Suloise
Encyclopedia
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting
for the Dungeons & Dragons
roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess
.
The Suel began migrating to the Flanaess in large numbers circa -447 CY, from the Suel Imperium. The numbers of the Suloise Migration increased dramatically after the Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire in -422 CY. The Suel settled in many regions of the Flanaess, often competing with the native Flan
and migrant Oeridians
, as well as non-human inhabitants such as the elves
and dwarves
.
Though people of Suel descent can be found nearly anywhere in the Flanaess, notable lands that contain a significant number of Suel include the Thillonrian Peninsula, the Scarlet Brotherhood, the Lordship of the Isles
, the Sea Barons, the Sheldomar Valley, and the Urnst States. The Lendore Isles
was once home to a large contingent of Suel, but most humans have been expelled from that land since the cult of Sehanine Moonbow
gained control after the Greyhawk Wars
.
issue 46 was critical of the description of "cannibal savages" in the jungle lands of the Amedio Jungle and Hepmonaland
as unfortunate evidence of racist assumptions. Lawrence Schick, Vice President of Product Development at TSR wrote a response stating that "nowhere in the text of the Gazetteer is there any indication of anybody’s skin color. Nobody here ever gave it any thought, because it doesn’t matter."
In Dragon #52 (August 1981) Leonard Lakofka gave information on the fictional languages of the Flaness to which Gary Gygax appended a brief description of the racial types of the setting, describing the Suloise as having "many" representatives who are so fair they are "nearly albino". Gygax stated that "The inner mixture of Oeridians with Suloise tends toward a typical European-mix looking population".
In Dragon #55, (November 1981) Gary Gygax gave more definition to the Suloise, stating again that they were fair skinned but that "some" were almost albino. The Suel were also determined to be the majority racial inhabitants of the lands of the Frost, Snow, and Ice Barbarians (northern lands topographically unique for possessing fjord
s, as well the Amedio Jungle and Hepmonaland. Their fictional history described bands of Suel taking up residence in the jungles after the Great Migrations. Their common dress was also detailed.
The 1983 boxed set edition reprinted these details of the Suel ethnicity and their pale skin and blonde hair. The boxed set also detailed their history involving a genocidal war against the Baklunish
, and connections to the Scarlet Brotherhood, a faction of evil monks with a doctrine of Suel racial superiority. The set also listed many of their deities, but gave background and game statistic information on only a very few.
Leonard Lakofka detailed the gods not given complete details in a series of articles in Dragon Magazine
, issues 86-90 and 92. Their resemblance to Norse
culture was enhanced particularly in the descriptions of Lendor and Kord. Lendor being a deity of time and knowledge, and the father-god of the Suel pantheon (like Odin
) and his son Kord who was a god of strength and battle and was known for dalliances with human women (like Thor
).
Sean K Reynolds's The Scarlet Brotherhood provided the most detailed background information about the Suel culture and religion. It included two pages listing specific terms in the Suel fictional language Ancient Suloise and their English translation.
being far more common than among other races. Violet and pale blue eyes are common, with gray and deep blue less common. Hair color is fair, from several shades of blond to light red, and is often kinky in texture.
Suloise fashion favors solid colors, with parti-colored garments marking higher social station. Emblems, tokens, or similar affectations (typically in hues contrasting their clothes), often mark status or affiliation with ancient Suel houses and traditions. The ancient Suel often wore loose-fitting pantaloons covered by a baggy blouse, but their fashion has adapted to various climes in the centuries following the Great Migrations
.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
for the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
roleplaying game, the Suloise, also known as the "Suel," are one of the major races of humans inhabiting the Flanaess
Flanaess
The Flanaess is the eastern part of the continent of Oerik, one of the four continents of the fictional world of Oerth in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game. The Flanaess has been the setting of dozens of adventures published between the 1970s...
.
