As I continue to examine the older documents of my Dungeons & Dragons campaigns set in the World of Greyhawk, I discovered this oddity – a list of rumours assembled after the fact to describe what happened for several years of the campaign.

It is a long document, so here I present only the events described for 581 CY. This is in the period leading up to the Greyhawk Wars (which did not occur as described in official sourcebooks in my campaign), and five years after my original campaign started in 576 CY.

For those interested in such dates, the original World of Greyhawk folio and the 1983 boxed set described matters in 576 CY. The Living Greyhawk Gazetteer described 591 CY, and other supplements described what happened in the years between. My own personal campaign is likely in 630 CY or so, although I rarely keep an accurate calendar!

Some of these rumours are made up of whole cloth and have no reference to events that occurred, instead helping provide colour to the world. Others are based on events of the campaigns I was running! I wonder if you can tell which was which? In any case, I hope they might inspire you to create your own adventures!

This makes a companion to my Memories of Greyhawk post, which describe the early years of my campaigns! These rumours were inspired by the games I ran in the early 2000s.

Spring, 581 C.Y.

The Great Dragon R’yalaptorous, who has been quiet these past few years in his lair in the Barrier Peaks, has recently raided a village in the Duchy of Geoff. Duke Owen is said to be greatly troubled, and detractors say the Duke is unsure of how to proceed since the kidnapping of his younger son.

Most the activity around Greyhawk of the feuding Hextor and Iuz followers has now ceased, mainly due to the efforts of one Gerald of Trithereon. He has led several daring raids to undermine the forces of evil. Whilst some of the clerics of Hextor have travelled north-east, and are reported to be in the vicinity of the small village of Bright Springs, the Iuz orcs have marched back homewards but have diverted to lay siege to a castle in the Shield Lands.

Summer, 581 C.Y

The forces of Hextor and Iuz near the City of Greyhawk have finally dispersed. Iuz orcs are currently assaulting the fortresses of the Knights of the Holy Shielding, and harrying the northernmost reaches of the Kingdom of Furyondy. The combined efforts of the churches of Trithereon, Xan-Yae, Zuokan, and Heironeous have wiped out the gnolls of Hextor. Agents have tracked the surviving priests of Hextor survived the purge to the village of Bright Springs, a week’s travel north-east of the City of Greyhawk.

The paladin, Gillian the White, has been freed from the clutches of the Slavers of the Wild Coast. The church of Heironeous seeks heroes to escort the paladin to the County of Ulek. She currently is in the town of Fax on the Wild Coast.

There is some worriment in the City of Greyhawk as magical divinations as to the city’s future have inexplicably failed. The Circle of Eight are said to be investigating.

There is a significant rebellion underway in the southern provinces of the Great Kingdom of the Aerdy. An extremely charismatic rebel leader has proclaimed himself as the son of St Cuthbert, and many have flocked to his banner.

It seems as if not all of the priests of Iuz have left the Greyhawk area; some infiltrated the city. The Church of St Cuthbert has discovered a cult to the Old One, and seek adventurers to raid their stronghold.

A significant setback for the forces of good in the Vesve Forest, as Iuz orcs, ogres and ettercaps have overrun several elvish villages in the border territory. Many elves are now fleeing south towards Highfolk, or leaving the area entirely and moving towards Celene.

Autumn, 581 C.Y.

A young priestess of Xan-Yae believed dead during the purge two years ago has been found wandering the streets of Greyhawk in a state of some disarray. She constantly moaned of visions of the “Dark One Coming”, and that she could see Greyhawk burning. The High Priest of Xan-Yae has given her shelter but is revealing nothing more about her appearance or visions.

Early Winter snow is blocking most of the principal passes of the mountains, and trading between countries is currently at a stand-still.

The border guards of the Great Kingdom are turning back those travelling to its outposts, nor are merchants allowed to leave the Great Kingdom. It is unknown as to why this ban is in place.

Foresters from Hochoch report finding bodies of adventurers floating down the Javan River. They were part of an expedition that tried to penetrate the Valley of the Mage and met its fate there.

Winter, 581 C.Y.

The artificer, Kiril of Greyhawk, was attacked in his favourite tavern by cultists. A band of adventurers protected the artificer but suffered significant injuries in the battle. Kiril was rendered unconscious but revived later. Amongst the adventurers aiding Kiril were Gerald of Trithereon and Meliander the Mage, the latter recently come to the city after his adventures with the Slavers of the Wild Coast.

Some joy has greeted the coming of winter by the defenders of the Vesve forest. They hope the snows will hamper further expansion of Iuz’s realm, and that their southern allies can raise armies to boost the flagging defences.

The paladin, Sir Rupert of Heironeous, has recently completed an arduous quest in which he acquired a Pegasus. The Count of Urnst has declared he will build a statue in honour of the paladin.

Strange lights in the Vast Swamp have not lured any villagers to their deaths – they have learned from past, painful experience to ignore any such events. A local lord has offered a reward of 5,000 gold pieces to whatever group can penetrate the swamp and return with intelligence about the source of the lights, but so far there have been no takers.

The failure of divination magic, first reported in the City of Greyhawk, has spread to Urnst and Furyondy. The western nations believe it is a ploy by Iuz, but the savant Yrgillis thinks that the failure is because the Gods have tired of the world and are now leaving it to their own devices.

Late Winter, 581 C.Y.

Sailors have discovered a Rhennee barge abandoned in the Nyr Dyv near the entrance to the Selintan River. Its decks were awash with blood, but there was no sign of any other remains of the crew. The barge was declared cursed and burnt.

It is a particularly harsh winter this year. Most of the war campaigns that had begun the previous spring have now ended, with troops separated from each other by massive blizzards and snowdrifts.

The Church of Xan-Yae in Greyhawk seems to be gathering a fair number of new priests and priestesses.

Midwinter in the City of Greyhawk has been a portentous affair. The Selintan River has frozen over, something it hasn’t done in living memory, and the dead walked its icy surface. Within the walls of Greyhawk, the ghosts of past Oligarchs invaded the Council Chambers and stopped all business therein. The Ruling Council of Greyhawk attempted to contact the churches of Pelor and St Cuthbert to exorcise the council chambers. However, reports say the patriarchs were attending a meeting of all churches in Greyhawk – including those of Iuz and Nerull!

A community of gnomes just south of Verbobonc has been attacked and nearly destroyed by a single man, with extraordinary magical powers. The people of Verbobonc are sending aid.

The planned Fiendish Revels in the Great Kingdom have been cancelled due to a strange event – the lack of fiends! The Overking has executed the priests who open the portals to hell, but sources report that even the High Priests themselves have been unable to open portals to the Outer Planes!

Food has become scarce in various areas around the Flanaess, as the harsh snows have stopped supply wagons. Traders are few, and goblins and worgs plague the roads.

The Theocracy of the Pale has stepped up its crusade against unbelievers. They are blinding those who do not follow Pholtus, as the stricter of the faith interpret their holy scriptures.