Greyhawk
Flan
The Flan were the first known humans to live in eastern Oerik, and it is from them that the Flanaess gets its name. Although evidence exists that they once had settled nations, those vanished long ago. The Flan had been a nomadic people for many centuries when they were displaced by Suloise and Oeridian invaders. Large pockets of Flan live in what are now Geoff, Tenh, and the Barrens. The Tenha are pure Flan, and the coppery Rovers of the Barrens nearly so. The people of Geoff and Sterich also show strong Flan heritage, as do the Stoneholders, Palish, and certain Perrender clans.
Rumors persist that one time long ago perhaps before the nation of Caerdiralor took shape. That the Olman, and Touv people occupied a stretch of land that occupied much of the southern Flannaes. While no sages can prove the validity of this claim a case can be made that the ancient Flan could of seized these lands from the fleeing Olman and Touv people. After all many a Touv and Olman god mimic aspects of the Flannae own pantheon.
Perhaps a relation to Mok’Slyk and the Serpent of Touv myth Meyanok bare some resemblance though Meyanok was not known as a purveyor of magic. Though he was directly responsible for the birth of three gods Vara, Damaran and Berna. Vara has aspects closely aligned to that of Incabulos especially in the deliverance of nightmares. One could argue that each pantheon has gods or goddess that can be crossed referenced with the gods of other pantheons. However, many can directly see the influence of Flannae myth in every other human culture bordering or occupying the Flannaes. However, were the Flannae inspired by a pantheon of gods from another origin?
Many sages discredit any notion that such a scenario ever existed as no recorded documentation of the presence of Olman or Touv culture has ever been seen in the Flannaes. Proof of Touv and Olman cultures have prevailed in the Amedio Jungle and there are no signs that these people did not originate from these lands.
Many agree that the Old Faith is the bastion of Flannae worship, even to this day. However, some text remain that show demonic like beings where accepted in the old faith and being part of mans primal nature. The Old Faith coexisted with these obyrith, and later tanaric beings. Many paid lip service to appease these ancient brethren. Others worshipped them like gods and made pacts to gain power and influence from these beings. Some appeared to be less diabolical in their treatment of the Flan people.
Mok’slyk the Serpent is thought to have granted the Flan people with the knowledge of arcane magic. Though Flannae religion shows us that Boccob is the god of magic. In ancient texts from the church itself show that Boccob once trapped a demon of unknown origin that was more powerful then Boccob at this time. It is believe he gleaned enough magical power over these thousand years of the demonic creatures capture. This could explain how Mok’slyk stopped influencing the Flan in his teachings on magic. With Boccob now in place as the deity of magic Mok’slyk waned in power. Hoping to recoup what was taken from him in his thousand years of captivity. It would also explain how Boccob would have little need for worshippers as his power was siphoned from another powerful being.
Throughout the history of the peaceful Flannae. There always existed some outside influence over how their nations where formed. Caerdiralor was formed by dark priests and mystics who’s primary worship of Tiamat, absconded with the teachings of the Old Faith. Perhaps it was the pantheon of the Old Faith, that was behind the mysterious force which devastated their capital of Mysyrna. Forcing the survivors to cross the Sea of Gearnat.
The six great realms of the grass sea lived in tune with nature. Until the survivors of Caerdiralor reared their ugly heads and influenced Sulm in becoming yet another representation of Ur-Flan power. Perhaps the Old Faith was testing their people the dark priests and mystics of Caerdiralor cemented themselves into seats of power among the Sulmi. The Flan grew in power and once the Old Faith became threatened to obscurity, Shattados would don the Scorpion crown, the Isles of Woe would sink. The rampant lion of the Aerdy would lay claim to the Flannaes, and many of the gods of the Flannae would be incorporated into the pantheon of their conquerors. Coincidence highly unlikely.
Many Flan nation’s existed at some point, Exag is one of them, however Exag was greatly influenced by the crafters and little is heard of Flan culture in the city of clay except its influence in Perrenland. The Vast Swamp was or is the home of Acerak, a cambion demilich who constructed his own labyrinth for which every artisan or worker who aided in its construction was locked away within its clutches. Acerak would soon follow never a true empire in itself. Many adventurers deemed it the Tomb of Horrors for the atrocities committed and experienced by those who entered the wretched place.
