Sample File Oerth Is but One World Among Many, Separated Either by the Gulfs of Space, the Invisible Ether, Or the Fragile Veils of Reality

Sample file Oerth is but one world among many, separated either by the gulfs of space, the invisible ether, or the fragile veils of reality. The craft and persistence of magic defines the nature of Oerth. Throughout recorded his- tory, magical conflict and restoration have shaped this world. Some of these magic-driven events touch upon The GREYHAWK campaign depicts a magical land at the history of other worlds, and portals sometimes the crossroads of countless possibilities. The most open between Oerth and alien spheres. Few other fantastic of many worlds, Greyhawk's world of Oerth worlds boast the magical profundity of Oerth, and is a place where powerful creatures contest with many strange beings are found there, drawn by the lure humanity and other races, where good folk struggle of the supernatural. The majority of such entities make against evil, and Law wrestles with Chaos, Oerth is a their homes far from the sunlit skies of Oerth's surface, world of magic, mystery, and the imagination. preferring to live secretly in lightless caverns below, The gem of this world is the city of Greyhawk, a where they may thrive and plot unseen. teeming metropolis that attracts heroes and villains If the paths of the underworld are hidden from alike. Warriors, merchants, wizards, beggars, clerics, view, the wise may still turn their attention to the sages, and thieves fill its streets in search of high heavens. All know that the sun travels once around adventure. Oerth every 364 days, visiting the Twelve Lairs of the The GREYHAWK campaign centers on the Flanaess, Zodiac in an appointed round that never varies. The a multinational land emerging from a dark period of pale Great Moon, called Luna, waxes and wanes in war. Its people face each new day with growing opti- fixed cycles of 28 days each, upon which the months mism, but evil lurks in shadowed caverns and deca- are based. The aquamarine Lesser Moon, Celene, fol- dent courts. The final outcome of this intrigue is ever lows a path that reveals her full beauty but four times in question, and new heroes must always be found to each year, thus showing the time for civilized festivals. keep their realms from destruction. Both Mistress and Handmaiden, as the greater and The LIVING GREYHAWK™ Gazetteer is more than a guide to a world of fantasy and marvels. It is an intro- TABLE 1: STANDARD WEEK (FLANAESS) duction to a completely new concept in roleplaying Day Task games. The ROLE PLAYING GAME ASSOCIATION® Net- Starday Work work's LIVING GREYHAWK™ campaign is an immense Sunday Work game played out in regional events throughout the Moonday Work real world. This book provides more than enough Godsday Worship information to create a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® cam- Waterday Work paign to last for years, but it also forms a common Earthday Work starting point for thousands of players who will shape Freeday Rest the future of Oerth in the RPGA® Network's interna- tional LIVING GREYHAWK campaign. Details on how to TABLE 2: DOZENMONTH OF LUNA AND THE FOUR FESTIVALS join this exciting campaign appear in the appendix. Common Elven Nomads Season Needfest Midwinter Fireseek Diamondice Tiger Winter Readying Yellowillow Bear Spring The world of GREYHAWK encompasses the Flanaess, Coldevert Snowflowers Lion Spring the easternmost portion of the vast continent of Growfest Oerik, on the sphere of Oerth. Scholars from the Planting Blossoms Frog Low Summer Flanaess are certain that Oerik is the greatest of Flocktime Violets Turtle Low Summer Oerth's four continents, and that four great oceans Wealsun Berrytime Fox Low Summer surround these lands, as do four layers of the heavens Richfest Midsummer and four depths of the underworld. Yet, even in this Reaping Goldfields Snake High Summer Samplebenighted age, almost nothing is known of the lands Goodmonth Sunflowersfile Boar High Summer beyond the Flanaess, and little is understood of the Harvester Fruitfall Squirrel High Summer regions above and below. Such knowledge is of small Brewfest importance, claim the high and the mighty, for Patchwall Brightleaf Hare Autumn clearly the lands around Greyhawk form the center Ready'reat Tinklingice Hawk Autumn of all enlightenment and civilization. Some folks Sunsebb Lacysnows Wolf Winter question this assumption, and they yearn to explore their world and its challenges. Each month has 28 days. Each festival is seven days long. lesser moons of Oerth are also known, are held to be The Flanaess can be divided into nine broadly defined worlds in their own right, though few claim to have geopolitical territories, most of which coincide with met any visitors from those lofty realms (or, for that old national identities that once dominated those matter, to have visited those alien worlds personally). regions. The exception here is the southern region of isolated lands, some of which are not part of the Climate and Seasons Flanaess proper (for example, Hepmonaland). The Flanaess is exceptionally blessed in regard to its weather. Outside of the northern latitudes, the winter Baklunish West (former Baklunish Empire) temperatures seldom fall below freezing, except during Survivors of the Invoked Devastation settled these the two winter months, and at night during early temperate prairies, forests, and coastal lands about spring and late autumn. In the depths of winter come one thousand years ago. Largely separated from the a few days when the temperature reaches the freezing rest of the Flanaess by the great Yatils, Barrier Peaks, point, then gradual warming begins. The northeast and Crystalmist Mountains, these realms are a strong- and north-central regions tend to be considerably hold of Baklunish culture. colder, for the seas of those regions cause winter to linger about twice as long as it does in the heartland Bitter North ("Old Blackmoor") of the Flanaess. An important exception to this is the The lands north of the Yatil Mountains, from the Dramidj Ocean, whose strange, warm currents mod- Dramidj coast to the Dulsi River, make up the Bitter erate the climate of the lands that border it. North. The climate in this region of steppes and Autumn, winter, and spring are rather short sea- coniferous forests varies from cool to frigid, making sons, but summer in the central Flanaess lasts five or this a sparsely settled area home mostly to nomads, more months. Prevailing winds are from the north- orcs, and goblins, except in Perrenland. east in the winter and autumn, and the east and south- east at other times. Most areas of the Flanaess have Western Nyr Dyv ("Old Ferrond") sufficient rainfall to assure abundant crops. The lands from the Nyr Dyv to the Yatils are an old stronghold of Good in the Flanaess. Humans of Geographic Divisions Oeridian and Flan descent, dwarves, and elves con- The focal point of the GREYHAWK setting is the tribute to the vigor of these nations. The rich soil and Flanaess, with the city of Greyhawk near its center. the pleasant climate, combined with healthy trade

