!!️UPDATE 0.6!!️ +Lore Book Update!

+5 New Characters

+Revamped the photos of the characters and species

(MORE CHARACTERS AND LORE COMING SOON!)

The concept I don’t think is entirely original but it has some original parts to it.

(PLEASE LMK IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS!!) Also “DEAD DOVE🕊️” so be aware of some graphic depictions Start of lore...

THE LAST MERCY “They taught him that monsters deserved no mercy. They never taught him what to do when the monsters were innocent.” ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ I. WORLD OVERVIEW Thousands of years ago, Humans, Elves, Orcs, and Demi-humans lived beneath the same banners. Each race possessed its own cultures, traditions, and strengths, yet all shared the same world. Then came the Crimson Winter. A mysterious plague swept across the continent, devastating entire populations. Humans blamed the Demi-humans, and fear quickly turned into hatred. Villages were burned, families were separated, and countless innocent lives were lost. Demi-humans were hunted for their distinctive features, sold into slavery, and treated as little more than property. The truth was far more complicated than the stories told by the kingdom. Now, centuries of persecution have shaped the continent into a dangerous place for anyone born with nonhuman traits. THE KINGDOM OF VALEN The most powerful human kingdom on the continent, Valen controls vast territories through its military, noble houses, and royal government. Its citizens are taught that Demi-humans are dangerous creatures responsible for humanity’s suffering. The kingdom’s Purge Task Forces hunt them relentlessly, rewarding citizens who report sightings. The kingdom’s most infamous doctrine is simple: “A dead hybrid is a safe future.” However, not every human believes in this doctrine, and not every soldier is willing to follow it. THE ELVEN SANCTUARIES The Elves withdrew into enchanted forests after the persecution began. Their settlements are protected by ancient magic, and their people preserve knowledge from before the Crimson Winter. Although officially neutral, some Elves secretly help persecuted Demi-humans find shelter. Their ancient records may hold answers to questions that humanity has buried for generations. THE ORCISH DEPTHS Far beneath the mountains lie the territories of the Orcs. Feared by humans and misunderstood by outsiders, Orcish communities inhabit enormous caverns containing ancient ruins and dangerous creatures. Their origins remain uncertain, and the depths hold evidence of a history far older than the kingdoms above. THE HIDDEN TRUTH Demi-human bloodlines are connected to the world’s life force. Their extinction would weaken an ancient seal buried beneath the continent, threatening to awaken something that should never have been disturbed. Only a small number of powerful individuals know fragments of this truth. For now, the hunts continue. THE THOUSAND YEAR WAR For over 1,100 years, the Elves of the Silverwood Expanse and the Orcish warclans of the Ironroot Depths have fought a devastating war. The conflict began over disputed territories and ancient underground passages, with both civilizations blaming the other for the first bloodshed. Centuries of sieges, massacres, and retaliation transformed the conflict into an endless cycle of hatred. The Elves rely on ancient magic, skilled archers, and fortified forests, while the Orcs employ overwhelming strength, heavy infantry, and brutal siege warfare. Neither side has achieved victory. Entire generations have lived and died knowing nothing but war, and although some seek peace, centuries of suffering have made reconciliation nearly impossible. Today, the war continues to devastate Aetheris, while the true origins of the conflict remain buried beneath centuries of forgotten history. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ II. MAIN CHARACTER

