UNCOMMON ETHNICITIES
Arkhangelese ― Arkhanglese are a tall, brawny people who are natural seafarers. Their skin is usually the color of bronze or copper, although they can be light in color. Their hair can be black, brown, or dark red, and Arkhangelese men always have beards. Their eye colors are usually dark brown or pitch black. Arkhanglese are found primarily living along the coastline of the Free Lands of Arkhangel. It was the Arkhangelese who founded the city that dominates/protects that republic. However, the Arkhangelese are a highly mobile people and they can be found on almost any island east of the continent. They are numerous on Blackhound, Calla Island, the Ferine Islands, Frey, Uralt, Thyer, and the Tiele Islands. Along Harqual's eastern coast, they live as far north as the City-state of Harlagren and as far south as Relaini City. They never live inland.
5th Edition: Recommended Skill Proficiencies — Athletics, Sleight of Hand.
3rd Edition: Skills and Feats — Suggested Skills – Profession (sailor), Use Rope; Suggested Feats – Agile, Athletic.
Blaiddtân ― Blaiddtâns are very tall and their bodies are athletic without being bulky. These people have a wide variety of skin colors but are more often light. They tan easily. Their hair is usually a dark blonde or light brown but there are Blaiddtâns with feiry red hair as well as auburn or golden blonde. Their eyes can be blue, brown, green, and hazel. Blaiddtâns are the barbaric peoples of the Barony of Wolffire, which controls all the lands west of the Sunus Mountain to the eastern shores of the continent, as well as the entirety of Farion Island. The island is their traditional homeland and its people still live a barbaric lifestyle. Blaiddtâns who live on the continent are more civilized, but they continue to honor their traditions. Blaiddtâns are excellent sailors. This means there are Blaiddtâns living on other islands off the eastern coastlines of Harqual. While they rarely settle permanently in other lands, there are Blaiddtân families that live in exile. Most exiles live away from civilization, but civilized Blaiddtân families have been encountered in the Duchy of Minar, the Strandlands, the Cities of the Wind, Uraltia City, the Myriad Holds, and the Island Realm of Frey.
5th Edition: Recommended Skill Proficiencies — Sleight of Hand, Survival.
3rd Edition: Skills and Feats — Suggested Skills – Profession (sailor), Survival; Suggested Feats – Athletic, Deft Hands.
Dalenmann (or Twilight Valley Barbarian) ― Dalenmanns are one the oldest human ethnicities on Harqual. Their roots go back all the way to the creation of the North Gods by Cronn. In the distant past, the bulk of the barbarian tribes of the Northlands were made up of Dalenmanns. After the end of the Divinity War, many tribes of Dalenmanns relocated to the Twilight Valley to be closer to the buried North God, Hansa. Soon a thriving community grew up on the edge of Lake Vesper, which has grown into the city of Highhorn. The Dalenmanns of the Lands of Twilight are no longer nomadic, although tribal groups have evolved into strong clans. Compared to the Northlanders who now dominate the Northlands, Dalenmanns are settled. In a sense, the Dalenmanns of the valley live more like the silver elves of the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves located south of the valley, and there are many silver 'wilds' who live amongst them.
Dalenmanns are a tall, rugged people with strong, primal features. While they don't stand as tall as Northlanders, they are one of the tallest Harqualian human ethnic groups. There skin colors are throwbacks to an ancient time when the North Gods first formed them from the four elements. Their skin color is usually blue-green, charcoal, dark brown, golden brown, jet black, onyx, and reddish-brown in color. One in twenty Dalenmanns has midnight blue skin. Dalenmanns have hair that ranges from the ordinary such as light brown, black, or dark blonde to the unusual such as moss green, mustard-colored, or even peach-colored. Eye colors, like hair colors, can be either ordinary — blue, brown or green — or they can be exotic — Mountbatten pink, pumpkin-colored, or red-violet. One in fifty Dalenmanns have ivory-colored eyes.
