Mortal Lineages

Intelligent, mortal life on Aiaos takes a multitude of forms resulting from a multitude of acts of creation performed - with a handful of exceptions - by various Young Gods. Whether by chance, design or inescapable principle of existence, for all their differences, the various mortal forms can interbreed freely, if not often. The different phenotypic expressions of life are called lineages, lines or, archaically, races.
The most common form for a mortal lineage is humanoid, more commonly referred to in Aiaos as eladrinate, after the first lineage to bear tat shape, the Eladrin. Eladrin, the word, comes from the proto-Titanic language. Usually translated as 'mortal', it more fully describes a being with both cognition and limited life-span.
The mortal lineages are divided in two ways, loosely the historical and theological. The historical model divides mortal lineages into cardinal, secondary and tertiary, based on certain social milestones. Broadly, Cardinal Lines have achieved a level of greatness, but that level is behind them. The Secondary Lineages are those currently enjoying great success and influence, while the Tertiary are those with no history of success, and no immediate hope of it. Some measures cap this system with the Elder Races, those that predate the Young Gods.
The theological model divides the lineages into progenic, ethnogenic and anagenic groups. Progenic Lineages are those culturally defined by their creator gods, while the Ethnogenic group are defined by one or several culture gods. Anagenic Lineages are those with no culturally relevant ties to the young gods. Some scholars also propose an acultural grouping, for lines with no overarching cultural identity.
The historical model is often considered elitist and condescending. On the other hand, the theological division tends to ignore the fact that very few monolinear cultures remain.