Races & Species

in Xinithia

Aasimar

Gifts that are given to the mortal world in the form of newborn babes. Aasimar are half-celestial, though not directly discernable from their appearance which god they were gifted from, it can sometimes be reflected in the child's personality as they grow and mature. In the history of Xinithia, there have only ever been 13 Aasimar, of note, who have lived during Xinithia's recorded history. When an Aasimar is reported to be present they are shown the highest of respect by most citizens, high-ranking officials, and even royalty. It is not known how old an Aasimar can live to be, but the oldest recorded Aasimar was over two-thousand years old, and the death was not by natural means.  

Dragonborn

Born from the union of Umos and Atia, the Dragonborn were brought into the world as a benevolent gesture to create a link between the humanoids and dragon-kin. For many centuries they were emissaries of cities and villages alike and helped bring understanding between the 2 species. In the years to follow the tragedy of Brustron, Dragonborn were cursed to bear the scales of their chromatic kin and ancestors. Now as the centuries pass, and Age's come and go, the Dragonborn have learned to live with this, and overcome their self-destructive chromatic nature when it is predominant.    

Dwarf

One of the first races to set foot in Xinithia, the exact origins of the dwarves were lost in myth and legend. While many non-dwarven scholars believed that dwarves were not native to Xinithia, most dwarves believed that their ancestors came from the heart of the planet itself, given life by Umos, The Forge-Master. These legends held that the dwarves fought their way to the surface world, overcoming the dangers they faced below through strength of arms and skill.    

Elf

It is speculated by the great scholars, that the Elves are not native to Xinithia. However, unlike with Dwarves, there is some evidence to support these theories. In the First Age, the first reported sighting of an individual fitting the description of a common Elf was spotted on Cordillum, near the Soul Tree. They had distinctly different features, compared to what they developed into over the centuries. Originally being called "Nún-o feui", it was later translated to mean "Born of the Fey". Millennia passed and the fey ancestors of the elves resided in Cordillum in relative peace until the Rise of Catastrophe. After this the elves were splintered and scattered across Xinithia, developing into three distinct versions of their race.  

Sun Elf

Lighter more radiant skin that almost seems to absorb the sun rays. Sun Elves perceive themselves as highly respectable elves with a natural gift for wizardry, the majority of Sun Elves dwell on the continent of Anor. In truth, most other races ascribe these elves with pompous attitudes and bad manners. In wars, these elves will remain neutral in all conflict until a clear victor is made, and then will attempt to earn favor with them by providing the bare minimum they must offer to appease them.    

Silver Elf

Darker skin, that reflects the sun, giving the skin an almost metallic-looking sheen. Silver Elves live a nomadic lifestyle and often interact with other races in a friendly manner. This has earned them a good reputation for being trustworthy and hospitable. Silver Elves do their best to avoid conflict when possible, but when it is unavoidable they will involve themselves with the side that most represents what is "right and just".  

Wood Elf

Easily identifiable by their darker tan skin, which allows them to blend into the wood around them. Wood Elves are reclusive, and scorn civilization and its trappings, preferring to live within the wilderness, close to nature. Wood Elves are known for their feral tactics in combat and are not known to forgive easily when betrayed. Few things are more dangerous in the wilderness than a vengeful band of Wood Elves with ill intent.  

Genasi

Shimmering skin like the depths of the Wild-Gulf, or as warm and hot as the raging fires and molten lava in the Flaming Peaks, the Genasi are plane-touched individuals with the powers of the elements. Technically speaking, the genasi are not so much a race, but rather a general classification of humans who had a heritage (usually unknown) that include some planar being from one of the elemental planes, most often a genie, (dao, djinn, efreet, marid, or jann) which is whence their name is derived.  

Air

Most Air Genasi are descended from djinn, air genies, though other origins exist, and the touch of the elemental power of wind and air shapes the genasi physique. Like all Genasi, the exact appearance of an Air Genasi varies from individual to individual. Compared with other Genasi, Air Genasi are often slightly quicker, but also somewhat physically weaker. Those born with, or currently manifesting the power of elemental air are called Wind-Soul Genasi.  

