 Art by Otto Metzger Many thanks to the brilliant work of Joseph Bloch, the Greyhawk Grognard himself for inspiring me with his writing on the Baklunish West. I encourage you to check it out along with his other offerings on his webpage. www.greyhawkgrognard.com/ In the realm of the Baklunish West, there exist vast swaths of dry steppe and deserts. This sea of grass and sand can be deadly to travelers that find themselves lost within its depths. The threat of dying of thirst is as fatal as the wandering monsters, bandits, and Paynim warlords that can be found there. While streams, wells, and even lakes can be found in this landscape, the threat of getting turned around by the vast sameness of the landscape is a real possibility for the untrained. Even among those accustomed to living there, the chance of delusions and visions brought upon by heat exhaustion is a real threat. Worshipers of Geshtai, the Daughter of the Oasis, goddess of lakes, rivers, wells, and streams, have long sought to help those in need upon the dry steppe. While her Rashaws (Baklunish Cleric) are found at particular sites throughout the Baklunish West, a class of rangers more suited to the task roaming the steppe has arisen to help them. These Palins Shepherds work in tandem with the far fewer priests of Geshtai to help travelers and protect these life-giving places. While initially derived from the faithful of Geshtai, it is not a requirement for a Plains Shepherd to worship her to be a Plains Sheperd. Regardless of the faith of the Plains Shepherd, they are treated with reverence by most people, and it is generally forbidden in the Baklunish West to harm a Plains shepherd. Those who do are shunned or staked to the ground to bake in the hot sun. A Plains Shepherd works primarily in solitude when not leading travelers to water sources and safe-havens. Still, it is not unusual to find them in the company of a Yatama or apprentice. These students who wish to take up the profession of a Plains Shepherd will ride with them for several years, learning their ways. Plains Shepherd's wear flowing robes of white trimmed in blue, along with a blue tagelmust (Headscarf and turban). Sheperd's are highly trained archers and usually are armed with a tulwar and spear. Most Shepherds do not wear armor, and if they do, it is always light armor. Shepherds are also excellent riders and generally prefer to use camels over horses.    Artist unknown: If you know the artist let me know so I can credit them.
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