rates html versions of documents as we crawl the web. ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE NONHUMAN RACES OF THE FLANAESS Overview With regard to the Flanaess within the last millenium, the origins and migrations of the various races of humanity (the Flan, Suloise, Oeridians, and Baklunish) have been extensively discussed elsewhere. However, the dominions and travels of various non-human races (both demi-humas and humanoids) have not been treated in the same way. This work seeks to briefly investigate the history of the various nonhumans by examining the population figures given in the main reference, the Guide to the World of Greyhawk. Since that work has only minimal information about remote areas (such as forests and mountains beyond the rule of men), any figures discussed below must only be lower-bound estimates on the number of "fighting males" in the given region. However, these numbers can still be useful in gauging the general population distribution of these creatures. In summary, one finds that the demi-human races of Dwarves, Elves, and Gnomes are most thickly clustered around (and therefore presumably originating from) the geography of the old Lortmil Mountains (including the Sheldomar Valley and the Vesve Forest); Halflings can mostly be found in the Urnst states. Note that there are no large independent demi-human states in the east, such as Highfolk, Celene, or the Ulek states in the west. Organized humanoid tribes are most common in the harshest mountain ranges (Crystalmists et. al., Corusk/Griff/Rakers ranges, Yatils), those lower lands they have managed to despoil (Pomarj, Bone March), and stretches of the northern plains (Iuz, Horned Society, Bandit Kingdoms, Rovers of the Barrens). Due to the tentative grasp that such monsters had on the Lortmil Mountains (proven by the success of the Hateful Wars in 498-510 CY), it's clear that these mainly Orc and Goblin tribes had moved into the area from some external source (and this is borne out by the language used on WOG p. 31). Dwarves Dwarves are known to number at least 57,000 in the Flanaess. They may be seen to reside primarily in three regions: (1) the Ulek states and the Lortmil mountains, where over 27,000 are known to reside (about two-thirds hill dwarves); (2) the Glorioles mountains, Hestmark and Hollow Highlands, Sunndi, and the Iron Hills (13,000 mountain dwarves in the Glorioles and Sunndi; plus, according to Dragon #57, some eight to ten thousand hill dwarf soldiers in the Iron Hills under Dwarfking Holgi Hirsute); and (3) the area of Ratik and the Rakers (where at least 8,000 mountain dwarves lend allegience to Ratik). From this information, one might suggest that at one point there were three major dwarf "kingdoms", centered in the Lortmil Mountains, the Rakers, and the Glorioles. It would be easy to assume, then, that the less significant dwarf populations were the result of centuries-long exploration and migration (such as in the Yatils and the Crystalmists and affiliated ranges, and the various highlands in the nearby regions). Since about half of the countable dwarves are in the Principality of Ulek alone, one might think that this must be the area of their origin. Elves There are at least 135,000 elves known to be in the Flanaess. Over 100,000 of these can be counted in the greater Lortmil region: (1) some 50,000 in the combined area of Highfolk, the Vesve, and Veluna (mostly High Elves, and ruled by the "Lord of the High Elves"); (2) almost 25,000 in the Gnarley Forest and Celene (wherein rules the "Queen of All Elvenkind" over a mostly Grey Elf populace); and (3) over 30,000 if one adds up the elves in the Ulek states, Dreadwood, and Geoff. It's thus easy to postulate that these monarchs have always looked over the Olvenkind in the shadows of the Lortmil Mountains. Elven populations in other regions could then be the result of ages-old travel by roving tribes when they had the opportunity to explore the open east. One can picture movement past the Lake of Unknown Depths into the Celadon ("many" elves), the Gamboge (13,000), the Adri and Grandwood (7,000), and then to Sunndi (7,000), the Rieuwood and Menowood, and then finally the far-flung Spindrift Isles. Finally, it should be noted that the Sulhaut Mountains are the only locale about which it is said that "reports of Drow are not uncommon" (WOG p. 53). It would likewise be easy to imagine that, as the result of a legendary war between the High Elves and the Dark, certain defeated elf tribes fled west out of the Lortmil region and into the forbidding Crystalmist range and beyond. Gnomes Some 75,000 gnomes can be easily counted; they live very much in the same