D&D 5E [Radiant Citadel] A chart of parallel Earth cultures and motifs across the D&D Multiverse

[Yaarel]

Note, the map of planet Oerth is fully official. The image of it appears in the 3e Gazetteer for the World of Greyhawk setting.

Unfortunately, this global map is tiny, and the dark areas of mountains are difficult to distinguish from the sea in places. Also the island of Fireland (top left) is famously way too far west.

Nevertheless, this map makes Oerth core for the Greyhawk setting.

Below, I overlay both the original Dragon Magazine Annual map with this later official map. It shows what Oerth looks like. I doubled the map to clarify what the ocean between East Oerik (Flanaess-Hepmonaland) and West Oerik (Gonduria-Aquaria) looks like. Note Australia-esque, actually all of Oceania, in this ocean.

 

[TwiceBorn2]

Ah thanks, I was actually looking for ~Slavic references for Stonefist, because I was just going off of memory. I'd thought I'd read some DRAGON mag article in the 90s about using Slavic flavor for Stonefist Barbarians, but I wasn't sure if I was remembering right. I'll aim to include these in the Hold of Stonefist entry.

Your memory serves you well, young Jedi, though the articles date from the early eighties.

Gygax wrote the following in Dragon Mag #63 (p. 11):

Relating this to the WORLD OF GREYHAWK map, the lands of the Frost, Ice, and Snow Barbarians, as well as the Hold of Stonefist, would produce Scandinavian/Slavic-type barbarian fighters. These characters would employ broad swords and short bows as additional required initial weapons. Horsemanship would be nominal at best, but running would be normal, and in most cases the skill of making and manning rowed boats would exist.

In Dragon Mag #57 (pp. 13-14), he wrote:

While the Hold itself was relatively safe from invasion, the Master, Seuvord Redbeard, and his Atamen and chieftains were faced with a dilemma.

The Rovers of the Barrens were undoubtedly gaining in numbers once again, so no easy raiding prospects existed to the west. Likewise, both southern passes to the rich state of Tenh and the lands of the Fruztii were closed to all but a major effort. A major effort was impossible because of the near-revolt of the eastern (mainly Coltens-descendant) bands under Ataman Dyerg Keda (fighter, 12th level) and supported by over a dozen chieftains and subchiefs. Seuvord Redbeard, being both tough and intelligent, refused to be drawn into a civil war, for then the surrounding enemies of the Hold would surely take the opportunity offered and destroy the remnants of the state. As Seuvord also wished his own line to retain the Mastership of the Hold. as a hereditary right, he called a great council at Purmill, with safe conduct for all who attended.

Many observers were surprised that all of the principal leaders of the Hold took part in the convocation, but those aware of the cleverness of Seuvord knew that he was certainly responsible for the showing. What was put forth at the council by Seuvord Redbeard was that the Hold must adapt to the changes taking place and the new alliances against its people. He asked the assembled leaders to grant him the hereditary title of Rhelt; he asked that Atamen also be made hereditary leaders, and also that the chief men of each area be given the right to elect the warband leaders. The Rite of Battle Fitness was not to be done away with, however. Instead, it would qualify warriors for service in the standing army to be formed immediately, with those of exceptional capabilities to be made leaders, companions of the Rhelt, or even war chiefs whose right it would be to expand the realm through conquest and occupation.

There was considerable dissension, particularly from the direct descendants of Stonefist, but enough of them, as well as of the nomadic chieftains, agreed to Seuvord’s proposal to sway the entire assembly. In CY 578, shortly after Tenh had coronated its new Duke, the Master of the Hold became Rhelt Seuvord I of Stonehold. Several of his cousins took ill from a mysterious flux shortly after the coronation, and about a dozen others were reported fleeing into the Griff Mountains with a small band of loyal followers.

The former Hold of Stonefist is now divided into four Atamanships: Vlekstaad, Purmill, Kelten, and Bastro. Four Great Chieftains were also created: Reindeer, White Bear, Walrus, and Forest (Hraak) People. The word of these Great Chieftains is equal to that of an Ataman. Finally, war chiefs of the west, south, north, and east were appointed to raise bands of fists to keep the land safe until the Rhelt’s own army could be formed.


Although Russian and Ukrainian Cossacks were led by Atamans, I haven't found a real world equivalent for the title of "Rhelt." That one might be entirely fictitious?

As far as the Flan bloodline of many Stoneholders go, Gygax wrote the following in the Guide to the World of Greyhawk (1983, p. 36):

Stonefist, then Vlek Col Vlekzed, founded his chiefdom in approximately 430 CY. Vlek was cast out from the Rovers of the Barrens for banditry and lying, but a small number of warriors and their families followed him as leader [...] Riding unmolested through the lands of his former people, but not caring to test their fighting ability, Vlek moved beyond White Fanged Bay and established a fortified settlement as a permanent camp.

