Many different races inhabit the world, both in Elandar and in the Old World. However, not all races are treated equally in all societies, and in many nation, some races have much more power and influence than others. Within Esconti and its children like Achitar, the "civilized" races (primarily humans, but also dwarves, elves, halflings, and other races that look human) make up the vast majority of the population and define society as a whole. Other races do not have such an easy time integrating into civilized society, be it their unsettling appearances (relative to civilized races), exotic cultures, or the pre-conceived notions surrounding their race. They often end up either alone or in enclaves, discriminated and relegated to the fringes of cities. Although some revolutionaries have pushed for equal rights and treatment of a few races, thus far only minor achievements have been made, as it is difficult to shift the paradigms of the cultures in the world, even in a young country like Achitar.
OoC Disclaimer: While race treatment is an aspect that we explore on the setting, we do not condone any act of discrimination in the real world, be it due to appearance, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc. This is a fantasy setting written with historical romanticism in mind, which is loosely based on historical events and shouldn’t be extrapolated on to the real world. That said, discrimination is present in the setting and will occasionally be represented in roleplay, so please keep this in mind when roleplaying and understand that the views of PCs and NPCs do not necessarily reflect the views of the players and GMs playing them.
The Civilized
After generations of warring in the past over petty issues, the civilized races have managed to place their differences aside to instead work together into constructing the society as it currently stands.
Human
Humans are an ubiquitous part of the entire world, and can be found in all places, from sweltering deserts to frosty tundras. Their incredible capability to adapt and overcome situations makes them a staple when it comes to the societies of both the Old and New world.
Dwarf
Dwarfs are a stocky and hardy bunch, though they are frequently single-minded and stubborn. They resemble shorter and stockier humans, with men almost universally supporting long beards. Their diligent and tireless nature fit easily into a working society, though their rigid mindset sometimes make themselves stand at odds with their peers.
Elf
Elves are famous for their uncanny pride and unparalleled beauty. They mostly resemble thinner and taller counterparts to humans, with fairer skin, more slender build and pointed ears. They are a common and welcome sight in most human societies.
Halfling
Most halflings have a down-to-earth and optimistic nature, plus a friendly disposition that makes them fit right in with the rest of Civilized races. Their organization into small, but functioning societies has helped to endorse a positive light upon them, even though there is some slight discrimination against them.
The Ostracized
The ostracized are accepted in society, but differ too much from the norm to integrate perfectly and often receive less favorable treatment.
Half-Elf
Albeit half-elves are mostly accepted in civilized societies by virtue of their fair elven features and human versatility, they are often looked-down upon by the elves they share their blood with. This stems from the proudful natures of the elves, who typically see half-elves as flawed, tainted beings that have inherited their gifts.
Half-Orc
Typically brawny like their orcish ancestors and canny like their human ancestors, Half-Orcs face a certain amount of discrimination in Achitar as a consequence of the former. As orcs are well-known as raiders, many Achitarians fears the destructive impulses that half-orc may have inherited from their orcish parent. Although most can keep their cool under pressure, none can fully escape the reputation of their ancestors.
Catfolk
Catfolk are renowned for their grace and dexterity, but also find themselves under constant scrutiny as they are often seen as thieves or petty pickpockets (a practice few engage in). Although the mostly human catfolk with only cat ears and cat tails deal with significantly less ostracization than the catfolk who appear as bipedal cats, both still share difficulties in gaining acceptance.
Sylph
Sylph’s inquisitive nature is appreciated by scholars and investigators alike, albeit paradigms around them still abound. Seen as fickle beings similar to fey, they are considered, unreliable beings, plus their curious, nosy nature often places them at odds with others who value their privacy and personal space.
Undine
Undines’ understanding and lack of bias towards others, alongside their race-spanning moral obligations to their communities make most of them accepted nowadays. However, the wide variation of their skin tones, fin-like ears, webbed hands and feet are often striking features that sometimes cause unease amongst the populace. Their reclusiveness and tight communities don’t help either.
