Races of Therodon

Tiger and Serpent

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Mannish Races

Anzeti: 5'4 - 6'0", no professional limitations. Lifespan: 80 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +2; PR -2; IN +2; CO +4; AG +4; SD +2; RE +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +10; Disease +20

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery 1.5x

Background Options: 4

The Anzeti are a smallish people, but hardened greatly by the unfriendly nature of the chilly climes they inhabit. Dark haired, with red-brown skin and green or hazel eyes, they reside almost entirely in the high, mountainous areas of Central Emer. They are generous, quiet, and shy, for they are seldom encountered by other races.

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Dúranaki: 5'4 - 6'2", no professional limitations. Lifespan: 80 years.

Stat Bonuses: QU +4; PR +2; IN -4; EM +2; AG +4; SD -2; RE +2

RR Modifiers: Ess -10; Chan +5; Ment +5; Poison +5; Disease +20

Soul Departure: 10 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 5

The most reclusive and mysterious of the cultures in Jaiman is perhaps the Dúranaki society. Living in vast, maze-like cavern complexes, the Dúranaki deal with the other peoples of Tanara only on a limited basis, warily trading herbs and their fine items of metal and woodwork with the Sulini and the Myri for grains, livestock and fish. They make no effort to hide their intense loathing for the neighboring Y'kin.

The Dúranaki capture hundreds of the stalwart Myri and kept them as slaves, somehow conditioning their minds to total loyalty. A Dúranaki is almost never seen outside of the sheltering caves without at least one Myri bodyguard.

This nocturnal people has a distinctive style of dress, featuring black leather with silver and platinum studs and buckles, and brightly colored silks from the Nuyani of Emer. Their hair is bleached white, dyed bright colors and treated to stand out from their scalps. They are very skilled craftsmen and often talented Mentalists and Mages.

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Haid: 5'6 - 6'2", no professional limitations. Lifespan: 70 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +2; QU -2; PR -4; IN +2; EM -2; CO +2; AG +0; SD +2; AP -2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +0; Disease +20

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 6

The Haidic tribes of the Blue Forest (NW Jaiman) are related to the more northerly Fustir, but have always been more plentiful - and more warlike. Petty squabbles have peppered the history of the Haid, and the clash of steel reverberates through the Blue Forest more often than not.

Of average height, Haid have ruddy skin, dark brown hair and eyes, and tend to be stocky of build.

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Jaaderi: 5'6 - 6'4", no professional limitations overall, though tendency is towards warriors and the Essence arts. Lifespan: years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +2; QU -2; PR +2; IN +2; EM +2; CO +2; AG +0; SD -2; ME -2; RE -2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +10; Disease +30

Soul Departure: 8 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 5

The Jaaderi are an ancient people who make their homes in the plains of Tai-emer. Robust and often powerfully built, these people control much of that region. Their skin is a red-brown, with green, brown or hazel eyes and straight brown hair; they are average in height. Other distinguishing features include a large, hooked nose, full lips and large earlobes.

Jaaderi are seen occasionally in Sel-kai, mostly traders passing through.

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Jameri:.

Stat Bonuses: ST +2; SD +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +5; Disease +10

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery: 1x

Background Options: 6

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Jhordi: 6'4 - 7", no professional limitation. All possess Mind Speech to 10th level as innate ability. Females are semi-intelligent. Lifespan: males: 100 years; females: 50 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +6; PR +6; EM -2; CO +2; SD +2; AP +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +20; Poison +0; Disease +10

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 3

The Jhordi (pronounced 'jord-eye', at variance with normal Iruaric pluralization) have no body hair, are tall and tend to be big-boned (and usually muscular). Their ears are large but rounded, their skin very pale with a faint bluish tint. The only clothing they wear is an array of necklaces, bracelets and earrings studded with semiprecious stones, and a skirt or shorts of a virtually transparent shimmering material. They take evident delight in creating discomfort for the more 'modest' cultures. In truly cold climes, they do don a coat of plush white fur.

If Jhordians can speak, one has never been heard to do so, instead they communicate exclusively through mind-speech. Few but the Steersman have ever had contact with the world, outside their sheltered homeland, but all seem to possess the telepathic ability, in addition to other Mentalist powers of varying level. In effect, they all have the equivalent of the Mentalist Base list Mind Speech to 10th level, and can use these powers at will with no expenditure of Essænce power. This lends weight to a Loremaster theory that the Jhordi are not native to Therodon and may in fact be (relatively) recent arrivals - certainly since the Age of Rebirth.

