| Races |
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The world within Aeon is inhabited by countless numbers of unique individuals, all of whom will bring a new perspective into your view of things. However, for those of you who don’t have much to go on concerning the different races that give a common factor to many of the individuals you will meet, you can find what you need to know here. Elven :: Fey :: Nereid :: Avians :: Satyr Human
Humans are your run-of-the-mill race. They are like humans in our world in every way, and run the gambit from smart to stupid, big to small, and can have any job or class. They tend to work well with the other races; because humans are so varied as a race, there tends to be at least a handful of them that will relate to each of the other races. Humans, however, are generally seen as a lesser race by most of the others, despite greater numbers than any other race as a whole and the being unquestionably the major voice in civilized regions and cities. As a whole, humans have a propensity for work and accomplishment, hoping to prove once and for all that they are very much on par with the rest of Rune-Midgard’s inhabitants. Because of this, they take any title they have managed to earn very seriously; guild nicknames often refer to their habits, (i.e. Orc’s Bane, Master Swordsman) or accomplishments. Humans can be found in every corner of the world, and represent about half of the world’s population on their own. Their birth names are usually common by our standards. As the only language most humans are familiar with is basically English, known in Rune-Midgard as Common, their names are generally English as well. Humans hail from virtually every region known on Rune-Midgard. Humans do not wear any racial headgear. Elven
Elves look much like humans; their ears, which are long and pointed, stand out as a distinguishing characteristic. They are lithe and graceful, far more than most humans can hope to be, and are often considered beautiful. Elves are generally more diminuitive of stature than the average human, and tend towards jobs and tasks that allow them to focus on their natural gifts of manual and physical dexterity. While the race as a whole is not disinclined towards physical labor, they do tend to do what needs to be done from a distance, and with as little actual mess (for them) as possible. Some are vain to the point of obsession on any or all of several aspects of their elven-hood, and some to the point of seeing other races as lesser. This racial gap is made more acute by the longer lifespan of the elves, who often live two and three and even more times longer than any of the other races. In these long lifetimes, they will use and acquire many names and titles, and will not hesitate to remind anyone of a long-gone duchy that bears their name. Elves still speak their own language frequently, at least in the company of others of their race. Non-elves, when faced with an Elf speaking something other than Common, should probably make haste elsewhere, if they know what is good for them. Elves prefer to make their homes in regions near forests such as Geffen (where they often clash with their racial enemies, the orcs), although some have accepted the conformity of the more human-populated civilized regions. Elves wear the “Elven Ears” item as racial headgear. Fey
The fey are a happy people, who generally devote their lives to the pursuit of mirth and laughter. They are akin to felines in nature, and exhibit various physical cat-like characteristics. This can take the form of paws, claws, the occasional tail, or even something as minor as having the slitted pupils of a cat. However, all seem to have small, triangular ears atop their heads poking out of their hair. These ears give the fey a bit of extra hearing power; in an anatomical curiosity, almost all fey seem to retain normal human ears as well, but they are largely non-functional, and most fey try to hide them behind their hair. The fey are nimble as a race, partially due to the race’s tendency towards smaller and shorter frames, and generally are found enjoying life as much as possible, wherever they may be. Due to their fun-loving nature, and their lackluster constitution, fey prefer combat from long range so as to mock their opponent while tearing them to ribbons. Fey magic seems to be an innate ability possessed by their race rather than the result of study like the other races, but is often limited to a handful abilities unless deliberately developed otherwise. Fey age somewhat differently from humans, maturing far more rapidly, especially in their early years. Fey are physically fully-grown by their third or fourth birthday, and will remain small throughought their lives. As such, their age is often difficult to discern. Names of the fey run the entire gambit from simple to complex. Some pick a new one every couple of years and often don’t do much more than grab something out of a normal conversation and start using it. Fey often are higher in numbers in areas where the comfort of serene and natural environments are available to them, such as Payon or Geffen. Fey wear the “Black Cat Ears” item as racial headgear. Nereid
