En Requiem: People of the Realm

All races are grouped as one of two types: Si'odan [show-dawn] or Mahrgrave [mar-grey-veh]. The Si'odan encompass all races existing in the universe before the arrival of the Mahrgrave (the name means shadow traveller in ancient Elebhar).

The Archons play a pivotal role in many of the religions which people follow. However, it is recognized (at least within the clergy) that the Archons are not divine themselves, but rather near divinity. Most religions practice a belief of a single 'creator' greater-power (the church of Dagdanicus being the most prominent), where the Archons are saints within the church. Another common religious variant is ancestor worship, which is a common thread in even the church of Dagdanicus.

The Mahrgrave entered the universe through the shadow plane. They have, on an average, a higher intellect than the other races. This is primarily due to their genetic roots in a "cold" universe (one which is weak in Dus). Because of the lack of Arcane influence, the Mahrgrave advanced technology and the intellect. However their universe was at the end of its life, and in their journey to escape its collapse they voyaged into the underworld.

The Elebhar were the most dominant race of the universe, before the arrival of the Mahrgrave. Of all the Si'odan, the Elebhar are the closest in build to the Mahrgrave. However, they tend towards a more elongated look, with ears that gently curve outward to a point, rather than laying flat on the head like the Mahrgrave. On the average they are considered elegant, with long drawn features and a graceful stance. They have a high metabolism and it is rare to find an overweight Elebhar.
Nearly all of the Archons are Elebhar, although some other races (inluding Mahrgrave) have ascended, joining one of the main pantheons. Despite this, worship and deification of the Archons has occured primarily outside of the Myrian host. Within Myr the Archons are respected and revered equally to other honorable ancestors, who sometimes still have a periodic ghostly visit.

           Elebhar society is extremely varied and mixed. Through the use of magical gateways, the Elebhar had managed to explore much of the galaxy for millenia before the arrival of the Mahrgrave.
           Most Elebhar are still considered a part of the Myrian host, which is a mystical forest deeply entrenched in religion and goverened by the matriarchy of Myr. The Elebhar of Myr have a strict society with many rules of etiquette and conduct. They revere their ancestors and nature equally, both playing a strong place in their lives.
           Typical Elebhar society is dominated by the females, and ruled by a matriarch, known as the Lnamudach (nah-mu-dach). The most notable Matriarch, and one which all others pay homage to, is the Queen of Myr. There are two castes of Elebhar, the Genhim (favored), and the Bronn (not-favored). The Genhim are only Female. Genhim are allowed to select champions (Maanil), who are their mates. Maanil can change over time, and Genhim can have multiple Maanil at the same time (although the proper amount is decided by social status).
           The reason for the Genhim's power is the Myrian host and the Antyr trees. These eldritch tree are wrapped in secrecy and mystique. They are rumored to mystically be connected across the galaxy as a single vast forest. What is known about them is their ability to aid in healing, prolong longevity, and most importantly it is possible for a Genhim to transfer a newly created embrio from their own womb, into the care of a surrogate womb from the Antyr. These trees, managed by the elete and ellusive Olamru, allow the Genhim to maintain their dominance in the society.
           Men have found themselves as second class citizens within the traditional Elebhar society, finding positions of power only through becoming Maanil to a powerful Genhim. There are also second-class females who are not allowed access to the Antyr. These females must bear children the conventional way, with a ten month incubation. Females of this caste, as well as men who have not become Maanil, are known as Bronn, and make up most of the workforce and military of the Elebhar. It is possible for female Bronn to become Genhim, but not a Male.
           Those who have drifted away from the traditional Elebhar caste structure, behave more like the Mahrgrave, practicing equality in a relationship and pair-bonding.

One variance from the traditional Elebhar are the Srodani Elebhar. Long before the arrival of the Mahrgrave, the Srodani drifted apart and forged a new imperialistic culture. Their society changed, becoming a empire ruled by an ancient imperial family dynasty, answerable only to the Cor Senate. One of the only soverein powers to survive the Mahrgrave Namhad Empire, the Srodani of Cor to this day rule over the remains of their ancient empire. The Srodani possess their own Antyr trees, but they are managed by the emperor's forces, and have been used in the past to rapidly create armies.

