Tell me about Greyhawk
- Thread starter Moggthegob
- Start date
green slime
First Post
*nostalgic sigh*
GVDammerung
First Post
I you are interested in the history of the Greyhawk setting, you can rely on fan created synopses or you will need to find an out of print product. The out of print materials that will provide you with a history of the setting are, in chronological order -
1) The original Greyhawk Folio
2) The 1983 World of Greyhawk Boxed Set
3) The From the Ashes Boxed Set
4) The Adventure Begins (Greyhawk 98 Book)
5) The Living Greyhawk Gazateer
All of these products reproduce the same basic history before moving on to other topics. So, you only need find one of the above.
As far as what makes Greyhawk, Greyhawk? The best I can say is that Greyhawk is an acquired taste that you will know when you identify it. That's sounds like one squirrly defination of a setting but I believe it is literally true. Why? While each of the above listed titles recites the same basic version of the setting, each also then went well beyond what had been written before or went in a different direction thematially (with the possible exception of the Folio and 83 Boxed Set).
So, (conflating the Folio and 83 Boxed Set) there are four unique Greyhawk's out there. Each starts in the same place with respect to history. Each builds on what came before to a substantial degree. But the feel of each is substantially different. I suppose you could even add a fifth Greyhawk in the Paizo released 3X "Greyhawk in all but name materials," but there is no core book for these materials.
With, then, 4 or 5 distinct versions of Greyhawk, what makes Greyhawk, Greyhawk? I don't believe there can be one answer that will account for all of the variations. It is then up to you the reader to pick and choose, to mix and match, to acquire the taste.
Greyhawk is not just nostalgia. It has the most real world history of any setting, ever, no exceptions. That real would history then expresses itself in 4 or 5 distinct incarnations. There are 4 or 5 incarnations because Greyhawk won't die, despite attempts to kill it, ignore it, genericize it or dismiss it as nostalgia. What makesGreyhawk so enduring? Pick one of the above products, dive in and figure it out. That's the best advice I can give.
1) The original Greyhawk Folio
2) The 1983 World of Greyhawk Boxed Set
3) The From the Ashes Boxed Set
4) The Adventure Begins (Greyhawk 98 Book)
5) The Living Greyhawk Gazateer
All of these products reproduce the same basic history before moving on to other topics. So, you only need find one of the above.
As far as what makes Greyhawk, Greyhawk? The best I can say is that Greyhawk is an acquired taste that you will know when you identify it. That's sounds like one squirrly defination of a setting but I believe it is literally true. Why? While each of the above listed titles recites the same basic version of the setting, each also then went well beyond what had been written before or went in a different direction thematially (with the possible exception of the Folio and 83 Boxed Set).
So, (conflating the Folio and 83 Boxed Set) there are four unique Greyhawk's out there. Each starts in the same place with respect to history. Each builds on what came before to a substantial degree. But the feel of each is substantially different. I suppose you could even add a fifth Greyhawk in the Paizo released 3X "Greyhawk in all but name materials," but there is no core book for these materials.
With, then, 4 or 5 distinct versions of Greyhawk, what makes Greyhawk, Greyhawk? I don't believe there can be one answer that will account for all of the variations. It is then up to you the reader to pick and choose, to mix and match, to acquire the taste.
Greyhawk is not just nostalgia. It has the most real world history of any setting, ever, no exceptions. That real would history then expresses itself in 4 or 5 distinct incarnations. There are 4 or 5 incarnations because Greyhawk won't die, despite attempts to kill it, ignore it, genericize it or dismiss it as nostalgia. What makesGreyhawk so enduring? Pick one of the above products, dive in and figure it out. That's the best advice I can give.
Moggthegob
First Post
i read merrics article, which really helped a few questions though, what roles do Keoland, Highfolk, and the such fill. As an analogy to europe, who is who?
Also, what is the difference between the subraces, i have heard several different exlanations and would like to know what you think.
Finally, is there what exactly is the deal with Rary, and the conflcit between Iuzand vecna, also is vecna still a major threat or is that a resolved plot line.
Also, what is the difference between the subraces, i have heard several different exlanations and would like to know what you think.
Finally, is there what exactly is the deal with Rary, and the conflcit between Iuzand vecna, also is vecna still a major threat or is that a resolved plot line.
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
That's exactly right.Snotlord said:
Moggthegob said:
Ok...
Rary was one of the Circle of Eight, a group of terribly powerful wizards who occasionally worked to preserve the balance in Greyhawk. At the end of the Greyhawk Wars (584 CY), a big conflict that involved the entire continent, he attempted to sabotage the peace conference, slaying some of the other Circle of Eight in the process. He then fled to the Bright Desert with his companion Robilar and set up an "empire" of the desert folk.
In the Living Greyhawk campaign, there have been a number of adventures about him.
Vecna, once a famous lich, aspired to Godhood in 581 CY. In the process, Iuz attempted to stop him. Since then they've had a big rivalry, especially since Vecna has since become a powerful god - more powerful than Iuz, who is a demi-god. Vecna's ascent is pretty much a resolved plot-line, but his cultists provide many adventuring opportunities.
Keoland... hmm, I've never really assigned an equivalent to it. Generally Western Medieval, but with a great distrust of arcane magic.
Highfolk... an enclave of humans and elves, good-hearted people, who live on a trade route and are entirely too close to the land of Iuz for comfort.
Veluna & Furyondy... more European monarchy types, although Veluna is a theocracy.
The Races:
Flan... original inhabitants; culture varies between Celtic and North American natives.
Suloise... used to have a big empire; Germanic (Aryan) or Viking cultures (Frost Barbarians, Great Kingdom)
Baklunish... used to have a big empire, haven't migrated away; Arabic and Moors.
Oeridian... latecomers who gained a big empire (Great Kingdom) and are losing it... generally I see them as Romans.
Rhennee... they're Gypsies that live on the water. (The Attloi are Gypsies that live on land).
There's a couple of other minor races (e.g. Olman).
Cheers!
Last edited:
Arkhandus
First Post
What do you mean by difference between the subraces? Do you mean non-human subraces, like different kinds of elves and such, or do you mean the different races of humanity, i.e. the Suloise, Baklunish, Flans, Oeridians, Rhennee, and Olmans?
If you mean the humans, there's no statistical differences between them. There are different languages used amongst them, but no statistical differences. Other creatures with subraces (like dark elves vs. high elves) do have some statistical differences, as normal in the Monster Manual.
If you mean the humans, there's no statistical differences between them. There are different languages used amongst them, but no statistical differences. Other creatures with subraces (like dark elves vs. high elves) do have some statistical differences, as normal in the Monster Manual.
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
A bunch of powerful wizards seeking to "preserve the balance" makes me think of all the worst conspiracy theories about multinational corporations. The Circle of Eight are jerks!
Similar Threads
