Athear's Encyclopaedia - [ Races ]

[Tsu Sengai]

Welcome to the Races Encyclopaedia Entry!
Want to create a character, but unsure as to what is allowed? Not quite sure if your personal mythology on giants will match that of the guild? Here, you'll find a wealth of knowledge on the major races - those with established kingdoms - and the minor races - those present within the lands but not holding a recognised kingdom.

Scroll on to view them all, or use this handy little list to know where precisely to skip to for your current interest.


Major Races
Dragons ------------------ Post Two
Elves --------------------- Post Three
Drow --------------------- Post Four
Humans ------------------ Post Five
Dwarves ------------------ Post Six
Giants -------------------- Post Seven

Minor Races
Minotaur ------------------ Post Eight
Orcs ---------------------- Post Nine
Goblins ------------------- Post Ten
 

[Tsu Sengai]

Dragons (DRAH-GONZ)

Guys, I have no clue as to what kind of dragons Syutaka wants.. So for now, here's two dragons in human form. ^___^  

[Tsu Sengai]

Elves.
Singular: Elf
Plural: Elves

Elves, or elven kind, are bipedal mammals similar in appearance to very fair, tallish, slender humans. It is speculated that they are distantly related to (possibly ancestors to) the mammalian species Homo sapiens. Elves have a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language and introspection, their capacity for knowledge far exceeds that of the human brain.

Little is known about the origins of the elvish race, and they are cagey about their past. Their society is so complex that it is easy to believe they are as old as the earth herself. Their culture is a rich tapestry of beauty, bereft of the common corruptions and warlike tendancies of other races. Their quest for knowledge of all things and their habit of creating beautiful music, art, and tales far supassing those of the other races has led them to be awed and hated by many of the other peoples of this world.

Elves are well-known for their hobby of studying and documenting other races, with whom they share such knowledge and technology they deem fit. This slightly godly attitude has given them a bad image for many, though most of the higher sentient beings seem to sympathise with them.

Elves are usually six to seven feet tall, sometimes as short as five and a half feet, though this is often an indication of racial interbreeding. They have two sexes, with the female bearing children, though both sexes have equal say in the societies. Their skin-tones are more earthy than those of humans, including greens and blues. Dusky toned skin (grey to black) is an indication of Drow ancestory. Drows, a sub-species of the elves, are termed 'dark elves' by many, and are secretive and little encountered.

Eye colour in elves is very varied, having the possibility of blue, green, hazel, brown, mauve and red, as well as yellow. In elves, the eye-colour can quite often shift with moods. Hair is usually fair, though darker colours are not uncommon. The colours vary from white to black, including most colours one could imagine, and fading with age to a lighter shade. The elvish lifespan is greater than that of humans, but less than that of the dragons.  

[Tsu Sengai]

Drow.
Singular: Drow
Plural: Drow

Drow are more commonly known as dark elves. They are still closely related to other elves, but their appearance and behaviour are greatly different.

Whilst all elves are descended from a common ancestor, the majority served the deities of light, life, or nature. However, one group of elves long ago took to worshipping Lolth, the Godess of Chaos. As such they gave up the surface world, taking to dwelling in dark caves and chasms.

Drow in no way reflect any of the goodly, kind, and awed characteristics of their surface-dwelling counterparts - they are, on the whole, a dark, secretive, malicious and deadly race, seeking the fulfill the desires of their Godess Lolth.

The few remaining Drow cities are deep underground, structures built from or into large stalactites and stalagmites that protrude from the floor and ceiling above. This makes them oddly reminiscient of the forest homes of their surface counterparts, though the Drow cities are magnificent, beautiful, and terrifying all at once as faerie fires flicker as lighting or adornment. Of many, only three cities remain intact - these remaining three cities are inhabited by Drow that perfectly complement their world; beautiful and horrible, deadly with blade and mind. Only one city is still thriving fully - Chel'el'Sussoloth, wherin lie most of the population of Drow.

The lean and lithe bodies of the Drow are honed to fighting perfection, and they known to be some of the fiercest warriers anywhere. They are a matriachal race by nature, the women being larger, stronger, and more to the liking of their rather sexist Godess. Priestess' of Lolth are feared and very powerful. Drow are bred from birth to be racist and spiteful of anything not-Drow, though this does not mean they have patriot spirit to their own kind - mothers often fall to their own sons or daughters in succession strife.

Though they worship Chaos, the Drow do maintain a loose, feudal government. They are governed by the multiple ruling houses of the underdark, with the ten leading houses and their matrons making up the council.

Drow are characterised by their dark, ebony skin and angular, almost starved features. Their hair is almost always shocking white, though a few Drow are occasionally born with faded versions of the usual elven colours - these children are viewed as dangerous to the will of the Godess Lolth, thus they are sacrificed to her at birth.

