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Races

Humans:
General Info: Humans came into being long after the elves and the nymphs. They were born in a land which would, just when they had assembled themselves and before they had the chance to achieve any true grandeur, be plunged into war. Thus, humans have always been rather a warlike people, with less time for song and the arts and the glories of the world. However, this has made them good at this art, if it may be called that. The human race is a young race, with a comparatively short life span. They usually die between ages 70 and 80. They are, however, the most adaptable race. They tend to be average to tall in height, and have solid builds. Humans are viewed as arrogant by most of the other races, as they seem to think the world revolves around them and their king. They are also corrupted more easily than the other good races.

Unique Traits: Humans can possess great wisdom, strength, or many other talents. Human mages tend to be less powerful than Elvish mages, but can hold their own. They have limited healing powers and can use small amounts of all the elements, though they never truly master any elemental power. Human rangers and warriors are swift and strong. Swordsmen fight with one- or two-handed swords, and many carry shields, as well. Other weapons commonly used by humans include axes, knives, and spears. However, human archers are lacking in talent. Humans are fair smiths, and are best of all races at making arms. They also specialize in defensive architecture; their foretresses are matched by none. The great stone structures are designed to both attack and defend, with many secret passages, and have vast storage areas to withstand long seiges, if necessary.







The Kindoms of Men

Vitam: Vitam is the oldest of the Kingdoms of Men. Founded by King Evaso, Vitam started as a small village, which rapidly grew into a bustling center of trade and, more recently, religion. Ever since the Long War, the city has been the religious capital of men, since it is safe, affluent, and central. Vitam is currently the strongest kingdom of men, and the most easily defended. It has a grand army which is always kept vigilant and sharp, waiting for the next attack from the north. Vitam stands as a beacon to the human race. There, art and music grow and flourish. Though the city is a monarchy, its people are happy under a skilled line of kings.



Mortem: Mortem is a den of thieves and murderers. There is no official king in Mortem, and thus it isn't even a kingdom, strictly speaking. Mortem is run by several gangs, the most powerful being the Muerto. The Muerto control all the pine forests in the north, and have tried to expand their influence over the other gangs in the past, though they've never been successful for more than a few months. The main industry in Mortem is death--hit men--alongside the black market. They also specialize in paralytic and/or deadly poisons, and illegal drugs.




Solis: Solis is men's kingdom of light. Its cities are crafted out of marble, and when the sun shines on them, they seem to glow. Once, the kingdom was the greatest of them all, a gem, in the early days of men. It is located around the lake from whence men came into the world, and thus was the religious center of all four kingdoms. But when the enemy took Vitam and refugees began to pour into the city, everything went downhill. Poverty continues to plague the commoners of Solis, even to this day. During the war, the relgious leaders were corrupted, and the democratic government fell into an oligarchy. Even now that the Long War is over, the wealthy continue to have a strong influence on the government, and are effectively in control of the kingdom. With corruption running rampant, the city is beginning to spin out of control, although there are those who would see it reformed and restored to its former glory before it sinks to the level of Mortem.

Virtus: Virtus is the lukewarm kingdom. It isn't large, it isn't small; it isn't rich, it isn't poor. All of Virtus' problems are average, maybe a theif here and there, the occasional murder, maybe a burning building. Compared to Mortem, Virtus is a safe haven. Compared to Vitam, Virtus is a dump. Though the people of Virtus live an isolated life from the other kingdoms, outsiders are not shunned there. They are mainly farmers, and though it is not a great kingdom, most of its people are well enough off to take care of themselves. Few of their people are trained to fight, as they are so far from the enemy, though many are skilled horsemen, as they use the beasts for quick transportation across the plains and for labor in the fields. Virtus is also a monarchy, though the king does not live in exceptional grandeur, and is, instead, kind and compassionate towards his people.


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Elves:
General Info: The Elves are the oldest creatures to walk the earth. They are not affected by sickness or by time, and thus may live until the world itself fades if they are not struck down by the blade. There is only one other way an elf may die. As the world becomes more evil, the darkness casts a shadow on their hearts. Some find this difficult to shake, and become as shades, losing all color, all memory, and all emotions except those of sadness and despair, until they kill themselves to end their torment. Elves love all things beautiful; the stars, the trees, and the sea go above all. They are deeply connected to their natural environment, since they are destined to remain there forever, and their architecture always compliments and accentuates it. They are also exceptional artists, including painting, drawing, and metalwork. Elves are slightly feared but generally respected by other races, though they mostly choose to keep to themselves. They enjoy beautiful songs of days of old, and are excellent musicans and singers, as such. They aim to preserve the world they were born in, so much as they can.

