Common Species
The "common" folk of The Varolian are species that are either alike enough to humans that they are easily understood, commonly seen, or settled so long ago in the area that they are no longer considered strange.
Dwarf
Dwarves are famous for being the builders and crafters of many a wonder, and their homeland city of Rithja is said to be the most impressive in all the known world, greater even than the works of Immortals or Gods. While perhaps not applicable to all dwarves, those from Lofsjarna are territorial and have long memories, preferring not to associate with nearby nations due to some grudge that has been long forgotten by humanity.
Elf
Elves are the most long-lived "mortal" species species in the world, with lifespans that could theoretically stretch the entirety of recorded history so far. Yet despite their wisdom and obvious talents, they often suffer harsh prejudice from many in The Varolian, and many elves take to murdering humans or raiding villages in vengeance for ancient slights.
Goblinoid
An extremely abundant and typically adversarial species, Goblins and their greater cousins have long haunted the other races in their vicinity. While usually they are content to form raiding parties or bandit clans, very occasionally one will break free of their barbaric society and attempt to integrate with better folk.
The most martial of the giant-kin, Goliaths are staggeringly large humanoids often reaching 8 feet tall and almost 400 pounds. They are said to have descended from Mountain Giants, as they settle almost exclusively around or within the peaks of mountains all across The Varolian. Famously competitive, Goliath sometimes climb down from their heights to prove themselves mighty by accumulating great deeds.
Half-Elf
The tales the human mothers (or sometimes fathers) spin border on the fantastical, but normally feature some kind of charming tale of romance and love, only for the elf in question to disappear as soon as the deed is done and the pregnancy confirmed. Why this happens is unknown, but the resulting child is often treated with suspician by humans, leading to half-elves often becoming hard workers with charming personalities, desperate to fit in and avoid the prejudice afforded their elven parent.
Half-Orc
Not technically "half" orcs, as orc-blood runs strong and needs several generations of crossbreeding with humans to see notable differences. Regardless, these halfbreeds seem to have all the strengths of both species with few of the drawbacks. They are usually born in orcish tribes, but are far more likely to venture out to human cities to make their living. Some even end up as the ideal diplomats between such neighbouring settlements.
By far the most numerous "civilised" species in The Varolian, humans and their cities have been spreading across the map since the earliest days of recorded history.
Zia helmed their expansion, establishing the
Irikos Empire which eventually turned into
The Republic of Ósa after her ascension.
Mighty lion folk who have been forced from their old roaming lands over the centuries, the Leonin are a nomadic people with fierce loyalty to one another. Proud and strong, they travel dangerous lands without fear, often serving as the only links between Varolian nations and those elsewhere. One flaw in the relationship with humans of The Varolian is religion: Leonin are often fiercely iconoclastic, leading to issues when Leonin defile their temples and bandy together to avoid retaliation.
Orc
There are ancient myths that claim orcs were once a ruinous race, determined to slaughter and conquer all before them. And while, yes, they are a strong and martial folk who place value in combat, in the time during and since the Archonomachy these inclinations put them on a pedestal, for they alone amongst all mortals fought on even when all others had retreated or fallen in the darkest days of the war. Since those dark times passed they tend to stick to their own tribes, though any who do venture into towns and cities often find themselves in high standing.
Tortle
In the early days, as humanity exanded into the sea they found many islands waiting for them. Some of which were already inhabited by all manner of strange things, though the friendliest of which were the Tortles; largely peaceful creatures, that at first glance seemed to have more in common with tortoises than other mortals. The majority of them spend their adult lives travelling, returning to their island homes only to mate or retire.
Exotic Races
Exotic races are usually labelled as such due to one of three things: they are magical in nature, tend to live at great distances from The Varolian, or are so few in number that they are rarely seen.
Aarakocra
So rare that they border on myth, Aarakocra are a dying race of eagle-folk, one that many people assume is already extinct. What caused their endangered status is unknown, as is the reason they cannot simply reproduce to replenish their numbers. What is known is this: in the latter parts of their short lives, they often journey Westwards in search of some magic that might restore their people, but almost never return.
Arcane Hybrid
Ancient and forbidden knowledge was granted to humanity by
The Tidebringer during the Archonomachy; how to fuse creatures with magic and create hybrids stronger than their component parts. In the years following the war, many mages continued to research this field of study, using prisoners or even kidnapping civilians to experiment on. The practice continues even now, though thanks to the more ethical laws today, fewer people (though not none) are tested on without consent. Their relationship with The Republic who made them is complicated, but as time goes on the descendents of the original hybrids have begun to settle into comfort as respected citizens.
The horse-men tend to be a proud but savage race, said to have travelled from Arkadia centuries ago and decided to remain in the mortal world. They are known for travelling in herds, migrating across the world as the seasons turn. There exists a second kind of centaur as well; much smaller than their kin, and often far more civilised for reasons yet to be discovered, these "lesser" centaurs often join adventuring bands or settle down in human cities.
Distinct from the mutant Half-Dragons being produced by mages of The Republic, Dragonborn are said to be the closest thing to, and the last remnants of, the True Dragons of legend. Though, no-one is quite sure of their relation to the beasts from the legends, and the Dragonborn are eager to prove themselves as individuals with their own culture separate to just “maybe descended from a mythological creature”.