Sample file

Oerik The modern Flanaess is defined by the great migrations of the Oeridian, Baklunish, and Suloise races of humanity. relations with their neighbors to the east, south and Old Aerdy West ("Old Nyrond") west, make this a strong and wealthy region. These lands between the eastern Nyr Dyv and the line marked by the southern Rakers are temperate Sheldomar Valley ("Old Keoland") and fertile. Folk of Oeridian, Suloise and Flan her- The fertile Sheldomar Valley is almost completely itage dwell in relative harmony here. This area was enclosed by mountains until it reaches the Azure Sea. once yeah, part of the Oeridian-dominated Great Two great rivers, the Sheldomar and the Javan, water Kingdom, but it broke away to become the kingdom these lands between the Crystalmists and the Lort- of Nyrond (now reduced in size). mils. The climate here is warm and mild, and many elves, dwarves, gnomes, and halflings live in peace Old Aerdy East (former Great Kingdom) alongside Suel, Oeridian, and Flan farmers and lords. The lands south and east of the Rakers and north of the Vast Swamp, off to the Solnor coast, were once Empire of luz ("Northern Reaches") the heartland of Aerdy, the Great Kingdom. These The evil demigod Iuz has expanded his territory from lands are rich and their climate pleasant, though long his original realm north of Lake Whyestil to include years of civil war and oppression have damaged the most of the land from the western edge of the Vesve economy. Many orcs and goblinoid races live among Forest across the north-central Flanaess to the cur- the numerous, warlike Oeridians here. rent war zone of Tenh. These lands are generally wilderness dotted with ruined human towns and Isolated Realms active orc lairs, with a cool to temperate climate. These strange lands include the deadly Sea of Dust, the jungles of the Amedio and Hepmonaland, the Tilvanot SampleThillonrian Peninsula Peninsula, and manyfile islands along the eastern coast. ("Barbarian North") These regions are little known to most inhabitants of the This isolated, mountainous region at the northeast- Flanaess. People of Suloise descent are found through ern edge of the Flanaess is home to many barbarians. out, particularly on the Tilvanot Peninsula, but other These northern Suel call their land Rhizia, which has races of humanity are also present (for example, the dark a ruggedly beautiful landscape of high mountains, Touv of Hepmonaland). Most of these southern regions coniferous forests, and deep fjords. The climate is are hot and suffer frequent storms. Hepmonaland is actu- subarctic, with rocky soil and a brief growing season. ally a minor continent, the smallest of the four on Oerth. widespread in their culture, and trade and explo- ration are major pursuits. Settled Baklunish favor bright patterns and gaudy colors in clothes, typically with gowns and robes or else long coats with short breeches. Lower classes use the same colors with a long one-piece garment supple- mented with other garb. Nomadic Baklunish prefer clothes with several pastel colors, enjoying fancy gar- ments enhanced with puffs, slashes on sleeves to show contrasting colors underneath, and superfluous trim. Humans When traveling or making war, the nomads instead Six major races of humanity share the vast Flanaess wear rough items of leather, hide, or cloth, bearing with numerous nonhumans. Unmixed human races shields or banners indicating clan allegiance. exist in several enclaves, but for the most part the Many skilled wizards are Baklunish, including Suel, Flan, Oeridians, and Baklunish have mixed to experts in elemental magic, divination, and summon- form a variety of blended types. ing and binding spells (used on extraplanar beings). Race is given little importance by intelligent folk, Cooperative spellcasting is practiced by many of the particularly in the central lands, though some royal clergy, particularly among the desert mystics. courts promote particular racial types. Each race appears to have developed ages ago in isolation from Flan all others, with its own pantheon of deities, language, Pure Flan have bronze skin, varying from a light and culture. In practical matters of exploration, trade, copper hue to a dark, deep brown. Flan eyes are usu- adventure, and war, color and race have little meaning. ally dark brown, black, brown, or amber. Hair is wavy or curly and typically black or brown (or any shade Baklunish between). The Flan have broad, strong faces and The Baklunish have skin of golden tones, and sturdy builds. straight, fine-textured hair that is universally dark, The Flan were the first known humans to live in ranging from dusky brown to bluish black. Their eastern Oerik, and it is from them that the Flanaess eyes are usually green or gray-green; hazel and gray gets its name. Although evidence exists that they eyes are rare. They tend to be long of limb and facial once had settled nations, those vanished long ago. feature, with high cheekbones. The Flan had been a nomadic people for many cen- The Baklunish once held a great empire on the west- turies when they were displaced by Suloise and Oerid- ern side of the Crystalmists and Barrier Peaks. The ian invaders. Large pockets of Flan live in what are Invoked Devastation ruined their empire, for which now Geoff, Tenh, and the Barrens. The Tenha are the Baklunish retaliated with the Rain of Colorless pure Flan, and the coppery Rovers of the Barrens Fire, burning the Suel Imperium to ash. Most surviv- nearly so. The people of Geoff and Sterich also show ing Baklunish moved north or west, to the borders of strong Flan heritage, as do the Stoneholders, Palish, the old empire and beyond. The inhabitants of Ekbir, and certain Perrender clans. Zeif, Ull, and the Tiger Nomads typify the