The Races of Galactus

Galactus is home to a wide variety of folk, spanning across the nine continents and far below the surface to the depths of Lower Deep.

Sapients

The Sapients, or Humanoids, are a group of races that share similar characteristics, including smooth skin and flat faces. They usually lack wings, claws, and fur or scales. They are able to have offspring with one another, but with the exception of humans and elves, this is a very rare practice.
Humans are one of the more varied races of Galactus. They are very adaptive and can be found across the continents as well as scattered in the Deep. They share common physical features but their hair and skin tones vary based on their ancestry.
Halfings look similar to humans, but are about half the size. They have rounder faces and pointed ears. Halflings are as common as Humans but tend to live in less populated areas, especially flatlands and plains.
Dwarves are taller than halflings but still smaller than humans. They tend to be very stout and lack the pointed ears of many other Sapients. All dwarves have ancestry from the Splendarrmorndin in Judera, but have since spread to other continents in the middle latitudes of Galactus.
Elves are the tallest of the humanoids. They are lithe and have large, pointed ears. There are several subraces of elves on Galactus:

• Moon elves have an affinity for moon magic, and are usually pale-skinned with hair ranging from inky black to silver. They tend to live in colder regions of Galactus.
• Sun elves have an affinity for sun magic, and have warm bronze-colored skin with copper, red or blond hair. They are most often found in the tropics of Galactus.
• Wood elves have an affinity for life magic, and are brown-skinned with hair in many shades of green and brown. They are common across Galactus but are most often found in forested areas away from larger settlements.
• Dark elves, more commonly known as Deep elves, have an affinity for dark magic, and have blue-grey skin with white or pale blue hair. They are native to the Deep and rarely enter the surface world.

Tieflings, sometimes derogatorily referred to as "devilspawn," are said to have human and infernal ancestry. They often possess horns and tails along with human features, and can have an even greater range of skin tones and hair color than humans. Tieflings are rare.
Seafolk, as their name suggests, are a race of Sapients who live in the oceans of Galactus. They possess webbing between their fingers and toes along with a set of gills on their necks. They are able to live underwater or on land, and are most commonly found in coastal cities.
Gnomes are the smallest of the Sapients, reaching only two to three feet tall. They have similar proportions to humans and are known for their intelligence. They often live in large cities, especially those with a reputation for progression.

• Deep gnomes are more thickly set than surface gnomes, and have grayish skin. They have little hair and many prefer to go bald. Deep gnomes live in the Deep but are thought to have descended from surface gnomes who managed to find their way below the Threshold.

Geants

The Geants are a group of races said to have descended from giants many millennia ago. They are more varied than the Sapients, but generally have wider frames and are less constrained to the conventions of Sapient societies.
Firbolgs are a very secretive race. They live far away from civilizations in the wilderness and have an inherent respect for nature. They are very large, about eight to nine feet tall, and have gray-blue to green skin.
Orcs are considered monsters by some Sapients due to their more warlike traditions. They have grayish skin and long arms, and males have large tusk-like lower canines. Orcs live in clans in mountain foothills and plains across temperate regions.

• Deep Orcs, a subrace of orcs, have paler skin and flatter heads. They live in Lower Deep in small travelling groups.

Goblins are rather small for the Geants, with a slighter frame than is usual. They have long, pointed noses and ears and tend to live in large groups in subterranean caverns. Goblins have a bad relationship with many Sapient races because they have a tendency for raiding nearby settlements or supply trains to steal their supplies.
Goliaths are said to be the closest living relatives of giants. They are the same height as firbolgs but are far more muscular and more willing to enter civilizations. They are commonly found in cities with large gladatorial arenas, fighting for glory and a living.

Fauna

The fauna are a group of races that possess characteristics similar to those of animals. They are said to be descended from animals who were given the gift of language by the deities.
Dragonborn possess many dragonlike features. They have sharp fangs, dragon-like snouts, powerful claws, and are covered in scales, whose colors indicate an individual's draconic heritage and magic affinity. Dragonborn tend to live in mountainous areas or locations related to their particular affinity. There are eleven different colors of scales:

• Blue dragonborn have an affinity for water magic.
• Brass dragonborn have an affinity for storm magic.
• Bronze dragonborn have an affinity for knowledge magic
• Copper dragonborn have an affinity for earth magic.
• Gold dragonborn have an affinity for sun magic.
• Green dragonborn have an affinity for death magic.
• Red dragonborn have an affinity for war magic.
• Silver dragonborn have an affinity for moon magic.
• White dragonborn have an affinity for life magic.
• Black dragonborn have an affinity for dark magic. They have been exiled from most major countries.
• Rose dragonborn have an affinity for star magic and have been extinct since the time of the Vanishing.

