Greyhawk

1. The Planet Oerth The World of Greyhawk is set on the planet Oerth (pronounced ORTH), a terrestrial world of diverse climates, ancient civilizations, and lingering magical scars. Cosmology Oerth exists within the Prime Material Plane It is connected to the Outer Planes (home of the gods) and Inner Planes (elemental forces) Deities are active but distant—clerics receive power, avatars are rare The gods are organized into pantheons tied to race, culture, and philosophy Tone Greyhawk is: Sword & sorcery rather than high fantasy Morally complex Politically fractured Historically scarred Heroes are exceptional, not assumed.

2. The Flanaess — The Known World Most campaigns take place in the Flanaess, a subcontinent on the eastern side of Oerth. Geography at a Glance North: Tundra, barbarian lands, icy seas Center: Fertile plains, major kingdoms South: Jungles, deserts, and ancient ruins East: The Solnor Ocean West: Mountains and hostile borders (beyond lie Baklunish lands) Climate Temperate overall Seasonal weather matters Travel is dangerous and slow

3. The Peoples of Greyhawk Humans (Dominant Race) Humans dominate politically and culturally, divided into ethnic groups: Flan Indigenous Darker-skinned, druidic traditions Often marginalized or absorbed Oeridians Militaristic, pragmatic Founded the Great Kingdom Most common in central Flanaess Suel Pale-skinned, aristocratic Magical heritage Often culturally proud or insular Baklunish Mystical, philosophical Strong elemental traditions Mostly west of the Flanaess Most modern nations are ethnic blends, especially Flan–Oeridian. Nonhuman Races Elves Ancient and fading Live in isolated forest realms (Celene, Vesve) Deep mistrust of humans Dwarves Mountain holds and trade clans Pragmatic and honor-bound Gnomes & Halflings Rarely rule nations Important in trade, espionage, and local communities

6. Major Regions and Powers The Free City of Greyhawk Trade hub and cultural center Politically neutral (mostly) Full of intrigue, guilds, and crime The Great Kingdom (Aerdy) Once dominant empire Now corrupt, decadent, and tyrannical Source of many villains Furyondy & Veluna Lawful kingdoms resisting evil Strong chivalric and religious traditions Iuz’s Empire Ruled by a demigod tyrant Brutal, monstrous, expansionist The greatest immediate threat Keoland Old Suel kingdom Stable, conservative, declining The Wildlands Bandit kingdoms Barbarian tribes Monster-ruled territories Current Conflicts (576 CY Era) These wars are economic as much as ideological. 1. The Northern Wars (Iuz vs Everyone) Iuz’s Economy Slave labor Demonic backing Loot-based expansion He doesn’t need a stable economy — he needs constant war. Impact Refugee floods Trade route collapse Inflation in border states 2. The Greyhawk Wars Aftermath Consequences Nyrond nearly bankrupt Great Kingdom fragmented Mercenary companies dominate warfare Wars have turned into economic feedback loops: war → instability → monsters → mercenaries → more war 3. Religious Economic Conflicts Churches compete over: Tithes Pilgrimage routes Control of relics Conflicts between: Heironeous vs Hextor Pelor vs Nerull St. Cuthbert vs almost everyone Religion is one of the largest economic actors in the Flanaess. 4. Trade Wars and Piracy Sea Princes Slavery-based economy Pirate fleets disrupt southern trade Hold of the Sea Princes vs Keoland Ideological and economic rivalry Control of Azure Sea trade

4. Magic in Greyhawk Nature of Magic Powerful but rare Distrusted by common folk Heavily regulated in cities Arcane Magic Once godlike (Suel Imperium) Much lost after the Twin Cataclysms Wizards are scholars, not celebrities Divine Magic Clerics are respected but not universally trusted Faith is practical, not idealized Magic items are valuable and dangerous, not commonplace. 5. The Gods of Greyhawk Core Deities Pelor – Sun, healing Heironeous – Honor, chivalry Hextor – Tyranny, war St. Cuthbert – Justice, common sense Wee Jas – Death, magic Nerull – Death, murder Vecna – Secrets, undeath Religious Landscape Gods are worshiped by philosophy and need, not alignment alone Churches are political forces Religious conflict is common

