Greyhawk Free State refers to the small city-state comprised of primarily the Free City of Greyhawk and its surrounding territory. It has been given the title "the Gem of the Flanaess". Once a part of the Great Kingdom, Greyhawk is nowadays most prominently known as one of the only regions in the entirety of the Flanaess where magic is not only permitted, but actively studied and taught at the Free University of Greyhawk, acting as a safe-haven for many outlawed magicians. Additionally, the university's positive reputation, along with Greyhawk's netural political stance, has attracted many heads of state and merchants to send their children to study there.
Greyhawk, named for the small grey hawks which populate the region, was originally a trading outpost on the Selintan river specializing in local wood and woven garments, which was known by that name as early as -315 CY. In time, the town developed strong textile and meat-packing industries. From the earliest days, Greyhawk was ruled by a warlord who took the title "Landgraf of the Selintan." This first Landgraf's son was then married to the Gynarch of Hardby's daughter. The nuptials formalized a political alliance that served as the basis for rule over the Lanstadt of Selintan, the area that eventually became known as the Domain of Greyhawk.
In 4 CY, Greyhawk came under the domination of the Great Kingdom of Aerdy and remained so while strong Overkings ruled from the Malachite Throne in Rauxes. The title of Landgraf of the Selintan was abandoned in favour of a Lord Mayor and his oligarchy. The Great Kingdom's influence over the city began to wane during the third and especially the fourth centuries as the House of Rax declined and the Overkings hold on distant provinces became increasingly tenuous.
In 310CY, Greyhawk declared its independence under the rulership of Zagyg Yragerne, a magician who had bribed his way to become Lord Mayor. He would reform Greyhawk from within, and pull it away from the weakening clutches of the Great Kingdom. He had the support of the people at his side, who felt that they were not benefiting from being part of the Great Kingdom, and that their tax money was not being reinvested in their city but instead in trying to maintain the weakening Great Kingdom. Eventually Zagyg and the people of Greyhawk won, and Greyhawk claimed their independence as a free state. The city state would not be ruled by nobility or oligarchy, but instead by a meritocratically elected senate, and the city would open itself up to trade and research into the arcane, a practice which is outlawed in all other major states in the Flanaess. This attracted many scholars, which resulted in the creation of the Free University of Greyhawk, The Great Library of Greyhawk, and Castle Greyhawk, and would further boost Greyhawk's economy.
Greyhawk Free State is governed by a meritocratic senate known as the Ring of Five. It consists of five members, each of which represent one of the five major cornerstones of Greyhawk's civilization:
All members of the Ring of Five are to have gained a degree from the Free University of Greyhawk that aligns with their ring title. They are then elected by their peers: fellow mages vote for the Ring of the Staff, merchants for the Ring of the Scale, workers for the Ring of the Hammer, soldiers for the Ring of the Blade and farmers for the Ring of the Flower. They are then to represent their field, and together they represent the needs of the people of Greyhawk.
Zagyg was the first holder of the Ring of the Staff, and did so until 405CY due to him succumbing to what seemed like madness. Zagyg was always known to be a humorous man, but his fast temper got the best of him. He had begun proposing many absurd changes, such as enclosing the city in a wall made from elemental water and fire, that could endager inhabitants. Out of fear and precaution, Zagyg was finally succeeded by another mage in the elections of 395CY. Zagyg's mental state would further begin to decline until around 421CY when Zagyg mysteriously disappeared. Up until today, Zagyg remains heralded by many for being a great leader.
Greyhawk residents are from various races and cultures, most of whom have migrated to Greyhawk for its toleration towards magic. Within the borders of Greyhawk territory lies the Cairn Hills, home to many gnomes. In the midst of these hills is Burundurum, a mountain giving a view of Lake Nyr Dyv, and is home to one of the largest dwarven colonies of the region. A little southwest of Greyhawk lies the border with Celene, one of the Flanaess's largest woods and home to many wood elves and half elves.
The Free City of Greyhawk stands upon a cliff, looking out on the east bank of the Selintan river. Greyhawk can be divided into multiple quarters: The Artisan's Quarter, the Clerkburg (hosting the Free University of Greyhawk and the Great Library of Greyhawk), the Foreign Quarter, the Garden Quarter, the High Quarter, the River Quarter, the Slum Quarter and the Thieves' Quarter.
On the opposite end of the Selintan river lies Castle Greyhawk. It was originally built in 320CY by Zagyg as Greyhawk's governmental building, until his disposition in 405CY due to his madness, after which the government of Greyhawk was moved into the city itself. Ever since his disappearance in 421CY, the castle has laid empty and unused, after stories of an extensive dungeon hosting dangerous creatures have made the round.
The Free University of Greyhawk is a presitgious university that exists within the clerkburg quarters. It is very well known all round the Flanaess, and many students from a variety of backgrounds attend the university.