Centuries agone a deity known as Eloi revealed attempt to rule– the 7 kingdoms.

And always in the

himself to the humans and demihumans of the Flanaess darkness at the edges of light slither the minions of
(the continent of Oerth – aka the World of Greyhawk – Shaitan, fanning the flames of envy, hatred and strife as
where the PCs reside). He warned against the dangerous they seek to tear down all those who follow Eloi have
and treacherous evil god he called Shaitan, and his built over the centuries. Cultists of Shaitan, the dark elves
fiendish servitors (known as demons) who walked the of UnderOerth, fiendish servants, the Hextorim of the
Flanaess bringing woe. Eloi promised to send his most Pomarj, and other – weirder – creatures sow chaos,
powerful servants (the three Saints known as Korvas (the enslave and sacrifice the innocent, and always seek to
Crusader), Vinga (the White Lady), and Sarus (the corrupt all that is good.
Vigilant) to battle Shaitan's minions, if the people of As scions of the lesser families in your kingdom
Oerth promised in return to worship him. The bargain thus [GM: unless you spend points on Social Rank to be a
sealed, his followers called themselves Elenes (ancient noble], you have turned 21, and reached the time of "the
Oeridian for "followers of Eloi"). Today, many – but not Blooding": where you must decide if you will venture out
all – choose to become Elenes. Others follow Shaitan and to assay the world and experience its pleasures and pains.
his minions in secret, while yet others hew to their own Many of your age forgo this "privilege", choosing to
path, trusting in only themselves. Eloi and his Saints teach remain home and follow a more humdrum life. You will
that everyone must freely make their own choice, but have none of that! Adventure and glory await you out in
speak of the benefits in joining the Elenes, while Shaitan the world of Greyhawk, and you intend to grab them with
whispers this is false, and offers great rewards to follow both hands. At some later point in your adventuring life
him. The various Holy orders of the Saints offer many (usually 5 or more years), you may choose to return home
special powers [GM note: feats and skills] to their and become an elder – a proven, tested, and wiser member
members, and the Temples provide cure spells and the of your society; one who has earned the right to make
removal of curses to all who can pay. Yet it is also true decisions for the group. Too many who trod your path
that many healers wander the lands seemingly never return, fallen in battle or to the plotting of rivals.
worshipping no god and providing the same benefits – Others decide to seize the chance for greatness in distant
usually at a higher cost. The Church also (reluctantly) lands, creating the legendary exploits your descendants
admit that Shaitan does seem able to reward his followers will read about. Which path you will follow (as always)
– but remind all that evil's services always involve the loss must be of your own making...
of one's immortal soul. In these times of turmoil, each The latest “Endless Horde” of orcs and hobgoblins is
man must make his own choices... now overdue by a decade. Tensions are rising in the 7
It has been 130 or more years since the great Empire Kingdoms as border raids and skirmishes with “black
of Keoland fell during a bloody and bitter civil war. No shield” (i.e. unknown mercenaries or brigands) troops
one alive today knows how it started – or why. The increase. The Lords of the various realms seek to hire
dwarves and elves old enough to remember only shake more troops for defense and scouting, and to deal with
their heads sadly, and change the subject. From the ashes increasing monster raids. Ships full of eager sons from the
of empire arose the lands of the Seven Kingdoms, and it 7 Kingdoms depart daily, seeking adventure.
has been thus since your grandsires can remember. Within As is the custom for your kingdom of Gradsul, you
the 7 Kingdoms reside the Church of Eloi and the Holy travel to the Principality of Ulek for your Blooding. From
orders of the three Saints, the Merchant's League of there you may choose to go North into the Lortmill
Greyhawk, various knightly orders serving individual mountains to aid the dwarves against the endless tribes of
kingdoms, and Wizard guilds in the largest cities and humanoids; into the endless Suss forest to fight the
towns. All offer secret powers and abilities, and other, minions of the dark elves; South to battle the Pirates of the
more mundane, benefits. Periodically various Kingdoms Isles; or East into the Pomarj to battle the city of
war with each other, striving for advantage, but the Stoneheim, inhabited and ruled by devout followers of
“Grand Alliance” of the past remains in the past, along Hextor, one of Shaitan's greatest fiends. The Hextorim
with dreams of one empire. (as they call themselves) rule the Pomarj, and are
Many tales are told of the numerous red–robed considered to be the most dangerous of slavers, willing to
wizards of the Directorate, and their countless towers that enslave and sell most any creature as long as a willing
dot the lands of the South. Worshipping only their buyer exists. They also deal in the foulest of drugs, and
powerful magic (for they accept no gods), with their sell weapons and magic items that often have dark pasts. It
enslaved monsters, fiends, elementals and minions, their is said that almost anything can be bought in Stoneheim, if
endless plots to dominate Oerth bubble and fester like you know where to look.
yesterday’s pottage. The Mountains of Greyhawk teem These thoughts (and more) fill your minds this bright
with countless tribes of orcs, gnolls, and hobgoblins, and spring morning of Readying 6th, 583 CY as the ship on
the far more deadly ogres, trolls and giants, who every two which you booked passage approaches Gryrax, capital of
or three generations come crashing down to despoil – or Ulek; its largest port and busiest, most cosmopolitan city...
 Player’s Guide to GURPS Greyhawk
Languages of Greyhawk:
 Flan is spoken and written, mostly by the original tribes of the Flanaess.
 Ancient Flan is spoken only (and very rarely).
 Oeridian [Oar–RID–ee–ann] also known as Common is spoken and written across the continent (and by all PCs!).
As the ancient Oeridian tribes conquered their way across Greyhawk and the various Flan tribes, over time the two
languages commingled, and a “common” language grew from this. It is called Oeridian as they were the conquerors.
Almost all humans in the ‘civilized’ lands speak this ‘common’ language. Some tribes and nomads speak only Flan or
Oeridian, and Oeridian is the language demihumans must learn if they wish to communicate with humans.
 Ancient Oeridian has a written version only, seen only on ancient tombs & writings
 Suloise (ancient) [SOO loyz] (very rarely) spoken and written–this is the language of Magic scrolls!
The Suloise were mostly killed off or assimilated through the centuries, except for isolated pockets. Because they were
masters of the Magical Arts, their language has survived primarily as the language used to write scrolls and enchant
items. Most wizards write their scrolls in Suloise to limit their being used by their lessers, however, the scrolls written to
be used by anyone are always written in Oeridian.
 Elf – Olven is spoken and written; note that half–elves don’t exist on Greyhawk–but Drow do…
 Dwarf – Dethek is spoken and written [runes].
 Hobbit – Hathan is spoken and written by hobbits and their friends.
 Orc, Ogre/Troll, Goblin, and Gnoll are the common humanoid races with spoken (only) languages

