Races

# Humans

Humans are the primary population of the land due to their great numbers. There are noticeable differences between Humans in terms of height, complexion, hair and eye color, but the capability of categorizing these differences has yet to be discovered. The average height of Humans in **Grienzland** in 1914 is 5'7" (170 cm) for males and 5'3" (160 cm) for females.

# Non-Human Races

The Non-Human Races on **Anfang** are divided into two main categories: Quasi-Humans and Spirits.

## Quasi-Humans

After much debate and effort to narrow down the meaning of the term, the category of 'Quasi-Human' has come to be defined as "a being that shares considerable biological similarity to Humans while maintaining a continuous physical existence." This criteria is used to differentiate Quasi-Humans from Spirits that often are capable of disappearing from observable space for periods of time. Additionally, Quasi-Humans are - like Humans - normal creatures that follow the natural law of all animals in that they have both a male and female sex, unlike most Spirits which are monosex ,depending upon their nature.

There are four other recognized Quasi-Human Races that participate in life within Grienzland and its neighbors:

**Night Ravens**: A dark-winged avian Race with a connection to night and the dark

**Wolfen**: Lupine shapeshifters capable of changing forms between animal and man

**Sea Hounds**: A squalidae aquatic Race descendants of an ancient, sunken civilization

**Half-Horses**: Equine hybrids dwelling on the steppes of Eastern Uropa

## Spirits

Whereas a Quasi-Human maintains a constant physical location and linear presence in time, Spirits are not limited in the same way. There are two types of Spirits known to Humans, divided into the realm that constitutes their origin and primary environment.

### Celestial Spirits

Within the **Ortueist** religion there are many mention of heavenly messengers, divine servants, and angelic protectors who have intervened throughout Human history. In every instance, these beings are described as unfathomably perfect, masculine in appearance and name, and seemingly made of light or Essence itself. Their very appearance commands obedience and righteous terror within those who observe them. Celestial Spirits are much less documented and categorized by Humans due to the rarity of interactions with them.

Known in Grienzen as "Grenzschuetzer," Celestial Spirits are commonly referred to as a number of folk terms that allude to their role of maintaining boundaries and enforcing the border between spirit and physical.

### Terrestrial Spirits

Far better understood are the Terrestrial Spirits that inhabit the world of Anfang. Whereas Celestial Spirits are male and reside within the heavenly realm and are made of Essence (while being able to manifest physically when needed), Terrestrial Spirits are female and live within the world and are mostly physical while being capable of becoming immaterial.

In Grienzen these Terrestrial Spirits are referred to by the term "Grenzgaenger," referring to their threshold-crossing nature that sees them straddle the line between spirit and physical. There is only one Race of Spirits eligible for Grienzen citizenship:

**Burrowers**: Tiny earth sprites closely tied to nature and Human civilization

#### Minor Spirit Races

Other, less populous Races of Spirits were not able to apply for membership to the Empire, but those who were not deemed a threat were allowed to continue existing as they have historically. They are still given protections by the Fatherland, but are not recognized as citizens and as such do not possess any of the official legal rights. That being said, many traditions remain in effect that maintain a peaceful relationship between locals and these Spirits, and there are often positive interactions between them and Humans.

**Flame Maidens**: Embodiments of fire spirits

**Living Dolls**: Manmade puppets containing an animating spirit

**Forest Wardens**: Fox-eared/-tailed forest spirits

**River Maidens**: Serpentine water spirits

**Spirit Hounds**: Ghostly canine guardians

**Swift Couriers**: Supernaturally fast messengers

**Titan Kin**: Tall, multi-armed artisans from the **Hellenic League**

**Maleogma**: Lion-bodied chimeras **Hikuptah**

## Demi-Spirits

In something of a difficult position to classify, there are two Terrestrial Spirit Races which are exceptions to the aforementioned means of categorization. While Fey Cats are not bound by the limitations of a constant physical location, they do possess the male and female sex both, unlike most Spirits. Similarly, Dragon Daughters are exclusively female, and yet they are incapable of any manner of dematerialization or physical discontinuity. And both Races engage in natural biological functions such as physical dietary necessities and sexual reproduction. As such, they exist in an even greater state of limbo between the thresholds of physical and spiritual.

**Daughters of the Dragon**: Draconic mountain giants with elemental affinities

**Fey Cats**: Furtive feline remnants from a shattered ancient civilization

## Dangerous Beings

Persistently combative or instinctively predatory monsters were largely hunted down and killed when it was made clear that this was the only option. Some still managed to persist due to their habitats being inaccessible or in treacherous terrain, making their destruction too difficult to realistically achieve. Others have proven impossible to track down, or are capable of manifesting despite efforts to curb their appearance.

**The Returned**: Risen dead that spread plagues, cause madness, and eat the living

**The Devolved**: Degenerated former Humans steeped in necrotic Essence that haunt the **Ifranian continent**