Planar Influences on the World of Greyhawk (In Detail) Core Principle of Greyhawk Cosmology In Greyhawk, the planes are real, active, and powerful—but distant. Unlike Planescape: Portals are rare Planar beings rarely walk openly Influence happens through churches, cults, artifacts, bloodlines, and disasters The planes shape history more through pressure than presence. 1. The Prime Material (Oerth) as a Battleground Oerth is strategically important to the multiverse for several reasons: High divine activity Ancient magical scars (Twin Cataclysms) Thin planar boundaries in specific regions Mortals capable of ascension (Vecna, Iuz) As a result, multiple planar factions exert influence simultaneously, often through proxies who don’t fully understand what they serve. 2. The Outer Planes (Alignment & Divinity) A. The Gods and Their Realms Greyhawk gods dwell on the Outer Planes, each ruling or sharing a divine realm aligned with their philosophy. Key points: Gods rarely manifest physically Clerical magic is the primary conduit Churches are effectively planar embassies A temple is not just a building—it is a stable metaphysical anchor to a god’s plane. B. Celestial Influence (Upper Planes) Planes Involved Arcadia Mount Celestia Bytopia Elysium How They Influence Oerth Moral philosophy (law, mercy, balance) Religious institutions Divine mandates and visions Celestials almost never appear openly. Instead: Saints Prophets Sacred relics Orders of knights Upper-plane influence is slow, conservative, and restrained. This is why Good often seems reactive rather than proactive in Greyhawk. C. Infernal & Abyssal Influence (Lower Planes) Planes Involved The Nine Hells The Abyss Gehenna Hades This is the most visible planar influence on Oerth. Lower planes: Actively seek mortal agents Offer power, knowledge, and shortcuts Do not require worship, only compliance Methods of Influence Cult infiltration Pact magic Bloodlines Corruption of states and churches Examples: Iuz (demonic heritage) Horned Society Scarlet Brotherhood (infernal elements) Vecna’s cult (undeath + secrets) Lower planes favor destabilization, not conquest. Chaos and tyranny generate souls. 3. The Balance and Neutral Planes Greyhawk places unusual importance on cosmic balance, largely due to Flan druidic tradition. A. The Outlands Center of the Outer Planes Home of True Neutral powers Rarely intervenes directly Influence is philosophical: Balance over victory Preservation of cycles Resistance to planar dominance B. Druids as Planar Agents Flan-descended druidic circles serve as: Guardians of natural planar boundaries Opponents of extraplanar incursions Keepers of ancient seals They are one of the oldest planar institutions on Oerth, predating modern churches. 4. The Inner Planes (Elemental & Energy Planes) A. Elemental Planes Earth Mineral wealth Dwarven and gnomish compacts Deep-earth anomalies Fire Alchemy Destructive cults Magical weapons Air Weather manipulation Sky travel legends Aarakocra enclaves Water Sea monsters Storms Ancient oceanic pacts Elemental influence is localized but intense. When it breaks through, it reshapes geography. B. Positive & Negative Energy Planes These planes are extremely important in Greyhawk. Positive Energy Healing Vitality Overexposure causes mutation or explosion Negative Energy Undeath Entropy Necromantic magic Greyhawk’s undead plagues (Vecna, ancient liches, tomb-realms) are tied to Negative Energy leakage, not just evil intent. 5. Transitive Planes A. Ethereal Plane Ghosts Hauntings Phase-shifted ruins Many Greyhawk dungeons are partially ethereal, explaining: Non-Euclidean layouts Time distortion Persistent spirits B. Astral Plane Divine travel High-level magic Thought-made manifest Astral influence is subtle but crucial: Divine messages Artifact transit Soul travel after death 6. Historical Planar Events That Shaped Oerth A. The Twin Cataclysms The Rain of Colorless Fire and Invoked Devastation were not merely spells: They tore holes in planar barriers Created permanent planar scars Altered magic itself The Sea of Dust is partially out of phase with reality. B. Ascension Events Vecna Iuz St. Cuthbert (depending on interpretation) Ascension proves: Mortals can break planar ceilings The gods actively monitor Oerth This makes Greyhawk dangerous to the cosmic order. 7. Planar Weak Points and Hotspots Certain regions have thin planar boundaries: Sea of Dust – elemental + negative Rift Canyon – abyssal Bright Desert – positive/elemental Vesve Forest – faerie/ethereal Castle Greyhawk – everything, badly contained These places attract: Cultists Monsters Wizards Divine attention 8. Why the Planes Don’t “Invade” This is a key Greyhawk question. Reasons: Divine Accords limit direct intervention Mortal agency is paramount Too much planar interference destabilizes reality The gods fear another ascension event So instead: The planes whisper They empower champions They corrupt or inspire societies 9. What This Means for Life on Oerth Most people: Never see a planar being Feel planar influence through faith, disaster, or magic Interpret it as fate or divine will Adventurers: Accidentally step into planar politics Are tools, pawns, or wildcards Can tip cosmic balances without realizing it 10. Greyhawk’s Unique Planar Identity Greyhawk’s planar cosmology is: Restrained Dangerous Consequential Planar power always has a cost. Intervention leaves scars. Nothing is clean or free. This is why Greyhawk feels older, harsher, and more grounded than many other D&D worlds.