Gods of Greyhawk:
Eloi [EH – loy] (the blessed) his worshippers are called Elenes
Sant Korvas – ‘the crusader’, defender of the faithful; followers are called the Korvasim
Saint Vinga – ‘the white lady’ caring, healer; her adherents are called Vingans
Saint Sarus – ‘the vigilant’ inquisitor, responsible for keeping the church 'pure'; followers are the Sarusen
Shaitan [SHY – tann] (the accursed) his worshippers are called Shaitani
Ashtar – (the slayer) patron of evil warriors, assassins; followers called the Ashtari
Lareth – (the deceiver) patron of lies/betrayal; followers called Larethians
Telima – (the pale mistress) patroness of disease, death, archenemy of Vinga; followers are called the Telimans
Various demons are running around loose being worshipped, they are ex–servants of Shaitan who have managed to slip
his control.

Greyhawk has 2 Moons: Luna (the large one) and Celene (the smaller, bluer one)
DAYS of the Week: Starday, Sunday, Moonday, Godsday, Waterday, Earthday, Freeday
Time:
Dawn (6 am – 8 am) Afternoon (1 pm – 4 pm) Evening (8 pm – 11 pm)
Morning (8 am – 11 am) Dusk (4 pm – 6 pm) Midnight (11 pm –1 am)
HighSun [noon] (11 am – 1 pm) Sunset (6 pm – 8 pm) Moondark [night’s heart] (1 am – 4 am)
Foredawn (4 am – 6 am)
Meals: Dawnfry Hisunbite Evenfest

(NeedFest) – (Midwinter) (GrowFest) (RichFest) – (Midsummer) (BrewFest)

Fireseek – (winter) Planting – (low summer) Reaping – (high summer) Patchwall – (autumn)
Readying – (spring) Flocktime – (low summer) Goodmonth – (high summer) Ready’reat – (autumn)
Coldeven – (spring) Wealsun – (low summer) Harvester – (high summer) Sunsebb – (winter)
 Month miscellaneous autumn field spring field fallow field
fireseek (1st) (plough) (plough)
readying prune vineyards plough plough
coldeven planting
planting (4th) pasture livestock
flocktime shear sheep harvest crops weed/fertilize (plough)
wealsun gather hay (harvest) weed/fertilize plough
reaping (7th) (gather hay)
goodmonth vat grapes plough (planting) harvest
harvester- livestock to meadows (harvest–if needed)
patchwall (10th) wine barreled finish planting
ready’reat thresh & store grains/slaughter animals
sunsebb feasting
becomes becomes becomes
spring field fallow field autumn field
( ) = if task still needs to be done)

