Races of Questaris

A quick word on the races of Questaris
Questaris is covered by many races, the most numerous are of course humans. Humanity dominates the world like no other race before it. And they have done much to change the face of the world. All of the kingdoms of the world are human kingdoms. While the other races have carved their nitche in the world, it is humanity that determines it's current look. Halflings live side by side with humans where ever they are found. Dwarves mainly live at the edge of the human kingdom, though some large dwarven communities do exist within these human kingdoms. Many Gnomes live near the edge of human kingdoms, though not as far out as the dwarves. But some Gnomes can be found within the largest cities of the world. Elves tend to keep their distance from human kingdoms. They once felt a kinship with humanity, but those days have long since passed. The Half-Elves of Questaris far outnumber the elves but have no where near the population of humanity. Most Half-Elves dwell within human Kingdoms, but some have begun to reclaim ancient Elven communities for them selves. Half-Orc's can be found in many human kingdoms, but are generally not welcomed with open arms. Half-Orcs tend to live in a state of unease as many people do not like or trust them.

Unless otherwise noted use the standard 3rd edition (or 3.5 edition) Dungeons and Dragons® rules for each race. The only major change is this. All races may be of any alignment. It seems foolish to me, and most people that I have role-played with, that humans can be of any of any alignment but the other races can only be of one alignment. I have developed this world with that in mind. Humans in truth would tend more towards neutrality then good or evil. Having said that Elves might tend more towards good, but this is not always the case in my view. So with that in mind I centered the world arround the concept that race does not determine your alignment.

Humans
Dwarves
Elves
Gnomes
Half-Elves
Half-Orcs
Halflings

Also it must be noted there are some world specific character classes for Questaris. These classes reflect in some small way the times and trials of the peoples of Questaris. They also represent the many various groups that can be found in the world.

Classes of Questaris

Humans
Most humans have fallen from the lofty ideals that they once held sacred. They have in many ways dissapointed the God's of Light since the fall of Zandora, though they are still their favored children. Humanity seems to be suffering from a lose of racial identity since the fall of their once mighty island Empire. It can be felt in the many kingdoms, cities, and icons they have built. They have tried many times to recapture the glory of their fabled land. But they have fallen short of the mark at every turn. Empires rise and fall on the promise of a new Zandora. In the human psyche the phrase "You can never go home" rings with an undeniable clearity, and haunts them in everything they build or create. But they keep trying, and trying agian, to recapture the flame of the utopia they once enjoyed. This pursuit has brought the world to the brink of desaster many times, but still they try…

Dwarves
Dwarves of Questaris suffered long under the curse of the Gods of Light. Since the time of Magnus this has changed. Where once the dwarves felt a deep hopelessness, their hearts are now filled with joy. Now their families are blessed with more and more children, and their cities are being refilled. Even with these good fortunes they are worried for their way of life. Many Dwarves now live in human lands, and have begun to identify more with their adoptive peoples then with the traditions that they all once held. In the deeps of the world things are getting more deadly as the Drow, once held at bay, are begining to encroach ever more on thier boundries. Dark are the tidings of the underworld. Now more then ever the dwarves feel they must defend themselves from all outside influences. With that in mind, there is a growning movement within the Dwarven holds that supports prejudice agianst Dwarves who live outside the holds. The Deep Dwarves have long burrowed into the earth. Rarely has a surface dweller ever seen one of these Dwarves. The Deep dwarves are being squeezed between the Mountian Dwarves and the peoples of the Underworld. In the last few years more and more Deep Dwarves are visiting the Holds of their mountian kin, and some have begun to settle areas near to these holds. The Derro Have never been excepted among the hmans and Dwarves of Questaris. Many centuries ago they retreated deep into the underworld to build their own settlements. The Derro have long worshiped Helima. They have recently begun an uneasy alliance with the Drow, though the two peoples still fight over any number of things. The Derro have never suffered from the curse of the Gods of Light, and their numbers are as great as their Mountian, Hill,and Deep kin. The Duergar are not true Dwarves, they are a broken a twisted subrace that was created by the Void before the coming of Questaris. When the races chose sides the Duergar sided with the Void. As such they did not suffer the curse of the Gods of Light. But their numbers have been kept in check by the might of the Drow. They too have joined the Drow in an alliance under the orders of their god Volmar.

