Kaliteth Races

Main: Kaliteth

Within the world of Edæroth, there are several different advanced species of people which have a long history, unique physiology and elaborate culture. Most of these races tend to be best suited to specific regions of the planet, but there still are many who travel to other lands. There does exists some instinctive and historical distrust of some races when relating with others, however, only in rare locations are individuals treated with open hostility based merely on their race.

Hidden Lore specializations exist for race which can provide a greater level of knowledge of history, physiology and culture.

Dwarves

Legends tell how Ödithrax, during the age of the Ödika Empire, created the race of Dwarves (Srodnitsi [srod-nit-sē] in their tongue) as a subjugated species to serve as miners, smiths and combat engineers for the imperial armies. Since the Fall, the dwarves have striven to gain their independence and establish their own society. Eager to leave the world of humanity far behind, the dwarves ventured far into up into the Great Tæton Mountains, building underground cities where once there were only crude mines. Dwarves are seldom encountered outside their dungeon homes.

They are a short, stout, sturdy race that is highly industrious, particularly in the trades of structural engineering, mining, metal crafting and brewing. Their average height ranges from 3’7” to 4’2” (SM -1) and weigh from 158 to 246 lbs. Their skin is dark gray in appearance and when compared with humans, much thicker and more resilient. Their eyes are deep set and generally resemble stones of polished onyx. None have ever seen females dwarves and story relate that Ödithrax created only males. Their hair ranges in color and they generally possess exceptional beards. Dwarves are known for being especially skilled craftsmen and relentlessly hard workers, and in their free time, rowdy carousers and boastful story tellers.

Racial Traits: Alcohol Tolerance [1]; Damage Resistance (DR 2, tough skin) [6]; Dark Vision [25]; Decreased Basic Move 1 [-5]; Detect (precious metals and gems, vague) [7]; Dislike (outdoors) [-1]; Increased HT 2 [20]; Intolerance (orcs/goblins) [-2]; Odious Personal Habits 1 [-5]; Magical Resistance 2 [4]; Resistant (poisons, +3 to HT) [5]; Sensitive to Daylight (-2 PER when in full sunlight) [-5]; Talent 1 (craftsman) [10]; Unusual Biochemistry [-5]; [55]

Many dwarves also have Greed, Miserliness and/or Proud. Their dark complexion provides them a +2 bonus to Camouflage skill when in darkened areas or rocky terrain.

Craftsman: Armoury, Carpentry, Engineer (mining), Geology, Jeweler, Masonry, Metallurgy, Prospecting, Smith.

Elves

Little is known about the history of the elves, but there are legends that suggest that the elves once possessed advanced technologies, powerful magic, and built great cities. Some ruins exist which scholars believe may have belonged to the elves of ancient times. Within Kaliteth, there exist two groups of elves, the Ancient Ones and the Forest Elves.

Ancient Ones

No group of people on Edæroth is more rarely encountered than that of the Ancient Ones (Pahale Vaale [pa-ha-lā vā-a-lā] in their tongue), the reason being that there are so few left in the world. Many believe these elves suffered greatly in the wars with the old empire, their numbers culled to the point of near extinction. Those who remain are rumored to live in a hidden city protected by powerful magic that makes it impossible for any but an Ancient One to find. In recent history, only on very rare occasions have any Ancient Ones been seen in human settlements.

These elves are very tall (6' to 7' in height) but very slender with an average weight of just 70-90 lbs. Compared with the average human, they are much weaker in strength but are much more intelligent. They are especially gifted with magic and often possess a natural magical ability. In appearance, their skin is generally a very pale flesh-tone, they have vibrant jade green eyes, long pointed ears, hair of silvery-white and are considered by most to be very handsome/beautiful in appearance; they have a calm, natural grace about them.

Racial Traits: Appearance (Very Handsome/Beautiful; Universal) [20]; Charisma 1 [5]; Decreased ST 2 [-20]; Intolerance (humans) [-2]; Increased IQ 2 [40]; Skinny [-5]; Unaging [15]; Unusual Biochemistry [-5]; Magical Resistance 5 (only sleep spells and effects) [3]; Magical Resistance 2 (only enchantment/charm spells and effects) [3]; Nightvision 4 [4]; [58]

Forest Elves

Unlike their cousins, the Ancient Ones, the Forest Elves (Jangalata Loka [jan-ga-la-ta lō-ka] in their tongue) are more commonly encountered by other races. Although they do prefer to live in remote and isolated forests far removed from "society", there are those who frequently travel outside their lands to conduct trade.

When compared with the highly cultured and civilized Ancient Ones, the Forest Elves are feral and strongly connected with nature. Their primitive homes are constructed within giant living trees which have been shaped by magic. Each has an animal companion, many of which serve as mounts (dire forms of elk, boar, wolf, panther and bear), who they share a strong bond of friendship, compassion and loyalty. Even in physical appearance the Forest Elves are quite different from the Ancient Ones. They are very small, with heights ranging from 3' to 3.5' and weigh 36-42 lbs (like a 4-year-old human child). They have tan-to-light-brown skin, amber-to-brown colored hair, vibrant emerald green eyes, and short pointed ears. Within their culture, tribal tattoos are used to denote their family tribe, personal accomplishments and achieved honors.

