Humanoid and Playable Races

Back to Main Page

Various lore and information about the major civilized and semi-civilized races where they deviate from traditional lore or have traits particular to this world.

## Amani

The Amani people derived from a group of humans that was largely isolated after the Age of Horrors in the area of the New World known as The Wastes. Many hundreds of years and generations of growth has resulted in a distinct cultural history. While it is hard to quantify a 'standard' human due to their incredible variety of physical and mental attributes, the Amani are distinct enough in appearance and behavior to be recognized apart from other Humans.

**History**

The Amani are a race of humans whose origins can be traced back to the Age of Horrors. When the world was sundered during the Great Swarm, entire civilizations were scattered, and entire generations of people's were wiped out. Among the blasted deserts of the ravaged southern continent, survivors gradually came together, establishing nomadic tribes. These tribes learned to survive in the harshest conditions imaginable, relying on each other as small family units for many generations.

They were a relatively primitive culture when first encountered, but have largely integrated into modern society over the last several hundred years. A tribal culture, they revere their elders and shamans, and can be suspicious of anyone or anything that they think may seek to disrupt their traditional ways, or anyone they see as being at odds with a traditional or lawful society. Equally at home in the dense jungle or the harsh desert, they will travel to larger towns and cities of the world but will rarely settle there, preferring the untamed wilderness or small rugged hamlets and villages to the comforts of the big city.

**Physical Description**

Like other humans, the appearance of the Amani can vary considerably, but they are typically taller and thinner than the average human. They have fair skin, even those dwelling in the desert, and hair that is normally shades of orange, red, rust, and light brown. They tend to be stronger than they look, as a result of generations of living in harsh conditions, and are usually considered to be excellent sprinters.

**Relationships with other Races**

The Amani have an interesting history with the other races of Aerus. They remained largely nomadic and tribal throughout most of their history, only relatively recently encountering the re-emerging kingdoms of the new and old worlds. Each of the large tribes reacted and dealt with the kingdoms differently. Some were hostile to the outsiders, others were friendly and welcoming, and yet others retreated deep into the desert where they continue their way of life undisturbed to this day. By and large, and to the credit of King Daavin who founded the first great empire of the new world, and what is now known as Daavingard, the meetings were mostly peaceful and mutually beneficial. Throughout the country of Daavingard, most of the Amani are perfectly friendly and considered equal citizens, while in the rest of the continent, especially The Wastes, you will find those tribes that are still hostile or resentful of the “intruders” of their lands. These are known generally as Wild Amani to differentiate them from the more civilized, peaceful tribes.

**Alignment**

Unlike other humans, Amani tend towards law and order. This often surprises visitors, who assume since so many of the Amani still practice their tribal, nomadic ways that they will be more independent and disdainful of authority. However the tribes have a deep respect for tradition, their elders, and the historic ways of their people. Because of this, they often have a great respect for authority and the law no matter the lands they find themselves in. As a result, they tend to form relatively quick bonds with dwarves, compared to other races.

**Religion**

The Amani primarily worship Amun, god of beasts, spirits, and tradition from whom they take their name. While those living in Daavingard, especially near large cities, might be open to learning about other gods and occasionally have been converted, this is rare and the worship of Amun is still the norm by far. More and more however, as new generations are born and raised within the borders of the diverse kingdoms that have re-established, you can find Amani of many different religions.

**Amani Lands and Populations**

Amani can be found throughout the lands, although they tend to be quite rare outside the New World. They typically do not settle for any length of time in larger sized cities or towns, and prefer more rural areas in which to make their homes. They are most populous in the countries of Kingsfield, Daavingard, and the Obsidian Coast, where they make up a significant percentage of all residents.

The Wild Amani are how the warlike independent tribes of The Wastes are known, and while they raid the border areas of neighboring countries on a regular basis, they are otherwise not often found outside of The Wastes.

## Sky Elf

The Lahonna, or Sky Elves as the rest of the world knows them, are one of the 3 variants of elves alongside High Elves and Drow. They were created by Ehlonna who was impressed with the High Elf creations of her brother, Corellon Larethian. They share her love of nature and affinity to the primordial elements, in particular the elemental plane of Air. Which is perhaps why one of the things they are most known for is their expansive treetop cities in the ancient Ironwood forests.

**Historically**

Sky elves, known in their own language as the Lahonna, are a variant of the elven race. They were created by Ehlonna, goddess of the forest. Sky elves get their common name for their great treetop cities, found only the most ancient ironwood forests. They share many characteristics of regular elves, with a few minor differences.

