Races of Syphora - The World of Syphora

**The** world of [[Syphora]] is ripe with many races and species of creatures alike. Below is a written repertoire of every known race, or species, along with their specific subspecies within. The races of [[Syphora]] tend to have a large percentage of themselves in similarity to humans; From human-like faces, to hair, skin, arms, and legs—whether mammalian or reptilian, all of them stand up straight and are typically bipedal. Whether categorized as monstrous or insectoid, all are humanoid in nature. ## Commonly Known Races _Although not all are common among the world, below are the races in which almost all in the world will know or see in their lifetime._ #### [[Human]] ... The epitome of humanity and [[humanoid|humanoids]]; The basis from which all races are knowingly derived. They hold every aspect of what makes a humanoid race, humanoid—Bipedal, two arms, two legs, and standing upright. Although not a long-lived race, they excel in adaptability and survivability. Their strength is among populace and dedication, rather than inherent born skills and powers. Humans rarely possess innate magic, and instead rely on their own wit and perseverance. #### Halfling ... Most similar to humans in that they possess the bare necessities in terms of body and spirit. Lacking innate magic, and as beings nearly as common as humans, they tend to rely not on strength, but on family and craftmanship of tools and gear. However, in opposition to humans, halflings rarely ever reach 5 feet in height. Due to this, they often find themselves compared to children and are even viewed as lesser to that of a human in many places. In opposition to humans, halfling society tends to be more female-dominated. #### [[Culture/Races/Isolated Races/Tiefling|Tiefling]] ... Born of darkness and hellfire, tieflings are known as the antithesis of humankind. Said to originate from the [[Asphorus|King of Hell]] himself, their spiky skin, horns, tails, and demonic eyes speak nothing less of their heritage. Their skin colors range drastically, but all are considered frightening and treacherous in personality and innate magic tied to the [[Nine Hells]]. In some parts of the world, they run rampant and are looked highly upon, whilst in others they are scarce and seen as no greater than a true devil. #### Dwarf ... Masters of the forge and warriors of mountains, dwarves are a race of stout, tough-skinned humanoids who have since isolated themselves among mountainsides and peaks. They're a very long-lived race, and as such, value tradition and self-preservation. Their men grow thick locks and beards, and their women are similarly hairy and often bear shorter beards. They are said to have been the first races created by [[Saia|the Goddess]], alongside [[Elf|elves]]. The subcategories of their race include Lichtdwaer, Sturmdwaer, Feuerdwaer, and Nachtdwaer. Also known as hill, mountain, volcano, and dark dwarves respectively. #### [[Culture/Races/Isolated Races/Elf|Elf]] ... Savants of eloquence and lovers of nature, elves are a race of tall, slender humanoids with long, pointed ears who were nearly run to extinction during the Calamity. As such, they now find themselves among secluded sections of the world or rulers of society. They're a very long-lived race and tend to have a more esoteric view of life. They hold innate arcane magic and are known as the first living races created by [[Saia|the Goddess]]. The subcategories of their race include Luxael, Solael, Lunael, Silvael, Aquael, and Noxael. Also known as high, sun, moon, wood, sea, and dark elves respectively. Although commonly known of across the world, it is nearly impossible for the average person to see an elf in their lifetime. #### Orc ... An aggressive, typically malicious race of monstrous humanoids with green or greyish skin and rugged, pointed ears. In addition to their tall, bulky frames, orcs also have underbite jaws with large upper or lower canines similar to a boar's tusks. They are commonly known to be brutish with poor speech and education. As opposed to living amongst higher society, orcs tend to live in more cloistered camps and tribes. #### Goblin ... Near-mindless monstrous humanoids with short stature and an affinity for evil and debauchery. Never reaching taller than 5 feet in size, these rambunctious creatures are known for their gnarly, sharp teeth and ragged stature, as well as green and greyish skin. Rarely capable on their own, goblins thrive in packs and tribes of their own, especially with an orc at their lead. ## Uncommon Races _Races that are both uncommon in the world and in society. Those who are often found performing specific duties, or existing within certain regions of the world._ #### Goliath ... With gargantuan builds both in height and bulk, goliaths are nothing less than born powerhouses. With skin tones ranging between greys and greyish tans, adults of their species stand no shorter than 6 to 7 feet tall, if not far taller, and are said to carry the blood of ancient giants. Seldom found amongst high society, most of their settlements reside in isolated heights of the world among their own. Due to this, even most goliath who live among society practice tight-knit traditions and lifestyles. #### Gnome ... Gnomes are a race of small, lanky humanoids who live in tiny settlements within the many corners of the world. Thanks to this, it is rare to stumble into their quaint towns and villages. With tricksy innate magic and stubby pointed ears, most characterize gnomes as a race of mischievous, odd creatures with a strong knack for crafting trinkets and bobbles. As opposed to goliaths who range in monochrome tones, gnomes tend to have outlandish hair colors and skin tones. Additionally, very few gnomes will reach over 4 feet in height, and never over 5 feet or under 2 feet. #### [[Culture/Races/Isolated Races/Shifter|Shifter]] ... A race that acts primarily as a blanket term for a wide variety of different races who draw their power, strength, and lineage from the same place. Shifters are a predominantly animalistic race who are born with features of a particular animal, with an inherent ability to shift into a large, bestial form. There are many subcategories of shifter, but each have these aspects in common; The ears of an animal, a tail, hair or fur patches, and the ability to siphon their magic through an object and transform into an unnatural beast. These subcategories are as such: Caneir (wolfkin), Felisel (catkin), Leprea (rabbitkin), Kitsune (birdkin), Anoura (frogkin), Cerhuv (deerkin), Lacert (lizardkin), Vulpue (foxkin), and Vespiro (batkin). #### Genasi ... The very embodiment of the four elements, genasi are a race of mystical humanoids who take on the appearance of earth, fire, water, or air. Capable of wielding the power of any one of those elements, genasi are seldom found amongst society and instead have settled within areas of the world that adhere to their elemental origin. Terra took to the mountains and forests; Ignis ran to deserts and volcanos; Aqua swam into the seas and upon islands; and Aer found themselves on mountain peaks and taigas. Terra can be made of wood or stone, Ignis of fire and smoke, Aqua of water and sand, and Aer of air and clouds. #### Triton ... Warriors of the seas, triton are bipedal, amphibious humanoids who live on the bottom of the sea and ocean. Their skin tones and hair colors range between blues and greens. Additionally, their ears take an appearance similar to an [[elf]], but instead of a point, instead become fins that reach outwards, along with fins at their forearms, forelegs, and ankles. A typical triton has gills on their neck and chest, scales littering their body, and webbed hands and feet. Although less outwardly inhuman than merfolk and sirens, their culture is one of viciousness and terror, even going so far as to hunt and view merfolk and sirens as lesser beings. #### Merfolk ... Sharing a common ancestor with triton, merfolk are amphibious sea-based humanoids but with far more fish-like features. Two subcategories of this race exist; Azure and Verdant. Their shared features are as so; A range of skin tones that match those of real fish (blues, greens, reds, etc), an absence of hair in exchange for fins or fin-like appendages, clawed and webbed hands, gills on their chest, inhuman eyes and facial structure, and large fins at their forearms and waist. However, verdant merfolk have scaly legs with four-toed, webbed, and clawed feet; Whilst azure merfolk have a large, maneuvering fish-like tail in place of legs. #### Hobgoblin ... A far more treacherous and intelligent monstrous humanoid with an affinity for debauchery and depravity. As opposed to their goblin cousins, hobgoblins have an innate and keen awareness of the arcane and unknown. Because of this, their knowledge and comprehension tend to be just on par with the likes of elves and dwarves. Due to this, many of the most dangerous camps and marauders of goblins are those at the head of a hobgoblin. With near-identical facial and bodily features as that of a goblin, but with more hair, hobgoblins also stand far taller and sturdier than a goblin—on par with an average humanoid. ## Fabled Races _Those of mystical origin and often unseen among society, but range in frequency in the world itself. These are races often found in mythology._ #### Lamia ... Primarily inhabiting forests and caves, lamia are the most common of the fabled races. Seen