Kitsune
The Kitsune have a reputation for their artistic nature, they have gained a special place amongst society. However, kitsune also have a reputation for being devious tricksters and masters of illusion, which make them suspicious in most civilized settings. Although the mostly human kitsune with only fox ears and fox tails deal with significantly less ostracization than the kitsune who appear as bipedal foxes, both still share difficulties in gaining acceptance.
Samsaran
Samsaran’s strong morals, usual lack of ambition, greed and contemplative mindsets cause others to gaze upon them as examples to follow at best. At worst crazy but well meaning individuals. This is unfortunately not always the case as others, due to their strange pale blue skin and eyes lacking any iris or pupil and clear blood, mistake them as ghosts or spirits.
Suli
The seldom seen Suli are strong and beautiful, thus are valued by these qualities. Of course their connection with outsiders sometimes makes them to be distrusted by society, as they are mistaken by the janni genies they stem from.
Gnome
"Bubbly and eccentric" tends to describe Gnomes perfectly. Although a large part of civilization finds gnomes to be the strange but good-hearted distant relatives of fey, others despise them as they lack a proper unified society, and often find themselves annoying and confusing other beings with their antics and odd behavior.
The Hated
The Hated are generally despised by the Civilized (and often Ostracized) races almost universally due to their troubled history, stigma associated with them, or jarring appearance. They are often shunned and almost never seen in civilized society, nor contracted by many honest businesses. Thus, this only leads to a perpetual cycle where they have to resort to less honest work in most cases or abide with constant mistreatment to survive.
Goblin
Goblins are reviled universally due to their violent tendencies and pyromania, putting them at odds with most humanoids. They tend to indiscriminately attack settlements and travelers they come across. Their green skin, beady eyes, wiry frames, and wide, lumpy heads filled with razor-sharp teeth are naturally intimidating and inspire fear or hate in ordinary civilized folk. They are seldom known to live in societies with other races not only because few enjoy the stability they offer, but because of the severe discrimination and violence they are guaranteed to face.
Nagaji
Nagaji are shunned from society due to their visual resemblance to snakes (usually cobras). They were created by Nagas to serve them, mixing both Naga and humanoid stock into a hybrid, that visually resembles both organisms. Since snakes usually have a negative connotation amongst other humanoids, this also is applied towards Nagaji.
Dhampir
Dhampirs are the children born from the union of a vampire male and a mortal female (typically human). Although not true undead, their appearances are still unnerving to most common-folk, as they possess pale and gaunt features. The powers and heritage from their vampire forefathers also make for prominent deterrents of them having any sort of support in civilized societies, as people distrust their intentions.
Kobold
Kobolds are essentially reptilian goblins, though their obsession with pyromania is replaced with zeal for chromatic dragons. Although they are far more organized than goblins, they share many of the interests of chromatic dragons, such as greed, power, and a hunger for flesh. They face roughly equal discrimination as goblins do.
Orc
Similarly to goblins, Orcs are despised due to their violent and crass nature. This comes from a tribal mindset which revolves around the physical and spiritual strength which must be achieved individually, or in other cases a Darwinian viewpoint that states that only the strongest will survive. This lends to a perceived right to take what they want from those they see as weaker than themselves.
Tiefling
Perhaps having it worst of all due to their origins, Tieflings are scorned due to their relationships with devils, demons, and other fiends from the lower planes. Most are unable to hide their heritage from others, and thus face heavy discrimination as they are believed to be at best, pickpockets and thugs and at worst, harbingers of destruction and death.
Ifrit
Ifrits heritage is intrinsically linked to beings of elemental fire, and as such, take after many of the aspects of fire itself. Unwilling to stay still just like the flames they embody, many Ifrit are seen as wildcards that are difficult to predict and thus most wish nothing to do with them. There is also the fact that Ifrits are prone to be destructive just like fire itself, and some even revel in it. This makes their inclusion in civilized society even more difficult.