Elves

To this day the Wood Elves and High Elves still live under the curse of the Gods of Light. Theirs is an existance of no hope. The bones of their once mighty Empires can be found in the abandoned, and forgotten, places of the world. Even as these ruins rot away, so do their peoples. A feeling of bitterness, remorse, and hopelessness, fills everything they touch and do. While they do not hold humanity responsible for the ill's that have befallen their people, they can not help but be reminded of it by the mere sight of human beings. Since the curse was lifted agianst the Dwarves, many Elves have felt betrayed by them in some way. This has kept the long animosity between the two races going. The Wood Elves still dwell in the forests of the known world, but rarely venture out of them. While the High Elves, or Grey Elves as some call them, have traveled across the sea out of the known world. Deep in the underworld live the Drow, whom are no longer cursed as their brothers are. They were, and still are, the willing servents of Amon the Black. Cursed to live in the shadows for their part in the destruction of Zandora. They have lived and prospered under Amon's watchful eye since that time. In recent years they have begun to expand their Empires in the deep, and have put many Dwarven Holds under the threat of siege. The Sea Elves did not take slaves, and as such did not suffer from the Curse of the Gods of Light. Their numbers have never been very large, and they deal little with those who live on the land.

Gnomes

The Gnomes of Questaris live a blessed life. Many among them live absent minded lives of tinkering, but the vast majority of them are very sharp in their perception of the world. They have always felt a kinship with the Dwarves, and mourned as they watched their cousins suffer from the curse of the Gods of Light. As such they were greatly pleased with the lifting of the curse from thier long tortured cousins. Gnomes are generally a very happy and pleasent people, who take pleasure in the world around them. Some Gnomes have taken to living in human lands and cities due to the great excitement and busy goings on of the human race. While some Gnomes still seek the peace and quiet of the hills and forests. Gnomish homes in civilized lands and cities tend to be built out of stone and iron. And many of these are adorned with various gadgets and oddities. In the hills, and forests, their homes tend to be built underground and blend in with their surroundings. The univited may never know that they stand within the bounderies of a Gnomish village, as many roadways and paths are built underground to provide secure travel between gnomish homes. Many Gnomes also dwell in Dwarven holds. Their home generally look simular to those of their cousins, being carved strait from the stone or the mountian.

Half-Elves

Half-Elves live a life between two worlds, but slowly they are starting to find their own. With the retreat of true Elves from the world, most people see Half-Elves as Elves. This is a misconception that Half-Elves are quick to point out to those that make it, but it has given them greater status in the world around them. Most people have never seen an Elf, so it is easy for them to make the mistake of thinking Half-Elves are true Elves. In the world of Questaris Half-Elves are on the rise. They are begining to claim the many lost cities of thier forefathers, and are finding great demand for their presence with in the halls of men. Half-Elves are far more numerous then their Elven ancestors. The reason for this is simple. In the world of Questaris Half-Elves breed more Half-Elves. Even if their partner is Elf or human. Because of their human heritage they do not suffer the curse placed on their Elven ancestors, and may have as many as 4-6 children within their lives.

Half-Orcs

Half-Orcs as a race are lonely. In many human lands they can expect only to be tolerated, never excepted. In Orc territory they may be used as cheap cannon fodder. Generally human's look apon Half-Orcs with fear and mistrust, especially in small villages along the outer borders. Even in large cities they may be discriminated agianst by nearly everyone. As a general rule Half-Orcs are not permitted within many cities unless escourted by someone who is known to be trustworthy. There are a few kingdoms where Half-Orcs are excepted as citizens, but usually only if they are part of it's military. Only one human kingdom excepts Half-Orc's fully as citizen's with out the need for military service. The Kingdom of Galadan. Half-Orc's that live among Orc's are viewed as weak and disposable. They must suffer constant abuse by their peers while they live with them. While with orc's they can expect to be abandoned at any moment, or left to die even when they could be saved. Some Half-Orcs eventually raise their status among their Orc brotheren through combat and terror, but the majority can expect to live short painful lives.

Halflings

Halflings lead charmed lives. Most races except them within their communities without much thought or concern. Many halflings live within human, and Elf cities. But the vast majority live within small communities they have created on the out edges of settled lands. Many of these communities may have five or six villages that work together for the common good of all. Halflings refer to these communities as Moots. Many kingdoms view these Moots as independant villages, and as such do not force their will apon them. Some Moots willing join the nearest kingdom to them for defense purposes. Halflings in general have pleasent dispositions, and live their lives as fully as possible. Some join military orginizations, but the vast majority of Halflings live simple lives. It's widely known that some Halflings occasionly commit acts of larceny, but most Halflings are a good sort.

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