That same source indicates that the leader of the Rovers of the Barrens (one of the few "pure Flan" peoples remaining in the Flanaess, as per p. 10 of the 1983 Guide) also holds the title of "Ataman of the Standards." They "ply lance and javelin, although many also use bows," as well as "lariats to pull enemies down" (p. 33) Further, Gygax adds that "The wardogs are footmen able to run with cavalry and fight, hamstringing enemy mounts and disrupting their formations."

So Gygax's Rovers were a combination of Cossacks and "wild footmen" (wardogs), later revised as a blend of Great Plains Indians and other North American indigenous peoples in David Howery's adventure "Ghost Dance" in Dungeon no. 32 (1991). Here are a few excerpts:

Howery's depiction of the Rovers is a major departure from Gygax's vision, and it definitely muddied the waters where their cultural and linguistic identity are concerned. That in turn has consequences for how we envision the blended Flan/Suloise peoples of Stonehold. Erik Mona and the co-authors of the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer took a middle path with regards to the Rovers, incorporating aspects of both Gygax (Cossacks led by Atamans - but were they "Hamitic, as Gygax describes the Flan elsewhere???) and Howery (Native Americans).

Also, since the Rovers apparently roamed the Barrens before the arrival of the Suloise and Oeridians, does this mean that the "Slavic" elements of their culture (according to Gygax) arose in isolation as opposed to via contact with the northern Suloise barbarians? It's all so confusing. I guess we're back to having to accept the fantasy of it all without seeking out real world comparisons.

As an aside... even though I have no doubt that the work of all Greyhawk authors referred to above was done with a great deal of admiration for the cultures they were inspired by and borrowed from, I can't help but cringe now at the blatant cultural appropriation that they engaged in (especially in the Howery excerpts). Ouch.

Live and learn.

 

[Ripzerai]

The French comic, "Black Moon", has quasiofficial status, in that it had official permission from TSR to use Oerth as the setting of the comic.

This isn't true at all. The world of the comic is called (at least in the English translation I read) Earth, not Oerth. Oerth has two moons, while the Black Moon Chronicles has only a single moon. The creator didn't have, or need, any permission from TSR.

François Marcela-Froideval did work with TSR in the 1980s, creating the Known World map in the Master Set, the hero-deity Kelanen, and the original draft of Oriental Adventures, and he is probably the original creator of the Oerth map published in the 1996 Dragon Annual, which would explain why the Black Moon nations are on it (Skip Williams wrote the text in the article, he didn't design the map). But his comic is not set on Oerth. It's its own thing.

 

[Yaarel]

This isn't true at all. The world of the comic is called (at least in the English translation I read) Earth, not Oerth. Oerth has two moons, while the Black Moon Chronicles has only a single moon. The creator didn't have, or need, any permission from TSR.

Hi. Im not exactly sure what you are objecting to.

When I say the comic is quasi-official, I mean this:

François Marcela-Froideval did work with TSR in the 1980s, creating the Known World map in the Master Set, the hero-deity Kelanen, and the original draft of Oriental Adventures, and he is probably the original creator of the Oerth map published in the 1996 Dragon Annual,

The point that is relevant in this thread is this.

which would explain why the Black Moon nations are on it (Skip Williams wrote the text in the article, he didn't design the map). But his comic is not set on Oerth. It's its own thing.

A number of nations, cultures, and placenames that are in the comic are also part of the 1996 map of Oerth. For example, Lynn/Lhynn corresponds to reallife France (and when an empire the Holy Roman Empire). When identifying points of contact between the D&D traditions, including this map, the comic is helpful.

While Greyhawk focuses on the subcontinent of Flanaess on the east side of the continent of Oerik, the comic focuses on the west side of the continent of Oerik.

 

[QuentinGeorge]

My understanding that Marcela-Froideval as a good friend of Gygax and originally tapped for "Oriental Adventures" created the Black Moon setting as "Western Oerik" but after Gygax lost TSR and Black Moon was published independently he removed/changed many of the most obvious connections.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

Still aiming to include and address the suggestions other posters have made in this thread.
But here's the latest update. I'm starting to add (named or illustrated) persons of color to the OP. I realize there's many to add, such as Black characters from Tomb of Annihilation, and the Ravenloft darklord which a previous poster mentioned. But here are some new entries so far:

~Black characters from non-African fantastic cultures (~African diaspora):

• In Toril:
  • An unnamed iconic male hero depicted in the illustration of Phandalin in the Essentials Kit.
• In Izmer (the setting of the first D&D film):
  • Snails the rogue, played by Marlon Wayans. [Editorial note: When I saw the film, as soon as Snails appeared, I said to myself: "If the Black man is the first to die, this film is sh*t." Well, the film was sh*t.]
• In Eberron: (Since real-world motifs are so throughly blended in Eberron, we're listing Black characters in this Diaspora section.)
  • Dalin d'Vadalis, patriarch of House Vadalis.
  • An illustration of a Black female artificer in Keith Baker Presents "High Level Adventures" (here).
  • An illustration of a Black male member of House Cannith (here).
  • An illustration of a Black half-elf male member of House Medani (here).

