Scarlet Brotherhood
Proper Name: Great and Hidden Empire of the Scarlet
Brotherhood
Ruler: His Peerless Serenity, the Father of Obedience
(true name unknown) (statistics unknown)
Government: Tilvanot lands appear to be governed
by feudal plantation lords who in turn are managed by
ever-present red-robed monks representing a mysterious
government based in the hidden capital; conquered
lands are administered by a singular "shepherd,"
usually a monk, who enjoys nearly unassailable
sovereignty but is ultimately subservient to the Father
of Obedience
Capital: Hesuel Ilshar (location unknown)
Major Towns. Ekul (pop. unknown), Hesuel Ilshar
(pop. unknown), Kro Terlep (pop. unknown)
Provinces: Unknown on Tilvanot Peninsula; foreign
holdings include part of the Sea Princes (Monmurg,
Port Toli, Jetsom Island, Fairwind Island, Flotsom
Island, Sybarate Isle), Onnwal (Scant only), both
Olman Islands, and strongholds in the Amedio
Jungle and Hepmonaland, the Lordship of the Isles is
an allied puppet state
Resources: Rare woods, fruits, spices, gold, gems (I,
III, IV)
Coinage: Unknown
Population: Tens of thousands (exact numbers
unknown)—Human 96% (S), Halfling 2%, Elf 1%,
Other 1%
Languages: Ancient Suloise, Common
Alignments: LE*, NE, CE
Religions: Pyremius, Syrul, Wee Jas, Bralm, Nerull,
Tharizdun (claimed by Brotherhood agents but not
actually worshiped, except by Black Brotherhood)
Allies: Lordship of the Isles (puppet state), certain
followers of Suloise gods supporting the Scarlet
Brotherhood (Syrul, Pyremius, etc.)
Enemies: Yeomanry, Sterich, Keoland, the Ulek
states, Gran March, Furyondy, Veluna, Verbobonc,
Dyvers, Greyhawk, Iuz, Duchy of Urnst, County of
Urnst, the Pale, Nyrond, North Kingdom, Ahlissa,
Sunndi, Sea Barons, Rel Astra and allied cities, Ice
Barbarians, rebel forces in the Sea Princes, rebel
forces in Onnwal, Knights of the Hart, Knights of
Holy Shielding, Knights of Luna, Knights of the
Watch. Only Iuz can count more enemies than the
Scarlet Brotherhood.
Overview: The Scarlet Brotherhood was until recently a secret, apparently isolated power in the Flanaess. It came into its own during the Greyhawk Wars, toppling governments in a campaign of espionage, blackmail, and assassination. Prior to revealing itself, the Brotherhood had planted agents in the courts of rulers throughout the Flanaess. The revelation of the order has caused much paranoia and (often undeserved) exiles and assassinations within circles of rulership.
If reports from northern spies (often suffering climate-induced fever, insect-borne disease, or worse) can be believed, the Scarlet Brotherhood controls the whole of the vast Tilvanot Peninsula, from the confluence of Vast Swamp and Spine Ridge to the immense tropical island of Lof Bosok, off the northeast coast of the mainland.
The nation's capital, said to be a marvelous walled city, has seldom been seen by foreign eyes. It is believed to be hidden somewhere on the massive Okalasna Plateau. The formerly closed port city of Kro Terlep now welcomes ships from distant ports, though few sea captains brave waters rife with piracy and sea monsters to trade with the Brotherhood. Vessels flying the colors of the Lordship of the Islesanchor in the eastern port of Ekul, near squalid shipyards teeming with activity. At least one ship departs Ekul for Hepmonaland every day—the purpose of these voyages can only be speculated upon in the north, though few believe the activities of the Brotherhood in Hepmonaland and the Amedio Jungle to be charitable.
The armies of the Brotherhood, or at least those
offloaded in occupied ports to the north and west
consist primarily of savage warriors from the southern
jungles, soldiers who give no quarter, and who
are said to indulge in ritual blood sacrifice. These
forces are supplemented by orcs, hobgoblins, and
other creatures. Many in the north speculate that the
Brotherhood boasts a standing army within its own
borders, but little is known for certain. Many nations
have met the impressive navy of the Brotherhood,
which as often as not is supported by "independent"
ships ostensibly from the Lordship of the Isles.