No Jhordi woman has ever been seen by outsiders; it is conjectured that they are kept sheltered and hidden for cultural reasons. Among the few who have inquired about females of the species, the lucky have been spat upon; the unlucky have had their necks broken. (Jhordi women are unlike females of any other humanoid race: they are genetically unintelligent, kept like animals merely to breed.)

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Kuluku: 5'8 - 6'10", no professional limitation overall, though the Kuluku Animists and Druids are considered among the most powerful. Lifespan: 80 years.

Stat Bonuses: QU +2; PR +2; IN +4; AG +6; SD -2; AP +2

RR Modifiers: Ess -10; Chan +10; Ment +5; Poison +10; Disease +10

Soul Departure: 10 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 6

Language: Kuluk; Uluka

Tall and graceful, the Kuluku are the dominant race over much of the Khûm-kaan rain forest basin. Their skin is chocolate brown, eyes emerald green, and their hair is straight and almost always black. Kuluku also have full lips and flattened noses. There are other unusual traits unique to the Kuluku race:

Chameleon Color: Kuluku (males to some extent, females more so) have the strange ability to concentrate and change the color of their skin. By staring intently at a surface near them, they may gradually change their skin tone from its natural chocolate color to a light brown or even grey. Sophisticated mottling is not possible, nor are strange colors. The change lasts only as long as the Kuluku concentrates, but can add +50 (females +80) to hiding in the forest.

Retractable finger/toenails: Kuluku fingers are extremely strong, and their fingernails are thick and sharp. The Kuluku can retract them slightly. Used primarily to aid this arboreal people in climbing, these can also be used as a brawling weapon. When climbing a soft surface (such as a tree) add +40.

Inner eyelids: Kuluku eyes are - in contrast to their dark brown skin - bright emerald green. They are also very large, and allow the forest people to see very well in the dim jungle night (see at only -20 at night). They have an inner eyelid which they close during the day to shield their sensitive eyes. These membranes are thinner than the Rhiani eyelid; the Kuluku can actually see well through theirs.

Superior scent: The wide, flattened Kuluku nose is also functional: their sense of smell is better (+30) than any mannish or Elven race.

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Laan: 6' - 6'10", no professional limitations. Lifespan: 150 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +4; QU -2; PR +4; EM +2; CO +2; AG +2; SD +2; ME +2; AP +4

RR Modifiers: Ess -5; Chan -5; Ment -5; Poison +10; Disease +50

Soul Departure: 8 Recovery 1.5x

Background Options: 4

A group similar to the race sometimes referred to as High Men, the Laan are usually somewhat taller and heavily boned than Elves, but otherwise carry a measure of that immortal grace. Mortality gives them a grim determination absent from the bearing of the fair race, sometimes clouding otherwise beautiful features. Laan tend towards fair or olive skin, with dark hair and grey or blue eyes. Only a few lines of men can grow facial hair; as a people they are generally smooth skinned, though again, not as completely as the Elves.

Through history on Therodon, the Laan and the Loari Elves have frequently found themselves at odds with one another, each driven by a sense of racial superiority. and an overriding ambition to control their destiny. It is true that both races are above-average intelligence, stamina and strength; it is perhaps fortunate for the other peoples of Therodon that they bear few children.

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Rhiani: 5'6 - 6'4", no professional limitations, though spell users would be rare. Lifespan: 75 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +2; PR +2; IN +2; EM -2; CO +2; AG +2; SD +2; ME -2; RE -2; AP +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +2; Disease +10

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery .8x

Background Options: 6

Language: Rhiani

Favoring a culture which is nomadic, fierce, and strong-willed, the Rhiani make their home in the desert regions of Uj and are superlative horsemen. The Rhiani have light brown skin and hair streaked by the sun to a mixture of colors from blond to dark brown; they have no facial hair and little body hair. Rhiani have fine features and a unique trait: they possess two eyelids. The regular outer eyelid is like that of other races, but they possess another thin membrane which shields the eye when in bright sunlight. Underneath both eyelids they have eyes of a strikingly brilliant pale blue or violet (with excellent night vision). With the inner lid closed the Rhiani have a disturbing, 'blind' look about them.

