Flan (Greyhawk 4E)

Greyhawk for 4E

Humans are the dominant race of Greyhawk, even after the resurge of the fey. This means humans need to be treated in greater detail than in most D&D campaigns. These variants of the basic human differ in details, but follow the general humans on humans as outlined in the Player’s Handbook, including the bonus feeat and extra at-will power. There are three differences besides purely cultural traits. Attributes are specified, with a +2 bonus to two different attributes. Bonus skills are specified to one of a short list – not to class skills. In some cases the second language is specified as well.

Racial Characteristics

Pseudo-Celts
The original tribal culture of the Flaeness. Few areas today have a purely Flan population, but their descendants live everywhere. The language has been mostly lost, but their gods are still very successful. Living close to nature and at the mercy of more powerful neighbors made the Flan tough and insightful.

• Attribute bonuses: +2 Con, +2 Wis
• Recommended classes: Fighter
• Cultural classes: Cleric, Fighter, Ranger, (Druid)
• Languages: Common, any one other.
• Bonus Skill: One of Endurance, Heal, Nature, Religion.

Cultural Traits

Though almost obsolete as a distinct people today, the Flan have had a great influence on present-day Oerdians and to a lesser extent on the Suel - more than those haughty peoples admit. The Flan also left many landmarks, and understanding Flan and their culture can be essential to surviving these.

Virtues: Generous, Boisterous, Carefree, Superstitious, Brave

Alignment: The Flan see alignment as secondary to survival. You do what you have to do and seek what allies you can find. Servitude under evil is better than the oblivion of death. The powers of light are more generally benevolent and to be served when you can afford to, but the powers of darkness can give an advantage at a critical time. A member of the tribe can sacrifice himself by turning to evil to save the tribe, only to be condemned and killed yet honored after death for his sacrifice.

Family: Group marriage. Liaisons encouraged, often for religious purposes. Matrilinear.

Sexual Practices: Gender equality, Promiscuity.

'Sexual Taboos: Mastrubation.

Magic: Mainly druidic and sorcerous magic utilizing the natural currents of magic. Protection and divining spells are used to avoid trouble rather than to confront it. Spells that manipulate and turn adversity into gain are popular, such as weather control, charm, gease, divination, and wards. When all else fails, flan magicians turn to necromancy.

Pantheon

The Flan as a people have largely been assimilated, first by the Oerdians and then into the common culture. But much of their lore survives, and their gods have become very popular and many are a part of the common pantheon. Many modern theologians believe the Flan teachings to be the closest to revealing the true nature of the gods.

The Flan mythology is based around generation cycles, with a first generation of greater gods, a second generation of lesser gods, and succeeding generqations of heroes, kings, and mere mortals all the way to the present day and age.

Beory

Beory is the personification of the earth and the supreme mother of the pantheon. All the other gods are defined by their relationship to her. She is eternally generous and unable to deny any of her children and lovers, which often leads to tragedy.

Pelor

The god of the sun. Pelor is Beory’s favored husband, father of many of the Flan gods. He is a positive male aspect and a fertility god, the eternal enemy of Nerull.

Nerull

The god of the night and of death, Nerull is Beory’s second husband and the rival and enemy of Pelor. Defeated numerous times in the legends, Beory always forgives him so that night can follow day.

Berei

The daughter and incarnation of Beory, Berei is the first human and queen mother of the Flan people just as Beory is the mother of the Flan gods. She is not as impartial as Beory, more worldly and practical. She is either an avatar or exarch of Beory.

Obad-Hai

The first king, husband to Berei and father of the Flan. Obad-Hai is a god of nature, hunting, and weather. His role is to kill as required to feed the tribe and to make room for new life. He is an avatar of Kord.

Allitur

The god of propriety and diplomacy, Allitur is the son of Beory and Pelor, brother to Rao. He is a minor god with no pretenses to greatness, but important during times of peace. He is an avatar of Yondalla.

Celene

The mysterious small moon represents renewal, illusions, and roads not yet walked. She leads ever on without revealing where, and is an avatar of Istus.

Ehlonna

The eternal maiden, Ehlonna is Beory in her maiden aspect, Berei before she marries Obad-Hai, and both huntress and prey in the eternal cycle of life.

Incabolous

A suitor Berei refused, Incabolous is a petty god seeking revenge against her children, the Flan. His weapons are famine and pestilence; he kills plants and game alike to weaken the tribes. He is an avatar or reincarnation of Nerull. The cycle of recurring suitor trouble is very central to Flan myth.

Luna

A daughter of Nerull and Beory, Luna is the ever-shifting moon and a symbol of women, dreams and mysterious powers. She is an avatar of Sehanine.

Myhriss

The goddess of romance and beauty, Myhriss is the aspect of Beory as a young woman, between Ehlonna the child and Berei the queen mother. She puts garlands in her hair and dances to entice the warriors and hunters of the tribe. She is another aspect of Sehanine.

Olidarma

A happy trickster and rogue, Olidarma invented wine and beer and encourage his followers to indulge. Often seen as the young incarnation of Obad-Hai and suitor of Myhriss, he is said to be descended from a dalliance between Beory and a goat and is often depicted as a satyr.

Rao

The serene god, Raois the brother of Allitur and the son of Beory and Pelor. He is the god of reason, peace, and law. He is the first medicine-man and the constantly-ignored advisor of Obad-Hai.

Zodal

The martyr and messenger of peace, Zodal is an ascended human, an exarch of Rao, and a victim and enemy of Vecna. He was a tribal chieftain at the time of the Flan empire. Only Zodal had no secrets Vecna could use to control him, but was still dethroned and forced to live as a wanderer.

Vecna

The final king of the old Flan empire, Vecna mastered all the tribes by learning and using their secrets against them. In time he became the first lich and was served by the first vampire, creating an empire of evil that fell only when the two fought it out. He is also an exarch of Rao.