General Information
Gnomes
Gnomes were probably the first humanoids to colonize Faalor.
Their history on the island go back into the mists of time.
Faalorian gnomes are less technically inclined as their mainland
cousins, preferring to dig elaborate tunnels in the earth and
maintain their collection of ancient acorns, than create
flying machines or automated dish washers. They find comfort
in the land and the changing seasons. Some say Faalorian
gnomes are more like elves in this respect. Of all the races,
gnomes are most likely to have an elven friend. In fact, it is
rumored that the gnome elders still maintain close ties with
the Elven Court. Gnomes have a lifespan of 100-150
years.
Click here for more information on
playing a Gnome
Elves
Playing an elf may be more difficult than a half-orc to
play in this campaign world. Up until just over 50 years prior to the campaign
present, elves were unheard of in human lands. Since their
defeat at the hands of the orcs more than 250 years ago, the
elves have lived in quiet isolation deep in the woods and
mountains of the island. Around the year 98, elves were once
again seen wandering the roads and making contact with out of
the way miners, farmers and woodsmen. At first there was some
misunderstands, one or two ending in a death, but slowly,
these wandering elves were a relatively common if unwelcome
sight in Faalor again. Most humans have over the generations
acquired a deep mistrust of elves and still brace themselves
against the day the elves will betray them once again. Because
of this stigma, PC elves will be allowed an advantage other
races won't be afforded. At this time, I am considering giving
either a magic item, wealth or a free level (or whatever
is more logical for the character). PC elves may be given more information about the motives of
their hidden leaders. Most PC elves will either be outcasts,
spies, or on a life-long quest which takes them away from
their own culture. Most elves still worship Myloria,
Handmaiden of Adrahil and Watcher of the Elves, even if it is
popularly believed in human lands that Myloria is simply
mispronunciation of Maelwar. Unfortunately, during the
Night of Fog and Fear, all Mylorian priests lost a great deal
of their magical power allowing Vhal (sometimes called the "Forest
Demon", the elven god of the Night) to grab power.
Already having a strong following among the Talmakh (the
"opposition" party in the Elven Court, elves that
believed humans should be put in their place), Vhal lead
bloody civil war against the Myloria-worshipping leaders of
the elven people. Needless to say, those who apposed
Vhal and the Talmakh were put to death or hounded into the
wilderness. Today, elves freely take slaves, murder
humans on a whim, and generally cause mischief wherever they
can. Fortunately, their defeat at Havenshire and
Kyrdanna has greatly
weakened them and sent them into hiding in the Faewood.
Faalorian elves are essentially immortal, living for millennia
before time begins to have much effect on them. Of
course, elves are as susceptible to disease, fire and cold
steel as any other mortal.
Half-elves are quite rare. That
said, a small number of elf/human unions have been known in
the past fifty years. In general, half-elves face some of the
same problems full-blooded elves face, but, as long as the
elvish features can be masked, a half-elf can get by as well
as a human.
 At
the right, Faalorian elves have an greyish skin tone. Most are
of the lighter variety, but you are free to choose darker skin
if you wish. Elves have just about any hair color.
Generally speaking, the
older an elf becomes the darker his or her skin will grow.
Click here for more information on
playing an Elf or Half-elf
Orcs (Half-orc)
Orcs were perhaps the second humanoid group which colonized
the island. If not for their initial infighting, they could
have even now had complete control of the island. There are
three main orc tribes on Faalor (the Veshnuul, large,
militaristic brutes of the Crags, the Chuth, shaministic
swamp-dwellers and the Mnluug, chaotic, goblinish orcs who
inhabit the Faewood). There are smaller, more mobile clans
living in the far north-west and along the rugged terrain in
the far south-east. In all though, orc numbers appear to be
stagnating or receding. In the past few decades, orc
encounters have become increasingly rare. Occasionally,
though, these orcs will have contact with humans. Half-orcs
are accepted to slightly better than elves. At least there is
half a human in them, goes the common wisdom, but with elves,
you just have elves. Half-orcs tend to live short lives,
growing to adulthood by the time they are 10 and begin to show
signs of old age around 30.