general regions that dwarves do. Over two-thirds of this number live close to the Lortmils: (1) 31,000 in the Kron Hills, Verbobonc, and Veluna; (2) 16,500 in Celene and the Gnarley; (3) over 5,000 in Ulek and the lower Lortmils. Additionally, some 16,000 live in Highfolk and the Vesve; "many" in the Iron Hills and Hestmark Highlands; and there must be large numbers in the foothills of the Rakers, for some 3,000 are citizens of Ratik and the "Gnomeking Warren apHiller" holds sway in the Flinty Hills (according to the novel "Saga of Old City", p. 249). Other, unknown numbers of gnomes can be found near the Sheldomar Valley in the Good Hills, Stark Mounds, and Cairn Hills. At one point there were clans in the Blemu Hills (near the above-mentioned Gnomeking), but they were driven out by humanoids. The conclusions one can draw about gnomes mirror those of dwarves; each race probably shares a large piece of the other's ancient history. Halflings The halflings are not so numerous, important, studied, nor respected as the other strains of demi-humans. However, we can count at least 14,000 of their kind, and some 8,000 of them live in the rolling fields of the Urnst states (another 4,000 are in Ulek, 2,000 in Highfolk, and some in the Good Hills). So, the halfling race quite likely originated in the well-defended lands between the Nesser River, the Celadon Forest, and the Cairn Hills, by the banks of the Lake of Unknown Depths. Populations to the west might be the end of migrations to the Lortmils after the Urnst area became more unstable following Suloise movement through the region and repeated invasions by Aerdy (and later Nyrond). Humanoids The humanoids are not so easily counted as the demi-humans, but we can make certain generalizations about creatures such as the Orcs, Ogres, Gnolls, Hobgoblins, Goblins, and Kobolds. Certainly, most are found in wilderness as wasteland regions. The largest of these are in and around the huge mountain ranges: the Yatils, the Corusk-Griff-Rakers of the Thillronian Peninsula, and the massif composed of the Crystalmists-Hellfurnaces-Barrier Peaks-Jotens-Sulhaut Mountains. Great numbers are in the monster-controlled nations of the Bone March and Pomarj, along with the Drachensgrabs, the Wild Coast, and the Suss Forest -- although they are not native there, as opposed to gibberlings, ettercaps, and susserus (WOG p. 58). It would be easy to imagine these creatures to be native to the Crystalmist Mountains (et. al.), or locations even further west, and introduced throughout the Flanaess by the Suloise and Baklunish. Indeed, the "Brief History of Eastern Oerik" (WOG p. 8) says that in "the Baklunish-Suloise Wars, ... the hordes of Euroz and associated humanoid groups used as mercenaries by both sides, tended to pillage northward and eastward, driving the Oerids before them." This advancement is borne out today in the great numbers of humanoid creatures throughout the northern plains (Iuz, Horned Society, Rover of the Barrens, Bandit Kingdoms, Howling Hills, etc.); yet here we also have the machinations of evil demigods, and the mystery of Riftcanyon, so perhaps it is not incontrovertible. The Problem of Lortmil Sovreignty Let's say we accept that the various demi-human races have their origin around the Lortmils, Sheldomar Valley, and Nyr Dyv regions. Then one remaining problem is how the main Suloise migration through the Flanaess could pass directly through that strip of land, while leaving the demi-human realms as robust as they are today (the WOG p. 10 map shows the Suloise migration running exclusively over the Lortmils, Celene, Greyhawk, and Urnst). Possibly this was a very brief passage, or else certain conquests turned out to be short-lived when the demi-humans countered and forced the Suloise to escape further east. Note that at a date after this orginal Suloise passage there came (WOG p. 5) "the Houses of Rhola and Neheli -- late migrants who settled and held the Sheldomar"; perhaps at this time the demi-humans were in arms and no travel across the Lortmils was possible. Also note that it's only been some 120 years since the Ulek states were part of the Kingdom of Keoland and Celene saw royal garrisons of the same kingdom. It's quite likely that the current rulers of those states are the same ones that held power when the countries became independent (WOG p. 9, 27). Prior to that, one has to assume that the demi-humans were willing confederates of Keoland during its "several centuries of benign leadership", and it's not unlikely that the demi-humans took a century or two before deciding that Keoish imperialism was an intolerable change in policy. February 19, 1999 (original)

