Hello my friends, welcome back to the Grey league. Just a quick note on the information presented here. Although I am a fan of keeping up with traditions, all material with the seal of ‘The Grey League’ is not strictly Canon. I used information from published books as well as the Oerth Journal and Canonfire, but added my own flavour now and then.
Introduction
The different human tribes of the Flanaess (Flan-NES) were scattered during the last 1000 years of human migration as well as through the many wars that raged the land. Intermarriages have become very common, and purebloods are rare these days, in the common year of 595. Most humans today are somewhat of a mixture of 2 or more human bloodlines and do not have prominent physical features of one culture. Interestingly, a human of the Flanaess rarely speaks about skin colour because of this.
Still, there are regions where one culture has remained somewhat pure and there are regions where one culture has remained more dominant than another. For you, members of the League, I’ll shed some light on the customs and traditions of the human tribes of Oerth.
“Be strong, when you are weak. Be brave, when you are scared. Be humble when you are victorious.” - Keogh Lord
Short history
Historians believe that the Oeridian people originated in a land located far to the west, beyond the borders of what used to be the Great Baklunish Empire and that tribes may, to this day, still live there. What we know for sure is that, before the Twin Cataclysms, numerous Oeridian horse tribes lived in a loose confederacy in the Basin, now known as Ull. The Baklunish neighbours looked at them as a barbaric people, to be used as slaves, and called them Yorodhi, but Yorodhi was but the name of one tribe. Although the Oeridians occasionally served either the Baklunish or the Suel as mercenaries, they were eventually driven from these pastoral lands, and into the central and eastern Flannaess, by Bakluni and Suel incursions, as well as the evil humanoids employed by them. Only the Yorodhi stayed behind in Ull. (For more information about the migration of the Oeridians take a look at my video.) Now, whatever the truth of their origins, history has proven that they are a resolute people, at their best when the odds are stacked against them. Hardy warriors, they battled their way east, allying themselves with the Flan and, when necessary, with the Elves, to defeat the Suel. The migrating Oeridians were such able fighters that they rose from enslavement to the most dominant position in the Flanaess in a relatively short time.
Location
Oeridian tribes, in the lands east of the Crystalmist, stayed nomadic and tribal for only a relative short time, as they quickly realised that to survive, they needed a new system. Men such as King Lum and King Tuerny started the transition to a monarchical system and the large Aerdy tribe made it cosmopolitan. The Aerdi spread across the Flanaess, allying with other cultures, assimilating Flan and Suel people, establishing strongholds and at the height of their power, the Great Oeridian Kingdom of Aerdy spanned most of the Flanaess, from the Yatil Mountains to the Solnor Ocean in the east and to the Azure Sea in the South.
Nowadays, the Oeridians are prominent everywhere across the Flanaess but nearly pure Oerid bloodlines can only be encountered in Perrenland, Furyondy, North province (of Aerdy), Sunndi, the Shield Lands and Onnwal and while many tribes still exist, the prominent tribes still encountered today are the Nehron of modern Nyrond, the Ferroi of modern Furyondy, the Vollar of modern Veluna and the Keogh of modern Keoland, who established the kingdom of Keoland.
"Cowards die many times before their actual deaths." – Old Oeridian proverb
Description
They have olive skin tones and their hair colour can range anywhere from brown or auburn hair to light as honey or even as dark as coal. Their eyes, likewise, span the colour spectrum, although brown eyes are the most common.
They tend to be well built, flexible and sturdy, with strong jaw lines; the prototypical human with men averaging between 1m73 to 1m78 (5’ 8” to 5’ 10”) tall and weigh between 80-95kg (160-190 lbs) and women average between 1m65 to 1m70 (5’ 5” to 5’ 7”) tall and weigh between 55-65kg (110-130 lbs).
Dress
The single most distinguishing characteristic of the Oeridians is their dress. Traditional Oeridian clothing usually consisted of short tunics, snug trousers, cloaks and caps tailored for ease of movement and colours and patterns showed clan allegiance, which was a very important aspect.
Nowadays, the most prominent Oeridian tribes have been greatly influenced by the Flan, and in some degree by demi-human cultures, and each has taken a slightly different style.
Aerdi have access to the latest fashion and incorporated from all kinds of cultures. Fine wool, dyed in rich colours, notably reds, greens, golds, and blues, is the most popular fabric for all classes by far, followed by linen and hemp. Fur was worn, mostly as a lining layer, by those who could afford it. Aerdi fashion was foremost the flashiest attire of the Flanaess and from the Southern Keogh, they borrowed the technique of Slashing, a decorative technique that involves making small cuts on the outer fabric of a garment, in order to reveal the sometimes brightly coloured inner garment. It is performed on all varieties of clothing both men's and women's.
Nehron Oeridians generally have the same fashion as the Aerdi but favour plaids and checks design, with ovals or diamonds being preferred. The practise that colours and patterns showed clan allegiance is fading now and people nowadays favour personal preferences. Clothing is rich, a fur-trimmed tunic pleated onto a lining, and baggy sleeves with an embroidered shirt showing the neck and wrists. Women wear gowns of thick material brocaded with silver or gold, with a low waist and high neckline.
