Fantasy Races in Cyorion
Known Races of Cyorion
On creating a character
Cyorion continues to grow and evolve with each new player that enters the world. While there are some considerations in the meta sense you should speak with Ben on when creating your character, these ideas can be crafted to your unique creation. If your race is not listed here, you should speak to Ben regarding the race, as it may not have a home yet in the world. As players create their PCs for the game world, it is generally a collaborative effort to determine where the race may come from. Feel free to ask questions and come to the table with your own ideas. If your race is listed here, these ideas are tied to either existing history or influenced by current player decisions. Some sections are marked as non-global knowledge. Please keep that limited player character knowledge in mind while you explore the different races!Cyorion is a world with only 244 days in the calendar. As such, when determining your character's age, "old age" for a race should be multiplied by 1.63 to account for Cyorion's year length.
Elves
While Elves are immortal, graceful, and magical, the culture of Elves has undergone a massive shift in the last few hundred years. In this section, we discuss High Elves that exist in various cities after the destruction of Gweyir. When Buroz attacked by surprise, the majority of Elves were destroyed either in the city or in the crowds that had fled the gates. Those that survived scattered to various cities, both large and small, attempting to ride out the storm. Buroz despised the Elves and persecuted them to the ends of the world. Squads of Faceless would attempt to root out Elves in cities and slay them. Any Elves met in battle were not enslaved by Buroz, but executed. Many Elves survived by blending in to conquered areas, whether it be hiding with friends, disguising themselves, or living under cities in the places people wouldn't think to venture. Buroz ruled with an iron fist for nearly five decades, and many Elves hid for his entire reign. The psychological effects of losing their capital city, culture, relatives, and humanity have caused those that survived to become disheveled, desperate, and lost. When playing a High Elf that has survived the attacks or was born during the War of the Faceless, consider the great sense of loss and despair they have faced, as well as the horrible lengths they've had to endure to survive. Or, you may be a High Elf born after the War, and are working to restore the former glory of the High Elven empire, or just trying to lift and rebuild the lives of your friends and family.A note from the author
High Elf NPCs that exist in the post-war era of Cyorion have experienced great atrocities. Interactions with them may have similar feelings to interactions with the homeless, veterans of war, and victims of ethnic or religious persecution.
If you are playing in a campaign in this space and are sensitive to the issues listed above, please take the time to discuss with your DM, especially if you are uncomfortable. Please remember when exploring interactions with these groups that these can raise very real feelings or memories of situations. Others may not be comfortable role playing something that has to deal with this type of trauma or history. Please remember to be supportive of each other, communicate with your players and DM, and explore the emotions if your group chooses to role play through experiences with these individuals. Be good to each other. - Ben
High Elves in Vyrdithas
High Elves of Vyrdithas are only known to exist to the residents of Vyrdithas High elven nobility, members of the court, and some military leaders managed to escape the destruction of Gweyir to a secret location nestled deep in the northeastern section of the Waesmenor Forest, settled in the base of the Tiverbourg Mountains. This group, numbering approximately 400 elves, absconded to what once was a small military outpost to press back against Tieflings crossing the mountains from the Ethriol desert almost 2200 years before. They used high magics to rebuild the outpost and fortify it, then cast great illusions to hide it, even from their Wood Elf cousins. This group of Elves has become particularly xenophobic, mistrusting, and anxious. Their scouts have only recently begun to explore, nearly 100 years after the war, and return with information about the outside world returning to peace. However, the high ranking nobility have decided that in the best interest of everyone, they should remain hidden. Something deep stirs within the minds of those paranoid individuals that hold the power over this small city.Half Elves
Half elves tended to blend in more naturally with human settlements during the War of the Faceless. Further, when individuals were taken under control of Buroz during the war, he treated them with with the same slight pity that he did half-orcs. Buroz viewed them as bastard, cast-out offspring of Elves and Humans. Advantageous for Half Elves was their similarities to humans. They were able to avoid Faceless squads that would search for Elves, blending in with Humans. Those that were found were ignored for the most part. The unfortunate, however, were mistaken for pure Elves and executed.Humans