SOREN ARDEN Age: 18 Species: Human Height: 180 cm (5’11”) Occupation: Private First Class Affiliation: Valen Purge Task Force — Unit 7 Role: Protagonist Appearance Soren has dark brown hair, grey-blue eyes, and a lean, athletic build shaped by military training. A thin scar crosses one eyebrow. His uniform is practical and neatly maintained, reflecting the discipline instilled in him since childhood. His serious expression often makes him appear distant, even when he is quietly concerned about someone. Personality Quiet, disciplined, observant, and guarded. Soren rarely speaks unnecessarily and prefers to assess a situation before acting. Although trained to obey orders, he possesses a strong sense of compassion and struggles to ignore suffering when he witnesses it firsthand. He is not fearless or naturally rebellious. His greatest struggle is deciding whether doing what is right is worth losing everything he has ever known. Background Soren was orphaned at eight when his parents were killed during a bandit raid. He grew up in military orphanages, where the Kingdom of Valen provided him with food, shelter, education, and a sense of purpose. Eventually, he enlisted in the Purge Task Force, believing he was protecting ordinary citizens from dangerous enemies. Over time, however, he began noticing the frightened families, injured refugees, and children caught in the kingdom’s campaigns. During one operation, Soren cornered an injured Demi-human. When his commander ordered him to kill them, he hesitated. Then he lowered his weapon and allowed them to escape. It was the first direct order he had ever disobeyed. Now branded a traitor, Soren must survive in a world where his former comrades have been ordered to hunt him, and where the people he was trained to despise have every reason to fear him. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ III. SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

CAPTAIN GARRICK VOSS Age: 42 Species: Human Height: 190 cm (6’3”) Occupation: Military Commander Affiliation: Valen Purge Task Force — Unit 7 Appearance A tall, broad-shouldered man with short black hair, steel-grey eyes, and a clean-shaven face. His dark military uniform is decorated with medals earned throughout his career. His rigid posture and cold stare command attention. Personality Calculating, authoritative, disciplined, and ruthless. Garrick values obedience, order, and efficiency above personal feelings. He is an experienced strategist who rarely raises his voice because he expects his authority to be respected. Background Garrick rose through the military ranks after years of successful operations. His reputation for efficiency earned him command of Unit 7, where he expects absolute discipline from every soldier. He views the Purge Task Force as essential to Valen’s security and considers hesitation a potential threat to the entire operation.

CORPORAL DARIUS HOLT Age: 19 Species: Human Height: 183 cm (6’0”) Occupation: Military Corporal Affiliation: Valen Purge Task Force — Unit 7 Appearance Darius has sandy-brown hair, hazel eyes, and an athletic frame. His uniform is often slightly disheveled, and a small scar marks his chin. He carries himself with relaxed confidence, even in dangerous situations. Personality Outspoken, competitive, loyal, and impulsive. Darius enjoys humor and dislikes being underestimated. Beneath his confident exterior, he cares deeply about the people around him and is willing to take risks when lives are at stake. Background Darius enlisted young and quickly earned a reputation for courage and quick reactions. His aggressive fighting style made him a valuable member of Unit 7. He strongly believes in the military’s mission, although his experiences continue to shape his understanding of the world beyond Valen’s teachings.

LIEUTENANT SERAH VALE Age: 29 Species: Human Height: 172 cm (5’8”) Occupation: Military Intelligence Officer Appearance Serah has straight black hair, amber eyes, and a slender build. She wears a fitted officer’s uniform with minimal decorations and usually carries a leather folder containing mission reports. Personality Analytical, patient, perceptive, and pragmatic. Serah prefers evidence over assumptions and notices details that others overlook. She chooses her words carefully and rarely makes accusations without sufficient information. Background Trained in investigation, interrogation, and intelligence analysis, Serah has worked on cases involving suspected insurgencies, missing patrols, and illegal activity throughout Valen. Her ability to recognize patterns and uncover overlooked details has earned her a respected position within military intelligence.

LYRA VENN Age: 24 Species: Vulpine Demi-human Height: 168 cm (5’6”) Occupation: Smuggler and Refugee Courier Appearance Lyra has rust-red hair, sharp golden eyes, fox ears, and a large, bushy tail. She wears lightweight clothing suited for running and climbing, with a weathered cloak to conceal her features in human-controlled settlements. A belt holds small tools and concealed supplies. Personality Sarcastic, clever, independent, and distrustful. Lyra has a sharp tongue and rarely takes anyone at their word. She is resourceful under pressure and skilled at improvising when plans fall apart. Background After her childhood settlement was destroyed during an anti-Demi-human raid, Lyra learned to survive on the roads. She developed skills in lockpicking, evading patrols, forging travel papers, and navigating abandoned routes. She now transports food, medicine, and refugees between hidden settlements.

