Races

The native inhabitants of the world of Eternia are varied and diverse in nature. They make up the bulk of the Eternian population with a very, very small minority of beings born outside of the realm of Eternia, namely the Angels themselves. Some of these exotic races may still be undiscovered, as not all corners of Eternia has been explored just yet. Below are the races that are known to the known world:

## Valmasia

### Human (Kraus)

Humans within Valmasia are typically light-skinned and have brown or blonde hair, with an adult male averaging at 5'8". The bulk of the populace are made up of humans with the majority being peasantry that work the fields. More well off families, such as merchants, may send their children to school to learn trades, like carpentry or boat building. The military academy is seen as an ideal choice for the physically fit and young.

### Fire Drakanite (Ryujin)

In their natural state, they appear to be humans with slit, lizard like eyes which are usually green. When assuming their Halfshift Form, they gain greenish, hard as steel scales which cover various areas of their bodies as well as a pair of reddish wings which they may use to achieve flight for short periods of time. Depending on their blood purity, they may also possess horns and a tail in their mana, blessing based form. The average Drakanite of Valmasia is taller than their human counterparts by 3-5 inches.

### Ookami (Asena)

Quick on their feet and with eagle-like sight, the Ookami are blessed with wind magic prowess and they make great scouts.  The average Ookami of Valmasia is shorter than their human counterparts by 3-5 inches.

### Oscuri (Azrael)

The nobles of Valmasia, blessed children of Azrael, and a force to be reckoned with. Oscuri are humans whom have been enchanted with green Rieka Circuits which stain their skin and gifted, recurring visions of Azrael's life as a white-winged saviour to humanity in the first century, and then a black-winged avenger in the years to come. Designed to be a warrior race by the dark lord, they are more prone to violence than normal humans and possess unfathomably high bloodlust and adrenaline levels beyond comprehension when in combat, many being berserkers and brutes. Although usually toned to muscular due to their combat oriented upbringings, the Oscuri in Valmasia possess physical traits likewise to their human counterparts. There are also Oscuri in the country of Felera who practice a different sect of Azraelism.

### Neries (The Dreamer)

Enforcers of The Dreamer, the lawkeepers of Valmasia and the stern paladins of the cities. The Neries are a race of possessing a range of monochrome skintones, and at times bear horns of varying size based on their mana potential. Through an obsidian gem embedded inside of their bodies, they have the ability to siphon power from and break enchantments, and they possess an insatiable appetite for mana: Either from the environment around them, or taken from their targets. It connects them to their goddess, and all are aware of her presence and potential communion with the most powerful, and the ability for her to sift through their memories after their death. With a long history of artifice and order, they manage the bureaucracy and internals of the Alliance.

## Gehenna

### Human (Kraus)

Gehennan humans usually have dark skin, between the lightest olive to the darkest ebony. Their ethnicity is taller than most at an average of 5'11" for an adult male.

### Wind Drakanite (Quetzalcoatl)

The Drakanites of Gehenna are Gehennan human inhabitants whose ancestors are said to have been blessed by the serpent dragon, Quetzalcoatl. Occasionally, the dragon spectated an admirable battle from the skies above, and those that impressed the serpent dragon, they were granted and empowered with feathered wings and twisting, protuding horns, spiritual blessings from Quetzacoatl which mark them as Drakanite. These Drakanites are well known for their impressive feat of gliding through the air swiftly and easily, and utilising their powerful wind magics in their battles.

### Nagual (Ixchel)

The Naguals descended from The Three Warlords, tribe leaders whom were touched by Azrael's undeath and sought an escape from their fates by hunting down Ixchel for its pelt. Almost succeeding, Ixchel rewarded them, giving them powers of the lightning-fast jaguar. They were then commanded to hunt down The Betrayer's armies, and due to so, their descendants are particularily spiteful towards the dark lord.

### Dryad (Nature)

In the mythical era, the Lopochtli tribe spent years developing rituals to meld with nature after the spirits became wraiths  as a result of the divine war. While they failed to replace the spirits and restore natural order to the world, they did attain abilities that allowed them to commune with the wraiths and aid the other tribes in the art of developing sacrifice to offer sustenance.

In the modern era, Lopotchtli maintains a small but respected presence within Gehenna, and many dryads are born from within this tribe, often joining other tribes to offer their services to the land. Dryads that mate do not always produce one of their own, however, though the offspring will be spiritually adapt regardless.

