Races of Algoron
Introduction
This is the tome of the Races of Algoron, both past and present.
We know that dragons came first, followed by elves, humans and ogres each made by the father of their parthenon. The Gods were then displeased with the fallibility of their creations and they fell from grace and created Kender, Dwarves, Minotaurs, Goblins and Hobgoblins. Those are the races we know by name. Most of the other races were likely created at just after this time as they get involved in the history shortly afterwards. Other races emerge throughout history, but not nearly as prolifically.
Edit: This parchment below has been found (probably by a kender - they're always "finding" things...) and gives a good visual (if not wholly innaccurate picture. I have never quite seen a balanx that looked like that, and Necrucifer may cringe at his playful depiction of His ogre for examples) indication of the races which walk Algoron.
Dragons
Dragons created in the Age of Creation
Those that agreed to give their essence to the draconus were blessed and became metallic. Those who refused to give their essence to the draconus were punished and became chromatic.
Elves
Elves created in the Age of Creation
Austinian creates elves as his contribution to the good people of Algoron. Elves are slightly taller than humans, but have a much lighter build. They lack the strength and stamina of the other races, but are far more agile, both in body and mind.
Elves evolve into Shalonesti, Half, Wild, Sea elves in the Age of Conquest during yinn invasion
In elvish lands Shalonesti closes itself from the world, and all elves caught outside the city are forced to wander in the wild, making wild elves, mingle with humans in cities making half elves, and a lost tribe disappears, only to reemerge much later from their city under the waves as sea elves.
Shalonesti elves
The Shalonesti Elves are followers of the house of Shalonost, the elven house of royalty. These elves are well-mannered and educated. So well educated, in fact, that they receive meditation and are resistant to mental attacks. Shalonesti elves believe themselves to be above all other races, including other elves. Other races dub them the "high" elves. Despite their high opinion of themselves, they fight for what is good and just as long as it directly concerns them or the house Shalonost.
Dark elves
A short time after the exile, the Ka'tath get banished from Shalonesti for murdering the speaker and taking the dracon of truth. They are shalonesti elves who have turned to evil. Dark Elves are those elves that have denounced themselves from the good ways of the elves. They are outcast from all other races of elves and never trusted. Dark elves are very intelligent and resistant to mental attacks as well.
Wild Elves
These wild, untamed, elves make their home in the wilderness where they choose to survive on their own. They are vicious warriors and thieves and are a very proud people. Wild elves are well schooled in the art of natural healing and get fast healing for free. They usually appear with their bodies covered in war paint and are more muscular than other elves.
Sea Elves
The Sea Elves are barbaric aquatic creatures who appear quite different from their elven cousins. These races have rubbery bluish skin, wide eyes with narrow pupils, webbed fingers and toes. Although they swim well in their elvish form, they can also take the shape of Dolphins. Given that sea elves cannot breed with other elves, it is likely that the lost tribe that was the sea elves broke away from elves before Shalonesti closes its doors, in the Age of Nations, or even in the Age of Creation.
Half elves
Half Elf, half human, these people are looked down upon by other elves. The Shalonesti Elves allow these elves to be raised with them, but don't consider them equals. Half elves look like other elves except for the slightly larger build and the ability of the males to grow facial hair.
Humans
Humans created in the Age of Creation
Kwainin created humans who were given the right to choose their own actions, for better or for ill. Humans are the most common race in the world, and make up the majority of adventurers. Although they have no special talents like the other races, they are more versatile, being skilled in all classes.
Ogres
Ogres created in the Age of Creation
Necrucifer creates ogres to bring malice and hate to destroy that his brothers created. Ogres are of the largest of the races, ranging from 9-10 feet in height. They are stronger than any other race, and almost as durable as the dwarves. They aren't too bright, however, and their huge size makes them more clumsy than the other races.
Ogres resist the cold with nary a mark, due to their huge mass. However, their slow minds make them extremely vulnerable to mental attacks.
Giant ogres created in the Age of Nations
Magic wentastray at high sanction of the moons in the Ogre-Shinalstin war, and size of ogres is doubled which created giant ogres. Some stay in their ancient homeland, others found Gruntz. Giant Ogres stand 12' tall - even kneeling they rise above the heads of other ogres. They are the largest race in the world (except for old Dragons, of course). They have tusk-like teeth that protrude from their broad mouths and are generally not as intelligent as other ogres.
