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Most images and artwork copyright 1999-2001 Claudio Pozas. Used with permission.
A sort of catch-all category, the "Monstrous Breeds" are generally unrelated to one another or anything else. They have mysterious origins, inscrutable societies, and generally have little interaction with the mundane world at large. Many are sentient predators, too smart to be simply called monsters, but too alien to be interacted with in a normal way.
Reptilekind have long snouts and thick tails, and resemble small dinosaurs with hands. There are numerous varieties, generally varying in size and speed... some look like crocodilians, others like velociraptors.They’re stronger and faster than humans but generally not as smart. Most prefer hot places (on average, they’re comfortable between 47° and 135°), far from human habitation. The typical Reptilekind is a carnivore, though they rarely hunt sentient beings for food - they are not averse to the flesh of humans, they just find unintelligent prey is easier to hunt. They are quite able to use metal tools, though most do not - desert dwelling reptile-kind are more likely to have metal weaponry than the swamp dwellers. Their physique prevents them from wearing armor fitted for humans (and vice versa). Some varieties are optimized for desert movement while others are at home in steaming swamps; though similar to different human ethnic groups, such differences are not in themselves cause for friction - different habitats lead to little cause for competition.
Dragonborn - A subset of Reptilekind with draconic ancestry and mystical abilities, the Dragonborn are exceedingly rare on Aestas. When they do occur, they are regarded with godlike reverence by most Reptilekind, and often serve to unite the Reptilekind of a particular region into something similar to a human kingdom.
Trolls are a special case among the known bipedal races, perhaps the most terrifying among them. They are not directly related to either Orcs or Goblinoids, though they are known to be inter-fertile with both. Trolls are walking killing machines. They are as strong as ogres, possess keen senses all around, and regenerate wounds at a mind-boggling rate. They are essentially two legged sharks. They are intelligent to a degree, and able to use weapons and tools, though they rarely need to. Trolls are equipped with enormous talons and teeth, and will attack fearlessly nearly any creature no matter how large. The only certain ways to kill a troll are acid and fire. Trolls have an extremely hardy metabolism, and are able to eat anything and adapt to almost any environment given time. It is conjectured that trolls represent some infusion of demonic blood into more mundane creatures... their magical nature, fear of sunlight, and avoidance of holy ground all bear this out. Strangely, trolls can be found in service of powerful masters, as they are not averse to anything that gives them more opportunities to kill. A few older trolls are exceptionally large; they seem to grow more in the limbs than the body, becoming weirdly gangling figures.
Hasherah (sometimes called "Thri-Kreen" in an old dialect) are a race of insect-folk sometimes known as “mantis warriors.” Fierce hunters and faultless trackers, the Hasherah are inscrutable, alien creatures; those who do not know them well believe them to be bloodthirsty monsters. Nomadic folk who spend their brief lives roaming vast distances of the deserts, scrub lands, and savannas of the west, Hasherah are near-perfect hunters. Hasherah speak their own language, Hasherah, which is composed of clicks, whistles, and snaps of their mandibles. A Hasherah resembles a bipedal praying mantis. Its body’s exoskeleton is generally earth toned, tan or green depending on the dominant coloration in the Hasherah's home region. Of the body’s six limbs, the lower two are used for walking, and the upper four end in four-fingered, claw like hands. Hasherah have large, dangerous mandibles and compound eyes. Two small antennae sprout from the tops of their heads. They wear little clothing beyond simple harnesses for carrying weapons and equipment. Hasherah view themselves as noble hunters and judge other folk on the simple relationship of predator to prey. The mantis warriors generally regard city folk and farmers of other races as not-hunters, and therefore not worth their attention (but also unworthy of their enmity). Hasherah like it hot. They favor warm, dry climates, especially arid grasslands and plains that most other folk consider uninhabitable. Since they are a nomadic race, they make no permanent settlements and travel light, carrying little more than tools and food from camp to camp. Hasherah strongly favor a shamanic tradition instead of the myriad deities of other races. Hasherah shamans serve as the spiritual leaders of the race.
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