Races of Vakasi-Ya

*The sentient beings of Vakasi-Ya are collectively known as "the Kind." Human-Kind, dwarf-Kind, gnome-Kind, et cetera.*

### Human-Kind

Humans are the most populous race in Mavarin, a large southeastern portion of Kutan bordered to the north and west by a perilous mountain range known as The Hags. They are ruled by the Immortal King Epheldan, bearer of the Diadem Undying -- a man of indistinct origin, appointed by a mystery-shrouded Council of Magi. Humans come in a wide variety of hues, shapes, and sizes. Because of that, the average human has mid-toned skin. It is not uncommon at all to have a family in which every member has a distinct skin tone, though most tend toward that median shade. While Epheldan rules Mavarin from Throne, the disparate city-states from which it was united are still ruled by their own High Lords, who array power beneath them as they like. Most have several Lord-Governors for various territories, with further local leadership in individual settlements.

### Gnome-Kind

Gnomes and humans generally exist in peace and cooperation, though cultural differences can cause misunderstandings or other social tension.

### Halfling-Kind

In Vakasi-Ya, a "halfling" is actually the product of a cross between human- and gnome-Kind. They possess any number of combined features, and their size is generally somewhere in the median between one side and the other. Halfling children are rare, though mostly because the two Kind live very separate existences, despite their close proximity. When they do, occur, they are generally accepted on both sides -- though they occupy the unique space of being both part of both -- and neither.

### Dwarf-Kind

The Dwarves of Vakasi-Ya are lost to the world. Said to be carved from stone deeper beneath the surface of Vakasi-Ya than any other dare to tread, these subterranean stalwart are known in myth and legend to be ancient, stolid, and nigh-unbreakable as their domain. Their forges, it is said, are never extinguish, and their knowledge of stone and steel unmatched in this or any other age.

Dwarves haven't been heard from in several hundred years, but they are *still* legendary for what seems a categoric inability to forgive any slight. They make everyone a little uncomfortable. Or they would, if they still existed. Or visited? It's not very clear, to be honest. At some point, they bailed. Yet no manner of dwarf-Kind has been seen in Vakasi-Ya for centuries, and even whatever schism provoked their retreat from the world -- or even their extinction -- has long been lost.

### Elves

Found only in the vast and treacherous Neversung Forest, the Elves are a secretive, withdrawn, and deadly race. It is said they do not sleep, and that its lack has driven them mad. Those who have encountered the Elf-Kind cannot elaborate, unfortunately -- because all of them are dead. It is said that "if you ever see an Elf, your only hope is to try very hard not to."

Elves are bad. Like, really really bad. If you're a human or gnome or even some orc from over the mountains, you probably are *not a fan*. As far as anyone can tell, the elves are all psychopathic murderers. What's worse is that according to any of the extremely limited (and lethally brief) conversation with them (or in their proximity) it seems to be that they quite literally do not see any other race as being part of the Kind. Elves are people, everything else is some form of vermin. Diplomacy in any form has never worked. Luckily, the elves haven't emerged from their twisted forest in all of recorded history. There are more rumors and dreadful folklore surrounding elves than any other race.

### Half-Elves

The union of any member of the Kind and an elf is exceedingly rare. They are rejected outright by both societies, typically slain at birth if no abortive ritual succeeds. It is important to note that as far as all known records are concerned, no Half-Elf has ever been conceived consensually.

### Tieflings, Warforged, & Other Races in 5E

Vakasi-Ya was not originally created for 5E, and even the existence of the races listed above are hybrid concessions to a more alien lore.

### Orcs

Orcs are scary, but don't really do much more than skirmish if Mavarin encroaches too far over the Hags. They live scattered across the tundra of western Ku'Tan. There is very little known about their culture, but they seem mostly isolationist. That's probably good, considering their population -- and body mass. Half-Orcs are exceedingly rare, but exist once in a great while in mountain towns where orcs and humanity might occasionally cross paths.

### The Tainted

Any member of any race may have become Tainted. Magicka within this world is dangerous -- think of it as you might radiation -- and often exacts its price. Some children are born unwell, polluted by this invisible radiant energy. These Tainted are often treated poorly, seen as an ill omen, and otherwise rejected by popular society.