(Northern Furyondy, the citadel of Greatwall, 585 CY, the month of Patchwall, Earthday 6)
The war is over...but not for Iuz.
That is the buzz you have been hearing for the past few months.
The war ended a year ago, and yet the spring of 585 CY was cold and harsh. King Belvor IV attempts to appease his nobles, the famed Knights of the Hart push for a revenge war against Iuz. High Priestess Alethea rules Molag in the name of Iuz, commanding the forces of the Horned Society, seeking egress into Furyondy whenever possible. The Shield Lands suffered extremely during Iuz's rampage. With the Knights of Holy Shielding in Exile, fiends control Admundfort and the lands thereabout. And the Great Old One? Well, he continues to stoke the fires of chaos and evil, consorting with denizens of the lower planes while attempting to keep his unruly rabble in check.
So as you can see, the forces of Iuz are still at work; evil still dominates the north and each of you, in your own way, has answered the call to fight against it. And your travels have led you to Greatwall.
The war has transformed Greatwall from a simple farming village into a stronghold that stands against the dread forces of Iuz. The citadel's defenses have continued to expand during the summer months, and now nearly a quarter of the town's population of 3,900 belongs to the military. You've only been in Greatwall a few weeks, but already you know that Count Artur Jakartai in up against the wall. His people labor 14 hours a day in the fields, struggling to keep the stronghold self-sufficient. Area merchants, those who make the trek, charge up to 300% of normal market price for their goods...but even for that kind of coin, few take the risk. Raiding parties of Iuz cross the Veng River and make regular commerce along the trails dangerous and impractical.
How is Greatwall to survive without the merchants who bring their goods to the citadel? And how are the merchants to deliver their wares safely? That is what, you are told, keeps the Count up at night.
By now, you've had a chance to explore all that Greatwall has to offer...which isn't much. You have also found work in the militia, standing guard duty for eight hours a night without any recognition for your diligence; there is work in the fields and as an artisan in the stronghold; there is no glory in either.
You recently fended off a raid against the citadel, and even though it was a minor skirmish, a drink (or three) afterward was called for. Thus, you sit in The Behir and Beholder, Greatwall's only tavern, taking the chill off the late autumn night...
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Welcome to Greatwall, to Greyhawk, and to the game!
Yes, you begin in a tavern...with a chance to introduce/describe your characters and have some general conversation before the shit hits the fan...er, I mean, before the game kicks off.
