The History of the Ur-Flan Race

The Ur-Flan were an enigmatic and ancient people whose mastery of magic, particularly necromancy and pact magic, made them one of the most feared civilizations in the Flanaess. Their rule was characterized by alliances with Lower Planar entities, theocratic tyrannies, and a rejection of the traditional The Old Faith. They established vast dominions, but their legacy is one of destruction, cursed ruins, and undying rulers who still haunt the world.

Origins and Culture

The Ur-Flan emerged from among the early Flannae Flan tribes, diverging sharply from the dominant Old Faith. Unlike other Flan who revered nature, the Ur-Flan sought dominion over life and death, often demanding worship as deities themselves.

• Rejection of the Old Faith: The Ur-Flan opposed druidic authority, replacing it with necromantic and diabolic worship.
• Fiendish Allegiances: Many Ur-Flan leaders formed pacts with demons, devils, and ancient horrors, some even carrying fiendish bloodlines.
• Absolute Rule: Unlike the traditional Flan chieftain-based governance, the Ur-Flan enforced tyrannical rule, with brutal levies and military conscription.

The Ur-Flan Tyrants

The Ur-Flan were ruled by a series of powerful wizard-kings known as Tyrants. These figures wielded dark sorcery and ruled for centuries, often prolonging their lives unnaturally.

Ur-Flan sorcerer-king by 3orcs

Keraptis

Keraptis, a cruel and ambitious wizard, rose to power in Tostenhca, using his magical prowess to combat giants and expand his realm. His early rule was seen as beneficial, but he became increasingly tyrannical.

• War with the Old One: Some legends claim that Keraptis slew an early incarnation of the mysterious "Old One."
• Expulsion and Revenge: Overthrown due to oppressive rule, Keraptis cursed Tostenhca, leading to its collapse.
• White Plume Mountain: After destroying a cabal of Hierophants, Keraptis took residence in White Plume Mountain, where he disappeared on a final expedition.

Heraan

The Thaumatocracy of Heraan was one of the first Ur-Flan Tyrannies, centered on a city built with extraplanar aid.

• Expansion and Slavery: Heraan conquered Flan territories, subjugating various tribes.
• Conflicts with Sulm and Faerie Courts: Heraan warred against neighboring empires and fey courts.
• Fall of Heraan: The tyrant Yagrax attempted to wield the Codex of Infinite Planes, causing Heraan to sink into the Nyr Dyv.

Sulm

Sulm was among the most decadent of the Ur-Flan states, reaching its height under King Shattados.

• Rise and Expansion: Sulm absorbed other Flan realms and spread across the Abbor-Alz.
• Descent into Decadence: Sulm’s rulers became increasingly hedonistic.
• The Curse of Sulm: Shattados, in a bid for absolute power, used a cursed artifact linked to Tharizdun, transforming himself into a scorpion-like monstrosity and turning Sulm into the Bright Desert.

The Old One

An Ur-Flan warlord known as The Old One ruled for centuries, leading invasions across the north.

• Continuous Existence: Legends claim he was slain multiple times but always returned.
• War with the Sidhe: His forces clashed with the Faerie Court of the Mistress.
• Disappearance: After centuries of war, the Old One vanished, possibly slain by a Sidhe Lord.
• Iuz's Claim: The cambion Iuz now claims the title of "The Old One," though his connection remains unclear.

Ehlissa and Acererak

Ehlissa and Acererak formed the Nightingale Realm, blending necromancy and enchantment.

• Ehlissa’s Rule: Used charm magic to dominate the Flan clans.
• Acererak’s Betrayal: Turned to necromancy, creating his own undead empire.
• The Vast Swamp: Acererak flooded the land to protect his domain, later retreating to his Tomb of Horrors.

Xagy and Zagy

Twin wizards, Xagy and Zagy, founded Nuria, a bastion of arcane mastery.

• Magocracy: Nuria stood as a stronghold of magical rule, resisting Sulm and Heraan.
• Gifts of the Nightingale: The twins gifted Ehlissa a magical artifact that catalyzed the realm’s collapse.

