Contents
Giants
Giants, as the name implies, are mostly human, however several feet taller than the average person, the woman can be between seven or ten feet with the men usually being a few feet taller still. They tend to live simple lives in isolated areas of the world, sometimes venturing down to Human villages to trade or to pillage, wearing basic cloths to cover their bodies, and wielding simple weapons, their large stature and strength usually enough to defend themselves.
They are not very orgainized, and have not taken a stance in the war on either side, despite sometimes antagonizing humans and being preyed upon by monsters. However though rare, it is not unusual to see a Giant who has joined Human society, either in a simple pleasant life, such a farmer or scholar, or as a trained Knight, in fact many employ Giant mercenaries into their armies.
Giant society tends to be more divided by gender than their enlightened Human cousins however, women are forbidden from fighting, and the men tend to be more violent and agressive. Thusly, many Giant Woman leave to join Human society. However after spending a long time with their Human companions the woman tend to gain complexes over their stature, making them more insecure than most would assume, especially those born in Human communities.
On the nature of mixed couples, their tends to be many more female Giants that fall for Human males than the opposite. Some say that the difference in size matters much more for male Giants, as Human women can be much more easily injured than female Giants. Female Giants however tend to put much more stock in their partners personality than their physical attributes, and will tend to prefer the peronalities of the average Human to be more agreeable than the average Giant. This split has not yet become widespread enough to cause worry for the Giant Villages as of yet, but each year more Giants leave.
In addition, for some reasons Giants, perhaps due to their robust scale. Giants can withstand much more Demonic Energy than Humans can, as a result more precautions must be taken to cause the monsterization of a Giant. Even then, Giants seem to be disinclined to becoming certain types of Monsters, there is no record for instance of a Giant becoming one of the so called 'Loli-Monsters' perhaps since pre-pubescent Giants are usually about the size of a full grown Human. Giants tend to become Monsters that have a larger scale, such as Minotaurs for example.
That said, should a Giant become a Monster, again, perhaps because of their greater stature which results in more Demonic Energy in their system, they become completley ferocious until they've found a man, meaning that many Monsters attack Giantesses for this reason.
Demi-Cyclops
Cyclops are believed to be a cousin to the races of Giants, but they are rarely seen, and tend to isolate themselves from the rest of the world. Believed to be a subrace are the much more common Demi-Cyclops. In contrast to both Cyclops, and Giants, Demi-Cyclops are almost identical to Humans in terms of strength and size, and appearance. The only difference being their singular eye that dominates their face.
Because of their lack of strength, and their odd appearance, they are often ostracized by the other Civilized Races. As such, if they ever need to interact with the other races, they try to disguise their enormous eye, to appear more palatable. Because of the treatment they receive from other races, other species easily intimidate them, and they are very concerned with how they come across to them, desperately wishing to help correct the many prejudices their race suffers.
Since they are small, weak, and not particularly numerous or clever, the Demi-Cyclops only really manages to survive by isolating themselves in small hidden places in the world, and taking the charity of their cousins the Cyclops proper where they can. But since it is difficult for them to be completely self-sufficient, they still occasionally come to the settlements of other species in order to trade for vital resources.
They are also preyed upon by Monsters, who can easily corrupt them into having the values of a Monster. Such Cyclops victims often join roving bands of Monsters, or assault whatever men they come across, furthering the belief that demi-Cyclops are little more that Monsters themselves.
Halflings
Halflings are a subrace of Man, standing between three and four feet, with a love of stories, food, and adventure. They are a small race, compared to the Elves, Men, and Dwarves at the height of their power, they have nevertheless produce a disproportianate ammount of Hero's in ages past, and even now, dispite their short stature. They are not stronger than a Human Man, and in many respects they are weaker, with less prospensity to magic, they nevertheless make it up in sheer bravery, determination, and skill, able to fell those many times their own height, it would be foolish for anyone to ever understimate a Halfling.
Physically, they are basically smaller, weaker humans. It is believed that their poorer magic compared to Men and Monsters is due to their stature, as they're bodies contain less Spirit Energy. They have pointed ears, and larger feet than Men, and most prefer to go barefoot when walking, though they will still wear boots for amor when necessary. Also, every Hobbit, no matter who they are, contains the propensity for great courage. Even the most lazy, cowardly Halfling will fight bravely if his home is threatened.
