Thread for The First World: A look at the Fae and other races in Grimm Wars. Index | New Thread | Reply | Close | Stick | Delete  The First World: A look at the Fae and other races in Grimm Wars. The Narrator 1:16am, October 04, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] There are many legends, regarding the creation of the world and its people. Some say that it was already here, long since abandoned when our ancestors stumbled upon it, retreating from their dying world. Others believe that a Storyteller deity sang it into being, his words shaping the lands and populating it with its races, for what reason no one knows. In more war-like cultures, it is claimed that the entire world is the dead corpse of a fallen foe in which the ancestors of every race teamed together to stop. This is a common characteristic of every race who wishes to know where we came from, and even the seemingly-immortal races are not exempt from this. However, in addition to their stories, they claim to bear proof of having been there as well, though how truthful you believe it to be, you must take with a grain of salt. Or a block, considering some of the names involved. But whoever you speak to, the legend goes somewhat like this. Many fleeting of your mortal lives ago, the world was wild and unchained. Magic flowed like the streams and with its flow, so did we become like unto it. Always babbling, never focused on the here and now, for what did it matter to immortals? What was here today, shall always be here for us and that was enough. The only problem that truly baffled us was how to remain un-bored from age to age. Some of us began to experiment with changing our very bodies. Others began to take roles in nature herself, from the night skies to the care of the wind and wave. But whether useful, or no we all did something to change and shape our world and in our arrogance called ourselves "The First Race." So there was none more surprised then us when we discovered we were not alone in this world, not at all. Our first encounter with the beings we termed "The Second Race" was one of shock and awe. Far larger then even our greatest warriors, wielding the elements like toys and deadliness in their wake....We were overjoyed, for here was a race we believed would cure our boredom! We made overtures to these beings, offers of friendship, of treasure but we underestimated the nature of greed. And for the first time, a war raged. The First Race of the Fae against the might of the Second, the Dragonkin. To our surprise, these creatures managed to force us to a stalemate and so we kept separate afterwards. Later, it was discovered that in our war, we managed to involve all manner of lesser races by accident but what of it? These mortals were little more then dust, here one day and gone the next. What did it matter to us what these mice cried out for? Does a human weep when he steps upon an anthill? This proved to be our second great mistake, as one among us took a deep interest in them. Her title simply was "The Lady" and she out of all of us made it a point to visit the mortal realms more then once. Infatuated by what they had become, and more so with one in particular. She took mortal form, and seduced him, guiding him in his dream and there she learned the horror of mortal life. She became, in her own way....Cursed for having tasted mortality, she became aware of the burden as well as the joy. Sorrow, love..... Every spectrum of human emotion that the Fae did not yet know, was experienced by her in full and she wept to realize what she would one day loose. Around that time, fear entered the world once more as another faction made itself known. Twisted, ruined forms of life that lived only for pain and the chance to inflict it upon others. Cruelty, horror...All of these things delighted them, and their masters worst of all. We do not speak their names, but among their own, they were called "The Deceiver" and "The Stygian Knight." Their goal, nothing less then to grind our world under their heels as they had done so many times before in others. In our darkest hour, it was not us who came together nor managed to put aside our differences for a common foe...It was a mortal. The Ladies chosen lover, and with his help and his sword he brought all of us....First, Second and more in one alliance as the world would never see against these foes and smote them forever. We honor him, even now and the Peace of Arthur holds great power yet among us. For his sake, we dubbed humanity "The Third Race" for its great potential and when the time came to separate us, some of our people remained. The Earth-Men, stubborn and loyal. The lesser Fae, wise and guiding...All pledging to help this fledgling Third Race grow into its own, a pact still kept today. Perhaps someday, some other mortal like unto Arthur shall visit us, and we shall see what result has passed since then. But till that day, we shall continue what we have always done and wait...For despite all of this, we are still Fae. And our amusement is our all.  