Races

Playable Races
Arkadell is home to many races which inhabit the lands and interact with one another through social means. While the possibility of many more classified races exist, only a select and defined few are available for players to create their characters from.

Related Races

 * Goblins

History
The history apparent in every tribe of Orcs is bloody, and marked with shows of strength, bravery, and brutality. Originating on the continent of Urmmosh, Orcs remained bound to their homeland for millenia. It has only been within the last three thousand years that they have gained the necessary organization and technology to start colonizing other lands. As such, they were late arrivals to the lands of Asmalur, having been beaten there most prominently by the Humans and Elves.

Orcish society has, for all of their known history, revolved around warlords and shamen, the Political/Military leaders and the Cultural/Spiritual leaders respectively. These two have been, historically, on almost equal footing, subject to small shifts as time passes and as ideals change. No matter the case, though, the actions of the Orcs are shaped by these leaders.

Social Standing
Orcs are strongly ethnocentric. They view other cultures as often weak, senseless, and bluntly put annoying. Seen by many as barbaric, Orcs would get many contemptuous looks in public from more ‘civilized’ (elves, humans, etc.) races if not for their capacity for violence. Even so, they hold respect for the size of human armies, the masterful craftsmanship of a dwarvish weapon, and so on.

Noteworthy Traits

 * Naturally highly athletic
 * Difficulty adjusting to life in cities
 * On average, extremely short-tempered
 * Incredibly headstrong

Age Scale
10 yrs (Child), 15 yrs (Adult), 55 (Elderly), 90 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Skin colours ranging from light brown to green to grey.
 * Large Heads
 * Angular faces
 * Small eyes
 * Short, pointed ears
 * Small to large tusks and regular lips
 * Strong underbite
 * Large, rounded noses
 * Large, powerful physique
 * Heights ranging from roughly 5’7 to 6’8

Related Races

 * Orcs

History
To give Goblins a history is to garnish a dish of manure. Still, I digress. Goblins have always been present, yet never formally recognized in any civilized race’s history but their own. Even then, their history consists of enough misinformation and superstition that it is indecipherable.

What can be said about Goblins, simply, is that they have always been similar to parasites, living exclusively with other races and using whatever they don’t. Naturally there have been ones who are actually beneficial members to communities, but they are rare. Being small, weak, and generally unintelligent, they have throughout time developed a tendency towards being clever, if not knowledgeable. What this means is that they may be able to think their way out of a relatively complicated trap while simultaneously being incapable of putting two and two together in a literal sense.

Social Standing
Goblins are seen by most as a race of scum. Annoying, weak, more often than not stupid, and in amounts that can’t simply be exterminated or even driven out, Goblins are quickly made present in any location where they can find food and misplaced sympathy.

They are found in large numbers in Orcish settlements, where the residents see them as failed Orcs or simply fodder, for the most part.

Of particular note is the fact that they are HATED by most Dwarves, due to their tendency to destroy their creations and steal their materials.

Noteworthy Traits

 * Natural kleptomaniacs
 * Often Hoarders
 * Tendency to ‘Game’ people. Begging, lying, cheating
 * Usually hold a strong love of mischief
 * Get along easily with children

Age Scale
5 yrs (Child), 10 yrs (Adult), 30 (Elderly), 40 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Dark brown to pale green skin
 * Large heads
 * Short, pointed ears
 * Large eyes
 * Small tusks and thin lips
 * Strong underbite
 * Pointed noses
 * Short, scrawny bodies. For reference, Krix the Giant was 4’1.
 * Stick-like limbs
 * Enlarged, clawed hands and feet.

Related Races

 * Ironskins

History
Dwarves originated in Balgathnar, an incredibly mountainous place inhabited by dozens of small clans, each full of some of the most sturdy residents of Arkadell. Dwarvish history can vary, not only from clan to clan, or even from family to family, but on a person by person basis.