Ratfolk are descended from rats. Not to be confused with mousefolk, they are larger and have thicker tails. Depending on their variety, they can be found in deserts, frozen tundras, woodlands, and even along rivers.
Mousefolk are smaller than ratfolk and have delicate tails, hands, and feet. They live in small groups in temperate grasslands and forests.
Harefolk are shy and rarely seen outside of their homeland in the heathlands of Balihr. They are well equipped for long journeys with their massive hindlegs and fonts of energy.
Mustelae are not very popular due to their characteristically strong musk. Despite this, they have adapted well to Sapient societies and are thus often seen in large towns and cities across the temperate regions. There are two subraces of Mustelae:

• Badgerfolk are distinguished by their signature black and white head stripes. They are very sturdy and well-suited to manual labors such as hauling or construction work.
• Weaselfolk are known as sneaky and unreliable tricksters. They are lithe and flexible, with brown and cream colored fur.

Lizardfolk are similar to dragonfolk, but possess no particular magical affinity and are less intimidating. They care little for races outside their own, and rarely leave their homes in swamps or wetlands across Galactus.
Qattago are froglike folk who live high above the ground in complex treehouse structures. They are sensitive to temperature and humidity, and as such live primarily in tropical rainforests where they are comfortable. Qattago come in a rainbow of bright colors and patterns.

• Qattia, a subrace of Qattago, live in temperate rainforests and wetlands and are far less colorful.

Tabaxi are descended from cats, specifically leopards, and are a lithe, shy race. When they do gain their confidence in strange places, they are very curious and eager to learn as much as possible. They are rarely seen outside of tropical rainforests.
Canids are descended from canines and generally live either in groups in the reaches of continents like Crisel and Chiarei, or in cities and towns in smaller family units. There are two subraces of Canids:

• Vulpis are descended from foxes and are more likely to live on their own. Like weaselfolk, they are known to be sneaky and unreliable, but unlike weaselfolk they are actively working to combat this stereotype. They often have red, silver, or brown fur, and some shed their fur in fall and spring to grow back a new color.
• Lupis are descendants of wolves and are known for their teamwork and loyalty. They have gray or tan fur and are distinguishable from Vulpis by their thicker snouts and stockier limbs.

Testudine, or turtlefolk, are very long-lived. They have large shells which act as built-in armor, and spent most of their lives wandering the world alone.
Avians are a race of folk descended from birds. There is a wide variety of subraces, but all share some common features. All avians have large wings, beaks, and clawed feet. Subraces include:

• Psittaca claim descendance from parrots and their relatives. They all have brightly colored plumage and large, heavy beaks. Size varies from three feet to around six feet tall, and plumage patterns vary by family. They live in rainforests across Galactus and are very gregarious.
• Passirae are the smallest of the avians, and are about the same size as gnomes. They are shy and live in small family groups in temperate forests. Their feathers come in a range of browns and greys, with the occasional path or crest of bright colors.
• Accipita are descended from birds of prey, and often live in mountainous areas where they can be seen soaring on their large wings. They have sharp beaks and talons and come in muted earth tones and subtle patterns.
• Corvae are incredibly clever folk, having descended from corvids like crows and ravens. Most are patterned in black and sometimes white. They are treated with distrust due to their reputation as tricksters and criminals in many cities, but they are actually quite friendly and reliable.

Talpidae are a Deep race of molefolk who inhabit the caverns of Upper Deep. They are mostly blind and identifiable by their massive foreclaws and the unusual touch organ on their snouts.
Insectoids are an ancient race descended from various types of insects. For the most part, insectoids are extinct, with the exception of the Orthopterae in the Deep.