Earth

Earth Genasi come in many physical shapes and appearances. Many carry obvious traits of the Elemental Plane of Earth, such as blocky features or earthlike skin, but others had earthlike features that were less apparent. Earth genasi are usually born from the union between a dao and a humanoid, from two Earth Genasi, or from humanoid parents with a dao somewhere in their ascendancy. They could also result from exposure to elemental energy. Those born with, or currently manifesting the power of elemental earth are called Earth-Soul Genasi.  

Fire

Many Fire Genasi carried obvious traits from the Elemental Plane of Fire, such as coal-colored skin, flame-like hair, and fiery eyes. Fire Genasi were usually born from the union between an efreet and a humanoid, from two Gire Genasi, or from humanoid parents with an efreet somewhere in their ascendancy. They could also result from exposure to fire elemental energy. Those born with, or currently manifesting the power of elemental fire are called Fire-Soul Genasi.  

Water

Most Water Genasi were descended from marid genies, although a few have other origins. Like other genasi, Water Genasi looked generally human except for some distinguishing features. Water Genasi were often bright blue in color and most of the race is bald, though there are exceptions. The skin of the water genasi is usually sea-foam green or blue. Those born with, or currently manifesting the power of elemental water are called Water-Soul Genasi.  

Gnome

Gnomes, or the Forgotten Folk as they're sometimes known, are small humanoids known for their eccentric sense of humor, inquisitiveness, and engineering prowess. Having had few overt influences on the world's history but many small and unseen ones, gnomes are often overlooked by the powers that be, despite their craftiness and affinity for illusion magic. Gnomes are present in nearly every human city and most caravan-stop villages.

Goliath

It's unclear how old the goliath race is or where they originally came from, but it was commonly believed that they were somehow the descendants of Umos. Nevertheless, they are one of the oldest living races in Xinithia, some speculate that they were perhaps here even before human-kind, but there are no notable texts that can prove this theory. Goliaths have little empathy or pity for adults who can't take care of themselves but they would treat and take care of the injured and sick. However, permanently injured Goliaths are still expected to contribute in every way that they could.  

Half-Elf

Half-Elves or Edhil as they are known in elven, are humanoids born through the union of an elf and a human. When raised by both parents, the offspring has the benefits of knowing both sides of their race. But when raised by one or the other the child will often have issues appropriately adjusting or understanding the other side of their lineage. Most half-elves are descended from Silver Elves. Pairings of elves and other races also existed, though they are rare.    

Halfling

Halflings are small in comparison with the members of most other races, standing somewhere from 2′8″‒3′4″ tall. In many ways, halflings resemble small humans and usually have the same proportions as the typical human adult. Most halflings have dark hair and eyes, regardless of their skin complexion which, although commonly ruddy in hue had a similar range to humans. The term "halfling" was derived from the fact that a halfling was around half of the size of a human, but otherwise very similar in appearance.  

Half-Orc

Half-orcs are humanoids born of both human and orc ancestry by a multitude of means. Having the combined physical power of their orcish ancestors with the agility of their human ones, half-orcs are formidable individuals. Half-orcs have proven themselves from time to time as worthy heroes and dangerous villains. Half-orcs have longer lifespans than humans, reaching maturity in their late twenties and living longer than 140-years. Their existence implied an interesting back story that most would find intriguing, to say the least.

Human

Humans are widespread, and can be found in most regions and, in general, are fierce and disagreeable, which could sometimes lead certain other races to view them with contempt. They are renowned for their diversity and ambition, and although they lack specialization, they could excel in many areas. The origin of humanity was unknown. Although scholars theorize that they could be the base or blank canvas with which the gods began their creation, beyond this humans have no unifying creation myth. But, they are certainly an ancient race, having originated before written records existed.  

