Olark

Despite being one of the most visually distinctive civilized races in the world, the Olark are remarkably efficient at blending in to the cultures around them. With their civilization being wiped away and their people scattered into small enclaves by the Elves of the Torva'Ir many generations ago, the Olark have taken to building homes and cultures wherever they may land.
While the Olark have now built the small island nation of Tysos in the western sea, many remain in whatever city or country their family had resided in for previous generations.

Similar and Different in Appearance

Olark are best known for their appearance. Were an Olark to cover themselves head to toe in wrapped clothing one may mistake them for a Human as they share a similar physique. Just like Human's they can vary in overall stature and weight but usually fall between 4 and a half to 6 and a half feet tall.
Physique is where the similarities between Olark and Human end however. Olark skin tends to be purple or blue in tint, with other tints such as teal and deep crimson not being unheard of. Additionally their skin is lined with lines of arcane energy ranging from barely an inch to four inches across, these lines of energy go deep into their skin and converge on important joints of their body such as the knees, elbows, and where the body meets the neck. Usually referred to as "Arcane Veins" these lines vary much more in color than the already diverse Olark skin, with colors such as bright blue, deep purple, bright red, and even golden all being possible.
These veins also converge on an Olark's face, where two distinct arcane veins run from the neck-joint up to the Olark's eyes, into their hair, and towards the back of their head where it rejoins at the neck-joint. The veins flow directly into an Olark's eyes, which are the same color as their veins and glow just as much as they do. The colors an Olark has in their veins and eyes usually come from their parents, but they can vary slightly not unlike Human hair and skin tone.
The reason for these veins and the origin of them is unknown, lost like much of the Olark races history. It has led to quirks in Olark biology though. Olark do not need to sleep at all, though some may enter a sleep-like state where they are fully aware just to meld in with other races more easily. Olark often compare their version to sleep to daydreaming, as anything can snap them out of it without being drowsy. Additionally Olark cannot breed with other races, though their numbers across the world portray that they get by just fine despite this limitation.
With arcane energy being an integral part of Olark physiology, the Olark are naturally gifted with magic and the energies of the world. Many become mages and wizards, and sorcerers are much more common among the Olark than many other races.

A Scattered People

When the Elves of the First Age carved out their Empire, they found the Olark ruling over several kingdoms. Seeing them as a threat the Elven Empress destroyed their kingdoms and tore down their history and libraries. The Elves then went about scattering the Olark people throughout the new Elven Empire to keep them from organizing any form of stiff resistance, and would often mix Olark from different cultural groups together to avoid even a pure shared identity beyond their race.
While the Elven Empire is gone now, the Olark remain scattered. As a people they have learned to meld in with local culture as best as they can despite their unique and attention-grabbing existence. Over the centuries this has led to Olark being found throughout the world, usually in enclaves but sometimes in small family units or by themselves. While they are often pinned as mages and wizards due to their inherently magical nature there is nothing stopping an Olark from becoming a warrior or blacksmith as well. In fact the Olark propensity for melding in locally has made them adept diplomats and traders as well.
The exception to this nature is the island nation of Tysos.
Founded after the Elven Empire fell, Tysos is an island in the Western Sea that had once been a place where the wealthiest Elven Nobles placed their summer homes. Olark from all over have come together throughout the centuries to rebuild some semblance of the culture they once had. The nation was founded mostly on a shared racial ancestry and oral histories passed down over the generations of various Olark families. While some Olark claim this has led to a revival of ancient Olark culture in reality Tysosian culture is something of an amalgamation of dozens of Olark cultures and traditions, most of which are half remembered or have been warped throughout the years.
Despite its diverse background Tysos has emerged with a culture that is uniquely its own. The island nation is known for its philosophers, artists, and thinkers. Olark from Tysos tend to be more measured and thoughtful in their approach than other Olark, and the small nation sports a direct democracy where all Olark may speak in public forums both on matters of government and import, but also to judge the crimes of their peers.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Due to the loss of their kingdom in the unification of Kalin by Sullia, Olark can be found anywhere in Kalin. Sometimes in small enclaves, sometimes by themselves. Despite their widespread nature they are not as populous as Humans due to their inability to breed with other races (though not from lack of trying). The exception to this is Tysos, a small country of Olark that was formed after the Fall of the Torva.

Lifespan

85 years

Average Height

5'5" - 6'1"

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Olark skin is often times colored with a purple or bluish tint, though other colors such as a more white or dark shade are not uncommon. Additionally the arcane "nodes" in their joints vary wildly in color between blue, purple, white, red, and more besides. Their eyes share the same colors as their arcane nodes.