Welcome to Gaia! ::

First of all, Aranor is a world of my (Xindaris’) creative invention. It is a fantasy world, medieval/feudal in time-appearance, and very definitely not Earth (although its climate is very similar). It only has two continents, and this RP will focus on just one of them, the one filled with magic beings. Some of the races are typical, some of them are very original, and you are allowed to add any race that doesn’t resemble any of the existing ones too much.
I’ve used this world for several previous RPs, but it is still basically a work in progress. Any additions to races and magic will be both appreciated and likely used later. It is very much a world in its own right, with its own history, mythology, races, and beliefs. No references to Earth astrologically or geologically will be allowed (although dirt/ground could be called “earth”, this is not quite the same), since this is not Earth and the people are oblivious to Earth. No calling Common speech “English”, or saying “what on Earth”, or that sort of thing. I guess “what on Aranor” would be a valid expression, though.

3.Aranor’s Races
First thing’s first, keep in mind that this doesn’t have to be the only races that there are on Aranor. Anyone who wants to may send in a race application and it’ll probably be approved. The application looks like this:

And the subrace form is very similar:

Of course, replace the things in () with that which they describe. Keep in mind that “detailed” is a fairly fluent word here, you don’t have to be super-literate to come up with a race. HOWEVER, if you make a race you must also make a character at least partially of that race to justify its existence.

The currently listed races and subraces:

1.Humans:The shortest-lived mortal beings. The average life expectancy of a human is about 80 years old on Aranor. They look similar to Earth’s humans, but may have some traits that would be impossible for Earth humans (e.g. blue hair, red eyes). Humans are capable of learning magic over the course of many years (though it’s not really worth it), but it isn’t their main magical capability. Humans are actually able to act as magical “sponges”, absorbing magic throughout all of their lives until they cast one of three spells using all of it. The first transfers all magic to another being (usually a being that naturally can use magic such as an elf), the second targets a single enemy with all of the human’s magic to harm it, and the third uses all of the human’s absorbed magic on healing another person instantly, even from the point of death (as long is it was VERY recent and not due to age or disease). If a human does not use up this magic, it is transferred evenly to his/her descendants and remains stored until it is, even across hundreds of generations.
[TAB]A.Dragoon Descendants:During the war against the dragons, the Neshoba blessed six humans with the ability to actually learn Neshoban magic from that particular clan. They were commonly known as the “dragoons”, or dragon slayers. The dragoon’s hair and eye color is the same as the clan he or she can use magic from. However, they were still mortal and they died, leaving descendants with the same ability. As long as a descendant of a dragoon is purely human, he or she is still capable of learning Neshoban magic. (Also, the white dragoon’s descendants are the royal line of the country of Rithara, and according to permanent law may only marry pure humans to remain a part of it; Ardania’s royalty is by the same token the black dragoon’s descendants).
[TAB]B.Sins:Beings made by dragons long ago from humans, as a countermeasure to the creation of Dragoons. There are only seven of them, each with a particular name and Sin which they are capable of great powers related to (e.g. Envy, Wrath, Pride). At present they are in hiding, for unknown reasons.

2.Merpeople:Amphibious mortal beings sometimes referred to as “mermaids and mermen” or “merfolk.” They have the ability to breathe both under and above water, and shift between finlike lower bodies and pretty much human ones (although the latter is pale-skinned and recognizable as not human). They prefer fresh or swamp water to live in, therefore they do not inhabit the sea. Merpeople have an average life expectancy of about 160, and age about half as fast as humans do. They are capable of becoming about as proficient as elves in magic, but most merfolk choose to learn a type of magic that will work well underwater (including but not limited to water, electricity, and sound; excluding fire).

3.Orcs:Mortal beings; also known as “greenskins”. They resemble green-skinned humans with tall ears, but have a tribal form of civilization and clothing. The average life expectancy of an orc is around 270 years on Aranor, and age is a very important part of rank. It’s extremely common for an older orcish male to have a bald head and some form of a beard; meanwhile females generally continue to appear youthful and generally fair through all of their age. Orcs are capable of expressing magic by channeling it through weapons (including bare fists). Unfortunately, the orcs are generally sexist toward females: They are expected to do no more than look good and do housework. Every generation has some rebels, of course, but a majority of warrior orcs are male.

4.Eagle Folk:Mortal beings who are extremely prideful and reclusive. They are the only known race of flying humanoids. An eagle person generally looks like an extremely strong human with wings from the back; they are capable of hiding the wings but few ever do. Among eagle folk, females are generally fair in the human part of appearance but with rough-looking feathers, and males are generally rough in human appearance but with extremely “beautiful” feathers. In addition, males are usually fairly submissive to females. The average life expectancy of an Eagle man or woman is around 390 years on Aranor, through which they remain fairly youthful in appearance (mid-twenties or so, it depends on the specific person). Eagle folk are perfectly capable of learning magic, but few bother to, believing that physical strength and flight will be all they need.

