Human, Oeridian

Oeridian skin tones range from tan to olive; brown and auburn hair are common, though some individuals have hair as light as honey or as dark as coal. Likewise, eye coloration is highly variable; brown and gray are seen most often. Oeridians tend to have square or oval faces and strong jaw lines.

After inhabiting what is now Ull and the Paynim Plains for generations, barbaric Oeridians were pressed on all sides by enemies during the later stages of Baklunish-Suel Wars. Pressed into the military service by both nations for decades they were finally driven east by orcs and goblins employed as mercenaries by the Baklunish and Suel. Led by Johydee of the Aerdi and Arnd of the Tdon, the Oeridians began a mass migration through the Fals Gap and into the Flanaess negotiating passage with the native Flan tribes where possible and, Perrenland, Keoland, Furyondy, the Great Kingdom, Sunndi, and Onnwal.

The Oeridians are generally a very ambitious folk. Their devotion to power and greatness also gives them an admirable streak of discipline. Say what you will about their conceit or greed, such characteristics are what drove them to design great castles, conquer much of the Flanaess and revolutionize warfare. The Oeridian peoples rose from an extended time of enslavement to the pre-eminent position on Eastern Oerik. As a people, the Oeridians were more of a military state from their earliest times.

The migrating Oeridians passed over the Flanaess like a brushfire, reaching the Solnor ocean in under two centuries. Ousting the Suel and Flan leaders they found, and largely replacing the powerful territorial magnates, the Oeridians imposed a new political structure that is broadly termed “feudal”. Many of the Suel and Flan leaders lost lands and titles and a number of free peasants had their rights and legal access much decreased, becoming unfree villains, despite the fact that this status did not exist among the Oeridians themselves. At the same time, many of the new Oerdian magnates were distributed lands by the Grand Duke, and then later the King, that had been taken from Suel nobles and the Flan.

Although initially nomadic and tribal... their movement to a cosmopolitan monarchical system was rapid (beginning with individuals like Lum and Tuerny). Their feudalistic system is strongly hierarchical by nature. However, there is great flexibility in how a particular hierarchy is established and carried out. At the height of its power, the Kingdom of Aerdy spanned most of the Flanaess (with the exception of the southwestern Oeridian/Suel Kingdom of Keoland).

The most powerful empire in the modern Flanaess was created by a conquering tribe of Oeridians, the Aerdi, who subjugated and assimilated all who opposed them. Ancient Oeridians were fierce warriors, yet they also were self-sacrificing and loyal. These traits are not as evident today, but many Oeridians do remain temperamental and prone to violence. They have a preference for strict social order, usually fitting themselves at the top, and their military traditions are strong. Aggression is often channelled into political conflict and subterfuge. The Oeridian skill at warfare is unsurpassed, and many folk have a hard-learned respect for it. In peacetime, they are practical, hard working, and not inclined to intellectual pursuits.

Oeridian dress normally consists of a short tunic and close-fitting trousers with a cape or cloak, tailored for ease of movement. Aerdi and Nyrondal Oeridians favour plaids and checks, with ovals or diamonds in the south and west. Colours and patterns once showed clan allegiance, but this practice is fading in favour of personal colour preference. Oerdian men usually shave their faces and keep their hair cut very short, unlike the Flan and Suel, who generally prefer beards, moustaches, and/or long hair. Oerdian women also wear their hair short in many cases. The famous Oerdian haircut consists of a small swatch of hair on top of the head to the ears, while the back of the skull is closely shaven. This haircut probably developed due to their tendency to wear chainmail coifs over their heads, which will tangle painfully with long hair.

Oerdian culture revolves heavily around fighting and combat. They have strong military values that permeates their culture. Their favourite pastimes including hunting and sparring. Following their warlike tendencies, magic-using Oeridians focus on battle-oriented spells, as well as the enchantment of magic items useful in combat. Spell-casters have a hard-nosed, practical attitude, and they are generally hawkish and outgoing. Many strive to be leaders or masters. Magic is often used for pragmatic purposes, too, such as construction, irrigation, and iron-forging.

Oeridians have their own gods and goddesses but over the last 500 years powers from other races have also entered into common worship. Their pantheon today ix a hybrid one with Heironeous, Hextor, Pholtus, and Zilchus.

Oeridian Traits

Ability Score Requirements. N/A
Ability Score Adjustments. +1 Dexterity, -1 Wisdom.
Size. Medium
Speed. 12
Racial HP Adjustment. +0 HP
Natural AC. 10
Classes & Level Caps. All Unlimited.
Starting Languages. You speak, read, and write Common, Old Oeridian, and Keolandish.
Vision. Standard.

Oeridian Birthrights.

Choose one of the following:

Head for Politics. Your Charisma increase by +1. 

Exercise of Arnd. Gain weapon proficiency with longsword and shortsword. 

- Natural Leader. Gain proficiency with Etiquette, Heraldry, and Local History. Begin with 50% more GP than what you roll for your class.