Post by joshivar on Jul 3, 2017 20:05:02 GMT
A dusty tome sits on the shelf in front of you. Opening it, you discover a lifetime worth of study on several races.
A COMPLEAT GUIDE TO THE RACES OF CAEDA
By Joshivar
Herein you will find much of my knowledge on the research and observations of the different races I have encountered on my travels. This volume will only include that which has gained sentience, or culture, or has maintained a level of social discipline.
By Joshivar
Herein you will find much of my knowledge on the research and observations of the different races I have encountered on my travels. This volume will only include that which has gained sentience, or culture, or has maintained a level of social discipline.
Humans: Of all the races I have encountered in my many, many years, none have astonished me with their adaptability to all situations like humans do. They even seem to evolve based on where they live, growing darker in skin when exposed to more sun, or more body hair when living in cold regions. I admire them, for though they have the shortest lifespan of any other race yet encountered, they seem to be bolstered by that knowledge, and the accomplish incredible things in their short time in this world. Be aware, though, that this adaptability means that humans have a much stronger survival instinct than many other races. It's possible for any of them to be extremely clever and dangerous, for when you have a small time to learn, you had better learn it quickly. Also be warned that they seem to travel in packs. These magnificent bipeds come in every shade and size, and for some reason even allow that to affect their various outlooks.
Lifespan: None observed have lived past 100 years.
Skin Color: Varying from very pale to very dark, depending on bloodlines and other contributing factors. Some even get darker when you leave them in the sun too long.
Temperament: Wildly unpredictable. Each individual human is often easy to predict once you get to know them, but as a whole the species seems to have no real link. They just chaotically do whatever pleases them.
Magic Ability: I have yet to see a limit on what they can do with magic. They do suffer from Magical Degrading more quickly then most other races, however.
Physical Ability: Strangely enough, Humans are very resistant to death even at extremes of weight and height. I've seen them weigh nearly 300lbs and still not die, despite their relatively fragile skeletal and muscular structure. It might be some trick they are playing at, but I suspect them to just simply be very hardy creatures. I've seen humans go into fits of superhuman(haha) strength and lift massive logs or stone blocks and throw them, yet be incapable of lifting something as light as a bale of hay. It's maddening.
Religion: Again, wildly unpredictable. Some humans try to worship every god they can find, others could care less. It seems to be a personal preference.
Restrictions: (In game) None. It seems humans can adapt to any situation as their needs call for it. This is possibly their most terrifying and wondrous aspect.
Diet: By the Gods which We do not Follow, these frustrating little mortals can eat almost anything. It seems only direct poisons stop them from devouring everything in sight.
Elves: I've had the pleasure to know several elves for many hundreds of years. They live longer than any other race I've encountered save my own and those of unnatural means, and only seem to die when something kills them. I've yet to find an elven grave inscribed for natural causes. Elves can be often characterized as being very graceful and lithe, and in my time I've seen them be almost ethereal in their dealings. The few scholars I met of this nature studied me just as intently as I studied them. When I visited the city of Mosslimb on the southern edge of the Corhay continent, I was welcomed in as though family, given a warm bed and a place to stay. Do not be fooled by this generosity, for when I emerged from my home the next morning, I discovered that a well equipped guard had been stationed just outside my door. Not the foolish kind that sits with their back to the wall either. She was pointing a bow right at the door latch. Clever girl. Though most have a reverence for nature that I can respect, there are exceptions to every rule.
Lifespan: I have yet to find one that's died of natural causes. So there's that.
Skin Color: Mostly pale from what I've observed. Somewhere in the snow-cream region. Caught one that was as brown as a cocoa leaf though. Made an excellent companion. Good with children.
Temperament: Mostly serene. I have met a few that had tempers, but they manage to hold it down very well.
Magic Ability: A significant amount of the elves I have met have used magic very similar to the Cycle, if less effective and more purpose driven. They show great skill with destructive abilities.