Ferroi and Vollar typically wear a tunic made from fine material and belted at the waist, over this tunic, they wear a cloak with a neck-opening in the centre and the rest of the cloth falling in the front and over the back of the person. Nobility also wear leggings of strong colour, such as blue, red or purple for royalty. Vollarian women dress modestly, but the clothes were made from expensive materials such as silk. (think medieval Franks) Although the Ferroi and the Vollar are quite similar, the difference is in the details. Vollar will more likely adorn themselves with religious objects while Ferroi will wear regalia honouring their own nobility and monarchy more often than not.
Keogh have a very complicated culture as they assimilated a strong Flan heritage as well as a Suel identity. Fashion has thus been heavily influenced and can be roughly divided in the ‘hinterland’ and the coastal areas. The hinterland is heavily influenced by the Flan traditions with a more practical view on fashion. Jackets of wool, tight trousers, a fringed mantle or cloak and a shirt from mid-thigh and held together with fashionable belts. Women likewise wear practical clothing that changed depending on the season. The coastal areas, however, have taken the most fashionable details of the Flan such as decorations, tattoos and the skill to distinguish themself through clothing. Coastal Keogh have made fashion a kind social game, one might even say it is a secret language. It is very stylish and flashy for a start and they introduced the decorative technique of slashing but also the variety of headdresses worn by men and women is a typical Keogh attribute. Their cloaks are usually great coats which stretch down to the shins or ankles and have wide sleeves gathered at the shoulder. Both cloaks and great coats have flair and they will use the extra length of cloth to make illustrious gestures.
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night and when you move, be a thunderbolt.” - Furyondy knights
Language
Language is the glue that binds people together, and besides fashion, the Oeridians are quite proud of their individual dialects.
Firstly, we have Old Oeridian: A young language, and we might call it Aerdish, took in few to none outside influences until a few centuries ago. As a result, translation into any language except Common is difficult at best. It is still commonly used in the far east of what was once the Great Kingdom. But all over the lands of the Great Kingdom, books and documents are mostly written in Old Oeridian.
Following, we have Nyrondese, dialect of Common, and spoken in the rural areas of Nyrond. It is the primary language of peasants, shopkeepers, and other common folk. Folk who distrust outsiders and wish not to be understood by them. Learned folk, middle class and upper-class people generally speak Common in public and official gatherings but do understand Nyrondese.
Keolandish, is a widespread dialect of Old Oeridian with a variety have local admixtures. It is only spoken in and around Keoland and its people are quite proud of it. It can even be heard in certain circles of the upper class of the hinterland and even in the coastal areas.
Finally, we have Velondi, which is a tribal tongue still used by the rural folk in either Furyondy and Veluna. Because of its ancient beginnings, those who speak only Common cannot understand it. Being a tribal language, it does not have written form, only the oral tradition survived the times.
There is another tribal language that survives to this day, and that is Ferral. This secret tribal language is spoken only by officials of the Iron League and only for military command and identification purposes. It is more a set of code words and as such it is not a living language.
That brings us to the language that is used all over the Flanaess, Common. With the enormity of the Kingdom of Aerdy it is not surprising that trade was massively important. Peace with the Baklunish remaining realms brought exotic trading caravans all the way to the eastern coast of the Flanaess and there was a need for a mutual language. A language to make trade even more thriving, Common was thus born, out of a combination of Ancient Baklunish and the dialect of Old Oeridian. Regional variations of the Trade Tongue sprung up, but all these elements became blended and standardized during the years of Aerdi dominance, resulting in the birth of the Overking’s Common Tongue, which was later simply called Common. Any traveller must learn Common or be greatly disadvantaged.
The Arcane and divine
Arcane
The Oeridian empires may have been built on the shoulders of soldiers, arcane users were equally important to their creation across the Flanaess. They have a natural aptitude for magic and, following their warlike tendencies, tend to focus on battle-oriented spells, as well as the enchantment of magic items to be used in combat.
Spellcasters among the Oeridians are often known to be uncompromising, practical and generally of militant character. This does not come as a surprise, because the Oeridians fought from day one to carve out a living in Ull and throughout the centuries used anything to fight for their freedom.
Many scholars believe that it was their power on the battlefield that made spellcasters the natural leaders of their people and allowed them to carve out nations. But it takes more than waging war to carve out an empire and some scholars point out that they used their skill in bending magic towards construction, irrigation, iron-forging and much, much more. The arcane user’s creative thinking is what actually solidified their status among their culture and allowed them to become the rulers of the Flanaess.
Divine
It comes to no surprise that the Oeridians seem to have a particular fondness for martial gods. But their true devotion was born ages ago, from the practical needs of the day-to-day life of the farmer and herdsman. They, as a migratory group of nomads, worshiped mainly gods of the winds and sky, of trade and travel. They honoured all of their gods equally and practiced a very simple form of worship that had no need for a church or a priest.
