Humans
Humans supposedly arrived towards the end of the Age of Myth, and if accurate, this makes them not native to Eru’Stead. Early life consisted of working village farms and livestock, trading resources and knowledge with other races and building a life that supports more life. This means Humans have sought to build a foundation, wherever they go. Eventually they spread out mostly across the southern Isle of the continent of Eru’Stead.
Humans have, since their beginning, been quick and eager learners. Both when it comes to feats of engineering, craftsmanship and mage craft, usually combining all three. They have invented and developed many things such as magic tools, magic construction techniques and developed air trade routes.
Note: It must be said that pastries are among one of their best inventions.
As humans spread and grew in number, they developed Heraldry to help distinguish where they are from and which family house they belong to. They built a college in each major city to help record and organise these such things as well as their laws, histories, mage craft and other knowledge acquired from other races.
These colleges became a place of study with lecturers for each of these subjects. Due to these places of learning Humans experimented and developed quickly, putting them ahead of other races in a few areas. Colleges became a central part of their culture and most humans either went to one for a time or aspired to go.
Knowledge has been a major driving factor for humans ever since their arrival in Eru’Stead. Another driving factor is ambition. Their Ambitions to learn and develop is well known, but it was their ambition for discovery that has led to many adventurous souls. If you see or meet an adventurer, they will most likely be a human. Other races have had them, but their ways of life offer much in lived experiences.
When it comes to warfare they have shown themselves to be proactive. Being the race which started the First Warring Period. Prepared and organised are words that come to mind in that era, which proved useful during the Second Warring period. They were able to assist the Dwarrow efficiently in their defences. Their tactics are refined and able to adapt in many situations.
After the second warring period, humans welcomed other races to mingle with their own culture. This multiculturalism has led to a lot of what we are used to today. A sharing of ideas and crafts that has furthered the wonder of our realm.
Elves
The Elves mostly lived in the mountainous regions to the north east. This shaped their culture to be one hunting and gathering. This is not to say they didn’t work the earth, they had farms in lowlands and small mines as well, but not to the extent of Humans or Dwarrow. Elves had limited materials to mine, so a lot of their materials came from trade.
Elven farms were made near mountain springs and other waterways and consisted of aquatic weeds and grains. These were used to make clothes(along with goat's wool), bags and flour for cooking. They also kept livestock in the form of goats and deer, both for their meat, milk and hides. Outside of farming they would hunt other predator animals in order to protect their livestock and as trophies.
Dwellings were often made from wood, later they would use stone foundations as well. Sometimes they would be above the ground and other times on it. They were always made with the environment in mind.
Many elves also had a talent for mage craft, though the poor quality gemstones they had access to was a limit to channeling certain energies. However after some time in meditation they learned to harness other aspects of mage craft at will. Over time they slowly developed this connection to the Pillar of Magic, alongside the other Pillars.
Note: Elves were not the only race to discover a way to open access to mage craft.
The elves were the first to harness air travel, though not to the level we have now. They developed gliders to carry one or two people at a time to help with going from village to village. Moving between villages and other communities was important to Elven culture, as it exposed individuals to different ways of hunting, farming, different ideas, and share their own ideas and skills. This helped relations between groups as well. If one village lacked something they probably knew someone who could fill that need.
Communities typically didn’t have an elected leader of chief. Instead the elder among them shared their knowledge and experiences to the next generation and in this way they preserved themselves. These communities were spread across nine regions, each with differing styles of art, music, craftsmanship, livestock and crops.
If any conflict arose typically perpetrators would not be allowed back to that village, either for a time or ever at all else receive punishment. Punishments include prolonged starvation, where they would feed them just enough each day to keep them alive for a period of weeks to months. Hard labour and branding were known punishments as well.
Life continued like this until the first warring period(after the Age of Myth). At such a time the elves banded together, taking up arms and building strongholds. The Elves developed ambush and hit and run tactics as hunting was more their forte. The Elves were led by a council(called The Ver’isue) with chosen members from across the 9 regions.