What HAS been deduced from their history is that they have always been incredibly competitive and incredibly stubborn. There have been Dwarvish ‘kings’ in the past, meaning that they have controlled the most land on Balgathnar for some stretch of time, but they do not last long. The longest recorded reign was a tad over twenty years, with the kingdom being passed from father to son and from sons to other sons five times in that time period.

Today, Dwarves have found themselves engraved into many histories besides their own, as either traders, craftsmen, guardians, or heroes.

Social Standing
Dwarves are well-respected by all races except the Halflings who see them almost as a whole to be overly dutiful and rather dull. Besides the Halflings, though, a Dwarf can quickly garner respect amongst most any race, due to their general return of respect (Excepting only the goblins) and mix of rambunctiousness and duty. To have a chat with a Dwarf is often seen as a true pleasure.

Noteworthy Traits

 * Natural Craftsmen
 * Love of all that shines
 * Very physically strong
 * Often stubborn

Age Scale
10 yrs (Child), 25 yrs (Adult), 70 (Elderly), 110 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Reddish-peach to light brown skin
 * Relatively small heads
 * Strong faces for both men and women.
 * Small eyes
 * Averagely sized ears relative to size of head
 * Large noses
 * Generally thick lipped
 * Naturally well-muscled, generally with very wide, boxy frames
 * Range from 4’2 to 5’2
 * Described as looking ‘rough’, as though hewn from stone.

Related Races

 * Dwarves

History
Ironskins hail from Urmmosh. Speculated as having been started by terrifically lost Dwarvish settlers, millenia of living in unfamiliar lands with such powerful enemies as the Orcs forged them into something new. Their skin is said to have absorbed the ashes of the fire they harnessed to melt metal, along with the metal itself.

They survived their time in Urmmosh by becoming as strong as metal which they wield, though seemingly at the significant cost of their agility and tactics.

All of that said, the Ironskin’s relatively recent presence in Asmalur has been marked by their seeming innate sense of defending those who they hold in their favors, quickly gaining them favor. One cannot ask for a more stalwart and trustworthy friend than an Ironskin.

Social Standing
Ironskins are a surly lot, and rarely if ever find humor in anything but the darkest of jokes. The Dwarves are a tad apprehensive about them, and tend to avert their eyes when near them. Elves find them terribly boring, Halflings even more so. Goblins quickly learned that one cannot mess with an Ironskin. Orcs hold a begrudging respect for this stalwart race.

The only positive relation this race has is with the Drow, who share their humor if not their attitude..

Noteworthy Traits

 * Often extremely protective
 * Incredibly tough skin
 * Often slow moving
 * Very high pain tolerance

Age Scale
10 yrs (Child), 25 yrs (Adult), 70 (Elderly), 110 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Dark to light grey
 * Large heads
 * Smooth facial features
 * Small eyes
 * Small ears
 * Large noses
 * Wide, thick lips
 * Husky, well muscled
 * 4’2 to 5’3
 * Thick, often cracked skin.

Related Races

 * Wood Elves
 * Drow

History
The High Elves have been conquerors and artists, gifted with naturally tactical minds and naturally skilled fingers. High elves are considered almost universally as one of the most graceful and beautiful races in history. High elves have a taste for height, their cities historically lying across treetops or at the tops of mountains. Their interactions with other races have, throughout time, proven to follow a certain path with relative consistency.

Initial admiration followed by a realization that High Elves are incredibly narcissistic and petty.

Due to this realization, High Elves tend to live away from other races, and much of their history is marked only with internal political strife or the occasional overwhelming war on a kingdom or warband.

Social Standing
To the High Elves, class is everything. Nobles are taken to extremes in the appearance of honor and beauty, while lower classes are quite often worth less than dirt by the pound. The general viewpoints and attitudes common to this race have earned them a rather sour taste in the mouths of any who interact with them. Of particular note is their disdain for Goblins, Dwarves, Ironskins, and Orcs, seeing them all as brutish, ugly, stupid, or all three.