Physical Ability: Elves remind me of birds. They don't weigh very much, and they are always moving around with that floaty walk. It's like they are all wealthy and female, though I've been assured they have both genders.
Religion: Many elvers seem to follow Eta, Ydarus, Vyris, and Qyftarr. The ones who DO follow these "gods" are also very devout.
Restrictions:(In Game) None that I can tell. Some are picky eaters, but have otherwise shown no real intolerance for anything but the undead.
Diet: Mostly vegetation, some meat. They aren't very prominent farmers(amateurs at best, despite my attempts to teach them.) and so most of their food comes from hunters.
Dwarves: Of the many things I have to say about dwarves, the first would be Stubborn. They refuse to bow to outside pressures, and all I have met are excellent warriors. Their most novice craftsman seems to make a joke about human works, despite my insistence that the latter are quite skilled. They are also very fond of drinking, and I believe (I have not had the chance to study the insides of one yet), that they have some sort of stone liver. When I stumbled upon a dwarven strongholds entrance one night, wounded and without the nourishing rays of life(I was in a desert), I was quickly grabbed and carried inside to be tossed rather rudely into a cell. From there I was treated by some cleric of theirs(ineffective, but at least they tried), and given cold water and hard bread. I ate it despite not needing to, and I was left there for several days of harsh interrogation. No torture or pain befell me save for my ears ringing after a good dressing down from one of the more beastly looking specimens. Once it was determined that I was not a threat, the frowns turned to smiles and I was taken to a great hall for a feast. I asked what the occasion was, and the only answer that was given me was "Dinner."
The dwarves poked and prodded at my armor, marveling at how it seemed woven into my robes, and many times I caught small, sharp eyes trying to get a glimpse under my cowl and facewrap. I was asked, much to my joy, if I was blind, and why I would set jewels in my skull. I've never met a group as rough around the edges as dwarves, but truly, the race as a whole shines brightly as deep ores do.
Lifespan: I mentored a dwarf for nearly 200 years before she passed away. I will miss her.
Skin Color: Normally they come in a sort of ruddy, cider colored skin. This may simply be a side affect of being drunk most of the time, but I digress. They also show a small aversion to sunlight. It appears so many generations of living underground has caused them to dislike the sun for long periods of time.
Temperament: Raucous. Vulgar. Dwarves often say what they mean and mean what they say. I'd scarcely imagine accusing a dwarf of lying. They just don't seem to care what people think. Honest to a fault, crafty traders, and The Gods We Do Not Follow, help you if you enrage one.
Magic Ability: Seems to be somewhat limited. Either that, or most of them simply don't care for magic. What clerics and wizards I did find seemed focused on enchanting things and locating ores under the ground. I wonder what would happen if one of them REALLY tried?
Physical Ability: Startling levels of strength and durability come from dwarves. During my sparring matches with several of them(they could not resist the urge to challenge me to a friendly match of "Who's the better brawler"), I was lifted and thrown several times. This is astonishing given my extreme density, and I was given a newfound respect for their physical prowess. They train hard to become excellent warriors, and work exceptionally well in battle teams.
Religion: Many dwarves follow Cyaos and Athys. Shocking.
Restrictions:(In Game) None that I can see. (IRP)They should probably spend as little time in the sun as possible. It's not good for them.
Diet: I can not describe the things which I have seen dwarves eat. But the Cycle help you if you happen to be a game animal.
Orcs: I've had many dealings with orcs. The trick is to respect their shamanistic culture and always be on your guard. To an Orc, anyone who can be snuck up on or ambushed deserves it. This being said, they are dedicated warriors, and their traditions go back very far. These sacred rites are held in high regard by all of them, and even warring tribes have been observed to stop fighting if there was some random alignment of the stars, or the moons, or if the wind blew a certain way, or if there was some animal of superstition sighted within a mile radius. I find it difficult myself, given my understanding of the world, but there it is. If you can befriend an orc, however, you will have a friend for life. Their sense of honor triumphs over all other needs, and they will even starve or kill themselves as that need is required to be met. The tribes I've spent time with have taken me in, but almost all of them have some initiation rite. Most of these rites involve killing something. And eating it.
