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Races of Sallune
Sallune is home to multiple races between the Old World and the Unknown World. At the moment, only those races known to the Old World are listed and discussed in this factbook. Many of these races are not too dissimilar from one another, undergoing change and evolution under the influence of the arcane. What sets these races apart from monsters is their population, civilizations, and organization—feats which even intelligent monstrosities have failed to achieve. While monsters are in the hands of the player to design, beyond dimorphism the roster seen is the available races to use. There are no custom races, only those provided here. This factbook will present you with the bios of each race, focused on their physiology.
Ailur are humanoids originating from the continent of Heshran. Immediately, they bear the appearance of the common man; however, upon closer inspection their differences are striking. The most obvious feature of any ailur is their pointed ears, which can range in size from petite to elongated. The second major feature of any ailur is the branching-structure which develops as they age, taking on the form of crude horns. These branches require consistent pruning and can be somewhat modified to change their growth patterns. As an ailur ages, these branches will often begin to lose their color, greying with the hair until withering with death. Women amongst the ailur typically develop smaller and more compact branches. In terms of their general traits, the average ailur stands at the height of a man, and lives on average eighty years.
Developmentally, ailur are akin to humans, with the development of branches beginning with puberty. Their reproductive habits and details likewise remain the same. Ailur are capable of successfully crossbreeding half-ailur with human beings, though not with any other race. These hybrids are born with reproductive abilities as well, though the children of hybrids are always born mules (non-reproductive members).
Gallu are humanoids originating from the continent of Sinarrum. Prior to the emergence of the khimerine race, the gallu were considered the only composite species in the world. This designation has since changed to consider them the only natural composite lifeform. Gallu bear a series of striking features to tell them apart from man. All members of the gallu race are born with and develop smooth horns like a bull, and likewise bear ox-tails and ears. The loss of these horns is a permanent wound. The terminating appendages of a gallu are not feet, but rather the talons of a bird. Beyond these composite traits, gallu bear a likeness to any man or woman. In terms of their general traits, the average gallu stands at the height of a man, and lives an average of eighty years.
Developmentally, gallu are akin to humans. Born with their composite traits, the horns and talons covered in a fleshy filament to prevent damage to the mother upon birth, gallu generally come into their own during puberty. Reproductively, their habits and details are the same as mans. Unlike the ailur, gallu cannot successfully conceive the child of another race. When paired with humans, the hybrid will often develop and be born, but nearly all children perish soon after.
Man is man, hailing from the continent of Heshran. Humans stand on average between five and six feet tall. Most members, who endure the trauma of childhood mortality, live on average eighty years.
Khimerine are a race hailing from Heshran by origin of their experimental birth, but bear no ancestral land of their own. Much like the gallu, the khimerine are a composite race; however, the diversity of their stock is near limitless. the overriding trait of composite traits found in khimerine is their mammalian base. This is believed to be due to the pirigan element of their cells. Typically, the most stable strains of khimerine stand between man and animal. In particular, the replacement of ears with animal ears, the inclusion of animal tails, and slight alterations to nail and tooth structure based on the inclination of that khimerine strain. A subject more inclined toward canids will develop fearsome canines and long furred tails, whereas a subject inclined toward clovens will develop blunted teeth, smaller tails and often hooves instead of feet. This is not the absolute limit of these traits. The body can be entirely covered in fur, patched in various ways, or hybridized between appearances. Khimerine however are naturally inclined toward stable strains, and as they reproduce their communities develop set genetic patterns. Most members stand at the height of a man. On average, a khimerine lives for eighty years.
Developmentally, they are not dissimilar from man. Where khimerine become unique however is the incredible range of their reproductive compatibility. Khimerine can reproduce with almost any race, except for the peshtu and nisaryan. Where things become complicated however is the product of such pairings. All hybrid offspring are not true hybrids. While they bear traits from their alien parentage, they will always be born fully functional khimerine themselves, as though from two khimerine parents.
Nisaryan are a serpentine race hailing from the continent of Avestar. Nisaryan are immediately distinct because of their appearance. Their bodies are deeply embedded with scales, their torsos sport two sets of arms, their heads are serpentine imitations of man with broad scales forming hoods and fleshy membranes imitating hair, and their bodies terminate in snake tails. While they are often coiled in standing or in slithering, nisaryans are deceptively tall, standing a foot over the height of any man, and are quite strong with an advanced muscular system. On average, the nisaryan live impressively long, often around a hundred years—with their longest recorded survivor aging to one-hundred and twenty.
Developmentally the nisaryan are born from eggs which incubate for six months. Upon being born, the offspring is largely able to independently navigate and eat. Past this point, nisaryan are not unlike man in their advance toward adulthood. Reproductively, nisaryan reproduce by developing eggs over the course of the month, then laying said eggs. These shells must be kept warm, or else their contents will perish.
Peshtu are a race of uncertain origins, with legends pointing to Lastel, but reality finding their population everyone from the earliest surviving records. The peshtu are, in short, large rodents. What sets them aside from their distant cousins is their ability to maintain bipedal locomotion, their impressive height of up to two-feet in the largest specimens, and their sapience. Generally, the average lifespan of a peshtu is twenty years.
Developmentally, peshtu young are products of quick pregnancies and quick nursing. After mere months of incubation, they are born, and nursed once more for mere months. On average, a peshtu reaches a stable reproductive age after five years. There are many complications surrounding peshtu reproduction, as their young are quite vulnerable to predators and the elements, leading to a higher than average mortality rate.
Pirigan hail from a nameless land from beyond the edge of the world, though they are known for having conquered the continent of Heshran and continue to endure there in force. They are most easily identified by their immense figures, standing sometimes double the size of a man, and their diverse mammalian forms that sport all manner of predatory features. In their most basic form, pirigan are often called great furred beasts with sharp claws and teeth, however many linger effects of arcane manipulation have resulted in all manner of mutation and nightmare naturally occurring in pirigan bloodlines, such as extra eyes, limbs, teeth and more. Much like the Khimerine, their most consistent feature is a mammalian base. Pirigan are also notable for being nearly exclusive predators. On average, pirigan live for a hundred years.
Developmentally, pirigan young are produced and develop not unlike man. Complications do occur because of their mutated heritage, resulting in a high number of surgical births rather than natural. Pregnancy is particularly hard on pirigan females, resulting in both insatiable appetites and often violent behavior due to the tax of producing offspring. Pirigan cannot naturally reproduce with any race other than khimerine.
Pyke are humanoids originating from the continent of Heshran. While the ailur, who also developed alongside man on Hesran, bear a likeness which is not totally dissimilar, the pyke by contrast are extremely unique. Standing at an average of four feet, pyke appear in a variety of shades. Their heads are adorned with tremendous eyes, large pointed ears, long thin tails which are tufted at their tips, and sharp teeth. A great deal of variety exists between pyke, often in the form of how intense these features are; though all bear them. On average, a pyke lives for eighty years.
Developmentally, pyke are akin to humans, being born with all their assets in diminutive states. Their reproductive habits and details likewise remain the same. Pyke, unlike ailur, are not capable of cross breeding with humans or ailur.