straight The Flan have always been strongly tied to the nat- Baklunish strain, while the Tusmites and the Paynims ural world, as they were nomadic hunter-gatherers show mixed ancestry. The Wolf Nomads are often for so long. They see nature as an entity to be darker from intermarriage with the Rovers of the Bar- respected but not controlled, and this is reflected in rens. The Ketites are the least typical Baklunish, their myths, legends, and culture. Many Flan believe having pale yellow, golden-brown, or tan complexions the season of a child's birth affects later life, and cer- as a result of Suloise and Oeridian ancestry. tain customs and taboos must be observed annually. The Baklunish, unlike the Suloise, retained much Modern Flan still have a preference for the outdoors, of their culture after the fall of their empire. Honor, and those who live in cities usually raise gardens and family, generosity, and piety are fundamental flower beds. A tree is planted at the door of a Flan virtues. Use of their classical language, Ancient Bak- home, and the health of that tree is believed related lunish, in Samplereligious observances, higher learning, to the welfare of the family. Storytelling file is a favorite and the fine arts has preserved their ancestral tradi- pastime, and most families have ancient oral folklore tions. The Baklunish have many customs and taboos and legends to pass on. derived from their great knowledge of astrology, and The ancient, nomadic Flan wore simple clothing of their dependence on horses adds many beliefs and animal skins: belts, breechcloths, capes, robes, and traditions regarding their honored steeds, particu- footwear (boots and hard-soled slippers). Body paint- larly among the nomads. Singing and dancing are ing and tattoos were common methods of personal decoration, and these traditions are still practiced by Spellcasters have a hard-nosed, practical attitude, and the Rovers of the Barrens (who prefer yellows and they are generally hawkish and outgoing. Many reds). Modern Flan tend to dress in what is currently strive to be leaders or masters. Magic is often used for fashionable, but they favor bright primary colors in pragmatic purposes, too, such as construction, irriga- solid arrangements. tion, and iron-forging. Flan wizards normally work in harmony with nature, avoiding destructive magic. A few delve into Olman the necromantic arts of the ancient Ur-Flan, but such The Olman have skin of a rich red-brown or dark practices are shunned by respectable folk. Many brown color. Their hair is always straight and black, prefer protective and divinatory spells, a practice that and their eyes are dark, from medium brown to nearly stems from their traditional roles of guarding black. Olman have high cheekbones and high-bridged nomadic tribes and helping them survive. Flan cler- noses, a trait less strong in those of common birth. ics are often druids, who are more accepting of agri- Some nobles still flatten the foreheads of their young, culture than they once were. Like the sun god, Pelor, for a high, sloping shape is considered beautiful. many Flan deities have strong "natural" aspects. The Olman originated on Hepmonaland, raising a number of city-states from the jungles of that land. Oeridians Through centuries of warfare, they built an empire Oeridian skin tones range from tan to olive; brown that spanned northern Hepmonaland and reached and auburn hair are common, though some individu- across the Densac Gulf to include the Amedio Jungle. als have hair as light as honey or as dark as coal. Like- Internal strife and wars with another human race, wise, eye coloration is highly variable; brown and the dark Touv, caused them to abandon their old gray are seen most often. Oeridians tend to have cities. Many Olman migrated to the Amedio, where square or oval faces and strong jaw lines. they maintained their civilization for several more After inhabiting what is now Ull for generations, centuries. Ultimately, these cities also fell to the barbaric Oeridians were driven east by orcs and gob- curses of civil war and supernatural upheaval, until lins employed as mercenaries by the Baklunish and most Olman reverted to barbarism. Suel. The migrating Oeridians were able fighters and The Olman are now concentrated in the jungles of battled their way across the Flanaess, driving the Suel Hepmonaland, the Amedio, and their namesake Olman before them and allying with the Flan, elves, Isles. Many are enslaved in lands held by the Scarlet dwarves, and other peoples. Nearly pure Oeridians Brotherhood. Others have escaped to otherwise uncon- are seen in Perrenland, Furyondy, North Kingdom, trolled regions such as the western end of the Sea Sunndi, and Onnwal. Princes' lands, which they now control and defend. The most powerful empire in the modern Flanaess What sort of culture the Olman originally had is was created by a conquering tribe of Oeridians, the obscured by their early adoption of the ways of alien Aerdi, who subjugated and assimilated all who opposed gods. These beings made the primitive Olman their them. Ancient Oeridians were fierce warriors, yet they followers, encouraging them on the bloody path of also were self-sacrificing and loyal. These traits are not ritual warfare and human sacrifice. The Olman as evident today, bur many Oeridians do remain tem- Empire was a hybrid of monarchy and theocracy, with peramental and prone to violence. They have a prefer- hereditary emperors and warlords ruling alongside ence for strict social order, usually fitting themselves at clerics and astrologers. Modern Olman have a tribal the top, and their military traditions are strong. Aggres- culture, with a cleric or hereditary chief leading each sion is often channeled into political conflict and sub- tribe. Many still practice annual human sacrifice to the terfuge. The Oeridian skill at warfare is unsurpassed, dimly remembered Sky Gods, while lesser ceremonies and many folk have a hard-learned respect for it. In require simple bloodletting and the offering of ani- peacetime, they are practical, hard working, and not mals and plants. Their warlike nature is persistent but inclined to intellectual pursuits. unrefined, colored by their harsh jungle environment. Oeridian dress normally consists of a short tunic They still practice ritualized warfare, often collecting and close-fitting trousers with a cape or cloak, tai- heads or animating corpses, but they prefer to use lored