With thanks given to the Pathfinder core supplements on Races... The Narrator 2:38am, October 06, 2012 [Edit] [Delete] Human: Humans possess exceptional drive and a great capacity to endure and expand, and as such are currently the dominant race in the world. Their empires and nations are vast, sprawling things, and the citizens of these societies carve names for themselves with the strength of their sword arms and the power of their spells. Humanity is best characterized by its tumultuous nature and diversity, and human cultures run the gamut from savage but honorable tribes such as the Barbarian Tribes on the Somnium borders to decadent, devil-worshiping noble families in the most cosmopolitan cities of the Dark Kingdom. Humans’curiosity and ambition often triumph over their predilection for a sedentary lifestyle, and many leave their homes to explore the innumerable forgotten corners of the world or lead mighty armies to conquer their neighbors, simply because they can. Human society is a strange amalgam of nostalgia and futurism, being enamored of past glories and wistfully remembered “golden ages,” yet at the same time quick to discard tradition and history and strike off into new ventures. Relics of the past are kept as prized antiques and museum pieces, as humans love to collect things—not only inanimate relics but also living creatures—to display for their amusement or to serve by their side. A prime example of this being the Queen of Temptation and her Zoo of Horrors which she uses to delight her guests. Other races suggest this behavior is due to a deep-rooted urge to dominate and assert power in the human psyche, an urge to take, till, or tame the wild things and places of the world. Those with a more charitable view believe humans are simply collectors of experiences, and the things they take and keep, whether living, dead, or never alive, are just tokens to remind themselves of the places they have gone, the things they have seen, and the deeds they have accomplished. Their present and future value is just a bonus; their real value is as an ongoing reminder of the inevitable progress of humanity. Humans in many places are fascinated by older races and cultures, though at times they grow frustrated or even contemptuous of ancient and (to their mind) outmoded traditions. Their attitudes toward other races are thus a curious mix of exoticism and even fetishism, though usually with a very superficial level of understanding and appreciation of those cultures, alongside a deeply rooted arrogance that means most humans have a hard time regarding themselves as anything other than the default standard of society. Human scholars engaged in the study of other races—who might be assumed to be the most cosmopolitan and well versed in their nature and culture—have often proved no better than the less learned members of their race when it comes to genuine closing of the social distance. Humans are gregarious, often friendly, and willing to mix and interact with others, but their sheer obliviousness to their offhanded marginalization of others is what so chagrins other races when dealing with them. Of course, well-meaning, blundering ignorance and numerical superiority are not the only things that make other races suspicious of humans. Entirely too many examples can be found throughout history wherein human xenophobia and intolerance has led to social isolationism, civil oppression, bloody purges, inquisitions, mob violence, and open war. Humans are not the only race to hate what is different among them, but they seem to have a susceptibility to fearmongering and suspicion, whether about race, language, religion, class, gender, or another difference. More moderate human citizens often sit idly by while their more extreme compatriots dominate the political and cultural conversation, yet there are also many who stand in opposition to extremists and embody a spirit of unity across the bounds of difference, transcending barriers and forming alliances and relationships both large and small across every color, creed, country, or species. Relations(Humans)Humans are fecund, and their drive and numbers often spur them into contact with other races during bouts of territorial expansion and colonization. In many cases, this tendency leads to violence and war, yet humans are also swift to forgive and forge alliances with races who do not try to match or exceed them in violence. Proud, sometimes to the point of arrogance, humans might look upon dwarves as miserly drunkards, elves as flighty fops, halflings as craven thieves, gnomes as twisted maniacs, and half-elves and half-orcs as embarrassments—but the race’s diversity among its own members also makes many humans quite adept at accepting others for what they are. Humans may become so absorbed in their own affairs that they remain ignorant of the language and culture of others, and some take this ignorance to a hateful extreme of intolerance, oppression, and rarely even extermination of others they perceive as dangerous, strange, or “impure.” Thankfully, while such incidents and movements may taint all of humanity in the eyes of some, they are more often the exception than the rule. Elves: The long-lived elves are children of the natural world, similar in many superficial ways to fey creatures, though with key differences. While fey are truly linked to the flora and fauna of their homes, existing as the nearly immortal voices and guardians of the wilderness, elves are instead mortals who are in tune with the natural world around them. Elves seek to live in balance with the wild and understand it better