Lifespan: I've yet to see one die of natural causes, but most don't make it past 50.
Skin Color: Oddly enough, they vary in shades of green and red. Not a sickly green or a burnt red, but healthy sorts of both colors. I've yet to discover the cause.
Temperament: Extremely warlike, and surprisingly childish. They adore shiny things, which seems to explain why they love raiding caravans so much. I believe it's an instinctual impulse of some kind. Orcs can be driven to a rage at the drop of a hat, so be weary what you say, and keep a firm grip on your headgear.
Magic Ability: Almost none. I've seen some shamanistic magics, but it appears to be mostly smoke and glass.
Physical Ability: Monstrous. Normally when I receive a barehanded strike from any other race, the worst is a small jolt of pain and a sore arm later. But these creatures throw their entire body into every attack. It's like watching the most frightening dance in the world, and it doesn't stop til someone dies. Orc strength should never, ever be underestimated.
Religion: Aside from their ancestors and various tribal gods, orcs also follow Cyaos and Oceyar, though the latter is usually worshipped by sea-faring Orc raiders.
Restrictions:(In Game) Magic. (IRP, take special care to confirm your ability before trying to learn it) These beastly things struggle with even the simplest of magics, which is to say the creation of small fires. I startled many of them, and was almost killed when I found a raiding party struggling to make fire in the rain, and simply did it for them.
Diet: If you are made of meat, you are orc food. I got one to eat an ear of corn once. He took great pleasure in pointing out his "gold crap". Exciting.
Aerdrake: I've only ever met one, and it tried to kill me. If you see one of these draconian looking things, remember to be as inoffensive as possible, and if you have martial skills, pray they are enough.
Lifespan: Unknown. If I ever find out, I shall be amazed.
Skin Color: The one I saw had ruby-red skin that shined and sparkled. I suppose all of them may have this beauty in their scales, but it's hard to say.
Temperament: Clearly capable of speaking, as it sent me on a quest to kill a dragon, and then tried to kill me.
Magic Ability: Unknown, but I don't care to spend several lifetimes finding out.
Physical Ability: Also unknown, though I will say that the one I met had wings and could fly. This made it very hard to track.
Religion: Unknown.
Restrictions:(In Game) (GET ADMIN PERMISSION TO USE)
Diet: Apparently even Varflesh is suitable. It took me days to regrow that hand.
Var: Ahh, my own species. We are the essence of the world you live in, and responsible for the creation of many of the fruits and vegetables you enjoy at your tables.
Lifespan: We are functionally immortal. I have never seen one of my kin die to natural causes. Ever. Many have been killed, but we simply grow a new body and pop out ready to go a few hundred years later.
Skin Color: Any color a tree comes in. Complete with the barklines on our smooth, polished skin.
Temperament: It varies. Most Var are amicable, though some of us have grown so tired of dealing with other races that we can be rather short with people.
Magic Ability: We have access to a magic no one else does: The Cycle. It is our religion and our way of life. The "downside"(I don't really think of it that way myself) Is that we are incompatible with any other magic. We can't learn your Geometrics or your Arcane Runes, or any of that other stuff.
Physical Ability: Var are physically superior. We don't say this to be rude, it's just fact. Our bone and muscle density is extremely high, we have many redundant organs, and our strength startles even trolls. I myself have survived being smashed into a crater by an angry mountain trolls' stone club, only to get back up a few minutes later when he was readying his pot to cook me. Our skin is naturally resistant to weather and blade and arrow, but we can still be killed given enough effort. The downside to our perfection is that it is not perfection at all. I have drowned several times due to my extreme weight.