Vecna

Vecna, the Whispered One, was the most infamous of the Ur-Flan tyrants, eventually attaining godhood.

• The Occluded Empire: Vecna ruled a vast necromantic domain.
• Fall and Lichdom: Betrayed by his lieutenant Kas, Vecna ascended beyond mortality.
• Return: Vecna has re-emerged, now a Lesser Power.

Legacy of the Ur-Flan

The Ur-Flan left behind a shattered legacy, their cities lying in ruins, their knowledge scattered, and their remnants still haunting the world.

• Undead and Curses: Many Ur-Flan Tyrants persist as liches, ghosts, or cursed spirits.
• Ruined Cities: Tostenhca, Sulm, and Heraan remain as places of dread and adventure.
• Magical Artifacts: Items like the Codex of Infinite Planes and Acererak’s Phylactery still pose dangers.

Conclusion

The Ur-Flan were an aberration in Flan history, representing a dark divergence from their traditional ways. Though their empire is long gone, their lingering curses, artifacts, and undead rulers ensure that their presence is still felt in the world today.

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Credits and References

The history of the Ur-Flan is shaped by the scholarship and creativity of many contributors to Greyhawk lore. This article is built upon their extensive research, writings, and storytelling.

Primary Author

• Samuel “Samwise” Weiss – A Greyhawk historian whose research forms the backbone of this timeline.

Key References and Contributors

• The Codex of Infinite Planes – A central artifact in Ur-Flan history, often cited in various Greyhawk sources.
• Denis “Maldin” Tetreault – Creator of the City of Greyhawk map in Living Greyhawk Journal Issue #3, known for articles linking Greyhawk’s upheavals to the Codex.
• Gary Holian – Living Greyhawk Journal Issue #9 (Dragon #293), introducing Nuria and Veralos as tributaries of the Isles of Woe.
• Living Greyhawk Journal Issues #10 and #11 (Dragon #294 and #295) – First mentions of Heraan as the capital of the Isles of Woe.

Core Setting and Supplementary Sources

• The World of Greyhawk Fantasy Adventure Setting (Folio & Boxed Set) – Gary Gygax
• Greyhawk Adventures – James M. Ward
• Greyhawk Wars – David “Zeb” Cook
• From the Ashes – Carl Sargent
• Player’s Guide to Greyhawk – Anne Brown
• Living Greyhawk Gazetteer – Erik Mona, Gary Holian, Fred Weining, Sean K. Reynolds
• The Marklands, Rary the Traitor, Ivid the Undying – Carl Sargent, Anthony Pryor
• The Adventure Begins – Roger E. Moore
• The Scarlet Brotherhood – Sean K. Reynolds

Notable Adventures Featuring Ur-Flan and Related Figures

• White Plume Mountain & Return to White Plume Mountain – Lawrence Schick, Bruce R. Cordell
• Ex Keraptis Cum Amore – Andy Miller
• Ghost Tower of Inverness – Allen Hammack
• Return to the Tomb of Horrors – Bruce Cordell
• Fate of Istus – Nigel Findley, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss, Robert J. Kuntz
• Night Below – Carl Sargent
• Return of the Eight – Roger E. Moore

Living Greyhawk and Website Contributions

• Zeif: Rock of the West – Fred Weining (LGJ 5)
• Places of Mystery: Spinecastle & Veralos – Gary Holian (LGJ 9 / Dragon 293)
• Mysterious Places: Dominions of the Flannae & The Brightlands – Creighton Broadhurst, Paul Looby, Stuart Kerrigan
• Scouring the Lands of the Traitor: Into the Bright Desert – Creighton Broadhurst (LGJ 21 / Dungeon 98)
• Denizens of the Bright Desert – Creighton Broadhurst (LGJ 22 / Dungeon 103)
• Campaign Cards, Set 1, Spring 2007 – WotC Website

Canonfire! and Additional Publications

• Return to White Plume Mountain Backstory Synopsis – Erik Mona (Canonfire!)
• In the Frost and Snow – David S. Reimer (Dragon 155)
• Age of Worms Adventure Path & Supporting Material – Erik Mona, Mike Mearls, Sean K. Reynolds, Jason Bulmahn, Tito Leati, Richard Pett, Wolfgang Baur, Jesse Decker, Nicolas Logue, Greg A. Vaughan, James Jacobs, Mike McArtor, Jeremy Walker, F. Wesley Schneider

This article stands as a tribute to the scholars, authors, and fans who continue to expand upon the rich history of Greyhawk and the Ur-Flan civilization.