Humans have a sordid history with only one race on Cyorion: Dragonborn. Early in the history between humans and dragons, humans did what they had to survive and evade being consumed by wandering dragons on the continent of Gyte. After discovering the rocky, unforgiving, and foggy highlands of The Steppes of Galeaha, they found the dragons not as troublesome. Further, some societies began to sail from northern Galeaha to hunt dragons alongside Goliaths they had encountered. The dragons, seeing the new status-quo as troublesome, dispatched a new race of Dragonborn to serve as envoys to the humans. At the first Galeahameet, where leaders from all the clans gathered, three of the five Dragonborn diplomats were slaughtered, the last two barely escaping. This event lead to scattered warring and distrust, colloquially called "The Great Dragon Wars", lasting nearly 700 years. In reality, the occasional loss on either side, or fielding of minor forces squabbling over territory was all that the great wars achieved. As rumors of lands to the south took shape, Humans agreed to a peace with the dragons and Dragonborn, and began to expand rapidly. Nearly all hatred has been shed over the last thousand years, but the occasional distrusting pocket of folk still reference the old stories.Dwarves
While Dwarves are available in all standard sub-races, a matter of Dwarven city planning is the only major change in Cyorion. When deciding where your Dwarf hails from, know that all Dwarven cities are paired as sister cities, but referred to by a common name. For example, the Dwarven capital of Grolma in the Kingdom of Kom Taruhm, has a surface city referred to as Tal'Grolma, and a subsurface mining city known as Mol'Grolma. The purpose of these twinned cities was to establish a small, easy to maintain mining outpost underground and utilize a minecart system to bring goods and peoples to the surface. Eventually, after making favorable contact with other races, the Dwarves found it easiest to establish a trading outpost on the surface near their mines. This served to allow Dwarves to sell their goods and services without the mines becoming overrun with ne'er-do-wells and tall folk muddying up an efficient operation. These days, in most large Dwarven cities, the tall folk are offered passage between both towns. In most outposts, however, the ceilings are cut to Dwarven height, and only other short-folk (Halflings and Gnomes) are generally permitted, but the decision rests with the city commander.Halflings
Halflings have an honored history among the Elves and Dwarves. They stood bravely against the onslaught of Orc and Tiefling in the ancient Tiefling wars. They have produced noble heroes and devious brigands alike. The majority of Halflings found themselves settled in Culcheth in the Gratelyn Empire, or just slightly north scattered to villages under the purview of the Sharalei Kingdom of the Wood Elves, in Waesmenor Forest. Many Halflings found the city of Gweyir and the surrounding area to be favorable to their lifestyle, and were caught up in the calamity of Buroz the Corruptor's attack. Many stood against him and were folded into his ranks, however those that escaped were not sought for persecution and lived peacefully among other folk.Tieflings
In early history, the Tieflings warred with the other races on the southern continent of Lomiindor. Born into the unforgiving Ethriol Desert, they made their way through the Tiverbourg Mountains and attacked Elves and Halflings in the Waesmenor Forest and the surrounding region. Ingenious, they found a very unique way to evade detection and counter-attack from their home in the desert. They created moving cities and caravans made of wood that walked on stilts. These craft were able to navigate the sands without gears becoming stuck, and the Tieflings were able to move between water sources, easy routes through the mountains, and always keep the races of the south guessing. After the Dwarves and Gnomes banded with the Elves and Halflings against the Tiefling attacks, the magically gifted of the Tieflings came up with a new plan. They labored at dark rituals to bring Orcs into being and enslaved the creatures to serve as shock troops. This worked for a time, and the Tieflings seemed to be making strong progress against the outposts across the Tiverbourg mountains. However, the Orcs rose up against their creators and decimated the Tiefling population, including their central government and ruling bodies. Tieflings took to their wooden craft and maneuvered through the desert, evading the Orcs. Eventually, the Orcs pressed south, seeking glory and a home of their own. The Tiefling wars are now ancient history to modern inhabitants of Cyorion, however the technology and traditions remain. Tieflings have banded with other wealthy traders and survivors of the Ethriol Desert and created a loose trade-democracy ruled by families from their great, walking cities and caravans. Tieflings have found homes throughout Cyorion, but many still live within the confines of the great moving trade cities of Ashihoya.Dragonborn