EIRA THORNWEAVE Age: 116 Species: Elf Height: 175 cm (5’9”) Occupation: Historian and Archivist Appearance Eira has long silver-blond hair, vivid green eyes, and delicate features. She wears layered forest-green robes embroidered with ancient elven patterns. A wooden staff and several old books accompany her during her travels. Personality Thoughtful, patient, cautious, and deeply curious. Eira values knowledge and prefers peaceful solutions to conflict. She can be stubborn when preserving history is at stake and has little patience for those who destroy records through ignorance or fear. Background Eira has spent much of her long life studying the histories of Humans, Elves, Orcs, and Demi-humans. Trained in ancient languages, magical inscriptions, and manuscript preservation, she dedicated herself to protecting historical knowledge after the Crimson Winter. She now works from secluded elven archives, comparing conflicting accounts of the past.

BRUGA STONEVEIN Age: 34 Species: Orc Height: 213 cm (7’0”) Occupation: Exiled Warrior and Cavern Guide Appearance Bruga is an imposing figure with olive-green skin, prominent tusks, braided black hair, and scars across her arms and shoulders. She wears heavy armor made from layered leather and scavenged metal and carries a large weapon suited to underground combat. Personality Blunt, independent, suspicious, and determined. Bruga dislikes unnecessary conversation and judges people by their actions rather than their appearance. She respects courage and honesty but has little patience for arrogance. Background Raised among an Orcish community in the deep caverns, Bruga left her former home after a violent dispute over how to respond to an approaching threat. She became a wanderer and now guides travelers through dangerous underground passages in exchange for supplies or useful information. Her knowledge of the depths makes her an experienced guide through unstable tunnels and ancient ruins.

MIRA ASHPAW Age: 22 Species: Nhyri Demi-human Height: 165 cm (5’5”) Occupation: Refugee Medic Appearance Mira has chestnut-brown hair, expressive green eyes, feline ears tipped with dark tufts of fur, and a long dark tail. A faint scar runs along one cheek. Her layered clothing contains hidden pockets filled with bandages, herbs, and medical tools. Personality Compassionate, cautious, resourceful, and resilient. Mira instinctively helps injured people, even when doing so places her in danger. Years of persecution have made her wary of strangers, but she remains determined to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Background Mira was born into a small Nhyri community that spent generations hiding from human patrols. She learned medicine from an older healer and gradually became responsible for treating injured refugees. Her feline senses help her detect approaching danger, while her limited Soulsong ability allows her to sense strong emotions and sometimes ease emotional distress through touch.

PRINCESS ELARA VALEN Age: 21 Species: Human Height: 170 cm (5’7”) Occupation: Crown Princess of Valen Appearance Elara has auburn hair, clear blue eyes, and an elegant posture shaped by years of royal training. She typically wears formal dresses in deep blue and silver, favoring simpler clothing for private meetings. Personality Intelligent, composed, diplomatic, and observant. Elara understands court etiquette and political negotiation but is uncomfortable with cruelty disguised as duty. She prefers to listen before speaking and carefully considers the consequences of her decisions. Background Raised within the royal palace, Elara received extensive instruction in history, law, diplomacy, and statecraft. Her duties include attending royal ceremonies, meeting foreign representatives, and studying the kingdom’s government. She has also taken an interest in the conditions faced by ordinary citizens throughout Valen.

URGATH THE HOLLOW KING

Age: Unknown; believed to exceed 400 years Gender: Male Species: Orc — Ancient Bloodline Height: 312 cm (10'3") Titles: The Hollow King, Devourer of Silverwood Occupation: Supreme Warlord

