Races of Shadows of Mutation...
Humans are the largest race in existence. Hair color can be any color. Skin can be peach, brown, or pale. Ears are rounded. Body structure may vary. Life span is usually 80 years, but sometimes can be up to 100 or so.
Slender, wise, mystical humanlike creatures with pointed ears. Come in a variety of different species.
Forest Elves- Beautiful and magical elves that have no meaning for the term “time”. They possess an amulet made of the wood of a Trent tree that gives them immortality. The only way for a forest elf to die is if anyone murders one. If a forest elf is killed, the killer would be cursed by the magic of the forest, binding them with vines embedded with thorns to live a slow, painful, death. Forest elves are usually pale skinned. Their hair is usually soft earth tones (different shades of brown, black, gray, and green). Forest elf ears are longer than the common Valley elf ears and are much more pointed. They dress in long robes of white, green, or brown and wear wreaths of leaves, flowers, or twigs in their hair. The mages and clerics of this race practice magic of the earth element (plants, trees, rocks, soil), mind power (psychic abilities), and holiness and light (healing, light from heavens, etc…)
Valley Elves- Very similar to their cousins, the Forest elves, but a tad more active and about. Their life span is around 400 years, plus or minus 20 depending on each elf. They live in valleys, planes, and open areas. They are a happy, cheerful race and are the most common elves. Their skin is usually peach or slightly tanned (olive). Their hair can vary from black, brown, and blonde. Ears are long up to the edge of their head. Their magic is weaker than the other elves, but they do a variety of magic.
Ice Elves- Similar to Forest elves, yet they live deep underground in crystal ice caves. They believe in beauty and strength, to help their allies, and fight their enemies. They do come out of the caves, but many of the elders, parents and children dare not leave the safety of the caves. Like forest elves, they live just about forever, some grow old, and some are lucky not to age a day. If one of their own is murdered, then the murderer will freeze to death. Every time an elf is killed, every one of the ice elves can feel it. They are bound to their home by a beautiful silver necklace with a small blue icicle hanging off it that glows all the time. If they are killed, the necklace stops glowing. Their classes can be mages, druids and bards. Ice elves have soft, and slightly tanned skin. Their ears are small, like humans, except the top is pointed. Their hair is usually very long and straight, and on the rare occasion, cut short. Color ranges from the cool water colors like light blue, aqua, a darker blue, white, and silver. They dress in long robes. Men and woman dress differently. The men wear long pale white robes, slightly open at the top, long cuffs on their sleeves, and the trim is a very light blue. The women wear long, sleeveless, white silk robes, also with a trim of silver. All wear silver crowns. The elders govern them. A group of the oldest ice elves hat lived, and younger ones are brought on when one of the elders die. Their abilities are strictly to their element, but they do learn some of the other species magic too…just in case. Before they are done their teachings, they must always return to their place of birth for the final teachings. And they must be by an elder.
Amphi Elves- A very different elven race. These elves are amphibians (hence the word Amphi). They dwell in city built in layers. The layers usually consist of 2 main ones (land and sea) and many sub divisions. The cities usually begin on high cliffs and work their way down to the ocean floor of shallow waters. It is too dangerous to travel into deep waters. Amphi elves have light blue skin that glitters in light and is very sleek and smooth. Their hands and feet are webbed. Their hair is any shade of blue. Their ears are pointed and slightly short and resemble fins because of the webbing. They have a strong build in muscular strength and cardio-respiratory because they battle the strong water pressures. They make very powerful water mages, holy clerics and healers.
Desert Elves- Dark skinned elves that inhabit the desert areas. Their hair can range from reds to oranges, and their ears are the same length as the ears of the Valley elves. These elves are very mysterious and exotic and are said that they have a charm to hypnotize humans with their beauty. They have very strong beliefs in their protector, the Phoenix, a bird of fire that is said to be the child of the sun. The Desert elves have a very high class of living. Their cities are built with gold plated stone and use jewelry on their walls. They dress in either long, thin robes of white linen to reflect the sunlight or they wear explicit clothing that shows much skin (except for areas of privacy) due to the heat. These elves practice magic of fire, the sun, and the ability to control the sands.
Nocturnal Elves- Woods dwelling, nocturnal elves. They only come out at night and live in the heart of a large forest that even Forest elves cannot venture to. Humans nearly never spot these elves, but on the rare occasion, a shadow following close behind might be one. Just because they come out only at night doesn’t make them evil, they are very peaceful and believe fighting solves nothing. They have dark blue or dark purple skin and either dark green or dark blue hair. They have ears just like the Forest elves. They worship the Mother of Silver Dragons, a woman who is said to be the daughter of the moon. Some say these elves are only a myth, but others think they are evil, which is not true. They practice illusion magic and moon magic.
Short, stubby, and bearded are the dwarven races. Legend has it that they were born from the mountains.
