Cultures (Koltyr)

#### *Half-Elf*

Half-Elves are different from Mannelves, as Half-Elves are simply the offspring of a Man and an Elf, they can look like either parent, but the Mannelves (For most of their history), look like regular humans.

#### *High Elf*

The High Elves were the first Elves, children of magic they lived in the continent Aurelia and learned to harness the laws of the world.

#### *Dark Elf*

The Dark Elves were originally High Elves who shunned their god Ryma, and worshipped it's opposite Myra, the god of Chaos. They were ousted from their society, exiled to Darkreach, the never-ending series of sub-terranean caverns under the Western Continent. Before being exiled, Ryma saw them as betrayers and cursed them with their altered appearance, making them the Dark Elves.

#### *Wood Elf*

The Wood Elves are a cousin of the High Elves who were expelled from their homeland due to their religious beliefs and settled in the Colony of N'mira (Which had been conquered by the Elves recently).

#### *First Ones*

Not much is known about the First Ones, as they are only mentioned and described in ancient Sagas, wall paintings, and stories of old, many of which have decayed beyond recognition. In 'A Complete Compendium of the First Ones and Their History' by St. Jonnero of Avalton, Jonnero describes the world that the First Ones inhabited as a vast continent with only inland seas, divided only by large mountain ranges and deep valleys. But in the First Old Age, a large event known as 'The Flooding' occured, driving the First Ones to the highest plateaus on Koltyr, becoming the Modern continents. The ones who fled to the Northern Plateau became the Northmen, and the ones who went to the Eastern Plateau became the Shoremen.

Legends claim that during this time, Elves also existed, isolated from the events of the rest of the world on their own continent, however this continent is said to have sunk or disappeared before the Modern Age.

### **Old Era**

#### *Vedics*

The Vedics are the direct descendants of Virican settlers, hardy and stout, these people are very spiritual and isolationist.

#### *Athoryn*

The Athoryn people are descended from the Virican settlers who settled in the south and interbred with the Rydic peoples.

#### *Bronzemen*

The Bronzemen are the only human race who have always been in the Western Continent, and because of this they see themselves as the only true heirs of Koltyr.

#### *Bloodfolk*

Although not technically a seperate race from the Rydic peoples, the Bloodfolk might as well be. They worship foreign gods, live in tents in the mountains, and sacrifice bodies and bodyparts for personal gain.

#### *Teuher*

The Teuhers are bred from the Viricans who settled in Tivaria and carved themselves out of this dangerous land.

#### *Imperial*

The Imperials are a noble and scholarly race descended from Southern Men who fled their homeland in the Elven Invasion of De'tara.

#### *Southerner*

The Southerners are often (Innacurately) said to be the descendants of Viricans who found the North too dangerous and simply settled in the south, but it has been found that they are actually the descendants of the last Alosian men who fled from the Eastern Beasts in their conquering of the continent.

#### *Mannelf (Callonians)*

The 'Mannelves' are the uncommon result of a human and an elf procreating. Unfortunately this race came into existence because of the Elven Empire enslaving Imperials and force-breeding with them. These people look almost indistinguishable from Men, as in the Slave Revolts of Callonia the more Elven looking Mannelfs gained their freedom and began breeding with Men, further seperating them from the Elves.