rates html versions of documents as we crawl the web.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE NONHUMAN RACES OF THE FLANAESS

Overview

      With regard to the Flanaess within the last millenium, the origins and migrations of the various races of humanity (the Flan, Suloise, Oeridians, and Baklunish) have been extensively discussed elsewhere. However, the dominions and travels of various non-human races (both demi-humas and humanoids) have not been treated in the same way.
      This work seeks to briefly investigate the history of the various nonhumans by examining the population figures given in the main reference, the Guide to the World of Greyhawk. Since that work has only minimal information about remote areas (such as forests and mountains beyond the rule of men), any figures discussed below must only be lower-bound estimates on the number of "fighting males" in the given region. However, these numbers can still be useful in gauging the general population distribution of these creatures.
      In summary, one finds that the demi-human races of Dwarves, Elves, and Gnomes are most thickly clustered around (and therefore presumably originating from) the geography of the old Lortmil Mountains (including the Sheldomar Valley and the Vesve Forest); Halflings can mostly be found in the Urnst states. Note that there are no large independent demi-human states in the east, such as Highfolk, Celene, or the Ulek states in the west. Organized humanoid tribes are most common in the harshest mountain ranges (Crystalmists et. al., Corusk/Griff/Rakers ranges, Yatils), those lower lands they have managed to despoil (Pomarj, Bone March), and stretches of the northern plains (Iuz, Horned Society, Bandit Kingdoms, Rovers of the Barrens). Due to the tentative grasp that such monsters had on the Lortmil Mountains (proven by the success of the Hateful Wars in 498-510 CY), it's clear that these mainly Orc and Goblin tribes had moved into the area from some external source (and this is borne out by the language used on WOG p. 31).

Dwarves

      Dwarves are known to number at least 57,000 in the Flanaess. They may be seen to reside primarily in three regions: (1) the Ulek states and the Lortmil mountains, where over 27,000 are known to reside (about two-thirds hill dwarves); (2) the Glorioles mountains, Hestmark and Hollow Highlands, Sunndi, and the Iron Hills (13,000 mountain dwarves in the Glorioles and Sunndi; plus, according to Dragon #57, some eight to ten thousand hill dwarf soldiers in the Iron Hills under Dwarfking Holgi Hirsute); and (3) the area of Ratik and the Rakers (where at least 8,000 mountain dwarves lend allegience to Ratik).
      From this information, one might suggest that at one point there were three major dwarf "kingdoms", centered in the Lortmil Mountains, the Rakers, and the Glorioles. It would be easy to assume, then, that the less significant dwarf populations were the result of centuries-long exploration and migration (such as in the Yatils and the Crystalmists and affiliated ranges, and the various highlands in the nearby regions). Since about half of the countable dwarves are in the Principality of Ulek alone, one might think that this must be the area of their origin.

Elves

      There are at least 135,000 elves known to be in the Flanaess. Over 100,000 of these can be counted in the greater Lortmil region: (1) some 50,000 in the combined area of Highfolk, the Vesve, and Veluna (mostly High Elves, and ruled by the "Lord of the High Elves"); (2) almost 25,000 in the Gnarley Forest and Celene (wherein rules the "Queen of All Elvenkind" over a mostly Grey Elf populace); and (3) over 30,000 if one adds up the elves in the Ulek states, Dreadwood, and Geoff.
      It's thus easy to postulate that these monarchs have always looked over the Olvenkind in the shadows of the Lortmil Mountains. Elven populations in other regions could then be the result of ages-old travel by roving tribes when they had the opportunity to explore the open east. One can picture movement past the Lake of Unknown Depths into the Celadon ("many" elves), the Gamboge (13,000), the Adri and Grandwood (7,000), and then to Sunndi (7,000), the Rieuwood and Menowood, and then finally the far-flung Spindrift Isles.
      Finally, it should be noted that the Sulhaut Mountains are the only locale about which it is said that "reports of Drow are not uncommon" (WOG p. 53). It would likewise be easy to imagine that, as the result of a legendary war between the High Elves and the Dark, certain defeated elf tribes fled west out of the Lortmil region and into the forbidding Crystalmist range and beyond.