Half ogres
Crossbreeds between humans and ogres, they look like humans but are slightly larger. They are not as intelligent as humans but more intelligent than ogres.
Kender
Kender created in the Age of Creation.
Adult Kender resemble young teenage humans: Aside from their pointed ears, they could pass as human youths. Despite their attenuate limbs, kender are well-muscled. Most stand between 3'6" and 3'9" tall, although some few grow to be up to four and a half feet. Mature kender weigh between 85 and 105 pounds. Typically, kender faces bear the intense, bright-eyed inquisitiveness of children. Happy kender grin madly; sad kender wear an intractable pout. When throwing taunts, kender look impish and shout in an incredibly grating tone. Their emotional intensity is infectious. In their countless pouches, pockets, and belt packs, kender carry a wide assortment of junk. Kender of all ages share a childlike nature: curious, fearless, irrepressibly independent, lazy, taunting, and irresponsible with others possessions.
Kender formed the kenderhome of Balifore in the Age of Nations. An easy target, it was part of many empires until it finally regained its independence from the Marauders. Balifore revolted against the fading Aversian empire, assisted by Althainia, elven mercenaries, and Thaxanos. Balifore would sadly be obliterated by Malachive during his rise to power in the Age of Faith.
Dwarves
Dwarves created in the Age of Creation.
There are strong connotations for dwarves to Cliath, although they held honor dear in Wargar for many years. It it thought that Cliath took up the dwarves to help forge Algoron due to their love of forging.
Dwarves evolve into mountain and hill dwarves in the Age of Conquest during yinn invasion
Dwarves are short, stocky demi-humans, known for foul temper and great stamina. Dwarves have high strength and constitution, but poor dexterity. They are not as smart as humans, but are usually wiser due to their long lifespans. Hill-dwarves reside in the hills of course, and are bit more nimble than mountain-dwarves. Mountain-dwarves make their homes in large mountains. They are a bit stronger their the hill-dwarves.
Dwarves are very resistant to poison and disease, but cannot swim, and so are very vulnerable to drowning.
In dwarven lands this leads to the 'Great Betrayal' Dwarves outside of the mountain are shut out and forced to live on the surrounding hills, leading to dwarves being split into mountain and hill dwarves.
Dark Dwarves
These dwarves dwell deep in the mountains of Thaxonos. They are cruel and vicious. They worship the dark gods and are known to carry out cruel and nasty acts. They despise all races especially elves and dont necessarily trust other Dwarves. The Dark Dwarves are the only Dwarven race that meddles in magic, though it is of a dark kind.
Gnomes
Gnomes created in the Age of Creation
Gnomes are not recorded as coming from this time but they are not mentioned elsewhere and have been about since history began. Gnomes originate from the eastern continent of Arkania. There are two basic types of gnomes, tinker and deep gnomes. There are no visible differences between the two, but their actions are very different. Gnomes stand about 4 to 5 feet in height and are very intelligent. They look most similar to the Dwarven race, but couldn't act any more different if they tried.
Tinker Gnomes
Tinker gnomes talk VERY fast and are always building or inventing something. Contraptions of the weirdest kind are made by tinker gnomes. Their society is based on what inventions they accomplish. Tinker gnomes develop villages in wooded areas or the valleys of hills.
Deep Gnomes
Deep gnomes are also very wise but lack many of the annoying traits that the tinker gnomes posses. Deep gnomes talk normal and battle constant painful migraine headaches. Deep gnomes tend to dwell within caves or mountains, where the darkness helps ease their constant migraines.
Minotaurs
Minotaurs created in the Age of Creation
Minotaurs are huge, bull-headed (literally) demihumans stand a hulking 8-10' tall. Their torsos and limbs are humanoid: rippling chests and muscular arms, legs, and hands. Their feet, however, end in cloven hooves. Their whole bodies are covered with a layer of short hair. Most minotaurs, like most humans, have only one color of fur. Minotaur horns grow to 24" long. Minotaurs are an honor-bound race. They believe strongly in preserving their honor and emerging victorious in the struggle for dominance in the world. Their brutish visages belie the keen minds within; many are smarter than the average human. Oddly, of all the many races, minotaurs are most like a diminutive folk - the dwarves. Both races value honor, strength, family, hard work, and the superiority of their race.
