Races

[StoryTeller]

WOODLINGS

Tall and slender, woodlings appear human at first glance, but elven features quickly give them away. Pointed ears, piercing eyes, and varied facial markings are racial traits. Skin tones range from alabaster in the mountains to ebony along the coastline. Woodlings have a strong affinity with nature and often have several familiars they utilize for various purposes, like gathering resources.


Woodling dwellings in urban areas are never permanent and always filled with flora; many species of plant life are universal in Woodling homes, as they are brought place to place in all forms of travel. Most Woodling dwellings in the city are maintained for the purpose of trade. Seasonal rituals draw Woodlings from their travels back to their homelands to celebrate the rites of their people; very rarely do any of this race remain abroad during these times. "A Woodling in the Spring is no friend to you or me." Being seen outside their wild domain during such times is usually an indication of foul intent, or of a an outcast.

The only known race to practice Magick, Woodlings are typically distrusted, and their services are only sought out for the exotic plant life they cultivate, as guides in the Northern Region, and for superstitious purposes. Woodling "Magick" is restricted to their powerful affinity with nature, starting fires, calling animal familiars, and the ability to detect strong auras. Even so, sometimes their knowledge of herbal potions is looked at as Magick, and many of this race have been wrongfully imprisoned or killed on suspicion of practicing a forbidden art.

[StoryTeller]

FRAYA

name meaning: Gods blessings

The Fraya are the fairest of the races in Nova, and are only mistrusted or disliked for their somewhat inconsistent nature. Fraya also enjoy very long life spans, but are physically frail in terms of injury. They recover well, and rarely fall ill. For this reason, many of them are physics (doctors) and scholars. They also hold good footing in the upper ranks of the aristocrats, and several large companies are attributed to this race. In combat, the Fraya wield sometimes frighteningly powerful illusory abilities that allow them to engage an opponent on their own terms. A few of this race are high-ranking military officials, but most often specialize in the technical aspect of military (weapon construction, research and development, tactical planning, etc.) Overall, the Fraya have the best relationship with the other races, and are known to be lifelong friends.

A Fraya's wings are their most defining characteristic. Wings are present at birth and grow as a Fraya matures and develops their physical prowess. Fraya in non-military positions often have smaller, more ornate wings that serve few functional purposes. Those of military association appear ferocious and menacing, despite their beauty, and have broad, well-defined wings that, while not capable of flight, do afford them some advantages in mobility. Pale skin, hair, and eyes are another defining trait. Fraya with dark features usually have one or two very potent abilities that could be as simple as an optical illusion or as robust as a crippling psychological assault.

[StoryTeller]

DEMORI

name meaning: Child of Sin

The Demori are an enigma, and no race’s members hold consistent opinions about them. Socially, they are seen more from a usury perspective, as they make particularly good mercenaries. All Demori have a “true” form and a humanoid form. The scope of their true form and their abilities is directly related to their caste, with the lowest caste having limited capacities to perceive auras, heal quickly, hypnotize an onlooker, or other myriad talents, as well as having very little distinction between their two forms. The higher caste Demori have extensive and/or potent abilities and can change their appearance to nearly any desired form. Their true forms are also very stark and wide-ranging. It is unclear if the Demori have any racial motivations, and they typically do not maintain strong familial associations. Demori almost universally act on their own personal motives.

Demori share very few defining physical traits save for their eyes: a Demori's eyes are in the yellow or red spectrum, and regardless of form, show their true appearance in light. All Demori also do not have a "life expectancy" per-se; Demori live by consuming-that is, they feed on the essence of the creatures they eat, and the more consistently they eat, the longer they live. The longer a Demori is able to sustain itself, the stronger it becomes, developing new and expanded powers. Human essence is the most potent for a Demori, but in Nova, livestock serve as a substitute.

[StoryTeller]

TOREKA


The Toreka are the physical manifestation of the ancient draconic qualities. After the second Great War between the inner worlds, almost all was lost. The Ku-Deyu, and their predecessors, the Kray, merged after the Great War reduced their numbers to a mere fraction, threatening to wipe both species from existence. To keep the draconic lineage alive, both races committed themselves to intermarriage and re-establishing a strong, central clan structure. Toreka are fiercely mistrusting of external culture, and study it only as a function of commerce. “Toreka” means “tower,” “stronghold,” or, “we are the last.”

Ku-Deyu, not being native to the world of Nova, first arrived during the Dark Ages and brought new advancements to the world during the medieval period. The Kray however, being clan based, kept their draconic qualities more hidden than the Ku-Deyu.

Toreka are known for their elven features; often they are mistaken for woodlings. Long pointed ears and smooth skin bearing patches of scales are distinguishing features, along with lavender eyes-a vestige of their Kray lineage. Some still hold draconic features such as horns. Toreka are remarkable at solving problems and building. They are extremely intelligent regarding Alchemy and Mechanics, but no longer practice the magical discipline of their Ku-Deyu heritage. Additionally, the Toreka share their Kray ancestor’s Blood Rage, a condition that causes them to berserk when threatened or highly angered. During Blood Rage, Toreka become extremely hostile and their physical strength increases significantly, however, the hysteria resulting from Blood Rage often leaves them unable to distinguish friend from foe.

[StoryTeller]

HUMANS

On most fantasy worlds, humans are shunted into the background -- they're inferior, plain, unworthy. On Nova, it's quite the opposite. Humans are the native race on Nova, which is pretty much the most important place on the planet. That means that people are quick to respect and admire them, and they're treated extremely warmly in other countries, save for a breakaway few. Their prevalence is such that all races that resemble humans are known as 'humanoids'. There are slight differences between humans from Carrestra and those from Denskig: natives of Denskig have darker skin tones on average, given that their territory is located next to the Sea. Additionally, those from Carrestra are more dangerous, sneaky and tough; the military's frontline soldiers are often from Carrestra.

Humans are known for their versatility and their affinity with Alchemy and Mechanics, often together. As the dominant race, humans occupy every aspect of society, and at every level. They are well-regarded by the other races, though some tension with factions of the Demori and Woodling races resurfaces from time to time.