Noteworthy Traits

 * Often uncomfortable in darkness
 * Naturally drawn to Mana
 * Known for their general attractiveness among most races
 * Generally intelligent

Age Scale
10 yrs (Child), 25 yrs (Adult), 250 (Elderly), 300 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Fair-skinned to pale
 * Long, thin, medium sized heads.
 * Smooth-angled faces
 * Medium sized eyes
 * Medium sized, long ears
 * Medium sized noses
 * Thin-ish lips
 * Lithe bodies
 * 5’9 to 6’6

Related Races

 * High Elves
 * Drow

History
The Wood Elves are a curious folk. When out of the forests that they call home, they seem disoriented, and easily depressed. Never in recorded history has there been even a hermetic Wood Elf living outside of a Forest. Their connection to nature is incredibly powerful, and indeed they seem to be recognized by wildlife and even by a sense of anticipation from plant life. Their reclusiveness has kept them relatively apart from other races, except for the Humans. Human logging efforts drive the Wood Elves into a fury which few other races are even capable of comprehending.

Wood elves have what is purported to be the most strongly equal society, largely due to the fact that every man woman and child (from a point) is expected to be able to care for them’elves’.

Social Standing
With the exception of Humans, the Wood Elves are cordial and even inviting to most other races on the condition that these races do not harm their forests. They have particularly strong relations with the Halflings, who are among the only races to actively trade with them and who can learn to share their respect for nature. They see high Elves, usually, as rather childish, and lump Goblins and Orcs into the same group of “Leave alone.”

Noteworthy Traits

 * Often ignored by dangerous wildlife
 * Sharp-eyed
 * Comfortable working their wood
 * Extremely high stamina

Age Scale
10 yrs (Child), 25 yrs (Adult), 250 (Elderly), 300 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Dark to lightly tanned skin
 * Small, thin heads
 * Sharply angled faces
 * Large eyes
 * Long, wide ears
 * Button’d noses
 * Average lips
 * Very thinly muscled
 * 5’4 to 5’9

Related Races

 * High Elves
 * Wood Elves

History
The Drow originate from the Cave of Ilya as a race, having historically lived there for Ages. Drow have been seen by some as monsters, twisted or cursed versions of the beautiful High Elves or cast-down versions of the Wood-Elves that most are otherwise familiar with. The past of the Drow has been marked by hatred, bigotry, and at one point in recent centuries enslavement to the High Elves.

At this point in time, Drow are still haunted by the shadow of powerful prejudice, often finding themselves in tough situations or at the mercy of ‘good people’.

Despite all of the hardships they face, the Drow are a proud people, who allow themselves to be tempered rather than broken.

Social Standing
Drow and Orcs have grown close, as races. Sharing a similar culture based on strength, they often find themselves able to relate despite other differences. The Drow are ruled via matriarchy, and have been since ancient times. They put a strong emphasis on proving one’s own worth, and tend to be biased in favor of women in most aspects due to their culture. They maintain strained relationships with most races, though with the recent arrival of the Ironskins some feel as though they have found another source of comradery.

Noteworthy Traits

 * Fantastic sight at night, poor sight in sunlight
 * Known for their wit
 * “Spider Calling” - Drow can communicate with spiders
 * Avid gamblers

Age Scale
10 yrs (Child), 25 yrs (Adult), 250 (Elderly), 300 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Dark grey to light purple skin
 * Black to white hair
 * Medium sized heads
 * Softly angled faces
 * Large eyes
 * Eye colour ranging from blue to red
 * Long, wide ears
 * Short, rounded noses.
 * Thick, pursed lips
 * Well-balanced bodies
 * 5’2 to 5’11

Related Races

 * Halflings

History
The first human kingdoms appeared along the coast of western Galvanor almost five thousand years ago. These kingdoms were very small scale and often fought over minor territorial claims and trade issues. Around four thousand five-hundred years ago the Kingdom of Corinthia began a massive campaign to conquer the other cities of Galvanor. The lords of the city states feared that they would lose their positions to Corinthian nobles, so they sailed across the sea and began to settle the first cities in Asmalur.