• Lepidopterae were descended from butterflies and had large, colorful wings, thin antennae, and delicate bodies. Some were more closely related to moths, were nocturnal, and had feathered antennae.
• Dynastinae were the descendants of horned beetles. They had hard, shiny elytra guarding their delicate wings, and massive horns protruding from their heads. These horns were inherited through families and clans.
• Orthopterae are descended from crickets and grasshoppers. The grasshopper Orthopterae are extinct, but the remaining cricket Orthopterae live in the Deep and are characterized by their long, strong legs and large compound eyes.

Fae

The fae of Galactus, also called faeries, are incredibly rare, given that many are shapeshifters to some degree and difficult to see. They are carefree and think themselves above the rest of the folk of Galactus. Fae live long lives and rarely find attachment to what they regard as "mortals" because they live in the present and to them one individual's lifetime is simply a flash in the dark.
Sprites are smaller than gnomes and have small-insect-like wings that they use to hover in midair. They can disguise themselves as the insects whose wings theirs resemble, making them hard to spot. Unlike most insects, however, sprites are tricksters who are considered malicious by some folk.
Kobolds are around the size of a small halfling and have dragon-like snouts. The general opinion of kobolds is rather low because they have a tendency towards cowardice and trickery, due in part to their weak physical abilities and their inexplicable lack of magic affinity.
Genasi are the only race of fae who have begun to integrate themselves into the greater world. They are more grounded than most fae, and look similar to humans except for their skin tones and the stones embedded in their foreheads, known as focus stones. There are four subraces of genasi, whose affinities are tied to four domains of magic:

• Sirrus have an affinity for storm magic. They have grey-blue skin and their focus stones are usually yellow or bright blue. Sirrus genasi are commonly found in coastal towns and enjoy seafaring.
• Solus have an affinity for sun magic. They have red and orange skin and their focus stones are generally of similar colors. Solus genasi are often found in deserts and as nomads across the tropics.
• Lunus have an affinity for moon magic. They have pale, silvery skin and their focus stones are usually white or grey. Lunus genasi are usually nocturnal and live in woodlands and grasslands in temperate regions.
• Aarus have an affinity for earth magic. They have grey or brown skin and their focus stones are usually green or black. Aarus genasi often live in mountain valleys or caves.

Altherians, an extinct race, were said to be blessed by Althea herself and live on the now-gone island of Altheria. They were said to have golden hair and glowing skin and to only know happiness and joy. They have not been seen in millennia.
Nymphs are fae about the size of an average human. All nymphs are connected to a tree or body of water and cannot venture far from their tether. They often vanish into their tethers when other folk approach and are very secretive.

• Dryads are tethered to trees. They have skin and hair resembling the bark and leaves of their tree and are playful, often teasing passing travellers by calling out and then vanishing.
• Naiads are tethered to bodies of water, usually small streams or springs. They have blue, green or grey skin and hair matching the color of their water. They prefer to be left alone and will pinch or bite anyone who disturbs their water.

Deep Races

Some races of the Deep are far more varied than most surface races, and are generally grouped together only because they fit nowhere else.
Myconids, the mushroom folk, are a race of mushrooms which were granted sentience through some unknown divine event. They are difficult to understand and look like mushrooms with long, strong arms and legs.
Deepstalkers, feared by most other Deepfolk, are tall, thin creatures covered in dark, thick fur. They are completely blind and easily enraged, leaving devastating wounds on one another and on unfortunate passerby with mouths full of needle-sharp teeth.

Hybrid Races

The hybrid races of Galactus are rare but do occur in some places. All known hybrids have human ancestry along with a second, nonhuman race.
Half-elves are the hybrid descendants of humans and elves. They can have any mix of traits from their human or elven parents. Some may even look completely like a human or an elf. Half-elves are found anywhere that elves and humans mingle, although they are uncommon.
Half-orcs, a rare hybrid, have human and orc ancestry. They can have features of both but tend to be bulkier than humans and thinner than orcs. They are more common on continents like Gleigos, where the mountains come close to cities inhabited by humans.
Half-dwarves, the descendants of dwarves and humans, usually look like shorter and stockier humans. They are the rarest of the hybrids but are most often seen in cities like Ironforge on Qopith, which are inhabited by greater numbers of dwarves than the average settlement.