| Races of Theran |
| Humans: |
| Humans are the most versatile and populous race in all of Theran. An alliance between Humans and High Elves in northern Centra was the foundation of the current Thallian empire. Humans are respected as good workers and valuable assets to Imperial administration. Though a few notable Humans hold high positions in the Empire, most are mid level authorities, such as provincial governors. Humans are the race least interested in tradition, and appear fickle and indecisive to other races. |
| High Elves: |
| There is a legend among High Elves that they were the first race to become truly sentient thousands of years before the others. Because of this belief, they harbor a parternalistic attitude towards other races. The high elves are the indisputible rulers of the Thallian empire. They feel a sense of duty to protect "lesser" races. High Elves are extremely agile and have a natural affininity towards magical arts. They thrive on symbolism and mysticism in their writings and stories. Avout 20 years ago, Elven elementalist figured out how to infuse wood with elemental air, and had shipbuilder use the enchanted wood to construct a vessel. Airships are now the main method of transportation and communication through out the empire. |
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| Dark Elves |
| Dwarves |
| S'skra: |
| Fairies |
| Golems |
| Giants |
| Trolls: |
| Orcs |
| Gnomes |
| Halflings |
| Hobbits |
| Goblins |
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| The S'skra are tall reptillian humanoids that live in the swamping region surounding the delta of the great river. The S'skra are not part of the Thallian empire. They live in a matriarchal society, so their names, inheritances, and positions are passed through the mother's line. The S'skra are vain and have a flair for the dramatic. They are organized based on the color on their head fins. The brighter the color, the more noble the line. Yellow is royalty, and green with no other color is peasant. They have a natural affinity for wealth and make shrewd merchants. They do not trust air travel, and rely on the great river for transportation and trading. |
| Trolls live in the northwest province of the empire known as the smoky mountains. Trolls did not want to become a part of the empire, but the High Elves did not trust them and threatened to attack Troll villages if they didn't. The Trolls have always resented being forced into the empire. The Trolls reside in small villages located in craters on the peaks of the smoky mountains. Trolls travel by filling large hide sacks with the smoke that billows out of cracks in these craters and attaching the ballons to ships. Trolls often find sudel ways to rebel against the Imperial government, suchas piracy or smuggling. |
| Because of their size, Gnomes are often reffered to as wingless fairies, but both Gnomes and Fairies deny any relation. Gnomes live in hollowed out trees small caves and other cozy nooks in dense forests through out the empire. Any social orginization that appears is partriarchal and follows family lines. Family groups living together can be large and multi generational. Gnomes have a deep respect for nature, and a knack for magic. Gnomes usually will only leave their family group in special circumstances. |
| Halflings are basically half sized Humans. They live amongst humans and hish elves as servants. Though a few have worked their way to prosperity, they are still not socially respected. There are a few Halfing farm villages in the Human province based on subsistence agriculture, but they are quickly disappearing. |
| Hobbits live secluded lives in hollowed out grassy hills below the steep mountains in the Giant province. Hobbits distrust other races, and like their privacy. Their society is organized around subsistence farming, and any formal organizations that exist are based on shared farming responsibilities. Hobbits have very furry feet of which they are extremely proud. Hobbit feet are as thick as hard leather, and so Hobbits prefer to go barefoot. Hobbits are very critical of Hobbits who leave the grassy hills and then return. |
| Giants rule over the northeastern province of the empire. Giants bother little with the other races, and think that the other races take things to seriously. Giants build enormous manor houses on the tops of the jagged peaks, that they have levelled. Giants will do odd jobs to assure they have enough money for food and ale. Giants are easy going, and isolationists. They seldom interact with other Giants except to argue, play games, or drink. Every once in awhile, a Giant will try unite other Giants behind a cause he/she thinks is worthy. |
| Dwarves refused to be part of any empire ruled by Elves. Dwarves ahve a great respect for Elves, but make sure to remind them that Dwarves are a superior race. The Dwarven kingdom of High Keep is south of the Empire and west of the Great River. Dwarves prefer to live underground, and have constructed a huge kingdom under the mountain of high keep. Though it is as geographically large as a kingdom, High Keep appears to be one huge connected city. Dwarves are very proud of their physical strength, and rather fearless. |
| Golems are basically living stone. They emerge from a "life rock" (large mountain or other natural rock formation) and search for the reason they emerged. Though Golems speak of Kings and Queens within their life rock, they do not remember the reason they emerged from the life rock. Golems will spend sometimes wekk beyond 500 yrs. trying to discover the reason for their emergence. When a Golem is satisfied they have accomplished their intended purpose, they return to the life rock and remeld with it. Golems are immune to diseases that commonly afflict the otehr races, but they seem to have their own Golem diseases. |
| Curious or mischievious are how other races will describe fairies. Fairies average 18 inches and are winged. Fairy can fly very fast, and rarely use mounts. Fairy live alone or in small families in various places through out and around the Empire. Fairy society is organized based on the color of the wings. The brighter the wings, the more noble the fairy. Fairies talk of the divine fairy queen with white shimmering wings, but will not reveal her location. |
| Goblins do not trust other races, and often refuse to cooperate with them. Most Goblins in the empire are Orc slaves. There are a few scattered Goblin villages, but they remain hidden to avoid enslavement. Lately young goblins dissatisfied with village life, or escapees from Orc settlements have shown up in cities through out the empire to seek their fortunes. Even free Goblins feel very outcast in society. |
| The Dark Elves prefer to be called Jimnar. They originally were part of the empire, but seperated from it because of contention over high elf administrative methods. The Jimnar are a theocratic society, and the high priest is the ultimate authority. They distrust anyone who is not religious, and will often refuse to interact with them. The Jimnar occupy the coastal region west of the Empire, with the exception of a few port cities which were ceded to the empire in exchange for protection. The Jimnar look like High Elves except for a dark gray tint to their skin. |
| Orcs traditionally attempted to show dominance over other races through war. About 20 yrs. ago, the Orcish warlord (King) petitioned to become part of the empire. He figured that Orcs could gain control of the empire politically because violence was ineffective. The Elves accepted hoping that the decision would stop further Orcish violence in the region. Orcs are found through out the imperial military froces, but very few gained any political prestige. Orcs who did not agree with the warlord's decision to become part of the empire fled to the south, and now occupy the wastelands in nomadic tribes. |
| (There are other sentient races in Thera, I am describing the major ones in and around the Thallian empire becasue that is where my group is gaming.) |
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