In their days within Asmalur, the humans have formed two main kingdoms (The Kazian Kingdom and the Burundian Kingdom), with some humans finding home up in northern territory. They are known to be one of the most adaptable races, usually well respected for their stubbornness to try and accomplish any task.

Social Standing
Humans are greeted with mixed feelings by most every race. Able to amass power wherever they go, Humans can be seen as both conquerors and saviors, depending on which side you’re on. Most races, at the least, hold a form of respect for the humans as much as they hold a bit of distaste for them. Still, they manage to trade with most races, and are the most ‘accepting’ (if thats a way to put it) of goblins even while seeing them usually as worthless.

Noteworthy Traits

 * Very versatile
 * Highly productive
 * Quick to Judge
 * Often hard to deal with

Age Scale
10 yrs (Child), 15 yrs (Adult), 60 (Elderly), 80 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Dark brown to pale peach skin
 * Medium sized heads
 * Well-varied facial shapes
 * Medium sized eyes
 * Short, rounded ears
 * Medium sized noses
 * Medium sized mouths
 * Average physique
 * 4’7 to 6’6
 * The standard of by which most other races are compared due to their commonality in the world

Related Races

 * Humans

History
When the Galvanor’s Kingdom of Corinthia began its massive campaign to conquer other lands, many of the ships that sailed across the seas were forced apart due to a wild storm at sea. Some of the Humans sent became the first inhabitants of Asmalur. The others lost contact - until relatively recently. The Halflings look Human - though it is only a guess as to whether or not that really is their origin. They do not bother to keep history, and indeed many of their family stories seem to be made up on the spot. It is speculated that they may have elvish blood, or Dwarvish, or perhaps that they are a new race all together. Commonly mistaken for children at first, Halflings have proven themselves over time to be incredibly resourceful, and equally absent-minded. For the past century or so, Halflings have ‘mingled’ with every race they come into contact with, and serve as a kind of uniting force whenever the civilized races of Asmalur are compared.

Social Standing
Halflings are natural travellers, and as such find themselves welcome to a degree among most races, even the Orcs who find themselves amused by them. They are both blessed and cursed with the tendency to treat everyone that they meet in that same, usually kind, way. Easily exploited, the Halflings often garner a kind of sympathy that they don’t even realize they are offered. This adds to their view that most people are nice, and perpetuates their kind attitudes. After having met a person, as with everyone, their viewpoint can often change, but it almost always stays positive (often to their loss).

Noteworthy Traits

 * Almost universally liked
 * Talented artists (music included)
 * Often have difficulties ‘settling down’
 * Easily distracted

Age Scale
10 yrs (Child), 14 yrs (Adult), 40 (Elderly), 90 (Ancient)

Physical Appearance

 * Light tan to pale
 * Small heads
 * Rounded faces
 * Large eyes
 * Medium sized ears
 * Small, button noses
 * Average lips
 * Scrawny bodies
 * 3’8 to 4’5
 * Cannot grow facial hair. Other bodily hair still grows.
 * Often seen as looking rather young (EASILY mistaken for children) and generally feminine regardless of sex.

Modifications
These don't stand alone as their own race but serve to be "additions" to a race. More information can be found with all modifications on their own pages. It is highly recommended that new players don't start out as these unless they knew the lore behind them well.

Vampire
Vampires are the ever so mysterious and deadly bloodsucking stalkers of the land. While they are often seen as monsters, vampires are still just as sentient and intelligent beings as what race they originate from.

Lycan
Lycans and Lycanthropes, are words that intermingle in the mind, and form one clear vision of a bloodthirsty beast of death and despair across the span of Asmalur. However, this was not always the case, as the history of the lycans is very much its own.

Witch
Witches are people often seen as dark and wicked, as they are commonly believed to be practicers of "dark" or "fake" magic. They are often the ones to blame for chaos and torment. However, there is more to them than meets the eye, as they exist as their own living beings that can be just as humane and normal as any other person within Arkadell.