Elder Races

The Maratasen, Centaur, Troll, Giant, Lizardman and Ariel.
Dwarves were there at the time, just not mentioned. (And don't ask about Hobbits!).Zoom 2021-01-14 21:00
According to the Elven View of Timeline: Those few “monsters” left behind hide out and formed the precursors to what are now known as the Centaur, Giant, Ariel, Lizardman and Troll [and Maratsen] races – intelligence to survive became a pre-requisite.
These six races are depicted on the ancient stones in the Wyldwood shrines as an Eagle, a Lion, a Snake, two Human(oid)s, and a Centaur surrounding a stylised Oak tree."
According to Q’RanDay 49-57 – Centaurs: “The creatures on the stone, oh that is easy…. They represent the Ariel, the Maratasen, the Lizardmen, the Giants, the Trolls and obviously us. The speakers tales will often refer to that grouping as the ‘Elder’ races, funny that Dwarves are never mentioned, but I seem to recall that the tales then tell of Elves, then Orcs and then of course Humans…arriving at Far Haven.
==Origin theories from The Confusing Origins Of People==
Those races who have a history of dwelling on the continent that stretches far back before the arrival of the Elves, their origins are shrouded in mist even to the Giant Clan Speakers.
There are three primary stories around the origins of the six elder races.
=== Theory 1: The Elder Nature ===
The Elder species were formed by the needs of the Island to have keepers and shepherds, each race had a prime role or association. Maratasen represent fire; Lizardmen water; Ariel air; Giants earth; Centaurs knowledge and life; Trolls memories and death. The clans were intended to travel over the lands ensuring that all was in balance, working together to maintain this. No order was intended, nor was it needed, no clan had dominion.
=== Theory 2: Humanist ===
In fact all races are offshoots of humanity, created by some arcane means. Humanity was the original race, and the reason that none of the so called Elder races can remember their origins with certainty is that the pains associated with their creation caused them to blot out the memory. [Comment: This seems to be rubbish as the humans arrived much later, and smacks of Gemidian supremacist ideology - Ed]
=== Theory 3: Lizardman ===
The Lizardmen are in fact an ancient race that have fallen back from an enlightened state into their current barbaric (relatively) state. They retrenched to their main settlements many many years back but to ensure that the lands of the North Island would not revert, and in an attempt to stimulate their own culture – some of their number permanently adopted different forms and went out as founders of new races. Unfortunately the new creations ‘went native’ and forgot their origins and in turn reverted to primitive worship of Nature as opposed to the glories of GARM (the Lizardman religion).