Overview

The smallest continent on our world (or the largest island, say a few authorities) is the wholly tropical realm we call Hepmonaland. Information regarding this region has increased with the development of deep-water ships such as the caravel. Numerous modern ships have been used in the last two centuries by merchant-explorers from the Sea Barons, Rel Astra, and other old seaports of the Great Kingdom, as well as by the Lordship of the Isles, Spindrift Isles, and Onnwal. A detailed map of this land, drawn a century ago by a Sea Barons' captain, was apparently verified by a Rel Astran ship that recently sailed into Hardby, claiming to have rounded Hepmonaland's southern cape using a copy of this map. If the map is accurate, then Hepmonaland is about two million square miles-precisely on the border between continent and island. but favoring the former in the opinion of most learned minds.

Despite the crippling monopoly that the Scarlet Brotherhood has on maritime traffic between the Solnor Ocean and the Azure Sea at the Tilva Strait, and the censorship of information on newly discovered realms often imposed by governments wishing to gain a monopoly on foreign trade (and here I refer directly to the Scarlet Brotherhood), geographical reports continue to filter into our halls in the Guild of Wizardry. Some have related Rel Astran and Sea Barons' experiences with the kingdoms and barbaric tribes of Hepmonaland. Indeed. circumnavigation of Hepmonaland seems possible if one can run the Scarlet Brotherhood's gauntlet at the Olman Isles (and survive piracy, storms, and sea monsters elsewhere). This journey, though trying and audacious, is likely to be attempted more often in future years, and it could develop into a major sea route from east to west if its dangers can be even partially managed. The legendary natural riches of Hepmonaland's jungles, combined with reports of civilized (if exotic) states along its middle and southern coasts and islands, are sure to move the greedy heart of any footloose adventurer or trader.

— Master Cartographer Jawan Sumbar 
Guildmaster of Cartographers, Free City of Greyhawk
from An Inspection of the Nature of Oerth