History of the Races in Tarynn

While humans were always present in the Kingdom of Tarynn, it was not always so with the other races of Oris. Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, and Halflings once had their own kingdoms. Most histories from the period before The Leaving have been erased, but most histories written soon after suggest that there was once several human kingdoms spread across Oris (perhaps this has led to the wide variation in skin, hair, and eye color across the humans of present-day Tarynn).
Elves still speak in whispers of their legendary homeland Taryth, passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition - apparently a city deep in the heart of the Whitewood, built entirely of living natural materials. Legend has it that elves once were able to channel the magic of nature so adeptly that they could move mountains, grow forests in a day, and stop the sun in its journey across the sky.
Gortham, the mythical mountain of the dwarves, was said to house the most precious gems and rare metals in its depths - along with magics that should never have seen the light of day.
Though no name has ever been recorded (or found), Halflings are fond of tales that feature a simpler time, nestled in rolling hills and far from the homes of giants [ed. humans? real giants? if so, perhaps far from the north...]. One can only imagine they like to see themselves as once simple, honest folk - a far cry from their current character.
Gnomes remain the most enigmatic, and therefore frustrating, for the modern-day historian. While most of their current undertakings remain ... hopeless, at best, there are certain groups of gnomes who insist their great-great-great-great-great-etc., grandpa told them of the City of Brass outside The Wall, a metropolis that spirals into the sky, with great machines run on steam, clockwork, and gears. Of course, depending on which gnome you ask, this city also can lift off and fly, brew amazing golden ale, and drill through mountains. It is hard to imagine gnomes being able to work together and stay in one place long enough to actually build a city, but perhaps they were not always the gypsies they are today.