TEXT: Morwenna the Fair speaks: 
   
   
  Gyruff has changed greatly since the coming of the giants.  Much has been lost, and even more is 
  in danger of being lost.  In addition to the mere physical destruction and lives lost, perhaps the 
  greatest damage has been to our culture.  Living as helpless refugees in foreign lands, dependent 
  upon powerful neighbors for the wherewithal to free our land, buffeted by strange new gods and 
  foreign ways, we have struggled to retain that which made us unique, our Gyric culture.  Let me 
  tell you of the Gyruff of my youth, when the Gyri still held to the old ways.  May the Makers 
  grant that we return to them, when the giants are gone at last… 
   
  Unlike the rest of the Flanaess, Geoff is still primarily Flannae.  Due to our isolation from the 
  rest of the Sheldomar Valley, the Oeridians and Suel tribes did not settle in mass numbers in our 
  homeland.  Instead they kept to the south, deterred by the woodlands which were the homes of 
  the elves who had no love for these two human tribes.  As the centuries wore on, small groups 
  and single families of Oeridians and Suel settled in our lands, but they were sensible and adopted 
  our ways and customs. 
   
  The ancient Flan were a peaceful, self-reliant people.  They lived in extended families that would 
  wander with their herds into the mountains in the summer and back into the lowlands in the 
  winter.  As they traded with the other migrating tribes, our ancestors learned new skills and 
  technologies.  Gradually, the Flan settled down into farms and small villages.  Towns were slow 
  to develop as our forefathers loved the wilderness and were uncomfortable living in densely 
  populated cities.  These farms have developed into our current steadings and crofts.  I’ll explain 
  those in a moment. 
   
  True to our Flan heritage, the Gyri are a boisterous, passionate people, and I wouldn’t trade one 
  of them for 10 Oeridians and the gods help you if you tried to push a Suel on me!  We are loud 
  and zestful and are prone to over-reaction and exaggeration.  Our reputation for being terribly 
  stubborn is well earned, but we are ultimately pragmatic.  We are quickly bored and get restless 
  when we stay in one place for too long.  Uncomfortable with large crowds, Gyri prefer small 
  gatherings of family and friends.  Our absolute conviction that Geoff is the greatest of all lands 
  and that its people are the best irks our neighbors for some reason. 
   
  Unlike many other realms, the Gyri have always enjoyed excellent relations with the 
  demihumans of the area.  Possibly due to the low human population or devotion to the nature 
  deities, the elves, gnomes, and dwarves do not feel threatened by the humans of Gyruff.  There 
  are regular visits to the cities of the elves in the Dim Forest, Hornwood, and Oytwood, as well as 
  the gnome towns in the Stark Mounds.  Intermarriage between the humans and the olvenfolk is 
  not uncommon.  Never seen it happen between dwarves and humans or gnomes and humans 
  though.  That’s just too creepy to contemplate.  While not allowing any visitors deep into their 
  citadels, the dwarves regularly trade worked stone, gems, and metal goods with us for food, 
  wood, leather, and wool. 
   
  Gyruff’s relations with the human lands are not as good, however.  The quiet arrogance of the 
  Gyri has created rifts between our country and its neighbors.   Keoland was an aggressor in the 
  
  past, but it has lost its teeth with the years.  They would be soft, living in their rich valley if they 
  didn’t make so many problems for themselves.  Their internal squabbling is worst than the most 
  vicious inter-family feuding in Gyruff.  The culture of the Gran March is drastically different 
  from our ways as it is militaristic, overly controlling and restrictive.  The Gyri respect the people 
  of Sterich as they also face the same threats from the mountains. 
   
  Blood is thicker that water, and the most important social unit in Gyruff is the extended family. 
  Due to the creatures crawling down from the mountains, we have developed very strong ties to 
  our kinfolk, as we are dependent upon each other for defense. These blood ties dominate 
  everything in Gyruff and are the basis for class, standing, and nobility.  Gyri are proud of their 
  families and very loyal to their kin.  Sometimes this gets the better of us, and blood feuds 
  between families are an occurrence all to frequent.  Fortunately, the druids take a dim view of 
  Gyri fighting Gyri and put a stop to it when they can. 
   
  Traditionally, families live together on a single steading or croft.  For you outlanders, a steading 
  is a large farm with wooden walls enclosing the house and barn to protect again raiders and 
  beasts.  The open space in the middle is called a garth.  Crofts are small farms without walls.  
  Family life centers on the home, which is the key part of the steading or croft.  In a steading, the 
  home is most often a large two-story wooden building that is built to withstand the raids by orcs 
  and minor giants and is the keystone in the defense of a steading. 
   
