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Races of Rhyn WIP:

ELVES:

Rarity: Second most prolific species.

Elves are amongst the oldest beings in Rhyn, forming civilizations when many were still roaming without fire or agriculture. Only Dragons and Fae had cities before the elves, with Dragons in particular having ruled Rhyn's skies and freely hunted eons before elves even learned how to weave clothing.

They began in the treetops of Ai'quilonde, spreading throughout the continent of Thalathriel. As lovers of all things natural, they kept their early cities wild, preferring to live and build amongst nature without disturbing it. Elven cities today are still filled with gardens and greenery, a homage to the forests that gave them life.

All elves are immortal and often enjoy lifespans of 10,000 years or more before violence, accidents, sickness, or weariness of life claim them. They are then reincarnated, often remembering the full range of their previous lives upon reaching adulthood. After several reincarnations, the elf will begin to forget lives, but the lives will always be a part of their soul, shaping their personality. This is how elves earned the reputation of being wise or worldly, because many are.

-Aiquessia Elves: These individuals tend to be tall and graceful, ethereally beautiful, with pale or slightly tanned skin, and hair colors of white, blonde, red, brown, black, and green. Their eyes are often green but can be any range of color, with black being the rarest.

-Wood Elves (Ai'quilonde Elves): The ancestors of all elves, they became a distinct subrace when elves began leaving the forests of Ai'quilonde. They have a simple, more tribal culture and prefer living in the canopies of forests to this day. Darker-skinned and haired, with shorter and more muscular builds compared to the often pale and willowy elves of Aiquessia, they are often mistaken for half-elves. Their numbers fell to the point of near extinction after the Elven civil war, and only a few isolated pockets of pure wood elven communities remain.

-Desert Elves (Sal Karna): These elves traveled even further from Ai'quilonde, crafting ships and eventually settling on the desert continent of Karna. They skirmish often with Dragonkin over oases and fertile lands. They are completely dark in hair, skin, and eyes, resembling the volcanic glass they use both in jewelry and warfare. This adaptation was born from a need for protection against the punishing desert sun. They're a tough, often arrogant people who have carved out an impressive civilization in a near-inhospitable land.

Sal Karnan Elves are known to have metalworking, forging, and crafting skills second only to the Dwarves of ancient times. They've managed to cast obsidian, stabilizing its brittleness, and have invented a metal mesh wheel they use on their caravans to traverse the varied desert terrain. Their jewelry is always very ornate, showcasing their expertise and mastery over all metals, gems, and glass.

Sal Karnan elves tend to dress in bright, flashy colors or pure white if they're traveling far into the desert. Their clothing is always light, airy, and breathable. Hair and face coverings or masks are common, both to protect from sandstorms and for fashion.

-Twilight Elves (Vatariel): A subrace of Aiquessia elves, they are noticeably different in culture by the way they vastly prefer twilight or night itself and often engage in shady occupations, such as assassins, spies, smugglers, or thieves, as they're originally descended from those outcast from Aiquessia society.

A relatively new offshoot, they live alongside Aiquessia elves, often making their homes in caves or other darker places, hiding during the day. Their eyes have adapted to see very well in the dark, developing a tapetum lucidum like many nocturnal beings. It is a reflective layer within the eye that directs light back into the retina. If a bright light is shined at a Vatariel, their eyes will reflect it. Their ears are bigger and longer than other elves', enhancing their hearing. Their hair is either white or black, and their skin tone can be any shade of grey, with eyes of any shade, including reds, a spectrum not seen in any other Elven subrace.

-About Elvish Soul Bonds/Soulmates: Elvish soul bonds are a rare phenomenon that occurs when an elven soul is split during reincarnation, resulting in two separate elves. These individuals are born with an innate yearning to seek out their Tia'ular (soulmate), beginning this quest shortly after reaching adulthood at the age of 100. Upon meeting, there is an immediate draw between them, and while a deep, mutual love typically develops over time, a profound friendship can also form. Although the bond can be resisted, doing so causes significant pain to both elves involved.

