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.

History of the Dwarven and Elven Conflict

The dwarven King of the time, King Thorin, thought to combine the power of the gemstones that the gods had gifted to the elves and dwarves in order to defeat the orcish threat. His smiths crafted a beautiful chain made from precious metals to hold Ilterendi and Mithrus. Queen Veladriel of the sun elves brought Ilterendi to King Thorin, and he brought forth Mithrus. Together, they placed Mithrus and Ilterendi into the necklace. In that moment, the King’s smiths betrayed him and slew him as he stood. They made an attempt on the Queen’s life and nearly killed her too — but her husband, King Ahellion, whisked her away to safety. Ilterendi and Mithrus were lost.

Believing the dwarves to be untrustworthy traitors, Queen Veladriel ordered her finest mages to hunt down and kill the dwarves who threatened her life and stole the gemstones. They set upon a dwarven settlement of innocents and ransacked it whilst searching for Ilterendi.

King Thorin’s son was only a child, and there was no one to take the throne in the dwarven kingdom. Mass panic ensued in the wake of his assassination and the elvish attack. The dwarves’ retired military general, an old dwarf who had learned strategy and tactics from Hejong himself, stepped up as the new King of the Mountain. King Lokkhan sent his men after the rogue dwarves who had stolen Mithrus and Ilterendi.

Eventually, the sun elves found the dwarves hiding with Ilterendi and Mithrus deep within the Snowfell Mountains. Their forces perished before the might of both gemstones. Queen Veladriel and King Ahellion were incensed that Ilterendi had been stolen and used against them, and blamed the newly-crowned King Lokkhan for being unable to get the situation under control. The elven Queen threatened further attacks into dwarven territory. Ever-wise and less fiery than Veladriel, King Lokkhan turned all of his efforts on hunting down and wresting Ilterendi and Mithrus back from the smiths who had stolen it.

Meanwhile, the dwarves took casualties from elven attacks. The dwarves retaliated in self-defense. The elves took to sieging the dwarves in their mountain homes. It was relatively ineffective, but without access to their crops, livestock, or trade, the dwarves’ quality of life suffered. It took many years, but King Lokkhan was finally able to infiltrate the group of smiths who had stolen the gemstones. He killed off all of the traitors that he could, but few escaped and became Dark Dwarves who worshipped Vandun. With the humans’ help, King Lokkhan returned Ilterendi to the sun elves and warily forged a truce with them.

Queen Veladriel and King Ahellion have had a shaky alliance with the dwarves since. King Lokkhan finds the elves difficult to work with, as they no longer trust the dwarves, and the sun elves find the dwarves reckless and stubborn. King Lokkhan maintains that the dwarves never did anything wrong and that the entire issue was caused by a few dark dwarves seduced by Vandun; Queen Veladriel believes that corruption lingers within the dwarven ranks. The humans negotiate and keep the peace between their two ancient allies, and try to remind them of both good old times, and bright futures.

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.