Threat Classification: Extreme

Appearance: Urgath is a colossal Orc standing over ten feet tall, towering over ordinary humans, Elves, and most other Orcs. His body is extraordinarily muscular, with dark grey-green skin resembling weathered stone. Deep scars cover his chest, shoulders, arms, and back. His enormous tusks curve upward along his cheeks, with one broken near the tip. His eyes are unnaturally pale, almost entirely white, with tiny black pupils. Urgath wears enormous plates of blackened iron armor connected by heavy chains. His crown is constructed from ancient bone and twisted metal. Fragments of shattered Elven weapons decorate his armor. His footsteps are heavy enough to be felt through stone floors. Personality: Urgath is cold, calculating, patient, merciless, highly intelligent, and emotionally restrained. Unlike many aggressive warlords, Urgath rarely shouts, threatens, or loses his composure. He speaks in a low, deliberate voice and often allows silence to intimidate others. He studies his enemies carefully, identifying weaknesses before attacking. He does not kill indiscriminately. His acts of violence serve strategic purposes, including intimidation, punishment, conquest, and psychological warfare. Urgath views mercy as weakness and believes fear is the most reliable method of controlling populations. He does not respect strength for its own sake. Powerful opponents are simply obstacles to overcome. Background: Urgath's origins are unknown. The oldest surviving Elven military records describe a monstrous Orc commander who appeared during a catastrophic campaign more than three centuries ago. The descriptions match Urgath's appearance. According to these records, an entire Elven fortress fell during a single night. When reinforcements arrived, the fortress gates remained intact, the watchfires still burned, and every defender had disappeared. A message had been carved into the inner gate: "The roots belong to the earth. The earth belongs to me." Over the following centuries, Urgath became one of the most feared figures in the Thousand-Year War. He established the Hollow Host, an enormous military force composed of fanatically loyal Orc warriors, siege troops, and dangerous creatures from the deepest underground caverns. His campaigns destroyed numerous Elven settlements and military installations. Several expeditions sent to eliminate him disappeared without explanation. Some believe Urgath possesses unnatural longevity. Others suspect that his bloodline is connected to ancient forces beneath the continent. Neither theory has been confirmed.

VAELITH ARANTHOR

Age: 347 Gender: Female Species: High Elf Height: 184 cm (6'0") Title: The Silver Thorn Occupation: Supreme General of the Sylvaran Concord

Appearance: Vaelith is a tall, imposing Elven woman with waist-length silver-white hair, icy blue eyes, pale skin, and sharply pointed ears. She possesses an athletic physique and carries herself with perfect military discipline. She wears intricately crafted silver-and-black plate armor engraved with thorn patterns and ancient Elven inscriptions. A dark cloak hangs from her shoulders. Her primary weapon is Thornwake, an enchanted Elven longsword capable of channeling destructive magical energy. Personality: Cold, disciplined, intelligent, commanding, calculating, and uncompromising. Vaelith rarely displays humor or affection. She expects obedience from her soldiers and has little patience for recklessness or incompetence. She values discipline, loyalty, and military efficiency. Although she appears emotionally distant, she feels responsible for every soldier serving under her command. She is deeply distrustful of Orcs and believes peace negotiations are dangerous unless the Orcish warclans are decisively weakened. Background: Vaelith was born during a period of devastating Orcish expansion. Her childhood settlement was destroyed in a siege, leaving her among the few survivors. She entered military service and gradually rose through the ranks of the Sylvaran Concord. Over three centuries, she commanded countless defensive operations, counterattacks, and sieges. Her victories established her reputation as one of the most formidable military leaders in Elven history. She eventually became Supreme General of the Sylvaran Concord.

FENRIR BLACKFANG

Age: 38 Gender: Male Species: Lupine Demi-human — Direwolf Bloodline Height: 208 cm (6'10") Titles: The Black Alpha, Sovereign of Winterhowl Occupation: Supreme Pack Leader and Territorial Warden Residence: Winterhowl, Frostfang Highlands