Mountain Dwarves- The most common dwarf race. They are short, stocky, stubby, strong, and built for hard work. Their hair is usually brown or gray. They take pride in their beards and braid them with stone beads shaped like the ancient hammer that the dwarven kings inherit. Their skin it usually pale, seeing that they dwell inside mountains and underground. They are very aggressive and pushy, and yell when they speak.
Hill Dwarves- Happy-go-lucky, yodeling dwarves of the green, rolling hills. Living in houses made of stone and straw, the women knit clothes and cook bread. Then men work during the day making flour in the windmills or harvesting wheat. The Hill dwarves have rosy skin, usually blonde hair (blonde beards for men, hair put in two buns for women). They are generally the same height as their Mountain dwarf cousins, but less burlier and more chubbier. Hill dwarves love to play the tuba and the accordion and dance the polka.
Azer Dwarves- Ancient race of dwarves hidden away from civilization. Some say they are the children of the earth and the fire of the world. Living in scorching volcanic and desert regions, the Azer are incredible blacksmiths, forging the most powerful weapons out of various rock and stone depending on magical power. They have dark skin, and red flame hair that is made of real fire, as is their beards. The Azer men only have two careers to choose between. They either mine for rock, gems, metals, and minerals or they use the material mined to create weapons. These dwarves created many legendary swords, staffs, and even jewelry. In their spare time, the Azer love to party and have huge wine drinking, circle dancing, grape crushing festivals that last for up to weeks.
Dewer Dwarves- Known as the dark dwarves. They live in the deep dark abyss of the earth, far deeper than Mountain dwarves could even venture. They are mainly the prime enemy of the other dwarven races, resulting in wars between them a lot. These dwarves do not require much oxygen to breath, due to their location. The Dewer are roughly the same size and built as the Mountain dwarves, but with very pale skin and black hair. Not all Dewer are evil. It is mostly a stereotype of their ancestors, who worshipped the Goddess of Death, which brought other races to think all Dewer are evil. But customs changed over time, the death worshipping has minimized to only certain Dewer clans that think the other dwarven races should die out.
Gully Dwarves- Dirty, poor, and extremely low IQ are what these dwarves are. Living in abandoned cities, caves, and swamps, they pick up dirt from everywhere. The other dwarves refuse to even allow the Gully dwarves into the alliance between the Mountain dwarves, Hill dwarves, and Azer. The humans take in these dwarves as slaves; since it really isn’t hard to enslave one without giving it pay. Being fairly stupid, they like to pretend a lot of things, such as a dead lizard having healing properties for a cold. Gully dwarves are really short, chubby, pudgy, and covered in dirt. Their hair can be any color from gray to brown, but it is very thin. Skin is slight tanned, but covered with dirt. Their clothes consist of anything from rags to potato sacks.
Creatures that are half human and half animal, or human-like animals.
Centaurs- The horse people of the woods. They appear to have the top half of a human from the waist up, and the body of a horse. They are the only race that has full contact with Nocturnal dwarves. Centaurs have much skill with spears, and archery. Some specify is magical lore, divination, and psychic abilities. Their potions are their main product in trade among elves. They are not too keen on humans, and definitely dislike dwarves. Some think it is a sin to carry a human or dwarf on the back of a centaur. Some Centaurs can be real brutes, but others can be very gentle and caring. The flute is a popular instrument with centaurs, and in some cases, a weapon.
Mermaids and Sirens- Beautiful half human, half fish creatures that dwell in the sea. It is said that the voices of the females are extremely powerful. They sit among the rocks in the middle of the ocean and sing while holding a mirror and brush or a small harp or lyre. They can get vicious if angry and attack humans or each other. The males (Mermen) are very strong and stormy looking. They hold seashell horns and by blowing one, it will cause a storm, hurricane, whirlpool, tidal wave, or earthquake. Depending on where they are, Mermaid tails may vary, same with hair and skin. On request to their king, they can leave the sea and gain human legs as a disguise with the power of a pendant. They can always return home, but as soon as their legs touch water, they become their true selves.
Nagas- Half human, half snake. They resemble the mermaids in a way, but without fishtails. They dwell in caves and ancient ruins of the desert lands. It is said that their eyes have the power to turn anyone who they look at into stone at their wish. They hiss and bite with their sharp, poisonous teeth when they are mad. Nagas aren’t good or bad, mostly neutral. They mind their own business, unless someone intrudes on their property. Naga women are far more dangerous than Naga men. The males enjoy sitting in luxury, drinking a cup of blood-wine. Most Naga attackers are female. They don’t really use weapons, but they can use some desert magic with their hands.
Elohim- Mystic winged people of the sky. Have extraordinary magical power that they can conjure up. They come from small floating islands in the sky surrounded and hidden within clouds. Elohim can have any hair, any skin, and any color of feathered wings. They frequently pay visits outside their clouded sanctuary to clear skies. Humans always spot them, but confuse them as large birds. They say that if one plucks the feather off an Elohim’s wing, they will be granted the control over one of the cardinal point winds. There are four Elohim clans in total; each one is for a cardinal point wind. There is the clan of the North Wind, South Wind, East Wind, and West Wind. If one gets angry, it could cause tornadoes, thunderstorms, high winds, even blizzards and typhoons, depending on their clan.