A Dryad is long-lived; while the average man might be lucky to see his seventies, a Dryad's lifespan is twice that. Their appearance varies, but they always have features that distinctly resemble the woods and plants, typically accompanied by dark skin.Their eyes are much larger and round than humans, too.

The Dryads use their blood to fuel their connection with the spirits, which is empowered by generations of contracts that have been formed by their ancestors. Their blood is especially potent and can be utilized in a way to bring about life, through the unseen elementals of the land. The Dryads serve to keep the elements in balance, of the seasons, natural order (cycle of life), and preserving nature and wildlife.

## Jianghu

### Human (Kraus)

Averaging at 5'7" for the average male, humans in Jianghu are usually light-skinned, petite, and have dark hair, though this varies among outsiders of the country who have immigrated from a neighbouring country within the Continent of Sheng. Inhabitants of Yurhira are known for their striking red hair and powerful build. Natives of Herizu have dark, bronze skin. Izhurans are known to be inches taller than the average Jianghese while the people of Xuantong average at around 5'6", most likely due to slight to moderate malnutrition.

### Lightning Drakanite (Shenlong)

In an era long past, the Skywarden accepted those who could perform the pilgrimage to their fortresses in the clouds. The descendants are wingless, spiritually blessed half-dragons with great blue, usually lightning charged tails and reindeer-like horns. They still occupy the massive cloud-fortresses, although a good amount of them have pledged alliance with The Emperor directly; many serve in the Fourfold Army of Jianghu.

### Kitsune (Jiuweihu)

When Jiuweihu was entrapped in Kunlun Mountain, the survivors of a great battle in the east to reclaim and free them struggled to break the seals on the nine-tailed fox's cage. She blessed them with great intelligence and cunning in exchange for their brawn. They freed her within twenty four hours. The Kitsunes are perhaps descended from the greatest heroes to ever live in the east, and they take pride in that fact. At their best, a Kitsune is a genius, and at their worst, they've overconfident and condescending. Most Kitsune are born with one tail, though once in a generation there is a nine-tailed Kitsune born, generally seen as bringers of good fortune. They possess fire and illusion magics, and they often cunningly pull illusive tricks upon their enemies.

### Qilin (The Emperor)

The chosen of the Emperor, direct enforces of the Imperial Kingdom. A Qilin is a proven warrior that exchanges all memories of their life to serve the Emperor, undergoing a form of reincarnation. They can never harm an innocent and are the enforcers of law, their loyalty towards Jianghu and the Emperor unshakable, and are only able to be overridden by the Emperor himself. They utilise Energy magic, pure, condensed mana directly from their souls in combat.

## Global

### Demon (Nightmares)

Horrific beings of the Occult, these dark creatures roam most of the unclaimed lands and seas of the world. Coming in all shapes and sizes ranging from insectoid to humanoid, Demons are the most numerous species in the world. Their form varies as their origins are traced back to the nightmares of humanity. Demons possess the ability to mutate and further evolve their bodies, and have the potential to amass great powers that can rival even the strongest of angels. Most societies fear them due to their violent, corruptive nature and attempt to vanquish them.

### Fairy (The Lifestream)

Around six inches tall, fairies are creatures are found in the deeper parts of forestry. Often cautious of human settlements, they tend to stick to the safety of nature. Though most try to live a largely solitary life, communities do form over time. Their bodies are highly sought after by Alchemists for their magical properties. They feature elf-like appearances with extravagant butterfly wings. Though quite a few have been known to mimic other bugs in nature, such as the common Honey Bee.

### Sirenian (Yama and Inki)

The denizens of the seas of Eternia, Sirenians are known as humanoid fish people reigning from the underwater city of Atlantis. Birthed from the whale gods Inki and Yama, these beings come in three species: Mermaids, Anguills and Selkies. They are masterful in commanding the sea and oceans as each species specialize in wind, electricity and the earth respectively. They are also magnificent singers.

### Sarradian (The Sacred Houses)

Hailing from the desert lands of Sarradia in Gehenna, Sarradians are known as people of the earth. Being master privateers, these people of 5'5" in height built mighty boats that has sent out many scouting parties that surpassed the peace barriers in one piece, as such their kind is scattered among the lands of Valmasia and Jianghu. They are adept in controlling the elements of the desert, mainly Earth, Wind, Fire and Water as their very blood would be quite known to provide life essence which allows them to live.