Unique Traits: The elves are very wise, and have some of the sharpest minds of all creatures. They do not possess immense strength, but are swift. Most fight best with bows, knives, one-handed swords, or (more rarely) spears. Few use heavier weapons, for this takes away their agility, one of their greatest strengths. They can usually move unseen and unheard, if they wish, blending into the trees. Elves are also a very magical race; most who study magic specialize in a single element, but some dabble in two, if they have mastered a first. Elvish mages specialize in the healing of all sorts of wounds and maladies, both for the main races and for the world itself. Above all, elves have one great strength and weakness: their emotions. These influence them greatly, and as the light in their hearts waxes and wanes, so too does their strength. Their elements usually follow from their personalities, as do all their specific talents. Emotions are the wellspring of all their power, mental, physical, and magical, and thus they try to remain restrained as much as possible. Those who play off their emotions too much risk putting themselves in danger, although it can also do much to increase their abilities at times.





Nymphs:
General Info: Nymphs were born of the elements themselves. When the elves were at the height of their power, when they always used to push themselves emotionally to achieve greatness, they managed to tease life from the elements themselves. Nymphs would live to between 500 and 1000 years, and then they would fade back into their elements, only to be reborn again in a few centuries, and this is but a short time. These new creatures were bound to the substances from whence they came, as they still are; the longer they are apart from their element, the weaker they become. Eventually, lack of access to their element can kill them. Luckily, all nymphs can create their elements and wield them as weapons, if they are not restrained by some spell. Nymphs are smaller, more fragile creatures than the other races; they are thin, quick, and agile, but most only grow to between four and five feet tall. They are also not very strong. This weakness is compensated for with a powerful grasp of elemental magic, which they can use to many ends. Their music is said to be haunting, reflecting their own backgrounds and elements, but few outside their own kind ever hear it. The different elements have been known to go to war in the past over cultural differences, but most have put that behind them by this day, though some animosity remains.

Unique Traits: Nymphs are born of one of seven elements: light, darkness, fire, water, earth, electricity, or air. Whichever they own, it is their lifeforce, and they draw off it. When they are in their element, they become more powerful, and when they are not, they grow weaker. Their elements can be used for camouflage, attack, or defense, but generally not healing (with the exception of earth, which can quickly grow helpful herbs). Nymphs are also known for their ability to trick people; they can be quite devious at times. A few nymphs have been known to carry a knife as a weapon, but most rely solely on their powers.







Demons:
General Info: Demons were not a natural race. The other races were taken and beaten into foul creatures which with the dark ones could form an army. Their minds were turned against their forefathers and their people, and they became willing, even enthusiastic, slaves of the enemy, pawns in their game. There are three types, which spurred from the three different races. The humans became blood mages, turned to necromancy by their desire for power. The elves became telepaths, their minds and emotions so enhanced that they could sway others to their will. And the nymphs, who were so bound to nature, were bound to the spirits of sacrificed animals, so that they took on some of their characteristics, while their elemental powers were stripped from them in the binding process.

Unique Traits: The blood demons can take control of the dead and mortally wounded, using them as puppets. Also, they may increase bloodflow in open wounds to finish off their victims; hence, many will carry knives in order to wound and finish with their powers. It takes large amounts of energy to use their powers, however, and thus blood demons will tire rapidly if they try to affect more than one person at once. Telepathic demons can influence the thoughts and emotions of their targets, though the latter is far stronger than the former. This makes them formidable enemies... if they are within twenty feet of you. If not, they cannot mentally attack you. Due to this restriction and their background, many telepathic demons will use bows or poisons to slow down their enemies, then they will come near and take over their mind. The more experienced telepathic demons can drive their victims utterly mad, given enough time. The spirit demons are not generally as powerful as the other two, but that really depends on the skills of the animal they are bound to. Also, the more advanced spirit demons may transform themselves utterly into their animal forms. Though spirit demons have lost their elemental powers, they did gain the ability to fade into mist or clouds.
















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