The Halflings are a merry bunch, though they mostly live in their own settlements, they readily welcome Dwarves, Elves, and Men, and are quite hospitable. They tend to be more wary concerning Monsters, who are constantly looking for mates, and will abduct members of their community. Though they will welcome Monster Couples, who they need not fear, and those who come for trade and commerce. They have also been known to raise and farm certain Monsters, such as Holstaurus, and Madragora's.
Halflings tend to be quite prodigious at their chosen tasks, as they take to it with great enthusiasm, their farms overflow with food, their handmade crafts are spectacular, their homes sturdy, and their parties legendary. They particularly have a love of cooking, Hobbit Cooks are sought after far and wide, and are big eaters, who will look for any excuse for a feast, though only when the food is plentiful. They also have a fondness for stories, and will indulge in these with whomever they meet, and these can range from simple chatter and gossip, to the recountings of the deeds of great Hero's. Lastly many take to travelling in their younger years, travelling the lands, meeting people, and bringing back stories and treasures home with them.
As a part of their love of Adventure, and as stated earlier, they make up a disproportianate ammount of Hero's considering their numbers, and prescence in world politics. Depite their height, strength, and Magical Ability, they take to their weapons like fish to water, and can easily defend themselves, or sneak by threats undetected. They make for great scouts, footmen, archers, hunters, trappers, spies, thieves, and many will lend their services to others in pursuit of adventure. In addition, for whatever reason, they are nigh immune to the corruption of Demonic Energy, and can enter Demon Realms, be ensnared by Monsters, and come out from it none the worse for wear with a smile on their face. It is said this is because they have such simple desires, adventure, good food, good stories, that Demonic Energy has no hold on their souls. It is also likely that since the way they produce Spirit Energy is different compared to Humans, and Monsters, that their Spirit Energy is incompatible with Demonic Energy. Nevertheless, a Monster can still feed and sate herself with a Halfling with no problems.
Haflings are not adverse with relationships with other species, Human, or Monster, and in fact many form on their adventurs, it is generally accepted that if your not courting a Halflings, you do it outside of the village, and keep you sex-life at home. As such, Halfling Dwellings can be surprisingly diverse, and most Halfling Villages tend to be reasonably friendly with Monsters.
One last note: Halflings are rather sensitive concerning their stature. It is becuase often times when encountering other species they are often thoguht to be incapable because of their height. They take this prejudice with much indignation, as they are very proud of the many Hero's of their species who accomplished great feats regardless of their size. Not to mention from their point of view, having grown up surrounded by Hobbits, they are not the small ones, rather everyone else is freakishly large. Some have been so sensitive to this issue that its been known for some Hobbits to go into a fit of rage at the slightest insuniation of height. Despite this, they get along well with anyone, even Giants, should the issue not be addressed. Some Halfling men are even secretly attracted to women who are larger than them, which results in even more sensitivity in their women, enough for some to develop a complex regarding their height.
Leprechauns
A sub-type of Hobbit, or Halfling, that live exclusively on the Emerald Island, a beatiful place close to the Dragon Isle, absent of any Dragons, or any in the Lamia or Lizardman family, but home to Merrow's, several Dullahans, and other such monsters.
Leprechauns tend to be more contrary than their mainland brethren, less inclined to work with the other races, and often playing tricks and pranks with them, causing many to see them as a nuisance. However they are beholden to a powerful array of magic that they will use for play just as often for defence, allowing them to stay largely self-sufficient. Relating to this they tend to stay hidden and isolated from other races, most encounters they have with others is when playing their pranks and tricks. Not only this, but each Leprechaun holds a pot of gold that they hold their magical power in, making them rather wealthy, if understandably stingy. Both of these factors means that Leprechauns spend little time working for themselves, giving them plenty of idle time to spend with others. They are even more fond of food, and especially drink, then their mainland cousins, so much so that one is most likely to find a Leprechaun passed out drunk than anything else.
Leprechauns are known to be infamously difficult to get a hold of. If they know someone is looking for them, they will spend all their time avoiding said person, and will use both magic and guile to evade capture. There is a trick however, if a Leprechaun is near. They must keep their pot of gold near them at all times to use their magic, said pot has such a magical aura around it that one can see a rainbow pointing to it. If one were to get a hold of their gold, it would render the Leprechaun powerless and defenceless. Naturally Leprechauns are very protective of this gold. But if you can get a hold of it, they will do anything to get it back, and one can extort a favor from them. If you give back the gold to them when they hold up their end of the bargain they will forgive you, but if you refuse to return them the gold, you will earn the ire of every Leprechaun on the island, and be followed by horrendous luck for the rest of your days until you make ammends.