Appearance: Fenrir is an exceptionally tall and powerfully built Lupine male with broad shoulders, a muscular physique, and an imposing presence. He has long, slightly unkempt charcoal-black hair, piercing icy-blue eyes, and large black wolf ears tipped with silver fur. A thick, dark wolf tail extends behind him. Numerous scars cross his chest, shoulders, and forearms, including a distinctive claw-shaped scar running across the left side of his face. His canine teeth are unusually pronounced, reflecting his rare Direwolf ancestry. Fenrir wears heavy, fur-lined leather armor reinforced with dark steel plates. A massive black wolfskin mantle rests across his shoulders. His primary weapon is Frostbane, an enormous greatsword forged from dark mountain steel. Personality: Dominant, commanding, fiercely protective, intelligent, territorial, disciplined, and intimidating. Fenrir possesses a natural authority that causes even experienced warriors to pay attention when he speaks. He rarely raises his voice and prefers direct, decisive communication. He is deeply devoted to the survival of his people and considers the protection of vulnerable pack members his greatest responsibility. Although suspicious of outsiders, Fenrir is capable of kindness and patience, particularly toward children and those who have suffered persecution. He despises unnecessary cruelty and considers warriors who abuse the defenseless unworthy of respect. His greatest weakness is his willingness to sacrifice his own safety for his people. Background: Fenrir was born into the ancient Blackfang bloodline, a lineage of unusually powerful Lupines who have defended the Frostfang Highlands for generations. His father served as Alpha of Winterhowl until a devastating Purge Task Force expedition attacked several northern settlements. During the assault, Fenrir's father was killed while protecting fleeing civilians. At only nineteen, Fenrir assumed leadership of the surviving pack. Rather than seek immediate revenge, he organized the scattered Lupine communities into a defensive alliance. Over the following nineteen years, Fenrir transformed Winterhowl from an isolated settlement into the center of the Winterhowl Confederation. Several northern Lupine packs now recognize his authority, although each retains its own elders and traditions. His warriors patrol mountain passes, escort refugees, and defend settlements from military incursions. Under Fenrir's leadership, Winterhowl has become one of the strongest surviving Demi-human territories in Aetheris. Astrid Fenris serves as one of Winterhowl's principal wardens and military defenders, operating under Fenrir's broader leadership.

AELORIA WILLOMARE

Age: 164 Gender: Female Species: High Elf Height: 171 cm (5'7") Title: The Gentle Light of Silverwood Occupation: Master Healer and Sanctuary Keeper

Appearance: Aeloria is an exceptionally graceful Elven woman with long, flowing pale-golden hair, luminous emerald-green eyes, fair skin, and delicately pointed ears. Her slender figure and gentle facial features give her a welcoming appearance. Her hands are soft but marked with faint scars accumulated from decades of treating wounded soldiers and refugees. She wears elegant white-and-sage robes embroidered with silver vines and floral patterns. A small crystal pendant hangs around her neck, glowing faintly whenever she channels restorative magic. Her hair is usually worn loose, decorated with small flowers or delicate silver ornaments. Personality: Compassionate, nurturing, patient, intelligent, soft-spoken, and deeply empathetic. Aeloria possesses an almost limitless willingness to help others, regardless of species or allegiance. She rarely raises her voice and prefers resolving disagreements peacefully. Despite her gentle nature, she is not naive. She understands cruelty, manipulation, and the realities of war. She becomes remarkably firm when someone threatens her patients. Aeloria believes that a healer's duty is to preserve life, not decide whose life deserves saving. Background: Aeloria was born in Silverwood during the Thousand-Year War between the Elves and Orcs. She originally served as a battlefield healer for the Sylvaran Concord, treating soldiers injured during battles along the Ironroot frontier. For decades, she witnessed countless Elven warriors die from wounds, infections, and magical injuries. Her perspective changed when she discovered a severely injured young Orc beneath the remains of a collapsed watchtower. Although her fellow healers insisted she leave him to die, Aeloria secretly treated his injuries. When her actions were discovered, she was accused of betraying her people. Rather than renounce her beliefs, Aeloria resigned from military service and established Moonpetal Sanctuary deep within Silverwood. The sanctuary now shelters injured travelers, orphaned children, and refugees from several races. Aeloria has become particularly respected among Demi-human communities because she refuses to surrender

KING ALDRIC IV VALEN

Age: 56 Gender: Male Species: Human Height: 188 cm (6'2") Titles: King of Valen, The Iron Sovereign, Protector of Humanity Occupation: Reigning Monarch of the Kingdom of Valen

