Races of Andara

The main races of Andara are divided into three groups: the Firstborn, the Awakened, and the Shard Peoples. Some monsters also fall into these divisions, depending on their origin, as do some animals. Domestic dogs for example are not native to Andara and arrived with Humans. A good portion of animals and beasts are not classified in the above three groups and are assumed to have been created by the Laughing Maid before the Firstborn, as described in the above creation myth.

The Firstborn

The Firstborn are divided into the Skyborn, Mountainborn, Forestborn, and Fieldborn. Technically the four tribes of Tainted Ones are also Firstborn, as they appeared around the same time. “Real” Firstborn find this notion offensive however, and to suggest one is related to or in any way connected to the Tainted Ones is a huge insult, ex. “Your mother lifts her skirts for Tainted dick”. In the below descriptions, what happens to each of the Firstborns’ remains on death is described. It is worth noting that none of the Firstborn have funeral rites or a culture that venerates the dead. The dead are remembered but their bodies (such as they are, when there is one) are not held in any particular regard.

The Skyborn

The Skyborn are analogous to PHB elves. All book stats are as such, and for rules purposes they are elves in every way. The main difference is their typical lifespan maxes out at 250 years, and they mature at the same rate humans do. Also of note is when the Skyborn die, the body dissolves into mist and dissipates.

The Mountainborn

The Mountainborn are analogous to PHB dwarves. All book stats are as such, and for rules purposes they are dwarves in every way. The main difference is their typical lifespan maxes out at 400 years, and they mature at about 1/2 the rate humans do (a 40 year old Mountainborn is socially treated as a 20 year Human is). Also of note is when the Mountainborn die, the body turns to stone.

The Forestborn

The Forestborn are analogous to PHB gnomes. All book stats are as such, and for rules purposes they are gnomes in every way. The main difference is their typical lifespan maxes out at 150 years, and they mature at the same rate humans do. Also of note is when the Forestborn die, the body turns into a wooden stump that is anchored by roots into the spot where they fell. The roots are shallow and can be fairly easily dislodged. If a Forestborn dies midair, on solid rock, etc., then the stump is not anchored.

The Meadowborn

The Meadowborn are analogous to PHB halflings. All book stats are as such, and for rules purposes they are halflings in every way. The main difference is their typical lifespan maxes out at 150 years, and they mature at the same rate humans do. When the Meadowborn die, their body dissolves into soil and falls loosely.

The Awakened

The Awakened are remnant races and creatures from the First World, Ardtus. Stories obviously speak of them as being many and varied, but the only creatures that would have been identified to you as Awakened (and then only in tales) are the great wyrms and the giants. The great wyrms are for the most part gone, having degenerated into the dragons of the Dragon Wastes. The giants now live in small bands and as isolated individuals.

The Beastfolk

The Beastfolk are a collection of tribes that were created when the giants warped common beasts. There are six main tribes – the Goatmen, the Elephants, the Gnolls, the Lizardmen, the Snakemen, and the Minotaurs. Depending on the band the Beastfolk might be savages, or might be peaceful philosophers. Common cultural wisdom and stereotypes refer to the Goatmen as traders and barterers, the Elephants as wise and mystical, the Gnolls as viscous and sadistic, the Lizardmen as barbaric, the Snakemen as untrustworthy and alien, and the Minotaurs as brutal and violent. It is known that the bodies of deceased Beastfolk decay rapidly, often withering away within several hours.

The People of the Shard

The people of the shard are those races that legend holds were not created on Andara, instead coming to the world as refugees and settlers. The three main races are the Humans, the Orcs, and the Fey.

Humans

Humankind has the most variety of all the races. Very different cultures and cosmetic physical attributes exist. Humans are also by far the most populous and widespread of all the races. One interesting fact is that humans seem to have a natural inclination to rise from death as undead, unless certain precautions and rituals are undertaken.

Orcs

The orcs are a warlike shamanistic people who worship their ancestors. They are not city builders and tend to not be organized; where there is a cultural group or organized band it is usually a nomadic community that avoids civilized lands. This being said it is not uncommon to see orcs in cities, especially human ones, and they are valued as trackers and mercenaries. While orcs can rise from the dead like humans do, it is much rarer as their cultural ancestor worship preserves the skulls or ashes of their fallen.

Fey

The Fey, or Fairies, are a strange alien race that dwells in the hidden places of the world. There are too many types of fairies to document, but all seem to be of one culture regardless of how far apart their communities lie. They do not think they way other races do, nor do they seem to value the same things. It is commonly held that they should be avoided whenever possible. Other than this and folklore, not much is known about these enigmatic creatures.