Oerdian (Greyhawk)
The dominant race of the Flaness, the Oerdians are very accepting and open as a culture, which has let them assimilate large groups of Flan and Suel. As a result, there are today few "pure" Oerdians. Oerdian identity is cultural, not racial.
Real-world Models
French.
Alignment
The conflicts within the Oerdian culture is between good and evil, as exemplified in the conflict between Hieroneous and Hextor. The Oerdians are accepting of differences on the Law - Chaos axis; a community can have both lawful and chaotic members living in harmony.
Cultural Traits
Oerdians lack the strong vices and virtues of other people; a worldly, earthy culture less concerned with high ideals. Good or evil, Oerdians generally look to results rather than ideals.
Accepting, Loyal, Warlike, Worldly, Practical.
Practices
Prostitution, Sex outside culture/race.
Taboos
Incest, Nudity, Transvestism.
Family
Monogamous. Patrilinear. Liaisons tolerated.
Magic
Pragmatic is the word; Oerdians see magic as a tool. Most often used to create magic items for everyday use and to make ordinary life easier. Arcane magic users tend to focus on combat magic, each adopting a specialty of their own.
Pantheon
A very diverse pantheon. Procan is the progenitor of the Oerdian wind gods, lords of life and the common man. But Procan is barely a part of the pantheon anymore and holds no prominent place. Instead, it is lead by two brothers, Hextor and Hieroneous, both gods or nobility and valor, eternal rivals. These usurped power from Pholtus, their father. These are all gods of nobility and of little concern to common folk.
Atroa | Lesser | NG | Spring, Renewal | Air, Good, Plant, Sun | Oerdian |
Bleredd | Lesser | N | Metal, Mines, Smiths | Earth, Fire, Strength, Metal | Common, Oerdian, Flan |
Celestian | Intermediate | N (NG) | Space, Stars, Wanderers | Knowledge, Travel, Protection, Oracle | Common, Oerdian |
Cyndor | Lesser | LN | Time, Infinity, Continuity | Law, Protection, Travel, Oracle, Time | Oerdian |
Delleb | Lesser | LG | Design, Intellect, Study | Good, Knowledge, Law, Magic | Oerdian |
Eruthnul | Intermediate | CE (CN) | Hate, Panic, Slaughter | Chaos, Evil, Trickery, War, Madness | Common, Oerdian, Humanoid |
Fharlanghn | Intermediate | N (NG) | Distance, Travel, Roads | Luck, Protection, Travel, Celerity | Common, Oerdian |
Hextor | Intermediate | LE | War, Discord, Fitness, Tyranny | Destruction, Evil, Law, War, Domination | Oerdian |
Hieroneous | Intermediate | LG | Chivalry, Justice, Daring | Good, Law, War, Glory, Inquisition | Oerdian |
Kurell | Lesser | CN | Jealousy, Revenge, Theft | Chaos, Trickery, Envy, Greed | Oerdian |
Lirr | Lesser | CG | Literature, Art | Chaos, Good, Knowledge, Magic, Travel | Oerdian |
Merikka | Demigod | LG | Calendar, Agriculture, Home | Good, Law, Plant, Protection | Oerdian |
Pholtus | Intermediate | LG | Light, Resolution, Law, Order, Sun, Moons | Good, Knowledge, Law, Sun, Inquisition | Oerdian |
Procan | Intermediate | CN | Seas, Sea life, Salt, Windstorm, Navigation | Animal, Chaos, Travel, Water, Storm | Oerdian, Elder |
Rudd | Demigod | CN (CG) | Chance, Good luck, Skill | Celerity, Liberation, Luck | Common, Oerdian |
Sotillion | Lesser | CG (CN) | Summer, South wind, Ease, Comfort | Air, Chaos, Good, Healing, Plant, Sloth | Oerdian |
Telchur | Lesser | CN | Winter, Cold, North wind | Air, Chaos, Strength, Cold | Oerdian |
Trithereon | Intermediate | CG | Individuality, Liberty, Retribution, Self-defense | Chaos, Good, Protection, Strength, Liberation, Summoner | Oerdian, Common |
Ulaa | Intermediate | LG | Hills, Mountains, Gemstones | Earth, Good, Law, Cavern | Oerdian, Dwarf, Gnome, Flan |
Velnius | Lesser | N (NG) | Sky, Windstorm | Air, Travel, Water, Windstorm | Oerdian |
Wenta | Lesser | CG | Autumn, West wind, Harvest, Brewing | Air, Chaos, Good, Plant | Oerdian |
Zilchus | Intermediate | LN | Prestige, Money, Business, Influence | Knowledge, Law, Trickery | Common, Oerdian |