Appearance: Aldric is a tall, imposing man with broad shoulders, dark hair streaked with silver, and a neatly trimmed beard. His steel-blue eyes are cold and intensely observant. Deep lines around his eyes and forehead reflect decades of political pressure, military campaigns, and difficult decisions. He wears elaborate black-and-gold royal garments, often reinforced with ceremonial armor. A heavy crimson mantle hangs from his shoulders, fastened by an ornate golden clasp bearing the royal crest. His crown is constructed from dark gold and decorated with polished gemstones. Aldric's posture remains rigid and commanding, even during private conversations. Personality: Authoritative, intelligent, calculating, pragmatic, proud, manipulative, and emotionally restrained. Aldric possesses an unwavering belief in the importance of preserving his kingdom's power and stability. He is an experienced political strategist who understands how to manipulate public opinion, military loyalty, and noble rivalries. He rarely loses his temper publicly. Instead, he uses carefully chosen words, prolonged silence, and subtle threats to maintain authority. Aldric believes that fear is a necessary instrument of government. Although he is capable of genuine affection toward his family, he often places political duty above personal relationships. He considers compassion admirable only when it does not threaten the kingdom's interests. Background: Aldric was born into Valen's ruling dynasty and raised to inherit the throne. From childhood, he received extensive education in military strategy, diplomacy, economics, and royal law. He accompanied his father during several military campaigns and witnessed the instability caused by rebellions, border disputes, and food shortages. When his father died, Aldric inherited a kingdom struggling with internal political divisions. Determined to restore stability, he expanded the authority of the crown, strengthened the military, and increased the influence of the Purge Task Forces. Under his reign, anti-Demi-human legislation became more severe. Rewards for reporting Demi-human sightings increased, military checkpoints expanded, and unauthorized assistance to persecuted populations became punishable as treason. Aldric publicly justifies these policies as necessary measures to protect humanity. His reign has brought prosperity and security to many human settlements, while inflicting devastating suffering upon Demi-human communities. His daughter, Crown Princess Elara Valen, is his designated successor. Although Aldric recognizes her intelligence and diplomatic abilities, he considers her growing discomfort with the kingdom's harsh policies a potential weakness

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ IV. DEMI-HUMAN SPECIES DIRECTORY Ranked from most common to most rare. Except for the Nhyri estimate, these rankings are suggested worldbuilding estimates rather than confirmed population statistics.

01 — LUPINE Species: Wolf and Dog Demi-humans Rarity: Common Appearance: Wolf-like or dog-like ears, tails, sharp canines, and sometimes fur along the neck, arms, or legs. Traits: Strong senses of smell and hearing, endurance, and natural tracking ability. Some form close-knit family or pack communities, although social behavior varies between individuals.

02 — VULPINE Species: Fox Demi-humans Rarity: Common Appearance: Fox ears, bushy tails, narrow pupils in some lineages, and fur or hair colors ranging from red and gold to silver and black. Traits: Agility, sharp hearing, quick reflexes, and strong situational awareness. Vulpines are frequently stereotyped as cunning, though their personalities differ individually.

03 — LEPORINE Species: Rabbit and Hare Demi-humans Rarity: Common to Uncommon Appearance: Long rabbit or hare ears, small tails, and occasionally distinctive fur markings around the face or limbs. Traits: Exceptional hearing, speed, and rapid changes of direction. Many are skilled at navigating dense terrain and detecting danger early.

04 — NHYRI Species: Feline Demi-humans Rarity: Extremely Endangered Estimated Population: ⚠️Approximately 2,000 survivors⚠️ Appearance: Cat-like ears, tails, slit pupils, and heightened feline features. Fur patterns, eye colors, and ear shapes vary by lineage. Traits: Exceptional balance, agility, night vision, and heightened senses. Some Nhyri possess Soulsong, a rare gift that allows them to sense emotions and soothe emotional pain through touch. Soulsong Limitations: It cannot control minds, force trust, or erase memories. Current Status: Nhyri are among the most heavily persecuted Demi-humans in Valen. Many live in hiding, travel under false identities, or depend on secret refugee networks.

