“Clouds of ash and smoke covered the globe in a shroud of twilight. The oceans boiled and the lands were aglow with molten rock. The fragile life of the world hid in what few refuges could be found . . . and waited.

“Ages passed. From the tortured works of the Conflict, new lands arose from the steaming seas. Green shoots sprouted from cooling black earth, and life began anew.”

Andraax
Tale of the World
Nomikos Library, Kulthea

The races described here are only some of the more global spanning races, and races with high population. Local regions may have certain racial types that are an offshoot of another but have changed significantly. Elves tend to vary little over the globe and time because of their increased lifespan. Mortal species however are much more varied across Kulthea.

MORTALS

RACE	LIFESPAN	HEIGHT	DESCRIPTION
Anzeti	100	4′6″ - 5′8″	The Anzeti are a small people, hardened by the unfriendly climate of the chilly places they inhabit. Dark haired, with redbrown skin and green or hazel eyes, they reside almost entirely in high, mountainous areas. By nature they are reticent - even shy - for they are seldom encountered by other races.
Nomari (Dwarves)	250	4′ - 5′	Dwarves are a stalwart people, comfortable below ground where they delve labyrinthine mines and palatial dwellings. Short and powerfully built, they seem ideally suited for a life underground, though their homes are usually much more than a mere warren of tunnels: they have constructed entire cities and palaces under mountains. Male Dwarves almost always grow thick beards. Dwarves are stocky with complexions ranging from greywhite to ruddy tored-brown; their dark eyes are deep set, and their hair is brown or black, occasionally flame-colored. There are at least four distinct tribes of Dwarves, though few but their own kind can tell them apart. Like the Morlogi (Goblins), Dwarves are masters of metalcraft; but unlike those unsavory cavern dwellers, they design their works to exhibit beauty as well as strength and utility. Full of disdain for the ways of conjurers, they employ such magic only to enhance the powers of the weapons and artifacts reluctantly released from their forges. Dwarves favor colorful clothing and hand arms. Many are proficient with standard bows, but a liking for mechanical devices and frequent close quarters prompts them to employ crossbows when a need for missile weapons arises. A secretive and suspicious subterranean people, Dwarves tend to keep to themselves in their underground empires.
Garks	40	4′ - 4′8″	Mottled grey fur covers covers all of the ape-like Gark, except the palms and soles of his feet. Long arms hang to his knees, and a powerful, prehensile tail grows from the base of his spine. Most Garks possess only limited intelligence, and they use crude weapons such as clubs, hatchets, and spears. They wear simple, decorative clothing and organize themselves by family groups. Three basic types of Gark are known to exist: Snow Garks, Jungle Garks, and Cliff Garks, each inhabiting the type of environment they are named for. Because of their low intelligence and crudeness, the word Gark has become somewhat of an insult among some more civilized cultures.
Hirazi	80	6′4″ - 7′8″	The Hírazi are a rare winged race. In appearance they are like large, muscular humans, with wide shoulders to support their wing structures. But their image of strength is largely misleading, for their bones are hollow, their lungs are huge, and their muscles have a unique structure which makes them very light. This race is in fact rather fragile. All have golden brown skin and white or blond hair. Their fabulous wings - covered with plush white feathery hairs like those of a bird - vary in color from blue to white to gold, often a shimmering combination of the above.
Jaaderi	100	5′8″ - 6′8″	The Jaaderi are an ancient people who make their homes in the plains of Tai-emer for one. Robust and often powerfully built, the Jaaderi are a race to stand with the Laan in physical nobility. Their skin is a coppery red-brown, with green, brown or hazel eyes. Other distinguishing features include a prominent, hooked nose, full lips, and large earlobes. Their hair is sleek, straight and black; men have little body hair and their beard grows sparsely. Jaaderi faces have a slightly elongated look, accentuated by a high forehead and a hairline which often recedes soon after maturity in men.
Jameri	60	5′4″ - 6′2″	Encompassing a mixture of several racial subgroups, the Jameri peoples are shorter than the Laan, Elves or Talath, but hardy. Their hair ranges from dirty blond to dark brown, and they generally have fair or olive skin, with eyes of hazel or brown. Of sturdy build, they tend to become overweight in later years. The Jameri are more hirsute than most other races; the men must shave or grow heavy beards, and many begin to go bald in their middle years. A Jamer feels fortunate to live to be 100 years old. They can be found throughout most of Jaiman, though in the north they become intermingled with the Haid and other northern peoples. A very similar racial group - the Shay - is common in parts of Emer and in other lands with a temperate or cool temperate clime.
