The Valen

The Valen

The valen are a vast and varied lot. No one is certain how they first formed, but they are humanoid with heights ranging from gnome-sized up to heights around seven feet tall. Skin color varies greatly, but tends to range through ashy and ruddy tones. Less commonly, valen skin may also have human tones, elven tones, or it may take on an ashy green patina. Hair tends to grow atop the head and is sparse or nonexistent elsewhere. Hands and feet may be hands and feet, more or less human in appearance, though claws and/or hooves are also common. Many valen have horns of varying types, but not all. Some have vestigial wings, and though none fly, a few can glide. Some have fangs and some have sharp teeth protruding from their lower lip. A small number have four or six eyes rather than two. Many have tails. All valen have some combination of these features.

Valen speak a language reminiscent of Giant tongues. With considerable time and trouble, those who speak Valen can understand Giant and vice versa.

Some believe the valen are the result of surface races breeding with a species that no longer exists. “Half valen” are possible, but they are sterile, and due to the wide range of valen appearances, their sterility is about the only thing setting them apart unless they look completely like a non-valen parent. Derogatory terms used to describe the valen include "beastmen" and "fiends."

Though all valen can reproduce with one another and offspring may fit a category their parents do not, the valen can be categorized as sub-species in the following ways:

Terrestrials

Terrestrials are valen. They probably look the most human of the valen, though they tend to have skin tinted in very non-human colors, like red and blue, and most have horns of some kind. They may or may not have elven ears. Most have the height and lifespan range expected of humans, though they have a few more outliers in terms of height in both directions.

Satyrs

Satyrs are valen. There really isn't a set look for satyrs or any of the valen, for that matter, but those grouped in this category tend to be hooved, some have a furred lower section and/or torso, and most have horns. Satyrs are generally found on the northeastern part of the continent.

Orcs

Orcs are valen. While their name is so well-known that many think of them as a distinct species, they are simply called “orc” to differentiate them from the rest of the valen, who tend to get along with other surface races. Orcs have either gone solo (in the case of the blood orcs) or they've joined forces with ogres, giant-kin, and goblins. Orcs tend to have a more homogeneous look after living on their own for generations. Those in the giant-kin camps tend to be ashy or pale green with sharp, protruding teeth on the lower jaw. Very few have horns. Their association with the civilized surface species varies widely by tribe. Some openly trade, others attack on sight. It pays to know the difference. Orcs can breed with humans, valkyries, and other valen.

Blood orcs

Blood orcs are also valen, and their isolation has also changed their appearance over time. The blood orcs tend to have a more demonic look, with skin tinted a light ash red to a deep crimson. Most have vestigial wings, and a few have working wings, at least for gliding, and it is rumored that a handful of them have true flight. Almost all have horns, most of which look vaguely ram-like. They are highly intelligent, and their mages rival those of any species. They are isolationist, though a few leave for the wider world. Any who leave or are exiled may never return.