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Shay: 5'4 - 6'2", no professional limitations, though Essence and Mentalism user would be particularly rare. Lifespan: 50-80 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +2; CO +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +5; Disease +10

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 6

Language: Shay

Made up of a mixture of several racial subgroups, the Shay peoples are smaller than most other races, but hardy. They usually have brown hair and fair skin, with eyes of any color. They are most prevalent in Tai-Emer and the southern and central regions of Hæstra in Emer.

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Talath/Myri: 5'10 - 6'10", no professional limitations, though spell users would be very rare. Magical arts are frowned upon on most cultures. Lifespan: 70-100 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +6; QU -2; PR +4; IN +2; EM +2; CO +4; SD +2; ME -2; RE -4; AP +4

RR Modifiers: Ess +10; Chan -5; Ment +5; Poison +15; Disease +30

Soul Departure: 15 Recovery .7x

Background Options: 5

Language: Taal

The Talath are a hardy race, blond and blue-eyed. They have cultures in Northern Hæstra, and because their appearance suggests a people of a cooler clime, are believe to migrated from Jaiman. (The Myri of Tanara are virtually identical).

Powerfully built, the Talath are of amazing size and strength. Most have a fair countenance and virtually no body hair; the men are beardless. Both sexes are big-boned and have a strength borne of a life of hard work and pure spirit.

Tending to be a people of simple means, the Talath have never been empire builders, preferring to live in small villages tending their sheep and crops. They are often ruled by other peoples, but even this seems not to phase them overmuch - as long as it is a benevolent reign. They make terrible slaves, are protective of personal freedoms, and if they are assailed by servants of the Unlife they fight with a fevered determination. The one notable exception is the Myri of Tanara who are routinely enslaved by the Dúranaki. In this case, however, some enchantment seems to be employed which renders the Myri docile.

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Vajaari: (nomadic race)

Stat Bonuses: ST +4; QU +2; IN +4; EM +2; AG +2; SD +4; ME -2; RE -2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +10; Disease +20

Soul Departure: 10 Recovery: 1x

Background Options: 5

Language: Vajaari

Can be found in Jaiman.

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Vorloi: 4'8 - 5'6", no professional limitations overall, though many are Animists. Lifespan: 300 - 600+ years.

Stat Bonuses: ST -2; QU +6; IN +2; EM +4; CO +2; AG +6; SD -4; AP +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +10; Disease +5

Soul Departure: 6 Recovery: 1x

Background Options: 6

The Vorloi (tree spirits) are a strange race apparently unique to the Isle of Jade Forest (located south of Khûm-kaan). They are very small and lithe, and - because of their pointed ears and longevity - are perhaps the result of a mating of an Elven race with a mortal group long ago. But the Elven grace of this people may be a facade: behind their beautiful lips are sharp fangs, and their long, delicate fingers end in hard, sharp nails.

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Y'kin: 5'4", no professional limitations. Lifespan: 80 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST -2; PR -2; IN +4; SD -2; ME +2; RE -2; AP -2

RR Modifiers: Ess -10; Chan -10; Ment -5

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 6

The Y'kin - also known as the Yinka in Tanara - is a race which currently populates southeastern Jaiman. It is clear that they are not native to this region, and it is assumed by Loremasters that they migrated there from Emer sometime during the Age of Fear, or even earlier. Tending to be short and stocky, Y'kin bear little resemblance to the fair-skinned Talath and Zori, or the lithe peoples of mixed Elven descent. All have mahogany skin and brown eyes, with straight black hair. Large noses and full lips add to the contrast.

The Y'kin peoples have never fully integrated into Jaiman, remaining separate from other races. Not that they have been encouraged: Rhakhaan warred with the Y'kin tribes through much of the Age of Shadows, and though they kept them east of the Grey Foothills, they never drove them from Jaiman shores.

Ruled by orders of priest-kings, the Y'kin are in some ways barbaric (human sacrifices to their cruel gods is practised by all Y'kin peoples) and brutal. Yet the Y'kin are scholars, and their architecture has a certain harsh beauty.

The Y'kin are an offshoot of the Jaaderi people, but hard living in the cooler land of Tanara has stunted them.

