Geoff Cantrevi (Greyhawk)

In the Living Greyhawk campaign, the Duchy of Geoff is subdivided into thirteen cantrevi.

Cantrevi Political System

There are currently thirteen cantrevi in the Duchy. This includes the gain of three new cantrevi gifted by Keoland in late CY594, as well as the loss of Arweth to the Gran March and Knights of the Watch in CY594.

Each cantrev is ruled by a Gyri warlord. Smaller cantrevi are ruled by Arglwyths, while larger ones are ruled by Llwyri (singular is Llwyr, sing. fem. is Llwyress). Llwyri are the highest level of nobility in Geoff, with Argglwyths being the second highest. However, there are no Arglwyths under a Llwyr - each Arglwyth has their own cantrev. Each cantreval leader serves the Brenin, who leads all of Geoff.

To compare the Gyric nobility system to (generally) the English nobility system (which is similar to the system used in most of the Sheldomar valley), Llwyr and Arglwyths are Earls, or powerfulmilitary leaders. Arglwyths might be considered Viscounts, perhaps. Swearing fealty to Llwyrs and Arglwyths are Brehirs, or Barons.

Noble ranks are generally inherited. However, all Llwyri and Arglwyths have to be approved by the Old Faith Druids. The approval by the Old Faith in large part rests on successfully undergoing a special ritual - success indicates that the Land of Geoff approves of their claim.

Cantrevi vary in size, geography, and resources.

Historical Background to the Geoff Cantreval System

Traditionally, the rulers of the Cantrevi (plural of Cantrev) were the leaders of large tribes or clans of Gyri. Over time, the tribes settled and began farming. Eventually, tribes or clans started claiming specific areas of land which became the first Cantrevi.

At various times in the history of the Duchy, the leaders of the cantrevi have engaged in warfare to settle disputes. A Llwyr or Arglwyth may be overthrown by force, but must ultimately gain the support of the Old Faith to retain the title and any lands acquired. Warmongering is not necessarily a negative quality for a Llwyr or Arglwyth, though the requirement for Druidic approval tends to keep such tendencies in check.

Llwyri and Arglwythi have on several occasions claimed the throne (usually when a Brenin is absent or has passed away). This has led to civil war between cantrevi. Any ultimate victor must of course be approved by the Old Faith and the Land.

The Llwyr of Eynyth has thus far always been the Brenin. The position of Brenin came about because the Llwyri and Arglwyth ceded power to him so that there could be one warlord for all the Gyri. Traditionally, the Llwyri and Arglwyths have had little interference from the Brenin in how they run their cantrevi. In a certain sense, they consider themselves sovereign kings in their own right.

This attitude has changed slowly over the years CY591-596, with the Brenin gaining more and more power. Events in the last few years have also changed things. With the vanquishing of the giants, Grand Duke Owen is more popular than ever. With many Llwyri and Arglwyths killed in the fighting, Owen has appointed his supporters to fill the vacant positions.