Races

The planet of Menos has a wide and varied collection of mortal races. This is a list of them and where you might find them within the world.

For me details on these races find them listed HERE.

## Aarakocra

Sequestered in high mountains atop tall trees, the aarakocra, sometimes called birdfolk, evoke fear and wonder.

*See the entry for Demi-human.*

## Aasimar

Aasimar are placed in the world to serve as guardians of law and good. Their patrons expect them to strike at evil, lead by example, and further the cause of justice.

Descendants of angelic celestial bloodlines, fostered and placed on the mortal planet to serve as champions of the gods, as guardians of law and good. While they may have wandered the world, their presence would be felt nearer to the mysterious continent known as The Dreamlands. A place beyond imagination where the boundaries of dreams and reality fold in and move like a fluid. Many celestials from the planet Cliapia may have found their way to Menos through these connections.

*Subraces*: Protector, Scourge, Fallen

## Bugbear

Bugbears feature in the nightmare tales of many races - great, hairy beasts that creep through the shadows as quiet as cats.

This shiftless, savage layabouts rely on stealth and strength to attack, preferring to operate at night, the rest of the time mostly spent resting or dozing. They have a gang mentality and will bully the weaker creatures around them. This has led to them to being a dominant part of the ongoing open gang warfare over the dusty plains of the Wildlands within the continent of Galbreth. In a bugbear lifetime, if the scene sours, they may have gone through several different groups sabotaging the weaker members in order to exile them and keep the rest for a stronger gang.

## Centaur

The upper bodies of centaurs are comparable to human torsos in size, and their lower equine bodies average about 4 feet tall at the withers. They fill similar roles as cavalry warriors, messengers, outriders, and scouts.

Centaurs sense the interconnectedness of the natural world. Thus, they celebrate family and community as microcosms of that greater connection. They prefer the open areas of the world where they can race the wind. In the Wildlands of Galbreth they have been pulled into the gang warfare that dominates that open space, while in Lumina's southern region of Mesoaldacia their nomad tribes have been pushed into the mountains from a zealotry threat.

## Changling

A changling can shift its face and form with a thought as a form of artistic and emotional expression.

Wherever humans live, changelings reside also; the question is whether their presence is known. Stable communities where they are true to their nature and deal openly with the people around them can only be found with The Dreamlands, where perception and reality are not a consistent.

## Demi-human

*Main article*: Demi-human

Demi-humans are humanoids with animal features. Similar to races such as the Aarakocra, Gnolls, Kenku, Tabaxi and Yuan-ti.

After centuries of oppression the demi-human race broke free of their shackles and formed the secluded nation of Hitori Kokka within the jungles of the Takiden Kingdom on the western coast of Lumina. They tend to stay in this homeland, but are not adverse to adventuring outwards. However their rarer sub-race of lesser demi-human aren't as excepted within this society and while rare will be found outside of the kingdom.

An off-shoot of forest-based sub-species can be found in the quaint village of Littledell near the eastern coast of Tekoya in the region of Drayce.

## Dragonborn

Dragonborn look very much like dragons standing erect in humanoid form, though they lack wings or a tail.

Born of dragons, as their name proclaims, the dragonborn used to walk proudly through a world that greeted them with fearful incomprehension. They have not been seen in the world since the fall of the dragons at the end of the Dominion of Drakes centuries ago.

*Subraces*: Draconblood, Ravenite

## Dwarf

Bold and hardy, dwarves are known as skilled warriors, miners, and workers of stone and metal.

In the northern region of Tekoya, the vast dwarven cilivisation of Hondirth flourished with kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur, halls carved into the roots of mountains, the echoing of picks and hammers in deep mines and blazing forges, a commitment to clan and tradition. After one fateful night this land is now cursed with undeath - those dwarves that remain are now survivors and protectors with much of their innovation and advancement lost to the darkness.

A lone city in the north-west of the continent of Lumina continues the traditions of arts and crafts set out by their forebears. The subterranean Duergar toil in their mines beneath Nerzarn digging to even deeper and darker places below the planet.

*Subraces*: Hill, Mountain, Duergar

## Elf

Elves are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it.

The vast majority of elves and their subraces gather together in the Forests of Ithreldel in the Thelvanore region of Tekoya. In their majestic woods and halls they gather together separate, but as one community in a civic conclave. Though isolated they do take part in matters outside of their forests, through their Dawngarde they venture to many places. This includes the Lumina region of the Magical Commonwealth, where they are the majority residents and protectors of Origin. In this same region are tribes of Ice Elves made hardy by the magical winter.

Beneath the surface of Nerzarn resides the dark elven society of Drow under the matriarchal rule of vigilance and worship to the goddess of spiders and the underdark.

*Subraces*: High, Wood, Drow, Eladrin, Sea, Shadar-kai, Pallid, Ice

## Firbolg

Firbolg tribes cloister in remote forest strongholds, preferring to spend their days in quiet harmony with the woods.

