Races
Your character's race is the type of creature he is. Just as we in the real world come in different shapes, colours and talents, so too, do the creatures of the Burning World. Each race is unique in physical attributes, beliefs, and talents born of heredity, culture and upbringing.
| Race | Stat Bonuses/Penalties |
|---|---|
| Elf | -1 Str, +1 Wis, +1 Dex, -1 Con |
| Half-Elf | +1 Dex, -1 Con |
| Dwarf | +1 Str, +1 Con, -1 Dex, -1 Int |
| Hobbit | -2 Str, +2 Dex |
| Gnome | -2 Str, +2 Int, -1 Con |
| Human | No bonuses or penalties |
| Orc | +1 Str, -1 Int, -1 Wis, -1 Dex, +1 Con |
| Half-Orc | -1 Dex, +1 Con |
| Drow-Elf | -1 Str, +1 Int, +1 Dex, -1 Con |
| Troll | +2 Str, -1 Int, -1 Wis, -3 Dex, +1 Con |
| Goblin | -1 Str, -1 Int, +1 Wis, +1 Dex, -1 Con |
Elves
Elves are very similar to humans, except that they are generally taller. They have elongated ears with points at the top, slightly larger eyes, and more delicate features. While it is generally assumed among human races that Elves are immortal, some do seem to age, and have even been known to die (they can of course also die by violence). The fact that some elves seem to age may be attributed to intermingling with mortal races.
A facet of of the High Elves which cannot be emphasized enough is their egos. While all Elven groups are immortal, and generally fairer in appearance than the mortals, the wood elves retain a certain self-effacing attitude. Not so with the Highelfs. They rarely attempt to restrain their contempt for mortals and their arrogance is legendary. This goes a long way to explain why they have been hunted by certain peoples in Jaiman and other regions.
In Namar-Tol for example, the elves have organized their own realm as they see fit. Their visualization of the proper order of things is that High Elves were born to create art and music, to create things of beauty (and of course to be things of beauty). Mortals on the other hand were born to support an environment in which the Highelves are free to do these things. To the credit of the Elves, they don't endorse slavery - they pay their mortal servants well - but their attitude towards their servants is disdainful and contemptful.
STATS: -1 Str, +1 Wis, +1 Dex, -1 Con
Availible classes: Mage, Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Warlock, Templar, Animist
Half-elf
Half-elves are in reality a name for a multitude of different "sub races", similar they are decended from an Elven-mannish mix. Like elves, they are immortal, but half-elves have a greater love for the world, thanks to, or because of, (depending on your point of view) their mannish side. This means that their souls linger in the world a bit longer after the death of the body, than their elven counterparts.
Half-elves also inherit traits and values from their mannish-side, which are sometimes in conflict with those of the Elves. Thus, they have no limits concerning their choice of profession. They do not possess many of built-in prejudices of either race, but some prejudices are magnified, which tends to set them apart from their inherited races.
STATS: +1 Dex, -1 Con
Availible classes: Mage, Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Warlock, Templar, Animist
Availible alignments: Good, Neutral
Dwarf
Legends and songs assert the Dwarves to have been born of stone, naming them as sons and daughters of Earth. They are a stalwart people, comfortable below ground, where they delve labyrinthine mines and palatial dwellings. Like the Goblins and Orcs, Dwarves are masters of metalcraft; but unlike those unsavory cavern dwellers, they design their works to exhibit beauty as well as strength and utility. Full of ridicule for the ways of conjurers, they employ such magic only to enhance the powers of the weapons and artifacts reluctantly released from their forges.
Dwarves are short and stocky with ruddy complexion; their eyes are deep set, generation the illusion of great wisdom. Their hair is brown or black, occasionally flame-colored. Dwarves favor colorful clothing and hand arms. Many are proficient with standard bows, but a liking for mechanical devices prompts them to employ crossbows when a need for missile weapons arise.
Dwarves are 4'-5' tall. They are resistant to disease and poisons. They have superior sight underground and in near total darkness. Dwarves never become magic-users. Average lifespan is 250 years with many individuals reaching 400 years.
STATS: +1 Str, +1 Con, -1 Dex, -1 Int
Availible classes: Priest, Rogue, Fighter
Hobbit
Hobbits, or halflings, are a short people and they tend to become fat. They are friendly and possess an innocent and joyful charisma. Their hands and feet are oversized and hairy enough to be called furry by anyone but a Halfling.
They are a peaceful people, preferring the quiet of their own villages. Their biggest joy in life is dining. Halflings can have six meals in a day, with snacks in between, without any feelings of guilt. Despite their often round figures, halflings are very agile and tend to have a natural talent for slight of hands. The agility also makes them excellent sneaks and archers.
Halflings have no interest whatsoever for technology, sophisticated knowledge (magic) or personal power. This is probably one of the main reasons why so few individuals decide to trade the safe and peaceful life in their community for adventure and danger.
Halflings average between 3 and 4 feet in height .They possess endurance and constitution rivaling the Dwarves. Furthermore they have a natural resistance towards poison, diseases, Essence- and Mentalism spells. Halflings never use the powers of Essence and Mentalism. The average lifespan is slightly less than 100 years.
STATS: -2 Str, +2 Dex
Availible classes: Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Animist
Gnome
Gnomes are among the shortest demihumans, even the tallest do not exceed four feet in height and are quite light. Distant relatives of Dwarves and Hobbits, Gnomes are the more cerebral of the little people. Gnomes are fascinated by all things mechanical, and often can be found tinkering with their latest inventions. Their high intelligence makes them excellent magicians, but their small stature gives them a disadvantage in the more physical disciplines.