  Gyric culture is more gender equitable than elsewhere in the Flanaess.  Both men and women 
  can hold property, earn money, and deal in trade.  Traditionally, land can only pass to an able 
  bodied man, because of the need to be able to defend it against raiders.  This is now true only in 
  the western and northern parts of Gyruff.  In fact, the current ruler of Oytmeet is a woman!  Not 
  just any woman, though, mind you.  She’s a tough one who can swing a sword with the best of 
  them.  So I guess she can defend her lands just fine.  But over all, men are responsible for the 
  defense of the steading or croft and providing food for the table.  Women are responsible for 
  ensuring that the larders are full and the supplies plentiful.  As a consequence, most traders deal 
  with the women of the household, and many merchants are women. 
   
  Young boys are taught how to use the bow, as well as a melee weapon, and how to hunt and 
  farm.  Because of Gyruff is a dangerous land even in the best of times, young girls are also given 
  weapon training, primarily in the bow.   The Gyri do not have the luxury to have half the 
  population wilting at the first sign of battle.  Able women are expected to fight alongside the 
  men to defend the kith and kin against all harm. 
   
  Both young men and young women are expected to marry young and start having children right 
  away.  With such a small population and so many hazards, it is imperative that families have as 
  many children as possible.  To not get married and not have children is just wrong, as it fails 
  your family and weakens the land as a whole.  Marriages are consecrated by a variety of faiths.  
  My personal favorite is Ehlonna – her being the goddess of fertility and all.  Pelor is also popular 
  because of gifting of strength to the marriage.  Before I forget, you shouldn’t marry inside your 
  steading.  Look outside your immediate family.  Trust me on this one. 
   
  
  Marriages can be undone.  It is not something to be done lightly.  A lot of very awkward 
  questions get asked, especially when there are children and a farm involved, and sets of parents 
  want to know what went wrong.  In addition, a priest of the same faith as the priest who 
  performed the wedding must dissolve it by ceremony.  And no, it doesn’t have to be the same 
  priest. 
   
  Gyri are predominately Flan in appearance with the typical dark wavy or curly hair, eyes that are 
  brown, hazel, amber, or black, and skin that range from light copper to dark brown.  The Gyri are 
  short compared to the other human tribes, but they are very muscular and sturdy of build.  Suel 
  or Oeridian traits are present, but infrequent. 
   
  Due to the influence of Keoland, the people of Gyruff have adopted Keolandish style of dress but 
  have added some Flan touches.  Solid primary colors or earth tones are favored.  The strange 
  check and plaid patterns favored by the Oeridians are just not seen very often.  Jewelry consists 
  of bracelets, rings, necklaces, and hair and head bands.  Ear piercing is not common in Gyruff so 
  earrings are not worn.  And that goes for all the other heaven knows what that the Baklundish 
  pierce.  The most distinctive piece of jewelry is the torque, which are pieces of metal worked 
  into a ring with a gap, worn tightly around the neck or the arm. 
   
  Common men wear long, loose tunics that are belted at the waist over top of breeches that extend 
  just past the knee.  The tunics are not worn in hot weather.  High boots with soft soles are 
  favored because of the rocky and uneven ground of Gyruff.  A tabard-like vestment is worn 
  over-top for formal occasions or when weather turns cold.  A stout cloak pinned at the shoulder 
  is worn for protection against the elements, while allowing easy access to a sword or axe.  Men’s 
  hair is commonly worn long and tied back, while facial hair is trimmed short.  Brimmed hats are 
  popular in the summer, and fur hats in the winter.  Axes and swords are typically worn on sword 
  belts on the hip. 
   
  Common women in Gyruff wear loose single-piece dresses with short sleeves, buttoned up the 
  front.  Sometimes they wear breeches like the men.  An apron with pockets for carrying tools and 
  other useful items is common.  Long hair is a sign of fertility and beauty in Flan culture and if 
  possible, women rarely cut their hair.  Instead, it is bound up in intricate twists and braids.  
  Women rarely wear hats, preferring hooded cloaks, which can be lined with fur in the winter. 
   
  Because of their wealth, the nobility dresses in all fashion of strange and bizarre dress.  Some 
  have even been know to wear hose like people in the Kingdom of Aerdy.  Pelor save us!  Noble 
  and rich men wear knee-length coats, decorated with embroidery and buttoned up the front, over 
  top of a tunics and breeches.  Wealthy women dress in fine gowns that are not practical for 
  physical labor, but since they’ve got other people to do their work for them, that isn’t really a 
  problem. 
   
  The traditional Gyri diet has not changed much in hundreds of years.  Since settling down into 
  steadings and crofts, leeks, turnips, and grains make up the bulk of meals.  Unlike many other 
  regions, Gyruff has an abundance of meat in its diet due to the quantity of game in the woods 
  (primarily venison and rabbit) and most families kept a flock of sheep.  Cattle are rare, so goat’s 
  milk is more common than cow’s milk, and most cheeses are made from it.  Grapes do not grow 
  
  in Gyruff, so wine must be imported from Keoland.  Ale and mead fill the void quite nicely for 
  most Gyri.  Yes, quite nicely.  Two distinctly Gyri dishes are laver bread, which is an oatmeal 
  pancake, and rarebit, which is goat cheese on toast. 
   
