, Admundfort; 
  our old capital and port city located on 
  Walworth Island in the Nyr Dyv and 
  Critwall; our temporary capital located in the 
  south western tip.   We have several towns 
  and many villages spread through the rest of 
  our lands.  
  Unfortunately we recovered only a 
  small piece of our nation during the Great 
  Crusade; the lands immediately surrounding 
  Critwall and Scragholme Island.  The rest of 
  the Shield Lands is completely dominated 
  and controlled by the occupying forces of 
  Iuz. 
  The majority of the population of 
  the freed Shield Lands lives in Critwall and 
  the smaller Bright Sentry.  Both are 
  overpopulated to the extreme.  There are so 
  many people living in Critwall that an entire 
  village of tents has been constructed by the  
  east wall. 
   
   
  THE RESTORED HOLY REALM OF THE 
  FAITHFUL OF THE SHIELD LANDS 
   
  Ruler: Her Most Honorable Ladyship, Countess Katarina of Walworth, Knight Commander of the Shield Lands, 
  Leader of the Great Crusade. 
  Capital: Admundfort (Ruled by Vayne for Iuz); currently Critwall 
  Population: 27,000 (Human 79%(Osf), Halfing 9%, Elf 5%, Dwarf 3%, Gnome 2%, Half-elf 1%, Half-orc 1%).  
  Unknown in the occupied lands. 
   
  reetings stranger.  Yes, I know I sound unwelcoming, I am.  We are a proud people here, sometimes too 
  proud.  We stand alone against Iuz and his minions.  That is the way it has always been, that is the way it 
  remains today.  That is why I sound unwelcoming.   
  You try to enter my lands with a smile on your face 
  and a hop in your step to perhaps . . . perhaps find, glory or 
  adventure?  You laugh?  Tell me stranger, do you see me 
  laughing?  If it is adventure you crave, off with you to the city 
  of Greyhawk.  Or are you a merchant, or a thief?  If you are 
  seeking to fatten your purse with gold by cheating the good 
  people of Critwall with your shoddy goods, be gone.  If you do 
  not come into our lands with steel in your hand and your heart, 
  be gone.  We have no use of you here.  What we have need of 
  is soldiers.   Soldiers who are prepared to stand, fight and die 
  against Iuz and his beasts.   
   
  What is that look for?  Ahhhh, I think I know.  Yes, 
  we call him Iuz.  That is the demon god's name is it not?  Iuz.  
  We do not hide behind blankets.  We do not call him the Old 
  One or the Old Wicked.  That is superstition.  We call him Iuz.  
  That is the name of our enemy.  We do not fear him.  He has 
  thrown his worst against us and yet, here we stand.   
  Stay your questions, allow me to finish.  Our lands do 
  not have much to offer you.  Little in the way of wealth, little in 
  the way of entertainment, little in the way of adventure.  We 
  have only enemies to kill.  Of that, we have many.  All to the 
  north and all to the east of Critwall is occupied by Iuz.  Every 
  town, keep, inn and road is crawling with humanoids.  For now.  
  If you have a skill we need or a sword we could use or a spell 
  we want at our side, by all means . . . enter.   If not, return from 
  whence you came. 
   
  Rumors from the Shield Lands: 
  � Many in the tent town outside of Critwall speak fearfully 
  of robed strangers.  They speak of the coming of the great 
  one.  Those who speak against them sometimes disappear. 
   
  � Our enemies are beginning to fight each other.  It is 
  rumored the vile Conjuror Waqounis is attempting to take 
  the place of the usurper Vayne in Admundfort. 
  G 
  
  ~2~ 
  VARIOUS TIDBITS FROM THE SHIELD LANDS 
   
  Coinage: knight (gold), axeman (electrum), shield 
  (silver) and sheaf (copper). 
   
  Knights of the Holy Shielding: The oldest and 
  largest order of knights in the Shield Lands.  
  Virtually all members are followers of Heironeous. 
   
  Order of the Northern Guard: A new order of 
  knights.  They are a secular order that is much less 
  powerful the Knights of the Holy Shielding. 
   
  Council of Lords: The ruling body of the Shield 
  Lands.  It has been greatly weakened by the recent 
  Wars as Lady Katarina has grown in power. 
   
  Our lands have never been in greater need of brave and goodly folk.  The battle for our lands, our nation has just 
  begun and we welcome those who wish to aid us in this endeavor.  It will not be easy for our enemy is a demigod, 
  but those with faith, honor and strength shall help us prevail. 
   
  CHARACTER CREATION IN THE SHIELD LANDS 
   
  While the Living Greyhawk campaign allows you create a character of any race and class combination in the 3rd 
  edition Player’s Handbook, below are some guidelines for creating a character appropriate to adventuring in the 
  Shield Lands.  Use them to aid you in the character creation process. 
   
  � Not all who call the Shield Lands home were actually born there.  Thus even though there are not any native 
  barbarians, you can still call the Shield Lands home.  Just come up with a reason why you have chosen the 
  Shield Lands as your home. 
   
  � Characters may not start out as knights.  Joining a knighthood is through invitation only. 
   
  � There are no native barbarians in the Shield Lands.  
  They are often looked upon with suspicion because 
  of their strange customs and beliefs. 
    
  � Half-orcs are hated in the Shield Lands.  Many of 
  us refuse to do business with them or even speak to 
  them.  Occasionally half-orcs are hunted down by 
  mobs in the poorer sections of cities and towns.  
  Many employers refuse to hire half-orcs. 
   
  � The Shield Lands has always been a martial state 
  and that is reflected in our primary deities.  The 
  state religion worships Heironeous.  Other popular 
  deities are St. Cuthbert, Mayaheine, Pholtus and 
  Trithereon. 
    
  � Characters may not be recognized members of a 
  noble family.  If your character claims noble blood 
  he or she is either lying or a bastard.    
   
  � Worshippers of Heironeous in the Shield Lands adhere to an older aspect of the God, one who favored the 
  battleaxe instead of the longsword.  Paladins and priests of the Archpaladin choose the battleaxe over any other 
  weapon. 
   
  � The Shield Lands is a very lawful land.  All people are recorded with their abilities and professions.  The 
  government often calls upon those with specific skills and abilities for missions to help the nation.  Those 
  unwilling to aid the Shield Lands are asked to leave.  In other words, your character is often going to be in the 
  employ of the Shield Lands because of his or her unique abilities.  Adventurers helping the military of the 
  Shield Lands are often called Pathfinders. 
   
  �  
  THE SHIELD LANDS TRIAD 
  Brandon Kaya 
  gorta@io.com 
  Jon Cazares 
  flood01@aol.com 
  Rick LaRue 
  rlarue@aol.com 
  HTTP://SHIELDLANDS.OERTH.COM is the official site for information about Living Greyhawk in Minnesota, North 
  Dakota and South Dakota, including general information on the Shield Lands, a newsletter keeping recording the 
  happenings in the Shield Lands and a list of module premiers. 
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Living Greyhawk/Metaorg Material/Shield Lands/Background info.pdf