Elven Clans
The Elves are often seen as the next great Race next to the Humans. More organized and fearsome and widespread than the Dwarves, Giants, or Halflings, they have been both Humanty's closest ally and most stubborn rival for millenia. Next to Humans they are the most populous race on the planet, and are accordingly varied in culture and practices. Though their race and culture is on the decline from a distant golden age, they are still one of the most powerful and affluent races.
Of Elves in General, they tend to be on average better warriors and mages, but are least hardy of the Demihuman races. Their scholars study texts that date the farthest back in all of history. They tend to be rather isolationist, and look down on most races, even tending to discriminatory, but will work with, and trade with them if it serves their best interest. They can be distinguished from Humans by their slender builds, long hair that takes many odd colors, their pointed ears, and their bright eyes.
In addition all Elves, or at leas the females, have been fundamentally corrupted by Succubi. Though immune to Monsterization, they have lying inside them the instincts of a Monster. In order for Elven society to survive, they have a very restrictive and prudish society, one only rivaled by the heart of the Holy Order. If one shows signs of succumbing to their instincts, they are banished from the clan.
Forest Clans
Some of the most widespread clans, they live in the heart of the main continent, each clan owes some allegience to another in their hidden sanctuaries, and hold some of greatest warriors and scholars. They also have the most contact with the Order, who they are allied against the Demon Lord and her Monsters together, having both lost much land to her.
The Dark Elves
Elves who surrendered themselves completely to their Succubus instincts, having become addicted to sadism and masochism, with no morals, indeed coming up with most modern day practices of S&M, with a fixation on leather, and spreading them to the rest of Monster Kind, having emigrated entirely to the Demon Realm and Pandemonium. The males of their kind have entirely died out, so they behave pretty much in the same fashion as Monsters do.
While Elves are immune to conventional Monsterization, it is possible if an Elf has surrendered entirely to her Succubus Instincts, and absorbs a massive ammount of Demonic Energy, that they will change into a Dark Elf, falling even further into depravity, and adopting their practices, though her individual preferences will still depend on her Husband.
The Snow Elves
The Semi-Nomadic Elves who live north of the Demon Realm. They move across the vast tundra on Reindeer-Drawn Sleds, and use their magic to create temperate oasis' in the snow and ice. Profficient crafstmen, they tend to trade with the Humans and other species in the Great North Arctic. They live modest lives, and place emphasis on charity, often giving gifts to community they have friendly relations with, fostering a warmth within the cold. However they also have a fondness for sweets, and love the holidays, throwing extravagent festivals.
The Sand Elves
Another group of Nomads who wander the desert to the far south. In contrast to most of their cousins they tend to be very inclusive of others, both Monsters and Humans, into their tribes, though many will be as likely to settle down with their partner elsewhere as stay with their tribe. They make their living trading goods acrosss the scorching desert to far away settlements, keeping many places sustainable, and as such have mostly friendly relations with others.
Sea Elves
Tribal groups of elves who live on scattered islands in the Great Sea. These Elves are the least affluent of all the different Elves, and spend most of their time fending off the Sea Monsters. They are very wary if any outsiders make contact with them, some have been isolated so long as to be unaware of the surrounding lands. Some tribes worship local Mamano, others revile them. Elves who break their customs are banished to the sea.
The Zipangu Clans
Clans of Warriors and Scholars both, while still very isolationist, they live much as the humans do in the region, owning villages and towns, frequently warring with the Humans and Monsters around them as much as they do with each-other. Their towns are fairly homogonous compared to most Human settlements that openly welcome Monsters, being very wary of outsiders. Their culture and traditions are strict, and it would be rare to see any of these elves outside of Zipangu. However they still have a strict honor system, and only in the most dire of circumstances will they break honor or tradition.
The Elves of the Mist Continent
Almost as mysterious as anything else in the Mist Continent, the elves here, while not as affluent as their other cousins, do not seem to struggle either. They do not seem very well united, and are much less strict with their customs. Individuals still seem to carry themselves with the same air of diginity as most Elves do however, they are however much more reasonable to deal with, and will speak much more plainly. They are hard to describe as a people, beause they vary themselves so much in what they do, from occuptation, to beliefs, to self-defence, and seem to occupy most every Niche at some level or another that one could think of.
