Oeridian Oerid

The Oeridian people, sometimes called "Oerid," play a pivotal role in the rich tapestry of the World of Greyhawk. Their complex history, diverse culture, and significant political influence shape much of the Flanaess's landscape. This article delves into their background, traditions, and societal structures.

History and Migration

The history and culture of the Oeridian people are pivotal in understanding the development of the Flanaess region within the World of Greyhawk. Their migrations, motivated by survival and ambition, fundamentally altered the political and cultural landscape of the region.

• Early Settlements: Originally hailing from Central Oerik, the Oeridians migrated eastward, settling across the Flanaess. This migration was driven by conflicts and the push from orcs and goblins used by the Baklunish and Suel Empires.
• Great Kingdom of Aerdy: The Oeridians' martial prowess and ambition culminated in the establishment of the Great Kingdom, once the most powerful empire in the Flanaess.

Migrations

• Origins and Pressures: Originally settling in what is now Ull and the Paynim Plains, the Oeridians faced increasing pressures from the Baklunish-Suel Wars, leading to their displacement by mercenary orcs and goblins.
• Leadership and Movement: Under the guidance of leaders like Johydee of the Aerdi and Arnd of the Tdon, the Oeridians embarked on a mass migration through the Fals Gap, entering the Flanaess and altering its demographic and cultural fabric.

Cultural Evolution

• Military and Feudal Structure: From nomadic beginnings to a dominant feudal society, the Oeridians are known for their military state and the rapid transition to a monarchical system.
• Ambition and Discipline: The Oeridian ambition for power and greatness, coupled with a strict discipline, drove them to conquer vast territories, innovate in castle construction, and revolutionize warfare techniques.
• Cultural Values: Honor, family, generosity, honesty, and piety stand as fundamental virtues within Oeridian society.

Political Transformation

• Establishment of Feudalism: The Oeridians introduced a feudal political structure to the Flanaess, redistributing lands and altering the social hierarchy in favor of their new ruling class.
• Rapid Cosmopolitan Shift: Despite their nomadic and tribal beginnings, the Oeridians quickly adopted a monarchical system, exemplified by rulers like Lum and Tuerny, marking a significant shift in governance styles within the region.
• Political Influence: The Oeridians' legacy of conquest and assimilation has left a lasting mark on the Flanaess, influencing its political landscape even amidst constant brinkmanship and conflict.

Military and Social Order

• Unrivaled Warfare: The Oeridians' skill in warfare is legendary, contributing to their respect and fear among neighboring peoples. Their military traditions underpin much of their societal organization.
• Strict Hierarchy: The Oeridian preference for a rigid social order often placed them at the apex of society, with a strong inclination toward political maneuvering and control.

Cultural Traits

• Temperament and Violence: Modern Oeridians may not display the fierce loyalty of their ancestors as prominently, but many retain a temperamental nature and a propensity for violence, often channeled into political and military endeavors.
• Pragmatism in Peace: In times of peace, Oeridians are known for their practicality and hard work, favoring action over intellectual pursuits.Military Values: Oeridian society is heavily influenced by its military traditions, with a preference for strict social order and a history of valuing combat and strategy in both war and peace.
• Pastimes: Hunting, sparring, and practical magic use are favored activities, underscoring the Oeridians' pragmatic and ambitious nature.

Dress and Personal Grooming

Oeridian Dress and Grooming Practices

• Practical Attire: Oeridian dress is designed for ease of movement, essential for their active lifestyle. This practicality is mirrored in their grooming habits, favoring short, manageable hairstyles that facilitate wearing armor without discomfort.

Hair Grooming

• Men's Hairstyles: Oeridian men traditionally shave their faces, eschewing the beards, moustaches, and long hair favored by the Flan and Suel. This practice not only distinguishes them from other races but also aligns with their need for a clean, unencumbered face during combat or other physical activities.
• Women's Hairstyles: Oeridian women also tend to wear their hair short, a departure from the longer styles seen in other cultures. This choice reflects the Oeridian value of functionality and ease, even in personal appearance.
• Iconic Oeridian Haircut: The quintessential Oeridian haircut features a small swatch of hair from the top of the head to the ears, with the back of the skull closely shaven. This unique style likely evolved from the practical need to wear chainmail coifs without the pain of tangling with long hair.
• Shaving Practices: The absence of beards among Oeridian men is a notable cultural marker. By maintaining clean-shaven faces, Oeridians underscore their distinct identity and adherence to a lifestyle that prioritizes readiness and mobility.

Cultural Significance

• Adaptation and Identity: The grooming choices of the Oeridian people are deeply intertwined with their identity, reflecting a culture that values adaptability, discipline, and practicality. These practices serve as a daily reaffirmation of Oeridian values and a visual marker of their cultural heritage.
• Evolution of Tradition: While the preference for short hair and shaved faces remains predominant, changes in patterns and colors in clothing suggest a gradual shift towards personal expression within the framework of Oeridian cultural norms.

Locations

• Modern Settlements: Despite their disunited state today, Oeridian culture is widespread across the Flanaess, particularly in Furyondy, Perrenland, the Shield Lands, and the remnants of the Great Kingdom.

Magic and Warfare

Oeridian spell-casters, reflecting the culture's martial focus, lean towards battle-oriented spells and enchantments, utilizing magic for pragmatic purposes beyond warfare.