Jineri	80	5′8″ - 6′4″	Though similar to the Y’nar in facial features, the Jineri tend to be taller, with slightly darker skin pigmentation, and more ectomorphic, suited to hot and humid climes. Eyes are usually brown or hazel with the distinguishing epicanthic fold over the inner corner. They have little body hair, and scalp hair is always thick and straight, usually black but sometimes streaked with silver or white after puberty.
Laan (Zori)	200	5′8″ - 6′10″	The Laan are even taller than the Elves, but more heavily boned and physically stronger. Their hair is straight and dark brown to coal black, eyes blue, grey or hazel, and they tend to be fair-skinned, from very pale seeming to a flushed but light complexion. Few of the men sport beards; in fact most have little or no facial hair (and little body hair). The Laan are great warriors, leaders and empire-builders: their ambition matches their great stature. They are concentrated in a few portions of Emer and in Jaiman (where they are called Zori).
Lugroki	?	5′4″ - 6′4″	Some of the old myths say that the Lugroki were once men and Elves, interbred with demons of the Pale long ago by Kadæna and her lieutenants. Their goal was to fashion a fearsome, ruthless warrior race. It holds at least one shred of truth, the Lugroki are indeed fearsome and ruthless. A Lugrok is a grotesque creature with slanting eyes and a flattened snoutlike nose. A Lugrok’s teeth are large and irregular, with oversized incisors which frequently jut from their thick-lipped mouth. Hulking in form, with heavily muscled bodies and thick limbs, Lugrôki respect little save superior force. Lugrôki seem to like the dark and are rarely seen out in the sun.
Lydians	120	6′2″ - 7′	The tall, slender Lydians are most populous in Mythenis and some regions of Gaalt, though they are found on other cool climes - especially in the southern hemisphere. This race has a somewhat elongated skull and large, bright, amber-colored eyes. They have fair skin, pale blond hair and are more slender than the Laan or Talath and tend to be hirsute. Men begind to lose their hair soon after maturity, and even many older women have a receding hairline.
Muadani	100	5′10″ - 6′10″	Slender and graceful of body, the Muadani have a medium brown skin tone and black hair, usually wavy and thick in texture. Their facial features are also refined, with small noses and ears and almond eyes which are almost always brown in color. The Muadani are also known as the Vajaari in SW Emer and Gethryn in NW Thuul.
Murlogi (Goblins)	60	4′0″ - 4′8″	The typical Goblin has a rounded head with large grey eyes, a tiny nose and a thin-lipped mouth. Oversized ears can pick up the slightest sound and distinguish the source of an echoing voice with uncanny skill. Their skin is a pale grey-yellow, and they have large feet with rudimentary toes (which, because of their tenderness, are often protected with wooden clogs). Mechanically inclined, the Murlogi have invented many machines to torture their foes, as well as those useful in warfare. Utility and strength mark most of their creations, but they are invariably inelegant like their creators. Murlogi are skilled miners, enlarging their underground kingdoms by connecting nearby caverns with tunnels. Goblins stay below ground by day, but at night they emerge in search of food - including human flesh.
Ochu	90	5′4″ - 6′4″	A people commonly found in warmer climes such as Agyra and northern Falias, the Ochu also have a colony in northern Tai-emer (Pochantos). In appearance they have red-brown skin and tend to be of medium height and build, with straight or wavy coarse black hair. The eyes are brown and almond-shaped, with wide, faces and high cheekbones. Body and facial hair is relatively sparse.
Shay	60	5′2″ - 6′	The Shay peoples are shorter than most other races but stocky and hardy. They usually have brown hair and fair skin, with eyes blue, hazel or brown. Shay men are more hirsute than most other races, and in most cultures are likely to let their dense facial hair grow.
Talath (Myri)	80	5′10″ - 7′	The Talath are a hardy race, blond and blue-eyed. They have cultures in Northwestern Hæstra and are suited to cooler climes, having settlements in SE Jaiman (known as the Myri), and other cool temperate regions. Powerfully built,the Talath are of amazing size and strength. Most have a fair countenance; the men have little or no beard. Both sexes are big-boned and have a physical and mental strength borne of a life of hard work and pure spirit.
Thesians	75	5′8″ - 6′8″	This tall, graceful people have dark brown skin, full lips and flattened noses. All Thesians have dark brown eyes, very dark skin, and have little body hair. Scalp hair, however, grows thickly and in very tight curls. Long-fingered hands are also the norm. Thesians on Emer are for the most part in Onar (where they are known as the Kinsai) and Khûm-kaan. They can also be found in other warm-temperate and tropical environments.
Y’nari	120	5′4″ - 6′4″	Generally quiet and serene, the Y’nari are nevertheless reticent even stubborn. Of average height and medium to slight build, they have fair skin (with a yellowish tint) and little body hair. Scalp hair is thick, straight, coarse and deep blue-black (or, in rare cases, white). Eyes are usually brown, hazel or amber, and a distinguishing feature is the epicanthic folds (the small overlap of skin over the eyes, like Terran Asian peoples). Y’nari also have ‘flattened’ features: small noses, wide, prominent cheekbones. Y’nar populations are found in NE Emer (Silaar), southern Kelestia, and other temperate lands.