Fetchling
Born from humans once trapped amidst the Shadow Plane, Fetchlings are seen as unnatural, dark beings, sent to scour for rare materials on the Shadow Plane. Many are wary of them due to their usually gaunt, fragile appearances, pupiless, lightly bioluminiscent eyes, and lack of color on their skin and hair, giving them an alien appearance that few are comfortable with. They also usually suspect their intentions due to the realm they came from.
Oread
Oread heritage is intrinsically linked to elemental beings of the earth, often shaitan genies. Usually they are misunderstood due to their stoic, unmoving dispositions and sequestered lives. This has caused some problems in their perception, as many feel that they can’t be trusted due to their apparent contemplation and they are feared due to their strong, solidly built bodies that can be unstoppable.
Ratfolk
Ratfolk are sociable creatures that live in closely-knit warrens, often in unclean city areas or more remote regions. They are usually viewed unfavorably by civilized races who link them to the feral rats that spread disease and grime, even though the ratfolk themselves are typically intelligent and resourceful. There have been many attempts by the Ratfolk to dispel these views, though most have had little success. Worse, rumors of enclaves of aggressive, warlike Ratfolk in the Old World further discourage other races from accepting them fully.
Tengu
Similarly to Ratfolk, Tengu are often likened to their feral counterparts—ravens and crows—and as such, many believe Tengu are all cunning thieves or harbingers of bad omens. As a result, many Tengu keep to themselves, causing even more friction with other races due to their secretive nature. Their capabilities at deception and cultural scavenging have also caused their fair share of rumors that only further distort the perception of Tengu as a whole.
Vanara
Vanara are rare in cities and towns, mostly keeping to themselves at nature. Most consider them undesirable due to their distinct human-like appearance that causes a similar effect to an “uncanny valley” situation. Likewise, the rumors surrounding their trickster and mischievous natures are common, placing Vanara in a bad light among others. Vanara are native only to the continent of Elandar and do not exist in the Old World.
Grippli
The frog-like Grippli cause a sense of discomfort and revulsion due to their amphibian appearances and sticky bodies. More than a few humanoids also are wary of grippli, due to some possessing poisonous skin, which many fear is lethal when touched. Their reclusiveness and preference for swamps and jungles also makes interactions between humanoids and Grippli uncommon, usually leading to misunderstandings.
Aphorite
Aphorites, although resembling dwarves, elves or humans are treated with derision, due to their unnatural golden skin and hair that possesses metallic hues. This often makes people feel uneasy in their presence. Some also begin to experience jealousy due to their perceived perfection and seek to bring Aphorites down whenever possible. Their lawful dispositions also do little to help, as more often than not, people find themselves fed up with their intent to follow laws to the letter.
Ganzi
Rare sights on the Material Plane, Ganzi often face discrimination due to how often they are mistaken for tieflings. Their mismatched features, which include everything from reptilian or avian qualities to missing major parts of their bodies, are typically reviled amongst the civilized races. Ganzi’s disregard for organization and tradition is also a point of contempt in civilized societies, who usually place great importance on those values.
Vishkanya
Albeit beautiful in an alien way, Vishkanya are often pushed aside due to their visual resemblance to reptiles—snakes in particular. Their features make them too strange for most civilized races to treat them in a non-derisive manner, and rumors about them being bandits or assassins don’t help either.
Other
These races are the ones that don't fit into other categories for one reason or another.
Aasimar
Varies on what is the base race for the individual. Human-like or with features that are seen positively could be civilized, while the more menacing and dangerous looking features and mix of races could go as far as hated.
Changeling
Changelings are children born from hag mothers, although they usually take after their fathers. As such, they tend to be treated like their father's race.
Native Outsiders
The native outsiders so far have been judged based on their usual appearance. However, some native outsiders look almost like a completely normal member of the race they come from. Such native outsiders are typically treated like a normal member of their race, though those who know their heritage may be inclined to treat them differently.
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