Minotaurs it is thought that Raije had his hand in, for they are a proud warlike people, and an instrumental power in the Dark Alliance. They would go on to found Ganth in the Age of Conquest after, weakened and recovering from the Yinn occupation and Eclipse wars, decided upon an isolationist policy. They left to form their own culture, untainted by those without horns. However, A splinter group of minotaurs who fought in the Dark Alliance caught plotting against the Ganthian Emperor are exiled, and formed a rival city in Mahn-Tor.
Goblins
Goblins created in the Age of Creation
Goblins are short, flat nosed creature with green skin; they stand about 4 feet tall and weigh about 150 lbs. They have fangs, and (reputedly) poisonous blood. Goblins are on the whole unpleasant and brutal creatures. Although some folk have known non-Evil goblins, or even intelligent ones, these examples are clearly exceptions. Most goblin folk are honorless brutes who want to kill, eat, sleep, and pass gas.
Goblins are strained from skunks and have been tied to dragoth heavily in the past, likely due to the filth and disease which they have built a handy resistance to.
Hobgoblins created in the Age of Creation
Hobgoblins are larger cousins of goblins. They are far more aggressive and organized than their smaller relatives. Hobgoblins stand 6 1/2 feet tall. Their hairy hides range in coloration from dark reddish-brown to dark-gray, with dark or red-orange skin.
Hobgoblins are a military breed. They live for war and believe strongly in strength and martial prowess as the most desirable qualities in individuals and leaders alike.
Hobgoblins are strained from goblins and rats respectively and have been tied to dragoth heavily in the past, likely due to the filth and disease which they have built a handy resistance to.
Bugbears created in the Age of Nations
Spellath the Dark experimented with breeding goblins for stronger, more deadly strain of goblin and created bugbears who asserted their dominance over goblin kind.
The biggest and strongest of the goblinoids, bugbears are even more aggressive than their relatives. They live by hunting any creature weaker than themselves.
Bugbears are large and very muscular, standing 7 feet tall. Their hides vary in color from light yellow to yellow brown, with thick course hair of brown to brick red. Their eyes resemble those of a savage animal, being greenish-white with red pupils and they have wedge shaped ears. A bugbears mouth is full of long, sharp fangs, and it's nose is much like that of a bear, with the same fine sense of smell. This feature earned them their name, though they are not related to bears. Their tough hides and sharp claws also resemble those of bears, but they are far more dexterous.
Bugbears prefer to ambush opponents whenever possible. Their combat tactics are sound if not brilliant. They are experts at moving silently, especially for a large race. Bugbears have two goals in life, food and treasure. They are often found commanding Goblins and Hobgoblins, whom they bully mercilessly.
The goblin horde, driven by the bugbears who called themselves "Fangs", turned its attentions to southern Althainia. They discovered the mines and city of Southern Thaxanos. Within weeks they killed all dwarves. The dwarven champion, Grungle Metalforge, was the last dwarf to fall. In time, the goblins declare the sharp dwarven axes to be "dulled" under the earth. South Thaxanos is renamed "Dull Underground" by goblins. This name evolves over time to Do’lundir
Shinalstin
Shinalstin created in the Age of Creation
The Shinalstin were likely created in the fall from grace, but remained undiscovered until the spread of the Serpantol Empire which it allied to. The homeland of the Shinalstin was very near the ancient homeland of the ogres. The Shinalstin were discovered in the Age of Nations as the Serpantol Empire spread across Algoron. A race whose remnants exist only in catacombs. They built a city of the same name.
Yinn
Yinn created in the Age of Creation
Proud and strong, the Yinn race is very misunderstood. Yinn are reclusive and silent, and prefer not to be seen. They are bipedal canine creatures, standing over 7-8 feet tall. In many respects, their form is of humanoid nature. They have no tails, their skin is furred, in canine fashion. Their teeth are longer, and their eyes often see clearer to the environment around them, and they tend toward an enhanced sense of smell. Yinn tend to be a more arrogant race, holding themselves above all other races of the realm.
