Celene (Greyhawk)
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, Celene, properly known as the Faerie Kingdom of Celene, is a political state, and the most prominent elven
nation
in eastern Oerik
.
. In those days, elven princes ruled from the Velverdyva to the Wild Coast. However, by the time of the Great Migrations
, the power of these elven lords had shrunk to isolated pockets such as Celene. In those days, groups of migrant Suloise
crossed the Lortmil Mountains
and entered the elven lands, but their journey was brief. Such was the cruelty and wantonness of the Suloise that most were banished by the elves of the realm, and driven past the Jewel River. Human tribes, even among the Suel, that cherished the land and its life were better received. The elvenfolk of Celene even offered their allegiance to the rulers of Keoland for many centuries, rejecting them only when warlike monarchs ascended the Throne of the Lion.
In the early summer of 348 CY, Keoish king Tavish II made his Wealsun Proclamation, asserting the manifest destiny of Keoland to rule over the entire Sheldomar Valley and its borders. This act alarmed the elves of Celene, especially when Tavish backed his proclamation with force, marching armies into western Veluna
and annexing the Pomarj
from the Prince of Ulek
. In response, the Grand Court convened at Enstad to determine the best course for the elvenfolk of Celene, seeking a leader from among their own ranks. Princess Yolande of Bellmeadow, an accomplished warrior and wizard, was hailed by the assembled nobles as elvenkind's brightest hope. Together with the neighboring Ulek Provinces
, Celene expelled Keoland's royal garrisons in 361 CY. Princess Yolande organized the realm's defenses, and Prince Consort Triserron took to the field, defeating the forces of Keoland in a number of short engagements. These victories brought full independence to Celene, and Yolande was elevated to queen of the new realm.
True independence, though welcomed, presented Celene with some new problems. Foremost would be that of orcish
invasions from the Lortmils, as the savage humanoids were no longer restrained by Keoish patrols. Though such invasions were always repelled, victory was often costly, and the orcish hordes spewing from the mountains each spring seemed without end. A defensive alliance between Celene, the Ulek States, and the gnomes
of the Kron Hills
was formed to contain the humanoid menace by coordinating the efforts of each realm's armed forces. The alliance had some success, but all concerned parties continued to incur losses, the greatest of which was the death of the Prince Consort Triserron. While returning home from a mission to the County of Ulek, Triserron was ambushed and slain by orcs in a narrow pass south of Courwood. The Prince Consort's death led the elvenfolk of Celene to spearhead the Hateful Wars.
to the north, the Lortmil Mountains
to the west and southwest, and the Jewel River to the east and southeast.
ruled by a grey elven king or queen. The royal and noble families of Celene are all elven.
The national capital is Enstad.
Enstad itself, as well as the royal family and their palace, is defended by the Companion Guard, knights commanded by the Prince Consort.
Most forces in the nation are loyal to Yolande, but the Knights of Luna and other dissenting groups serve leaders with different ambitions. The majority of these units are border companies in the Welkwood or Suss Forest, many of which have spent time in the Principality of Ulek fighting Pomarj
orcs
.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, Celene, properly known as the Faerie Kingdom of Celene, is a political state, and the most prominent elven
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
nation
Nation
A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. In this definition, a nation has no physical borders. However, it can also refer to people who share a common territory and government irrespective of their ethnic make-up...
in eastern Oerik
Oerik
In the Dungeons and Dragons World of Greyhawk Campaign setting, Oerik is the largest continent on the world of Oerth, where the Greyhawk campaign takes place.Oerik is named after the Oeridians, a human people who settled much of the continent...
.
History
Since the earliest times, Celene has been home to the gray elves of the FlanaessFlanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
. In those days, elven princes ruled from the Velverdyva to the Wild Coast. However, by the time of the Great Migrations
Great Migrations (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Great Migrations is a general term applying to the migration of great hordes of Oeridians and Suel humans into the Flanaess from western Oerik...
, the power of these elven lords had shrunk to isolated pockets such as Celene. In those days, groups of migrant Suloise
Suloise
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess....
crossed the Lortmil Mountains
Lortmil Mountains
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Lortmil Mountains are a mountain chain located in the central part of the Flanaess, forming the eastern border of the Sheldomar Valley.-Inhabitants:...
and entered the elven lands, but their journey was brief. Such was the cruelty and wantonness of the Suloise that most were banished by the elves of the realm, and driven past the Jewel River. Human tribes, even among the Suel, that cherished the land and its life were better received. The elvenfolk of Celene even offered their allegiance to the rulers of Keoland for many centuries, rejecting them only when warlike monarchs ascended the Throne of the Lion.