Some Drow dye their hair, and most adorn it in varying styles with all manner of ornaments and cuts. Most Drow stand at around six to seven feet tall, and they are of the same lithe build as their surface dwelling cousins.

A great difference between the surface elves and the Drow is the Drow ability to see in the dark thanks to an adapted visual cortex allowing them to view heat patterns. Their eyes are very sensitive to light, so light spells are very powerful against them.  

[Tsu Sengai]

Humans.
Singular: Human
Plural: Humans

Humans, or human beings, are bipedal primates belonging to the mammalian species Homo sapiens (Latin for "wise man" or "knowing man") under the family Hominidae (the great apes). Humans have a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language and introspection. This, combined with an erect body carriage that frees their upper limbs for manipulating objects, has allowed humans to rise from their primate ancestry into a semblance of civilisation.

Like most primates, humans are by nature social. However, humans are particularly adept at utilizing systems of communication for self-expression and the exchange of ideas. Though they are still one of the lowest of the speaking races, their ruthlessness and ingenuity have seen them spread across entire continents.

Humans have developed a semi-complex social system, with some interesting customs. Their interests in art and music are great, though they also attach great significance to something wholly unique to the human race - religion. Though the humans pronounce that all races have religion, theirs is the only one to have slaughtered their own kind senselessly because of differing opinions.

Humans have two sexes, and a variety of colourations, ranging in skin tone from a pale peach to a dark ebony brown. It is very rare for a human to have skin markings, and their hair ranges from a light yellow-white through bronzen hues, browns, and black. Most humans lose their hair colour as they age, eventually having white hair. Their sexes are male, and female, with the female bearing children. Though males seem to dominate, females of this species seem to have much more intelligence and adaptability.

Humans range in height from under five feet to six, occasionally higher when breeding with other races such as elves. Their ears are mostly immobile, and their eye-colour is not usually indicative of mood. Eye-colour can be blue, green, hazel, or brown. Any other colour indicates racial interbreeding.  

[Tsu Sengai]

Dwarves.
Singular: Dwarf
Plural: Dwarves

Dwarves, or dwarven kind, are bipedal mammals similar in appearance to short, stocky, well-built humans. It is speculated that they are distantly related to the mammalian species Homo sapiens. Dwarves have a highly developed brain capable of abstract reasoning, language and introspection, their capacity for remembering things far exceeds that of the human brain, and is near comparable to that of their ancient foe, the dragon.

Little is known about the origins of the dwarven race, though tales are told that they were born from the rock, or created from it by some godly hand. Their society is simple, though it has many customs and traditions, and it is easy to believe they are as old as the earth herself. Their culture is a rich tapestry of a strong, intricate people, bereft of the common corruptions and warlike tendancies of other races - bar their love of the things they mine in their moutain halls. Their quest for things of beauty mined from the earth and their habit of creating beautiful carvings, armour, and jewellery far supassing those of the other races has led them to be a rich race, with ties to most of the other races of this world forged through trade.

Dwarves are well-known for their stout natures and love of feasting, though their habit of saying precisely what is on their minds and their stuborness have resulted in some points of tension.

Dwarves are usually four to five feet tall, sometimes as tall as five and a half feet, though this is often an indication of racial interbreeding. They have two sexes, with the female bearing children, though both sexes have equal say in the societies. Their skin-tones are more ruddy than those of humans, tending towards a tanned or rosy hide even when young.

Eye colour in dwarves is very varied, having the possibility of blue, green, hazel, brown, mauve and yellow. In dwarves, the eye-colour rarely shifts with moods. Hair is usually dark, though fair colours are not uncommon. The colours vary from blonde to black, including similar colours to those of the human, and fading with age to a lighter shade and eventually to silver or white. The dwarven lifespan is greater than that of humans, but less than that of the dragons.  

[Tsu Sengai]

Giants.
Singular: Giant
Plural: Giants

Giants are bipedal mammals, often mistaken for strange rocky outcroppings. They have a developed brain capable of reasoning, language and introspection, and though they are capable of the same cognitive processes as humans, few seem to take advantage of this. The average giant has a capacity for remembering things comparable to that of their oftimes neighbour, the dragon. Though giants have a good long-term memory, their short-term memory can often leave much to be desired.

Little is known about the origins of the giant race, but many consider them to be the first people of the world, borne from the rock and soil to tend and watch over it - for this reason, they are sometimes termed 'Guardians'. Their society is pyrimidical, and tribal, with the most intelligent and fierce giant ruling a clan, and reporting up to the head clan. Their culture is practically unknown, as giants have strong ties to their clans and it is rare for one to be banished, or for an outsider to join them. Their halls in the great canyons and forests are often savagely beautiful, with a style similar to that of the elves and dwarves combined.