as monstrous by many, lamia have the top half of a human and a large, long body of a snake in place of their legs. The vast majority of this race has pointed ears, snake-like eyes, forked tongues, protective scales, and fangs with a wide, unhinging jaw. A typical lamia is capable of paralyzing creatures with its gaze, whilst gorgon lamia can turn others to stone, and enchantress lamia are able to enthrall others. Males amongst this race are seldom born—therefore lamias will mate with races outside of their species. #### Siren ... Often viewed as the monstrous counterpart to merfolk, sirens are a treacherous and alluring race of almost exclusively women. Due to this, most sirens will mate with humans or merfolk. Distinctly related to the harpy, sirens, too, wield a melodic voice and song that lures in prey. In opposition to merfolk, however, they can adopt two separate forms depending on when in water or on ground. In water, they take on an identical visage to merfolk, but a far more frightening appearance with sharper teeth, long tangled hair, large claws, and unhinging jaw. But on land, take the appearance of a beautiful, unblemished human. #### Harpy ... A winged, monstrous race known to resemble that of a bird. Harpies are a bipedal monstrous race with large, bird-like wings in place of arms, feathery ears and tails, and digitigrade bird-like legs that end in talons. Their skin tone, hair color, and plumage can vary wildly depending upon their region, but almost all harpies live in high-up places such as hills, mountainsides, and tall trees. In opposition to their related races, siren and lamia, harpies have evolved to produce far more males. However, most harpy settlements consist primarily of women and tend to be hostile and territorial. #### Changeling ... Mysterious and undetectable, changelings are a monstrous race of stark white-skinned humanoids with stark white hair and sunken-in, blinding white eyes. Rarely, if ever, seen among society, they are said to be capable of altering their form into any number of humanoid races within their own stature; Primarily human or elf. Very little is known of their personal societies, but many rumors speak of hidden burrows, groves, and caverns littered with their species. Any person who you've met could be a changeling... But probably not, right? #### Vampire ... Infamous in mythology and among monstrous races, vampires are known of and feared by many. Adopting a form identical to that of a human but with pointed ears, typically pale skin, and sharp top canines, they are said to be breeders of evil and murder. With a diet consisting almost exclusively of blood, vampires are a danger to animals and humanoids alike—even themselves. Although their origin has since been forgotten to time, many theorize that they are some form of demon. As such, their natural weakness is sunlight—To such a severe extent that a vampire will burn in its light. Many stories even speak of vampires being capable of turning other races into thralls, or even into another vampire. #### Centaur ... Thought to be nothing more than a myth, centaurs are a monstrous race of half-human, half-horse humanoids who originate from the Feywild itself. As creatures of myth, their very existence in the Material Plane is almost unheard of, if not impossible. Whether myth to be true or not, their appearance takes on the head, arms, and torso of a human that cuts off at the waist into the body and legs of a horse. With a culture unknown to society, centaurs are thought to be roaming savants of strength and intuition—To a degree that makes them a threat to others. #### Minotaur ... Related to centaurs, minotaurs are a monstrous race of half-human, half-bull humanoids thought to originate from a curse. Unlike centaurs, the appearance of a minotaur consists of a large, bulky humanoid torso covered in bull hair, the head of a bull, and hands, tails, and legs of a bull. Although just as rare and unimaginable within society as a centaur, minotaurs are known to have a far more aggressive and introverted disposition. Due to this, minotaurs will often be seen as monsters as opposed to humanoids. ## Insectoid Races _A specific subcategory dedicated to those with insect-like features. Each adopts the appearance of a different known insect._ #### Solayn ... Said to be born of the sun itself, solayn are an insectoid race of butterfly-like humanoids. Commonly seen in hot climates, solayn adopt many features that directly tie them to butterflies—including large wings, human-like faces and hair, antennae, unnatural skin and hair colors, fuzzy bodies, and segmented four arms and two legs that end in clawed, human-like hands and unguligrade legs made of chitin with clawed feet. Unlike