In passing, may we recommend , a new Third-Generation community run Organized Play RPG Campaign!

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The Kingdom of Nyrond is a part of the Living Greyhawk world. Greyhawk is a world designed for the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. We've put this introduction together to provide some explanation to those who are unfamiliar with living campaigns, the RPGA, and to a limited extent Dungeons and Dragons. Before you get too much further, you should know that everything in Living Greyhawk, and particularly in the Kingdom of Nyrond, is done by volunteers.

If you are here, you probably have a few questions about what is going on. I'll start at the top with the general questions and work my way down to the detailed ones. Don't be afraid to skim down if you want. My feelings won't be hurt.

What Is a Role-Playing Game? Simply put, it is playing pretend. In a role-playing game, players can undertake great quests, explore new horizons, and overcome fearsome villains. Your imagination is the limit. Every player creates a "character". This imaginary person is how you, the player, interacts with an imaginary world. It is the "role" that you will play during the game. Like an actor or actress who plays a role on stage, when you sit down to play, you will be pretending to be your character. One of the players will assume the role of "Dungeon Master" or DM. Think of the DM as the narrator to a story or the director of a play. You and your fellow players are the main characters, while the DM takes the role of the villains and the supporting cast. Also, the DM sets the scene and creates obstacles for you to overcome. It's a tough job and requires an incredible imagination, but a DM weaves great games the way good authors write good books. How do you win? Well, role-playing is a team game. There is no one winner – all the players win together. When does the game stop? Well, when the story is finished. That can be as short or as long as you and the other players want it to be. If you want to find out more about role-playing, take a look at the Wizards of the Coast(WoTC) Webpage.

What Is Dungeons & Dragons? Dungeons & Dragons is the first role-playing game ever created. It is heroic fantasy. When you play a game of D&D, fairy tales come true, magic is real, and the impossible can happen. Your character can be a knight on horseback, charging across the plains at a the terrible dragon that roars in defiance. You can be the dashing rogue, who sneaks into the ball at the palace to steal the princess's heart with a smile. Or you can be the sorceress, who can wield immense arcane power that can rework the fabric of reality. In D&D, you and your fellow players form a "party" to go on adventures. Adventures can be most anything that involves a challenge to be overcome. It might be exploring a dangerous cavern, carrying a message from the king to his nobles, or stopping some monster that is terrorizing the common folk. Every adventure is different, so no two games are the same. Adventures can be strung together to form a campaign. The adventures that make up campaigns can be unrelated or part of a vast epic. The choice is up to you and the DM and what sort of game you want. For more information on D&D see Wizards of the Coast's Introduction to D&D .

What Is the RPGA? The RPGA is a world-wide organization made up of people who love role-playing games. It is a social and support organization that connects gamers with each others, while sponsoring gaming events. The RPGA also encourages new role-players to join this dynamic and fantastic game by hosting learn-to-play sessions. The RPGA runs role-playing games at conventions, in stores, on the World Wide Web, and at one-day game days every weekend, all around the country. Membership to the RPGA is Free, check out the RPGA's Webpage for more information.

What Is a "Living" Campaign? Living Campaigns are campaigns that involve thousands of role-players from around the world. All these players share a single campaign. You can build characters, advance them in experience, and forge relationships with fellow gamers from around the world. You can play your character in Los Angeles, then head over to New York and play a game there with the same character, in the same world. It's a unique experience and an opportunity to be part of a common dream. The RPGA runs living campaign games at conventions, game days, and other gatherings around the world. You must be a member of the RPGA to play, but joining is easy and free. RPGA sponsors numerous living campaigns. They describe them in full on the RPGA Webpage.

What Is Living Greyhawk? With the release of the Third Edition of Dungeons & Dragons, the RPGA has created a new living campaign – a living world. Wizards of the Coast (publishers of D&D) has given the RPGA the entire World of Greyhawk to be the setting for the biggest shared-world campaign ever. The World of Greyhawk is the first setting created for Dungeons & Dragons. Designed by Gary Gygax, himself, Greyhawk has a long history that include many of the famous names in fantasy role-playing, like Bigby, Vecna, Iuz, the Scarlet Brotherhood, and St. Cuthbert. It is a rich world that holds great potential for adventure. Players play characters from different Greyhawk nations based on where they live in real life. Furthermore, the RPGA has separated the World of Greyhawk into regions that will be built and administered locally. What this means is that the creation and development of each individual nation lies in the hands of local gamers. The RPGA has designated three role-players from each region to form the "Triad". These individuals will provide direction for each country and coordinate adventures, settings, and important personalities. For general Living Greyhawk information, see the RPGA Webpage.

What Is Nyrond? When the RPGA divided up the World of Greyhawk, the Southwest Region of the RPGA was assigned the Kingdom of Nyrond. This region is composed of Southern California, Arizona and Utah. So if you live in those areas and want to join the Living Greyhawk campaign, your character will usually play in the Kingdom of Nyrond. Nyrond is a large independant nation with a strong army and navy, and a decidely lawful bent. With the Greyhawk Wars over, Nyrond finds itself in the midst of crushing poverty, with huge debts owed to its neighbors who were further from the battles. At the same time, Nyrond finds itself with a great deal more land and demon-ravaged countrysides. Add in simering revolt, widespread starvation, and large numbers of refugees and you get the state of Nyrond today. Nyrond is just starting the rebuilding process. Come and join in on the campaign and together we can rebuild a great nation. For more information peruse our Nyrond Primer. Also the Living Greyhawk Gazeteer has a great deal of information about the whole world of Greyhawk, though less specific information about Nyrond. The Gazeteer is a book available from bookstores near you, Amazon, or you can order directly from WoTCs website.

Whats a Triad? The Triad are sort-of the ruling council of Nyrond. Perhaps better thought of as the mega-DMs. While you probably won't be sitting at a table with them as the DM, they do approve the adventures, various rulings, etc. for the Nyrond campaign. Above them, controlling the entirety of the Living Greyhawk campaign is the Council of Six.

How Do I Sign Up? It couldn't be easier. Just come to an RPGA game convention. Tell the staff there that you want to play Living Greyhawk. They will sign you up and tell you everything you want to know. You will find a list of upcoming conventions on our Convention Schedule. Can't wait that long? Join our egroups! It's fast, it's easy, and it's free. Links are provided under the Contacts page.

What If I Have More Questions? We thought you might have some more. Feel free to peruse the rest of the site, the FAQ, the Nyrond Primer, and the Getting Started section. If you still have questions, try emailing any of the people listed on the Contacts page.

The idea for this page, and much of the information presented here, is derived from the Grand Duchy of Geoff webpages, another kingdom in Living Greyhawk. So much appreciation Geoff!