Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5252699" data-attributes="member: 92511">Races cont'dKärolôstae: Another of the “lesser” elvin sub-races, the “Watchers of the Deep,” or Kärolôstae, are the elves of the Orean seas. They are able to breathe both air and water, though rarely choose to do so, preferring to exist in their underwater realms. The wharfs of Orean ports are full of stories about sailors being saved by sea elves and playful Kärolôstae falling in love or seducing human mates. It has also been known for Kärolôstae to trade from time to time with individuals they trust or a particular seaside village they may have a history with. They will provide pearls, sunken treasure, or other undersea rarities usually in exchange for metal goods. The Kärolôstae are known to have a weakness for shiny objects.    According to the sage Belbin, in his treatise Water Races of the Irion Ocean,   “. . .the Kärolôstae live in small communal groups, similar to dolphins in whose company they are often found. As a species they are happy and playful by nature. They possess an innate curiosity for all manner of things, but it is most often suppressed by their caution, fear, and general distrust of land dwellers.” Belbin’s information was gathered from a particular community of Kärolôstae that lived off a reef in relatively shallow waters but was told that there were others of their kind that lived far out to sea, and of a great city deep beneath the waves where a powerful king ruled over all the Watchers of the Deep.                The sea elves are similar in appearance to their land dwelling cousins, but with webbed four-fingered hands and feet. They are small like the Kantiiri, rarely growing larger than 5 feet, but with strong broad shoulders and powerful arms and legs. They have skin that is pale blue or green with a silvery sheen to them. Their hair is naturally curly when dry, but flows freely underwater and can be dark green, through teal to silver/white. Their eyes tend to be slightly larger than other elvish races with colors in all shades and combinations of green and blue, often flecked with silver.  .     The “Stout” Races          Dwarves  There are two major strongholds of dwarfkind: Naradun in the mountain range of the same name in the northern reaches of Grinlia and Dundiran, the dwarf kingdom of the Daegun mountains in the south. There are other dwarven communities and kingdoms, but these are the two largest and most known. Dwarf individuals or small groups can be found throughout the realms of Orea seeking fortune or fame as smiths, craftsmen, traders, mountain guides, swords-for-hire, or any other career that utilizes their substantial talents of battle or metal-/stone-craft.      There is little difference in the two kingdoms. The dwarven clans of Daegun separated from the Naradun in the Lost Ages, following the Godswar, long forgotten by men.  There is some bad blood between the dwarven realms, over the civil war that separated the Daegun from Naradun, but that has mellowed over the millennia to more of a brotherly rivalry.     Dwarves are generally solid and strong as the stone and ores they work so expertly. They love the art of battle, the working of stone and metal, and have a reputation for the abundant drinking of ale. As warriors they are without parallel among any of the Orean races. The history of dwarves is riddled with tales of great sieges, ongoing wars, and triumphant battles over the giants, trolls, dragons, and other sinister denizens that share their mountain homes.      Perhaps the most told tale of the dwarves is the forging of the Giras Thor, greatest craft of the dwarves. These great gates were forged to seal the pit to the underworld when the elflord, Drythantaliir, banished the demons and dark elves at the end of the second age of elves. The Gates of Doom have remained shut to this day, hidden in an endless labyrinth, guarded by the king of Naradun and a small contingent of ShiStaliiri elvin mages who travel to the dwarf realm once per century to reinforce the magics that bind the waves of darkness beyond.           Another feat of the dwarves, told and retold in heroic tales, is the ancient stronghold of Nor Tereth, straddling the great falls at the border of Mostrial and the barren lands, the Aerni Kros. The great fortress was also raised in the ancient ages, a mark of alliance between the kings of dwarves, elves, and men. In ancient times, the great horns of Nor Tereth were an immediate summons to the lords of the neighboring kingdoms for aid. Other works of dwarven pride include the “impenetrable” walls of the holy city of Sanctum, the forked tower of Lindril, and Nor Tyrilith.         Dwarves do not normally grow above four and a half feet. They are four fingered. Hair color ranges from pitch black to blond. All shades of brown are most frequent. Their beards are a source of great honor and concern for them. Outlaws, outcasts, and other dishonorable individuals will have their beard shaven off before being exiled. There is no greater punishment for a dwarf. Eye color is overwhelmingly brown. Grey and black are not uncommon.    Hairfeet:      Halflings on Orea, sometimes called Hairfeet, are concerned with the usual joys of hearth and home. The simple joys of family and farming, rural comforts of food and drink are what most halflings value. From time to time, a hairfoot wanders the realms of Orea seeking fortune, adventure, or just a life beyond the simplicity of their villages.       They live in fairly large farming communities called Dales. There are several in the Kiari Hills in Embrar and the Hollow Hills in the Freelands. Their homes are usually burrowed out of the sides of hills and mounds but also utilize above ground dwellings such as stables and inns.       Hairfeet stand three to three and a half feet tall. They have pointed ears and large eyes. Hair color is the same on their feet as their head and ranges from black to brown with blond and red being less common. Eye color is overwhelmingly brown with some occasions of grey or hazel-green.</blockquote>

Verification