for ease of movement. Aerdi and Nyrondal stealthy raids and ambushes against their enemies. Oeridians favor plaids and checks, with ovals or dia- While Olman clothing tends to be simple and Samplemonds in the south and west Colors and patterns monocolor, such as filea split skirt, loincloth, or shawl- once showed clan allegiance, but this practice is like upper garment, they have fantastic methods of fading in favor of personal color preference. decoration, using beads, stones, feathers, bones, Following their warlike tendencies, magic-using metal, and wood. These items decorate their clothes, Oeridians focus on battle-oriented spells, as well as weapons, and especially ceremonial items such as the enchantment of magic items useful in combat. elaborate headdresses. Baklunish, Flan, Oeridian, Olman, Rhennee and Suloise humans. The Olman favor magic that damages many oppo- cousins, whom they derogacively refer to as the nents in visibly graphic ways. They also choose div- Attloi. The mutual distrust and antagonism between ination spells that allow them to understand the the Rhenn-folk and other peoples of the Flanaess world around them and perhaps comprehend the have kept the Rhennee relatively unmixed with omens of their distant gods. Magic that protects or other races, though the Rhennee do bring children heals others is very rare. of other human races into their families. Little is known of the original culture of the Rhen- Rhennee nee, as they were absent from the Flanaess before 450 The complexion of Rhenn-folk ranges from olive to years ago and entered their current lifestyle to escape tan; their hair is usually curly and tends to be black or persecution. The Rhenn-folk are masters of inland dark brown. Most have eyes of gray, blue, or hazel, sailing and navigation, and they love their nomadic but green is known in some families. The Rhennee and adventurous life. Music and gambling are are generally short but strong and wiry, with men beloved amusements. Certain Rhennee say they are averaging 5 ft. 6 in. and women less. nobles and have great authority among their kind. The Rhennee are not native to Oerth; rather, they Men nearly always become warriors; some women are accidental travelers from another plane or become sorcerers, "wise women" whose skills and world, citizens of a lost homeland they call Rhop. knowledge make them the subtle masters of Rhen- Their legends say that they appeared first in the nee society. Rhennee men can be quite chauvinistic, Great Kingdom, in or near the Adri Forest. Pursued and their women manipulative. by monsters and hostile Aerdi, they fled west to the Rhennee have a wide reputation as thieves, and shores of the Lake of Unknown Depths, where they most do learn roguish skills as children, practicing took to life on the water. They now expertly ply the them primarily upon outsiders. Their secrecy and great riversSample that cross the Flanaess and migrate bad reputation cause most people tofile dislike the between the three great lakes (though Whyestil Rhennee, and the feeling is mutual. They survive by Lake is lately unsafe for travel). Rhennee are fairly ferrying goods and passengers, fishing, hunting, sell- common on the waterways of the central Flanaess ing their crafts, and illegal means (theft and smug- and near inland shores and banks. A few secret, gling), although they put forth the least amount of inland encampments are said to exist, and here may work needed to accomplish their goals. They follow a also be encountered their rare, land-dwelling code of conduct that has different restrictions for dealing with others of their kind versus non-Rhen- Traditional Suel dress includes wide-legged pan- nee outsiders, who may be lied to and cheated. taloons and loose blouses (vests in the south), both in These people dress in muted colors, and each adult solid colors. Most individuals use one color only, male has a set of homemade leather armor of good with nobles using two or more as appropriate to their quality. The cut and style of their clothing is simple House. The style of clothing is adapted to the cli- and functional, eschewing the fashion-minded con- mate; Suel in the far north wear furs or thick wool, cerns of other races. Their leatherwork is exceptional. with capes, mittens, and furred boots. The Suel like Of the Rhennee, only the female students of "wise large pins, brooches, emblems, and other adorn- women" become spellcasters. (Clerics are unknown ments, a few of which are ancient heirlooms. among them.) Wise women prefer charms and Heirs of a highly magical society, the Suel still illusions, practicing divination as well. They like have an aptitude for most types of spellcasting. Suel spells that deceive or confuse people, especially wizards often become masters of spells that involve enchantments like love potions or (very) minor pro- transmutation. They also perfected a number of bind- tective charms that can be sold to the foolish, ing spells and created many items used for control- unwary, or greedy. ling and dominating other beings. For instance, it is thought that a long-dead Suel emperor made the Suloise ancient and terrible orbs of dragonkind. The Suel have the lightest coloration of any known human race of the Flanaess. Their skin is fair, with an Elves atypical proportion of albinos. Eye color is pale blue The elves (olve in Flan) are slight of stature (averaging or violet, sometimes deep blue or gray. Suel hair is 5 feet) and fair of complexion. Hair and eye col- wiry, often curly or kinky, with fair colors such as oration vary by kindred. High elves are usually dark- yellow, light red, blond, and platinum blond. The haired and green-eyed. The noble gray elves have Suel tend to be lean, with narrow facial features. either silvery hair and amber eyes, or pale golden hair The Suel Imperium was located in what is now the and violet eyes (the second type commonly called Sea of Dust. Wicked and decadent, this empire was faerie or fey elves), The hair color of wood elves destroyed during a war with the Baklunish when the ranges from yellow to coppery red, and eye color is a latter brought down the Rain of Colorless Fire, shade of hazel or green. Wild elves are the smallest of Suloise survivors fled in all directions, many cross- the elven folk, but otherwise resemble the wood ing the Hellfurnaces into the Flanaess, where they elves. Finally, the valley elves appear to be taller ver- met other Suel who had fled the