Postby Bunny » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:26 pm
Welcome to Corus
In this young world, humanoids have separated themselves by their respective races and inhabit their own nations. Each race always has its eyes on the other and suspicions run high but this kind of nationalism has resulted in the breeding of skills exclusive to certain races. Feeling the need for a union, a call has gone out from Coren from a new leader. He summons representatives from each race to meet and discuss the beginning of a new age of peace and understanding between nations and races.
The races:
The Aelira
These are the inhabitants of the sky. They appear completely human but have a secret ability to assume a ghostly form and can glide from place to place. Not many have this take place but those who have spread rumors of its mystery. The Aelira are the most technologically advanced of the races of Corus and live in floating cities enclosed in protective shields. They have not chosen to invest their intelligence in warfare, however, and instead live to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the world. They are nomadic and make their way from city to city, going wherever the wind takes them.
In spite of this truth, the most well-known example of the Aelira culture is still a floating circus created by lesser-minded members of the race for profit. This circus is visited frequently by members of all races and is one of the few amusements that they all share. Therefore, the Aelira have a reputation for being…well, air heads. (Much to their annoyance.)
Downfalls: A bit arrogant and elitist, they do not pair very easily with others.
Special skills: Wind elementals, high intelligence, stealth, semi-invisibility and gliding ability, use of moderate technology.
The Kayorins
Beyal is their homeland, nestled in the subarctic regions to the North. Under most circumstances, they appear completely humanoid as well, but in situations where emotions and tensions are high, their hair changes colors according to their feelings and their skin has been known to change subtly as well. They are a tenacious and energetic people with an immense capacity for handy work, the arts, and martial arts.
They originally lived closer to the center of the continent but their heated personas kept them in a constant sweat. (Plus things had the tendency to catch fire in the drier climate.) Now they make themselves comfortable in the hot springs and snowy peaks. Hunting is a big priority and family is central to their society.
Downfalls: Their short tempers, passionate feelings, and intense curiosity can sometimes lead them to trouble. Not to mention dehydration is a high risk.
Special skills: Fire elementals, strength and ingenuity, loyalty, martial arts-centered warfare, less vulnerability to poisons and sickness.
The Kachal
Undassa is the name of the desert that these people call home but most live in small villages. Fiercely nationalistic, they trust only those who are members of their clan and families. A little less humanoid than others, they have tougher skin with iridescent scales in patches to provide slight armor. They are generally thieves, mercenaries, or pirates but have a strict code of ethics nonetheless. They make their living by traveling in small groups to raid the nearby cities of other races and sell their goods. A dirty job, but someone has to do it as there is no official inter-racial trade. Without these fiends, necessary materials would never make it to the corners of Corus.
Although they are thought of as outlaws by others, they praise themselves as the only race with pure intentions. They hold no real grudges with other races and instead see them all as equal targets for their marauding ways. They are a very proud people and some would argue that they have reason to be.
Downfalls: Slightly ruthless, they have the tendency to be too cavalier in situations that require more…diplomacy.
Special skills: Earth Elementals, lessened vulnerability to weaker weapons, resilience to adversity, fewer needs, incredible physical strength, affinity for fighting with fists and heavy weaponry.
The Marpol
Ilosia is the most major city of these people, housing around 70% of the Marpol population. Situated off the coast, it has an underwater counterpart directly below it built to withstand bad weather. The Marpol skin tones fluctuate depending on if they spend their time above or below the surface but all have a set of small gills behind their ears. Frequent water logging has driven them to build enormous tanning decks and even more frequent sunburn has forced them to develop medical abilities far surpassing those of any other race. Their broad range of remedies and cures has brought up legends of healing waters surrounding Ilosia.
Although they do have the second highest intelligence of all the races, this is generally disregarded as they have a fascination with reflections and are a little vain. Most of them also have short attention spans.
Downfalls: Vanity and ADD makes them annoying at times and they do tend to burn easily.
Special skills: Water Elementals, healing, intelligence, swimming, breathing underwater, long range warfare, longer life span.
The Valira
Coren is their capital and largest city. These are a very versatile people and are completely human. Coren is home mostly to nobility, knights, priests, and their servants, but lately people of all classes have been flocking by the hundreds to hear from its newest leader speak about equality and a better world. As a result, a ring of makeshift homes have been raised around the outskirts of the city and is becoming more and more permanent each day. It is the center of progress for these people and outside of its walls only hunters, hermits, and monasteries exist.
Downfalls: Lessened potential for elemental magic, increased vulnerability to magical attacks.
Special skills: Creativity, fortitude, higher learning ability, wider range of weapons mastery, a little more neutral to all races.
"So David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor."
2 Samuel 6: 21&22
"I am going to take this bucket of water and pour it on the flames of hell, and then I am going to use this torch to burn down the gates of paradise so that people will not love God for want of heaven or fear of hell, but because He is God."