Giants are well known for their savage nature, but to be truthful this is merely a neccessity for survival in their usual habitats - they do have a shockingly strong sense of empathy, and though their imagination can leave something to be desired, they take what is and show it in different lights, producing amazing carvings. They are secretive, and though not violent to outsiders, few dare to see if the tales told in the dark are true or false. As such they are a newer addition to the council of the races, though they seem to have watched and noted all since it began.

Giants are usually fifteen to twenty feet tall, sometimes as short as ten, though this is often an indication of youth. They have two sexes, with the female bearing children, and though both sexes have equal say in the clan, females tend to take the lead. Their skin-tones are more varied than those of humans, varying through more natureistic colours such as greens, browns and greys. Giants often grow more to the colour of their environment as they age, so by the time they hit what is classed as old age, those living (for instance) in the stony regions will take on more of a stony colouration.

Eye colour in giants is varied, having the possibility of blue, green, hazel, brown, mauve, yellow, grey, and variations thereof. In giants the eye-colour rarely shifts with moods. Hair is usually dark, though fair colours are not uncommon. The colours vary from blonde to black, including similar colours to those of the elf, and fading with age to a lighter shade and eventually to silver or white. The giant lifespan is on a par with that of dragons.  

[Tsu Sengai]

Minotaur.
Singular: Minotaur
Plural: Minotaur

Minotaur is a noun that is the same singular or plural, and rightly so, since all minotaur have a sense of unity amongst their race. They are ferociously loyal to each other (unless blatant or somewhat evident betrayal is evident, or if those in question are of another clan that is not to be trusted), and are exceptionally loyal to any that gain their trust. Minotaur possess the same kind of mind as other races, capable of abstract reasoning, language, and introspection, and they use all these aspects, though reasoning sometimes does not shine through. Minotaur skintones range from light to dark browns, sometimes black, though this is generally limited to the 'Low' Minotaur. Minotaurs are marked by massive amounts of muscle inherent in their forms, along with a bullish or cowish visage, though it is one capable of speech. Minotaur males and females do exist, with the former bearing horns and the latter bearing none. Between the two genders, horns are generally the only way to differentiate, since the females are very masculine in appearance. Of both sexes, hair is somewhat of a rare trait. While a minotaur's hide is covered in tiny, fine hairs, the hair atop one's head sometimes just does not appear any different from that covering their entire body. Yet others gain black, thick, hair atop their head that usually sprouts up from between their horns (or ears, in the case of females) and can be grown however they please. Hair is not necessarily a thing to boast about in minotaur society, yet is often viewed as an inclination towards becoming a shaman.

Of the minotaur race, there are two 'breeds,' the two tending not to mix, as neither trusts the other. The first 'breed' are the self-styled High Minotaur, which are taller, ranging from seven feet to nine in males, measuring from the bottom of the hoof to the tip of the horn, to only slightly smaller in females. These minotaur are highly loyal and also intelligent, though slow, and are extremely strong.

The so-called 'Low' Minotaur are a bit more feral, being shorter, ranging from five feet to seven in males, with females being about a half foot shorter. They are more backstabbing than 'High' Minotaur, though not as much as some 'High' Minotaur claim.

Most minotaur, however, can at least live alongside their cousins. Only a few minor wars, most decades ago, if not longer, have ever erupted between the two breeds, and some younger minotaur can even appreciate the other breed. However interbreeding has not yet been attempted, and is almost impossible to accomplish, since elders use divination magic to determine the whereabouts of any would-be dissenters.

Ability-wise, minotaur can advance wherever they please, but tend to stick to the fields of combat. Often, minotaur (as pictured) use two-handed weapons, generally greataxes or greatmaces, but some use other weapons, and some none at all, preferring to charge in with their fists and horns. Most tend not to wear armor (and fewer even wear regular clothing), as their tough, thick, almost leather-like hides are a decent defense against most weapons. As said before, there are minotaur shamans, who practice, typically, the art of divination. These minotaur, however, are generally retired warriors and elders.  

[Tsu Sengai]

Orcs.
Singular: Orc
Plural: Orcs

Orcs are typically tall, muscular beings, bearing green skin (though varying shades are of course present within the race, along with the occasional brown or bluish orc), with semi-advanced brains on a lesser level than that of a human or elves, capable of logic, learning, language, reasoning, and so forth. They are biologically cousins of goblins and similar to trolls, and all three races share their basic tongue (Goblinoid, or Gobbish.).

Orcs, while almost always stronger than humans, elves, and goblins, and most other races (save for giants), are almost always of lesser intelligence. Therefore it is very rare to see an orc mage or shaman, but it does, at times, happen, though on a very rare basis. Orcs tend to be very upfront and say what is on their minds (similar to dwarves), but also tend to speak in broken Common, unless they have been educated in the language. Orcs also have a tendency to resort to violence when it is sometimes unnecessary; often times harming an aggressor more than what they deserve or perhaps even killing them. This sort of temper often makes them ideal guards or soldiers; they hold nothing back in most any circumstances. This makes orcs almost unnaturally competitive, fierce, but not necessarily brutal. There are some orcs with a sense of honour, but most attempt to win at all costs.