The soul bond progresses through three distinct stages:

1. Anivular (soul memory): This initial stage occurs when the elves meet and recognize each other as soulmates. If they decide to explore their connection romantically, stage two begins.

2. Evaeular (soul knowing): During this stage, the elves fall in love. They become capable of sensing each other’s surface thoughts and emotions, deepening their bond.

3. Lyrular (soul joining): The final stage is marked by the elves physically uniting through sex, which intertwines their souls permanently, enabling them to share thoughts and feel each other’s emotions as if they were their own. Couples often seclude themselves for several days in private retreats due to the intense and passionate nature of their union.

Should one of the bonded elves perish, the survivor is compelled to seek out their soulmate’s next reincarnation, continuing their eternal bond across lifetimes.

The friendship between two soulmates is deep, and often the souls become just as intertwined as any romantic pair.

HUMANS:

Rarity: Dominant race on Rhyn.

The most diverse race upon Rhyn, humans are as different as can be from each other, to the point it's surprising they can agree upon anything enough to form a civilized society. Their looks are as varied as their cultures, with a myriad of skin tones ranging from near white to obsidian. Their hair can be any shade or texture, favoring blondes, browns, blacks, and reds, but unusual colors aren't unheard of and are usually the mark of a different race within the bloodline or magical abilities.

DWARVES:

Rarity: Near extinct.

Once a proud race resembling very short, stocky humans, they made their homes underground in vast subterranean holds. They were the miners, smiths, traders, and warriors that defended Rhyn from threats that slumbered beneath. Never a race that had strong numbers given the rarity of Dwarven women, their numbers dwindled further after the Elven civil war. Unable to maintain their subterranean holds, they instead began building cities atop mountains instead of under them. Dwarves still travel underground to mine and gather culturally significant fungus, animals, and plants not found on the surface.

They're fiercely protective of their women, forcing them to grow their beards fully when allowed to leave their territory as a disguise. Most wouldn't be able to tell if they were conversing with a female dwarf unless she revealed herself as female. Females are also restricted in their occupations, considered too precious to be wasted on fighting and adventure. There are outliers who rebel against these rules, but they are rare. Dwarven women are treated with the utmost reverence, respect, and care despite these restrictions.

-Mountain Dwarves: The vast majority of Dwarves now live atop their ancestral mountain homes at high altitudes. These communities are small in number due to Dwarves preferring to gather in one cohesive cultural center. They are traditional, isolationists, and do their best to be self-sufficient.

-City Dwarves: If you meet a Dwarven adventurer, trader, or otherwise, they will almost exclusively be a City Dwarf. As the name suggests, these Dwarves live amongst other races in large capital cities and are far more likely to share that particular race's culture than traditional Dwarven values. They were either born there or left their communities to travel. Their appearance isn't any different from a Mountain Dwarf, save for style. A City Dwarf might cut their hair short and almost always shave, where a Mountain Dwarf would be incredibly insulted if anyone suggested they do the same.

FAE:

Rarity: Third most prolific, mostly keep to their own plane.

Fae are beings of great beauty who dwell upon the Esellistral Plane, commonly referred to as the Fae Realm. Magical in nature, they all have inherent magical powers which Fae society separates into cultures referred to as Courts. They mostly resemble Elves, but with slightly longer ears and a wider range of hair and eye colors, sometimes even having multicolored hair, and heterochromia is common. Each Fae also has wings which vary in size and appearance and can fly for extended periods of time. Fae often personify whichever court they were born into, the realm itself shaping them. They tend to be sexual beings and lovers of mischief, parties, feasts, and magically charged rituals. Fae can form bonds with each other that cause intense attraction to each other. These couples are called mates and can form between any gender.

The main Courts are split into two main factions. Good, neutral, and evil can be found in either faction:

-Seelie Spring, Autumn, Dream, Dawn, Day, Earth, and Water.

-Unseelie: Summer, Winter, Air, Fire, Nightmare, Dusk, and Night.