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Y'nari: 5'2 - 6'2", no professional limitations. though they tend more towards Mentalism than the Clerical or Essence pursuits. Lifespan: 100-200 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST -2; QU +2; PR +4; EM -2; CO +2; AG +2; SD +4; ME +2; RE +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Poison +5; Disease +10

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 6

Concentrated mostly in the northeasterly regions of Emer - especially the hills of the great Silaaran peninsula - the Y'nari are a a quiet people. Small but hardy, they have fair skin and little body hair, but scalp hair is thick and while it can be straight or curly, it is almost always black (or, in rare cases, silver). Eyes are usually brown or amber, and a distinguishing feature is the epicanthic fold (the small overlap of skin over the eyes, giving them - in Terran Terminology - an "oriental' look). Y'nari also have "flattened' features: small noses, wide, prominent cheekbones and forehead.

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Zori: 5'10 - 6'6", no professional limitations; life-span: 120 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +4; QU -2; PR +2; EM +2; CO +2; AG +2; SD +2; ME +2; AP +4

RR Modifiers: Ess -5; Chan -5; Ment -5; Poison +10; Disease +50

Soul Departure: 8 Recovery 1.5x

Background Options: 4

Once perhaps the Zori were cousins of the Talath, but that was before the lands came to rest in their present shape. Long ago the Zorians settled west of the Grey Mountains, and ever since the two have moved apart.

The Zorian race is tall, though neither has great in height nor sheer mass as the Talath. As a race the Zori have fair skin, but their hair color can range from coal black to a golden blond. Eye color can be blue or grey, but many have irises of a striking emerald hue. Zori are among the most regal of all Jaimani peoples, a fact not lost on their egos. Zori are historically arrogant, aggressive and often seek to dominate 'lesser' peoples; more often than not this has led to their own destruction. The Rhakhaan nobility, much of the U-Lyshak population (and of course the now-extinct people of Zor) are of this race. They are unrelated to the Laan of Emer, though the two are rivals.

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Generic Races

High Men: 6'7", no professional limitations, life-span: 300+ years.

The High Men tend to be even taller than the lordly Elves, but more heavily boned and physically stronger, though perhaps less nimble than the Elven-kind. Their hair is dark brown or coal black, eyes blue, grey or black and they tend to be fair-skinned, from very pale seeming to a ruddy but still light complexion. Few of the men sport beards, and many have no facial hair anyway. The life-span of High mortals is relatively long. They are great warriors, leaders and empire-builders, as their ambition matches their great stature.

One subgroup of the High Men is fair-haired and may have been the result of a mix with a Northman group in the distant past. However, they retain all other aspects of the High race.

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Dark Men: 5'6 - 6'4", no professional limitations, though spell users would be rare. Lifespan: 75 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +2; QU +2; PR -2; IN +2; EM +2; CO +2; AG +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0

Soul Departure: 12 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 6

The Dark Tribes are a disperse group of Common Men, distinguished by a somewhat smaller stature than others, though toughened by their invariably difficult environments. They are the men of the desert. They usually favor a culture which is nomadic, fierce, and unfortunately in many locales evil. They are usually superlative horsemen.

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Northmen: 5'10 - 6'6", no professional limitations, though spell users would be very rare. Magical arts are frowned upon on most cultures. Lifespan: 100 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +4; PR +2; EM -2; CO +4; SD +2; AP +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Disease +10

Soul Departure:12 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 4

The Northmen are the proud, well built, tall, and blond peoples of the north. They are by some standards the finest horsemen in the world. They are practical, rugged, straightforward, and somewhat loud. They are warlike but usually not 'evil' in nature.

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Arctic Men: 5'4 - 6'0", no professional limitation. Lifespan: 100 years.

Stat Bonuses: ST +2; PR +2; IN +2; CO +4; SD +2; RE +2

RR Modifiers: Ess +0; Chan +0; Ment +0; Disease +15

Soul Departure: 10 Recovery 1x

Background Options: 4

The Arctic Men are a smallish people but hardened greatly by the unfriendly climate to the north. They have dark hair and eyes and are tanned from exposure to the snow-reflected sun. They are a sparsely settled nomadic folk that keep up with the seasons migrations of big game.

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Mixed (Common) Men: Tremendous height and longevity range. No professional limitations overall, though certain groups might have such.

The mixed races are widely represented in the world, being the descendents of the so-called High Men. Through years of intermarrying with the common races and the ages which have passed since their early extraordinarily rich and magical heritage, their High Man characteristics have dimished. However, they still form an extremely important and numerous contingent among the mannish races.

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Races Continued

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