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Our Campaign: The History of Oerth

Especially pertaining to that continent known as Oerik, which includes the Flanaess

 
Epoch of Myth

 

Epoch of Legend

 

Epoch of Magic

 

Suloise - Olven - Bakluni Flannae - Oerid Oerid - Common
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THE EPOCH OF MYTH

The oldest myth and legend tell of many different things; The Humans tell of the time of change, when the very magic of Oerth forged the different races from a human stock, the Elves speak of "The Awakening," when they found themselves on Oerth after the battle of Correlon and Gruumsh; the Dwarves speak of Forge Time when Moradin forged the lives of the Dwarven fathers and set them under mountain. Other major forces stirred both evil and good, and warfare was frequent. Each of the major races of Oerth split and formed sub-groups which often warred with each other and took different deities to worship.

The Elves were sundered, some taking to the deep forests, some to mountain fastness, some to the seas, and some to the deeps of the Earth, and so too split Dwarves, and Gnomes.

Humanity, the most prolific of the races counted among the higher species (unlike those called lower, created by evil deities in mockery of the earlier formed), spread first on the continent later called Oerik. Here, too, were the Demi-human races, and the humanoid hordes most prevalent.

The Demi-humans held sway in the east of that land, and the Humans held sway in the west. Few know of the events of those times when the Drow were driven into the depths, the Druargar were exiled from their Dwarven kindred, the first gnomes moved from woodland and hill to ever deeper caverns, and the halflings took to lives of seclusion and isolationism.

It was during the end of this epoch that the first mighty empire of humanity slowly grew from scattered groups in the south and west of the Oerik.

Great heroes lived and died in this age, and the art of magic developed as did the use of weapons. But of this time little is told, and little is known.

THE EPOCH OF LEGEND

It was during this time that humans began keeping a record of time and began writing. So this is also called the Epoch of Ages, for in the South and West, the people made alliance with Grey Elves from the East and learned that they could keep records by writing. Here developed a system of mathematics which allowed for development in the sciences and art. However, the humans, not being exposed to many other races, saw these elves as higher beings, and they emulated their distance and haughtiness, not realizing the difference in nature between humans and elves. And so, the first human empire grew quickly, and at first it was fair and just for the elves were there to help nourish and guide, but soon, as the interest of the Eastern elves turned elsewhere, the empire became haughty, proud and powerful, forcing those around it to there knees and ruling with a ruthless cruelty. It was here that the first human culture formed. But even so, much knowledge of this time is fragmentary and much is unknown and lost due to the Invoked Devastation, and the Rain of Colorless fire which closed this period of history.

THE SULOISE DOMINION (SD)

Nature: The Suloise Empire is vastly different things at different times. Compared to it, the Roman Empire was a short lived thing and the Chinese dynasties were only half as old. In it's early stages, it was comprised of wandering related tribes who developed city states. These city states were similar technologically to the Mesopotamian states on Earth. Then, with the arrival of elves they became more like the Greek polis. And then developed into an empire which structurally was like the Senate driven Rome, and finally into aristocratic families and princes among which the Imperial rule passed. The Romanesque flavor of the Empire, was modified by the influence of the haughty grey elves. The elves introduced the magic which drove the quest for power and magic which dominated the whole of the Suel history. This additional element gives the Suloise an almost Melibonian oddness. A sense of haughtiness, of right to power, and of non-concern for others that is still not found in any other culture on Oerth. Even the structured Gray Elves had a sense of wisdom and compassion that was totally foreign to the thoughts of many of the Suloise rulers. The modern Suel (except those living beneath the Sea of Dust, those trapped beneath the Crystalmist, those in the Scarlet Brotherhood and perhaps those who fled west across the Vast Ocean) have lost this haughtiness...it is instead it is replaced by a bravura, and a wildness which is equally dangerous when roused. The savages of the Amedio, of Hepmonaland, and the Barbarians in the Northeastern Flanaess exemplify of this.

(This Suloise History is primarily the work of Lenard Lakofka in his development of the Suel peoples with additions by Steve Wilson and is derived from the work of Gary Gygax and the World of Greyhawk (TSR), and Greyhawk Adventures (TSR).)

THE OLVEN CALENDAR (OC)

After the Gray Elves' last city in the Crystalmists fell, the remnants fled eastward. They, in conjunction with their High Elven and Sylvan kindred, developed the four Elven Kingdoms. The Westernmost of these, the "Realm" of Highfolk in the Yatils and the Vesve, was established as a guardian against the Suel and the Drow. This realm was established with the Sylvan elves of the Vesve. Of all the Elven realms, it was the most open to other races, allowing humans, gnomes, halflings and even dwarves to partake of it's society. The second Kingdom, Celene, was also called the "heart jewel" of Elvendom, High Elves and Gray Elves established this realm. It, alone of the realms, is always ruled by an elven queen. The third Kingdom, Aliador, was established in the Griff Mountains and the plains to the west to the shores of the Nyr Dyv; it is also called the "Lost Kingdom." This was the Crown of the Elven seat, and was inhabited solely by Gray Elves and their servants. The High King of All Elves had his place here. The Fourth Realm, Arrisa, was established by a council of mages and priests in the southern islands now known as the Spendrifts. It is called "The Secret Realm" and it has been closed for a long while. Little traffic passes between this realm and the remainder of the Flanaess, and it's purpose, until recently, has been hidden (even to the other elven Realms).

Nature: The Elven histories, of all the demi-humans, touch more upon human history that any other...that is why their history is included. The two major interactions between Elves and Humans has led to great sorrow. For it is the magic of the Grey Elves which gave rise to the often hateful Suel empire and later to Vecna the Cruel. The haughtiness and magic nature which is natural to some elves as the Elder does not sit well upon the shoulders of the Younger. Despite this, the Elves have created great beauty, and their wisdom and magic, in part, is now integrally entwined with that of the human realms of Oerik.

 

 
Epoch of Myth

 

Epoch of Legend

 

Epoch of Magic

 

Suloise - Olven - Bakluni Flannae - Oerid Oerid - Common
Next Page >>>

This history does not include the reckoning of the Olman peoples and nations native to southern Hepmonaland, nor does it include that events of the fabled continent to the south of Western Oerik (which I have called AnaKeri in this history), nor of any island states or nations or empires which might exist elsewhere on Oerth. NOTE : All dates include a cross reference to other calendars...this was done to establish the historical relationship to the cultures most connected to the calendar in question and the common year (CY). All calendars are based on the World of Greyhawk campaign setting (TSR/WotC)


 

Copyright © 2010 By Bob Curtis

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