Common (Greyhawk)
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"Common" is not a culture or people, it is a language and a melange of culture and blood. A mixture of Flan, Oerdian, and Suel with influences from other human and nonhuman cultures. The Oerdian are the outwardly dominant, but the other cultures have many subtle but important influences. The common tounge is basically a debased form of Old Oerdian with Baklunish gramatical influences and a very large vocabulary from many different sources.
Common culture has picked up many good traits from its component peoples and has shown itself to be incredibly successful and hardy, dominating the Flaness, in particular the more urban and progressive central part.
Real-World Models
European renaissance.
Ethics
The common man of today is a pragmatic neutral with a tendency towards law and good. Acting in concert, the culture seems to be lawful good, but individuals are unlikely to give up their freedoms or jump over a chance for some quick personal gain, even at the expense of another. Law and chaos is seen as less important than good and evil.
Cultural Traits
Accepting, Pragmatic, Ambitious, Honest, Outgoing.
Practices
Prostitution, Gender equality, Monogamy, Birth control, Relationships outside culture/race.
Taboos
Incest, Masturbation, Nudity.
Family
Monogamous. Liaisons tolerated. Lineage is by social standing; children inherit the name and identity of either parent. Core family is very strong; extended family is weak.
Magic
A hearty mix of divine and arcane magic. Chaotic evil religions are generally illegal, and the arts of enchantment and necromancy are frowned upon. Magic items tend to be practical, enchanted versions of everyday gear. Many prefer spells with few complications and direct effect, such as evocation.
Pantheon
The common pantheon is a mix of imported deities and recently ascended mortals. As there is no common mythology, the pantheon has no leader per se, but Pelor and Istus are generally recognized as the most important gods (though Istus has only a small church). The ascended mortals Trithereon and St Cuthbert are among the most popular, and their churches are often rivals.
Name | Rank | Alignment | Sphere | Domains | |
Berei | Lesser | NG | Family, Agriculture | Good, Plant, Protection, Family | Common, Flan |
Bleredd | Lesser | N | Metal, Mines, Smiths | Earth, Fire, Strength, Metal | Common, Oerdian, Flan |
Boccob | Greater | N | Magic | Knowledge, Magic, Trickery, Oracle, Spell | Common, Baklunish, Elder |
Celestian | Intermediate | N (NG) | Space, Stars, Wanderers | Knowledge, Travel, Protection, Oracle | Common, Oerdian |
Daern | Demigod | LN | Defense, Fortification | Law, Protection, Craft | Common |
Ehlonna (Ehlenestra) | Intermediate | NG | Forests, Flora and fauna, Fertility | Animal, Good, Plant, Sun, Celertity, Renewal | Flan, Elf, Common |
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 |
Incablous (Sevelkhar the Waster) | 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 |
Iuz | Demigiod | CE | Deceit, Pain, Oppression | Chaos, Evil, Trickery, Deathbound | Common |
Kord | Intermediate | CG | Athletics, Sport, Courage | Chaos, Good, Strength, Competition, Courage | Common, Suel |
Mayaheine | Demigod | LG | Protection, Justice, Valor | Good, Law, Protection, War | Common |
Myhriss | Lesser | NG | Love, Romance, Beauty | Good, Healing, Protection, Charm | Common, Flan |
Nerull | Greater | NE | Death, Darkness, Death, Murder, Underworld | Death, Evil, Trickery, Darkness, Pestilence | Common, Flan, Elder |
Obad-Hai | Intermediary | N | Nature, Freedom, Hunting, Beasts | Air, Animal, Earth, Fire, Plant, Water, Windstorm | Common, Flan |
Olidarma | Intermediate | CN | Revels, Wine, Rogues, Humor, Tricks | Chaos, Luck, Trickery, Celerity, Mind | Common, Flan |
Pelor | Greater | NG | Sun, Light, Strength, Healing | Good, Healing, Strength, Sun, Community, Glory | Common, Flan, Elder |
Rao | Greater | LG | Peace, Reason, Serenity | Law, Good, Knowledge, Community, Purification | Common, Flan |
Rudd | Demigod | CN (CG) | Chance, Good luck, Skill | Chaos, Good, Luck | Common, Oerdian |
St Cuthbert | Intermediate | LN (LG) | Common sense, Wisdom, Zeal, Honesty, Discipline | Destruction, Good, Law, Protection, Strength, Domination | Common |
Tharizdun | Intermediate | NE | Eternal darkness, Decay, Entropy, Malign knowledge, Insanity | Destruction, Evil, Knowledge, Force, Madness | Common, Elder, Suel |
Trithereon | Intermediate | CG | Individuality, Liberty, Retribution, Self-defense | Chaos, Good, Protection, Strength, Liberation, Summoner | Oerdian, Flan, Common |
Wastri | Demigod | LN (LE) | Amphibians, Bigotry, Self-Deception | Animal, Law, War, Purification, Scalykind | Common |
Wee Jas | Intermediate | LN (LE) | Magic, Death, Vanity, Law | Death, Law, Magic, Domination, Mind | Common, Suel |
Xan Yae | Lesser | N | Twlight, Shadows, Stealth, Mental power | Knowledge, Trickery, War, Celerity, Balance | Common, Baklunish |
Zagyg | Demigod | CN (CG) | Humor, Eccentricity, Occult, Unpredictability | Chaos, Knowledge, Magic | Common |
Zodal | Lesser | NG | Mercy, Hope, Benevolence | Good, Healing, Protection | Common, Flan |