Races

Overview

It is important to understand the world's geographical regions to understand the races that live in them. See the Locations page for a world map. At the very least, know that two very large islands stand in the middle of a great ocean. Hellan is the western island, and Isandor is the eastern island.

History of Hellan

Hellan is ruled by the Confederacy, which is an alliance of humans, dwarves, and elves. The Confederacy is very old, and the alliance is fragile. Factional disputes between member races are common, particularly between elves and dwarves. Humanity is the glue that holds the confederacy together.

Halflings are notably missing from the leadership of the Confederacy -- causing minor rebellions from time to time. In general, the Halflings have had to become increasingly reclusive in order to escape the oppression of the Confederacy. Most Halflings that exist within the Confederacy's major cities, towns, and roads are thieves and outlaws by necessity. They live in a safe-haven within the Hidden Valley, unbeknownst to the Confederacy.

History of Isandor

Isandor is in open war with the Confederacy, ruled by the Orcish Warlords. Their nation is a barbaric tribal system, with the largest alpha tribe dominating the lesser tribes by sheer force of will. In their culture, their greatest warrior is the leader of their people. The lands ruled by the Orcs is inhospitable, an aftermath of a long drawn out internal war that was only stopped by necessity when a large volcano erupted on the island. The terrain varies between desert, volcanic, and a few grasslands.

There are a few species of animaloids on Isandor. Most of them were conquered long ago, and serve alongside the orcs within their tribal system. Despite the Orcish Warlords’ ruthless warlike nature, they are far less prejudiced against races than the Confederacy because they value strength and tradition above birthright.

Timeline

Visit the Timeline page to view a complete timeline of the history of Isandor and Hellan. The timeline includes important events, like the Great War, which is the foundation for why elves and dwarves do not get along in the Ilisara universe.

Races of the Confederacy

Humans

Sun Elves

Dwarves

Races of the Orcish Warlords

Orcs

Minotaurs

Other Playable Races

Avianfolk*

Catfolk*

Celestials

Dark Dwarves

Dark Elves

Genasi

Goblins

Half-anything (half-elf, half-orc, etc)

Halflings

Lizardfolk*

Wood Elves

*Avianfolk, Catfolk, and Lizardfolk are all considered "animaloids". They are bipedal intelligent animals with sentience and culture. Their cultures vary wildly and so do their values. Often, they embody the traits of the animal they are most closely related to. Animaloids are scattered around the Orcish Warlords’ territory, with a few living within the confines of the Confederacy’s land. They are mostly friendly to the Confederacy.

Non-Playable Races

Trolls - Ugly pests found on both Hellan and Isandor. Generally low intelligence, and work with Ogres.

Ogres - Hulking behemoths that can be found on both Hellan and Isandor. Usually brutish and low intelligence.

Giants - Ancient, and rare creatures that are in tune with the elements of the world. They are neutral to most humanoids, but commune with Genasi if approached. They can be found on both Hellan and Isandor.

Treant - Guardians of the forest. They are friendly to druids, and hostile to anyone who would do the forest harm. Neutral to most passing through their forest, but will assist the weary in times of need. Found on Hellan.

Centaur - Native to Isandor, Centaurs were enslaved by the Orcish Warlords of Isandor long ago. They serve as equal members of the tribes these days.

Mermaid - Found in the waters between Hellan and Isandor, these creatures have been known to take pirates down to their watery graves, and to help needy merchants on their voyage. Generally considered by all races as a sign of good luck.

Kobold - These rodent-like creatures live in deep, dark caves. Generally found on Hellan, but rarely on Isandor, these creatures are considered pests to Dwarven miners.

Demons (Succubi/Incubi/Imps/Hellhounds/Satyrs) - Followers of Vandun have been known to summon demon companions. They assist their masters in all of their endeavors and conquests. Demons can also be found on their own, consorting with mortals to their own ends. Some say not all demons worship Vandun, and that some resist for a greater or darker end. These are unconfirmed rumors though, as most who consort with demons do not admit it openly. Typically, consorting with a demon within the Confederacy is punishable by death.