The Historical Ages of Greyhawk 1. The Pre-Migration Era (Prehistory) Timeframe: Before ~−3000 CY Status: Mythic / semi-legendary This era exists mostly in legend, archaeology, and divine myth. Key Features The Flan are the earliest known human inhabitants of the Flanaess. Nonhuman races (elves, dwarves, gnomes) establish their ancient realms. Gods walk the world more openly. Powerful druidic and shamanistic traditions dominate human culture. Major Cultures Flan tribes dominate central and eastern Flanaess. Elven kingdoms such as Celene and the ancient realms of the Lortmils. Dwarven holds in the Iron Hills and the Crystalmists. This era ends when vast human migrations begin reshaping the continent. 2. The Age of Great Migrations Timeframe: ~−3000 CY to −1000 CY This is one of the most important turning points in Greyhawk history. Defining Events Three major human peoples enter the Flanaess: Suel Imperium (from the west) Baklunish Empire (from the northwest) Oeridian tribes (from the north) These migrations displace, absorb, or conquer many Flan tribes. Consequences Formation of powerful empires Cultural blending (Flan + Oeridian especially) Rising tensions between Suel and Baklunish civilizations This age lays the groundwork for later catastrophes. 3. The Age of Glory Timeframe: ~−1000 CY to −422 CY Sometimes called the Golden Age of Humanity. Major Powers Suel Imperium reaches incredible magical heights Baklunish Empire masters elemental and mystical philosophies Early Oeridian kingdoms emerge Great cities, roads, and magical achievements flourish Characteristics High magic and arcane experimentation Imperial ambition and cultural arrogance Increasing hostility between Suel and Baklunish nations This age ends catastrophically. 4. The Age of Great Sorrow (The Twin Cataclysms) Timeframe: −422 CY (very brief, but world-shattering) This is sometimes treated as its own age, sometimes as the end of the Age of Glory. The Twin Cataclysms Invoked Devastation (by the Baklunish) Rain of Colorless Fire (by the Suel) These magical super-weapons: Obliterate both empires Create the Sea of Dust Devastate the Baklunish West Impact Near-apocalyptic loss of life Collapse of magical knowledge Massive refugee migrations eastward This moment permanently scars the world. 5. The Age of Migration and Rebuilding Timeframe: −422 CY to 0 CY Sometimes folded into the next age, but often treated separately. Key Developments Suel survivors flee east and south Oeridian tribes move into power vacuums Flan remnants persist in isolated regions Many modern nations trace their roots to this era Political Landscape Fragmented city-states Tribal confederations Decline of large-scale magic This age ends with the founding of a new empire. 6. The Age of the Great Kingdom Timeframe: 0 CY to 498 CY This is the defining political age of recorded history. The Great Kingdom of Aerdy Founded by Oeridian leaders Becomes the dominant empire of the Flanaess Establishes law, roads, currency, and administration Cultural Shifts Feudalism spreads Knights, orders, and organized churches rise Nonhuman realms retreat inward Decline Corruption Overextension Noble decadence Provincial rebellions The empire begins to fracture after 498 CY. 7. The Age of Wars Timeframe: 498 CY to 576 CY (the “present day” of classic Greyhawk) This is the default era for many campaigns. Hallmarks Collapse of central imperial authority Constant regional warfare Rise of tyrants, warlords, and evil powers Increased monster activity Major Conflicts Greyhawk Wars Iuz’s conquests Wars of succession Religious and ideological conflicts Tone This is a dark, gritty, sword-and-sorcery age: Civilization is fragile Heroes matter