The Kings of Burgess were the last of the just and noble nations to fall to Vecna’s spider throne. The nations of Fleeth and Almadia where intertwined those with the death of the princess of Fleeth Almadia was on its own to defend itself from the spider throne. Vecna sort his vengeance against the city of Fleeth. Once he slayed all her people save a few nobles who submitted themselves to his mercy Vecna took Almadia and then set his sights on Burgess. The only true threat to his reign at the time of his Occluded Empire.
Nuria was a contemporary of six realms of the grass sea and the Isles of Woe. It traded magical wonders with the citadel of Veralos. ultimately it would be consumed into the Great Kingdom. Believed to have existed in what is now the Kingdom of Nyrond. The Flan population would intermingle with their oeridian conquerors and become willing citizens of The Great Kingdom.
Perhaps one of the most troublesome of the lost Flan nations are the /tyrants of Trask. Believed to have existed around the Trask River in modern day North Kingdom. The Tyrants of Trask were responsible for the attacks on the elven City of Summer Stars. Evil and bellicose beyond refute the invading oerids of house Naelax, had little choice but to wipe them from the face of Oerth. Destroying much of their magic and writings.
Last in the line of benevolent Flannae rulers, Ehlissa the Enchantress lived in what is now know as the United Kingdom of Ahlissa some 1,700 years ago, and continued to reign in her prehistoric kingdom for several centuries more. Queen Ehlissa has no issues, she keep song birds as pets. During her reign her people knew peace and none of her subjects knew poverty or hunger. Fair but ruthless, willing to use her artifact, Queen Ehlissa’s Marvelous Nightingale to magically bend her subjects to her will. Her reign lasted up until the Great Migrations, during her reign she managed to prevent the force locked away in her Nightingale from escaping. Presumably dead none truly know what happen to Queen Ehlissa or her famed Nightingale. Little to noting remains of Flan culture in this region. Long ago Suel and oerid migrations took their toll on her Kingdom. Becoming part of the Great Kingdom of the Aerdy, and recently The United Kingdom of Ahlissa.
Appearance: The Flannae people are recognizable by their bronze complexions, varying from a light copper hue to a dark, deep brown. Flan eyes are usually dark brown, black, brown, or amber. Hair is wavy or curly and typically black or brown (or any shade between). With strong angular features and heavy brows, most Flan are easily discernible from other human racial types. They tend to be of average to stocky build, sturdy and somewhat hirsute; they are anything but the prototypical human type these days.
Male Flannae average between 5’ 3” to 5’ 6” tall and weigh between 150-180 lbs. Female Flannae average between 4’8” to 5’ 2” tall and weigh between 110-130 lbs. Of course, taller and heavier Flannae are possible.
Their eyes are most commonly dark brown or black, brown and amber appearing less frequently. Their hair color is usually black but also ranges through shades of black-brown, dark brown and brown. Curly and wavy hair is usual, but some Flan have taken to straightening out there hair in recent times.
The original Flan nomads of a millennium ago wore simple, utilitarian clothing including loincloths, capes and leather wrappings on their feet that served as shoes. They also wore brightly colored body paints, primarily vermilion and yellow ochre, in primitive patterns, a practice still common among the surviving Rovers of the Barrens. In civilized regions, Flan clothing tends to follow current fashion, though they still tend to prefer solid, bright primary colors.
The Flan have always been strongly tied to the natural world, as they were nomadic hunter-gatherers for so long. They see nature as an entity to be respected but not controlled, and this is reflected in their myths, legends, and culture. Many Flan believe the season of a child’s birth affects later life, and certain customs and taboos must be observed annually. Modern Flan still have a preference for the outdoors, and those who live in cities usually raise gardens and flower beds. A tree is planted at the door of a Flan home, and the health of that tree is believed related to the welfare of the family. Storytelling is a favorite pastime, and most families have ancient oral folklore and legends to pass on.
Flan wizards normally work in harmony with nature, avoiding destructive magic. A few delve into the necromantic arts of the ancient Ur-Flan, but such practices are shunned by respectable folk. Many prefer protective and divinatory spells, a practice that stems from their traditional roles of guarding nomadic tribes and helping them survive. Flan clerics are often druids, who are more accepting of agriculture than they once were. Like the sun god, Pelor, many Flan deities have strong “natural” aspects.