It was noted not so long ago that Erik Mona, Editor of Dragon and Dungeon, might use his “bully pulpit” to express a unique vision of Greyhawk. Something new, interesting and different, a vision of his own in more than the breach.
Some time before, it was commented upon that a revived Greyhawk would need a “hook.” Something to make the setting appealing to a new audience, not just a core audience which would be happy enough with a warmed over, rehash (as long as it had footnotes).
I would like to suggest a very specific idea.
As a setting, Greyhawk has one huge, gaping hole (leaving aside that the Flanaess is just one small portion of an unexplored globe) - there is no described Deep Oerth or “Underdark.” It is a D&D trope that Greyhawk is entirely missing.
Yes. Vault of the Drow. It is tiny and hardly comprehensive.
Yes. Nightbelow. It is not Greyhawk, however much wishing and invocations of Sargent’s name would see it so.
No. Oerth needs an subterranean addition all its own. Or nearly so.
First, to the chief advantage of a comprehensive Deep Oerth. It is everywhere. From the lands of the Ice Barbarians to the Hold of the Sea Princes. From Sunndi to Blackmoor. And all points in between. Deep Oerth has the capacity to touch and effect every corner of the Flanaess. Yet, it is tucked away down there, out of sight. This means no great disruptions to affairs on the surface are mandatory. Such could be had but the influence of Deep Oerth could be far more subtle, but no less telling. You can have your cake and eat it too.
Of exactly - what’s down there? And - what is its impact on the setting? I am not going to speculate. The important point, IMO, is to illustrate how a single idea can energize a new look at and for the World of Greyhawk, specifically the Flanaess.
And, as it turns out, Deep Oerth is very much in easy reach. Two developments touch upon this idea.
First - Stealing Mystara.
Greyhawk stole the Isle of Dread from the Mystara setting. It is done. So, why stop there? Mystara in The Shadow Elves (D&D GAZ13) and The Orcs of Thar (D&D GAZ10) has a very nice underground environment all mapped out. Only the scale and some specifics need to be changed/adjusted to fit Greyhawk. That takes care of the physical environment.
Second - The Rift Canyon
Here is your Greyhawk jump off point into Deep Oerth. It is sitting right there in the middle of the map waiting to be developed. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone were not already developing it for print. :D If ever there was a perfect entre to Deep Oerth, here it is. That would take care of an initial Greyhawk tie in.
All that remains would be to decide -
(1) What is down there in Deep Oerth; and
(2) How does that impact the surface of the Flanaess?
For those who want the Flanaess frozen in amber, the surface is left substantially alone.
For those who want to see substantial development beyond the established confines of the Flanaess, get a shovel.
And Greyhawk’s great hole will be plugged.
Something to think about.
GVD