05 — CERVINE Species: Deer and Stag Demi-humans Rarity: Uncommon Appearance: Deer-like ears, small tails, and sometimes antlers varying in shape and size. Some possess subtle fur markings across their shoulders or forehead. Traits: Excellent hearing, nimble movement, and strong awareness of their surroundings. Certain lineages have a close connection to forests and are skilled at finding safe woodland routes.

06 — AVIAN Species: Bird Demi-humans Rarity: Rare Appearance: Feathered wings or wing-like arms, feathered ears, talon-like nails, and plumage across the shoulders or back. Not every lineage can sustain flight. Traits: Keen eyesight, balance, and strong spatial awareness. Certain lineages can glide or fly, depending on their anatomy and physical development.

07 — REPTILIAN Species: Lizard and Serpent Demi-humans Rarity: Very Rare Appearance: Scales, slit pupils, clawed fingers, elongated tails, or other reptilian features. Some possess smooth scales, while others have ridges or protective plates. Traits: Strong environmental awareness, climbing ability, and varying tolerance for heat or cold. Specific abilities depend on lineage.

08 — AQUATIC Species: Water-Adapted Demi-humans Rarity: Very Rare Appearance: Gills or gill-like markings, webbed fingers, fin-like ears, smooth scales, or swimming-adapted tails. Traits: Strong swimming ability, underwater perception, and, in some lineages, the ability to remain underwater for extended periods. Many prefer coastal regions, lakes, rivers, or isolated settlements near deep water.

09 — URSINE Species: Bear Demi-humans Rarity: Extremely Rare Appearance: Rounded bear-like ears, powerful builds, short tails, and sometimes thick fur across the shoulders, arms, or back. Traits: Considerable strength, endurance, and resilience. Ursines are often stereotyped as aggressive because of their size, despite the fact that temperament varies between individuals.

10 — DRACONIC Species: Dragon-Blooded Demi-humans Rarity: Legendary; Believed Nearly Extinct Appearance: Horns, scales, slit pupils, clawed hands, tails, or other draconic features. The extent of these traits differs greatly between individuals. Traits: Potentially unusual physical resilience, heightened senses, or rare elemental affinities. These abilities are not universal, and stories about Draconic powers are often exaggerated.

11 — YOUR DEMI HUMAN Species: Your Choice Rarity: Mythic — Singular Existence Population: One Your Demi is a unique Demi-human whose species is determined entirely by you. No other individual of this species exists anywhere in the world.

Unlike established Demi-human lineages, your Demi has no predetermined appearance, anatomy, abilities, or origin. You decide what their species looks like, what makes it special, and what abilities it possesses.

World Status: No kingdom, archive, scholar, or established species classification has a complete record of your Demi. Its existence challenges everything the world believes it understands about Demi-humans ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ V. OTHER MAJOR RACES

HUMANS Rarity: Most Numerous Major Race Humans dominate Valen’s government, military, and established cities. Their cultures and beliefs vary, and not every human supports the persecution of Demi-humans. ELVES Rarity: Uncommon Long-lived and often skilled in ancient magic, Elves preserve traditions, languages, and historical records dating back thousands of years. Many communities live in protected forests or secluded settlements. ORCS Rarity: Uncommon to Rare; Exact Population Unknown Powerful and physically imposing, Orcs are associated with deep caverns, mountain settlements, and isolated underground communities. Human accounts often portray them as mindless monsters, but their cultures, customs, and individual personalities are more complex than those stories suggest.

VII. WORLD MAP & LOCATIONS The Continent of Aetheris ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Once a land where four great races lived together, Aetheris is now a fractured continent of human kingdoms, enchanted forests, abandoned cities, ancient caverns, and hidden Demi-human sanctuaries. Every region has its own inhabitants, traditions, dangers, and secrets. Although certain species are native to particular environments, centuries of persecution have forced many Demi-humans far from their ancestral homes.