5.Dwarves:Mortal but long-lived beings named particularly for their shortness. Male dwarves usually brag about their beards, at which females will occasionally scoff. The average life expectancy of a dwarf is around 550 years on Aranor. Dwarven males usually remain around 40-50 years old in appearance (except their beards), and females around late twenties to mid thirties. Dwarves are capable of channeling magic through the act of forging weapons and armor, which is why it isn’t necessary to have an elf present to make enchanted equipment (although it helps).

6.Elves:Immortal race of Aranor. Every elf is born with the ability to use one particular type of magic (see the section on Aranor’s magic) by will, and they can also learn other types of magic with relative ease. Elves retain a youthful appearance and a fairly slender figure throughout their lives.

7.Neshoba:Immortal people descended from wolves. Appear to be humans with extremely unusual bone structure and a wolf's tail and ears. Eye and fur/hair color is always the same. All Neshoba are capable of a werewolf form at night and some of the day, the transformation into which is involuntary on full moons. Those over the age of 666 possess two souls, the second one to appear subordinate to the first but still a different person in his or her self. When both souls are in full agreement of a heightened emotion or need, a Neshobe is capable of a “Two Souls Form”, which is more powerful than both normal and werewolf form but takes up a lot of energy. What exactly the Two Souls Form looks like, and what advantages it has over both normal and werewolf form, depends on the Clan. Neshoba use forms of magic that are impossible for Elves and non-Dragoon humans.
Neshoba of all clans grow in a particular way. They are treated as pups until they go through a mystic process which makes them an adult. It's known as the "Geinerin", or "awakening." It always takes place on a full moon, around age 19-31 depending partially on the Clan. The Neshobe goes into a trancelike state and has to be spoken with by another Neshobe, who is recommended to be older and of the same Clan but neither is absolutely necessary. The one that's in a trance follows a conversation loop, which the other has to break in order for him or her to become an 'adult'. If Geinerin is failed, neither Neshobe is looked down upon, and it can be tried again on the next full moon. The conversation between the two, whether or not it succeeds, is absolutely private.
Until a Neshobe undergoes Geinerin, he or she is looked at as no more than a puppy, and an attachment to the parents. Afterward, there is a celebration and a shift of roles from "child" to "adult" that seems strangely abrupt to those of other races (although to them it is perfectly natural).
Neshoba are divided into seven Clans that define their fur/eye color, magical ability, general physical appearance, and usual way of thinking:
TABA.Shadow Fang:Believed to be the earliest of the Clans to evolve from wolves. They have brown fur and eyes; and generally a strong build, although their agility is not to be underestimated. They are capable of one spell per, of Demonic nature. They have a very tribal culture, and choose their leaders by who can defeat who in all-out combat. Most have a fairly serious, adult outlook on life. Their claws are between six and nine inches long at full growth. Their Two Souls Form is that of a huge, demonic wolf, which is faster and stronger than either usual form, and capable of a second, much more powerful spell (only in that form). Their opposite is Yellow Moon.
TABB.Blue Tail:The closest clan to being human. Unlike any other Clan, they have omnivorous teeth and are neither stronger nor faster than humans are, although better balanced. Their claws are only about a half-inch at longest. They have blue fur and eyes. All Blue Tail Neshoba are capable of two particular spells: one which is able to tell them the exact condition of a certain area on another being's body; and another which can both put out fires and heal wounds to an extent. In addition to that each has an individual spell that has to do with either healing or water. One born of this clan is characteristically smart or kind, and very rarely both or neither. Their culture is a much less greed-based version of human culture, with democratically elected leaders. Their Two Souls form appears to be a weakened version of the normal form, but it is actually much faster: Fast enough to see the rest of the world in a sort of ‘slow motion’, and to think out whatever the next move may be. Their opposite is Red Claw.
TABC.White Grass:This clan has white-colored fur and eyes, but other than that their exact appearance is indiscernible. That is because those of this clan are capable of shapeshifting to any mammal, including most demi-humans, however they always have a white tail and are not capable of cross-gender transformation. In addition to shapeshifting, each member of this clan is capable of one spell of plant-related magic. Those of this clan usually enjoy messing with people, and are sometimes vain about their appearance [being able to change it at will].White Grass have a semi-tribal culture that bases its leadership on who the better trickster is. Their Two Souls Form is not actually a form, but the gaining of an ability: They become capable of transforming into a huge or unusually powerful creature of their choice (which they could not ordinarily turn into). Their opposite is Black Earth.
TABD.Black Earth:This clan is first and foremost exceptionally strong, far stronger than even the Shadow Fang clan is, but also considerably slower. Their claws are between three and four inches at full growth. They are capable of ground-related magic, one spell per, and have pitch-black eyes and fur. They are characteristically a bit greedy, rather headstrong, and sometimes slower to pick up on things than others are. Nonetheless, they are often very courageous. Their culture is tribal, and bases their leadership on physical strength alone. They have a Two Souls Form that looks like the werewolf form, only larger, and is capable of about three or four times the strength of either usual form. Their opposite is White Grass.
TABE.Red Claw:This clan is strong, but not as strong as Shadow Fang; they are also agile, but not quite as agile as Yellow Moon. Their claws are between five and six inches long. They are capable of two spells each of intensely powerful fire magic. They are known to be easily angered but are otherwise generally friendly and trustworthy folk. Their culture is somewhere between being tribal and human-like, and their leadership is based on magic capability. Their second soul form is a wolf the approximate size of a werewolf, larger than their normal form but smaller than Shadow Fang’s demon form; it has fur that is nothing but fire, and is capable of throwing the fire as it sees fit. Their opposite is Blue Tail.
TABF.Yellow Moon:This clan is exceptionally fast, built agilely and usually wiry in appearance. They have yellow fur and eyes, and usually act very childish and hyper. Their magic is, literally, light spells, one per person. Their Two Souls Form looks like a shining version of normal form, which is much faster and somewhat stronger than either normal form; the light emitting from this form has a weakening effect on anything that attacks them, and a strengthening effect on those who help them. Their opposite is Shadow Fang.
TABG.The Silver Clan:The legendary clan; there is only one alive every ten millennia or so. It’s next to impossible for one of the Silver Clan to have a second soul, and so the Two Souls Form is unknown. They have no real opposite. (At the moment, no silver will be accepted).