Undead - Necromancy and death-magic is practiced in some isolated pockets of Isandor, resulting in undead monstrosities. Generally frowned upon. Kerrigor, god of death, does not approve of undeath.

Ilisara Geopolitics (needs editing)

The Dark Elves take up the positions from north of Snowpeak to the lowlands of southern Hellan, by the Confederacy’s best estimates, there must be a population of at least 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 Dark Elves in order to span that region. The Dark Dwarves are heavily concentrated beneath Snowpeak, near the volcanic depths. They make up a total sum population of about 400,000. The Sun Elves, which span the entire island of Hellan, have a total population of 5,000,000. There is a similar number of Dwarves, and about 3,000,000 humans since they are a new arrival.

If you look at the population numbers by themselves, the Dwarves and Elves have a massive advantage over their dark counterparts. However, they are spread out over the entire region of Hellan. The population density of Dark Elves and Dark Dwarves makes them even slightly outnumber their regular counterparts in the regions where they claim dominance. If those forces were to launch a first strike at say, the Sun Elf capitol, they would be able to have a short lived victory before the raw numbers of the rest of the island of Hellan came crashing down on them. This reality has lead to the cold war. There is no way that any one nation on Hellan can survive a first strike from the Dark Elves and Dwarves - so no one dares initiate war without the entire Confederate support.

So the problem then falls on Humanity, who is reluctant to go to war. Their positioning is super precarious. Their capital is the most vulnerable to the Dark Elves and Dwarves, as it is so close to the base of the mountains that the Dwarves and Elves could strike it, destroy it, and be back in their mountains before reinforcements could arrive. Outlying settlements south of the snowy mountains are also vulnerable to strikes without protection from Thrain, due to poor connected empire.

This unfortunate reality has kept the peace. No one wants to suffer the casualties of a war that would cost well over half of all side's population, or the entirety of it.

So while some forces of the Dark Elves may be calling for war, because they feel they are losing the peace, the upper echelons of Sun Elf and Dark Elf leadership should be keenly aware that there is no real winner in a war between all of these rivals.

In fact, it may be a better strategy to turn the Sun Elves and the regular Dwarves against each other. That would result in a situation where the math of war changes so dramatically that the Dark Elves might actually win a war by gaining the support of Humanity. Additionally, if they gained the support of Humanity, they might have a shot in a war against the Dwarves and Sun Elves combined. This would make their motivations most likely ultra diplomatic when it comes to Humanity, further increasing the pressure of Humanity to avoid war with the Dark Elves and Dwarves.

Obviously the Dark Elves have no centralized leadership, no capital known to the Confederacy. But the heads of the largest tribes know each other, and are aware of these facts. The Shadow Hunters are one example of Humans and Dark Elves intermingling. It is no coincidence that some Humans fetish their Dark Elf neighbors. This is deliberate, an attempt to lure Humanity closer to the Dark Elves' faction.

Due to the savage conditions of Isandor, the Orcish clans combined only have a total population of about 4,000,000 orcs. This however doesn't take into account that the Orcs have dominated their island. Centaurs, Trolls, and other various species subjugated into the Orcish warbands total about 3,000,000. Militarily speaking, a greater portion of their population is ready for war than their Hellan counterparts. This leaves the combined Orcish Warlords with an army larger than the Confederacy, but a total population that is about 20% smaller.

None of the Confederacy’s math factors in the Halflings. Since they are notably left out of the math of war, it is believed a total population on Hellan would be around 100,000, mostly contained within the forests of southern Hellan and their isolated shire. They may be small in both stature and numbers, but they are positioned far from the main armies of Hellan and Isandor. If they ever did decide to band together to make strikes like guerilla warfare, they would be able to cause the Confederacy enough pain and logistical damage to bring it to it's knees.

And of course, none of this factors in interference from the Pantheon. Right now Arth and Vandun are notably aligned against the other seven Gods and Goddesses. If some of the Pantheon were to fall ... or through mortal affairs gain more influence and power, the balance of power might shift one way or the other.