Tariek Rough Collection

The cultures are many and varied to explain even here. Broadly however they are defined a bit by national identity.

The Races however, first the Dwarves. A tough, hearty people, industrious, inventive if a little conservative in their own right, especially in regards to magick. They are a craftsmen and warrior culture, valuing skill at arms or skill at construction and manufacturing amongst their own kind most highly. Merchants, honest ones that is (as honest as any true merchant will ever be anyway) are also looked upon with prestige and great respect. They are known as well for holding grudges, and understand how fine a line they walk in regards to wrath, in doing so. Dwarven memories are long and though grudges may be kept, they are settled with intent to be a final resolution, that is the focus more than the revenge or anger, and this is the approach taken, though culturally it is known that is a fine line to walk.

The Elves are the oldest race, and they are truly of magick, born of it and melded to it. Druids are not looked upon as heretics amongst the elven kind, they have special rights in regards to magick because they are fully attached to it. As such magick and education of the benefits, and the risks and dangers, of magick and of the Void. They are some of few who truly know and understand, besides other magisters, and those orders of faith and the Exemplaris whom are specifically schooled about the true horror of such things. Most folks do not know of any of it. This of course also leads to the elven culture having an air of superiority about them in regards to matters of the esoteric and arcane, and given the immense power magick can and does wield that air of superiority does infect their culture in other facets as well, though not as heavily. Elves, mostly, are distinctly aware of their own hubris, their pride, and the dangers it can expose to themselves and others if they do not keep it in check.

Halflings are a bit of a whimsical and light hearted bunch by all counts, living their life seeking to simply make the most of it. A very down to earth culture with a simple taste for good food, good laughs and warm taverns. Most would not seek political spotlights or other such things or trappings of power in that sense, but they are a curious species, and are willing to listen, learn and though not curious in the way of the Elves or Gnomes, with a focus for knowledge, they do enjoy learning about any new thing or concept and always enjoy an opportunity to discuss (over good food and drink ideally) any such things, be they law, politics, high or low art, food, construction, mechanics, or even magick. They know a little about a lot of things and find joy in the process of collaborative learning and experience. They are also known to not be as ambitious as the other races, some would even say they are lazy. But in most cases they are simply not interested in a singular focused goal or ladder to climb, not when the world is full of odd little facts and trinkets and curious stories and ideas. The lazy reputation comes, in most cases, more from daydreaming when one should be hard at work, or from the fact that they excel best in positions such as kitchen work, or other such environments that whilst fast paced, allow creativity, curiosity and a wide variety of little tidbits to learn and discover. This can be true of trapping, fishing and other such works as well. Their lazy reputation is one that may not be wholly deserved, but that does not mean there is no truth to it of course.

Humans are an inventive, risk-taking, entrepreneur like race. They live short lives but do so much, and many believe they try to do so much and accomplish such deeds and feats as they do because of their own fear and overt knowledge of their limited life expectancy. They crave new, they despise living simple lives of meager or fulfilling work, they crave to drink deep this life and all its opportunities. Such an attitude has its commendable attributes and culturally has resulted in a great many achievements for humankind despite their individual short lifespans. In truth human partners helped crack the necessary science of both locomotion and magnlock power, simply due to the zeal and passion at which they threw themselves at the complex problems. Sleepless nights, endless research, endless debating, theorizing, experimenting, with little to no regard for their own health and safety. It is well known this is perhaps their fatal flaw and in some ways is one of the most dangerous. Their zeal, their Lust for life and experiences pull at them and can lead them astray in those cases where discipline fails.

Gnomes are a fellow inventive race, a race of skill, science and technological and theoretical understanding, but with a deep and inherent magical connection only second to the Elvish peoples. As such Magitech/also known as Magnlock, is perhaps their greatest feat and fancy. Gnomes are well known to value their skills and crafts highly and in truth, believe they deserve great wealth and station because of it. They aren't entitled as such, but they strive to acquire these things and are generally known for their drive and ambition. Of course this inherent truth is why they must always be careful and disciplined lest their Greed overwhelm them

Tieflings are a kind of subculture, humans born.....tainted by the Void, yet stronger for it. They are not true mutants, and can live quite normal and even successful lives. Indeed they are more resistant to the corrupting touch and temptation of the Void by virtue of being thusly marked. Their lifespans are longer as well, and these two fact combine to create a more patient subset of humanity, though quite small, whom may possess passion yes, but with more time to fulfill they aren't likely to lose themselves to the madness of it. However they are seen by most as mutants and creatures to be purged, though the laws of Valerick by some of the first decrees of the Council of Crowns almost a thousand years ago dictates they are also Valarian citizens and should be treated as such. However though many of the Witch Hunter orders and the Crusader orders openly persecute them, behind closed doors if one seeks to serve, the tests and trials will be harsher, but they will take you and give you a chance. Besides this or the life of an Exemplaris however, a Tiefling does not have much in the way of options for improving one's lot in life, for they must be careful to avoid being exposed. This naturally can lead to feelings of seeing life and the world as unfair, seeing it as if they wrongfully have taken from you, that you deserve what they have, a quality of life like that humans above you in station have. This feeling is natural, but is also the seeping poison of Madness they are vulnerable too, that of Envy.

Vrock, these highland people are strong, tough, and hardy, along with being tall, and solidly built. They are a very honor and warrior based culture, however one of appetites. This is because they are a former slave race and suffered horribly at the hands of the gnomish peoples when Waston was resettled. Slavery, rampant slaughter, as the technologically superior gnomes, with their new smokepowder weapons, could enforce their will. Four generations of Vrock were enslaved or hunted for such, until slavery was finally outlawed on pain of death all across Valerick. This left their people with a great hunger, a great appetite, as they had no collective memory of or for a culture their own, they had to craft one. The dwarven people they borrowed their honor and value system, their prowess and skill at arms absorbing such into their culture, as well as the appetites of men, though more focused generally. Vrock as a species inherently are not well versed to risk, or exposed or hardened against such things like the vices of drugs, drink, or other such consumptions. And they can, if they fail to remain disciplined, find they start losing themselves to Gluttony.