In the early summer of 348 CY, Keoish king Tavish II made his Wealsun Proclamation, asserting the manifest destiny of Keoland to rule over the entire Sheldomar Valley and its borders. This act alarmed the elves of Celene, especially when Tavish backed his proclamation with force, marching armies into western Veluna
Veluna
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Veluna, properly known as the Archclericy of Veluna, is a theocratic political state of the Flanaess.-History:...
and annexing the Pomarj
Pomarj
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Pomarj can refer either to a large peninsula located in the central Flanaess, or to the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj, located in the same region....
from the Prince of Ulek
Principality of Ulek
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Principality of Ulek is a political state of the Flanaess, and one of the three Ulek States ....
. In response, the Grand Court convened at Enstad to determine the best course for the elvenfolk of Celene, seeking a leader from among their own ranks. Princess Yolande of Bellmeadow, an accomplished warrior and wizard, was hailed by the assembled nobles as elvenkind's brightest hope. Together with the neighboring Ulek Provinces
Ulek States
In the Dungeons and Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Ulek States refers to the three easternmost nations of the Sheldomar Valley...
, Celene expelled Keoland's royal garrisons in 361 CY. Princess Yolande organized the realm's defenses, and Prince Consort Triserron took to the field, defeating the forces of Keoland in a number of short engagements. These victories brought full independence to Celene, and Yolande was elevated to queen of the new realm.
True independence, though welcomed, presented Celene with some new problems. Foremost would be that of orcish
Orc (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, orcs are a primitive race of savage, bestial, barbaric humanoid.-Publication history:The orc was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game. The D&D orc is largely based upon the orcs appearing in the works of J.R.R...
invasions from the Lortmils, as the savage humanoids were no longer restrained by Keoish patrols. Though such invasions were always repelled, victory was often costly, and the orcish hordes spewing from the mountains each spring seemed without end. A defensive alliance between Celene, the Ulek States, and the gnomes
Gnome (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are more tolerant of other races and of magic, and are skilled with illusions...
of the Kron Hills
Kron Hills
In fictional world of the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Kron Hills are a range of mineral-rich hills spilling from the eastern side of the Lortmil Mountains and onward into the western Gnarley...
was formed to contain the humanoid menace by coordinating the efforts of each realm's armed forces. The alliance had some success, but all concerned parties continued to incur losses, the greatest of which was the death of the Prince Consort Triserron. While returning home from a mission to the County of Ulek, Triserron was ambushed and slain by orcs in a narrow pass south of Courwood. The Prince Consort's death led the elvenfolk of Celene to spearhead the Hateful Wars.
Geography and climate
Celene is bordered by the Kron HillsKron Hills
In fictional world of the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the Kron Hills are a range of mineral-rich hills spilling from the eastern side of the Lortmil Mountains and onward into the western Gnarley...
to the north, the Lortmil Mountains
Lortmil Mountains
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Lortmil Mountains are a mountain chain located in the central part of the Flanaess, forming the eastern border of the Sheldomar Valley.-Inhabitants:...
to the west and southwest, and the Jewel River to the east and southeast.
Government
Celene is a hereditary feudal monarchyMonarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
ruled by a grey elven king or queen. The royal and noble families of Celene are all elven.
The national capital is Enstad.
Administrative divisions
Celene is made up of a chaotic patchwork of several manorial estates, castles, and townships governed by princes, dukes, counts, and barons.Executive branch
The current monarch of the realm is Her Fey Majesty, Queen Yolande, Perfect Flower of Celene, Lady Rhalta of All Elvenkind. Yolande has been queen since 361 CY, when the elven princes of the realm assembled to choose a leader to unite the elves against expansionist Keoland. Yolande is assisted by the Royal Consort (also known as the Prince Consort), currently Fasstal Dothmar.Military
Celene's standing military is chiefly elven light infantry armed with longswords and longspears, supported by numerous companies of archers. The realm also utilizes an elite hippogriff-riding cavalry, picked from the most experienced and noble gray elven officers in Celene's service.Enstad itself, as well as the royal family and their palace, is defended by the Companion Guard, knights commanded by the Prince Consort.
Most forces in the nation are loyal to Yolande, but the Knights of Luna and other dissenting groups serve leaders with different ambitions. The majority of these units are border companies in the Welkwood or Suss Forest, many of which have spent time in the Principality of Ulek fighting Pomarj
Pomarj
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Pomarj can refer either to a large peninsula located in the central Flanaess, or to the Orcish Empire of the Pomarj, located in the same region....
orcs
Orc (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, orcs are a primitive race of savage, bestial, barbaric humanoid.-Publication history:The orc was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game. The D&D orc is largely based upon the orcs appearing in the works of J.R.R...
.