STATS: -2 Str, +2 Int, -1 Con
Availible classes: Mage, Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Warlock, Animist
Human
Concentrated mostly in the northeasterly regions of Emer, especially the hills of the great Silaaran peninsula, the humans are a quiet people. Small but hardy, they have fair skin and little body hair, but scalp hair is thick and while it can be either black or curly, it is almost always black (or, in rare cases, silver). Eyes are usually brown or amber, and a distinguishing feature is the epicantic fold (the small overlap of skin over the eyes, giving them-in Terran Terminology-an 'oriental' look). Y'nari also have 'flattened' features: small noses, wide, prominent cheekbones and forehead.
In size humans range between 5'2"-6'2" in height, there lifespan range from 90-110 years.
STATS: No bonuses or penalties
Availible classes: Mage, Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Warlock, Templar, Nightblade, Animist
One might think humans inferior to demi-humans, however humans receive a starting bonus of three stats instead of the normal two.
Orc
Orcs are the living breathing examples of cruelty, brutality, pitilessness, indulgence, ambition and evil. Although it may be said that the race is not intrinsically evil, the tendency is almost irreversible and unavoidable. There have never been a recorded example of anything like a virtuous Orc. Trying to find and build good qualities among Orcs is something less hopeful than attempting a successful moral campaign among human promoters of organized crime.
There are basically three principles of advice for Orcish behavior within Orcish society, given here in order:
- if it is bigger and smarter than you, do as it says.
- do whatever feels good
- if you can hurt anything while you pleasure yourself, so much the better.
Among themselves, from infancy through adulthood, Orcs are cannibalistic, greedy, grasping and brutal. Nearly all positions within Orcish society are gained by combat, ritual or otherwise.
At the very least, Orcish life must be considered unspeakable grim. "Might makes right" is the purest and most devotedly followed of all Orcish axioms. There are no other laws.
STATS: +1 Str, -1 Int, -1 Wis, -1 Dex, +1 Con
Availible classes: Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Nightblade, Warlock
Half-orc
Grotesque faces with slanting eyes and flattened snouts full of sharpened tusks further deform their heavily built, muscled bodies with long arms and think swarthy hide. Cannibalistic cruelty motivate their distorted souls, and a Fullorc respects little save superior force. Many are superb smiths, but they seldom make any items not associated with war.
Orcs are born to live, fight and to die in darkness; they hate the stars and moonlight, but panic under the brighter sun. Half Orcs are smarter and tougher; they can operate in daylight and actually possesses some skill in speaking and reasoning (or so they claim).
STATS: -1 Dex, +1 Con
Availible classes: Mage, Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Warlock, Nightblade, Animist
Drow elf
The drows are also sometimes called the Dark Elves. However, despite their name they do not have darker skin than their brethren; in fact they are often very fair skinned and have pale or even white hair. Their ears frequently have more pronounced points than other elves; their eyes are grey, black or sometimes amber. Like the elfs, they are often physically very intimidating.
The dark elves are an almost invariably evil race of elves, whose talents and tendencies lean heavily towards the magical arts, often the darker sides. They are cunning and cruel, ambitious to the end. The Dyari are what becomes of Loari conceit coupled with a matching ambition and a lack of morality. Many are followers of the Dark gods - especially Moralis and Inis.
STATS: -1 Str, +1 Int, +1 Dex, -1 Con
Availible classes: Mage, Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Nightblade, Warlock
Troll
Huge, powerful, humanoid creatures, Trolls were created by Morgoth in mockery of Ents. Standing 8 feet tall, they are fearless in battle. Trolls are remarkably strong and tough, with iron-like flesh that is difficult to damage. However, their inherent stupidity and clumsiness can be used to their disadvantage. Trolls are especially fond of Elf flesh, and will always take the opportunity to capture Elves. The eons in the darkness in the caverns have left Trolls vulnerable to certain environment affects, but few have been able to survive long enough against trolls to discover these.
STATS: +2 Str, -1 Int, -1 Wis, -3 Dex, +1 Con
Availible classes: Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Nightblade
Goblin
Goblins are small creatures and somewhat fragile, drawing their strength from numbers or by treachery of ambush. They are not the most hearty of races, though can hold their own in hand-to-hand combat. They are relatively small beings, only about 4 feet tall on average, with long arms hanging past their knees. Goblins are characterized by their pointed ears and broad faces, with gangly fangs, yellow or red eyes and the skin tones of dark reds, yellows, and oranges. Goblins are dirty by nature, living often in the darkness of a foul smelling cave. They can see in complete darkness and tend to stay underground during daylight hours, hunting or stealing at night for their food. They are not what some would call honorable or just, but quite far from it. They will often avoid direct combat, choosing to hide in darkness waiting for their foes. Their tactics seem crude, but can be extremely effective. Living in such unhealthy conditions, goblins tend to be somewhat resiliant to the effects of their environment, as well as gaining a few problems.
Generations of goblins have dwelled below the surface of the planet now, and they have become smaller and their bones brittle. Light is blinding to these creatures, as well as harmful, and their skin is burned easily as any goblin hunter would know. Much is known about the goblin, though still some unknown. Not many have befriended the goblin tribes.
STATS: -1 Str, -1 Int, +1 Wis, +1 Dex, -1 Con
Availible classes: Priest, Rogue, Fighter, Nightblade