Dalenmanns are found primarily in the Twilight Valley located just north of the Great Forest. It is considered their homeland and Dalenmanns who leave it tend to be either adventurers or outcasts. However, it isn'r unheard of for Dalenmanns to live in nearby human or elven lands. They can be found living amongst the silver elves of the Great Forest, and the two peoples close kinship has produced many half-elves. Dalenmann families have been found living as far away as the City-state of Reims but more often found living closer to the valley such as the Archbishopric of Coldstone, the Kingdom of the Greystones, the Town of Fade Hill, and the Township of Kimsbridge. The worst of the exiles often take refuge with the Broken Clans or the Verge Tribes. There have been a few truly wicked Dalenmann families that exiled themselves to the Old Sword Lands on the Ragik Peninsula but none within the last 200 years. The Dalenmanns of the Twilight Valley don't consider exiles to be true Dalenmanns anymore.
5th Edition: Recommended Skill Proficiencies — Nature, Survival.
3rd Edition: Skills and Feats — Suggested Skills – Knowledge (nature), Survival; Suggested Feats – Endurance, Toughness.
Ervenik ― Erveniks are the result of centuries of warfare in the western lands during the Mortals' War and the Black Wars that followed. The Empire of Swords once dominated the western half of the continent, as far south as the Kingdom of Izmer. Doing so forced many of the existing human populations into slavery, which lead to a merging of bloodlines. Erveniks were one of the strongest bloodlines to emerge from forced breeding. They quickly rose out of slavery due to their intelligence and charm. The Sword Emperors used these people as spies and assassin but also as soldiers. When the empire fell into decadence after the end of the Mortals' War, the Erveniks found themselves free to chart their own course. Many became warlords of the worst kind while others thought to the future. It would be an band of Erveniks who would found the community that would eventually become the city known as Eversink.
Erveniks are a robust people who often vary in height and weight. They aren't typical very tall, but it isn't unheard of for an Ervenik to grow up to (or just over) six feet in height. While they tend to be lean and fit people, Erveniks are prone to obesity, if they let themselves go. Erveniks have a wide range of skin tones from light skin to olive skin to black skin. Their hair colors are typically darker shades of brown and blonde but they can also have dark red or black hair. One in a hundred Erveniks will have golden blonde or fiery red hair. Their hair is usually straight and soft. Their eye colors can be of any color, but most Erveniks have brown or dark blue eyes. Their language is spoken not just in the Eversinki Suzerainty, but also in the communities of the Storm Peninsula, the Kingdom of Izmer, and the Principality of Pretensa.
Erveniks are found primarily in the Eversinki Suzerainty and in the various communities of the Storm Peninsula where humans are commonplace. Erveniks also live in the Kingdom of Izmer and the Principality of Pretensa where they are one of the most common human ethnic groups. Erveniks can also be found living in the Hills of Antius, but they are rare there. Erveniks who choose to live in the Principality of Shaule are considered minorities in the land. Other lands where Ervenik families can be found include the following: the Aerie Holds, the Free City of Deepwater, the Hawkgard Holds, the Owelga Dominion, the Township of Relinar, and the Wyrmgard Holds. Erveniks who live elsewhere than the Eversinki Suzerainty do not consider that land to be their homeland.
5th Edition: Recommended Skill Proficiencies — Deception, Persuasion.
3rd Edition: Skills and Feats — Suggested Skills – Bluff, Diplomacy; Suggested Feats – Deceitful, Negotiator.
Kieli ― The Kieli are the most dominate human ethnicity of the Ragik Peninsula. They are the backbone of the populations of the Old Sword Lands; however, they are rarely allowed positions of power. Kieli are almost exclusively middle- to lower-class. They are ruled over by an elite who prefer to keep their bloodlines pure. These Meai, as they call themselves, are a dying breed, and they often kidnap the purest-looking Kieli for breeding stock. The Kieli slaves are bred with the strongest remaining Meai to create the next generation of Meai. The Kieli parent is usually killed. These breeding programs are a legacy left by the decadent Empire of Swords. Since the occupation of the Sword Protectorate after the Ahamudian-Imperiumi War, these practices have been abolished in the Protectorate. However, the Protectorate is only one region, and the Meai aristocracy refuse to give up their Right of Bloodline.
The Kieli are a downtrodden people and this is reflected in their appearance. Since the best people are taken from them, what is left are short people with slim builds and little physical strength. Kieli are often four-and-a-half feet to five-and-a-half feet tall. Their skin is always pale and they burn easily. Their hair colors are muted browns and dirty blondes. One in two-hundred with have dark red hair. Their eyes are primarily light brown or dark blue. One in three-hundred Kieli will have green eyes. Their language is the regional language of the all the Old Sword Lands on the Ragik Peninsula. The Kieli are never taught Meai and in many of the Old Sword Lands, it is considered a crime for them to speak a single Meai word. One in fifty Kieli born are sterile.