-About the Esellistral Plane: A Plane created by the Fae themselves, it is a unique world all to its own. Its seasons depend upon the court, often unchanging. No matter the court, every place within is achingly beautiful, and magic flows freely, affecting everything found within, and even the plants have magical properties. It is also an incredibly dangerous place for those who have weak or no magic, and it is also advised not to enter the Fae Realm uninvited, as Fae can be territorial.

-About Fae Mates: A mating bond is completely about sexual attraction and producing strong offspring. Fae birth rates are usually low but mated pairs nearly always produce at least one child. Mates can and do fall in love, but an equal amount choose to simply ignore the pull of the bond or indulge in casual sex, as love isn't part of the bond at all.

If two Fae learn they are mates and wish to enjoy the bond but are married or in an established relationship, any cultural laws do not apply, and the mates can indulge freely. This shakes up alliances, calls into question rights of succession, and completely ends centuries-long relationships. Most uninvolved Fae enjoy the drama.

The bond itself presents itself as a magnetic pull, both Fae being intensely sexually attracted to one another to the point of distraction. It can be ignored with effort, but the Fae are advised to stay clear of each other to avoid temptation.

MERFOLK:

Rarity: Unknown.

Aquatic beings who resemble Elves but with fish tails. Not much is known about them, as underwater exploration is nearly as dangerous as plane travel. Perhaps as technology progresses, more will be learned of these elusive beings.

Those individuals observed have had grey, pale, and blue-toned skin, with green or blue eyes and similarly colored hair. Their gills and tails are beautiful and iridescent. Perhaps more variation exists, but more study is required.

DRAGONS:

Rarity: Uncommon.

Massive creatures, who only grow in mass as they age. Ancient dragons are truly beings to be feared, being the size of grand castles, boasting eons of experience, and wielders of potent magic.

They are immortal, but often meet their end through hubris or violence. Dragons are reptilian, with two rows of sharp teeth, long necks, four legs, leathery wings, and long tails. They can be any color or combinations of color. Incredibly intelligent, cunning, and power-hungry, and arrogant, they see themselves as superior to all other races. Naturally gifted in powerful magic, they often take the form of a human, elf, or any other race to trade, seduce, trick, or spy on other races. They cannot lay eggs in these forms, and both sexes can become pregnant with up to four eggs. Shapeshifted Dragons can impregnate other races, creating a Dragoon, but an impregnated dragon will always result in an egg containing another dragon.

-DRAGOON:

Rarity: Uncommon.

The result of a Shapeshifted Dragon and another race, they share several reptilian qualities with their Dragon parent. Always tall at around 7'5" and muscular, with reptilian scales, long necks, heads, wings, horns, and tails. They inherit their powerful magic, breath weapon, and arrogance from their dragon parent. A few of the most skilled can assume a dragon form as well. -DRAKELING (Quarter Dragon):

Rarity: Uncommon.

These Dragonkin resemble their non-dragonkin parent, with vestigial reptilian qualities. They retain the eyes of dragons, their skin often has patches of scales near their privates, knees, elbows, neck, and face. Two to four sets of horns, sharp teeth, tails, and vestigial wings are common, as are gills with aquatic dragonkin varieties. They have a much weaker innate magical ability and breath weapon.

DRYADS/DRU:

Rarity: Rare. Only found in wild places.

Dryads are an almost entirely female race. Male Dryads (called Dru) are incredibly rare and highly sought after by female Dryads. As such, Dryad society is matriarchal in nature. Dru (male Dryads) will treat anyone using feminine pronouns with respect, but they know their worth and will be selective in sexual partners and whom they become romantically involved with. Both Dryads and Dru are considered incredibly attractive by the majority of races inhabiting Rhyn. Dryads usually appear more akin to humanoid trees or plants that make up their surroundings than their male counterparts.
Dru look much more like Elves or Fae, with more natural skin and eye tones. Their hair can often be green, blue, pink, purple, or any more common shade, with ears resembling leaves. Dryads/Dru wear no clothing. Instead, they cover themselves in vines, leaves, flowers, bark, or simply don't bother covering themselves at all.