8.Fylenis:Extremely rare and endangered race of 'cat-people.' Their natural form looks like a large cat that walks on two legs. They are also capable of changing to a more human-like form, or at least appearing to. The Fylenis are the only race that is capable of magic that manipulates the mind. They can only speak in cat noises, but can make it sound as if they are speaking any language by making those they speak to think they hear it in their own language. The Fylenis are endangered because in the past they were hunted down by Neshoba, and have now become an extremely secretive and mystic race. Oddly enough, they don’t seem to hold much of a grudge for the wolf-people.

9.Satyrs:A seemingly rare immortal race, but that rareness is because most of them are total cowards. Satyrs are people with long goat-like horns, long semi-furry ears, shaggy beards, short, stubby tails, and a fur-covered lower body with two hooves. They were hunted, a long time ago, by both the Neshoba and the Fylenis, and the only form of defense they could muster was that of cowardice. They will act afraid around anyone, especially if they resemble a Neshobe, Ekim, or Fylenis, and if the response is unfriendly, immediately gore and usually kill the person with their sharpened horns. Saytrs all have manes on their faces--even the females, which can be slightly confusing--and walk with gait that uses each hoof twice in a row: clip-clip,clop-clop,clip-clip,clop-clop.

10.Ekim: Ekims are basically medium height lizard-people with red scales and a thin, wiry stature. They, like many other races, are secretive. Their community is tribal, with a Shaman or elder and all the others that follow his or her leadership. Ekims are careful about where they choose to live, usually choosing the most secluded location and oft times go for centuries without being discovered. If discovered they usually leave within a year to find a new home. The other races of the world worry them with their war-like ways and as most Ekims just want a peaceful existence of simple life, they avoid the belligerent other races like the plague.

In regards to magic, an Ekim is completely original. While it can access the elements of magic (only one per Ekim and the element color is the color of the sail that goes from the top of its head down its back.), its use of them is different from any other race. Ekim’s use the magic of SoulForge, the creation of an item or weapon from the slightly more solid aspect of their souls. Unlike other creatures whose souls are formless, Ekim’s have an Edged Soul…a soul born with a specific edge and shape. That shape becomes their weapon. A soulforge weapon can be summoned and dismissed at will, but should the weapon ever break…the Ekim it belongs to will die. As an Ekim grows older and experiences more of life, its soulforge grows stronger with its sword. What may have once been a simple weapon with minor abilities can become legendary weapons of unseen proportions. An Ekim’s repertoire of spells is really the ability of its weapon. The weapon itself shares a sentience and bond with the Ekim so stolen weapons are easily tracked and found.