Meai, or Meains, are taller than the Kieli but they are still short. They are roughly from five feet tall to just under five feet, nine inches tall. Their bodies, despite their breeding programs, are slim, yet they are a bit stronger than the Kieli. Their skin tones are either pale or light and they burn easier than the Kieli. One in twenty Meai are born as albinos. Their hair colors range from light blonde to dark brown for the most part. One in a hundred will be born with fiery red hair. Meai have beautiful eye colors including amber, blue, green, hazel, and true gray. One in a hundred will have true black eyes, which is considered by the Meai as a gift from the Sword Gods. DM's Note: The Meai have bred themselves so that they cannot breed with elves or other demihumans. However, there are many half-fiends, half-orcs, and even a few half-trolls amongst the highest ranks of Meain aristocratic families. One in five pureblooded Meai are born sterile. One is twenty-five Meai with Kieli blood are born sterile.
The Kieli are found primarily in the Old Sword Lands on the Ragik Peninsula. The governments that control former Sword Imperium work very hard to keep the Kieli from migrating to lands beyond the Ragik Peninsula. In the Protectorate, Kieli are allowed to leave on ships to move elsewhere, but ships are often lost due to privateers working for those who insist that the status quo is maintained. Kieli have better luck finding asylum in the Kingdom of Ahamudia if they are able to get past the patrols that guard the borders of the Iron Lands. Many also brave crossing the Rilous Mountains, but that way is considerably more dangerous. Kieli living in the Sword East and the Sword South have the toughest time running away since they have to cross miles of hostile terrain to lands that will take them in. The Kieli living in the Ara-Ragik City Alliance rarely get the chance to free themselves since their masters often subvert their wills with powerful enchantments. However, there have been a few successes and the aristocracy of Ara-Ragik are less likely to hunt escaped slaves. Kieli who do manage to get away rarely stay in the region, and it's very rare for whole families to make it out of the Old Sword Lands. However, there are Kieli families living in the City-state of Reims, the Goldensoul Monarchy, and the Morass Holdings, which are all considered just beyond the reach of the despots of the Ragik Peninsula.
The Meai are found exclusively in the Old Sword Lands including the Ara-Ragik City Alliance, the County of Mistria, the Eulayan Territory, the Järir Autarchic, the Lands of the Miekka, the Märii Divide, the Soreney Domain, the Sword East, the Sword South, and Toraa Bagul. When Meains do enter other lands, it is to act as spies or to hunt escaped Kieli. Of the dozen or so Meai who have intentionally left the Old Sword Lands to find another life, only a handful have made a name for themselves and usually they become infamous.
5th Edition: Recommended Skill Proficiencies — Kieli: Insight, Stealth; Meai: Deception, Intimidation.
3rd Edition: Skills and Feats — Kieli: Suggested Skills – Hide, Sense Motive; Suggested Feats – Run, Stealthy. Meai: Suggested Skills – Bluff, Intimidate; Suggested Feats – Deceitful, Skill Focus.
Lochfolk ― Lochfolk are another strange human ethnicity. Their origins are mysterious. They take their name from a large lake in Great Forest called Lake Loch, yet it is believed that they come from elsewhere. Most scholars believe they are the descendants of a strange fey race that came to the World of Kulan from the Plain of Faerie. However, they qualify as human, so if their origins are from that plane of existence, their ancestors must have either been human originally or interbred with humans so much that they eventually bred themselves out of existence. While Lochfolk are completely human, they have a strong connection to the natural world — almost as strong as elves do. One in 500 Lochfolk are born with a stronger connection to the natural world (i.e. the Half-Fey template, as per 3E).
Lochfolk are tall and lithe. Six feet in height is usually the lower limit for them. Their bodies are unnaturally beautiful and they are very quick on their feet. Their skin tones are much like that of elves but with more darker skin tones possible, especially browns and reddish-browns. One in fifty Lochfolk is born with dark green or burnt orange skin. Their hair ranges from light blonde to dark brown; however, they also can have hair that changes color with the season — light brown in spring, dark green in summer, reddish-orange in fall, and white in winter. Roughly one in 100 Lochfolk have hair that changes color with the seasons; they are usually moody and often become druids. Lochfolk usually have the following eye colors: amber, black, light brown, light green, or hazel.
Lochfolk are found primarily in the Lands of the Lochfolk, which stretches from the western shores of Lake Loch to the eastern shores of Lake Silverleaf. The eastern side of Lake Loch is wilder and more dangerous since it lies so close to Caer Amylinyon, so only the hardiest of the Lochfolk live there. Lochfolk can also be found in the Wild Treelands and living a nomadic existence alongside silver 'wilds' on the Sacred Plains. There are a few Lochfolk families living in the Kingdom of the Silver Leaves, but they are considered a minority — with little prejudice — there. Lochfolk once lived in the Knotwood, but after that forested realm was destroyed, they either were killed or fled to parts unknown. It is rumored that some may have taken refuge in the Highborn Lands east of Lake Thallin. If Lochfolk still exist in the Blood Elf Lands, they are likely slaves to the blood elves and their demon masters.
5th Edition:
Lochfolk must choose Dexterity and Charisma for two of their three Ability Score Increases and Intelligence for their Ability Score Decrease. Recommended Skill Proficiencies — Nature, Survival.
3rd Edition: +2 racial bonus to Dexterity, +2 racial bonus to Charisma, -2 racial penalty to Intelligence; +2 racial bonus to Will saves vs. all Enchantment spells or charm-based effects. Skills and Feats — Lochfolk don't gain bonus skill points for being human. Suggested Skills – Knowledge (nature), Survival; Suggested Feats – Alertness, Stealthy.
Ruelian ― The name Ruelian comes from the distant past of the Lands of Harqual. The City-state of Ruel once stood as a great power on the Wild Plains, but it was destroyed near the beginning of the Black Wars. Many of its people were killed. Others escaped its destruction and their descendants would go on to continue their lives throughout the region known as the Nomad Lands. New communities would rise up out of the ashes of Ruel, yet many of the Ruelian people would remain nomadic — competing for resources with the Onan Wildmen and gnoll & orc tribes, as well as the forest elves of the Knotwood (before it fell). Now, Ruelians fight for their territories against all that would shatter what they've built — still remembering the fate of Ruel.
The Ruelian people of today are quite different looking than their ancestors. Ruelians have become a mixed ethnicity with other bloodlines added into the fold. Ancient Ruelians were fairly pale and of medium height, but modern Ruelians are significantly more robust and a bit taller. Heights over six feet are common but Ruelians are rarely over six feet, 2 inches tall. Ruelian skin tones vary from light skinned to nearly black in color. A light brown is the most common skin tone. Ruelians never have exotic skin tones (blue, green, purple, etc.) but their skin has a tendency to look quite beauteous, regardless. On sunny days, a Ruelian's skin almost shimmers. Their hair tends to be dark blonde or light brown, but it can also be black. Their hair can be fine or course. One in 100 Ruelians has red hair. Ruelians tend to have light brown or dark blue eye colors. Rarely, they will have amber eyes.
Ruelians can be found in any of the lands on or surrounding the Wild Plains. They are found primarily in the Barony of Poli and the County of Valeny. Ruelians living in the Barony of Poli consider themselves to be the purest blooded Ruelians left on the continent. Ruelians also make up the bulk of the humans in the nomads of the Lawless Camps. Other Ruelian tribes can be found on the Wild Plains, as well as River Plains to the south. However, the bulk of their people live a more civilized lifestyle. Ruelians can also be found in the City-state of Halandra, in the Domain of Shadows, and, rarely, in the Forest Domain of Cadra. Ruelian families can also be found in the Aerie Holds and the Eversinki Suzerainty, but they are considered a minority in those lands.
5th Edition: Recommended Skill Proficiencies — Acrobatics, Survival.
3rd Edition: Skills and Feats — Suggested Skills – Ride, Survival; Suggested Feats – Mounted Combat, Self-Sufficient.