Religion: The Cycle. It is the reverence of all life, and the reason we will put our own needs aside many times in order to help those less fortunate. No nearby village will starve if we have a say in it.
Restrictions:(In Game) (No Elytra. No turning into Vampires, Werewolves, Liches, Zombies, or any other monster. No worshipping gods. No Magic other than basic plugins. No swimming. You must roll 15 or higher to tolerate the presence of an undead creature. No visions of the future.) We have many restrictions. Sometimes we can't even access the second floor of buildings due to our weight. It's just better not to risk it. Also, be wary when crossing water. If you don't think you can get to the other side without drowning, don't try.
Diet: We mostly subsist on the energy of the world around us, including sunlight, but we can eat when we so desire.
Lifespan: None observed have lived past 100 years.
Skin Color: Varying from very pale to very dark, depending on bloodlines and other contributing factors. Some even get darker when you leave them in the sun too long.
Temperament: Wildly unpredictable. Each individual human is often easy to predict once you get to know them, but as a whole the species seems to have no real link. They just chaotically do whatever pleases them.
Magic Ability: I have yet to see a limit on what they can do with magic. They do suffer from Magical Degrading more quickly then most other races, however.
Physical Ability: Strangely enough, Humans are very resistant to death even at extremes of weight and height. I've seen them weigh nearly 300lbs and still not die, despite their relatively fragile skeletal and muscular structure. It might be some trick they are playing at, but I suspect them to just simply be very hardy creatures. I've seen humans go into fits of superhuman(haha) strength and lift massive logs or stone blocks and throw them, yet be incapable of lifting something as light as a bale of hay. It's maddening.
Religion: Again, wildly unpredictable. Some humans try to worship every god they can find, others could care less. It seems to be a personal preference.
Restrictions: (In game) None. It seems humans can adapt to any situation as their needs call for it. This is possibly their most terrifying and wondrous aspect.
Diet: By the Gods which We do not Follow, these frustrating little mortals can eat almost anything. It seems only direct poisons stop them from devouring everything in sight.
Elves: I've had the pleasure to know several elves for many hundreds of years. They live longer than any other race I've encountered save my own and those of unnatural means, and only seem to die when something kills them. I've yet to find an elven grave inscribed for natural causes. Elves can be often characterized as being very graceful and lithe, and in my time I've seen them be almost ethereal in their dealings. The few scholars I met of this nature studied me just as intently as I studied them. When I visited the city of Mosslimb on the southern edge of the Corhay continent, I was welcomed in as though family, given a warm bed and a place to stay. Do not be fooled by this generosity, for when I emerged from my home the next morning, I discovered that a well equipped guard had been stationed just outside my door. Not the foolish kind that sits with their back to the wall either. She was pointing a bow right at the door latch. Clever girl. Though most have a reverence for nature that I can respect, there are exceptions to every rule.
Lifespan: I have yet to find one that's died of natural causes. So there's that.
Skin Color: Mostly pale from what I've observed. Somewhere in the snow-cream region. Caught one that was as brown as a cocoa leaf though. Made an excellent companion. Good with children.
Temperament: Mostly serene. I have met a few that had tempers, but they manage to hold it down very well.
Magic Ability: A significant amount of the elves I have met have used magic very similar to the Cycle, if less effective and more purpose driven. They show great skill with destructive abilities.
Physical Ability: Elves remind me of birds. They don't weigh very much, and they are always moving around with that floaty walk. It's like they are all wealthy and female, though I've been assured they have both genders.
Religion: Many elvers seem to follow Eta, Ydarus, Vyris, and Qyftarr. The ones who DO follow these "gods" are also very devout.
Restrictions:(In Game) None that I can tell. Some are picky eaters, but have otherwise shown no real intolerance for anything but the undead.
Diet: Mostly vegetation, some meat. They aren't very prominent farmers(amateurs at best, despite my attempts to teach them.) and so most of their food comes from hunters.