long war much ear- sions (of nearly human height) of the gray elves. lier. Some evil Suel were forced into the extreme Elves were present in the lands east of the Crystal- corners of the Flanaess by invading Oeridians. The mist Mountains for uncounted centuries prior to the barbarians of the Thillonrian peninsula are pure rise of the first human kingdoms there. Slowly Suel, as are the elite of the Scarlet Brotherhood. The driven from open country to more secluded and people of the Duchy of Urnst and places in the Lord- better defended strongholds by the growing strength ship of the Isles are nearly so. of both human and nonhuman folk, elves still held a The Suel Imperium was governed by contesting number of forest and upland realms at the time of the noble houses, and the fleeing bands that entered Twin Cataclysms. The invading humans, orcs, and the Flanaess were often led by nobles with their others pressed them further, until some prominent families and many retainers. The modern Suel elven realms made military and political alliances retain this affinity for family, although they often with dwarves, gnomes, and halflings, and even with use a very narrow definition of the word to include certain major human tribes (usually Oeridian). only siblings, parents, and children. A few Suel can Today, elves are dominant in Celene, Sunndi, High- trace their lineage all the way back to the days of folk, the Vesve Forest, and the Lendore Isles. their empire. Elves are concerned with life itself and spend long The ancient Suel Imperium was exceedingly cruel, periods contemplating natural beauty. Long-lived and This trait surfaces in the modern day, for more than curious, they enjoy exploration and remember much. one Suel organization openly plots against other Their frolics are usually joyous events, though some Samplepeople of the Flanaess. Fortunately, most Suel have gatherings have a melancholyfile tone. The fine arts are avoided this dark legacy, having inherited the rela- much appreciated. Elves measure kinship in terms of tively minor flaws of being opinionated, selfish, and broad, ethnic divisions, though family bloodlines, par- blunt. Many also tend to be prideful and unwilling to ticularly among the nobles, often cross these ethnic admit flaws or personal hardships. They have a pas- boundaries. Valley elves are unique in that they have sion for study, especially in regard to magic, and no social relationship with other elves in the Flanaess, many Suel wizards become incredibly powerful. being hated by them for unknown reasons. Elves normally attire themselves in pale forest affliction called gold-fever, when their desire for the hues, though they favor more intense colors in urban substance becomes so overwhelming that it con- settings. Generally, males wear a blouselike shirt over sumes their souls. The tradition of dwarven honor close-fitting hose and soft boots or shoes, while females demands that leaders dispense treasure to their loyal favor a frock with sash, or a blouse with an ankle- followers, and the inability to do this is a sure sign of length skirt. Hunting garments are typically in neu- gold-fever. Dwarves also place great value on their tral colors like shades of brown, tailored for silent long beards, often braiding them and twining them and easy movement. Gray elves wear complex gowns with jewels and gold wire. It is a terrible dishonor to and flowing robes of pure white, sun yellow, and be shorn. silver and gold set off by polished leather of contrast- The traditional garb of dwarves is woolen trousers ing colors, accented by jewels. Wild elves usually and a belted linen tunic, with a hooded cloak or cape wear kilts, boots, and rough shirts. All elves favor worn over all. Their boots are of heavy leather, with cloaks, especially when traveling, typically gray or or without buckles. Colors are a mixture of earth gray-green. tones and loud, check-patterned hues. They also Elves are fascinated by all types of magic, especially favor leather accoutrements, fitted with as many illusions and charms. They also produce superior and jewels and precious metals as they can hold. Females elegant magic garments, weapons, and armor. and males usually dress identically, except on certain Half-elves are the offspring of humans and elves. ceremonial occasions when females wear a tabardlike They are highly versatile but not always welcome in overgarment, while males don their best embroi- elven or human society. They are disproportionately dered work aprons. represented among adventurers as a result. Dwarven elders hold the secrets of their race's magic, best exemplified by their magnificent armor, Dwarves weapons and tools. They also oversee the construc- The dwarves, called the dwur by the Flan, have two tion of monuments and tombs, many of which have main subdivisions. The more common hill dwarves magical traps and curses of great cunning. have complexions of deep tan to light brown, with hair of brown, black or gray. Eyes are of any color save Gnomes blue. They are solidly built, though seldom exceed 4 Gnomes (noniz in Flan) are solidly built and muscular feet in height. Mountain dwarves are somewhat taller, despite their height. (Most gnomes stand just over 3 with lighter coloration. All dwarves are bearded. feet tall.) Two major groups of them exist: rock The dwarves do not speak of their origins to out- gnomes (the most commonly seen) and deep gnomes siders, so little of their ancient history is known. (who live far underground). Rock gnomes are brown- However, it is understood that they once had great skinned and blue-eyed, and almost all adults have underground halls in the northern Crystalmists light hair with a tendency toward male baldness. that were destroyed by the Invoked Devastation. Males are most often bearded, though not so much as Their last High King perished in the aftermath, and their dwarven cousins. Their facial features are a bit the clans have ever since been sundered. Led by exaggerated compared to human norms, with promi- lords and princes of differing noble houses, the nent noses and eyebrows and leathery skin. Deep dwarf clans allied with elves and gnomes during the gnomes are hairless and wiry in physique, with gray Suel and Oeridian migrations, and even joined or gray-brown skin. humans of reliable disposition to defend their terri- Rock gnomes of the Flanaess have their origins as tories. In the present day, dwarves are found in trappers and