Like many of the other civilized races, they have at times in the past warred against Orcish aggression. Unlike many of the other races, Sky Elves live upwards of 700 years, and so many of them still remember these wars and carry heavy prejudices against the Orcs. Several additional skirmishes have broken out over the years, even after the old wars were officially done. In the New World, these tensions occasionally still flare up in the borders between Juun'Tal and Amon Morag, which have high populations of Sky Elves and Orcs, respectively. In the Old World, however, the populations of Orcs and Sky Elves have been more separated, and therefore old wounds have had time to heal.

**Personality**

Sky Elves tend to be more structured and focused than their High Elf cousins. A gardener, for example, may spend several centuries cultivating a single plant into a form that pleases him. A duelist will spend a hundred years perfecting the perfect riposte. As a result of this focus, Sky Elves tend to be measured and calm, and not prone to distraction. It is uncommon to find older Sky Elves as explorers or adventurers, and is reserved more for younger elves that have not yet found a suitable cause to dedicate themselves to. Those that do seek adventure, however, do so with a relentless focus and determination, making them deadly and effective.

**Physical Description**

Similar to normal elves, but their skin tends to be pale with a blue or greenish tinge to it, and they normally have light hair colors.

**Relationships with other Races**

Sky elves have no strong relations with any other race, either positive or negative. They tend to be even more aloof and reserved than typical elves, and often come across as unfriendly and indifferent. They tolerate other races but tend to look down on orcs, dwarves, and gnomes more than others.

**Alignment**

Sky elves can be found of any alignment, though they tend towards Law due to their natural tendency towards focus and structure.

**Religion**

Sky elves normally worship Ehlonna, the goddess of the forests. Because of their focused nature, a sky elf will either be extremely spiritual and zealous in their faith, or mostly indifferent to it, with rarely anything in between. Other races tend to find this mix of extremes rather curious, and sometimes jarring

**Sky Elf Lands and Populations**

Sky elf major cities are known far and wide for their natural beauty and engineering marvel. They are located high above the ground among the branches of the great ironwood trees in some of Aerus' oldest forests. While these cities are what the sky elves are known for, they also form more traditional towns and settlements on the ground in areas where ironwoods don’t grow. The treetop cities will rarely have any large mix of other races, however their traditional ground based settlements will.

## Orc

**Historically**

Orcs were the creation of Gruumsh, god of fire and war, who drew his power from the plane of fire. They are well known for their martial, disciplined culture. Orcs have gone to war with the other races many times throughout the history of Aerus, but the last major conflict was over a hundred years ago. Today, they mix relatively freely throughout the lands of the other races, although they are not by nature a race that enjoys traveling and exploration. Orcs have a lifespan longer than humans, but somewhat shorter than dwarves, living to be around 150-200 years old on average. They tend to have an affinity to fire.

**Personality**

Orcs are a proud and fierce race of people. Their culture thrives on order and discipline, and they have a cool, no nonsense attitude in general. Historically they have been subjugated as a people, which has resulted in many conflicts and wars with other races. The last several hundred years have seen them reach a relatively equal status with most other races, but traces of prejudice may still be found. Orcs are loyal companions, once you’ve earned their trust. Despite their love of battle, or perhaps because of their understanding of tactics, orcs are usually quiet and thoughtful, and often surprise others with their logic and insight.

**Physical Description**

Orcs are somewhat taller than the average human, standing around 6’6’’ - 7’6’’ for both males and females. Strong and hardy, they are solidly built and give a sense of durability. They have dark skin tinged with red or orange, and hair that is usually shades of black, red, orange, or yellow.

**Relationships with other Races**

Orcs have had strained relations with the other races in the past, however in the current day they mix generally freely with anyone. They tend to mix easily with dwarves, often settling in the same types of regions. It is not at all uncommon to find a town of industrious dwarven miners protected by an orcish guard contingent, for example. Orcs still experience hostility and prejudice in some areas, but that depends largely on the culture in that area and not on the orcs themselves.  They have a well known reputation as excellent soldiers, and will often be found serving in the army, city guard, or as mercenaries for hire. This martial aptitude lends itself well to adventuring, which is another common profession for orcs. Their emphasis on discipline and tradition lends itself well to positions of management or trades skills.

**Alignment**

Orcs can be of any alignment, although with their disciplined and thoughtful nature they tend towards lawful.

**Religion**

Orcs worship Gruumsh, god of fire and war. There are few exceptions to this, although many orcs worship other gods as well, but always with Gruumsh in the higher place of honor. It is rare to find orcs on either extreme end of the piety scale, zealots are rare, and so are non believers. Instead, most orcs are privately and quietly spiritual.

**Orc Lands and Populations**

## Dwarves

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Gnomes

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Halflings

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Warforged

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Genasi

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Tabaxi

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Goliath

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Aasimar and Tiefling

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Firbolg

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Goblin

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

## Kobold

**Historically**

**Personality**

**Physical Description**

**Relationships with other Races**

**Alignment**

**Religion**

**Lands and Populations**

Back to Main Page