Dwarves: Of the many things I have to say about dwarves, the first would be Stubborn. They refuse to bow to outside pressures, and all I have met are excellent warriors. Their most novice craftsman seems to make a joke about human works, despite my insistence that the latter are quite skilled. They are also very fond of drinking, and I believe (I have not had the chance to study the insides of one yet), that they have some sort of stone liver. When I stumbled upon a dwarven strongholds entrance one night, wounded and without the nourishing rays of life(I was in a desert), I was quickly grabbed and carried inside to be tossed rather rudely into a cell. From there I was treated by some cleric of theirs(ineffective, but at least they tried), and given cold water and hard bread. I ate it despite not needing to, and I was left there for several days of harsh interrogation. No torture or pain befell me save for my ears ringing after a good dressing down from one of the more beastly looking specimens. Once it was determined that I was not a threat, the frowns turned to smiles and I was taken to a great hall for a feast. I asked what the occasion was, and the only answer that was given me was "Dinner."
The dwarves poked and prodded at my armor, marveling at how it seemed woven into my robes, and many times I caught small, sharp eyes trying to get a glimpse under my cowl and facewrap. I was asked, much to my joy, if I was blind, and why I would set jewels in my skull. I've never met a group as rough around the edges as dwarves, but truly, the race as a whole shines brightly as deep ores do.
Lifespan: I mentored a dwarf for nearly 200 years before she passed away. I will miss her.
Skin Color: Normally they come in a sort of ruddy, cider colored skin. This may simply be a side affect of being drunk most of the time, but I digress. They also show a small aversion to sunlight. It appears so many generations of living underground has caused them to dislike the sun for long periods of time.
Temperament: Raucous. Vulgar. Dwarves often say what they mean and mean what they say. I'd scarcely imagine accusing a dwarf of lying. They just don't seem to care what people think. Honest to a fault, crafty traders, and The Gods We Do Not Follow, help you if you enrage one.
Magic Ability: Seems to be somewhat limited. Either that, or most of them simply don't care for magic. What clerics and wizards I did find seemed focused on enchanting things and locating ores under the ground. I wonder what would happen if one of them REALLY tried?
Physical Ability: Startling levels of strength and durability come from dwarves. During my sparring matches with several of them(they could not resist the urge to challenge me to a friendly match of "Who's the better brawler"), I was lifted and thrown several times. This is astonishing given my extreme density, and I was given a newfound respect for their physical prowess. They train hard to become excellent warriors, and work exceptionally well in battle teams.
Religion: Many dwarves follow Cyaos and Athys. Shocking.
Restrictions:(In Game) None that I can see. (IRP)They should probably spend as little time in the sun as possible. It's not good for them.
Diet: I can not describe the things which I have seen dwarves eat. But the Cycle help you if you happen to be a game animal.
Orcs: I've had many dealings with orcs. The trick is to respect their shamanistic culture and always be on your guard. To an Orc, anyone who can be snuck up on or ambushed deserves it. This being said, they are dedicated warriors, and their traditions go back very far. These sacred rites are held in high regard by all of them, and even warring tribes have been observed to stop fighting if there was some random alignment of the stars, or the moons, or if the wind blew a certain way, or if there was some animal of superstition sighted within a mile radius. I find it difficult myself, given my understanding of the world, but there it is. If you can befriend an orc, however, you will have a friend for life. Their sense of honor triumphs over all other needs, and they will even starve or kill themselves as that need is required to be met. The tribes I've spent time with have taken me in, but almost all of them have some initiation rite. Most of these rites involve killing something. And eating it.
Lifespan: I've yet to see one die of natural causes, but most don't make it past 50.
Skin Color: Oddly enough, they vary in shades of green and red. Not a sickly green or a burnt red, but healthy sorts of both colors. I've yet to discover the cause.
Temperament: Extremely warlike, and surprisingly childish. They adore shiny things, which seems to explain why they love raiding caravans so much. I believe it's an instinctual impulse of some kind. Orcs can be driven to a rage at the drop of a hat, so be weary what you say, and keep a firm grip on your headgear.
