Baklunish (Greyhawk)
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The Baklunish once had a great empire to the north-west, which was ruined by war with the ancient Suel. They remain a homogenous people, a distinction aided by their religion.
Cultural Traits
Honor, Respect for Clan, Generosity, Piety, Respect for Wealth.
Wealth is honored and seen as a reward for a disciplined an pious life. A wealthy man is expected to donate to charity, but the poor are held in contempt.
Real-World Models
Persians. The Baklunish are the mysterious heirs of ancient magical civilizations, living isolated from the main population of the Flanesse, yet close enough that they are both a cultural influence and a military threat.
Ethics
Seeking a harmonious coexistence with nature, the Baklunish see the universe as an eternal balancing of opposing forces. Good vs. Evil, the elements against each other. Humanity can ally with these forces and be drawn into their conflicts, or seek to stand aside and look for peace. To seek allegiance is to seek conflict. The virtuous either seek to align themselves with what is lawful and good, or remain aloft and neutral.
Practices
Circumcision, Incest, Polygamy, Bride-price.
Women are not seen as inferior in any way, but certainly expected to take a different, more reserved role in society. A man will usually act as the spokesman for any given group. The Baklunish do not practice incest per se, but their definition is very narrow; while sibling marriage is illegal, nephews and cousins are free to marry. A common noble practice is for a younger brother to marry the daughter of an elder brother.
Taboos
Gender equality, Nudity, Pornography, Promiscuity.
Family
Polygamous, arranged marriages, patrilinear.
Magic
The Baklunish prefer magic that affect forces and principles rather than elements, which is seen as the domains of genies. Illusions, force spells, enchantment, bodily transmutations are preferred to rude damaging evocations.
Pantheon
Istus is the lady of fate and arbiter of the universe. Her children Geshtai and Sevelkhar rival in creating and destroying life. Boccob and Ralishaz are opposed primal forces of understanding and madness. The other gods are examples to mortals or mortals who gained ascension.
| Al'Akbar | Demigod | LG | Duty | Good, Law, Healing, Protection, Nobility | Baklunish |
| Boccob | Greater | N | Magic | Knowledge, Magic, Trickery, Oracle, Spell | Common, Baklunish, Elder |
| Geshtai | Lesser | N | Lakes, Rivers, Well, Streams | Plant, Travel, Water, Windstorm | Baklunish |
| Sevelkhar the Waster (Incablous) | Greater | NE | Nightmares, Disasters | Death, Evil, Destruction, Pestilence, Hunger | Common, Flan, Baklunish, Elder |
| Istus | Greater | N | Fate, Divination, Honesty | Chaos, Knowledge, Law, Luck, Fate | Common, Baklunish, Elder |
| Mouqol | Lesser | N | Trade, Negotiation, Ventures, Appraisal, Reciprocity | Knowledge, Travel, Trickery, Pact | Baklunish |
| Ralishaz (Tharizdun?) | Intermediate | CN (CE) | Luck, Misfortune, Insanity | Chaos, Destruction, Luck, Madness | Baklunish |
| Xan Yae | Lesser | N | Twilight, Shadows, Stealth, Mental power | Knowledge, Trickery, War, Celerity, Balance | Common, Baklunish |
| Zuoken | Demigod | N | Mastery | Knowledge, Strength, War, Celerity | Baklunish |
Traits
Born in the Saddle
You grew up as a horse-rider, exposed to the exhilaration of riding despite your otherwise civilized background.
Benefit: Ride and Handle Animal are class skills for you.
Clarity of the Prophets
You spend your life in devotion to the gods and prophets of the people.
Benefit: When the DM thinks you are about to do an action that would be out of your alignment or break a code you adhere to, he should tell you and you have the option to cancel that action.
Desert Survivor
You have passed the desert several times, and have accepted its dangers and made peace with fate.
Benefit: Survial is a class skill for you. You gain a +5 trait bonus on Survival rolls in desert and arid plains terrain.
Horse Raider
You have learned the most important thing for a horse raider - speed.
Benefit: You gain a +2 talent bonus in initiative checks when riding a horse.
Mare's Milk
You were born among horses and fed mare's milk as a child. This gives you a special bond with horses.
Benefit: When you ride horse, your mount gains temporary hit points equal to your Ride skill modifier. You can renew these temporary hit points as a full-round action, but this costs you one hit point.