Dryads/Dru are nature spirits summoned by nature itself when populations are low. They fervently protect their natural surroundings to the death. They can reproduce sexually, but natural-born Dryads/Dru are incredibly rare. Any child born between a Dryad/Dru and any other race will ALWAYS produce a Dryad/Dru. All Dryads/Dru can conjure weapons made of any natural material and are skilled in elemental magic.

NYMPHS:

Rarity: Rare.

A race of elemental natural beings, they, like Dryads/Dru, are protectors of nature. They resemble alluring humans with elemental or nature characteristics incorporated. A fire Nymph will have fire for hair or skin like cooling lava. A forest nymph would look a great deal like a Dryad/Dru, very human-like, with possible flowers, vines for hair, and bark-like skin.

ELEMENTALS:

Rarity: Incredibly rare.

Exactly as they sound. These beings are intelligent personifications of the elements and resemble whichever elements they embody. They're the ultimate form of nature's protection and are only created as a last line of defense. Powerful magic users can also summon weaker elementals.

SPRITES:

Rarity: Rare, but can become common if an area is threatened.

A being created with the sole purpose of guarding natural places such as oceans, forests, deserts, etc. Often simply tiny balls of energy, but their forms can vary. They serve as observers, raising the alarm if their natural surroundings are threatened. Otherwise, they're quite friendly and adorable, if a bit mischievous.

DEMONS:

Rarity: Rare and mostly confined to their Plane.

Demons are banished immortals (gods) of varying strength and powers. They cannot enter the Ethereal Plane without instantly being destroyed and can be banished from Rhyn with a banishment spell. Their leader is Xaloq, an incredibly powerful Demon whose goal is to kill Aarus, King of Immortals.

They dwell in the Ephemeral Plane, a place of dark beauty and opulence, sculpted from pure chaos and negative emotions to feed the various demons' egos. The demons constantly fight for territory within the plane, favoring weak spots where it is easier to travel to Rhyn. Due to this, the domains of the various lesser Demons rise and fall, changing nearly as fast as the winds.

Demons have a wide variety of appearances, from eldritch and terrifying to seductively beautiful. Some demons boast completely unique forms, and others retain their ability to shapeshift. They are universally corrupt, devoid of empathy, power-hungry, and lack morality, but not all are completely evil. Positive emotions tend to be corrupted in demons, with love turning possessive, devotion into obsession, etc. Common powers include charm, domination, elemental magic, or shapeshifting. They are immortal, but most die within 500-1,000 years due to various and usually violent reasons. Only the most powerful enjoy long lifespans.

DAEMONS (Half-Demons):

Rarity: Common, mostly stick to the Ephemeral Plane.

Almost always the spawn of a human and a demon, these beings are universally dominated by the characteristics of their Demon parent and resemble them more strongly in appearance. Their appearance is as varied as the demons who spawned them, but common features are two or more pairs of horns, leathery wings, scaled tails, four arms, sharp claw-like nails, sharp teeth, four or more sets of eyes, or gills.
Demons find humans the easiest race to corrupt and also find them attractive, targeting them most often for their deals, raids, and kidnappings. Fae and Elven-spawned demons are rare, and any other mix of races are considered unique individuals. These individuals enjoy a lifespan of roughly 5,000 years.
Daemons have a limited ability to survive in the Ephemeral Plane, but it is difficult, as they lack the ability to shape it to their will. They can only inhabit already existing places.

TIEFLINGS (Quarter-Demons):

Rarity: Common.

A human that has a grandparent who was a demon. Appearance-wise, they often have two sets of horns, tails, softly glowing eyes, vestigial wing stubs, and have a large range of hair colors, including those that would otherwise never occur in humans, such as blue. Rarer features include vestigial gills, vertical pupils, functional leathery wings, and unnatural skin colors.

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Pub: 03 Mar 2025 09:58 UTC
Edit: 04 Mar 2025 17:28 UTC
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