~Asian-featured characters from non-Asian fantastic cultures (~Pan-Asian diaspora):

• In Eberron:
  • Zorlan d'Cannith
  • An illustration of a male Deneith soldier (here).

 

[Dungeonosophy]

Starting to sort through the Ravenloft cultures. Progress so far:

~Eastern European:

• In Ravenloft:
  • Barovia (~Transylvania). Their Balok language is ~Romanian (see the glossary here). Originating in Barovia, Balok is also spoken in Invidia, Borca, G'Henna, Markovia, and the former domain of Dorvinia.
  • Borca (~Russian with Borgian Italian politics). The ruler is Ivana Boritsi.
  • Dorvinia (~Russian). The ruler was Ivan Dilisnya, cousin of the ruler of Borca. During the Grand Conjunction event, Dorvinia was merged into Borca.
  • Invidia speaks the Balok language, but has ~Italian motifs.
  • Markovia (~Russian). The darklord of Markovia, Dr. Frantisek Markov, was born in Barovia. Markov is a real-world Russian (and Bulgarian) name.
  • G'Henna (~Russian). The darklord of G'Henna, High Priest Yagno Petrovna, was born in Barovia. Petrovna is a real-world surname of Russian nobles.
  • Vorostokov and their Vos language (~Russian). Note: the Vos people of the world of Aebrynis (Birthright) are also ~Russian.
  • The Gundars/Gundarakites of Gundarak. Their language is ~Hungarian (see the glossary here). It's said that the horsemen who settle in Gundarak were possibly kin to the (~Turko-Mongolian) Neureni Horde. The real-world Hungarians (Magyars) are descendants of steppe warriors who were allied with the Turko-Mongolian peoples.
  • Vlad Drakov, darklord of Falkovnia, is modeled on Vlad Dracula / Vlad the Impaler of Wallachia (~Romania). Vlad Drakov is from the nation of Thenol on the continent of Taladas, in the world of Krynn.
  • The Vistani (~Roma)

~Norse / Scandinavian:

• In Ravenloft:
  • Nova Vaasa. The Vaasi language is modeled on Modern Danish (see the glossary here). For example Vaasi høj is Danish "high" (not Norwegian høy). This land is implied, but not definitely affirmed, to be spawned from the nation of Vaasa in the world of Toril.
  • Hazlan. The domain of Hazlan speaks the Vaasi language, and thus has ~Modern Danish placenames.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

Update: Reading a Dragonlance novel (Brothers Majere) while I’m on vacation in Alaska, I noticed this odd and rare Egyptian motif in Krynn:

Ancient Egyptian:

• In Krynn: Bast the Cat Lord is named after Bast the Egyptian cat-headed goddess.

 

[Voadam]

Update: Reading a Dragonlance novel (Brothers Majere) while I’m on vacation in Alaska, I noticed this odd and rare Egyptian motif in Krynn:

Ancient Egyptian:

• In Krynn: Bast the Cat Lord is named after Bast the Egyptian cat-headed goddess.

Reading that linked entry, there is also an allusion there to the Elric Animal Lord Meerclar the Mistress of Cats. Not a real world reference but still interesting. While Bast in Krynn is male, both Meerclar and Egyptian Bast are female.

 

[Dungeonosophy]

Reading that linked entry, there is also an allusion there to the Elric Animal Lord Meerclar the Mistress of Cats. Not a real world reference but still interesting. While Bast in Krynn is male, both Meerclar and Egyptian Bast are female.

Not sure what you mean by “Elric Animal Lord”—could you clarify?

I had to look up Meeclar—you’re suggesting that the name of the Krynnish city of Mereklar is inspired by “Meerclar” the goddess of cats in Tad William’s Tailchaser’s Song fantasy novel? Nice find—though yeah, that’s beyond the scope of this chart.

However, I have considered adding a “Literary and Pop Culture” section to the chart. That Mereklar/Meerclar reference would go there, along with the many other D&D motifs which are clearly inspired by a particular book or pop culture source: e.g. the Magnum PI and Fantasy Island references in Mystara’s Ierendi gazetteer; Tolkienian hobniz, treants, and balors; and a gazillion others.

Would also be a place to mention the licensed worlds which temporarily appeared in the D&D multiverse, such as Elric, Cthulhu, Lankhmar, Conan, Diablo, Kalamar, Shannara, Rick & Moraty, Exandria, Stranger Things, etc.

I’m traveling now, but I’d like to get around to adding that section. Along with adding in the other cultural motifs others have made so far in this thread.