Dragon Men
The people who live on the Dragon Isle. They are by all apperances Human, and have been proven to be changed into Monsters just as easy, but there are several subtle differences between them and their Mainland cousins that have come about as a result of dozens of generations in close companionship with Dragons.
The only outward indicator in their difference is their eyes, which often take the traits of the dragons they keep, being somewhat luminescent and reptilian in nature, but not so much that they are shunned by others for it. Other traits include a general hardiness, skin that is tougher to cut, bones that are harder to break, a higher tolerance to heat and burns. They have a higher tolerance to the extremes experienced when flying also, able to take the pressure on their bodies, the feeling of weightlessness as they plummet, the cold temperatures high above the land. Lastly, they can much more easily read and communicate with Dragons of all kind, as flying these Monsters requires a level of subtle communication with rider and mount that would be beyond the average man or woman. As a result they are much more lenient to Dragons than most Humans, able to see subtle body langugage and tones that most would miss, likewise Dragons will be more forthcoming to these people. Not to say that Dragon Men are the only people capable of living, training, or flying Dragons, but they are much better suited to it than most.
Aside physical differences, the Dragon Men live rather differently than most Humans, Dragons have for a long time been a part of their society, even today there is little difference between a beast and her rider, aside from perhaps a much more intimate relationship. It is ill-advised to insult a dragon in their prescence, as not only will you more often than not have an angry-trained knight, but the ire of their loyal steed as well.
Curiously, the Husbands of many Lizard-Like races, especially those of Dragons, become closer to Dragon Men in apperances and biology if they are exposed to enough Demonic Energy to become an Incubus.
Due to the new shapes of Dragons in their modern incarnation, thanks to the efforts of the Demon Lord, the Dragon Men have had to change their approach to breeding, as Dragons will only lay fertile eggs if they have likewise lain with a Human Male. Thus most Riders are also the mates to the beasts they ride, to ensure the next generation of Dragons. In the past it was attempted to breed the Dragons like Livestock as in the days of old, however the bonds of the Rider and Mount were so great that each Dragon viewed their Rider as their Husband, and unanimously refused to take part in the activity whatsoever. There was little to be done to force them, so most familys breed with their mounts in the conventional way. Lastly, when a female rider marries, it is expected of her husband to mount with his new wifes Dragon as well, to ensure the bloodline of the Dragon continues. If the husband owns a Dragon himself, the two beasts are expected to settle their differences one way or another.
Nephiliim
A hybrid of Angels and Humans. A joining of these two races results in a half-breed, who is weaker and stronger than both. They lack the divine power of a full angel, and the full strength of a Human. At the same time they have a hardiness over both, and are more resistant to Demonic Energy, but some scholars believe this is becuase they are already 'half-fallen'.
Nephilim come in two varieties, those born of a Human mother, and those born of an Angel.
Those born of a Human Mother had their child divinely chosen to posess the soul of an Angel. This is a extreme, and rather risky option taken when Heaven needs a guardian angel over a chosen angel, someone that the child would grow close to, sometimes a childhood friend, servant, or even sibling. The process unfortunately causes the child to gradually forget her memories of Heaven and being an angel as she matures. The Child tends to take to most activities well, learning and maturing quickly, excelling at almost any task they take to, so as to better protect their target. These Nephilim almost invariably fall for the person they protect as they grow beside them regardless of their relationship with them, being drawn to them since birth, hence a large risk that some party may use these feelings to manipulate the Nephilim.
The Nephilim will regain access to their Divine Powers and to their Memories of Heaven either when it is chosen to have it revealed to them, or during a moment of great need should their target be in their danger, making them an almost unconquerable foe, their strength and skill depending on what rank they held in Heaven. However even with their restored memories, they will still act as if the time they spent as a Human are theri primary ones. They will continue to protect their target for as long as they can.
The second type are born when an Angel couples with a Human. The resulting child is a half-Angel. While the former type will regain any lost Divine Power they had when reawakened, a Nephilim of the second type must struggle. They may be admitted into heaven depending on the strength of their faith (a Nephilim of born of a Dark Angel for instance stands no chance of being admitted into Heaven) however they must compete with their peers who have double the magical capacity. However they do also have a higher resistance to falling to Monstrous influences than their peers, making a fully accomplished Nephilim almost invaluable in Heaven. They must also suffer some discrimination amongs the higher ranks of Heaven, who have only grown more conservative since the rise of the Demon Lord.