Orcs are marked by their wiry, typically black hair, low-set, wide lower jaws, and protruding canines (from both the upper and lower jaw), and wide girth. Female orcs are generally, like their goblinoid cousins, oppressed and kept out of sight, with a bit more zeal than their more diminutive biological cousins. Orcish height generally ranges from six to seven feet, with the females being slightly shorter. Orcs are not, remember, inherently evil, but society generally stigmatizes them as such. Since this has happened, some wiser Orcish elders have sent a few youths to the Academy in order to provide an example for their race. What these youths provide an example of, however, is entirely up to them.  

[Tsu Sengai]

Goblins.
Singular: Goblin
Plural: Goblins

Goblins are typically short (though there are taller goblins, typically the leaders of the groups) and generally mischievous, not necessarily malevolent or warlike, though there have been instances of this in the past. They are believed to posses brains lesser than humans and elves, or at least seem to, but still have capacity for logic, introspection, reasoning, and so forth. Perhaps most-advanced of goblinoid brain-areas are those responsible for dexterity and spatial reasoning, as well as logical thinking and creativity, which usually manifest as wit and cunning. Goblins also rarely advance in the fields of magic, typically in that of witchcraft and enchantment, though really any profession is within their grasp. However, a profession becoming more commonplace amongst goblinkind is the art of engineering. Goblins have a true knack for mechanics, and almost any kind of engineering endeavor is something a goblin may fulfill.

Goblins are easily identified by their odd skin tones, generally bearing a dark or light green skin colour, though there are some goblins that bear a brownish shade of skin. Goblins typically either have pointed or blunted features, with pointed or smashed-in looking noses, pointed ears, and small bodies, almost looking disproportionate at times. Goblins are almost always short of stature as well, being within the dwarven height range, which is possibly why these two races sometimes have the hardest time getting along.

Goblin culture is generally oppressive on the female sex, though not overly so; it is a tradition that has faded slightly with time. Goblins bear no definitive religion, and have a tongue that is shared within their race (and among others, such as orcs and trolls).  

[Tsu Sengai]

Harpy.
Singular: Harpy
Plural: Harpies

Very tribal to say in the least, Harpies are ferocious creatures. Their razor-sharp talons have been known to strip the flesh from bones, and are long enough to pierce a man through the heart. Though they look very humanoid in appearance, they are nothing close to human. The likenesses are the body-shape of the genders, as well as the facial features, but the relevance ends there where their entire bodies are covered with feathers instead of skin, and their eyes can be the same colors as a humans, except that they have absolutely no whites, and their irises are usually the same color as the rest of the eye.

They have only four fingers, very stubby, bird-like fingers with talons protruding from the tips, same with their feet, except they look like human feet but with three very large toes with talons. They have wings (obviously) which enable them to defy gravity for long periods of time. They have hair on their head, like any human, except it's usually in the form of dreads or kept very closely cropped for convieniance. Like I said before, they are very tribal, thus they live in very primitive homes, usually in cliff-faces or in caves, or even sometimes in forests. They are very nimbly built, and are quick and agile, known as some of the quickest creatures in combat, and the most deadly since they need not carry a weapon to be armed. Some have taken to carrying swords or daggers modified to be gripped in their thick-stubby fingers.  

[Tsu Sengai]

Centaurs.
Singular: Centaur
Plural: Centaurs

For years and years these equine creatures have roamed the lands in tribes and herds, their power in numbers relatively small, but in prowess and ferocity they have been regarded as a proud and strong race. Very few of them ever gain the special ability to harness magic, let alone learn how to use it properly, but the few that do without killing themselves usually become healers, shamans, or other high positions in a tribe. There are male and females sexes in this race, and the males tend to almost dwarf the females in size and power. Most males range from about 8-10 feet tall while the females remain a mere 6-7 feet. The males are usually more of the draft-horse material, sturdy and strong, but fast when needed, and the females are more of the slimmer type, their dainty legs and feet quick and agile. They tend to remain unclothes except for the females, which will sometimes wear a poncho-like skirt covering their lower bodies, and almost always covering their very human-like chest.

Like a horse's mane, their hair seems to run down the middle of their back in long, flowing waves, and their eyes and hair (all over their body) can vary to any sort of color imaginable. The females, while not nearly as strong as the males, are still allowed their own opinion, and are some of the best archers in the land. They are an extremely proud people, still full of tradition and have a basic understanding of the world about them. They choose to stay clear of cities for the most part and are a very nomadic kind of people.