As explained in the human section, Dragonborn have a shaky history with humans, but generally live in mutual respect as the Dragon wars are long forgotten memories. Members of Dragonborn envoys are the only creatures besides dragons permitted entrance to the great continent of Udelund, home of the Dragons and Aspects of Cyorion. Very little is known about the great Dragons. Some younger Dragons have been rumored to have ventured beyond the shores of Udelund in human form, but only the Dragonborn envoys privy to that information would know, and would rather die than let slip the secrets of their creators. Dragonborn have great respect for Dragons and do not harbor ill will to their creators in Cyorion. They were given great freedoms and provided opportunity to create their own kingdom of the Lewihboian Republic. Some argue that it is simply another line of defense for the Dragons of Udelund, but Dragonborn are raised to respect and even revere the great Dragons.Dragonborn from Udelund
Treatment of Dragonborn in Udelund is known only to the Dragonborn of Udelund Dragons found that the Dragonborn they created were also capable servants and stewards in the homeland of Udelund. However, these Dragonborn are treated as lessers and slaves that live and die at the whims of the Dragons. Conditions tend to be squalid at best, and very few Dragonborn are permitted to serve in official Dragon chambers or meetings when Dragonborn envoys come from across the land. Those that serve in the presence of non-Udelund Dragonborn are sworn to silence about their treatment, the lives of their families held for ransom. Dragonborn players that choose to come from Udelund should consider the circumstances of their escape, if any of their loved ones are in danger, or if Draconic leadership is aware of their escape. The Dragonborn of Udelund also are aware that current Dragon rulers are responsible for their treatment. The Aspects of Cyorion, divine dragons created by the gods to serve as protectors of the world, roam Cyorion carrying out their duty as protectors and are unaware of the dealings of Dragon culture in their homeland.Shifters
Natives of the Ethriol Desert, Shifters initially became enslaved by Ashihoya trade syndicates. However, some shifters possessed great ingenuity and cunning that helped them quickly grow into two castes. Beasthide and Longtooth shifters make up the Rhishoba caste of workers, laborers, and servants. Swiftstride and Wildhunt shifters make up the Sa'rojhan caste of merchants, leaders, and rulers. Shifter culture forbids intermixing between castes, and adventuring Rhishoba Shifters tend to escape either with parents at a young age, or in their youth to find their place in the world. The Sa'rojhan caste leads some of the great trade cities and caravans of Ashihoya, trading members of the lesser caste away as slave labor or for entertainment. They tend to lead ruthlessly and without regard for anyone but themselves. However, there have been Sa'rojhan shifters who see the injustice in their culture and have found their way out to the rest of the world, generally at the cost of any financial support from family.Orcs
Full blooded Orcs
After overthrowing their Tiefling creators, Orcs began to move south towards populated areas. They would pillage and ransack small towns, but were eventually driven out of the southern civilizations toward the Arid Expanse. In this harsh wasteland they created their homes. Primarily tribal, Orcs would venture from the expanse to find challenging battle, pillage caravans, or attack the villages of the nearby grasslands.Blood Orcs
Orcs sought power and strength in their rituals and war parties. However, none knew the true power they uncovered when they captured and enslaved an ancient and powerful Dragon, Ymraydais. Ymraydais had come south to explore Orcs and their culture, having heard of the creatures the Tieflings created. The orcs received divine blessings and guidance and were able to sap the power to enhance their capabilities. They took on the red color of the dragon, their skin changing as they were transformed into Blood Orcs. The Blood Orcs initially were a small band of warlocks and sorcerers, perfecting the power they were able to drain from Ymraydais. After they had enhanced themselves, they began to collect other orcs from the Arid Expanse, bringing them under the banner of The Blood Orcs. After they had amassed an army, they began to march against the kingdoms of Lomiindor, slaughtering all in their path. The war against the Blood Orc invasion lasted for 5 years, culminating in the other races of Cyorion banding together to find a way to lift the magic that had changed the Orcs. Once successfully subdued, the orcs forgot about Ymraydais, leaving her to be discovered by the orc Buroz. Blood Orcs cleansed of the "Blood Orc Curse" returned to their home and reintegrated with the few remaining Orcs in the Arid Expanse.Half-Orcs