The Dearg, also known as Dearg Elebhar (and more commonly known as Dark Elebhar--although this is an incorrect interpretation), are a bloodline of Elebhar which were cast out of the Myrian Host. Dearg literally means red, or bloody read, but a better interpretation in this context is outcast. Although they are outcast from the Elebhar host, they are not an evil race. Many Elebhar refer to them as Dark Ones, however to them this simply means they can no longer partake of the light of the Myrian Host. It is interesting to note that the Dearg predominately have reddish brown or red hair. Some say they were not always this way, and that it was a curse from the Elebhar Queen when their bloodline was outcast.

The reason they are outcast is unmentioned by any Elebhar, just that an ancestor of theirs committed a gross transgression and since then their line has been outcast. The Dearg can be found across the galaxy, tending to be wanderers, drifting in family groups and finding jobs where they may.

The Caill are a group of Elebhar bloodlines, mostly Bronn but a few Genhim, who left the Myrian Host of their own intentions. They spurn the traditional ways of Myr. The Caill Elebhar generally consider the Myrian host to be antiquated and grasping to old outdated ideals. They populate and compose most of Tanth. While the Caill still maintain some interest in their ancestry and nature, it is severely dampened. They share a common dislike for the Mahrgrave, whom they consider having ursurped the Elebhar's right to imminent domain in the universe. This has caused a bit of racism and oppression within Tanth, against any Mahrgrave.

           The Beag Cairde are a stout race, with an average height of four to five feet. They have a very tight-nit clan structure, with two elder councils in each clan: the men, and the women. There is a well known social dance played between the two councils, in governing the clan. The Beag Cairde also have a severely strong code of honor, and they practice a strong form of ancestor worship.
           Because Beag Cairde are only capable of having children once a year, selection of mates is a political dance decided by the two elder councils within the clan. The individuals can express an interest in selecting a mate, but it must be done through the proper channels. Mates are not selected for life, and in some smaller clans it is not unusual for the council to select several mates through the lifetime of an individual, to further diversify the bloodlines.
           The Clans are very strong in family values, and they practice a very socialized form of labor distribution. Children are reared in a communal nursery, where parents are expected to spend some time each week, but are also allowed to move onto their regular tasks for the Clan. The individuals gain status by their merits and accomplishments, not by any family inheritance or monetary power.

           The Corraig are not as common as the other Races, but are common enough to be included in this list. The Corraig are most known for seeking and retaining knowledge. Their scholar caste manages renouned and ancient libraries, and they commonly quest to find much of the information lost during the Namhad Empire.
           Their features are chiseled, with a somewhat sinister cast. Their skin varies in shades of slate and grey (depending upon their caste), and is very course and rough. Corraig have the ability to enter into a hybernation state, at which point they seem nearly statuesque.
           Corraig have three castes: Scholars, Warriors, Workers. The cities and micro-governing is managed by the Workers caste, who deal with menial labor. The Worker cast has a umber tint to their skin. Warriors fight and defend the cities or ships of the Corriag, they tend to have a slate green tint to their skin. Scholars are the most revered of the Corraig, and not only do they manage the vast libraries, but they are the religious leaders, as well as the managing council of the corraig race. The Scholars have a slate blue tint to their skin.
           Corraig have a unique system for determining marriage, which is useful in explaining their society. Long in their past, the Scholars noticed a decline in their race, and discovered that while the Corraig people were still happy to pair-bond and be with each other romantically, the race had slowly lost the pleasure of mating, and simply were not procreating as frequently. To avoid a slow decline in numbers, a system was instituted requiring each female to be married and have a certain number of children (the number is determined by the local scholars), by a certain age. The paperwork involved in becoming married has become so lengthy, many parents begin the process for their children before they are even of age to consider the situation. It is also possible for the Corraig to file a form with the scholars asking for a variance in the number of children they are allowed to have.

The Mo'r are a large brutish race, averaging in height from eight to nine feet. They are fond of body art, and commonly have tatoos, peirced rings and jewelry covering their bodies. Their society is a brutish one with a strange yet simple code of strong-man honor. Status for the Mo'r is displayed through socially approved facial hair, tattoes, piercings and jewelry. A Mo'r will never groom, tatto or wear something beyond their status, for fear of being ostracized. The Mo'r typically find work as heavy labor or in sports arenas.
The Mo'r were first encountered by the Elebhar in a tribal and nomadic state. Their society still represents this, with gatherings of Mo'r becoming managed by a chief, who is selected as the strongest and most worthy to be the leader. Thaumatergy within the Mo'r is uncommon, but does happen. These people become shamans, practicing a form of tattoo rune-magic.