Yinn are reviled by all other races, yet respected just the same. They are rarely seen, and when one is spotted, the spotter usually does not survive to tell anybody else about it. Yinn come from a cold wasteland area with violent storms and are resistant to cold and lightning. They don't like fire though.
The Yinn were likely created after the fall from grace as well, but were discovered during the Age of Nations. Hailing from the far north before the continents were split, likely the original home dae'Tok was in what is now Icewall. They would not be discovered in the known world until their migrations south to challenge Serpantol, and the elven and dwarven kingdoms. Destroyed by a meteor when Malachive realised he was the son of Necrucifer. A comet sent by Necrucifer, smashed into the Yinn capital of Dae'tok. A great mushroom-shaped cloud appeared in the skies. Ash rained on Icewall for days. The few survivors of the blast form a refugee camp. The three moons enter a simultaneous eclipse for the first time since the theft of the Dracon a thousand years past.
Angels
Angels are the servants of the Gods of Good. They were created by the Gods of good to carry their messages and act as their private agents upon the mortal realm. Angels are normally 6-8 feet tall but very swift. They have a huge wingspan of white feathered wings.
Balanx
The Balanx are the most mysterious of the servants of the gods. Created by the neutral gods, the Balanx are watchers and recorders of history throughout time. Balanx are blue skinned with almost insect looking wings. They are forbidden to interfere with mortal affairs and anything that could influence future events.
Demon
Demons were created by the evil gods as a horde to sweep across the surface of Algoron. They have either black or red skin and long leathery wings. Demons are known for their brand of particularly dirty fighting and viciousness, as well as for their merciless tactics at attacking in groups and wrapping themselves amongst their foes.
Vampires are an undead type of demon which uses dead bodies as hosts.
Leonines
Leonies created in the Age of Belief
Leonine are a race of cat-like people who live amongst Tropica in tribes known as "prides". They live fairly primitive, hunting their food almost daily and defending their territory with great fury and pride.
On the continent of Tropica, largely unexplored in the two and a half centuries after the Great Cataclysm, a new race was discovered in the Age of Belief. Cat-like creatures that live in the forests of which the males are Wemic and females felar.
Wemic
Wemics are part human, part lion, combining the two as centaurs combine human and horse. The wemics leonine body has a human torso extending from what would be a lions neck. Wemics grow to 10 feet long reaching heights of six to seven feet when standing erect.
The leonine body is covered with ducky golden fur, while the underbelly fur is short and white. The tip of the tail is a brush of long black hair, and adults also have a flowing mane of long black hair. The face is leonine and the eyes are golden with slit pupils. The claws of the forepaws are retractable (and make a dangerous attack), while the hind claws are not.
Wemics are the male version of the leonine species while their female counterparts are known as felars. Wemics blend leonine and aboriginal human cultures in a primitive society. They live in nomadic groups called "prides", surviving through hunting. Wemics have human intelligence, and can learn if exposed to more complex skills, provided they can get past their superstitious nature.
Felar
Felars are the female version of Leonines. They are sleek and slender and are know for both their agility and "nine lives". Felar have slim feminine bodies that are covered in fur and have cat-like faces and long tails. Felar tend to be smaller than humans, averaging about 5' in height. They have very muscular builds, though, more so than would be expected. Fur on felars can run from almost none to 90% of their body covered. Their colourings vary.
Giants
Giants created in the Age of Belief
Across the realm, a handful of normal human children seemed to change at the dawn of their teenage years, growing to huge sizes, sometimes able to burn things with their minds or growing wings. These are half-gods, the products of a union between a god and mortal.
Rare (Limited) races
All limited races were discovered in the age of darkness
Gully Dwarf
Gully Dwarves are short and stout humanoids famous for both their lack of intelligence and strong stench, second only to goblin. These creatures live all over Algoron and serve mostly as servants to the rich and powerful. Gully Dwarves are usually easily and very obedient people. However, when cornered and forced to defend themselves or a loved one, they become fierce fighters.
Gully Dwarves are rumored to be the accidental invention of Dwarves who have historically tried to generate better Dwarves by the use of forced breeding with other species. However, the Dwarf/Gnome offspring backfired creating a much dumber race. Dwarves and Gnomes alike refuse to classify Gully Dwarf as one of their species. Dwarves detest the very name of the Gully Dwarf and find no humor in it.
