Naidelyn - Species

Part of the lorebook referencing various species present in the world of Naidelyn

Table of Contents:

1. Dragons

2. Elves

3. Dwarves

4. Orcs

5. Beastfolk

6. Humans

7. Merfolk

8. Vampires

Dragons

Said to be the first species to inhabit the world and mostly associated with Eliope, dragons are known for their longevity, wisdom, and, in many cases, religious fanaticism.

Dragons see themselves as the world's main protectors, and while most try to live up to being just like their main goddess, some choose other deities to follow.

Although quite talented with magic and other power sources as a race, dragons tend to stay away from wider intercontinental politics.

Elves

Said to be the second species to be created by the gods and associated mostly with Atis and Yulla, elves are a race whose members are all said to originate from Alfingar, with every elf on any continent able to trace their family origins back to it through generations, and those living in the Central and Northern Continents being mostly descendants of families exiled at some point from the elven ancestral homeland.

Elves as a species are, appearance-wise, very similar to humans, with the main distinctive feature being their long, pointed ears.

Their other defining trait is immense adaptability to the environment they inhabit. Elven biology changes through years of living somewhere, and so do their hair and eye color. Within a few years of living in a place like a desert or the cold north, an elf will fully adapt to that place, developing traits helpful to life there, which leads to the existence of many distinct elven subspecies around the world.

Dwarves

The third race to be created by the Pantheon, the dwarves are mostly associated with Ledas. Dwarves rarely appear on the surface world; most of them are gathered in their fortress cities, which serve as gates to the biggest openings between the subterranean Duskhollow and the rest of the world.

Because of the dwarven tendency to delve deep into dark underground realms, the race is renowned as both adventurers and a bulwark against the darkness dwelling there.

Orcs

Orcs are a species believed to associate mostly with Selica and the fourth race to be brought into the world. According to legend, they were crafted to be honorable warriors, defending the world from infernal threats before the existence of the Shroud, as well as bringing the fight back to the Hellish realms.

Nowadays most of them live settled lives in the Forgelands, preferring the heat there and focusing on craftsmanship and metalwork instead of war, making orcs renowned as industrious and hard-working folk.

Appearance-wise, they are on average larger than humans, with skin in shades of grey and green.

Beastfolk

Said to be the fifth race created by the Pantheon and associated with Alene, beastfolk are similar to humans in appearance except for the possession of distinct animal traits on their bodies.

Just like the goddess associated with them, beastfolk are nature-oriented; many prefer the wilderness and stability of their small communities to the wider world.

Because their physical prowess and senses tend to surpass those of other races, they are often seen as respected fighters and scouts.

Humans

The most populous intelligent race of the Central Continent, humanity is also present in significant numbers in the Northern Continent and the Sun Dragon Domain. Humanity is believed to be the last species to be created by the gods, its creation mostly associated with Inara.

The human race is seen as a jack of all trades but a master of none, always second to elves in adaptability, to beastfolk in physical prowess, to orcs in industrial spirit and innovation, and to merfolk in business acumen. But being second best at so many things seems to be exactly what humanity needed, because, thanks to it, humanity has risen to the position of the most dominant species among all races.

Merfolk

Merfolk are fish-like people who, unlike most other races of Naidelyn, were not created by the Pantheon, but arrived in the world from beyond the Shroud, running away from their own world as it broke apart.

Despite not originating here, the merfolk quickly claimed Naidelyn's oceans and seas as their domain, building numerous trade cartels belonging to various merfolk families, with their very Coral Kingdom run more like a criminal enterprise than a nation. While many things can be said about them, they have their own code of honor they always keep, and they pay every debt they incur, as well as expect every debt to be paid to them.

Vampires

Vampires aren't a race in the traditional sense, as members of every species can technically be turned into one. Vampires came to be after an Atisian archmage's spell that was supposed to grant immortality went wrong. Whole towns were struck by the misfiring spell, permanently transforming their denizens into what the spell intended, eternal youth, but at a price.

Those affected were cursed into needing to sustain themselves by consuming the blood of others, became incapable of having natural offspring, as well as feeling a deep, painful displeasure from any contact with sunlight. But what truly defined vampires was that they could not channel Yullean mana through their bodies, limiting them to Atisian magic and improved physical capabilities instead, but the recent Resonite discovery opened new opportunities for the race.

In time, those initially struck spread through the world, carrying the spell within their veins, capable of passing it to anyone who would accept long life offered at such a price. Nowadays, how vampires are viewed depends on the country: in some, they are hiding, viewed as abominations to be eradicated and persecuted; in others, they can be open about what they are, sometimes even belonging to the ruling class.