Click here for more information on
playing a Half-orc
Dwarves
The second indigenous race found on Faalor, the dwarves
have long settled in the mountains. Dwarves primarily live in
Mourningthain, though a sizable minority live in the cities of
Faalor and Duath. Dwarves are accepted in human society
because of the perception that they are non-magical beings.
Though this is generally true, it is not the rule as any
self-respecting dwarf would know. Dwarves worship mainly
Aergot, though the recognize the power and faithfulness of
Adrahil. Dwarves tend to be far more secretive about their
worship, building neither shrines nor temples save one deep
under Mourningthain. Dwarves have always had a friendly
relationship with the other races, and some say, Dwarves alone
know the true facts behind the sad conflict between elf and
man. Dwarves have a natural lifespan of 500-700 years.
Click here for more information on
playing a Dwarf
Humans
Humans are now the most populous and active humanoid race
on the Island. They dominate almost every aspect of life on
the Island with the notable exception to the far north east
and the deep forests and swamps of the south. Due to a quirk
of history, humans now see themselves as less the stewards of
the Island, but rather the subduers. The elves had turned
their back on them, the orcs live in their hole far away from
settled lands. The dwarves, gnomes and halflings live in quiet
submission to the advances of man. It is easy to see why they
would think, that in only 250 years, that humans would find
themselves supreme rulers of the island. Human culture rests
on the teaching of Adrahil, handed down by the Church and a
political system that rewards submission. Two branches make up
the Faalorian human racial stock. The original colonists,
fierce, tall warrior-folk come from the Tribe of Teusse (Teussians).
Their decedents often sport long blond or red hair and have
names to reflect their rough past (OOC Norse, old English or
Teutonic sounding names). In the last decade of the first
century of Faalor (around 150 years ago), immigrants from the
mainland of a different type began to appear, from the lands
of Simsulani. They were more urban and sophisticated, bringing
with them philosophy and the strict dualism found in current
Faalorian theology and philosophy. They are a shorter people,
darker in skin and hair. The common tongue is Teussian, though
it has undergone a series of changes due the influx of
Simsulanians. There is a new people, the Vistani, which has
only appeared on Faalor in the past 40 to 60 years. They are
wandering gypsies who speak their own language. They are
darker in skin and hair than most humans on Faalor. They do
not fear magic the way other Faalorians do.
Click here for more information on
playing a Human
Halflings
The very last to arrive, Halflings make up a very tiny minority
on the Island. There is only one community of Halflings on
Faalor, and that is located on the north side of the city of
Faalor. Only about 30 families live here. A smaller group live
near the town of Duath, while a smaller group still live at
the crossroads. The largest halfling community is in
Applegate. The original halfling settlers came to Faalor with
the humans in the year One, and, though there has always been
good relations between the humans and the halflings, there are
some mild suspicions. Many halflings still wonder about the
elven "betrayal." For them, it seems that the
"big folks" really have no need to fight and that
the whole thing was just a big mistake, easily discussed and
solved over apple pie and fresh milk. Halflings of Faalor are
a bit more stay at home than Halflings found on the mainlands.
They venerate those few of their kind that actually go out and
have adventures but they themselves would never dream of doing
anything adventurous. They are quite content to tend their
gardens, eat seven times a day, and swap stories.
Halflings live, on average, about 100 years.
Click here for more information on
playing a Halfling
Other races
Drow do not exist on Faalor (or below it for that matter).
Other subraces will not be considered as well. Please limit
yourself to the standard race/class lists. Needless to say,
toddler grand wizards, lizard-, cat- or dragon-people,
demon-winged undead, 30,000 year old goddesses or other
odd-ball characters won't be allowed.
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