than most other mortals. Some of this understanding is mystical, but an equal part comes from the elves’ long lifespans, which in turn gives them long ranging outlooks. Elves can expect to remain active in the same locale for centuries. By necessity, they must learn to maintain sustainable lifestyles, and this is most easily done when they work with nature, rather than attempting to bend it to their will. However, their links to nature are not entirely driven by pragmatism. Elves’ bodies slowly change over time, taking on a physical representation of their mental and spiritual states, and those who dwell in a region for a long period of time find themselves physically adapting to match their surroundings, most noticeably taking on coloration that reflects the local environment. Elves value their privacy and traditions, and while they are often slow to make friends at both the personal and national levels, once an outsider is accepted as a comrade, the resulting alliances can last for generations. Elves take great joy in forging alliances with races that share or exceed their long lifetimes, and often work to befriend good aligned dragons, outsiders, and fey. Those elves who spend their lives among the short-lived races, on the other hand, often develop a skewed perception of mortality and become morose, the result of watching wave after wave of companions age and die before their eyes. The capital of the Elves lies on Avalon: Island of the Gates which stands as the boundary between the First World where the Fae exist yet in the Summer Song and Winter Smith Courts and the Mortal Realms. These two factions are responsible for the cycle of the seasons and responsible for keeping the world in balance in that respect. Otherwise, Elves could be found almost anywhere though on the whole, they prefer places with sunshine and forests. Hardly any go to any realm underground or in the Dark Kingdom territories though rumors persist of a Dark-skinned Elven race who were sighted there, Representative's of an underground race dedicated to the Dark Arts... Relations(Elves)Elves are prone to dismissing other races, writing them off as rash and impulsive, yet on an individual level, they are excellent judges of character. In many cases an elf will come to value a specific member of another race, seeing that individual as deserving and respectable, while still dismissing the race as a whole. If called on this behavior, the elf often doesn't understand why his “special friend” is upset the elf has noticed the friend is “so much better than the rest of his kind.” Even elves who see such prejudice for what it is must constantly watch themselves to prevent such views from coloring their thinking. Elves are not foolish enough, however, to dismiss all aspects of other races and cultures. An elf might not want a dwarf neighbor, but would be the first to acknowledge Dwarves’ skill at smithing and their tenacity in facing orc threats. Elves regard gnomes as strange (and sometimes dangerous) curiosities, but regard their magical talent as being worthy of praise and respect. Halflings are often viewed with a measure of pity, for these small folk seem to the elves to be adrift, without a traditional home. Elves are fascinated with humans, who seem to live in a few short years as full a life as an elf manages in centuries. In fact, many elves become infatuated with humans, as evidenced by the number of half-elves in the world. Elves have difficulty accepting crossbreeds of any sort, however, and usually disown such offspring. They similarly regard half-orcs with distrust and suspicion, assuming they possess the worst aspects of orc and human personalities. Dwarfs: Dwarves are a stoic but stern race, ensconced in cities carved from the hearts of mountains and fiercely determined to repel the depredations of savage races like Orcs and goblins. More than any other race, Dwarves have acquired a reputation as dour and humorless artisans of the earth. It could be said that their history shapes the dark disposition of many Dwarves, for they reside in high mountains and dangerous realms below the earth, constantly at war with giants, goblins, and other such horrors. Dwarves are lovers of history and tradition, and their long lifespan leads to far less in the way of generational shifts in attitudes, styles, fashions, and trends than shorter-lived races exhibit. If a thing is not broken, they do not fix it or change it; and if it is broken, they fix it rather than replace it. Thrifty as a rule, Dwarves are loath to discard anything unless it is truly ruined and unable to be fixed. At the same time, Dwarves’ meticulous, near-obsessive attention to detail and durability in their craftsmanship makes that a rare occurrence, as the things they make are built to last. As a result, buildings, artwork, tools, housewares, garments, weapons, and virtually everything else made by Dwarves still sees regular use at an age when such items would be relegated to museum pieces, dusty antique shelves, or junkyard fodder by other races. Taken together, these traits create the impression that Dwarves are a race frozen in time. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, as Dwarves are both thoughtful and imaginative, willing to experiment, if always keen to refine and perfect a new technique or product before moving on to the next one. Dwarves have achieved feats of metallurgy, stonework and engineering that have consistently outpaced the technological advances of other races, though some nondwarven races have used magic to supplement and perfect their own creations to achieve the same ends through The capital of the Dwarves lie directly beneath one of the most inhospitable areas known in the world today. Namely, the section in the Outer Zones known infamously as "The Deadly Desert." The only way to get to it is via the passageways underground that the Dwarfs have constructed and even then, entry is difficult to obtain for nondwarven people. Otherwise, most Dwarves tend to live in Clan Halls near places of interest either for trade or for mining. Relations(Dwarves)Dwarves and Orcs have long dwelt in proximity to one another, and share a history of violence as old as both races. Dwarves generally distrust and shun half-orcs. They find elves, gnomes, and halflings to be too frail, flighty, or “pretty” to be worthy of proper respect. It is with humans that dwarves share the strongest link, for humans’ industrious nature and hearty appetites come closest to matching those of the dwarven ideal. Halflings:Optimistic and cheerful by nature, blessed with uncanny luck, and driven by a powerful wanderlust, halflings make up for their short stature with an abundance of bravado and curiosity. At once excitable and easy-going, half lings like to keep an even temper and a steady eye on opportunity, and are not as prone to violent or emotional outbursts as some of the more volatile races. Even in the jaws of catastrophe, halflings almost never lose their sense of humor. Their ability to find humor in the absurd, no matter how dire the situation, often allows halflings to distance themselves ever so slightly from the dangers that surround them. This sense of detachment can also help shield them from terrors that might immobilize their allies. Halflings are inveterate opportunists. They firmly believe they can turn any situation to their advantage, and sometimes gleefully leap into trouble without any solid plan to extricate themselves if things go awry. Often unable to physically defend themselves from the rigors of the world, they know when to bend with the wind and when to hide away. Yet halflings’ curiosity often overwhelms their good sense, leading to poor decisions and narrow escapes. While harsh experience sometimes teaches halflings a measure of caution, it rarely makes them completely lose faith in their luck or stop believing that the universe, in some strange way, exists for their entertainment and would never really allow them to come to harm. Though their curiosity drives them to seek out new places and experiences, halflings possess a strong sense of hearth and home, often spending above their means to enhance the comforts of domestic life. Without a doubt, halflings enjoy luxury and comfort, but they have equally strong reasons to make their homes a showcase. Halflings consider this urge to devote time, money, and energy toward improving their dwellings a sign of both respect for strangers and affection for their loved ones. Whether for their own blood kin, cherished friends, or honored guests, halflings make their homes beautiful in order to express their feelings toward those they welcome inside. Even traveling halflings typically decorate their wagons or carry a few cherished keepsakes to adorn their campsites. There is no major capital of Halflings, not as we would think. Rather instead, they indulge in either small communities or villages, or they tend to gravitate towards the bigger cities of humans and the like. Relations(Halflings)A typical halfling prides himself on his ability to go unnoticed by other races—a trait that allows many halflings to excel at thievery and trickery. Most halflings know full well the stereotypical view other races take of them as a result, and go out of their way to be forthcoming and friendly to the bigger races when they’re not trying to go unnoticed. They get along fairly well with gnomes, although most halflings regard these eccentric creatures with a hefty dose of caution. Halflings respect elves and dwarves, but these races often live in remote regions far from the comforts of civilization that halflings enjoy, thus limiting opportunities for interaction. By and large, only half-orcs are shunned by halflings, for their great size and violent natures are a bit too intimidating for most halflings to cope with. Halflings coexist well with humans as a general rule, but since some of the more aggressive human societies value halflings as slaves, they try not to grow too complacent. Halflings strongly value their freedom, especially the ability to travel in search of new experiences and the autonomy this requires. However, practical and flexible as always, enslaved halflings seldom fight back directly against their masters. When possible, they wait for the perfect opportunity and then simply slip away. Sometimes, if enslaved for long enough, halflings even come to adopt their owners as their new families. Though they still dream of escape and liberty, these halflings also make the best of their lives More to follow.... Edited 4:08am, October 07, 2012 by The Narrator, author. Index | New Thread | Reply | Close | Stick | Delete