Caretakers of the land, they gravitate to the verdant and forested areas of the land, while striving to remain in balance with nature. There is a populace in the great forest called The Motherwood at the centre of Lumina, the domain of the dryad goddess of woodlands. They can also be found in other similarly sylvan zones on the continents of Tekoya, Iokai - particularly in the region of Strahz.

## Genasi

Genasi carry the power of the elemental planes of air, earth, fire, and water in their blood.

These children and descendants of genies have mostly been found to gather in the cultured port town of Pierre D'opale in the southern foot of Galbreth. Air and water genasi have been known to travel north to Iokai and the springtime region of Bomul, while fire genasi gravitate to the volcanic region of Kazan.

*Subraces*: Air, Earth, Fire, Water

## Gith

Long ago, the gith rose up to overthrow the mind flayers that held them in servitude, but two factions arose that remain bitter enemies today.

A sundered people of two cultures that utterly despise one another, living at the outer reaches of the Cosmic Plane and the region Limbo where the plane of ethereal fades from existence.

*Subraces*: Githyanki, Githzerai

## Gnome

A gnome's energy and enthusiasm for living shines through every inch of his or her tiny body.

Mostly making their homes in bright, warm burrows, these bold and sometimes foolhardy people are known to mingle with other races when not in their rural communities. Such as the lush Vernal Vale of Lumina, the various settlements around the timberlands of Drayce in Tekoya, or even in the deep dark caverns beneath Nerzarn.

*Subraces*: Forest, Rock, Deep

## Goblin

Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, and they react by lashing out at any creatures they believe they can bully.

Goblin tribes occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world, an unsophisticated race that can be mostly found in the barren Wildlands of Galbreth. They are an ever present participant in the rampant gang wars in the region. However there was a group of goblinoids that saw past the restrictions placed on them, looking to artistic and technological pursuits, who fled across the Unruffled Ocean to Carston City in Lumina.

## Goliath

Strong and reclusive, every day brings a new challenge to a goliath.

The reclusive goliaths of the Magical Commonwealth in the northern tip of the continent of Lumina travelled through the mountains until they climbed the highest peak and woke a sleeping terror. Now shattered, their people are looking at extinction in a not too distance future, with their survivors shattered throughout the world.

## Grung

Poisonous frog-like amphibious humanoids that live in trees. Their society is organized in castes determined by each grung's colour.

Grung tribes make extensive use of slavery and always on the lookout for new creatures to enslave. Small pockets of these tribes can be found on the continents of Tekoya and Lumina.

## Half-elf

Half-elves combine what some say are the best qualities of their elf and human parents.

Unlike their elven cousins they will be more likely to wander, however they mingle without issue in settlements of human and elf alike. Such as the regions of Thelvanore and Drayce on the continent of Tekoya, Bomul within Iokai, and the Magical Commonwealth of Lumina.

## Halfling

The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense.

Lured by an open road and long horizon it is not uncommon to see halflings within other civilisations. The Lightfoots of Vernal Vale, Lumina. The Stouts from Hondirth and Drayce, Tekoya. And the Lotusdens from the Iokai region, Bomul.

*Subraces*: Lightfoot, Stout, Lotusden

## Half-orc

Half-orcs' grayish pigmentation, sloping foreheads, jutting jaws, prominent teeth, and towering builds make their orcish heritage plain for all to see.

When not pushing out on adventurer and glory for themselves, most half-orcs can be found in areas of orc society. This includes the nomadic orcs in Mesoaldacia on the continent of Lumina, sailing with the sea orcs of the Comminus Expanse, and those taken to gang warfare in the Wildlands of Galbreth.

## Hobgoblin

War is the lifeblood of hobgoblins. Its glories are the dreams that inspire them. Its horrors don't feature in their nightmares.

An honourable people, dragged into the warfare of the Wildlands of Galbreth. Many yearned for more and had travelled north into Iokai and found service in the Kazanese Imperial army in the volcanic region of Kazan.

## Human

Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people among the common races. Whatever drives them, humans are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds.

One of the youngest of the common race, yet one of the most widespread all around the planet of Menos.

## Kalashtar

The kalashtar are a compound people created from the union of humanity and renegade spirits from the plane of dreams.

Within the folds of the overlapping fabric of The Dreamlands live tribes of kalashtar, navigating and travelling these dream realms, and sometimes venturing out into the worlds in which they link to.

## Kenku

Haunted by an ancient crime that robbed them of their wings, the kenku wander the world as vagabonds and burglars who live at the edge of human society.

Despite their lack of wings, kenku love dwelling in towers and other tall structures. They seek out ruins that reach to the sky, though they lack the motivation and creativity to make repairs or fortify such places. Even so, they have been known to venture in society such as Vernal Vale on the eastern side of Lumina, and the Iokai's western region, Strahz.

