Races

**Races**, otherwise referred to as **sentients**, **species** or **intelligent life**, are groups of sentient life that are categorized by their different biological, physiological, and magical differences and abilities, sometimes also referred to as the **Race tree**. They are most commonly categorized into four to three categories, human/near-humans, non-humans, and beasts. Each category is based off their biological differences, which sometimes stem towards social and political discrimination. Notable Near-humans would be Elves and Dwarves, while non-humans would be Griffin-humanoids and Trolls. Beasts would be complete or semi sentient creatures that are more closely to animals then humans, such as Worgen and Dragons.

## Categorization

### Humans

Humans were chosen as the basis of the Race tree due to their huge numbers and seemingly predecessor to most other species. Although unproven, humans have been considered superior in every way, to other race categories, specifically non-humans and beasts in many regions. However, this is not widely accepted nor practiced, and thus cannot represent the entire category. It is said humans are usually fair at magical properties, poor in physical properties, and superb in intellectual properties, although this varies in region to region.

### Near-humans

   Near-humans follow behind, or sometimes part, of the human category. This category is used to showcase almost identical races of humans, although different in size, shape, or even genetics. This includes Elves, Dwarves, Nymphs, Orcs, Merfolk, Halflings, Fairies, and a few humanoids, including other species. Due to their differences, some are great at magic, others at strength and endurance, but these evolutionary changes most of the time are for their environments and ecosystems they live in.

### Non-humans

   Non-humans are third on the Race tree, due to being almost animalistic or lacking human or humanoid features. Sometimes non-humans are confused or are mixed with the beasts category. This branch is the most broad of the four, and sometimes the biggest in terms of the number of species. This could be Trolls, certain Demons, Titans, Kobolds, Centaurs, Minotaurs, Spirits, Enchanted, and mostly animal related humanoids, such as a tiger, crow, or snake humanoid, sometimes called Furries or Scalies. These type of creatures are simply called non-humans by themselves, which make up a chunk of the Race Tree non-human branch. The way their characteristics are made up, usually determine their power levels. It isn't uncommon to see some species excel in magic, while others excel in physical attributes, and especially a mix of the two.

### Beasts

Beasts are the last branch, and the lowest, on the Race Tree. These are species that have the body of a beast or similar stature, but have some or a complete form of sentience other species have in the Race Tree. This may include Worgen, Dragons, Drakes, Yetis, Phoenixes, Griffins and sometimes even Golems and Spirits. Beasts are typically only great in physical properties and skills, even though it is common for them to wield abilities or curses with their power to enhance them.

## Societal

### Universally

    Around the world, it isn't rare to find different ethnic and varied species of races living amongst each other. While some live together underground such as Dwarves in monarch kingdoms, other may live in a tribal fashion, such as the Worgen. Others prefer the clouds as small abodes all around like anarchists. Simply put, the many cultures and societies of the near-humans, non-humans, and sometimes beasts, are all unique and different.

In the world of ethnic based or eccentric places however, it is uncommon at most for a minority or oppressed group of other categorized species to be discriminated. Ranging from their own places in the city, to their own special laws to persecute, to outright banning, this is most common in human populated areas, due to the Race tree based on them. Places where humans are on-top, usually follow (and made) the Race tree as it is, with near-humans as second class, and the latter two as third class. The same can apply to near-human populated areas, where the usual reason for it is the fact Non-humans are seen as uncivilized or have any sort of "human-ness" in them.

    However, even where racism is in the air, it is known, and undeniable, the contributions and everyday work all four branches bring. With humans (and some near-humans) making the majority of the economic, political, and military forces, many of the other branches take specialized skilled and intellectual labor and jobs, taking the role as blacksmiths, mages, inventors, gladiators, and merchants, almost making the face of these professions. While doing low level jobs, many have become great in the fields of magic and science, creating and discovering thousands upon thousands of spells, inscriptions, runes, and chants, while also inventing airships and firearms.

Due to the complexity of relationships and classes, wide amount of different species and regions, and overall differences in culture and religion, it is hard to decide definitively the world's view of the ginormous amount of races. Usual stereotypes are the "evil" Goblins, Orcs and Trolls, or the "brave and gorgeous" Elves, Drows, and Nymphs, or the "proud but greedy" Kobolds, Dragons, and Dragonborns, but this simply doesn't apply to all. It's an unfortunate fact that many race wars, both on a societal and military level, occur, for both moral and views of culture, religion, and beliefs of the world. This cycle of two or more species meeting up, then segregating, then going into a full civil unrest, war, or military action, is continuous, for even the most modern of kingdoms today.

### SPOC

The Sovereign Protectors Of Civilians pledges in it's statement *"Unlike them, our focus is protecting people being affected by the portal, and, unlike the kingdoms, we*

    *can do that."* promises to protect all species and races, if they are sentient and non-portal affiliated. In reality, due to SPOC's lack of sovereignty for taxing, and being completely funded by other bodies, it's reach is only only smaller and sometimes secluded settlements, nearer to fortified cities and castles. Due to the nature of Humans being the biggest in terms of population, many SPOC garrisons and laws mostly apply to these human areas. It isn't racism, it's lack of funding and the geography of populations.

### Duskcreekburgh

    Duskcreekburgh, holding the largest population in a single region, 800,000,000 confirmed civilians, pledges in it's own statement and law *"A place for Non-humans,"*including certain Near-humans and Beasts. Due to the nature of having such a large population, this quote is accurate, but gives a false impression of safety and basic necessities. In truth, many Non-humans work in the mines alongside the human slave race there, having little if at all the same life as a human in a typical kingdom. Non-humans are considered first to second class rate citizens, although they live like third class ones. The hierarchy is simple, with Dragons, Dragon-humanoids, Drakes, and similar species at the top, under them Griffins and similar species with that power, Nymphs and Dryad, including powerful elf races, then your typical Non-human and sometimes Near-human. Racism is very common, with the upper part of the pyramid believing they are superior to lower levels, and Non-humans continually using Humans as slaves, maids, and other horrible offenses against sentient rights.

### The Portal

Unlike everywhere else, the Portal has it's own special race system. Although simple, it's as follows:

* Corrupted
* Portal Beings
* Portal Agents
* (true) Demons

With the social hierarchy going up to true Demons. While the corrupted are tainted victims of the portal in the mind, or reanimated, Portal Beings are almost identical to evolution standards, having certain features for their environments, although with warrior implications attached. Some Portal Agents and Demons however, are the outlier. While some are unique, being sometimes the only one of their "species," they usually sometimes are not even meant for their ecosystems, nor for survival, but simply for their dedicated roles, as if they were bred. Unlike Demons, who made themselves through some magical or godly power, Portal Agents are still mortal, and it is rare for one to have such powers as a god.