Holidays in Ulek
 NeedFest 5 Deadwinter Day (Yule Day) festival to mark the midpoint of winter
 Fireseek 9 Plow Day yeomen all over participate in a plow race; children play the role of "Fool Plow"
 Fireseek 11 Day of Purity high holy day for St. Sarus
 Coldeven 11 Annunciation Day high holy day, when Eloi first presented himself to humanity
GrowFest 1 Greengrass Day festival to welcome in the first day of spring. Traditionally, wealthier people bring out
flowers to hand to the less wealthy, who either wear them or throw them on the ground to encourage the deities to usher
in the summer. Dancing & feasting also occur
 Planting 20 Kingdom Day celebrate when the 1st king (Corwyn the Great) of Ulek was crowned
 Flocktime 4 Enlightenment Day when the Book of Blessings–the bible of Eloi was revealed to worshippers…
 Wealsun 6 Brightswords Day a day to honor army & navy men & past veterans; parades, demonstrations of skills;
horse races, wagon races, prizes & feasting provided by the crown, nobles, & wealthy merchants
 RichFest 5 SunNight [corruption of Summer’s Night] general birthday celebration, everyone is considered to be one
year older; huge bonfires lit, great feasting occurs
 Reaping 14 Day of Return St. Korvas high holy day
 Harvester 3 First Sheaf a celebration before starting the common harvesting
 Goodmonth 15 ‘Adirole Bay’ Day a celebration of the greatest naval battle in history, when Ulek defeated a much
larger invading Gradsul fleet; many river & yatch races take place
 BrewFest 7 Last Sheaf day of feasting to celebrate the end of the harvest & the year’s bounty. Small gifts (handkegs of
ale, jars of preserves, smoked fish/meats) are exchanged between friends/neighbors
 Patchwall 18 Day of Martyrs a solemn day to honor all martyrs of the Church–past & present…
 Ready’reat 18 Healer's Day St. Vinga high holy day, a day when all White Ladys are especially honored
 Ready’reat 25 Remembrance Day Graves are blessed, & the Ritual of Remembrance is performed
 Sunsebb 26 Boxing Day servants, apprentices & assistants receive a "box" containing gifts, bonuses, and food as a
reward for good service throughout the year. Originally an Empire of Keoland holiday which has been retained in Ulek.
Recent History: CY = common year, dating from establishment of “Empire” of Keoland
583 CY Present day. Tensions are rising in the 7 Kingdoms as border raids and skirmishes with “black shield”
(i.e. unknown mercenaries or brigands) troops increase. Lords of the various realms seek to hire more
troops for defense and scouting, and to deal with the monster raids. Ships full of eager young sons from
the 7 Kingdoms depart for adventure.
581 CY Monster tribes living in the Lortmills initiate their latest cycle of large–scale raiding into the
7 Kingdoms again after an approximately 40–year hiatus. In a sign of the times, the raiders seem more
organized and better equipped than in previous cycles.
574 CY The Directorate is ultimately blamed for the kidnapping & subsequent death of Princess Jonela of the
Duchy of Gradsul before her marriage to the heir of the Kingdom of Flen – a marriage which would
eventually have combined the two realms. However, initial efforts of misdirection and residual mutual
distrust between the two kingdoms cause a total breakdown in relations.
513 CY the Directorate, a society where mages are the rulers and magic is exalted over all else, is established
and begins to play its game on the board. All religion is outlawed & punishable by death.
489 CY the Pomarj falls to humanoid hordes and is now a patchwork of evil kingdoms, some led by evil
humans, others humanoid strongholds.
451 CY the last acknowledged heir to the throne of the Empire of Keoland is assassinated by unknown parties.
The Empire splinters and over the next 50 years evolves into the ‘7 Kingdoms’, each vying to rebuild
the old empire under their direct rule.
396 CY the Greatest Horde spews forth; the largest Monstrous Incursions ever recorded takes four full years to
put down with much bloodshed and destruction across the Sheldomar Valley. The thoroughness of the
efforts to eliminate this horde doubles the amount of time for the next one to occur, but many
historians mark this as the beginning of the decline of the Empire of Keoland.
181 CY the Empire of Keoland extends its influence to the furthest reaches of the Flanaess, but is unable to
conquer the barbarian tribes in the North. After several bitter defeats, the Empire turns its attention
elsewhere.
104 CY the first incident of the ever–recurring Monstrous Incursions from the Lortmills is recorded.
0 CY Kingdom of Keoland conquers its last rival; King Rodric IV crowns himself Emperor Rodric the First,
thus establishing the Empire of Keoland.
–22± CY By this date the Church of Eloi, and its various Saints is fully established throughout the Flanaess.
–217 CY the ‘kingdom’ of Keoland is founded as the Oeridian tribe of Keo settles in the Sheldomar Valley.
–248 CY the blessings of Eloi are revealed to the early Saints; who begin to spread the word throughout the
Flanaess with great success.
to –400± CY Oeridian and Suloise bands spread out from the West after the Great War; the Oeridians
–600± conquer their way through the Flanaess; while the Suloise manage to alienate everyone they
come in contact with, and are eventually destroyed except for a few remnants.
–1,000± CY the great Elvish wars end with the dark elves being cast down; the dark tribes retreat to the
Underdark