Firbolg
These strange woodland beings are slightly smaller than goliaths, but are arguably the most powerful of all giant-kin. Believed to have descended from some now extinct form of Wood Giant, Firbolgs are gifted with magic, stronger than bears, and natural friends to leaf and beast. It is fortunate for other folk, then, that Firbolgs have never shown a desire for conquest, preferring their own forest clans to the outside world. Those foolish enough to invade their land, however, are likely to never return.
Small draconic lizard people that vehemently claim they are related to the True Dragons of mythology and legend. Considering their size and general strength, it’s more likely they’re related to actual lizards than dragons, but that’s never stopped them from making their claims. As groups they often end up as menaces to villages; stealing items to hoard regardless of worth, getting into fights with local animals, and filling their lairs with oddly ingenious traps to protect their stolen goods.
Lizardfolk
Similar to dragonborn in many ways, though without the elemental spark of their more magical "cousins", Lizardfolk are semi-aquatic reptilians that live on the wetland edges of the Varolian - either the swamps of Détras to the East or the rainforest West of Praelos. Though they generally keep to themselves, they are notable for being hunters and pragmatic survivors in the extreme - they have no issues with cannibalism, or even eating their own family and friends after death has claimed them. This is usually enough to have civilised folk treat them as mindless beasts or monsters despite their intelligence, since the alternative is a fearful concept to ponder...
Loxodon
Once a slave race created by mages, the elephantine Loxodon warred for their freedom long ago. Despite victory, and the vast majority who now live as either citizens or nomads, they are often a prime target for slavers, thanks to their strength in both body and mind. Following in the wide steps of "The Chainbreaker", many of the remaining Loxodon now roam the lands, hunting down slavers with a vicious fury and freeing all captives afterwards, no matter what the law decrees.
Monstrous and hulking, true minotaurs feature in many a heroic tale; usually as the creature being slain to save innocent lives. Yet they sometimes display "intellectual dimorphism", where a minotaur is born much smaller than their siblings, without the ancient bloodlust and desire for human flesh. If these runts survive (which they most often do
not), they tend to either live on the fringes of humanoid civilisation, or seek the centre of it as warriors or gladiators.
Noble and mysterious, the Triton are fully aquatic humanoids with a vast kingdom upon the ocean floor. Most people that live on the coast are at least vaguely aware of their existence but few have ever actually seen one. The rare times a triton actually does surface it is normally for diplomatic reasons, leading to humans seeing them as haughty and arrogant, only wanting to deal with anyone else if it’s absolutely necessary.
Yuan-Ti
Strange and evil snake-folk who more often than not resemble actual snakes more than any kind of humanoid. They served and still serve dark masters, leading to a kill-on-sight order across much of The Varolian. The few who can survive are the "Purebloods", Yuan-Ti able to disguise themselves as mortals to infiltrate society and bring about its downfall. While the Purebloods can attempt to blend in anywhere (and do so), the more monstrous kind are found in jungles to the South and far West.
Mystic Races
Generally the mystic races are those with strange, often otherworldy, origins or biologies that defy the expectations of most mortals.
Filled with the light of creation, Aasimar are angelic figures that are extremely rare in The Varolian. Their births are seen as omens of great things to come, and they often serve as champion to at least one of the Greater Gods. Even those who would prefer a quiet life are often pulled into the role of healer or hero, whether by societal expectations, or a voice from above.
Changeling
Changelings are a dangerous folk in concept, for they are able to shapeshift at will into nearly any humanoid form. The idea causes some unease with commoners, but to date there has never been a recorded issue with a changeling citizen (at least within The Republic.) Most changelings in fact never use their abilities; they live out their day to day lives just like everyone else, just with a single chosen form, meaning few will ever know their true nature. Those who do use their gift regularly though, could serve any role imaginable, from assassin to emperor...
Genasi
Elementals given mortal form, there are two theories for where Genasi originally come from: the first is that they were once equivalent to Aasimars, but chosen by one of the four primordials instead of any other god. The second is that they were created through magic; pacts with arcane creatures, or elemental infusions by wizards of old. The fact that they have Genasi children shows more proof of the latter, and reinforces their position in The Republic as mortal people instead of divine agents, allowing them to live their lives without the pressure put upon the far rarer angel-folk.
Tieflings are a dark mirror the the celestial Aasimar, for they are mortals tainted by demons instead of blessed by gods. They are almost universally treated with suspicion, for their origins often lie with blood pacts and evil deeds. Further still, many tieflings feel strong temptation to cruelty or malice, leading to wicked tieflings committing foul acts any others would faint to see. On the other hand, there are plenty of tieflings who spend their entire lives fleeing these evil thoughts, helping others and fighting a nobler battle than any other mortal could imagine.
Visitors from the faerie realm of Arkadia, Satyrs are often still intensely magical, unlike their Centaur counterparts. Many theories abound; they came to the mortal world more recently, they simply remember how to channel their fae magic through song, or even that all Satyrs are descended from an elven prankster God and that this is what grants them power. Regardless of the truth, these strange goat men have a passion for life that borders on the extreme, often filling their days with debauchery and hedonism.
Ancient metal warriors built during The Archonomachy. Since the war ended, many began to wander the world, seeking a new purpose as mercenaries or soldiers. Others simply stopped moving, standing like statues until the day comes when they are needed again. Others still have attempted to assimilate to the best of their abilities by becoming craftsmen or farmers, but their constructed nature often leaves them feeling like outsiders no matter what.
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