GIANT MORTALS

Huge, muscular men often standing twice or thrice the height of men, Giants possess immense strength, but the accompanying slow reactions reduce their advantage. Generally reclusive, giants do not often reside in larger than extended family groups.

RACE	LIFESPAN	HEIGHT	DESCRIPTION
Giant Garks (Lesser Giants)	?	9′ - 12′	These giants are not usually classified as intelligent races; they include the very stupidest Giants who exhibit the instinctual ferocity of beasts and deserve no one’s trust. Hairier and uglier than their brethren, these Giants take noisy pleasure in hurling rocks at human targets… and feasting on the ‘tenderized’ results. While they may or may not be related to Garks they are often referred to as Giant Garks by intelligent peoples.
Lokaran (Greater Giants)	varies	varies 8′ - 20′+	Greater Giants are more intelligent than their lesser brethren, and perhaps have taken on an unfairly negative reputation from those same relations. They are most likely not even related at all. They are no less than normal men in thought and desire, and while they are enchanted by nature they have the same strengths and weaknessess. There are several very different types of Lokarans around Kulthea and vary in size from10′ to more then 20′ in height.
Trolls	300	varies 8′ - 15′	Hideous travesties of life, Trolls possess huge, hulking bodies patched by bushes of harsh, wiry hair. Oversized hands and feet are adorned with heavy claw-like nails, while flattened nostrils deform their cruel visage. A perpetual snarl distorts the sneering maws of these fiends, revealing blood-stained fangs. Grey, stony hides with the rough texture of a cliff face protect the innards of reclusive, solitary Trolls, but more formidable armor guards the dreaded War Trolls. Bred to withstand the sun’s bright gaze, War Trolls are quicker and more clever than their ancient brethren. Hill Trolls (more timid, but equally fond of man-flesh) lose their sight when exposed to direct sunlight, while Stone Trolls return to the rock from which their race was born.

TA-LAIRI (HALF-ELVES)

The Ta-lairi (Iy: ‘part-elves’) can be individuals where they are simply called Ta-Lairi, or they can be entire races: the result of elven/mortal interbreeding long ago, creating a fairly homogeneous group of beings. The latter are actually multiple races; there is tremendous variation depending on mortal component. Elven parentage is almost always Erlin when widespread enough to constitute a subrace. The variety in appearance among half-Elves stems not so much from the subtle variance in Elves, as the more pronounced differences between the Mannish races whose blood also flows in their veins. They are always mortal, though enjoying a longer life span, remaining healthy and hale until very near the end, then aging very rapidly over the last 5 years or so of life.