Gnomes

      Some 75,000 gnomes can be easily counted; they live very much in the same general regions that dwarves do. Over two-thirds of this number live close to the Lortmils: (1) 31,000 in the Kron Hills, Verbobonc, and Veluna; (2) 16,500 in Celene and the Gnarley; (3) over 5,000 in Ulek and the lower Lortmils. Additionally, some 16,000 live in Highfolk and the Vesve; "many" in the Iron Hills and Hestmark Highlands; and there must be large numbers in the foothills of the Rakers, for some 3,000 are citizens of Ratik and the "Gnomeking Warren apHiller" holds sway in the Flinty Hills (according to the novel "Saga of Old City", p. 249).
      Other, unknown numbers of gnomes can be found near the Sheldomar Valley in the Good Hills, Stark Mounds, and Cairn Hills. At one point there were clans in the Blemu Hills (near the above-mentioned Gnomeking), but they were driven out by humanoids. The conclusions one can draw about gnomes mirror those of dwarves; each race probably shares a large piece of the other's ancient history.

Halflings

      The halflings are not so numerous, important, studied, nor respected as the other strains of demi-humans. However, we can count at least 14,000 of their kind, and some 8,000 of them live in the rolling fields of the Urnst states (another 4,000 are in Ulek, 2,000 in Highfolk, and some in the Good Hills).
      So, the halfling race quite likely originated in the well-defended lands between the Nesser River, the Celadon Forest, and the Cairn Hills, by the banks of the Lake of Unknown Depths. Populations to the west might be the end of migrations to the Lortmils after the Urnst area became more unstable following Suloise movement through the region and repeated invasions by Aerdy (and later Nyrond).

Humanoids

      The humanoids are not so easily counted as the demi-humans, but we can make certain generalizations about creatures such as the Orcs, Ogres, Gnolls, Hobgoblins, Goblins, and Kobolds. Certainly, most are found in wilderness as wasteland regions. The largest of these are in and around the huge mountain ranges: the Yatils, the Corusk-Griff-Rakers of the Thillronian Peninsula, and the massif composed of the Crystalmists-Hellfurnaces-Barrier Peaks-Jotens-Sulhaut Mountains. Great numbers are in the monster-controlled nations of the Bone March and Pomarj, along with the Drachensgrabs, the Wild Coast, and the Suss Forest -- although they are not native there, as opposed to gibberlings, ettercaps, and susserus (WOG p. 58).
      It would be easy to imagine these creatures to be native to the Crystalmist Mountains (et. al.), or locations even further west, and introduced throughout the Flanaess by the Suloise and Baklunish. Indeed, the "Brief History of Eastern Oerik" (WOG p. 8) says that in "the Baklunish-Suloise Wars, ... the hordes of Euroz and associated humanoid groups used as mercenaries by both sides, tended to pillage northward and eastward, driving the Oerids before them." This advancement is borne out today in the great numbers of humanoid creatures throughout the northern plains (Iuz, Horned Society, Rover of the Barrens, Bandit Kingdoms, Howling Hills, etc.); yet here we also have the machinations of evil demigods, and the mystery of Riftcanyon, so perhaps it is not incontrovertible.

The Problem of Lortmil Sovreignty

      Let's say we accept that the various demi-human races have their origin around the Lortmils, Sheldomar Valley, and Nyr Dyv regions. Then one remaining problem is how the main Suloise migration through the Flanaess could pass directly through that strip of land, while leaving the demi-human realms as robust as they are today (the WOG p. 10 map shows the Suloise migration running exclusively over the Lortmils, Celene, Greyhawk, and Urnst). Possibly this was a very brief passage, or else certain conquests turned out to be short-lived when the demi-humans countered and forced the Suloise to escape further east. Note that at a date after this orginal Suloise passage there came (WOG p. 5) "the Houses of Rhola and Neheli -- late migrants who settled and held the Sheldomar"; perhaps at this time the demi-humans were in arms and no travel across the Lortmils was possible.
      Also note that it's only been some 120 years since the Ulek states were part of the Kingdom of Keoland and Celene saw royal garrisons of the same kingdom. It's quite likely that the current rulers of those states are the same ones that held power when the countries became independent (WOG p. 9, 27). Prior to that, one has to assume that the demi-humans were willing confederates of Keoland during its "several centuries of benign leadership", and it's not unlikely that the demi-humans took a century or two before deciding that Keoish imperialism was an intolerable change in policy.

February 19, 1999 (original)