Should an Ekim be killed while his or her Soulforge is materialized, the weapon will remain as it is an Ekim’s soul.
[Ekim were invented by Ronan_Shade]


Crossbreeding:If you want to have a character that is some part one race, and some part another, that’s fine with me. The condition is, on Aranor a cross between two races always results in some form of physical, mental, or magical defect in order to balance the advantage of having some form of the powers and abilities of two different races. An example of each respectively: a person might have been born without a left hand; a person might have constant emotional instability; a person may be incapable of controlling when their magic is cast. Also note, the seven Neshoban Clans are far enough 'apart' from each other that a cross between two different ones results in the same sort of defect as well as an unusual hair color. (Just think--White Grass+Red Claw=...)

5.Monsters
Monsters are a common and constant threat to life on Aranor, requiring all who travel abroad to have some sort of fighting capability. At the present time of the RP, their numbers are fairly large in both north and south, the north diminishing due to colonization and the south increasing because of the ruins.
So what exactly is a monster on Aranor? Monsters are literally crosses of two or more different animals, with a horrid smell and constant aggression toward anything intelligent. Where they came from and what their purpose is remains completely unknown.
Currently 'known' monsters (roleplay out a new kind appearing for me to add it to this list):
1.Impeth-Humanoid but very thin and animalistic; faces of jackals, oblong ears that stick out from their heads, and short claws from all four limbs as well as sharp teeth. One of the weaker and very common sorts, but when they fight in large packs they are to be feared.
2.Dog-head-Grizzly bear body with a dog's head; it has a vertical jaw within the normal horizontal one, and can scream very high-pitched like a banshee. If its blood mingles with that of another being, it causes the being to become temporarily paralyzed in some parts of the body.
3.Daora-Rare creature that has a spider's body, but an elephant's size. Its exoskeleton is so hard that it cannot be cut or pierced, but brittle enough that parts of it will shatter with sudden blunt force.
4.Monkzon-Gorilla's body, cat claws; its saliva is known to cause unusual hair growth where it contacts with skin.
5.Lost Soul-Lost souls are an “exception”, they aren’t exactly monsters but most are just as unfriendly. They can look like anything—a creature, a person, or even an actual monster—but they always look like about half-dead. A lost soul, as the name implies, has at least one soul trapped somewhere in the body, and if that area is sufficiently injured the soul is set free. If all of the souls in a lost soul creature are set free, it disintegrates. Only a Choneiji is capable of “seeing” where the souls are.
6.Retim- They're bipedal and covered entirely with fur like tigers, orange with black stripes; and have muzzles and tails likewise. Forelegs look like human arms, with hands and long, thin, bony fingers on the end of each. Hind feet are built like bird feet with five talons apiece. Retim have the ability to use minor dark fire magic, and really hate getting wet.
7.Bako-Silver-scaled amphibious monsters which are dangerous both on land and in water. They have webbed feet, frills between the arms and body, smaller frills that surrounded their necks, and five-fingered hands with sharp claws on the end. They can swim as fast as merfolk and run half as fast as humans. However, if one doesn't have sufficient moisture around it or in it, it will shrivel up and become quite weak.

7.Character Application Form:
Read, obey, and then DELETE everything in parentheses.

9.Reserved Post 1
Um...nothing. Just a reserved post, in case I decide to tag on another "official" post.

Xin-Kain was walking along a path. The day was overcast, summer, not quite night but afternoon. On either side of him was forest. After awhile he noticed a pale-looking man sitting off on the side, apparently resting. "Hello there," he said.
"Hi there, bark," he said, getting up.
"Excuse me?"
"What, bark? It's appropriate, isn't it? In a forest, and a dog, eh?"
"Absolutely not. My name is Xin-Kain. And what, could I call you fishman?" He knew the race by the smell by now.
"No, because my name is Aldin, Kain."
"If you're getting up I suppose you're through resting? I could stand to travel with someone for awhile."
"So could I, I suppose. Where you going?"
"Nowhere important."
"Good, let's go."

Aldrin whistled at the girl when she was a little bit ahead of them. "'Ey beautiful, where ya goin?" he called after.
"That's no way to treat a woman," said Kain, ribbing him slightly.
"Say, not proper to a wolf? Never heard of that."
((Neshoba (at least, the wilder clans) are female-oriented the way humans in the real world were (not are) male-oriented. For example, they would use "she" as the default for an unknown gender rather than "he". Mostly because a female is bigger and stronger and could kick a male's butt.))

Xin-Kain said, "I'm well myself."
"Do? I do fire. Like this?" He made a short burst of (non-harmful) flame in his hand, appearing to throw it straight at a tree. It bounced off and went to the ground, where it dissipated.
"And obviously he's well but none too wise. My name is Xin-Kain, good to meet you."
Aldrin spelled his name out with fire (backwards so she could read it) in the air.