Over time, and through the influence of the Bakluni and Suel, the forces they worshiped were given more human form and, as such, needed a ‘house’ to live in. Temples were raised and cults were born, statues depicting the gods were created and strict religious canon was written down. Although the Oeridians didn’t accept the gods of other cultures, they did copy cult models with the difference that worship seemed to be a priest bargaining with gods. Their rather emotionless and very practical approach, created the base for new social values and laid the foundation of a unified Oeridian people. It is from this time that the most important relic hails – The texts of Johydee.
Now, the Twin Cataclysms solidified the importance of their deities. People kept worshipping Venius and his offspring on a daily basis, but other gods achieved prominence during this time, Fharlanghn and Celestian in particular who guided them through the difficult life they led during the migration.
During the period where the Oeridians founded their realms, the importance of the priest grew substantially. No longer migrants looking to form permanent settlements, they needed priests that can assist conquerors. From then on, the war gods Heironious and Hextor, as well as the god of power and prestige, Zilchus, rose from minor cults to the front of the pantheon. These gods aided in providing law and order in areas ravaged by war and promote prosperity for the Oeridians. The stern god of light and unbending light, Pholthus became the priesthood to overshadow the others and was able to create the Imperial Church of Aerdy, which assisted the rise of the Aerdi to supremacy across the Flanaess.
In the Sheldomar Valley, however, the Oeridians merged more or less peaceably with the Suel who brought their own pantheon. Since the ancient texts of Johydee talked about the mysterious Twelve gods without further information, Suel deities as well as Oeridian’s were joined together. It also differs from the great kingdom in that, religion in Keoland, has always been a relatively chaotic affair. Because the founders of the nation decreed that sectarian rivalries between the feuding Suel houses and incoming Oeridian tribes meant there would be no national church.
Today, the purely Oeridian gods are still prominently worshipped, but the mixing of cultures also mixed pantheons, and Oeridians are as likely to worship previously foreign gods as much as their own ancestral gods.
Lifestyle
The most powerful empire in the modern Flanaess was created by the Aerdi, a conquering tribe of Oeridians, who subjugated and assimilated all who opposed them. An impossible feat if they did not possess a certain lifestyle. (For more information about the migration of the Oeridians take a look at my video.)
Let’s first take a brief look at the ancient Oeridians. They were known to be fierce warriors, self-sacrificing and very loyal … history has shown as much. These traits may not be as evident today, many Oeridians do remain temperamental and prone to violence, but there is one social mindset that, to this day, governs the lifestyle of this culture – The Warrior Code.
The Warrior Code
The “warrior code” is forever present within the minds and hearts of the Oeridian people, even in their day-to-day lives. It explains their preference for a strict social order, usually fitting themselves at the top, how they channel their aggressive attitude into political conflict and subterfuge; and how their unshaking determination, straightforwardness and pragmatic personality sees them through all obstacles.
The code teaches them from the earliest age to respect authority AND for men and women of martial prowess. To gain such respect, one must bear arms or pursue a leadership role in their daily lives. It is, thus, no wonder that their interests lay in exploration, hunting, fighting and empire building and less in intellectual pursuits. Their skill of manufacturing weapons and armor is also highly respected among the Oeridian people, even dwarves have been known to admire the Oeridians’ skill in this area. Oeridians take great care with their armaments, neglecting armour and weapons is a great offence against the Warrior Code.
Their skill at warfare is, to this day, unsurpassed, and many other cultures have a hard-learned respect for it, and it stands as a contest of their Code. But the warrior code is even present during peacetime, where practicality is key to a quick and solid solution.
The code does not prohibit the enjoyment of life in any way but when singing, they sing powerful songs, when celebrating, they hold grand celebration with challenging physical games and when worshipping your deity, they do it not out of weakness but out of determination.
The code has influenced nations that boast strong Oeridian bloodlines to differentiate themselves from other Oeridian kingdoms. To gain the respect of other nations, they focussed on a particular fighting style, and it is no wonder they are immensely proud about it and will defend its honour no matter what.
I will outline a few:
In Furyondy, mounted combat is a highly valued fighting formation. As such, the cavalry and mounted archer units are considered some of the best -- if not the best -- in all the Flannaess.
O Nyrond is renowned for its swordsmen, best in single combat rather than in a pitched battle. One Nyrondian swordsman is actually trained to fight multiple targets simultaneously, making them quite useful in skirmishes and in quelling any upheavals that might occur.
In Keoland, and all over the Sheldomar Valley, single-handed axes and spears are often used. Two-handed spears and axes, as well as the occasional claymore or maul, are used as well. Shields tend to be used in conjunction with a single-handed weapon, and light or even no armour is preferred above medium to heavy armour, as it gives greater flexibility on the field of battle.
The Oeridians of the former Great Kingdom have the best archers, both mounted and on foot, of all the Oeridian nations. However, modern day Ahlissa and the North Kingdom have reverted to infantry shield formations, as mounted troops are far more costly, and their archers have little effect on the undead armies which infect their lands.
Finally, the more peace-loving Oeridians of Veluna prefer bludgeoning weapons and also known to have the only man-catcher unit in existence.
Final words
I hope that has shed some light on the Oerid culture. Have a look at the video below if you want to hear al this again with some cool animations.
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Feel free to comment on my blog and hope to see you next time.