Lineages

## The Lineages of Fernside

It is said that The Almighty Creator had the three Lineages of the first people in mind before they even created The Mortal Realm for them to dwell on, those being The Humans, Dwarves and Elves. Once they had finished designing the realm as we know it, Saxum is said to have been created to home these three peoples.

### The Humans

The humans were created first, and in abundance. Said to have been the first time The Almighty Creator had created such complex life, and that being the case some believe they may have rushed the job, as very little of note sticks out for the humans except maybe their tenacious spirit or "just how freaking many of them there are". There are many gods who choose humanoid inspiration for their physical forms, as humans are said to be 'easy to replicate' and 'so assured in their significance that they refuse to acknowledge any other form'.

Perhaps its is a testament to just how many humans populate Saxum, but they also exist as the most diverse of all the lineages. In Fernside, humans are extremely diverse, with hair colour most commonly Blonde, Brown, Red, Grey, White and Black. Humans who live in Fernside mostly hail from the north in places like The Holylands where skin colour is usually fairer, light skin. In Counties like Horizon people more commonly have darker skin and hair. Humans are by far the largest and most diverse of all the lineages found in Fernside.

### The Dwarves

The dwarves of Fernside were created as a more fortified people, the first to developed tools and explore the undergrounds of Saxum. Their height usually around the 3-4 foot area, dwarves were quick to explore and adapt to their environments, building great cities underground as well as creating interesting tools and developing cultures around the minerals and ores of the earth and mountains. The Dwarves of Fernside stem from 3 major backgrounds and ethnicities.

##### Amberborn

With thick red hair and hard rhotic tongues, The Amberborn dwarves were said to have built great forges which created the strongest armours and weapons. Amberborn dwarves are boastful and proud, but they know how to have a good time and party. An Amberborn dwarf always welcomes another of his background with a hearty slap on the back and a warm drink. Almost every Amberborn dwarf has a beard, even the women and some kids.

##### Mountainstride

The Mountainstride dwarves are spiritual in culture and practise, with beliefs tying to nature and its benefits. A Mountainstride dwarf believes there is no problem that can't be solved by appeasing to nature and the natural order of the mountain, forest or other biome they originated from. The Mountainstride dwarves often have braided hair with beads, and are know for smelling very pleasant with the aid of natural oils. No Mountainstride dwarf lets another of his background go without a meal and shelter, and they often prioritise empathy above all else.

##### Tissweld

With smooth, clean shaved faces and often large, clear eyes - the Tissweld dwarf can be an unusual sight for those who aren't familiar. These dwarves are not as ancient as some of the other dwarf backgrounds (including many extinct ones) and only mutated in the last 10,000 years. The Tissweld sometimes have hands and feet more similar to a halfling, both often larger than their legs and arms proportionally. The Tissweld often live in cities and larger settlements, though they often times do not outwardly show the same extraversion as some other dwarves, usually focusing themselves on the collecting of gold or power.

##### The Forgotten Dwarves

While the other three backgrounds of dwarves are above and beyond the most abundant, there were many other types of dwarves centuries ago, though many of them perished due to mysterious circumstances, leaving behind only their ancient holds... what secrets could be left behind, and what did they discover before they perished?

### The Elves

The first elves are said to have been created by The Almighty Creator to bring balance to the mortal realm, created in the likeness of creatures found in The Feywild. The elves were gifted with proficiency and access to the powers of magic and went to work straight away testing the boundaries of the art. Elves can live for hundreds of years and are known to be clever and concerned with themselves above others. There are 4 main ethnic backgrounds for the elves.

##### High Elves (Nieven)

The High Elves are often regarded as snide and cruel, but truthfully they are the victims of terrible tragedy delivered to them by the people of The Holyland. High elves are often very tall and slender, with long elegant fingers and hair like silk. A high elf values their appearance greatly and their social status is directly linked to it. The High Elves are actually known as the **Nieven** in elvish.

##### Wood Elves (Arryn)

The Wood Elves are known as quiet people, having lost so much to outsiders they tend to stick to their own communities and traditions. In an attempt to smear their reputation and paint them as lesser and inhuman, some High Elves in The Peninsular slandered the image of the humble wood elf as savages and monsters who cannibalise their own and perform demonic rituals. While this is untrue, it is still considered deeply offensive to imply and their are many a wood elf who would start a brawl if such a comparison was made.

##### The Three Moons

While the wood and high elves are separated by a tumultuous history, this genetic code isn't too dissimilar. While the two are separated culturally and politically - they each have the same main 3 subsections in their ethnic DNA.

###### Full Moon (Vullen)

Commonly with white or grey hair, thin forms and pale, semi translucent skin, and eyes usually coloured grey, deep blue or dark black. An elf might be considered Full Moon or **Vullen** if they are born with these features, regardless of if they're of Arryn or Nieven origins.

###### Half Moon (Myrin)

Commonly with dark black skin and hair, with similarly coloured eyes and nails, an elf is considered Myrin if they are born with these features regardless of if they're of Arryn or Nieven origins. A Myrin elf can occasionally be born with red eyes, but it is an occurrence so rare those who are, often are labeled **Ninith** or **Untouched** and are considered to be extremely evil omens.

###### Crescent Moon (Sisten)

Those who do not appear with skin that is translucently white or dark black is labled **Sisten**, this accounts for about 10% of pure elf and about 75% of Half Elves.