The Economy of Greyhawk Greyhawk’s economy is pre-modern, fragile, and regionally unequal. Wealth concentrates in cities, trade routes, and old imperial cores, while vast areas operate at subsistence level. 1. Monetary System Coinage Most of the Flanaess uses a broadly compatible coin system: Copper (cp) – daily labor, food Silver (sp) – common trade Gold (gp) – large transactions Platinum (pp) – rare, state or temple level However: Coin weight and purity vary by realm Many frontier regions prefer barter Older Aerdy coinage still circulates due to sheer volume The Great Kingdom’s former monetary standard unintentionally unified trade long after its decline. 2. Economic Centers Major Trade Hubs These cities don’t just trade goods — they trade information, magic, and favors. The Free City of Greyhawk The single most important economic engine Banking, mercenary contracts, magical services Guild-controlled economy (legal and illegal) Neutral ground for enemies who need to trade Greyhawk functions like a fantasy Venice + Baghdad: everyone hates it, everyone needs it. Dyvers Rival trade city More lawful, more conservative Controls western river traffic Rel Mord (Furyondy) Military-industrial economy Grain + weapons + horses Nyrond Cities Trade corridors between east and west Economically stressed but still vital 3. Trade Routes Rivers Are Everything Roads are dangerous and expensive to maintain. Key arteries: Selintan River → Greyhawk Nyr Dyv (Lake of Unknown Depths) → inland sea trade Veng & Artonsamay Rivers → east-west flow Control of river choke points = economic power. 4. Goods and Specialization Agricultural Regions Furyondy, Veluna, Nyrond Grain, cattle, wool Constant threat from war and monsters Industrial / Craft Regions Dwarven holds: metalwork Gnomes: alchemy, engineering Suel-descended regions: fine magic items Luxury & Strategic Goods Magical components Spellbooks and scrolls Relics from ancient ruins Slaves (illegal in some nations, common in others) Planar Influences on the Economy Greyhawk is not economically isolated from the multiverse, but planar trade is rare, dangerous, and tightly controlled. 1. Elemental Planes Elemental Earth Source of rare metals and gemstones Dwarves and gnomes have ancient pacts Earth cults often hide as trade guilds Elemental Fire Alchemical reagents Weapon enchantments Fire cults often destabilize local economies Elemental trade usually happens via summoning circles, not open portals. 2. Outer Planes Celestial Planes Rare divine artifacts Holy relics move via temples, not markets Churches act as planar import/export monopolies Lower Planes This is where things get dangerous. Demons and devils trade knowledge, souls, and artifacts Mortal cultists act as brokers Payment is rarely coin This creates a shadow economy that destabilizes nations. 3. The Astral & Ethereal Used for espionage, smuggling, assassination High-level wizards can bypass tariffs and borders This is why mage guilds are tightly regulated Magic as Economic Force Wizards Magical services are luxury goods Spellcasting for hire exists but is rare Mage guilds fix prices and restrict access Clerics Healing is not free Temples charge donations scaled by wealth Religious rivalries influence pricing Magic Items Treated as strategic assets Often owned by states, churches, or noble houses Adventurers disrupt the market constantly

Society Feudal Class matters Literacy is uncommon Adventurers are social anomalies.

7. Monsters and the Supernatural Monsters Are Part of History Orcs, goblins, giants, and worse have nations and gods Humanoids are not always “random encounters” Ancient Evils Buried lich-kings Forgotten demon cults Pre-cataclysmic horrors Dungeons are often ruins of fallen civilizations, not arbitrary labyrinths.