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 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.
“We are the true children of Flan, and we bow to no citified Lords! Our land is harsh, and our way of life breeds strong warriors. None shall ever push us off these lands, though many have tried.” - Rovers of the Barrens
Short history
The Flan were the first known humans to live in eastern Oerik, and it is from them that the Flanaess gets its name. Before their migration to the East, they were a tribal people, and while they became sedentary, they retained many tribal characteristics even at the height of their culture in the Flanaess. After the development of their first cities, many became estranged from the demi-humans who had first befriended them on their arrival. Under the rule of Vecna, the Flan became a unified people but at what cost. In the aftermath of his rule all but the Tenha reverted to be a nomadic and wandering people.The ancient Flan were able to carve out some of the most successful and impressive nations known to mankind.
Ahlissa, Caerdiralor, The Isles of Woe, The Occluded Empire, Tostenhca, Sulm, and Itar. The Western Flan, as far as we know, were slowly absorbed into the invading cultures.
Location
During the migrations of the Oeridians and later the Suel, the fate of the Flan was either: being absorbed into the other culture and be of a mixed bloodline or, more commonly, dispossessed altogether. In the latter case, they became the lowest social class, beneath that of even the peasant. There are few nations that boast a large Flan population these days, but large communities still live in what is now Geoff, Tenh, and the Barrens.
The Tenha people are a rarity as they remain of pure Flan, and the coppery Rovers of the Barrens nearly so. Their “survivalist instinct” is forever present within the minds and hearts of all the Flannae peoples as they always find ways to co-exist in their lands, regardless of their circumstances. The Wolf nomads, The Sheldomar Valley, Perrenland, and the Theocracy of the Pale are proof, that the survivalist instinct can prevail.
Description
Pure Flan mostly have a dark-coloured complexion, varying from a copper hue to a dark, deep brown. Their eyes and hair are usually dark brown or black and although their hair can be straight, traditionally it is wavy and curly. How their hair is worn reveals from which local tribe they are, and this ancient tradition still continues today. Albeit often in a discrete way.
Their strong angular features and heavy brows make most Flan easily discernible from other human racial types. They tend to be of average to stocky build and are not known to be tall, with women standing 1m42-1m57 ( 4’8” to 5’2”) tall and weighing between 55-65 kg (110-130 lbs) while male average between 1m60-1m67 (5’ 3” to 5’ 6”) tall and weigh between 75-90 kg (150-180 lbs).
Dress
The ancient, nomadic Flan wore cured hides of animals, usually deer, sewn into shirts and leggings for men, simple dresses for women. These animal skins were also fashioned into boots and hard-soled slippers.
Body painting and tattoos were a common method of personal decoration, and these traditions are still practiced today by Flan tribes such as the Rovers of the Barrens, who prefer them in yellows and reds. The body art and the wearing of beadwork, feathering (rovers) or small animal parts was a common practise with its own meanings. In contrast, the western Flan are thought to have worn a single bronze band around their neck.
One truth, often overlooked by many, is the impact of their fashion on the invading Oeridians and Suel, and how the Flan have, in turn, been influenced by them.
If we look quickly at the Modern Flan, we notice that they tend to dress in what is currently fashionable but favouring bright primary colours in solid arrangements. This was done to better “fit in” and to be accorded “respect” by the neighbouring non-Flan nations. Those with stronger ties to their ancestral culture still wear one or two piercings or tattoos though. But when we look closer, we see that they had an enormous impact on the ‘fashion’ of the lower classes where Flan fashion came to be regarded as typical peasant attire.
In the foothills of the Raker and Griff mountains the ‘Highland Flan Culture’ developed, and continues to prosper even now. Here they live in a dozen or more clans, each identified by a unique tartan or patterned cloth. Women from these highlands wear a dress, consisting of a decorated top and unadorned skirt. Multiple petticoats are worn under the dress during winter. Men wear a draped garment that will singly cover a man’s legs, waist and upper torso. It is always made of the clan tartan of the wearer. It may be worn by itself or with breeches and a rough shirt. In the Highlands both men and women wear kilts made from the clan tartan, and knee length hide boots, which was traditionally laced.
In the far north, where the kingdoms of Blackmoor and the Barren lands reign, a Flan sub-culture influences fashion as well. Layered cloth, hide, felt or fur was used in their clothing. Here women wear a shirt of striped or checked wool and a wraparound skirt, held in place with a belt. Men wear breeches, boots and a cloth shirt, each made from heavy and thick materials. Their heavy mantles are made of bear’s fur.
Personality, work, food
Flan are generally reclusive, reserved and often secretive but they are also known for being independent, practical and hard-working. All appear to be unemotional or slow to speak, however those that succeed in gaining their trust can find themselves a loyal, passionate, and jovial friend. Of all the human sub-races, the Flan have always been more inclined to work and live among the demi-human races.