##### Dark Elves (Drower)

Legends tells that the Dark Elves or Drower were high elves exiled from an ancient city millennia ago, they made their way to a great city deep unground know as **Nela Thalor**, however no remnants of such a city remain today, and while their are very few Drower who actually walk the surface of Praxum, there seem to be even fewer who still believe in Nela Thalor. While Drower are standoffish and usually live and act alone, they are not evil people and do not generally seek to stand out in a negative way. The Drower are not feared by those who are not familiar with them, though their presence can inspire curiosity.

### The Halflings

About half the size of humans, but far less stocky than dwarves are the halflings. Originally migrating north from The Southernlands, halflings are said to be descendants of both humans and dwarves of millennia ago. Halflings are nimble and quick when they need to be, but most halflings wish for quieter lives surrounded by loved ones and the promise of dying of old age. Halflings, like humans, are a diverse lineage of people separated more specifically by country than ethnic backgrounds. It is said the Halflings of Fernside are generally much more pleasant than those of The Southernlands, however this cultural difference is really more a matter of differing values than one being innately less polite than the other.

### The Gnomes

While the Halflings are said to be distant descendants of Humans and Dwarves, the Gnomes are said to be genetically descendant of the Elves. With short, often thin stature and fingers which reflect the elegance of their Elven ancestors, the gnomes also show clear proficiency with magic. It is widely understood that Gnomes came from a distant country north-side of the Holylands well before the invasion of the holy crusaders, and most understand fairy folk to have played a roll in their particular lineage from their ancestors.

##### Deep Gnomes (Scamp Gnomes)

It is said when the elves (who would later become the Drower) were exiled and moved underground, some gnome ancestors from the same gene pool were forced to do so too. The Scamp Gnomes are very few and far between in Fernside, most of the remaining folk choose lives of celibacy and solitude for their remaining years, the Scamp gnomes share the same appearances as other linages of gnomes.

### The Orcs

Orcs are ancestors of the giantkind that were created millennia ago by Friegoord, the Giant god of creation. As the giants became rarer and rarer, the orcs became more prevalent, reflecting greater resemblance to the mortal lineages than their cousins the Goliath, also born from giantkind. Orcs of Fernside all share the same ancestors, the **Oorgards** who were said to be the first orc families to leave **The Valley of the Giants**.

#### Half Orcs

Half orcs are descendants of Orc and mortal lineages like human and elf. In Mortford and by virtue, Fernside, people of Orcish blood see all orcs as family. However these families see conflict not based on their blood but by the family names they associate with. Half orcs might not reach the full scale of size as their orc counterparts, but they do appear very similar physically outside of scale.

### The Goliath

Similarly to the Orcs, the Goliath are said to be descendants of Giants, however it is said their relationship is stronger with stone giants genetically than it is those of The Valley. Goliath's have complicated social structures and rich familial values, however much of their culture remains a mystery as almost all Goliaths live in **The Mountains of Zaar**, far off near to the north of The Holylands.

### The Tieflings

Though there is undeniably human blood running through the veins of all Tieflings, their infernal nature comes from ancient times when devils walked the mortal realms. Despite the negative perception most have of Devils and underdeep folk, the Tiefling has walked the mortal realm for centuries, and is generally recognised as non threatening. A Tiefling's skin can appear many shades of dark blue, purple or red, and even in some rare occasions other colours.

### The Aarakocra

Long ago, in the early years of the mortal realm, it is said The Almighty Creator finished each of the beasts of the land. Many of The Almighty Creators creatures were given roles, including that of the birds whose assignment was to protect the skies, and act as the almighty creators eyes. Two birds however, Canary and Crow, were unsatisfied with their form and flew all the way to The Eternal Plaine, where they sought console with the almighty creator. They were interrupted however by **Medeina**, the nature spirit, who was tasked with testing the souls of the two birds. After the trials of the Canary were complete - he was set free of his mortal form to *reform* into a body more similar to what we know Aarakocra to look like now - however upon finishing his trial Canary realised his brother, Crow, had fled - and was therefore cursed to be unable to sing like brother again.

All the birds of the mortal realm are represented by an Aaracockra form, and their bond is considered sacred.

### The Kenku

The crow, cursed to never sing nor fly again, was returned to Saxum to live out the last of his days in his new form. However the noble Kenku worked hard to survive the gods torment and to this day, the Kenku does still live on - though they are still cursed to never sing nor fly.

### The Dragonborn

From the lineage of Dragons, the Dragonborn are a member of the Dragonkind. With dragons dense and notable history in the mortal realm, there is much to include about dragons origins in the mortal realm, but that element will have to wait for another time. Dragonborns however are descendant of three types of dragons, that being the Chromatic, Metallic and Spirit dragons. Each type of dragon has influenced the genes of Dragonborn, down to their appearance. While Dragonborn folk inherited the bodies and form of the dragons, it is a different blood relation that grants the powers of some sorcerers.

### The Goblins

The Goblins are an especially nimble and fast people, with a certain swiftness blessed to them by their main god **The High Chieftain** or **Bowie**. The Goblin are said to have been around for millions of years before their cousins the hobgoblins. Goblins are often lightly green in complexion, though they can also have skin of varying colours such as grey, brown, black and even a chalky, pale skin. The Goblin can be found across Fernside and its surroundings, and are well known for their resourcefulness and inventiveness.

### The Hobgoblin

The Hobgoblin is genetically very similar to the goblin, having evolved from the same DNA millennium ago. Hobgobin are much taller than goblins, and often have deeper voices and more reddish skin. The Hobgoblin are known to very intelligent with a great mind for tactics - its said every monarch needs a Hobgoblin by their side for times of unease. The hobgoblin can, similarly to the goblin, be found fairly commonly across Fernside and its surroundings.