Humans and Adjacent

Humanity had not fallen too far from its former glory.

## Humans

Humans still exist and are regarded as one of the most resilient species. They differ only in range of color palette; with the introduction of pyromancy, vivid, previously "unnatural" hair and eye colors are actually relatively normal. Humans range from about 5 to 6 feet tall, but can commonly be shorter or taller, and usually live for about a hundred years. Men range slightly taller but not by too much.

## Undead

Exactly what it says on the tin. Due to largely unknown circumstances (though some believe it is via pyromancy,) undead are reanimated human corpses. They retain their memories and have a slight healing factor and high pain tolerance. Same size range as humans, though sometimes post-reanimation an undead can be a different height than they were pre-death. Undead are immortal, and can live forever as long as they don't become hollow.

## Hollow

A hollow is an undead that has lost all humanity. They do not retain memories and gradually lose cognizance until they reach brain-death. Most call this *succumbing to the Void*. The hollowing process can be prevented by use of pyromancy, but many cannot afford to learn magic. Same size range as humans and undead. The hollowing process takes about ten years, but hollows lose all semblance of self after about five or six years.

## Nymph

Nymphs are humans who have been touched by divine light and transformed. Typically elf-like in appearance, nymphs have long, pointed ears and often slender (but not always) lanky bodies. They can sometimes take on animal characteristics, but very rarely do, and more often tend to have glowing eyes and mysterious runes upon their skin. Nymphs tend to average about a half a foot taller than humans, but over 6'6" has been recorded. Women are usually taller. They can live for about two thousand five hundred years, and reach maturity at around five hundred.

## Elves

Elves are nymphs that have been corrupted by the Chaos Flame. The Divine Touch mostly cancels out whatever chaos could have otherwise perverted their mortal form— they can’t go back to being human, but at least they aren’t demons. They tend to look a bit like nymphs anyway, but slightly less slim and graceful-looking, somewhere between them and humans. Tainted by the Chaos Flame, they range about a foot taller than humans, though under six feet is relatively normal. Women are usually taller, and men are usually stocky. Elves live for about five thousand years and reach adulthood at two hundred.

## Goliaths

Goliaths are orcish in nature, tall and stocky with intimidating presence. They are actually extremely intelligent and were one of the progenitor races when the New World was created. Goliaths are wary of outsiders due to their small population, but are inherently peaceful. They value the arts heavily and are well-known for having some of the most talented chefs in the entire continent. Goliaths range from about seven to ten feet tall. There has never been an adult goliath recorded under 6'6". Men are usually a little bit taller. They live for about four thousand years on average and reach adulthood at eight hundred.