Okay, I better ask the question. How do you handle slavery in the Flanaess? I know that in Greyhawk it's illegal. I think Zagig Yaergerne outlawed in the City of Greyhawk. However, for much of human existence on Planet Earth it was the norm and not special.
Slavery in the Flanaess, I wonder if it's widespread (not in the Domain of Greyhawk, though). It would definitely be a feature in the Old Kingdom of Aerdy. I don't know if Ivid the Undying had slaves (the Ivid the Undying book mentioned something about having Undead servants as a thing).
So, how do you treat slavery in your games, if you had slavery as a feature at all?
...Slavery in the Flanaess, I wonder if it's widespread (not in the Domain of Greyhawk, though)...
-The humanoids have slavery, including throughout the Pomarj and Bone March, including those where humans predominate. So do the Horned Society and the Land of Iuz.
In human areas, its explicitly mentioned in the Sea Princes (as was an abolitionist movement led by Jeon II). The Amedian slaves became a faction after the SB invasion. Slavery is explicitly mentioned (and detailed) in the Scarlet Brotherhood. I think there was slavery (as well as a slave trade) in the Lordship of the Isles. Plus, slavery would be tolerated in most of the Bandit Kingdoms. I suspect slavery would be allowed in the Great Kingdom, but serfdom is the rule there.
jamesdglick's answer to that question is as good as I can offer.
I will add that the barbarian kingdoms of the Schnai, Fruzti, and Cruski may practice a form of slavery, much like some of the Amerind cultures of North America, where captured enemies are enslaved for a year, or so, then offered the chance to become a full member of that particular clan. You could also add a form of voluntary slavery/servitude akin to that of the Aiel in the Wheel of Time.
As for my own campaign, I consider many places in the Flanaess to be very diverse. Metropolitan areas, such as the City of Greyhawk, and geographical areas close to various goodly-inclined human and demi-human populations, such as the Vale of Highfolk. In geographical areas further from diverse populations and border towns, different races may be looked upon with suspicion, but I save blatant racism for very special events, which are almost always sparked by an evil instigator.
Only evil gods condone slavery, though some Lawful Neutral gods are okay with things like indentured servitude and forced labor for criminals. My players have always known that slavery is only practiced by evil people and fight to overthrow it wherever they encounter it.
That reminds me of a short adventure in Dungeon Magazine #34 entitled, The Lady Rose (La Dama Rosa), wherein a ship of that name has LN humans from a far-off land practicing the enslavement of elves. The doctor on the ship is LG, is a nice guy, and helps the elven slaves be comfortable, but is completely accepting of the belief that they should be enslaved by his society. Personally, I don't buy that. A good person doesn't accept the enslavement of another. That is lying to yourself, at best.
So, again, in my own campaign, slavery is an evil thing. Goodly characters destroy it, and those practicing it, at every opportunity.
I don't know if Ivid the Undying had slaves (the Ivid the Undying book mentioned something about having Undead servants as a thing).
It did, yes. It describes extensive slavery (of living people) throughout the Great Kingdom and the Sea Barons (except the island of Oakenisle, where it's banned). To the point that it would take too long to list all the references.
I always figured the Suel Barbarians had something along the lines of how Vikings and Saxons held thralls.
As far as other regions, the Bandit Kingdoms would clearly have an active slave system at least with captives taken in raids. The Wild Coast might also, though again, the system might be closer to penal servitude.
The Taregs on the border of the Abbor Alz and the Bright Desert make their living off kidnapping people for ransom or to sell as slaves.
tarelton wrote:
I always figured the Suel Barbarians had something along the lines of how Vikings and Saxons held thralls...
and...
SirXaris wrote:
...I will add that the barbarian kingdoms of the Schnai, Fruzti, and Cruski may practice a form of slavery...
...I forgot to add them , despite the fact that I ran a campaign with Frost Barbarians, where I sort of assumed that. DOH!
There was a short story in Dragon magazine, something like "Beyond the Grey Fog Sea", or something like that, that covered a pseudo-Viking culture pretty well, including the issue of thralldom.
Somehow, I get the feeling that talking about slavery here I get more mature responses than I would over on Candlekeep. Yes, I'm there too.
Slavery is a human institution that all cultures participated in some time in their history. It's also a part of Fantasy. After all, real life culture does inform Fantasy. The problem is typically white washed over or, if you are Wizards of the Coast, conveniently forgotten.
Generally agree with all points and references here. IIRC, even Gord was basically a slave to Theobald in Greyhawk. While outright slavery is generally confirmed to the areas mentioned, various forms of serfdom, indentured servitude, and human trafficking would be the norm throughout the Flanaess.
Exceptions would be areas with heavy influence from demihumans, Flannae, LG/NG priesthoods, or complete CG dominance: Yeomanry, Geoff, Ekbir, Ulek Lands, Bissel, Highfolk, Gran March, Veluna, Furyoundy, County of Urnst, Almor, and the Iron League.
Places like Bandit Kingdoms, Lordship Isles, and southern Wild Coast would be chaotically oppressive. Other free cities would be a kitchen sink. The Pale and Perrenland, especially Exag, would be lawfully oppressive. Old Suel lands like Keoland and the Duchy of Urnst would be extremely rigid and hierarchical, with some real cruelty lingering in backwater fiefs and the western Maure lands of the Duchy.
I'm sure there are canon references (FtA?) of slavery practiced in Safeton, on the Wild Coast. Which may imply that it was legal in Badwall and Fax too, pre-Wars.
Which is especially rich and delicious that these towns become outraged when the Slave Lords begin snatching their free citizens during slave raids.
It's Greyhawk with serial numbers rubbed off, but Trent Smith's superb new setting Brink of Calamity has slave raids happening around Narwell, with victims either shipped south to Pomarj to harvest the drugs grown there, or else thrown into gladiator-style combats underneath a certain casino/sanitarium/church to Norebo.
Somehow, I get the feeling that talking about slavery here I get more mature responses than I would over on Candlekeep. Yes, I'm there too.wordle
Slavery is a human institution that all cultures participated in some time in their history. It's also a part of Fantasy. After all, real life culture does inform Fantasy. The problem is typically white washed over or, if you are Wizards of the Coast, conveniently forgotten.
LOL at Candlekeep! Yeah, I get what you’re saying. It does feel like people here can talk about topics like slavery in a more mature way. Some places tend to avoid the subject or get heated fast, but here there’s more room for real discussion.
There's a slave market in "Kalstrand" in Oerth Journal #17.
Interesting. Although I'm unsure where Kalstrand is. It's a Baklunish settement west of the Flanaess, correct? Is this the same Oerth Journal connected to living Greyhawk? Or is it connected to Greyhawk Online?
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