Magic in Oeridian Culture

• Pragmatic Spellcasting: Magic-using Oeridians, aligning with their culture's pragmatic nature, primarily focus on battle-oriented spells. Enchantment of magic items useful in combat is a common practice, reflecting a preference for spells that have direct utility in warfare.
• Attitude Toward Magic: Oeridian spell-casters are known for their hard-nosed, practical attitude toward magic. They view arcane powers as tools to be used for concrete purposes, be it in battle or in aiding the community through construction, irrigation, and metallurgy.
• Leadership and Magic: Many Oeridian magic users strive to be leaders or masters within their communities. Their hawkish and outgoing personalities make them well-suited to roles of authority, where they can guide and protect their people effectively.

Utilitarian Use of Magic

• Beyond Combat: While the enchantment of weapons and armor is a given, Oeridian magic also extends to more peaceful applications. Magic is employed for construction, creating sturdy fortifications and magnificent castles that dot the Oeridian landscape.
• Agriculture and Industry: Spells that aid in irrigation ensure the fertility of Oeridian farmlands, while magical iron-forging techniques produce superior weaponry and tools. These applications of magic underscore the Oeridians' belief in its practical, everyday benefits.

Oeridian Worship

A Pantheon of War and Wisdom

The Oeridians, a people renowned for their martial prowess and structured societies across the Flanaess, honor a diverse and complex pantheon of deities. Over the centuries, their religious practices have evolved, incorporating elements from other cultures and races, resulting in a hybrid pantheon that reflects the multifaceted nature of Oeridian society.

Hybrid Pantheon

• Integration of Powers: Over the last 500 years, the Oeridian pantheon has expanded to include deities from other races, leading to a rich tapestry of worship that includes gods such as Heironeous, Hextor, Pholtus, Zilchus, and Stratis.
• Martial Divinities: The Oeridian peoples display a marked preference for deities embodying martial virtues. Notably, their pantheon includes three Gods of War: Heironeous, Hextor, and Stratis. This emphasis on war gods underscores the Oeridians' valuing of strength, discipline, and valor.

Deities of War

• Stern Alia: The mother of Heironeous, Hextor, and Stratis, Stern Alia is venerated as the Goddess of Motherhood, Culture, and Law, principles deeply revered by the Oeridian people.
• Stratis: Once a dominant figure in Oeridian worship, Stratis is believed to be dead. Legends surrounding his demise speak of his divine blood creating a pathway to the Underdark and blessing those touched by its mists with a fragment of his divine spark.
• Heironeous and Hextor: Representing contrasting aspects of war and conflict, Heironeous and Hextor's widespread worship among the Oeridians reflects the complex nature of their view on warfare and morality.

Expanded Pantheon

The broader Oeridian pantheon includes a range of deities overseeing various aspects of life and the cosmos:

• The Velaeri: This collective term refers to the agricultural gods of the Oeridian pantheon, including Velnius, Telchur, Atroa, Sotillion, and Wenta, underscoring the Oeridians' connection to the land and the seasons.
• Other Notable Deities: Bleredd, Celestian, Cyndor, Daern, Delleb, Erthynul, Fharlanghn, Johydee, Kurell, Merikka, Procan, Rudd, and Sol (an ancient name for Pelor) are among the other gods worshiped by the Oeridians, each overseeing different domains that reflect the varied interests and concerns of Oeridian society.

Worship Practices

• Primary Recipients: While Heironeous, Hextor, Fharlanghn, Pholtus, Pelor, and Zilchus are among the primary recipients of worship, the entire Oeridian pantheon is honored to varying degrees, demonstrating the Oeridians' appreciation for the divine influences shaping their world.

Oeridian Warrior and Merchant by 3orcs

Physical Characteristics

• Appearance: Oeridians possess a range of skin tones from tan to olive. They tend to have square or oval faces with strong jawlines.
• Hair: hair colors spanning from blonde to black.

Related Organizations

• Asbury Demesne
• Clerics and Inquisitors of Pelor
• Hextorian Church
• House Asbury
• House Avgustin
• House Chondell
• House Galans
• House Langmuir
• House Milinous
• House Rhynehurst
• House Sarcina
• House Stefania
• House Tymak
• House Verdanhart
• Paladins of Pelor
• Striders of Fharlanghn
• The Holy Order of Heironeous
• The Order of the Enlightened Mind

Inherent Abilities and Cultural Traits (optional rules)

• Ability Score Increase: Reflecting their robust nature and charismatic leadership, Oeridians see an increase in both Strength and Charisma scores by 1.

Languages

• Linguistic Proficiency: Oeridians can speak, read, and write Common, Old Oeridian, and one additional language, such as Keoish, Nyrondese, or Velondi, indicative of their widespread interactions and alliances across the Flanaess.

Martial Culture

• Proficiency in Arms: In alignment with their martial culture, Oeridians gain proficiency in a single martial weapon of their choice, a testament to their combat training and military heritage.

Birthright (Optional Rules)

Exercises of Arnd: This set of physical exercises, developed by the legendary Oeridian general-priest Arnd of Tdon, enhances fighting efficiency. Oeridians can choose from three rites after a night's rest, with benefits lasting until the next day:

1. Rite of Battle: Grants a +1 bonus to hit with a selected weapon in melee.
2. Rite of Calm: Provides a +1 bonus to all saving throws.
3. Rite of Fitness: Offers 6 temporary hit points.

Political Acumen and Leadership

• Head For Politics: The natural aggression of Oeridians often finds a channel in the arenas of politics and subterfuge, further increasing Charisma by 1.
• Natural Leader: Their inherent self-confidence and the aura of competence make Oeridians effective leaders, often rising to prominent positions within their societies.

Oeridian Pantheon