## Kobold

Kobolds are typically timid and shy away from conflict, but they are dangerous and vicious if cornered.

In the kobolds’ version of a perfect world, the creatures would be left alone to dig their tunnels and raise the next generation of kobolds, all the while seeking the magic that will free their imprisoned god. They may very well have dug themselves away, as they have not been seen in the world since the fall of the dragons at the end of the Dominion of Drakes centuries ago.

## Lizardfolk

Lizardfolk possess an alien and inscrutable mindset, their desires and thoughts driven by a different set of basic principles than those of warm-blooded creatures.

Living on the horrid shores of the dangerous continent of Èdraduss, their mindset might seem unnecessarily cruel, but it helps them survive in a hostile environment. Lizardfolk focus on survival above all, without sentiment. Some however fled and found haven in the Yuan-ti civilisation on the island of Volotlinvipni off the western shores of Nerzarn.

## Loxodon

Humanoid elephants, loxodons are strong, calm, and wise.

*See the entry for Demi-human.*

## Minotaur

The minotaurs of Menos are strong in body, dedication, and courage. They are at home on the battlefield, willing to fight for their various causes.

Minotaurs are zealous and love battle, having found a place in the open warfare and the never-ending gang conflicts in the Wildlands of Galbreth. They aren't generally quick to anger however, and have been known to travel further south to indulge in culture... as long as they aren't far from battle.

## Orc

Orcs live a life that has no place for weakness, and every warrior must be strong enough to take what is needed by force.

The highest density of orc society on the planet is within the Comminus Expanse and the marine-tine sea orcs. Followers of Brillith the god of sea and storms they long for adventure, exploration, and the thrill of battle. Other examples of orcs on Menos are the nomadic tribes of Mesoaldacia in the continent of Lumina, as well as the gangs caught in open warfare across the Wildlands of Galbreth.

## Satyr

Satyrs embody a fusion of humanoid civilisation with the freedom of wild beasts.

Due to their hedonistic nature, satyrs were known to frequently join in the celebration of holidays regardless of what they were for or where they were located. Like other fey on the planet they can be found in woods or forests, notably within the Motherwood or Overdark.

## Simic Hybrid

The Simic Combine uses magic to transfer the traits of animals into humans, elves, and vedalken.

Harbouring away to the island of Drislved in the Ocean of Bonamere to the east of Nerzarn, these humanoid cloister themselves away in order to build a Simic army of soldiers perfectly adapted to a variety of combat situations. These hyper-evolved specimens are called Simic hybrids, though they sometimes refer to themselves as guardians.

## Tabaxi

Hailing from a strange and distant land, wandering tabaxi are catlike humanoids driven by curiosity to collect interesting artifacts, gather tales and stories, and lay eyes on all the world's wonders.

*See the entry for Demi-human.*

## Tiefling

To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the tiefling.

Humanoids of infernal heritage mostly found in their volcanic homeland of Kazan on the eastern side of the continent of Iokai, where they have formed the Imperial Kazanese Army, which constantly seeks to expand its borders. Outside of this region they subsist in small minorities and are met with scrutiny and mistrust.

## Tortle

What many tortles consider a simple life, others might call a life of adventure. They are nomad survivalists eager to explore the wilderness.

*See the entry for Demi-human.*

## Triton

Long-established guardians of the deep ocean floor, in recent years the noble tritons have become increasingly active in the world above.

Tritons guard the ocean depths, building small settlements beside deep trenches, portals to the elemental planes, and other dangerous spots far from the eyes of land-bound folk. Would be more commonly seen and intermingled by the denizens of the archipelagos Comminus Expanse and Akubi Mizo.

## Vedalken

The blue-skinned vedalken strive for perfection above all else.

Cool rationality guides their actions, joining the guardian on the island of Drislved in the Ocean of Bonamere to the east of Nerzarn, they join in the venture of perfection to build a Simic army of soldiers perfectly adapted to a variety of combat situations.

## Warforged

Warforged are made from wood and metal, but they can feel pain and emotion. Built as weapons, they must now find a purpose beyond war.

The majority of warforged built still lay dormant in the bowels of Hondirth in the northern region of Tekoya. Those still active generally chose to stand with their dwarf creators in their fight against the undead that ravaged their land.

## Yuan-ti Pureblood

The serpent creatures known as yuan-ti are all that remains of an ancient, decadent human empire.

Nestled within the curving coasts of Tekoya and Nerzarn is the jungle island of Yōlotlinvipni. This lush paradise is primarily home to the Yuan-ti. At its centre is the capital city and ancient temple of Xalapa. This former human civilisation rapidly advanced in metalworking, philosophy and prayer. Paying homage to Āchto the serpent god of the void, they were taught how to take on aspects of the snake.