other insectoids, solayn have innate magic prowess that ties them directly to the sun. Most solayn live civilly amongst their own kin, however many have found themselves integrated into high society thanks to being the most welcomed insectoid race by typical humanoids. #### Lunotha ... Said to be born of the moon itself, lunotha are an insectoid race of moth-like humanoids. Commonly seen in cold climates, lunotha adopt many features that directly tie them to moths—including large wings, human-like faces and hair, antennae, unnatural skin and hair colors, very fuzzy bodies, and segmented four arms and two legs that end in clawed, human-like hands and unguligrade legs made of chitin with clawed feet. Unlike other insectoids, lunotha have innate magic prowess reminiscent of the moon. Despite being the most welcomed insectoid race by typical humanoids, most lunotha live in cloistered societies amongst their own kin, and therefore are seldom found among high society. #### Aphila ... Renowned for being an exceedingly social and friendly race, aphila are insectoids that bear a resemblance to that of a bee. With fuzzy bodies, chitin replaces where their skin would be and is soft and smooth to the touch. Aphila have human-like faces and hair, unnatural eyes and hair colors, bee wings, antennae, three small forehead eyes, abdomens attached to the sacrum, and segmented four arms and two legs that end in clawed, human-like hands and unguligrade legs made of chitin with clawed feet. Most aphila live in what's known as a hive; An above-ground settlement of worker and drone aphila ruled by a queen. #### Formicid ... Formicid are insectoids that resemble that of an ant. With bodies consisting primarily of soft and smooth chitin in place of skin, they tend to be far sturdier than their cousins, the aphila. Formicid have human-like faces and hair, unnatural eyes and hair colors, antennae, three small forehead eyes, abdomens attached to the sacrum, occasionally stingers or wings, and segmented four arms and two legs that end in clawed, human-like hands and unguligrade legs made of chitin with clawed feet. Most formicid live in what's known as a colony; A below-ground settlement of worker and drone formicid ruled by a queen. #### Coleteran ... Hardy and confident, coleteran are an insectoid race of beetle-like humanoids. Their skin consists exclusively of thick, smooth chitin—essentially natural armor. Coleteran have human-like faces and hair, unnatural eyes and hair colors, antennae and/or some form of horns, an elytra and foldable wings, and segmented four arms and two legs that end in clawed, human-like hands and unguligrade legs made of chitin with clawed feet. The vast majority of coleteran reside in thick forests or burrowed into the sides of mountains and caverns. They are commonly viewed as the protectors of insectoids. #### Arachnoid ... By far the most feared of the insectoids, arachnoids are a subspecies that have the appearance of arachnids such as spiders and scorpions. Often seen as monstrous, arachnoids have human-like faces and hair, unnatural and multiple eyes, unnatural hair colors, retractable pedipalps, abdomens attached to the sacrum, and segmented four or six arms and two legs that end in clawed, human-like hands and unguligrade legs made of chitin with clawed feet. Their bodies are also covered in fine hairs known as trichobothria, which allow them to climb efficiently. Arachnoids can be found anywhere in the world, and consist of several subspecies of their own; Agile, venomous, aquatic, and scorpionoid. #### Mantys ... A female-dominated insectoid race of mantis-like humanoids. Very little is known of their species in comparison to the former insectoids. What is known is that mantys have human-like faces and hair, unnatural and large eyes, unnatural hair colors or frills, almost alien-like facial appendages, antennae, long abdomens attached to the sacrum, occasionally wings, and two legs that end in unguligrade legs made of chitin with clawed feet. In opposition to other insectoids, mantys's arms are instead replaced with segmented "raptorial arms" with rows of sharp spines. ## Rare Races _Unknown to the majority populous, and rarely seen among society. These are races of legend and mystique._ #### Alteius ... Blessed by the divine and bloodlines of the celestial, alteius are humans who have been bonded to celestials in some way. Wherever the origin of their divine soul lies, it is exceptionally rare to find an alteius due to their outward appearance being that of a typical human. However, they tend to have distinct traits such as exotic eye colors, light-colored hair or skin, or some form of white or gold features. It is when an alteius presents their power that