The Races of Elysia
Anyeli
Anyeli have been likened to angels in the past. Descended from one of Xanth's experiments that mixed human DNA with that of various birds, they look completely human except for the large wings that sprout from their shoulderblades. These wings are naturally grey but a never-ending civil war that split the race into two factions has resulted in the ritualistic dying of these wings with one faction going black to control shadows and the other white to control light.
Anyeli originally hailed from Earth's Mediterranean region but claimed the Dusky and Apolli Mountains during the migration to Elysia. They're one of the more tolerant of Elysia's races though they are quite protective of their own territories. While the oldest of Xanth's Children, the species as a whole is best known for its self-destructive determination to win a war that no longer has a cause, even though the two factions are currently at peace.
Back to the TopDracovari
Dracovari are descended from dragons but, physically, have only retained the slitted eyes of their reptilian kin and otherwise look completely human. However, they have inherited many of the societal and cultural traits and influences of their cousins, including a much longer lifespan and hoarding instincts. What truly connects them to their dragon kin, however, is the need to join a Sept which determines the powers they can learn and also their eye colour.
As a species, the 'Vari are often arrogant and even elitist, considering themselves above the other species due to their ancestral link with the Wise Ones, even as the dragons look down on them for their humanity. Their culture is deeply seated in ritual and complicated laws so they are considered the wisest of the Elysian races, even though their pride can lead to folly.
Back to the TopNymphs
Though completely human in aspect, Nymphs are the most beautiful people in all the realms. With their society and culture steeped in almost as much ritual and rite as the 'Vari and deeply entrenched in the Natural World, they place a great deal of emphasis on the protection and balance of Nature to the point where they never take what cannot be replaced and instead grow homes using their control over the elements.
As a deeply pacifistic, matriarchal society, and to protect themselves against unwanted advances, Nymphs have separated themselves from the rest of Elysian society. As a result, they can be xenophobic and yet place emphasis on an ability to mingle with and live amongst the other races. Despite this, other societies are usually quite alien to a Nymph, as they are accustomed to a very different way of living. They can sometimes also be unaccustomed to dealing with the opposite gender, as the larger Nymph communities often segregate males and females to raise them separately.
Back to the TopTherians
Therians are the youngest of Xanth's Children, having been created accidentally by a mixing of Vampire blood with a birthing wolf. The resulting shapeshifting ability came as a great surprise to even Xanth, and due to great prejudices against them at the beginning of their evolution, they are largely segregated from the other races. That said, they share a long-standing alliance and fairly symbiotic relationship with the Nymph who agreed to share the forest with them.
The prejudices against Therians have since faded as they have quickly evolved from animals who could take human form instead into humans who can take animal form. They now get along well enough with the other races for the most part, although they have a deeply ingrained dislike for vampires due to subconscious desire to avoid creating more of the Hind.
While they are led officially by the Sentinel, Therian numbers are fairly scattered, with small communities developing independently from the whole. For this reason, Therian loyalties and associations are often difficult to unravel and they often live tribal, if not nomadic, existences.
Back to the TopVampires
Vampires were a monstrous mistake on Xanth's part, and Elysia has never let them forget it. The infection caused by Xanth's attempt to resurrect a beloved friend spread among the human population of Elysia rapidly, turning the weaker species into blood-thirsty mindbenders with terrifying strength and speed. These monsters stalked Elysia until the other races banded together to stop them, sparking the first interracial war that Elysia had ever seen.
The spread of the virus to non-humans was much slower, and with the majority of their numbers destroyed, the vampires were afforded time enough to evolve from their mindless beginnings into the race that populates Elysia today. Having regained their original intelligence, vampires, for the most part, now control the BloodLust virus rather than the other way around. Divided naturally between charmers who can read and control minds, and hunters who have kept the awesome speed and strength of their ancestors, they nevertheless face a lifelong struggle against the bloodlust caused by the virus that infects them.
Back to the TopZanaryan
Where the Anyeli can be described as angels, Zanaryans have a demonic appearance with bat-like wings and sharp horns. Their appearance, and the sulphuric stench their young give off, quickly got them cast out by the humans and they fled to a dimension specially created for them. Here, they advanced, learning to harness the elements to power their patriarchal society which has become very focused on rank.