Racial Traits: Acute Hearing 4 [8]; Acute Vision 2 [4]; Appearance (Handsome/Beautiful; Universal) [15]; Curious (12) [-5]; Increased DX 2 [40]; Intolerance (orcs/goblins) [-2]; Longevity [2]; Magical Resistance 5 (only sleep spells and effects) [3]; Magical Resistance 2 (only enchantment/charm spells and effects) [3]; Nightvision 6 [6]; Sense of Duty (forest) [-10]; Silence 2 [10]; Taboo Traits (max ST 10) [0]; Unusual Biochemistry [-5]; [69]

Humans

They have an average height ranging from 5’2” to 6’2” and weigh 80 to 185 lbs. Hair, eye and skin color varies based on ethnicity:

• Jedok - blue eyes, pale blond or white hair, pale skin.
• Kaliteth - varied eyes, varied hair, light brown skin.
• Om'Buccar - brown eyes, black hair, dark brown to black colored skin.

Orcs

The Orcs (Ojakhi [ō-ja-khi] in their tongue) possess an ancient and proud history. Their legends tell of the might of the orcs, having defeated all the dragons of old, long before any of the other "bloodless" races came to these lands. During the times of the Empire of Ödithrax, the orcs were hunted mercilessly by the humans. Where once the orcs lived all throughout Kaliteth, now they only live in some of the more remote areas.

Compared to humans, orcs are very large, having a tall and muscular build. Male orcs have an average height of 7-8 feet and weight of 300-350 lbs; female orcs have an average height of 6-7 feet and weight of 200-250 lbs. Orc skin color varies greatly (any color of the rainbow), but always of a dark or muddied tone. The skin also has flecks of darkness creating an extra layer of coloration in a mottled pattern on their top/back side (undersides are lighter). In addition to the coloration, orc skin is also very thick, hard to cut and textured like wet sand. Orc hair is always black and has a very course, bristly texture. The most notable difference from humans is that orcs possess only four digits on their hands, with an opposable thumb on either side of the hand. Other notable differences are: star-shaped irises; pointed ears; elongated canine teeth that protrude from their lips like tusks (some longer than others); and dark blue blood.

Orcs are predominantly nocturnal, preferring to remain indoors (or underground) and asleep during the brightest times of the day. Their senses are highly adapted to night-time hunting, but suffer somewhat in bright light.

Racial Traits: Night Vision 7 [7]; Acute Hearing 5 [10]; Acute Smell/Taste 7 [14]; Appearance (Hideous, -4 Reaction for non-orcs) [-20]; Claws (sharp) [5]; Extra Sleep 2 [-4]; Frightens Animals [-10]; Intolerance (Humans) [-2]; Sensitive to Daylight (-2 PER when in full sunlight) [-5]; Teeth (Tusks, thrust-1 imp) [2]; Damage Resistance 3 (Tough Skin, -40%) [9]; Enhanced Move 1.5 [10]; Hard to Kill 4 [8]; High Pain Threshold [10]; Increased ST 8 [72](males) 2 [18](females); Regeneration (slow, 1 HP/12 hours) [10]; Resistant (disease, +8 to HT) [5]; Resistant (poison, +8) [8]; Unusual Biochemistry [-5]; Taboo Trait (max Sorcery level 1, except for Shaman) [0]; [124] (male) and [70] (female)

Kurg

On occasion, about 5% of the time, there are orcs born who are much smaller in size than the average orc, runts, which are referred to as Kurg. They are true orcs in all respects accept having an average height of 5’2” to 6’2” and weigh 80 to 185 lbs. In orc culture, where one's status is directly associated with physical stature, the Kurg are considered the lowest of the low ("undesirables"). They are assigned the most low-level, laborious and hazardous jobs.

It is not uncommon for Kurg to join the military, primarily as an opportunity to gain a small measure of honor and be treated slightly better than they would otherwise. Although not big enough or strong enough to serve on the front lines, they’ve proven to be pretty effective with ranged weapons. Many archery units are comprised almost entirely of Kurg orcs.

Racial Traits: same as Orc, but with reduced strength, Increased ST 2 [18] for males and none for female.

Half-Orcs

Within the lands of Kaliteth, there exists a mix-breed of human and orc, the Half-orcs, which shares characteristic of both species. In both human and orc cultures, the half-orcs are generally viewed as being a filthy, half-breed, bastard of unpure blood, however, they are generally more accepted in orc society even though treated as an inferiors, little better than Kurg orcs. They have an average height ranging from 6’4” to 6’9” (SM +1) and weigh 180 to 250 lbs. Their skin is gray-green to gray-tan in color, they have coarse black hair, sharp teeth and claws. Half-orcs are always male and they are completely incapable of breeding (sterile). Half-orc blood is violet in color.

Racial Traits: Acute Hearing 1 [2]; Acute Taste/Smell 2 [4]; Appearance (Hideous, -4 Reaction) [-16]; Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Claws (sharp) [5]; Increased HT 1 [10]; Increased ST 4 [36]; Night Vision 2 [2]; Resistant (disease, +3 to HT) [4]; Resistant (poisons, +3 to HT) [5]; Sterility [0]; Teeth (sharp) [1]; Unusual Biochemistry [-5]; [38]

Goblins

Racial Traits: Unusual Biochemistry [-5];

Lizardmen

Racial Traits: Unusual Biochemistry [-5];

Yedhi

Racial Traits: