This is from an old campaign world, from 3.0 days, but it could probably be dusted off. I make no claims as to its quality, because it uses old tropes, but these tropes end up getting used in interesting ways. Let me know if it gives you any ideas:
from the Book of the Conception
. . . And thus the world was formed. Thus the animals played across its surface, and thus the fishes swam under the water, and thus the worms burrowed into the ground, and thus the birds soared into the air, and thus the lights danced among the flames, and thus the plants covered the land.
The Great Wheel of the Nine Brethren looked upon this new world, and they looked upon it with longing, for there was nothing that would truly represent them, and their actions upon this world. Thus they decided to create Man and Woman, with the task that they would represent the Nine through their actions upon this world.
The Grainfather, Source of Life, reached among the Beasts, created first his image, and placed it in the wilds. "My Man and Woman will live in harmony with the ground, with the plants, and with the beasts. As I create them first, so they shall remain close to the beasts. They shall serve to protect the wilds, and remind all that sustenance comes from where there is life.” Thus the Beastling was formed.
Beastlings
The Beastlings, as the First Race, show definite signs of their feral origins. Their bodies are covered in fur, which ranges from reds and blonds through browns to black. Their heads resemble canines, with snouts, fangs, and ears which can turn any way, and their legs end in feet like cats, which are kept always on toe. Males sport large, bushy, wild manes, and their hands, although fully formed, appear to be kept in a curved, clawed position. Although they can be very ferocious, they can also be very calm, just like an animal.
The Ever Vigilant Sentinel reached into the Stone, created second his image, and placed it in the mountains. "My Man and Woman will live protected by stone, and mine its wealth. With its resources, they will grow to protect one another, and their strength will be great. They shall resist all the forces of nature, and remain resolute at all odds." Thus the Grachen was formed.
Grachens
By all accounts, the Grachens appear made entirely of stone. They maintain a humanoid form, usually somewhat shorter and stockier than most other races, but Grachens as tall as some High Men have been found. The skin and eyes of a Grachen are typically a mottled grey, although any color seen in stone has been seen among them. A marble-colored Grachen is considered a very beautiful color. Their hair, when they have it, is typically very bristly and coarse.
The Destructor and Warmonger reached into the Stars, created third his image, and placed it on the rocks. "My Man and Woman will live to fight. They will create weapons, learn combat, and attack each of their problems. This race of warriors will be fierce, and will act when I shine upon them, as my Stars guide their paths to war." Thus the Strakhan was formed.
Strakhans
The Strakhans are a fearsome race, large and hulking, with long limbs ending in slender fingers and toes. Their heads seem similarly elongated, covered with soft, wispy fur and extended jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. However, the most unsettling feature among them is their eyes; instead of a standard white, iris, and pupil, the eyes appear clear and dark inside, with a single star-like light shining from within. They tend to be violent, but they are not unreasonable. It is possible to have discourse and diplomacy with them for those brave enough to try.
The Mistress of the Storm, Who Is Loved by All, Bringer of Emotion, reached into the Flowers, created fourth her image, and placed it in the trees. "My Man and Woman will live in the trees, and grow sustenance and life from them. Their forms are beautiful, their voices calm, and their smell is sweet. Their spirits will flash across the land as my lightning, and their works will always be filled with love and beauty." Thus the Ambor was formed.
Amborae
The form of the Amborae is one of beauty. Both men and women appear slender and delicate, bright and lively. They can be anywhere from 4’ tall to 7’ tall, yet they are always gorgeous. The women appear as curvaceous as many a man’s fantasy, while the men demonstrate a supple yet firm musculature. Their ears resemble those of a deer, and their eyes are large, smooth, and deep, usually in shades of green. The most telling feature of the Amborae, though, is that vines grow and flowers of all kinds bloom in their hair. The vines and flowers can be pruned without pain, just as hair can be cut.
The Whoremother, Emotion’s Dark Twin, reached into the Fungus, created fifth her image, and placed it underground. "My Man and Woman will live to enslave, bending those who venture into their domain to their will. Their home shall twist and turn, trapping their intruders in a tangled web of darkness, and their form, like that of my twin, will bring envy, greed and lust to all who gaze upon them." Thus the Entambor was formed.
Entamborae
The form of the Entamborae was chosen quite specifically to spite the form of the Amborae. As the kin of Emotion’s Dark Twin, they look identical to (and just as lovely as) the Amborae, with a couple of changes. First, where the Amborae are bright and verdant, the Entamborae are dark and ruddy, with blacks and reds common for skin, eye, and hair color. Secondly, where the Amborae may grow flowers and vines, the Entamborae develop fungus. This is not immediately off-putting, however; many have rather attractive, colorful growths along the sides of their heads, and emit scents best described as delirious or distracting.
The One Who Is Not Known reached into the Shadow, created sixth an image, and placed it in the shade. "My Man and Woman will live alongside the others, taking their fill from whatever the others forget. Their domain is that of confusion and forgetfulness, often causing others to ignore them." Thus the Low Man was formed.
Low Men
The Low Men are a seemingly weak race, and yet this weakness is their greatest strength. They are the smallest of the other races, and well known for being underfoot. Furthermore, they do not congregate in societies of their own. Instead, they live among the other races, taking on their mannerisms, and in many cases, many of their features. Low Men among Amborae have been known to bud flowers, and those among the Strakhan might develop long forms and shining eyes. However, in all cases, the Low Men will be smaller than the race they live among, and less spectacular in appearance, letting everyone know that they are, in fact, Low Men, and not simply small representations of another race.
The Death, End of All and the Final Truth, reached into the Filth, created seventh its image, and placed it in the swamps. "My Man and Woman will live by their wits, which shall be the greatest of all. They will remain just outside of the others’ vision, ready to strike in silence. They will live among filth, spreading disease and remorse in their path. Yet they shall know much about what there is to come, for in time, all come to me." Thus The Wizened was formed.
The Wizened
A wretched, creepy race, the Wizened are both respected and reviled for their dealings with nature, life, and death. Their forms are stooped, wrinkled, and spindly; hunchbacks are common among them. Their hair is usually a bone white, but commonly algae and bits of scum grow in it, making it appear mottled. Finally, their skin is always cold and clammy to the touch, and they do not give off body heat. They maintain a matriarchal society, led by a Crone.
The Ever Seeing Eye, Granter of Knowledge, reached into the others’ Minds, created eighth his image, and placed it in the hills. "My Man and Woman will live to create, and see the world around them with innovation. To them, everything will be a new challenge with a solution that they must find. Their hope will never be crushed, their optimism steadfast, and their successes great." Thus the Cherboncle was formed.
Cherboncles
Cherboncles are a small, but very enthusiastic race, with a stamina that belies their small frame. Typically smiling or smirking, they have large craniums for their size, with “male pattern baldness” common among both genders. In addition, they not only have exceptionally large eyes and bushy eyebrows, but even have a third eye positioned on their prodigious foreheads. Cherboncles value knowledge above all, and are among the most inquisitive individuals found in all the land.
The All-Mother, Hub of the Great Wheel, gathered up the others’ Forms, created last her image, and placed it everywhere. "My Man and Woman will live with temperance and moderation. They will survive, they will protect, they will fight, they will love, they will enslave, they will sneak, they will kill, and they will create. Nothing will be beyond their power, and nothing will be beyond their understanding." Thus the High Man was formed.
High Men
High Men run the gamut of extremes; short, tall, thin, fat, muscular, or anything in between. Wherever they meet together, they are an impressive sight; tall, well-proportioned, nearly towering over everyone. The High Men have cultures of their own, untainted by other races, but they may also be found living side by side with other races. Like the Low Men, when they live for generations among the lands of other races, they take on characteristics of these other races, but always appear taller and more regal (if not necessarily more powerful, charismatic, or alluring) than the races among them. High Men among Cherboncles might form a third eye, or those among the Beastlings may become hairier and have fangs, yet their stature and presence always lets the world know that they are High Men, in the end, and not members of other races.