Ariel
The Ariel appears humanoid with the exception of their brightly colored wings that arch out from behind their backs. Their bones are a bit lighter than humans making them have a lower constitution but they are rumored to be faster than humans. Ariel can fly, sometimes covering large distances and over oceans. The Ariel society is that of learning, honor and courage. Historically, they battled the Chromatic Dragons for the skies above Tropica.
They are known throughout the land as "tree dwellers" because their settlements were built in the tall trees and jungles of Tropica before driven out by the forces of Chaos.
Pixie
Pixies stand at only two feet tall and have fluttering wings. These creatures are usually spotted flying rather than standing. They have odd bright colored eyes and hair and tend to cause as much mischief as the Kender do. Pixies generate a golden dust known as "pixie dust" which has very strong natural magical properties. It is said that getting pixie dust on you can have very weird and random effects.
Pixies are native to the continent of Tropica and have been driven out of their wooden homelands by the forces of Chaos.
Bakali
The Bakali are a scaled repitilian race who stand almost 7 feet tall and on two feet. They have a head similar to that of a Cobra. Their scales come in red, black, green, white or blue which makes some people believe they are the offspring of some sort of Chromatic Dragon. They are known for their extremely bad tempers and have been to known to kill even their own kind with very little cause. Bakali have a naturally venomous bite that has been known to paralyze their victims. The Bakali are native to the Tropica continent where they lived for centuries in seclusion, warring anything that invaded their territory. They have only recently been driven out by the forces of Chaos. It has been said that the Bakali grow even larger and more powerful with age.
Centaurs
The Centaur are half human, half horse hooved race. They have fur only up to their stomach region and have four legs and two arms. Centaurs are a serious and proud race and consider it an absolute insult of all insults to be ridden as a mount. Horse jokes are especially offensive to the Centaur. The Centaur is raised in the art of warfare and are exceptional fighters, but tend to distrust magic. The Centaur's natural enemies have always been the leonine. Centuries of war with the Wemic and Felar have made the Centaur a war hardened race.
The Centaur is native of Tropica and Southern Althainia and Southern Arkane. They have recently been driven out of Tropica by the forces of Chaos.
Orc
At 6'5 to 7' tall, Orcs are monsterous creatures to behold. Owing to their wild nature, Orcs have a wide variety of features that makes each Orc unique, including, but not limited to, pupilless glowing eyes, and both upward and downward jutting large tusks that may or may not appear on any given Orc, despite what features the parents had. They come in a varying shades of green and yellow, but like all their wild brethren, are one of these two hues.
Wild Orcs are more like beasts than sentient men, and are scattered across all Algoron having no real home. The Centaurs collected Wild Orcs from all the corners of the globe and bred them into slaves. Keeping only the most intelligent and sturdy orcs, they forcefully evolved them into a strong work force which they used as slave labor in mines. During Malachive's rampage across Algoron, he saw the Orcs plight and freed them from captivity, though many of the Orcs who saw him thought him a mortal man when they viewed him.
"Orcs are green as goblins, but they are tall like humans but a little bigger, little stronger, maybe not as smart. These guys are scary because they are organized and most of them still follow Malachive."
"They were living as slaves to the Centaur. We.... Malachive... Liberated them. They are a force to be reckoned with, although not all cooperate with Malachive. Several of them left weeks ago."
Troll
"This breed of troll were once extinct. The mage Seanan brought them back and bred them. They are like really large, really ugly humans. They have all of the weirdest colors skins, eyes and hair. They aren't too smart either... In fact the solders all call them 'bloodtards' but you'd be amazed at their wit when it comes to breaking out of their cages or whatnot... Anyway some are even kind, although all seem to have a major violent streak. Many have wandered off and I would assume its just a matter of time before the continents start seeing them. They are as tough as they come, although the mages seem to do a good job at taking them down. The Trolls fight as Barbarians or some old clerical type of fighting. I guess you could call some of them Shaman. And oh, they ALL smell. You can smell one coming from around a mountain. Its a foul body odor... Like a rotten fish."