Races of Verra

Aela Humans

Heritage - Duty - Order

The Kaelar take enormous pride in their heritage, and their ability to rise to any challenge. They can be gregarious, friendly, and willing to mix, and interact with the other races.
They've maintained the Aelan tradition of a feudal society, organized around a monarch with subordinates inheriting titles, and land. Like their ancestors, they form orders of knights, and possess the largest organized standing army of all the races.
This deep ancestral pride provides them with a keen sense of duty, but it hampers their ability to negotiate, and seek diplomatic solutions.

Opportunity - Presence - Enterprise

The Vaelune trace their origin to the Sandsquall Desert, where they relied on bravery, curiosity, cunning, and charisma to survive. To this day, they hone those skills to ensure no opportunity passes them by.
Historically, the Vaelune organized around an elected magistrate, which delegates political affairs through prominent market organizations, and industries. Trade is a core feature of Vaelune politics, and social norms inform negotiation rituals that ensure fair, honest deals whenever possible.
In times of legend, the first of these ritual trades came in the form of an Aelan marriage to one of the djinn guardians of the Sandsquall, which gave rise to the Vaelune. Their glowing eyes, and rune-etched skin are the direct result of that ancient union.

Artisan - Reliability - Deliberation

The Dünir, hardy and resilient, value craftsmanship, and reliability, thriving in treacherous terrains with unmatched dedication.
Loyal to the monarch, yet independent in their pursuits, Dünir often perfect trades, or seek riches underground. Their military is renowned for its defensive prowess, reflecting their steadfast nature.
Known for strong alliances, the Dünir are slow to forget slights, making their grudges legendary. Their stubbornness, and loyalty shape their cautious, but steadfast political stance.

Exploration - Optimism - Hospitality

Three things matter most to the Niküa: family, open sky, and a sail full of wind. They're renowned explorers, sailors, fisherfolk, and adventurers who maintain the reliability of their cousins, the Dünir, without the discipline.
The Niküa act according to the decisions of an elected council of five elders, but are generally only loosely associated outside of their home waters. Their adaptability, and community-oriented nature guide their social structure.
Their accommodating nature is balanced by the council's unanimous decisions, shaping cautious diplomacy.

Strength - Honor - Loyalty

Ren'Kai thrive on dedicated training, loyalty, and honorable fights, producing notable craftsfolk, scholars, and fierce warriors.
Their confederation, forged through centuries of conflict, rivals the Kaelar in military might, though historical strife hampers their diplomatic efforts.
Emerging stronger from internal, and external conflicts, the Ren'Kai now stand united, their history with the Vek shaping a unique kinship.

Seclusion - Mystery - Prophecy

Vek are often devoted clerics, and mages, driven by faith, and celestial pursuits, excelling in enchantments, and alchemy.
A theocracy guided by stargazers, Vek politics rely on prophecy, impacting their diplomatic stance with a sense of divine destiny.
Rooted in shared struggles with the Ren'Kai, Vek culture blends celestial inquiry with a strong theocratic leadership.

Grace - Diplomacy - Knowledge

Intelligent, physically fit, silver-tonged, and beautiful by any standards, the elvish race of city dwellers are skilled craftsmen, seasoned soldiers, frighteningly powerful mages, shrewd diplomats, and dedicated leaders.
Empyreans pride themselves on their advanced civilization, elite military, and highly efficient form of government. Their lifespan is longer than any race on Verra, giving them ample time for academic pursuits, and magical research.
While shorter-lived races confine their educational pursuits to childhood, Empyreans seek to further their knowledge every day of their lives, and have been known to change professions after hundreds of years.

Individualism - Expression - Naturalism

Py'Rai value individualism, and self-expression, living in tight-knit kinships deeply connected to the natural world.
They share resources among kinships, and remain fiercely independent, resisting formal governance, and maintaining loose family alliances.
A violent revolt broke them from their Pyrian ancestors, shaping their ungovernable nature, which they celebrate yearly to honor their fight for freedom.

Diversity - Community - Persistence

The Tulnar are as varied as the beast aspects they possess, but they are united in one crucial belief: corruption must be fought wherever it creeps. They are refugees that not only survived, but have thrived despite its tormenting presence in the world above.
In the caverns below the surface, while the Ancients ravaged the world above, the survivors from all walks above came together below, pooled resources, skills, and knowledge of essence to build a tightly-knit community on trust, and necessity. They carry those traditions with them today in that all things are shared - be it prosperity or austerity.
Mysterious magical wards throughout the massive caverns sealed them all underground, until the Divine Gates reopened unexpectedly. Cautiously, they returned to the surface to greet the other nations as they arrived through the archways.