Orc

Orcs are a race of humanoids, born from elves seared by the blood of Nova-Ru. When the Sun Elves were tainted by the blood their skin took became tough, and sun-tanned, to the point where it almost appeared burned. Whereas Silver Elves, had their skin turn a sickly green. Though created to serve Dark Lord, they did not give thought to whether or not the Orcs would choose to follow them, they may have been changed by his blood, but they did not have to worship him. This led to the first alliance of Orcs and the people of Xinithia, and the forging of the great clan or "Obunak". When they departed the Epbel Thicket and traveled south, the Clan had a dispute so great, that it drove a wedge between the Clan, and thus they divided into two separate Clans, the Fang-Fist, and Crimson-Hand. Over the years, the dispute was cemented between the two tribes and has lasted so long that not even the Chieftan's of today can remember exactly how it started. Yet they carry on the tradition, no lives have been lost in this dispute, but there is also no peace between the clans either.    

Tethyan

Tethyans are an outsider race native to the seas but hailing from the Elemental Plane of Water. Sharing similar features to humans, with a few key distinctions, like the gills on their necks, large iris' that allow them to see in the darkest depths of the ocean, and their increased water traversal. In the early years of the Second Age, when the barrier between the Planes was weak, the Tethyans, known at the time as the Fulnari, came into Xinithia and made their home in the deepest trench in the ocean, within Barren-Reef Peninsula. Here they made their home Tethys. When first discovered there was an unease between those on land and the Tethyans. But over time peace was reached, and eventually solidified when a Tethyan took the throne of Voniel for a time, after being named the sole heir by the barren king. Since then Tethys has thrived as has its people.  

Tiefling

Tieflings are human-based plane-touched, native outsiders that were infused with the touch of the fiendish planes, most often through descent from fiends—demons, Yugoloths, devils, and others who had bred with humans. Tieflings are known for their cunning and personal allure, which made them excellent deceivers as well as inspiring leaders when prejudices were laid aside. Though not uncommon, very few tieflings exist in Xinithia, either driven out by other races or sacrificed by cultists in an attempt to release the Lords of Catastrophe, they are a rare sight.  

Valero-Lok

After the Crisis brought forth by Nova-Ru, the presence of aberrations and monstrosities in the world was undeniable. To combat this new threat Atia, blessed a number of her followers who were strong of will, and devotion. These individuals were deemed Valero-Lok or Protector Beasts in the common tongue. With the introduction of these new humanoid/beast hybrids came the formation of Packs, each responsible for their own respective locations to watch over, without attracting the attention of others. Silent protectors, beasts of moonlight, these are merely two examples of the many names they were given. And over time they could accumulate more, but the one most prominent, even more so than their namesake given to them by Atia, was a slander in the eyes of the Valero-Lok, Werewolves.   The Valero-Lok, had 4 known packs in the beginning, but now only 1 is known to still exist, but if rumors are to be believed a secondary pack still thrives in the North, near Ravo's Bluff. The term pack, in this instance, is used as more of a moniker of where an individual Valero-Lok may come from. Many of a singular pack may travel far distances to serve the people of Xinithia, but they still remain a member of their original pack, unless they defect.   Not all Valero-Lok are born within the packs, some are found to be born of normal means among the populace of the cities and villages across Xinithia. In these instances, the individual may choose to reject the beast inside, but with every full moon, they feel their blood boil, yearning to embrace it. Or they may choose to wander the lands without any connection to any pack, this makes them an Olamek or Lone Traveler.    

Warforged

Warforged are a race of humanoid constructs created through powerful rituals. First created in the later years of the Third Age by Dazden Palefinger, as an experiment to see if constructs were capable of higher understanding. Warforged are made up of bulky (albeit resilient) metallic or stone bodies. Extremely powerful and durable, Warforged are able fighters. Unlike most constructs, Warforged are fully self-aware and maintain mental faculties on par with elves, humans, or similar races.    

A Realm Touched by Many

In Xinithia, it is not unusual for the fabric of reality to meld and become entangled with other realms. Satyrs, Minotaurs, and Aarakocra to name a few of the races that have graced the landscapes of Xinithia, through the veil of the Void. This is to say that anything can happen in Xinithia, any race has the chance to appear on the world, in one way or another.