At the forefront of many areas, including music, art and science, the Zanaryan people as a whole are xenophobic and keep their advancements to themselves. Those who do leave their homeworld often face dual prejudice and admiration.
Back to the TopHuman
Humans are the poor cousin of the Elysian races, a weakling species tolerated only for their place of honour as the Ancestors because it was their DNA Xanth used to create most of her Children. This relationship is incredibly complex because humans may be honoured and respected in one sense, they are also the reason Elysia and the other realms exist in the first place and it was their utter fear and rejection of the non-human races that forced the three Great Migrations.
As a result of long memories, humans are not permitted to gain too much power, and yet the other races rely heavily on their Old Society as the barrier between them and the humans of Earth. This, and the fact that Xanth still favours humans greatly for their role in her arrival, has led to an intricate and delicate balance of power, with the Old Society holding Elysia's safety and secrecy in the palm of their hands and demanding tolerance and respect for their continuing silence and protection.
Despite their physical weaknesses, humans have found a niche in Elysia and those born there can thrive just as easily as any of the races. However, a few do find their way through a portal from Earth from time to time, and these usually have a much more difficult transition. As long as they keep mum, however, they can do well enough.
(OOC: You can have one human character for every two characters of another species (so, for instance, you could have an Anyeli, a 'Varian and a human, but you couldn't have just a Therian and a human).
Back to the TopDeities
NPCs only
Although there are many religions across the realms, familiar and alien, Elysia is only aware of one actual goddess: The Creator, Xanth, who not only created five of the Seven Races and the realms in which they live, but who continues to meddle in the affairs of mortals with sometimes disastrous results.
However, Xanth is far from being the only one of her kind. In fact, she is but a child to her own people, the Tanakheimein, who have an entire civilisation of their own somewhere in the vastness of the universe.
They are a mysterious race with a vast array of abilities, including the power to change shape and appearance, create and destroy entire planets on a whim, and sometimes even the ability to foretell the future. Their oldest, Abdiriz, is some forty thousand years in age and still in his prime, supposedly having leaped out of the Great Chasm of Chaos fully formed, and in his greed created a harem of wives. Each generation is slightly less powerful than the last, creating a hierarchical society that shares the burden of child rearing, education and other responsibilties among the women and lower classes but keeps all the profit for those (particularly Abdiriz) in power.
And the reason Elysia knows nothing of Xanth's origins? Twelve thousand years ago, she ran away from an arranged marriage and is still in hiding, forced to keep not only her own existence but that of her Children and creations hidden from her people for fear of what her tyrannical father, Abdiriz, would do if he found her.
Despite this need for secrecy, other gods have found their way to Elysia, though fortunately all have been Xanth's allies or swiftly become such. In the meantime, Abdiriz continues to search out his unruly daughter with the intent to marry her off and claim yet more territory for himself, a fate Xanth is still determined to avoid.
(OOC: Deities are restricted. Applications open from time to time when plots require a lesser god, but, barring Xanth herself, they are NPCs.)
Back to the TopAides
Restricted
The Aides are, for all intents and purpsoes, demigods. Fed a drop of Xanth's blood upon swearing to serve her, they gain several godly powers such as teleportation without losing any of their own. In fact, they retain all the characteristics of their own species, and so Aide is more of a job than a race, but their DNA is forever altered. Because of this, they can never leave Xanth's service, and while she does allow them to retire she may summon them from time to time long after their time is served.
The job of an Aide is difficult to pin down as it changes from century to century and year to year. During times of war, they are charged with keeping the peace and are often sent to negotiate treaties between peoples who simply cannot negotiate for themselves. During times of peace, they are mostly watchdogs, tasked with ensuring the overall safety and security of Elysia and the Outer Realms. Individual Aides treat their responsibilities differently, as well; where one might try for peaceful solutions, another may prefer to kill first and ask questions later. As long as they get the job done, Xanth usually leaves them to their own devices.
However, Aides must at all times put the realms first and act as a rolemodel. Xanth allows them their fun, but woe betide them if they put anyone in harm's way or jeopardise the careful balance she has established.
(OOC: Xanth is not considering any more Aides currently.)
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