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The Races of the Known Realms

There are several major races residing in Elysia. Some, like the Zanaryans, have their own realm and so are few in number in Elysia, while others, like the Therians, have only ever known this realm.

Related FAQ and pages:

• How Do the Races Interact?
• Can I Create My Own Race?
• Hybrid Characters
• What Race Has the Most Roleplay Potential?
• Character FAQ
• Setting FAQ

Playable Races

	The Anyeli are feather-winged humanoids who live in the mountains and spend much of their adult lives in military service. Their Empire has been torn apart by a civil and religious war that has lasted, on and off, for over 8,000 years, but as the first of Xanth's Children they are a proud people whose cultural influences can be seen throughout Elysia's history. Anyeli range in height from about 5'8"–6'2" and have an average lifespan of 800–1,000 years. Their stratocratic empire is governed by the Synedrion, a Council of Representatives overseen by the Archon, but real leadership falls to the station commanders and generals in charge of their fort and garrison towns. Their language is called Anyeli, but Elysian is also common.
	Nymphs are incredibly beautiful and effeminate people who can be found almost anywhere in Elysia, though their main claim is on the Fae Forest. Theirs is a pacifistic and matriarchal society that is deeply entrenched in the Natural World, and they place a great deal of emphasis on the protection and balance of Nature and the elements. Nymphs range in height from about of 5'–5'8", and their lifespan is roughly 80–100 years. Sylvan communes are led by a ruling council of Naneths, but the Sidhe are often segregated and have their own leadership as well. Their language is called Sylvan.
	Therians are the youngest of the races, having been created accidentally by Vampires just over 1,500 years ago. Their ability to shapeshift segregated them from other species but they share an almost symbiotic relationship with the Nymphs who offered them sanctuary. Therians look completely human while in that form, but often have a "wet dog" smell. They range in height from about 5'5"–6'2" and can live up to 80 years. Divided into clans and tribes and living almost like animals, they are usually led by a chief but ultimately answer to their Sentinel who governs the race as a whole. They commonly speak Sylvan or Elysian.
	Vampires are not the undead. They were a monstrous mistake on Xanth's part, created just over 1,500 years ago, and Elysia has never let them forget it. Caused by an infection, their desperate need for blood ironically makes them stronger and faster than humans, but they are still seen as low-class citizens if not the Scourge themselves. Vampires have no commonality in appearance because they come from all walks of life. Facing a lifelong struggle against their bloodlust, they have only recently begun to come together as a species and are divided into clans and cabals each led by its own queen or equivalent. They have no idea how long they can survive: as they never age, it has been suggested they are immortal.
	Zanaryans are bat-winged humanoids who live primarily in Zanarya, their countries divided according to the element and the Shrine Lord they serve. Theirs is a deeply patriarchal and tightly structured society based on power and politicking and reliant on their elemental manipulation as fuel. Despite their xenophobia and centuries of prejudice against them, they are at the forefront of many areas, including music, art and science. Zanaryans range in height from about 5'9"–6'5". They often have white hair and red eyes, and adorn their wings, horns and body with jewelry. Individuals belong to a patriarchy led by a Zubaida, but they also serve one of four Shrine Lords through a mentor or superior. The realm as a whole is governed by the Naharar, and their language is called Zanaryan.
	The Dracovari are descended from dragons but are trapped in humanoid form, having only retained the slitted pupils, Sept structure and some of the skills of their reptilian kin. They usually prefer to live in large towns and cities, but can be found almost anywhere in Elysia — though their only official territorial claim is on the recently built White City in Nirim. Dracovari range in height from about 5'10"–6'6". Their lifespan is 3,000 years but can extend to 4,000 for lifemates. Often arrogant and elitist even as the dragons look down on them for their humanity, they are led first by their Sept's Viperos and as a race by the Oroboros. They have several languages: Latin for rituals; Elysian; and most often either French of English if born and raised on Earth.

Restricted Races

Humans are the poor cousins of the Elysian races, a weakling species tolerated only for their place of honour in the history books as the Ancestors, yet rejected and even feared for the prejudices they showed against the non-human races throughout Elysia's history. Despite their physical weaknesses, humans have found a niche in Elysia, and those born here can thrive almost as easily as any of Xanth's Children. A few do find their way through a portal from Earth from time to time, but these have a much more difficult transition.

Xanth's Aides are, for all intents and purposes, demigods — but it's more a job than a species. Fed a drop of Xanth's blood upon swearing to serve her, they gain several godly powers without losing any of their own, but they never fully leave Xanth's service even after retirement. Aides must at all times put the realms first and act as a role model. 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. Xanth is not considering any new Aides currently.

Non-Playable Races

Dragons were the dominant life form on Earth for thousands of years but were eventually overtaken by humans. They begged Xanth for a new home and moved to Nirim, where they lived in peace for millennia, only leaving their realm when Summoned by their Dracovari descendents. Dragons are split into three different hierarchies according to subspecies, Sept, and/or element. Their leader is known in Elysian as the Lindwyrm, a role that only the Greater Drach can assume. Dragons can only be played as NPCs, and usually as the Companion of a Dracovarian.

Xanth created Elysia, Nirim and Zanarya, having discovered Earth some centuries before. One of many such "gods" in the universe, she is the only one whose presence has been recognised throughout Elysia's history, and is the keystone of many religions. Xanth is but a child to her own people, yet she created not only Elysia and its many races, but continues to meddle in mortal affairs to this day — with sometimes disastrous results. Applications open for deities from time to time when plots require them, but — barring Xanth herself — they are official NPCs.

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