Humans & Demi-Humans

The world of Oerth is a rich, humanocentric setting where various species live in close proximity, each with distinct roles and cultural influences. The Flanaess region especially, with its blend of human ethnicities and traditional demi-human presences, is the archetypal home for adventurers in this setting. However, while Oerth’s inhabitants include many classic and well-established demi-human races, integrating the wide variety of humanoid races in the setting requires careful consideration.

In traditional campaigns, humanity is the anchor of society. Elves, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes have long-standing roles within human lands, often acting as allies, neighbors, or occasional rivals. Here, exotic races such as orcs are rare or even unheard of. Unlike in other settings, this human-centric worldview renders such races startlingly exotic. Seeing these beings on the streets of the City of Greyhawk, Mitrik, or Scant would invite not only stares but also, in extreme cases, hostility. As the setting's lore frames orcs, goblins, and gnolls as antagonists, introducing these races can disrupt the world's established narrative of “the balance,” rooted in traditional alignments.

Humanity 

Flannae — The Flan are the original human inhabitants of the Flanaess, which is named for them. The Flan lived as hunters, fishers, gatherers, and farmers, though there is evidence they had a great culture that long ago vanished. The Flan were greatly displaced by invading races from the west. A typical Flan has bronze skin and dark eyes and hair, and prefers to wear clothing in bright, primary colors. 

Bakluni — The western Baklunish have golden skin tones. Their eyes are often gray or green and their hair is dark. When their empire was destroyed, the survivors fled north to the Dramidj coast. Nomadic Baklunish ride horses and are governed by tribal khans. Settled, civilized Baklunish are ruled by emirs, caliphs, and sultans.

Oeridians — Olive-skinned Oeridians are a warlike barbarian people who entered the Flanaess less of their own free will than because they were being pushed by Baklunish refugees and marauding armies of humanoids in the latter stages of the ancient Baklunish-Suloise war. Oeridians have blonde to black hair, with brown the most common.

Suel — Suloise humans have pale skin, blue eyes, and blond, white, or red hair. They fled the ruin of their old empire and the vengeful peoples who hated the “evil ways” of the Suel. Barbaric Suloise, heavily tanned and freckled from exposure to the sun, are found in the Amedio Jungle and Hepmonaland.

Demi-Humanity 

Dwarves — Dwur are about 4 feet tall, broad-shouldered and muscular, and of stocky build. Both males and females are bearded. They prefer to live underground in vast cavern and tunnel systems, where they mine precious metals and gems. Their skin comes in earth tones, from red-brown to tan to gray. They tend to be dour and suspicious, but grudgingly helpful. Dwarves live long lives, though not as long as the elves, and they reproduce slowly. Dwarves are sturdy, vengeful warriors with long memories of everyone who has done them harm.

Elves — Olve inhabited the Flanaess for many centuries before the destruction of the Baklunish and Suloise Empires. Suloise, Oeridian, and humanoid invaders pushed the elves from their grassland and prairie homes, forcing them deep into ancient forests. Fortunately, the elves preferred forests to other environments, and they were able to hold their own in many ancient timberlands against human and humanoid aggressors.

Half-Elves — Demi-olve, the offspring of long-lived elves and short-lived humans, are found everywhere across the Flanaess, in every part of society.

Halflings — Hobniz are half the size of humans and look much like human children, though their faces age like those of humans. A light covering of hair runs over most of their bodies, especially the backs of their hands and the tops of their feet. Halflings usually travel about barefoot, their thick-soled feet protecting them from the ordinary pain humans would feel in stepping on briars, sharp stones, and so on — though such protection only extends so far, of course. Most halflings build shallow burrow homes or cottages in grasslands, forests, or hills.

Gnomes — Noniz are thought to be related to dwarves, though they are smaller and enjoy the open air and forests much more than their cousins. Gnomes have wood-colored skin in a variety of shades, from light ash to dark oak. Many gnomes live underground in shallow burrows, often in hills and forests. They enjoy work as much as they like merrymaking. The gnomes of the Flanaess are aggressive in defending their territory and figure strongly in wars against humanoids and tyrants.