Common Races
Common races graced with the gift of soaring in the heavens upon Natura Nihil. Go to to any farming town, busy city street, or even the edge of the islands themselves, and you will find these types of people here. They thrive upon the floating islands, either by making new communities with others of their race or by intermingling in larger urban areas with new people like they have never seen before. Races with magical talent or ancestry are often viewed as beneficial to the new magic-focused society and are more likely to prosper thanks to their gifts.
Gnome
While Hill Dwarves are well-known for the craftsmanship, Gnomes are practically famous for being the largest reason the economy survived on Natura Nihil. Being natural adaptors, they quickly sprung into action as the heads of their artisan guilds began to set up trade routes and centers throughout the five islands.
Thus, Gnomes now reign as the heads of any and all trading companies, trading routes, and export and import of goods. Not only this, but their success has also made them the most bountiful and widespread race in populated cities where these trading companies have their origins. Most if not all Gnomes are connected to a Gnome-founded trade company in some form, whether they're the descendant of the institutor or they are simply working their for a job. They are sometimes viewed by suspicion because of their success and are rumored to have monopolized the trading system on Natura Nihil.
Hobbits
The Halfling race faced a devastating crisis when the islands were pulled up into the sky as many of their centuries-old shires and communities were torn apart, and many Halflings died from the sheer heartbreak of losing their family members, neighbors, and friends and others struggled to adjust to their new home. However, due to their community-building nature, Halfings managed to adapt by creating bigger communities with any other Halfling shires pulled up with Natura Nihil. Thus, Halfing shires are now interlocked almost like beehives, spanning hills, valleys, and even sometimes gaps between islands.
However, due to the trauma passed down from losing so many of their race from heartbreak, Halflings are secretly slow to connect with others, despite trying to keep the face of their old, friendly nature. Thus, they only have face-value relationships with each other besides close family members and rarely befriend other races, not even the Hill Dwarves who try to interact with them. Many compare the Halflings to how antisocial Dwarves used to be, which turned to their name being colloquialized into Hobbit since they "hobbit away in their little holes". Hobbits rarely leave their shires, no matter the reason, and if a Hobbit who has left their shire will be treated with faint disbelief that they're actually away from their home and general pity.
Half-Orc
Half-Orcs, while more uncommon than the other more wide-spread races, can be found in generally any town or city. They are deeply religious like their Orcish parents, though they typically do not hold as tightly to the old tribal traditions, depending on how strict their upbringing was. Half-Orcs are also not strictly human. Depending on where they're from, their non-Orc parent could be Dwarven, Gnomish, or even a rarer race such as Elven, Fae, or Tiefling.
Human
Humans are one of the most widespread races in Natura Nihil, though they are not a very densely populated race. However, whether your are on the farthest reaches of the islands to the most densely populated cities, you will see a smattering a humans amongst the crowds or grassy fields.
They are a mostly superstitious race, distrusting of new and strange magics and tend to avoid the more supernatural races. A hardy people, the humans on Natura Nihil are known for being wanderers, not staying in the same place for long, and tend to travel in immediate family units. Before Natura Nihil's ascension, humans were known for being an explorative people, but now that they are confined to five islands in the sky, they have been forced to either innovate or be content with their new, limited surroundings.
Orc
Orcs are a smaller group on Natura Nihil, and, like the Hobbits, they tend to huddle together in faux tribes. They are fiercely loyal to old Orcish traditions and deeply religious. Wherever there is a "tribe" of orcs, they set up shrines to their pantheon and share their religion with anyone who shows interest. To some, this dedication can seem strange and old-fashioned, but Orcs are respected as a noble, driven people.
It said that when the islands began to rip from the ground, the Orc tribes surrounding the islands desperately clawed their way onto the islands by sheer force of will. Those who did not make it ensured that the children would make it up onto the islands. Many Orc Tribe leaders who gave their lives to ensure their tribe's survival have been venerated and some even have been raised to god-like stature.
While Orcs do stay very close-knit in their tribes, they are happy to accept those who want to join no matter the race, and many Orcs have taken spouses from other races. Because of this, the Half-Orc population has greatly increased since Natura Nihil's ascension. Like Goblins, they are no longer considered barbarians or monsters as the sudden ascension has forced most races to have more open communication with one another. All Orcs are extremely passionate, and they are some of the most caring, laughing, and temperamental creatures one may meet, just like their Half-Orc offspring. Orcs do not mourn their old life on the earth or their fallen brethren as they don’t consider death as anything more than a phase to the next step of life.
Genasi
When the islands ascended, the elemental Genasi's lives changed in a multitude of ways. The Air Genasi only grew in power and strength, while the Earth Genasi began to suffer as their seperation from earth weakened. Because they were already struggling from the Earth's illness, being fully seperated from it was the last straw.
While the Air Genasi flourished, the Earth Genasi began to join the earth of the floating islands as their bodies instinctually tried to heal. Very few Earth Genasi are not merged with the ground, while the Air Genasi have risen to great power and nobility. Fire and Water Genasi have been mostly unaffected by the ascension.
Goblin
Like Orcs, Goblins, who were once considered a monstrous race to be both feared and hunted, emerged as a race vital to survival after the Ascension. With their inherent cleverness and scavenging skills, Goblins came out of the woodworks to ensure the survival of the peoples who lived on the now floating islands. Thus, Goblins are now venerated as a symbol of resourcefulness and help in trying times.
Aarakocra
Although they are an inherently rarer race, Aarakocra have the gift of flight, meaning that they were able to flock to the islands when they ascended. Many Aarakocra have settled on the islands, and they thrive in the air. Because they can fly, they have found a great alliance with the trade companies of the Gnomes and have made their lifelihood on being messagers, mail carriers, and tradesmen. Where the Aarakocra lives depends on what kind of Aarakocra it is, though they rarely live in densely populated or urban areas due to their inherent claustraphobia.
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