They have studied the aspects of nature and their place in it. Most have at least a rudimentary understanding of farming, herding, animal husbandry, agriculture, geography, and weather patterns which strengthens their survival instincts. Being instilled from early childhood with a profound respect for nature in all its forms, many grow-up to become farmers and herders while, druids, bards and rangers of renown often have a Flan Bloodline. The skill of manufacturing leather and wooden crafts is also highly respected among their people. Tanning was and still is a common practice, their expertly prepared hides are highly prized for use as clothing and armor.
A naturally peaceful people, skills such as dancing, singing and storytelling are often manifested in all walks of Flan life.
They tend to eat lean even when there is an over-abundance of food available. Many Flan prefer water or milk to alcoholic beverages, though some places, especially in Geoff and Sterich, mead and ale have become common place.
Language
It is doubtless the oldest human language still spoken to any considerable extent; it is not commonly encountered. The Flan have also been too spread out, to have a single, unified culture and language. Which means every tribe still speaking the Flan language, speaks a derivative of it. So where can you encounter their language? In Perrenland, people in regions close to the Yatils still speak Flan, the Tenha have a large population who still speak it in a debased version, the Sheldomar Valley has some Flan speaking people and the Rovers of the Barrens also speak a derivative. The semi-nomadic tribes in the Bright Desert, however, speak an almost original, Flan.
The language is stagnant now, and it is difficult to translate modern or changing concepts into Flan because of the inflexibility of its vocabulary and syntax. Scholars haven’t found any evidence that the Flan have ever had a script. Study of pure blooded tribes in the Bright Desert have revealed that it remains to this day to be an oral language only.
The Arcane and divine
Arcane
Flan are also very superstitious. For example, many Flan plant a tree in front of their homes or in a garden where they have easy access to. As long as the tree remains alive and well, the place is considered safe. If the tree should be damaged or die it is considered a sign of bad luck and one should pick up and leave the place behind them. This is only one of many examples and each tribe have their own specific superstitions.
Those who are gifted with arcane or occult powers work in harmony with nature, avoiding destructive magic at ALL times. They prefer protective and divinatory spells, a practice that stems from their traditional roles of guarding nomadic tribes and helping them survive.
They connect their gift to the Old Faith and as such magic is often seen as divine to the Flan.
A very few, however, discover that they have an aptitude for the necromantic arts and while some use it for very practical reasons, some delve into the darker path of the ancient Ur-Flan, but such practices are very much shunned.
Divine
The Flan stay true to their heritage focus their religion towards the gods of the Old Faith, while those who have accepted other cultures have altered their pantheon. The original gods are still the core of their faith: Mother Beory, The Lord of Spring Pelor, Father of Summer Obad-Hai, The Autumn Lord Incabulos, and The Lord of Winter Nerull. Originally, all were neutral aspects though Incabulos became associated with plagues and suffering, making many followers of the old faith wish for the Lord of Winter to end their suffering. As I explained earlier, they have many stories and superstitions about how the world turns and how the cycle of life is very closely connected to the Gods.
Besides these deities, the offspring of Pelor also play an important part in the Flan culture.
Allitur who represents the need to maintain traditions, laws, and ethical behaviours between tribes and generations of people.
Berei is the goddess of the home and family, she blesses weddings, gives fertility, protects the household and its members, guides the hands of those who till the soil, and teaches ways to care for the land.
Finally, we have RAO who teaches that the greatest gift is reason, which leads to discourse, which leads to peace, which leads to serenity. He was instrumental in avoiding Flan tribes to war amongst themselves.
Many Flan believe the season of a child’s birth affects later life, and while that can be debated those who hold on to their heritage observe certain customs and taboos depending on the season they are born. Some examples:
Children of spring:
o Celebrate those living things that survived the winter, and by extension all animal life.
o Must offer a brief prayer for every creature that dies in their presence.
o They are also required to offer a gift to their mounts, pets and familiars once a year.
o They are forbidden to eat meat during the spring.
Children of summer:
o They must toss the first morsel of food into the fire, when eating in the presence of a fire.
o They are also required to pray briefly each time they start a fire.
o Water children are required to dip their weapons in any free-flowing water they cross.
o They are forbidden to drink wine or beer unmixed with water at any time.
Children of autumn:
o They must carry herbs or wear herbal ointment to ward off disease.
o During the harvest season, they are required to offer some morsel of food to anyone they meet: A handful of nuts, a scrap of bread or a honeyed sweet are all traditional "seed-gifts.”
o They need to carry a totem of sorts when away from home to guard their soul against evil.
Children of winter:
o Must start each night's deep lying down with their head facing the direction of the wind at that time.
o For each bird they kill, thy must weave a feather into their hair, leaving the feathers there until they fall out naturally.
o During the longest night of the year, they decorate their faces with charcoal and black henna; they are not allowed to wash their faces for a day and a night after this.
o Must pray each time an indoor area is made dark.
I hope that has shed some light on the Flan Culture. If you want to see this article in action then head over to my YouTube channel to check out this video.
Comments