Trelian (or Descendant of Trel) ― Trelians have a tragic history. The Trelians of the World of Kulan are the descendants of the humans who once inhabited the world known as Trel. The world was one of Kulan's sister worlds in Kulanspace before the dark god Mussin and his evil divine followers enacted a purge that destroyed the world rather than lose it to the champions of light. The world exploded and Mussin and his minions were flung through wildspace. They would come down to the Lands of Harqual as fiery divine asteroids and Mussin would eventually rise to control the Sword Gods after Hiisi, the Lord of Darkness, was imprisoned in Carceri by the North Gods. When Mussin destoryed Trel, he had hoped that all its people would die. Yet, many of them knew the end was coming and they escaped the world on spelljammers or through planar magics. The bulk of the peoples of Trel died that day, however. The human of Trel had become an endangered species. Old ethnic rivals had to be let go in the face of extinction. Eventually, the remaining ethnic groups merged into one mixed ethnicity, and they spread throughout Kulanspace. Trelians can be found not only on Kulan but also on the other world of the solar system. They can even be found living in floating city-ships throughout the asteroid field of what was once their world. On Kulan, Trelians can be found primarily in the Lands of Harqual, but they can be found just about anywhere there are humans.
Trelians have become a mixed people who are slightly taller than an average human, and their body types can be slender, robust, or anywhere in between. They tend to be healthy, regardless. Trelians have unusually thick skin, which often gives away their heritage. Their dominate skin tones are either a reddish-brown or a light tan in color. Other typical skin tones include black, light brown, dark brown, or a chestnut-like color. One in a 1,000 Trelians has dark green skin, which is a throwback to their origins on Trel. Trelians have primarily black or dark brown hair, although light brown or dark blonde hair is possible. Trelians always have thick, flowing hair, and they often wear their hair in ponytails or in braids. Trelians won't cut their hair unless its length becomes too unmanageable and even then they will never cut it shorter than the middle of the back. Trelians on Harqual often dye their hair with dark blue pigments when going into battle. Trelians can grow facial hair but prefer to appear clean shaven. Trelian eye colors are fairly common such a blue, brown, green, and, rarely, hazel. One in twenty Trelians has true gray eyes.
In the Lands of Harqual, Trelians are primarily found in the city-states and kingdoms of the Thunder Lands. There are a significant number of them living in the City-state of Caloric, in the Domain of Anoria, and in the Dominion of Cauldron. They have also migrated into the Barony of Calot and the Barony of Liran, but they are considered minorities in those lands. Trelians can also now be found in the Kingdom of Pretensa after many were forced to flee there after Anoria fell to the Diabolic Enclaves of Flamerule. These refugees found solace amongst the accepting peoples of Pretensa, and they have chosen to settle there rather than try to get their homes in Anoria back. Trelians are quite pragmatic about change. After all, they are refugees of a dead world, so they never look back. Trelian families can be found in a wide array of lands across Harqual. They live in places that have a strong affinity for spelljamming (like the City-state of Caloric) such as the Aerie Holds, the Ferinmal Homeland, the Free City of Selquin, the Free Lands of Arkhangel, the Kingdom of Izmer, and the Onan Territories, as well as a few of the spelljammer ports in The Far South with significant human populations. Most of these widespread families tend to keep to themselves, however. Trelians have trouble trusting people because many on Harqual associate their ethnic group with Mussin. In truth, they hate the god more than Harqualians could ever imagine. Even Tralians who turn towards evil will help heroes destroy the deity's followers and temples.
5th Edition: Recommended Skill Proficiencies — Arcana, Deception.
3rd Edition: +1 natural bonus to Armor Class. Skills and Feats — +2 racial bonus to Balance checks, player can opt out of bonus skill points for a +4 racial bonus to two skills of his/her choice; one bonus language of the player's choice; Suggested Skills – Bluff, Knowledge (the planes); Suggested Feats – Lightning Reflexes, Stealthy.
Other Uncommon Ethnicities
• Akratian [Arkaiun (Forgotten Realms)]
• Freiian [Durpari (Forgotten Realms)]
• Kirsch (L&L Seafarer's Handbook [d20])
• Kunnian [Honorbound (Honor & Corruption [d20])]
• Nethrin (L&L Seafarer's Handbook [d20])
• Rethanthi [Chondathan (Forgotten Realms)]
• Tahrannuti [Tarnishborn (Honor & Corruption [d20])]