After the warring period, The Elves kept the Ver’isue in order to help organise them should the need arise. They kept most of their old traditions and over time shared some of their knowledge and craftmanship, though Elves still keep some of their knowledge for themselves.
During the Second Warring Period Elves became more direct in their warfare, as they had learned much and prepared for such an occasion. Utilising offensive and defensive mage craft to advance and defend at the same time. A slow and effective stratagem.
The central lands became known as Ora’thelen, which means the origin of the elves. It is thought to be where the race started, not only literally, but also their first settlements. The Ver’isue is largely a figurehead, but keeping history and upholding laws fall within their responsibilities.
Animal-Kin
Not much is known about the creation of Animal-kin. Their histories are passed by word of mouth and scarcely written down. What we do know is that they are largely nomadic with some occasionally settling in areas rich in resources, often called Cirques. This allows the older among them to retire somewhere. It also means their young can be raised in safe environments. As they grow they travel, either between cirques or further afield, grazing and moving on.
Animal-kin seem to have a symbiotic relationship with orcs and goblins, often having a few travelling alongside them. Orcs and goblins have a tough nature about them and this relationship brings added security. Both groups tend to stay in the wildlands between the other nations.
Their early existence after The Age of Myth was said to be a pursuit of freedom and harmony with the world around them. They developed into packs or cirques(terms can be used interchangeably), going in seemingly all directions. Some were bigger and some were smaller, but all of them lived off of what the wildlands provided.
Harmony with nature and each other is of great importance. Never taking too much and prioritising those who need care the most seem to be the only rules they live within. Occasionally an individual would separate from a group, either to find another or even start a new pack. Leadership isn’t an important role in a pack, as such the role is passed around constantly within packs. Rarely does any pack ostracise someone, but it can happen.
Contact with other races is uncommon, but not unheard of. Hunters and adventurers have encountered packs now and then, even travelling with them on occasion.
During the First Warring Period, Animal-kin stayed neutral as best they could. Staying in the wildlands and staying out of sight. Very few thought it a good idea to get involved and those that did, were utilised as trackers, scouts and guides. During the second Warring Period, AnimalKin were more active in defending the wildlands, using tactics learned from the Elves. They proved effective as they were often more familiar and comfortable in their own lands.
Orcs and Goblins
Orcs and Goblins often go hand in hand, however they are two distinct races with a lot of similar attributes. Their conception was also believed to be before The Age of Myth. They come in varying shades and sizes, but usually green and tough shaped(according to what I’m told). Culturally they apply tattoos to help distinguish families and bloodlines, much like Humans do with heraldry. Much like Animal-kin, they live nomadically and it isn’t uncommon to see some travelling in an animal-kin pack.
“Goblins are typically smaller than Orcs, have larger ears and sharper features. Orcs prefer big teeth, larger frames and handsomer jawbones. Our tough looking bodies help scare off weaker beings, though sometimes they pick fights anyways. Goblins are sneakier and can get an upper hand if they're lucky.”
-Broggin Gravelhide, Professional Orc
Outside of hired muscle Orcs and goblins usually hunt and gather for their food. They are also careful not to take too much from an area before moving on, never staying in any one place for too long. They have a reverence for the Pillar of Life in particular, as they believe, it gave them life both to eat, and have the ability to eat. They also respect The Pillars of Water and Land as well as they add to this belief.
Their interactions with other races have proven them curious if nothing else. Orcs and, in particular, Goblins like to learn from other races and make good use of the knowledge gathered. Both races have been known to make use of armour, weapons and other crafts to improve how they do what they do.
During the First Warring Period, many Orcs and Goblins were used to fight not only the other races but also their own kind and kin. The same is true for the Second Warring Period
Not much has changed for these races over the thousand and three hundred years since the Age of Myth. But one thing I am certain of is that they will find a way to endure all that comes their way.
Note: Dear reader, I have not had much experience with Orcs and Goblins, as you may have gathered. I did interview an Orc though….after I bribed him with a keg of beer.