Olark

"Whatever history the Olark had was completely wiped away by the Elves. Even those on Tysos are reconstructing what they can from scraps of information dug from ancient and burnt out libraries. Every race and people has bits of history and culture they have lost, but only the arcane Olark have lost almost all of it." -Grandmaster Helebor of the Paladin Order
Once the dominant species in the Atkorian Empire that ruled Efaanu, Kalin, and lands beyond, the Olark have had a plummet from grace.
After the fall of their empire the Olark were subject to aggressive and retaliatory pogroms and purges that saw their numbers dwindle. Those that weren't killed fled the continent or were exiled. By the end of the fall only a few Olark remained.
To this day Olark numbers remain few, limited by their inability to breed with other races besides Olark. They are often found in small areas of cities or whole villages made of just their people, and they tend to be wary of non-Olark.

Similar and Different in Appearance

Olark are best known for their appearance. Were an Olark to cover themselves head to toe in wrapped clothing one may mistake them for a Human as they share a similar physique. Just like Human's they can vary in overall stature and weight but usually fall between 4 and a half to 6 and a half feet tall.
Physique is where the similarities between Olark and Human end however. Olark skin tends to be purple or blue in tint, with other tints such as teal and deep crimson not being unheard of. Additionally their skin is lined with lines of arcane energy ranging from barely an inch to four inches across, these lines of energy go deep into their skin and converge on important joints of their body such as the knees, elbows, and where the body meets the neck. Usually referred to as "Arcane Veins" these lines vary much more in color than the already diverse Olark skin, with colors such as bright blue, deep purple, bright red, and even golden all being possible.
These veins also converge on an Olark's face, where two distinct arcane veins run from the neck-joint up to the Olark's eyes, into their hair, and towards the back of their head where it rejoins at the neck-joint. The veins flow directly into an Olark's eyes, which are the same color as their veins and glow just as much as they do. The colors an Olark has in their veins and eyes usually come from their parents, but they can vary slightly not unlike Human hair and skin tone.
The reason for these veins and the origin of them is unknown, lost like much of the Olark races history. It has led to quirks in Olark biology though. Olark do not need to sleep at all, though some may enter a sleep-like state where they are fully aware just to meld in with other races more easily. Olark often compare their version to sleep to daydreaming, as anything can snap them out of it without being drowsy. Additionally Olark cannot breed with other races, though their numbers across the world portray that they get by just fine despite this limitation.
With arcane energy being an integral part of Olark physiology, the Olark are naturally gifted with magic and the energies of the world. Many can become mages and wizards, and sorcerers are much more common among the Olark than many other races.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

In Kalin

Due to the loss of their kingdom in the unification of Kalin by Sullia, Olark can be found anywhere in Kalin. Sometimes in small enclaves, sometimes by themselves. Despite their widespread nature they are not as populous as Humans due to their inability to breed with other races (though not from lack of trying). The exception to this is Tysos, a small country of Olark that was formed after the Fall of the Torva.

In Efaanu

They are often found in Efaanu in small areas of cities or whole villages made of just their people, and they tend to be wary of non-Olark.

In Wahar

Olark have the smallest presence in Wahar of any continent it is told, with only a sparse few communities. Most found there would be far travelers.

In Archin

It is told that the Olark originate from Archin, and that the supposed Atkorian Empire still exists, in some form, there. Due to this, they can be found throughout the continent. But travelers also say that, outside of Atkoria, they are often seen with distaste or outright hostility.

Lifespan

An average of 80 years

Average Height

5'5" - 6'1"

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Olark skin is often times colored with a purple or bluish tint, though other colors such as a more white or dark shade are not uncommon. Additionally the arcane "nodes" in their joints vary wildly in color between blue, purple, white, red, and more besides. Their eyes share the same colors as their arcane nodes.