herders in the remote wooded highlands rugged mountains and hills, particularly in the Lort- of the north. Their southward expansion began only a mils, Glorioles, Crystalmists, Iron Hills, Principality few centuries before the Invoked Devastation, bring- of Ulek, and Ratik. ing them into lands populated by other races. Their The dwur are perceived as materialistic, hard work- lairds and chieftains recognized the authority of elven ing, and humorless. They tend to be dour and taci- or dwarven sovereigns, but discouraged any mingling turn, keeping themselves separate from other folk, of peoples until the Suel and Oeridian migrations but they are also strong and brave. In wartime they encouraged cooperation between races. Most gnomes are united Sampleand willing to see victory at any cost, but inhabit great burrow communities in the Lortmilsfile and prone to avenge old slights and reject mercy. They Kron Hills, and east in the Flinty Hills. jealously defend the honor of their clans and fami- The history of the deep gnomes is unknown to lies, and greatly revere their ancestors, building elab- others, as they are so isolated and little seen. Their orate monuments to them. Yet, their chief love is homeland is said to be a vast kingdom within a miles- precious metal, particularly gold, which they work deep cavern, where they are ruled by a wise and with great mastery. Some dwarves suffer from an brooding monarch. Gnomes are possessed of sly humor and earthy who can create clothing that will improve the appear- wisdom. Measuring the practical value of things as ance of the wearer or even alter it completely. seen by the gnomes against the pretensions of other cultures, their wit is often revealed in inventive and Halflings embarrassing ways. Their creativity is not limited to Halflings, called hobniz by the Flan, have three dis- practical jokes. They are fine craftsmen who appreci- tinct types. The primary group is the lightfoot, the ate precious stones and make beautiful jewelry, along typical halfling found in the Flanaess. Lightfoots with woodwork, stonework, and leatherwork of average just over 3 feet tall and are ruddy faced, with excellent quality; they invent and experiment often. hair and eyes in various shades of brown. The next Seldom avaricious, gnomes take equal pleasure in most common sort are the stouts, somewhat shorter music and story, food and drink, nature and hand- than lightfoots and having broad features and coarse made things. Most gnomes are not prone to cruelty, hair. Last are the tallfellows, who are taller, slimmer, though their lively jokes may sometimes make and have fairer complexions than lightfoots. Most things appear otherwise. halflings have wavy or curly hair. Some, particularly Rock gnomes in the Flanaess tend to dress in dark stouts, also grow hair on their cheeks. colors, favoring earth tones but enjoying stripes and Halflings originally occupied small settlements in brightly dyed hats, belts, and boots. Males usually the river valleys of the west-central Flanaess. They wear high-collared shirts or blouses with trousers spread slowly into other territories, so that by the time and boots, and a double-breasted coat worn over all. of the Suel and Oeridian migrations, few were north of Females wear high-necked blouses with aprons or the Gamboge Forest or east of the Harp River. They are ruffled skirts, often with a matching jacket. Their common in much of the Sheldomar Valley, interacting hunting garments are colored with mottled greens freely with humans, dwarves, elves and gnomes. His- and browns intermixed. Deep gnomes are almost torically, they prefer to dwell in stable nations ruled by never seen unarmored, but are known to wear stronger folk. Today, halflings are found in much of the simple, dark tunics and aprons in their dwellings. Flanaess, but they still favor the central and western Famed primarily for their use of illusions, some regions from the Urnst states to the three Uleks. gnome magicians are also master toymakers and arti- Halflings are clever and capable, whether they are ficers. Others are superb weavers, dyers, or tailors, hard-working farmers or tricky rogues. Most halflings

Sample file

Rock Gnome, High Elf, HillDwarf,Orc, and Lightfoof Halfling are curious and daring, getting themselves into Half-orcs (the children of orcs and humans) are trouble as often as they get themselves out of it. usually born under unhappy circumstances in They have great appetites for food, drink, and col- border areas between orc and human cultures. Dark lecting things. They love fun, get along well with of mood and nature, many half-orcs achieve renown almost anyone who will at least tolerate them, and despite their rejection by their parents' folk and enjoy travel and opportunities for excitement. many others. In this regard, they are similar to the Halflings prefer to wear knee-britches and tunics much rarer half-ogres. or shirts, often with vests. Males wear coats and high collared shirts on formal occasions, while females Goblins dress in a bodice-covered shift and long skirts. Shirts Goblins, or jebli, are insidious nighttime raiders aver- and britches are often striped in alternating bright aging 4 feet in height. More powerful creatures usu- and dark colors. They dress themselves in gnome ally dominate them, though all goblins swear fealty style when hunting or at war, wearing clothing of to the name of the local goblin king. The names of mottled greens and browns. their best-known tribes include Night Terror, Death The best-known halfling magic is culinary. Many Feast, Black Agony, Poison Wound, Bitter Ruin, and halfling foods are made to retain their freshness for Dire Oath. Goblins are scattered across the Flanaess lengthy periods, and they use herbs with healing and in hundreds of places. other medicinal properties. However, most halfling spells are defensive and protective in nature. Kobolds The kobolds, also named celbit, are small, vicious, reptil- Gnolls ian scavengers, picked on by every larger race. Their Gnolls, which the Flan call kell, are big, nocturnal, most numerous tribes include the Torturers, the hyena-headed scavengers who band together very Impalers, the Gougers, the Cripplers, and the Mutila- loosely. Their packs are riddled with infighting and tors. Like goblins, they are found in many places, treachery. Filthy and vile, gnolls are also strong and roam widely through every clime, threatening outly- Other Folk