Invoked Devastation by 3orcs

This article is based on the extensive research and writings of Greyhawk lore expert and veteran Samuel “Samwise” Weiss.

Related Ethnicities

• Flannae Flan

Related Species

• Humans of Greyhawk

Rain of Colorless Fire by 3orcs

Ur-Flan History Chart

Pre-2000 CY: The Rise of the Ur-Flan

Date (CY)	Event
-2150	Foundation of Heraan – Exiled Abbaran Flan establish Heraan with extraplanar aid, marking the beginning of the Ur-Flan Tyrants.
-2100	Rise of Sulm – Sulm begins conquering other Abbarra Flan realms, expanding its territory.
-2050	Heraan claims Rift Canyon – The Thaumatocrats of Heraan subjugate Verathi Flan, securing Rift Canyon.
-2000	Triumph of Sulm – Sulm defeats Itar, absorbing its territories; King Shattados solidifies power.
-1985	Magocracy of Nuria Established – Xagy and Zagy unite the Nori Flan, creating a formidable magical realm.

-1900 CY to -1500 CY: Expansion and Conflicts

Date (CY)	Event
-1850	Heraan annexes the Cairn Hills – The Thaumatocrats conquer the Abbara Flan strongholds.
-1800	Sulm expands beyond Abbor Alz – The empire extends its reach northward.
-1750	Heraan moves east – The Thaumatocracy seizes land along the Nyr Dyv and challenges the Faerie Courts.
-1700	Sulm claims the Nesser River – Expansion drives the Nori Flan north and east.
-1650	Heraan reaches its peak – Engages in conflicts with Sulm, Faerie Courts, and various Flan tribes.
-1600	The Old One emerges – A mysterious Ur-Flan tyrant establishes his rule in the far north.

-1500 CY to -1000 CY: The Decline and Curses

Date (CY)	Event
-1500	Decadence of Sulm – The empire's rulers grow corrupt, enslaving more Flan.
-1500	Exile of Kyuss – Necromancer Kyuss is banished from Sulm, later ascending to undeath.
-1400	Keraptis Rises – The Ur-Flan wizard seizes power in Tostenhca, ruling as a tyrant.
-1350	Vecna’s Empire – Vecna establishes his domain, ruling through fear and necromantic power.
-1250	Fall of Sulm – King Shattados uses a cursed artifact, transforming himself into a scorpion monstrosity; Sulm becomes the Bright Desert.

-1000 CY to -500 CY: The Aftermath and Lingering Threats

Date (CY)	Event
-950	Keraptis Overthrown – Citizens rebel, forcing him into exile; he later settles in White Plume Mountain.
-900	Vecna’s Ascendancy – Vecna’s reign reaches its height, spreading darkness across the Flanaess.
-700	The Old One’s Greatest Extent – His armies reach the Sepia Uplands, but his empire weakens.
-600	Vecna’s Betrayal – His lieutenant Kas turns against him, leading to the fall of Vecna’s empire.
-500	Disappearance of the Old One – After centuries of war, the Old One vanishes, possibly slain by a Sidhe lord.

Post-500 CY: Legacy of the Ur-Flan

Date (CY)	Event
576 CY	Iuz Claims the Title of the Old One – The cambion Iuz adopts the name of the vanished Ur-Flan tyrant.
Ongoing	Cursed Ruins and Liches – Ur-Flan ruins remain sources of danger, filled with undead and forgotten magics.