  Most Gyri speak two different languages.  Flan is the original tongue of the people, and it is still 
  well known to most people in Gyruff.  In the more isolated areas, it might be the only language 
  that is spoken.  In the larger towns, Common is also spoken, but in the rural western areas, most 
  Gyri know little more than a few phrases and words. A few also know Keolandish, which is the 
  used in the lowlands of the Sheldomar Valley. 
   
  Of course, the elves have their language, the dwarves theirs, and the gnomes theirs!  Some half-
  orcs speak the orcish language as well.   It’s a confusing mess on major feast holidays or affairs 
  of state when the demihumans send representatives to the Duke’s court, let me tell you.  But you 
  would be surprised how far you can get with some grunts, hand gestures, and facial expressions. 
   No, I’m not speaking from experience.  I can speak all of these languages. 
   
  The Gyri worship two broad classifications of deities.  The first and most important are the 
  nature gods:  Beory, the Oerth Mother, and her children Obad-hai and Ehlonna who represent the 
  male and female aspects of nature respectively.  Pelor was their father, and he is seen as the 
  paternal figure and civilizing force in Gyruff.  The second group consists of those gods that 
  promise protection: Trithereon, Pholtus, St. Cuthbert, and Mayaheine all have substantial 
  followers, but historically have had less influence than the nature deities.  Since the invasion by 
  the giants, the deities of defense have become much more prominent, especially Trithereon and 
  Mayaheine.   
   
  One custom that is distinctly Flan, and therefore Gyri, is the planting of a tree in every 
  household.  This tree is either planted by the door to the home or in a courtyard or in the center 
  of the enclosure of the steading.  To the Gyri mind, the tree represents the household and as it 
  grows and becomes stronger so too will the family.  Family members who go on long trips will 
  often take a leaf from the tree with them as good luck.  Family gatherings are often held under its 
  branches, and it is often the center of celebrations and festivities.  During the celebration of 
  Needfest, families decorate the tree with garlands, lights, and ornaments.  The richer the family, 
  the more extensive and expensive the decoration.  Families will travel (miles if need be in the 
  less-settled areas) to their neighbors to see the decorated trees and compare. 
   
  As a land with few inns and hostels, hospitality is very important to the Gyri.  Any traveler can 
  expect a warm meal and a place by the hearth at any steading or croft.  Of course, the Gyri have 
  expectations of guests too.  Guests are supposed to help the family and do an odd chore or two 
  before departing.  One hand washes the other, and both come out clean.   
   
  Entertainment in Gyruff consists of storytelling, playing the harp, as well as dancing.  The harp 
  is very important to Gyri home life and even the clumsiest of us can pluck simple melodies from 
  the instrument.  Keolanders mock Gyruff by claiming that even the barns have harps.  While this 
  is not true, (what can you expect from Keolanders, anyway?), almost every house has one.  
  Traditionally, the harp is passed to the youngest son and cannot be sold or claimed from debtors. 
    
  
   
  Gyri love to dance, and learning complicated dances are as much as growing up as learning to 
  hunt and fish.  Bards, or scops, hold a cherished place in Gyruff society and are respected far 
  more than in other lands, as they are the lorekeepers and poets of Gyruff.  In an illiterate society, 
  such as Gyruff, the oral tradition kept by the scops is important to the identity of the country.  
  Scops also carry news and messages from one far-flung steading to another. 
   
  Gyruff has rarely been at war through its history, but humanoid and giant raiders from the 
  Crystalmists and the Barrier Peaks are a sad fact of life.  In this skirmish-style of combat, Gyri 
  prefer to use spears, axes, and swords and rarely wear armor heavier that studded leather and 
  brigandine.  Heavier armor must be imported from elsewhere.  The greatest threat in the Gyruff 
  arsenal is our long bows.  Yew trees grow thick in the Hornwood, and these trees produce strong 
  but supple wood that is used to manufacture the five-foot tall bows of Gyruff.  
   
  The wooded and hilly terrain of Gyruff limits the use of cavalry.  Only the Grand Duke 
  maintains a mounted force of any size.   However, like our Flan ancestors, we Gyri are excellent 
  horsemen.  Most use small, light, surefooted horses that are nimble enough to cope with the 
  terrain.  These horses are good in the wooded hillsides, but terrible in the open plains. 
   
  So there you have it, Gyruff as it once was.  Now you know what we are fighting to restore, 
  though sometimes I fear it may be lost forever… 
   
  May the wind always be at your back, 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Morwenna the Fair 
   
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Living Greyhawk/Metaorg Material/Geoff/History and Geography/Cultural Overiew-Revised.pdf