A race of magical beings with wings of an insect or of translucent material. Many say that they are the first race to exist.
Forest Fairies- A happy, playful, peaceful fairy race. Living among the Forest and Nocturnal Elves, they love helping out. They are about 10 cm tall (roughly around 3-4 inches). Their hair comes in any color, according to what flower they were born from. Yes, they are born from flowers. Their wings can be any design. If one is bottled up and released, it may bless its savior with a magical ability if they believe he or she is worthy. Many bounty hunters capture these fairies in bottles and sell them on the black market.
Fire Fairies- Living in deserts and volcanoes, they love heat. They also love pranks and practical jokes. If you put something down, and seconds later it is gone, chances are a Fire Fairy stole it. They have hidden treasure chambers back in their homes of all the valuable things they stole. They are the same size as the Forest Fairies, but they have hair of red, pink, brown, black, gold, yellow, or tan. Their wings are ended with tiny flames.
Water Fairies- Also known as children of the pearls. Being born from pearls, they flutter around underwater with fin-like wings. Some inhabit underwater caves. They live alongside the Amphi Elves, and Mer-people. Every month, they gather in large groups on a beach and have their festival of the tides. They tribute Nautilius and even Anheronia for the shifting tides, since the moon pulls the tides of the sea. They are famous for their dances of the sea. Have hair in shades of blue and purple.
Sky Fairies- Masters of weather, the clouds, and changing wind patterns. They are graceful and flowing like air. They are the same size as all the other elemental fairies. Their hair is yellow, white, lavender, violet, gold, and pink. Their wings are large, elegant, and elaborate. When a wind blows, it is always led by a group of these fairies. When a Sky Fairy is angry, it charges with volts of electricity and forms an orb of lightning energy around itself.
Ice Fairies- Distant relatives to Water and Sky Fairies, but more evolved and now a new breed of fairy. Same size as the other elemental fairies. They have white, light blue, silver, and gray hair. Their wings are stiff and made of ice themselves. When winter approaches, these fairies add frost to everything they touch with their ice breath. They are born from glaciers and blizzards. They live alongside northern clans of Mountain Dwarves and Elohim.
Lotus Fairies- Children of Ayios, God of Divine goodness. They emerge out of giant lotus flowers from fountains of magical water. They are human sized and have any color hair. These fairies are the oldest existing fairies alive, living for thousands of years. Not many decide to leave their fountain, but rather stay and heal the weary travelers who pass by. On occasion, they will grant warriors with magical abilities of the gods. It is rare to actually encounter one, but they show up when least expected.
Nymphs:
A lot like the fairies, but human sized creatures born from nature.
Salamanders- Nymphs of fire who can disguise their physical image as a red lizard. They burn forests, villages, and other things when angered or very bored. They can be very dangerous. As their normal form, they have red, orange, or burgundy hair. Their eyes glow with fire. You can tell if a human is actually a Salamander by standing close to them in a cold area. If there is a warm aura around, he or she is a Salamander. They inhabit nearly everywhere, not just hot places.
Dryads- Tree spirits, able to stand against a tree and transform their exterior into bark or leaves to match. Master of disguise is what they truly are. Their hair is usually a shade of green or brown, as is their eyes. They can breathe life into dead plants and seeds to grow things. They are peaceful and are very afraid of Salamanders, seeing that they will burn a forest if driven into it. They usually try to scare away humans and other beings besides elves and fairies from entering the woodlands because they might chop up the trees and destroy the woods.
Oreads- Nymphs of earth, ground, and stone. They can turn their skin into rock when in danger. They live around mountainous terrain or underground dwarven cities. They are very creative and love art and pottery. They are the only other nymph allies with the Dryads. Most Oreads feel bound to the ground, and regenerate themselves when attached to earth. An Oread that is in the air has great disadvantage and weakness is high. Their hair is usually brown or black.
Sylphs- Wind spirits, masters of floating and invisibility. They are feather light and travel using air. Their hair is very flowing and usually a light, airy color. These nymphs can become invisible and fly for their own protection. Very few of these creatures still exist. They mostly live literally on air, but some live like an everyday human. Sylphs are very hidden away from any other nymph. They try to stay away from any Oreads and Salamanders.
Animals with the IQ of a human or above.
Dragons- Large lizard like creatures. There are many different breeds of each element and magic type. Dragons are the most ancient of magic users existing. Each dragon has a breath weapon (fire, ice, lightning, poison, you name it!). Dragons are really smart and live everywhere.
Unicorns- Horses with a horn on their forehead. Mostly live in cool, wooded area. They have incredible healing abilities. They tend to hide away from mortals, seeing as they would use the unicorn for greed and selfishness. They come in different colors, mostly silver or white, but the babies are born gold.