These are those races that are most common upon the world of Elaria, and have cities and countries of their own.
DRAGONBORN (CHROMATIC)
Average Lifespan: 100 years
The chromatic dragonborn are a race created in ancient times by the evil goddess Tiamat, to wage war against the other peoples of Elaria. They call the great island of Arkhosia home, and upon it they have carved a stunning city from the mountainous landscape. Nearly all chromatic dragonborn are inherently evil, due to the touch of Tiamat upon them, and they are constantly building up great armies in an attempt to conquer Elaria, and to try and find any way to resurrect their fallen goddess. This isn’t always the case, though, as there are rare occasions when a dragonborn will turn away from Tiamat’s influence in an attempt to redeem themselves. Often, when this occurs, the changing dragonborn will flee Arkhosia to live among the other races, and as they continue to do good, their scales will begin changing from a chromatic color to a metallic one. Still, even though sometimes a chromatic will break away from Tiamat’s legacy, they are typically hated by all and usually killed on sight.
Changes from "Player's Handbook":The dragonborn of Elaria have the following new Racial Trait:
Dragonborn's Coloration (Chromatic): When creating your character, you must choose one of the following colors; doing so also determines the type of your breath weapon. Chromatic Colors: Black (Acid), Blue (Lightning), Green (Poison), Red (Fire), and White (Cold).
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DWARVES
Average Lifespan: 600 years
The dwarves are one of the oldest races of Elaria, created during the warring of the gods millennia ago. They tend to keep to themselves, having little to do with the affairs of men, elves or any of the other peoples of the world, though in times of great war or strife, the dwarven people have been stalwart allies to the other free races. The dwarves maintain a great, sprawling subterranean kingdom deep beneath the Mordain Mountains, a realm that has only been seen by dwarven eyes. They also claim dominion over the mountains themselves, though they allow other races to dwell there and in the foothills, so long as those races respect the dwarves’ desire for privacy. Though they tend to keep to their own kind, it isn’t unusual to see a dwarf adventurer who wants to see more of the world than just their dark, underground tunnels and cities.
Changes from "Player's Handbook":Dwarves in Elaria have darkvision instead of low-light vision.
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ELADRIN (HIGH ELVES)
Average Lifespan: Immortal until killed
Elves are the oldest race of Elaria, having been upon the world since the beginning, before even the warring of the gods. They are elegant and beautiful, and are the only truly immortal race, for they do not suffer the ravages of time and age. Of the two branches of the elven race, the high elves are the most in tune with the flows of magic, and they build grand cities kept clement all year long by their arts. Heva, the small island realm north east of the rest of the elven lands, is home to the high elves, and like the rest of the elven lands, only those of their blood are allowed to pass its borders. The high elves are a secretive people, and over the past several centuries they have become more and more distant to the world and the other races, though many can still be seen about, on adventures or business of their own.
Changes from "Player's Handbook":You may take a +2 racial bonus to Lore instead of Arcana or History, if you so choose. You may only take the +2 bonus to Arcana if you have Mage Talent.
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ELVES (WOOD ELVES)
Average Lifespan: Immortal until killed
Elves are the oldest race of Elaria, having been upon the world since the beginning, before even the warring of the gods. They are elegant and beautiful, and are the only truly immortal race, for they do not suffer the ravages of time and age. Unlike the high elves, who prefer the comforts of civilization and the practice of magic, the wood elves keep to the forests and wilderness, and are much more in tune with nature than their brethren. Elefindiel, in the heart of the elven lands of Loriel, is their majestic forest-city, and though few among the elves choose to dwell there indefinitely, it is always there for those who desire rest and respite. Like the high elves, the wood elves have retreated deeply into their lands, and have little to do with the other races, though they tend to trade and commune with those in Vilnis more than any others.
Changes from "Player's Handbook":None.
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HUMANS
Average Lifespan: 80 years (Vilnian humans: 150 years)
Other than the dragonborn and the kobolds, humans are the youngest of the races of Elaria, though they are the most numerous. There are four human kingdoms (Vilnis, Frontia, Westenra, and Indra), and the peoples of these lands, though one race, are quite different from one another:
Vilnian Humans: The humans of Vilnis are those closest to nature, and to the elves. Nearly all of the natives of Vilnis can trace their heritage back to an elven bloodline, and it is this heritage that gives them a longer lifespan than that of other humans, though they are not to be mistaken for half-elves. Of all the humans of Elaria, only Vilnian humans are allowed to pass freely into the elven lands.
Frontian Humans: The people of Frontia are peaceful by nature, preferring to farm their lands and fish their rivers and lakes. They maintain good relations with the other races, and they tend to mind their own affairs rather than interfering with the doings of others.
Westenran Humans: The Westenrans are a warlike people, with large armies and incredibly talented warriors. They are constantly at war with the Indrans to the south, and with marauding goblins from the Mordain Mountains. Even though they are hard and fearless, they usually keep good relations with their human neighbors to the north, and are ready to give them aid if they need it.
Indran Humans: The citizens of Indra, the southernmost of the human kingdoms, are religious fanatics. They believe that there is only one true god, and that all of the other deities are simply facets of this One. They take their beliefs to the extreme, and often start wars to try to take over the northern kingdoms in an attempt to unify the entire world under the guidance of their god.
Changes from "Player's Handbook":Your “Human Defense Bonus” Racial Trait will also add a +1 to your Shield defense, if applicable.
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ORCS
Average Lifespan: 100 years
One of the races created during the warring of the gods, the orcs have claimed the central portion of Elaria as their own personal empire, ruling over a handful of small islands and the shores of the Black Lake. They are powerful and fierce, if not particularly intelligent, and they have their sights set on one day ruling the entire world. They call their empire the “Hargorn Empire” in honor of an ancient orc warrior, whose bloodline still commands to this day. While most orcs are considered evil, and are the enemies of the other races (even the chromatic dragonborn), there are some who have turned their backs on the doings of their brethren, and who seek to establish themselves as allies among the other races.
Changes from "Monster Manual":None.
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This information can also be found in the upcoming "Elaria Player's Guide!"
AMdG
Sun May 09, 2010 4:15 pm