Magic Ability: Almost none. I've seen some shamanistic magics, but it appears to be mostly smoke and glass.
Physical Ability: Monstrous. Normally when I receive a barehanded strike from any other race, the worst is a small jolt of pain and a sore arm later. But these creatures throw their entire body into every attack. It's like watching the most frightening dance in the world, and it doesn't stop til someone dies. Orc strength should never, ever be underestimated.
Religion: Aside from their ancestors and various tribal gods, orcs also follow Cyaos and Oceyar, though the latter is usually worshipped by sea-faring Orc raiders.
Restrictions:(In Game) Magic. (IRP, take special care to confirm your ability before trying to learn it) These beastly things struggle with even the simplest of magics, which is to say the creation of small fires. I startled many of them, and was almost killed when I found a raiding party struggling to make fire in the rain, and simply did it for them.
Diet: If you are made of meat, you are orc food. I got one to eat an ear of corn once. He took great pleasure in pointing out his "gold crap". Exciting.
Aerdrake: I've only ever met one, and it tried to kill me. If you see one of these draconian looking things, remember to be as inoffensive as possible, and if you have martial skills, pray they are enough.
Lifespan: Unknown. If I ever find out, I shall be amazed.
Skin Color: The one I saw had ruby-red skin that shined and sparkled. I suppose all of them may have this beauty in their scales, but it's hard to say.
Temperament: Clearly capable of speaking, as it sent me on a quest to kill a dragon, and then tried to kill me.
Magic Ability: Unknown, but I don't care to spend several lifetimes finding out.
Physical Ability: Also unknown, though I will say that the one I met had wings and could fly. This made it very hard to track.
Religion: Unknown.
Restrictions:(In Game) (GET ADMIN PERMISSION TO USE)
Diet: Apparently even Varflesh is suitable. It took me days to regrow that hand.
Var: Ahh, my own species. We are the essence of the world you live in, and responsible for the creation of many of the fruits and vegetables you enjoy at your tables.
Lifespan: We are functionally immortal. I have never seen one of my kin die to natural causes. Ever. Many have been killed, but we simply grow a new body and pop out ready to go a few hundred years later.
Skin Color: Any color a tree comes in. Complete with the barklines on our smooth, polished skin.
Temperament: It varies. Most Var are amicable, though some of us have grown so tired of dealing with other races that we can be rather short with people.
Magic Ability: We have access to a magic no one else does: The Cycle. It is our religion and our way of life. The "downside"(I don't really think of it that way myself) Is that we are incompatible with any other magic. We can't learn your Geometrics or your Arcane Runes, or any of that other stuff.
Physical Ability: Var are physically superior. We don't say this to be rude, it's just fact. Our bone and muscle density is extremely high, we have many redundant organs, and our strength startles even trolls. I myself have survived being smashed into a crater by an angry mountain trolls' stone club, only to get back up a few minutes later when he was readying his pot to cook me. Our skin is naturally resistant to weather and blade and arrow, but we can still be killed given enough effort. The downside to our perfection is that it is not perfection at all. I have drowned several times due to my extreme weight.
Religion: The Cycle. It is the reverence of all life, and the reason we will put our own needs aside many times in order to help those less fortunate. No nearby village will starve if we have a say in it.
Restrictions:(In Game) (No Elytra. No turning into Vampires, Werewolves, Liches, Zombies, or any other monster. No worshipping gods. No Magic other than basic plugins. No swimming. You must roll 15 or higher to tolerate the presence of an undead creature. No visions of the future.) We have many restrictions. Sometimes we can't even access the second floor of buildings due to our weight. It's just better not to risk it. Also, be wary when crossing water. If you don't think you can get to the other side without drowning, don't try.
Diet: We mostly subsist on the energy of the world around us, including sunlight, but we can eat when we so desire.