they can truly be seen as such—Blinding, radiant light; white, angelic wings; and pure white eyes. Additionally, those corrupted may manifest wings of bone. #### X ... ... ## Half-Breed Races _Races that include those who have been birthed into existence through the bond of two distinctly different races, resulting in a blurred in-between of both._ #### Half-Elf ... The result of a union between elves and another race—primarily human. Due to being a product of elves, their bloodline retains their innate magic while simultaneously being adaptable and slow like a human. Because of this, half-elves will often struggle to keep up with a true elf's prodigal nature, expectations, and even lifespan—living only a while longer than a human, but not nearly as long-lived as an elf. They will often have an odd combination of their elven and non-elven parentage, from their hair and eye color to skin tone, but always retaining pointed ears that don't quite reach the length of a true elf. #### Half-Orc ... The result of a union between orcs and another race—primarily human. Since they're a product of orcs, their orcish bloodline dominates most of their physical appearance—Including, but not limited to, green or greyish skin, rugged pointed ears, and smaller boar-like tusks. Their stature will commonly retain that of an orc's tall, strong figure, but often falling short of a true orc's bulk. Due to this, as well as heightened comprehension skills from their human parents, half-orcs will often struggle to find a place between their parents' separated worlds. #### Dhampir ... A fabled species spawn of the union between vampires and another race—primarily human. Very little is known of dhampir due to their scarcity and impartial behavior toward both human and vampire society. However, it's believed that they may retain various, inconsistent features of both parents in eye color, hair color, or even ear shape. It's also said that a dhampir forgoes the vampiric need for blood in exchange for mere craving, as well as the strength and immortal life of a vampire. #### Serene ... A race unknown to all, serene are a sign of union between monster and celestial—in this case, a siren and angel. But they're just a minuscule myth, never to be truly brought unto the world... ## Endangered or Extinct Races _Those forgotten in the past, or those who live quietly within secluded parts of the world. These are races that only scholars or vigorous explorers know of._ #### Dragonborn ... A legend to many, dragonborn are known to be a race of thick-scaled humanoids that closely resemble that of a dragon. With scale and eye colors that vary wildly, dragonborn rarely have hair and instead have any number of horns, spines, or even frills. Additionally, they lack skin in exchange for bodies of protective scales, clawed hands and feet, and dragon-like tails. Often standing a bit taller than the average human, their culture is all but forgotten to time. It is said that they're even capable of wielding powerful breaths similar to a dragon capable of fire, ice, electricity, and even poison. #### Firbolg ... An elusive race of tall, red-nosed humanoids said to carry the bloodline of ancient giants, similar to goliaths. However, it is also said that their appearance has been altered by the Feywild in which they fled to during the times of the Calamity. Because of this, firbolg are often portrayed with goat-like ears, noses, and tails. Otherwise, their bodies are similar in stature and height to a goliath, but slimmer, more mystical, and with deeper and more unnatural skin tones. #### Tabaxi ... Thought to be the primordial ancestor of ... shifters, tabaxi are bipedal cat-like humanoids with cat faces, fur, tails, and paws. It is unknown just how many tabaxi are left in the world after being nearly wiped from existence after the Calamity. However, what was known is that their bodies were covered in cat fur with patterns similar to that of actual cats. #### Aarakocra ... Thought to be the primordial ancestor of ... shifters, aarakocra are bipedal bird-like humanoids with bird heads, humanoid bodies covered in bird feathers, tails, legs, and giant wings that replace where arms would be. Aarakocra are sparse, if any at all, in the present day. However, it's said that their appearance and plumage were similar to that of actual birds. #### Grung ... Grung were a race of frog-like creatures that inhabited primarily rainforests or very damp places like swamps and wetlands. With allegedly poisonous, slimy skin, grung had the appearance identical to that of a frog, but bipedal with opposable thumbs and sentience beyond that of actual frogs. It is unknown if they still exist, or if there is any relation between them and anoura.