High Ery. That’s where my Greyhawk ’76 campaign kicked off, albeit off screen. It’s a small town on the Plain of Greyhawk, and the launching off point for the player characters initial adventure in the Cairn Hills.
The Prompt
Day 6 – Where shall we start? Where did the campaign begin and/or where should a traveler to the region start their journey through it?
Visit Nuketown’s RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026 Prompts page for the rest of our challenge posts.
High Ery
The man in the strange cloak — he calls it a “poncho” which must mean “armless robe” or some such in his home world — nods to you as he continues his tales of the Plain of Greyhawk. “Not anyone properly introduced you to High Ery”, Alain the Wanderer says. “Small town not far from the Cairn Hills. Lots of people passing through, going from the mines up at Diamond Lake down to Greyhawk City, then back again.”
“Not a lot going on in this town that ain’t connected to the mining trade, though you do get the occasional pie-eyed adventurers looking to find and loot some ancient tomb. ‘Course, I know and you’re learn’n … not many unplundered tombs up in them hills.” Alain shrugs “But live ‘n learn. Or live ‘n die.”
“High Ery itself, well it’s got a shop or two. The town ain’t much to look at, but the inn will keep your head dry and the tavern won’t kill you with their food. So stay a while. Not to long, I’m sure. You’ve got the look of someone with a taste for adventure … and that big city, that Gem of the Flanaess … I’m sure it’s calling your name.”
Locations in High Ery
In the Greyhawk ’76 campaign, the players returned to High Ery after their somewhat disastrous adventure to an old abandoned mine in search of a family treasure. They rested, re-supplied, and loudly proclaimed their plan to kill the Burrow Boys.
The DMG 2024 is light on details regarding High Ery, saying only:
Ery Villages. The villages of High Ery and Erybend are populated largely by farmers who send most of their produce for sale in Greyhawk. The two villages are both dominated by two prominent families, the Fairheights and the Witherwinns. The families have a complicated history including abundant instances of feuding and intermarriage, as well as a catalog of lesser slights and favors
I fleshed out High Ery a bit for the campaign, figuring it might become a launching off point for subsequent adventurers.
Alderson’s Outfitters: General store for miners, farmers, caravan guards, and the occasional adventurers stupid enough to head into the Cairn Hills. Owned Samuel Alderson.
Blacksmith: A barebones blacksmith focused on crafting essential mining and farming implements.
Cradling Branch, The: A small church dedicated to Beory, goddess of Oeryth, nature, rain, and the weather
Darkcoat Internments: An undertaker business. Run by Simon Darkcoat, whose father Steven Darkcoat owns the main business in Erybend.
Lonely Star, The The local outpost of Celestian, god of Stars, Space, and Wanderers.
Militia: Led by Captain Jared Hammerens, the militia deals with the occasional monster threat down from the Cairn Hills.
Ruby Lantern, The: A higher-end inn and tavern catering to merchants and others whose business takes them to the mines, farms, and other businesses surrounding High Ery.
Stone Hand, Church of the: Home to a handful of clerics who worship Dumathoin, dwarven god of mining and underground exploration.
Tired Shovel, The: An inn and tavern owned by Edgar Albright and catering to working class people like farmers and miners.
Wheelwright: Crafts and repairs wagon wheels for miners and caravaners.
Featured Image Meta
A close in view of High Ery and the surrounding locations and terrain. Taken from the regional Plain of Greyhawk map in the 2024 edition of the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Credit: Wizards of the Coast.