ing areas. They take slaves but always look for more, as Certain huge, wicked races gather only in loose gnolls tend to eat them. Some of their largest and most bands that are highly unstable, though often large in feared warbands include the Scarsavage, Gashclaw, size. Members of these races are strong and fierce, Lowgorge, Foulpelt, Retchtongue, and Battlehowl. and some prefer to ally with or dominate other Many gnolls dwell in the Pomarj and in Bone March. wicked folk rather than associate with their own savage kindred. Hobgoblins The most vicious of these beings are the trolls, Hobgoblins, also called hoch jebline ("high goblins"), called truknt. Trolls are without fear and often band are larger and more disciplined than orcs. Their together with the eiger, as ogres are known; trolls can tribes always fight to determine dominance, but once also be found as guardians in gnoll dens. Stupid, this order has been established the tribes frequently huge, murderous ogres readily join orcs or gnolls to work together. Some of the most successful tribes are raid and plunder. Buchveer, the hairy goblinoid bug- the Rippers, the Leg Breakers, the Skull Smashers, bears, assume mastery of smaller goblin communities the Flesh Renders, the Marrow Suckers, the Flayers, whenever it suits them. and the Slow Killers. A great many hobgoblins live in Beyond these groups are centaurs, sprites, giants, the western part of the Empire of Iuz, and some in dragons, lizardfolk, bullywugs, and uncounted other Bone March. nonhumans on the fringes of civilization. Most do humanity no good, though some ignore the civilized Orcs world in the main and a few, such as centaurs, are Evil orcs, or euroz, are all too common across the sometimes allies. Flanaess. Undisciplined, bestial, and savage, orcs have severe tribal rivalries and do not cooperate unless controlled by a very strong leader. Major tribes includeSample the Vile Rune, the Bloody Head, the Five primary languages are spoken across thefile Flanaess, Death Moon, the Broken Bone, the Evil Eye, the Lep- with Common the most prevalent. Most folk are rous Hand, the Rotting Eye, and the Dripping Blade. multilingual, though barbarians and the uneducated Orcs are frequently encountered as mercenaries in often speak but one tongue. Adventurers always the Empire of Iuz, Pomarj, Bone March, and across know Common and learn additional languages in the North Kingdom. Orc-ogre crossbreeds are particu- usual manner. larly dangerous and are known in several areas. Baklunish, Ancient: An ancestor of Common, Baklunish bears its offspring little resemblance. Cold Tongue: This dialect, also known as Fruz, is Many colloquial Baklunish dialects (some used by Ancient Suloise with Flan admixture, spoken by Ice, the Paynims) are based upon the classical language Snow and Frost Barbarians. It has no relation to and collectively called Low Baklunish. Ancient Bak- Common, and even speakers of Suloise find it diffi- lunish, however, is the standard literary form of the cult to understand. language and is used in religion, mythology, and Druidic: The druids' tongue of the Flanaess shares poetry. It is also the language of all official docu- roots with Flan, but it is specialized and static, focus- ments and courtly proceedings west of the Yatils. ing only on the natural world and agriculture. Despite this, Common is widely known and used in Ferral: Ferral is an old Oeridian tribal language the west, especially by traders and the educated. spoken only by officials of the Iron League. Ferral is Common: A combination of Ancient Baklunish used for military command and identification pur- and the dialect of Old Oeridian spoken in the Great poses and is not a living language. Many fear that Kingdom was the basis of this traders' tongue. Begin- infiltration by agents of the Scarlet Brotherhood has ning centuries ago as Middle-Common, the language compromised this code-tongue, but a magic-laced contained many obviously Oeridian elements, and version is being developed in Irongate. the contributions of Baklunish grammatical struc- Keolandish: This widespread dialect of Old High ture and vocabulary are clearly identifiable. Regional Oeridian has local admixtures. It is spoken in and variations were also pronounced, but all these ele- around Keoland. ments became blended and standardized during the Lendorian: This obscure dialect of Suloise (influ- years of Aerdi dominance, resulting in the birth of enced by Common and full of nautical terms) was the Overking's Common Tongue, later simply called spoken in the Lendore Isles by humans before they Common. Any traveler must learn Common or be were deported by elves in 583 CY. Only human re- greatly handicapped. Very often, a language must be fugees know it now. It has no relation to the Cold translated into Common before it can be translated Tongue and is not written. into another language. Lendorian Elven: A peculiar new tongue that only Flan: Doubtless the oldest language still spoken to high and aquatic elves of the Lendore Isles know, this any considerable extent, Flan is used by the Tenha in a might be a divinely inspired language. It is thick with corrupt form, and Rovers of the Barrens have a strange religious and philosophical terms, and it cannot be version of it. A stagnant language, it is hard to translate learned in the normal manner. It seems to appear in modern concepts (such as magic terms) into Flan. the minds of elves who go to the Lendore Isles. Oeridian, Old: A young language, Oeridian took Nyrondese: This High Oeridian dialect of Common in few outside influences until a few centuries ago. is spoken in rural areas of Nyrond. It is the primary lan- As a result, translation into any language except guage of peasants, shopkeepers, and other common Common is difficult at best. Many books and docu- folk who distrust outsiders. Learned folk speak ments of the Great Kingdom were written in Old Common as well. Oeridian, and in the far east the language is still Olman: Olman slaves taken by the Sea Princes or widely known and used in speech and writing. Scarlet Brotherhood speak this strange tongue, as their Suloise, Ancient: This ancient and widespread lan- masters hated it. Its huge, complex "alphabet" is really a guage became all but extinct after the Rain of Color- vast set of pictographs. It is heard most often in the less Fire destroyed the Suel Imperium. Today it is western Sea Princes' lands and in the Amedio Jungle. rarely