🧝‍♂️ Playable Races of Rayndar

Four ancestries shaped by the light of two suns

Humans

Versatile Ambitious

Description

Adaptable and ambitious, humans are the most populous race in Rayndar. They rule the Kingdom of Aeloria from Starhaven and dominate trade across the land. What they lack in magical affinity or longevity, they make up for in determination and creativity.

Traits

  • Homeland: Kingdom of Aeloria, primarily Starhaven
  • Lifespan: 60-80 years
  • Strengths: Adaptable to any class, quick learners, natural diplomats
  • Culture: Value progress, trade, and political power. Believe in earning one's place through merit.
  • Relationship with the Suns: Most worship the Golden Sun, though some scholars study both

Common Names

Male: Aeron, Theron, Marcus, Aldric, Garrett

Female: Elara, Lyanna, Cassandra, Mira, Stella

Elves

Graceful Spirit-Attuned

Description

Graceful forest dwellers from the Lirendel Woods, elves are naturally attuned to spirit energy and the flow of magic. They have witnessed the slow change in the balance between the two suns and remember legends from before the current age. Their long lives give them perspective that shorter-lived races lack.

Traits

  • Homeland: Lirendel Woods near Thornvale
  • Lifespan: 600-800 years
  • Strengths: Natural magic users, keen senses, agile combatants
  • Culture: Value wisdom, nature, and the balance between life and death. Live in harmony with the forest.
  • Relationship with the Suns: Revere both suns equally, understanding death as part of the cycle

Common Names

Male: Eryndor, Thalion, Caelum, Lirael, Silvanus

Female: Eryn, Sylvara, Aelwen, Miriel, Elowen

Dwarves

Hardy Master Craftsmen

Description

Hardy mountainfolk from Obsidian Hold, dwarves are masters of forging and engineering. They carve their homes from living rock and have an almost supernatural connection to stone and metal. Dwarven smiths create the finest weapons and armor in all of Rayndar.

Traits

  • Homeland: Obsidian Hold and the surrounding mountains
  • Lifespan: 300-400 years
  • Strengths: Resilient, skilled craftsmen, natural warriors
  • Culture: Value honor, craftsmanship, and clan loyalty. Debt and oath-breaking are grave offenses.
  • Relationship with the Suns: Worship the forge-fire itself, seeing both suns as aspects of eternal flame

Common Names

Male: Durok, Thrain, Borin, Thorin, Balin

Female: Lira, Hilda, Greta, Brunhilde, Astrid

Clan Names: Ironvein, Dawnforge, Stonehammer, Firebeard

Drakari (Dragonkin)

Dragon-Blooded Innate Power

Description

Descendants of dragons and mortals, Drakari wield innate fire or lightning powers. Tall and imposing with scales covering portions of their bodies, they are living remnants of the First Age when dragons ruled the skies. Some possess small wings, horns, or tails as marks of their draconic heritage.

Traits

  • Homeland: Obsidian Hold and volcanic regions
  • Lifespan: 200-300 years
  • Strengths: Natural elemental powers (fire or lightning), resistant to heat, fearsome presence
  • Culture: Value strength and ancient knowledge. Highly individualistic but fiercely loyal to chosen allies.
  • Relationship with the Suns: Believe both suns descended from the same primal flame as dragons

Common Names

Male: Vorthar, Draxus, Ignar, Pyrax, Volkan

Female: Kaelyn, Scylla, Embris, Thessia, Cindara

Racial Relations

The four races of Rayndar coexist with varying degrees of harmony:

  • Humans & Dwarves: Strong trade relationship. Humans provide resources and commerce, dwarves provide craftsmanship.
  • Elves & Humans: Cautious respect. Elves see humans as short-sighted; humans see elves as out of touch.
  • Dwarves & Drakari: Natural alliance forged in the fires of Obsidian Hold. Mutual respect for strength and craft.
  • Elves & Drakari: Ancient connection. Both races remember the First Age, though their perspectives differ.