Nereid are humanoid in construction, but could never be mistaken for a human. They have large fin/gill structures on the side of their head, revealing their heritage rather blatantly. They are, of course, quite at home in aquatic environments, being completely capable of breathing underwater. They do not fare well in desert environments, and as such, avoid places such as Morroc at all costs. Nereid are not without racial benefits, however, and make up for their obvious appearance with great strength. Years of continuous swimming in their childhood give them great upper body strength to smash whatever irks their temper. They prefer close combat where they can heft heavy, sharp objects such as tridents and spears; although often regarded as an oddity, nereid make excellent fighters in the ranks, although their aquatic upbringing keeps them from ever attaining great agility on land. Nereid are usually raised in bodies of water until their teenage years, when they undergo a bit of a metamorphosis. They then sprout the necessary appendages for walking and land life and take their first steps out of the water. This transition is traditionally a nereid’s transition to adulthood. Their race is generally seen as being less intelligent than the land races; because they cannot have books, paper, and other learning tools in a lake, they do not get a common education. Their traditions and knowledge, and the ability to speak Common, are passed orally from parents to children; within their own society, nereid do not feel they lack any important knowledge. Nereid names are often impossible to pronounce in an air-breathing environment, and therefore most nereid take a more human-esque name when traversing on the land. Nereid are naturally more abundant in regions close to large bodies of water, such as Comodo. Nereid wear the “Fin Helm” item as racial headgear. Avians
The Avian race is an oddity, to be sure. These strange people are the least-humanoid of all humanoids, often bearing wings and hair that is always short and more like down than what any other race might bear on their bodies. They seem to be of some relation to the Harpies, but are a step away from them, much as they are a step away from humans. The race is marked by winglike arms and overlarge eyes, but while the Harpies do manage to fly, it is impossible for an Avian to do more than glide from one height to another, and always down, though some have adapted to this art quite masterfully. Their skin is often oddly more pale or dark than the other races, but their wings, feathers, and down run the gamut of the spectrum, often complementing a more natural tone with colorful highlights. In groups, they are a loud, raucous sort, and always seem to be talking about something, while individually they may be more quiet and introspective. Eggs are not part of an Avian’s life, except perhaps in affectionate ribbing between friends. Like other humanoids, they give birth to live young. Unlike the nereid and elves, and much like the fey, Avians do not have their own language, strictly speaking; the race adopted Common as its tongue years ago. However, they do still retain the ability to commune with other birds, including the Harpies, but because their facial structures have become humanoid, it is nearly impossible for them to retain this language as a social trait on any grand scale. Avians make excellent hunters of any sort, and some can be found in just about any profession. They do need to make special accommodations for their physical characteristics, but in some cases have distinct advantages, given their sharp eyesight, also characteristic of the race. Avians make their ancestral homes at elevated regions of the world, such as Mt. Mjolnir or Umbala. Avians wear a custom Avian Wings item as racial headgear. Satyr
Satyrs are, like the fey, lovers of delight - if of a more raucous manner. Where fey are small and lithe, Satyrs are much larger, and often quite physically strong, to the point where their kind have earned a reputation for hard labor and dedication. The men of their society often tower over average humans, and even the women are not tiny by any stretch of the mind. Males outnumber females nearly three-to-one, but as such, the Satyr woman holds an elevated status in her society. As a mark of their race, they always bear not only horns that sprout from their heads, but a lower body covered in hair, and walk on hooves, not feet. While their bodies and faces may not be of the universal standard of beauty, they make up for it in their natural gifts of charm. Satyrs will do anything and everything to spend as much of their lives in the pursuit of whatever it is they decide they want, but more importantly are willing to put up the effort to do so. They find song, wine, and other carnal pursuits worthy of almost all their attention, but do make good workers, as they recognize the value of it. Many prefer to stay in their homes, but others have found the advantage to the populous cities, seeking employment - and along with it fame and fortune. Satyrs traditionally hail from the mountain ranges and fields near Juno. Satyrs wear the “Succubus Horn” item as racial headgear. |