RACE	LIFESPAN	HEIGHT	DESCRIPTION
Eritari	200	5′10″ - 6′10″	A blending of Elven and Thesian people, The Eritari combine the pointed elven ears with the full lips and brown eyes of the Thesians. Skin color is usually a medium brown.
Sulini	200-300	6′ - 7′2″	Tall, slender and graceful, the Sulini are the result of the mingling of Erlin Elves and a fair mannish race. Their appearance suggests either the Talath or Lydians, for they have sandy or blond hair, fair skin and blue or green eyes.

IMMORTALS

These are beings who, unlike the other races, do not age or grow old. Most maintain a youthful appearance indefinitely. As part of this eternal youth, they have a high resistance to diseases and natural extremes of temperature. Elves are very similar in appearance to humans, except they are generally taller and have elongated ears with points at the top, and more delicate features. Men have no facial hair, and they have almost no body hair, while scalp hair grows thick and full throughout their lives. The Elven physique is naturally slender and their metabolism prevents them from extra body fat. Physical exertion and training does allow them to gain muscle mass and add strength, though some mannish races are more easily able to gain muscular bulk. Elves mature as humans, but once they reach adulthood the pure blooded do not show the signs of aging; those of mixed descent tend to age very slowly compared to the average mortal. There are several sub-races of Elves much the same as there are for men. The Linæri, Loari and Dyari are all in fact very closely related genetically and make up the Iylar race, the most lordly and imposing of the Elves. The Erlin, by contrast, are quite a different species from the Iylar; as distant from the High Elves as they are themselves from the mortal peoples. The elves are all named in the Iylar tongue.

Elves are often seen as a strange and confusing to mortals. Being immortal Elves think much differently then mortals. They also are physically superior in many ways. They seem to have far superior vision and hearing, are naturally quicker, more dextrous and intelligent then most mortals. As immortals they are also completely immune to most diseases.

RACE	HEIGHT	DESCRIPTION
Linæri (”Singers”)	5′10″ - 6′10″	The Linæri possess golden-blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. They are tall and graceful, generally slender of build but strong. Most Linær prefer natural spaces to structures, and when they build homes they are always airy, open designs filled with light and warmth. True to their name, the Linær are as a rule a musical people. All children are taught to sing at the same time they are instructed in language.
Loari (”Builders”)	5′10″ - 6′10″	The Loari almost without exception have ravenblack hair. Eye color can be brown, grey-blue or hazel, and their complexion is fair - even pale. While a Loar may love nature as much as his Linær cousin, he seeks to unlock its hidden secrets rather than enjoy it in its untouched state. Among the contemporary peoples, they are unmatched in science, architecture, and technology. The Loar egos are also unsurpassed among Elves and men - except perhaps by the Dyari.
Dyari (”Delvers”)	5′10″ - 6′10″	The Dyari are, despite their nickname of ‘Dark Elves,’ no darker in skin pigmentation than their brethren; in fact they are very fair-skinned. While most have raven hair, a few are born with pure white locks. Their ears frequently have more pronounced points than the other Elves; their eyes are grey, black, or sometimes amber. Often, however, they are so similar to their Loar cousins that it is difficult - at least for mortals - to tell the difference. The Dark Elves instead gained their name because of an earned reputation for associating with the powers of darkness. It is true that many of their kind have been seduced by the lure of the Unlife, but most Dyari are merely what one might call ‘mercenary.’ They embody the worst traits of the Loari but to the extreme: they are vain and arrogant, considering all other races (including other Elves) to be inferior. They often have a lust for power: political, magical, physical, and spiritual. Dyari also have a passion for technology. But while the Loari appreciate science and engineering often as ends unto themselves, the Dyari see machines as tools to gain wealth and power over others.
Erlini (”Gardeners”)	5′8.5″ - 6′6.5″	The Erlini most often have sandy or darkblond hair and light blue, green, or grey eyes. Like the Linæri, they prefer to live close to nature in her unaltered state. When they employ tools and structures these are always subtle and clever of design, simple yet practical. The Erlini are the most prevalent of the Elven-kind by far, and in many areas they have interbred with mortal groups to create a hybrid race. However, when a culture of Erlini has been isolated for a long period, they are very shy and resist becoming involved in the affairs of humans or High Elves.