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 +1 bonus to Stealth when in an area with darkness level of twilight, torchlight or less.

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 the city. Only on very rare occasions in recent history 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 70-90 lbs. Compared with the average human, they are much weaker in strength but much more intelligent. They are especially gifted with magic and often have a natural magical ability. In appearance, their skin is generally a very pale flesh-tone, they have vibrant 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 (Handsome/Beautiful) [12]; Charisma 1 [5]; Decreased ST 2 [-20]; Dislike (humans) [-1]; Increased IQ 2 [40]; Skinny [-5]; Unaging [15]; Unusual Biochemistry [-5]; [41]

Sample natural abilities:

Forest Elves

Unlike their cousins, the Ancient Ones, the Forest Elves (Jangalata Loka [jan-ga-la-ta lō-ka] in their tongue) are

One tradition in particular that sets them apart from the Ancient Ones is their close connection to nature, especially in regards to their adopting infant beasts that are trained to become loyal mounts--beast riders (dire forms of elk, boar, wolf, panther and bear). By comparison with their ancestors, they are very small, with heights ranging from 3' to 3.5' and weigh ? lbs. In appearance, they have tan to light brown skin, amber to brown hair, vibrant emerald green eyes, and short pointed ears. Most have elaborate tribal tattoos, especially on their face and arms.

Racial Traits: Acute Hearing 4 [8]; Acute Vision 2 [4]; Appearance (Beautiful, universal) [15]; Curious (12) [-5]; Increased DX 2 [40]; Intolerance (orcs/goblins) [-2]; Longevity [2]; Magical Resistance 5 (improved, only sleep spells and effects) [3]; Magical Resistance 2 (improved, 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 175 lbs. Hair, eye and skin color varies based on ethnicity:

• Eliron - amber eyes, light brown or auburn hair, light tan to light brown skin.
• Jeraemir - blue eyes, ultra blond to golden blond hair, pale skin.
• Koreld - green eyes, black hair, dark brown skin.
• Straihlbalt - brown eyes, black hair, light brown skin.
• Turthann - brown eyes, dark brown to black hair, light tan to peachy skin.

Orcs

Racial Traits: Acute Taste/Smell 2 [4]; Appearance (hideous) [-16]; Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Callous [-5]; Claws (sharp) [5]; Increased HT 1 [10]; Increased ST 4 [40]; Night Vision 2 [2]; Resistant (disease, +8 to HT) [5]; Resistant (poisons, +3 to HT) [5]; Social Stigma (second class citizen) [-5]; Sterility [0]; Taboo Traits (max IQ 10) [0]; Teeth (sharp) [1]; [36]

Half-Orcs

Few know why, but orcs share enough of a genetic similarity with humans that it is possible for them to mate and produce offspring. In most cases, the mother was a human raped by an orc male; she often dies in childbirth. Being smaller in size than an orc, when they remain in an orc community, half-orc are treated like inferiors and often get teased, abused and forced to perform the most menial duties. Due to their ugly appearance, half-orc are shunned by humanity and often treated as monsters to be dealt with. For this reason, half-orcs find it very difficult to fit in within either society and often become loners or leaders of small bands of goblins or bandits who they can intimidate into service. They have an average height ranging from 6’4” to 6’9” (SM +1) and weigh 180 to 264 lbs. Their skin is gray-green to gray-tan in color, they have coarse black hair, sharp teeth and claws.

Racial Traits: Acute Taste/Smell 2 [4]; Appearance (hideous) [-16]; Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Callous [-5]; Claws (sharp) [5]; Increased HT 1 [10]; Increased ST 4 [40]; Night Vision 2 [2]; Resistant (disease, +8 to HT) [5]; Resistant (poisons, +3 to HT) [5]; Social Stigma (second class citizen) [-5]; Sterility [0]; Taboo Traits (max IQ 10) [0]; Teeth (sharp) [1]; [36]

Goblins

Racial Traits: Acute Taste/Smell 2 [4]; Appearance (hideous) [-16]; Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Callous [-5]; Claws (sharp) [5]; Increased HT 1 [10]; Increased ST 4 [40]; Night Vision 2 [2]; Resistant (disease, +8 to HT) [5]; Resistant (poisons, +3 to HT) [5]; Social Stigma (second class citizen) [-5]; Sterility [0]; Taboo Traits (max IQ 10) [0]; Teeth (sharp) [1]; [36]

Lizardmen

Racial Traits: Acute Taste/Smell 2 [4]; Appearance (hideous) [-16]; Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Callous [-5]; Claws (sharp) [5]; Increased HT 1 [10]; Increased ST 4 [40]; Night Vision 2 [2]; Resistant (disease, +8 to HT) [5]; Resistant (poisons, +3 to HT) [5]; Social Stigma (second class citizen) [-5]; Sterility [0]; Taboo Traits (max IQ 10) [0]; Teeth (sharp) [1]; [36]

Yedhi

Racial Traits: Acute Taste/Smell 2 [4]; Appearance (hideous) [-16]; Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Callous [-5]; Claws (sharp) [5]; Increased HT 1 [10]; Increased ST 4 [40]; Night Vision 2 [2]; Resistant (disease, +8 to HT) [5]; Resistant (poisons, +3 to HT) [5]; Social Stigma (second class citizen) [-5]; Sterility [0]; Taboo Traits (max IQ 10) [0]; Teeth (sharp) [1]; [36]