The Suel began migrating to the Flanaess in large numbers circa -447 CY, from the Suel Imperium. The numbers of the Suloise Migration increased dramatically after the Invoked Devastation and the Rain of Colorless Fire in -422 CY. The Suel settled in many regions of the Flanaess, often competing with the native Flan
Flan (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Flan are a race of humans living in the Flanaess. The Flan peoples were the first humans known to have settled the eastern portion of the continent of Oerik, the Flanaess, which is named for them...
and migrant Oeridians
Oeridians
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Oeridians are a race of humans living in the Flanaess...
, as well as non-human inhabitants such as the elves
Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
and dwarves
Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
.
Though people of Suel descent can be found nearly anywhere in the Flanaess, notable lands that contain a significant number of Suel include the Thillonrian Peninsula, the Scarlet Brotherhood, the Lordship of the Isles
Lordship of the Isles (Dungeons & Dragons)
For the Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland, see Lord of the Isles. For the series of fantasy novels by David Drake, see Lord of the Isles ....
, the Sea Barons, the Sheldomar Valley, and the Urnst States. The Lendore Isles
Lendore Isles
In the Dungeons and Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Lendore Isles, also known as the Spindrift Isles, are a collection of five large islands in the Solnor Ocean, just off the eastern coast of the former Great Kingdom...
was once home to a large contingent of Suel, but most humans have been expelled from that land since the cult of Sehanine Moonbow
Sehanine Moonbow
In many Dungeons and Dragons campaign settings, Sehanine Moonbow is the elven goddess of the moons. She is one of the more powerful members of the Seldarine. The Lady of Dreams actively opposes the nefarious schemes of the Spider Queen and the other drow powers. She is said to be the wife of...
gained control after the Greyhawk Wars
Greyhawk Wars
In the Dungeons & Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting, the Greyhawk Wars raged across the whole of the Flanaess from 582-584 CY.-History:...
.
Publication history
The 1980 Folio edition of the World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting contained no information about human racial diversity. Kenneth Burke's review in Dragon MagazineDragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
issue 46 was critical of the description of "cannibal savages" in the jungle lands of the Amedio Jungle and Hepmonaland
Hepmonaland
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the continent of Hepmonaland is Southeast of the Flanaess. Hepmonaland was created as a in-game region where the Aztec culture is dominant and dinosaurs are very common monsters.Hepmonaland is the Suel and...
as unfortunate evidence of racist assumptions. Lawrence Schick, Vice President of Product Development at TSR wrote a response stating that "nowhere in the text of the Gazetteer is there any indication of anybody’s skin color. Nobody here ever gave it any thought, because it doesn’t matter."
In Dragon #52 (August 1981) Leonard Lakofka gave information on the fictional languages of the Flaness to which Gary Gygax appended a brief description of the racial types of the setting, describing the Suloise as having "many" representatives who are so fair they are "nearly albino". Gygax stated that "The inner mixture of Oeridians with Suloise tends toward a typical European-mix looking population".
In Dragon #55, (November 1981) Gary Gygax gave more definition to the Suloise, stating again that they were fair skinned but that "some" were almost albino. The Suel were also determined to be the majority racial inhabitants of the lands of the Frost, Snow, and Ice Barbarians (northern lands topographically unique for possessing fjord
Fjord
Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.-Formation:A fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by abrasion of the surrounding bedrock. Glacial melting is accompanied by rebound of Earth's crust as the ice...
s, as well the Amedio Jungle and Hepmonaland. Their fictional history described bands of Suel taking up residence in the jungles after the Great Migrations. Their common dress was also detailed.
The 1983 boxed set edition reprinted these details of the Suel ethnicity and their pale skin and blonde hair. The boxed set also detailed their history involving a genocidal war against the Baklunish
Baklunish
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Baklunish are a race of humans inhabiting the Flanaess, as well as regions of Oerik further west....
, and connections to the Scarlet Brotherhood, a faction of evil monks with a doctrine of Suel racial superiority. The set also listed many of their deities, but gave background and game statistic information on only a very few.
Leonard Lakofka detailed the gods not given complete details in a series of articles in Dragon Magazine
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
, issues 86-90 and 92. Their resemblance to Norse
Norsemen
Norsemen is used to refer to the group of people as a whole who spoke what is now called the Old Norse language belonging to the North Germanic branch of Indo-European languages, especially Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese, Swedish and Danish in their earlier forms.The meaning of Norseman was "people...
culture was enhanced particularly in the descriptions of Lendor and Kord. Lendor being a deity of time and knowledge, and the father-god of the Suel pantheon (like Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
) and his son Kord who was a god of strength and battle and was known for dalliances with human women (like Thor
Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
).
Sean K Reynolds's The Scarlet Brotherhood provided the most detailed background information about the Suel culture and religion. It included two pages listing specific terms in the Suel fictional language Ancient Suloise and their English translation.
Description
Purebred Suel typically have pale skin, with albinismAlbinism
Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes due to absence or defect of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin...
being far more common than among other races. Violet and pale blue eyes are common, with gray and deep blue less common. Hair color is fair, from several shades of blond to light red, and is often kinky in texture.
Suloise fashion favors solid colors, with parti-colored garments marking higher social station. Emblems, tokens, or similar affectations (typically in hues contrasting their clothes), often mark status or affiliation with ancient Suel houses and traditions. The ancient Suel often wore loose-fitting pantaloons covered by a baggy blouse, but their fashion has adapted to various climes in the centuries following the Great Migrations
Great Migrations (Greyhawk)
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, the Great Migrations is a general term applying to the migration of great hordes of Oeridians and Suel humans into the Flanaess from western Oerik...
.
Religion
The following deities make up the Suel pantheon:- BeltarBeltarBeltar may refer to:*Beltar, Nepal*Beltar , a lesser deity in the Greyhawk setting of the Dungeons & Dragons game....
- BralmBralmIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Bralm is the Suel goddess of Insects and Industriousness...
- DaltDALTN,N-Diallyltryptamine is a psychedelic drug of the tryptamine class. Alexander Shulgin reports that DALT is active at 42 mg orally, producing a +1 on the Shulgin scale, and being back to baseline by 4 hours. It is said to have a similar potency to DMT, being active at doses of approximately 40-100...
- FortuboFortuboIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Fortubo is the god of Stone, Metals, Mountains, and Guardianship. Originally a member of the Suel pantheon, Fortubo abandoned the Suloise upon discovering that the Suel were behind the creation of the derro...
- JascarJascarIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Jascar is the Suel god of Hills and Mountains...
- KordKordIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third and fourth editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Kord is the Suel god of Athletics, Sports, Storms, Brawling, Strength, and Courage...
- LendorLendorIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Lendor is the Suel god of Time, Tedium, Patience, and Study. His holy symbol is a crescent moon superimposed upon a full moon surrounded by stars...
- LydiaLydia (Greyhawk)In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Lydia is the Suel goddess of Music, Knowledge, and Daylight...
- NoreboNoreboIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Norebo is the Suel god of Luck, Gambling, and Risks. His symbol is a pair of eight-sided dice.-Publication history:...
- OspremOspremIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Osprem is the Suel goddess of Sea Voyages, Ships, and Sailors.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
- PhaulkonPhaulkonIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Phaulkon is the Suel god of Air, Wind, Clouds, Birds, and Archery...
- PhytonPhyton (Dungeons & Dragons)In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Phyton is the Suel god of Nature, Beauty, and Farming. Phyton's symbol is a scimitar in front of an oak tree.-Publication history:...
- PyremiusPyremiusIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Pyremius is the Suel god of Assassins, Fire, Poison, and Murder...
- SyrulSyrulIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Syrul is the Suel goddess of Lies, Deceit, Treachery, and False Promises...
- Vatun
- WastriWastriIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Wastri is the Suloise god of Amphibians, Bigotry, and Self-Deception...
- Wee JasWee JasIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting and the default pantheon of deities for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Wee Jas is the Suel goddess of Magic, Death, Vanity, and Law...
- XerboXerboIn the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Xerbo is the Suel god of the Sea, Sailing, Money, and Business...