spoken, even by the few scholars who know the Ordai: This dialect shared by the Wolf and Tiger tongue. The infamous Scarlet Brotherhood are one of Nomads bears some resemblance to Ancient Baklun- few that continue its use. It exists in its written state ish, but it is most similar to dialects spoken among for those who would delve into the surviving arcane the distant Paynims. Its written form is based on tomes of the Suel people. Transliteration into modern Baklunish script. tongues or alphabets is difficult, and dangerous when Rhopan: The language of the Rhennee, Rhopan is used in spellcasting, for the significance of certain also called "Rhennee cant" because it borrows many inflections has been lost over the centuries. terms from other languages, including the argot of several thieves' organizations. It is not related to any SampleOerthly tongue. file Dialects and sublanguages worthy of note follow. Those who speak related languages have some chance Ulagha: The language of the Uli is a debased form to understand dialects, but little chance to compre- of colloquial Baklunish. hend distorted, mixed tongues. Velondi: This Old Oeridian tribal tongue is Amedi: Only Suel natives of the Amedio Jungle known to rural folk near the Furyondy-Veluna speak this corrupt form of Ancient Suloise. Its few border. Those who speak only Common cannot written symbols are Suloise alphabet characters. understand it. It has no written form. but the end result of their final war haunts even the modern day. After decades of conflict, the Suloise Mages of Power called down the Invoked Devastation upon the Baklunish, resulting in an apocalypse so complete that its true form remains unknown. Entire cities and countless people were purged from Oerth, The commonly understood history of the Flanaess leaving few signs of the great civilization that thrived begins just over one thousand years ago, when the from the Sulhaut Mountains to the Dramidj Ocean. great conflict between the ancient Suloise and Baklu- In retaliation, a cadre of Baklunish wizard-clerics, nish empires forced massive migrations eastward gathered in the great protective stone circles known across, around, and even under the western moun- as Tovag Baragu, brought the Rain of Colorless Fire tain ranges. This resulted in the mixture of races and upon their hated enemies. The skies above the Suel cultures that defines the modern Flanaess. Imperium opened, and all beings and things beneath Tales of the era before the migrations are fragmentary this shining rift in the heavens were burned into ash. and poorly understood. Did monstrous creatures rule So terribly did these attacks plague the world that Oerik before the advent of humanity? Did the great they have come to be called the Twin Cataclysms, a races of humans, elves, dwarves, and the like arise by fiat term understood by nearly every resident of the of the gods or journey here from elsewhere? Did the Flanaess. The Dry Steppes and Sea of Dust are geo- elves raise humanity to civilization, or did humans graphical reminders of this unbridled magical power, achieve this on their own? Did the Flan once have their now lost to all people—perhaps for the better. own empires and civilizations? Who built the oldest Thousands survived the early years of the Suel- tombs in the Cairn Hills, the half-buried ruins in the Baklunish conflict by fleeing east over the Crys- Bright Desert, or the deserted stone cities in the Griff talmists. The Oeridians, a confederation of barbaric Mountains? Where were the fabled realms ruled by tribes in close proximity to the warring empires, took Johydee, the Wind Dukes of Aaqa, Vecna the Whis- the wars (and attendant raids from orc and goblin pered One, the High Kings of the dwarves, or the elven mercenaries in the employ of both sides) as a sign to King of Summer Stars? What became of the mysterious migrate eastward in search of their ultimate destiny. Isles of Woe, and who dwelled there? No one knows They were the first large group to enter the lands of with any certainty. the Flan, which they termed the Flanaess. Even histories of the early years of the migrations Suloise refugees soon followed, sometimes work- are unclear on many points. The Oeridian tribal realm ing with the Oeridians to pacify the land, but more of Thailand was so thoroughly absorbed by the king- often warring with them over which race would dom- dom of Aerdy that it survives only in name as the inate it. For over two centuries, Suel and Oeridian Thelly River. The ancient kingdom of Ahlissa, ruled fought for control of the region from the Crystalmists by the Flan and easily conquered by Aerdy, is known to the Solnor Coast. Many Suloise were debased and today only for its founding wizard-queen, Ehlissa the wicked, and they lost most of these battles and were Enchantress, and a magical nightingale she made. pushed to the periphery of the Flanaess. (The Flan here have almost vanished through inter- Though some Baklunish folk migrated eastward, marriage.) So it goes for much of recorded time. many more fled north toward the Yatil Mountains, or What is presented here is a history of the land to the shores of the Dramidj Ocean, where their accepted by most learned authorities and understood ancient cultures flourish to this day. The very nonhu- by almost anyone with a rudimentary education. The man mercenaries the Oeridians had sought to avoid current time is the Common Year (CY) 591, which is found themselves swept up by these migrations. also 1235 OR (Oeridian Record), 6106 SD (Suloise Many of the foul creatures that now plague the Flanaess Dating), 5053 OC (Olven Calendar), 3250 BH (Baklu- arrived following the Oeridians and Suel. These rene- nish Hegira) and 2741 FT (Flan Tracking). gade mercenaries trailed after human migrants in Note: When calculating Common Years prior to search of plunder, food, and slaves. the Declaration of Universal Peace in 1 CY, remem- ber that CommonSample Year reckoning has no "year zero." file Thus, the time elapsed between 5 CY and -5 CY is only nine years, not ten. The most successful union of Suel and Oeridian came in the Sheldomar Valley, where Keoland was founded eighty years after the Twin Cataclysms. The Suel Houses of Rhola and Neheli joined with Oeridian The root cause of the animosity between the Suel tribes on the banks of the Sheldomar and pledged Imperium and the Baklunish Empire is lost in time, themselves to mutual protection and dominion of the