Half-Orcs were created very recently in Cyorion's history, approximately 1000 years ago. During the war against the Blood Orcs, wizards, sorcerers, and warlocks from all other races worked together in the Elven capital of Gweyir to find a way to undo the great power that was instilled in the orcs. Many creatures underwent terrible magical experimentation at the hands of these learned individuals, but the group was convinced the power to stop the Blood Orcs lay in the adaptability of Humans. Due to this experimentation, many Half-Orcs were created as a byproduct of experimentation on Orc and Human subjects. Found to be more docile than their highly aggressive full-blooded Orc cousins, these created Half-Orcs were allowed to continue to live and work in Gweyir. Soon, they started to reproduce and spread out among the continent, further diluting orc blood with human partners. Many Half-Orcs had a very difficult time being trusted by other races, but they lived in small groups, typically sticking to rural areas. The War of the Faceless also enslaved Half-Orcs, but Buroz took pity on these outcasts of society and stationed them on the fringes of the war. As a result, Half-Orcs continued to spread across Cyorion. While they still carry the characteristics of their Orc cousins and the animosity that comes with being marginally similar to Buroz, they have hardened their hearts and spirits and continue to thrive in an unforgiving world.Rabbitfolk
Timid and experts at hiding from the world, Rabbitfolk recently became contributing members of society in southern Gratelyn on the continent of Lomiindor. Having made their claim to land west of the city of Breen, they are capable farmers, rangers, and guides to the area surrounding the southern side of the Glastawa Depths. They seemed to have been able to avoid confrontation during the War of the Faceless by hiding within well disguised villages in thick forests. Now that the threat has subsided and the population begins to grow beyond their small borders, Rabbitfolk have been accepted within Gratelyn society.Drobate
The Drobate are a custom race for Cyorion. As magical experimentation in Gweyir was practiced to subdue the Blood Orc curse, some absconded with their newly found knowledge to continue their ghastly research. The Drobate are a result of such experiments. While the details are unclear, it is believed by the currently living Drobate that a plague had broken out among a population of other races living in the Kutalla Keys. A warlock living among the population had received information passed down concerning the Blood Orc experimentation. The warlock began experimenting with some of the local fauna of Kutalla, believing the plague to have been from the region and that the local wildlife may have adapted. The warlock was successful in curing the ailment, however some of the afflicted began giving birth to strange frog-like creatures, humanoids that had been infused with the characteristics of poison dart frogs from the jungles of Kutalla. Enough of the creatures were born that the Drobate eventually took over the village, and have been continuing a peaceful existence. Although, the warlock initially responsible is rumored to have escaped with some of the offspring.Warforged - The Yurrig
Due to actions taken in the campaign "The Fanged Eye Gnashes", the Warforged have become a playable race in Cyorion!Thousands of years before Elves walked the planet, something else existed in Cyorion. An ancient race with great technological prowess created the Y.R.R.G., a race of sentient, mechanical creatures. The exact definition of "Y.R.R.G" was lost with the language of the ancient race that created them. The Y.R.R.G. were provided to people around the world, in an effort to provide basic artificial intelligence to provide assistance to their society. The creatures served their function without question and helped advance the ancient society. After an unknown event, however, the ancient race was decimated, wipe from the face of Cyorion. Those Y.R.R.G. that survived were older models in storage, new models awaiting activation, and those that happened to be working underground. Many millennia later, the Y.R.R.G. were discovered by Gnomes and Dwarves digging around Cyorion. Pockets of automatons awaiting activation. Some were reactivated using magic by artificers, mindless drones with the most simple capability for taking instruction and performing menial tasks. However, the souls of many linger in Cyorion. Unintentionally, the Y.R.R.G. were a perfect vessel, and some began to wake up. Souls entering these husks do not retain memory of past lives, and only access broken fragments of the Y.R.R.G.'s previous function, but most agree on the simplified race name of "Yurrig". These individuals born anew are confused at first, but quickly acclimate to their new bodies and are generally helpful to those around them. When a soul bonds with a Yurrig, the details of that bonding is up to the creator of the character. The details of their awakening can range from magical benevolence as wizards and scholars attempt to wake the creatures into a new life, to horrible and nefarious purposes as artificers working toward twisted ends corrupt the minds and rend the soul, forcing the Yurrig into slave labor.
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