The Celephais Campaign:
Races


Introduction

This is NOT a definative list. I wish to encourage the other GM's to create and describe other races as they see fit. I encourage you to think of the great depth of myth of the bronze age, espeically the Mediterranean cultures such as Kehmet (Egypt), Hittite (Syria), Persia, Scythian, Germanic, and Celtic cultures.

Most of the standard (3rd edition) D&D races are available in this campaign. Some nonstandard races are available as well.

Humans

Humans in the campaign should be cast in a heroic, Greek myth mold.

Human Tribes

Sarnothian
bronze skinned, hazel eyes, light brown wavy hair (Greek/Roman)
Zarians
mahogony skinned, dark eyes, strait black hair (Egyptian)
Orians
black skinned, dark eyes, curly hair, wide noses (central and southern African)
Mhorian
dusky skinned, dark eyes, wavy black hair that grays early (Persian)
Hyperborean
pale skin, gray eyes, strait blond hair (Norse)
Lomarian
pale skin, blue eyes, strait black hair (Gothic)
Leng
pale skin, gray slanted eyes, strait black hair (Mongel)
Nidayi
red/brown skinned, strait brown hair, hazel or brown eyes (Cherokee)
Cathayan
almond or sallow skin, black slanted eyes, strait black hair (Chinese)

Human Art & Music

Humans are verstile, and their music reflects it. Less concerned with subtle notes than the elves, or harmony like the gnomes, humans have rhythm.

Human Government & Politics

Humans organize on a bewildering large variety of systems from primitive family groups to widespread empires. Amonst the Arcadian League, the Republic is held to be the highest form of government.

Dwarves

Dwarves were created by the blood of the infant Hepaestus when he was thrown out of Olympus. The blood hit the stones of the mountaint itself and gave birth to the first dwarves. The dwarves heard the cry of Hepaestus and tended him. As Hepaestus grew, so too did the knowlege of the dwarves.

Dwarven Tribes
Western - Hill dwarves, industrious, practical, mercenary
Eastern - Mountain dwarves, zenophobic, traditionalist, decadent
Deep - Deep dwarves, mystical, anachronistic, tainted
Northern - Norse dwarves, honorable, fierce
Southern - rumored to exist in a mythical land called Punt, a land occasionally allied with the equally mythical Atlantis

Dwarven Art & Music

Dwarven music is done as solos, or very small groups with a definitive master. They make the most use of mechincal assitance in thier music - traditional dwarven instruments are the Hurdy-Gurdy (a hand cranked violin) and bellows powered organs. Dwarves prefer the familiar and well tested epics to improvisation. Dwarven music is mostly in low registers; dwarves dislike high pitches and like to feel their music as much as hear it.


Dwarven Government & Politics

Dwarven Justice

Elves

Created by the Protogenoi (first gods) to help build the worlds. Their duties complete, many were absorbed into back into magic while others stayed on.

Most Elves dwell in fairly barbaric tribal units in much of the known world. They are seen as frivolous and immature by the other races, weak and unmanly, cowardly fighters who resort to bows and disorganized tactics to hide their weakness. Their love for nature is seen as a bizarre fascination for shrubbery and disrespect for civilization. They are the epitome of what the Greeks always called "barbarian." Their preference for others of their own race, to the exclusion of others, gives even "civilized" elves an air of arrogance and haughtiness.

Traditionalist elves live in tribal groups and make no use of metal, glass or pottery. They are excellent at woodworking, using wood shaping magic and ironwood to create effect tools and weapons.

While elves are exceptionally long lived, they are also frail. They suffer from high infant mortality and are prone to disease. This helps reinforce Elven isolationism and tribalism. Entire elven tribes have been annihilated by a disease passed from their human or gnomish neighbors.

Elven Tribes

Unlike other races, elves of succeding generation mystically adapt to their surrounding natural environment. Over three generations, a green elf tribe in the desert would be in all respects yellow elves.

Gray Elves - Elves of Hlanth, the city of Enchantment. (Wizard)
Green Elves - Elves of the Jungles of Kled, Zar pennensula, and forests (Ranger)
Brown Elves - Elves of the plains and savanna (Barbarian)
Black Elves - Drow (Cleric)
Yellow Elves - Elves of the Desert (Barbarian)
White Elves - Arctic Elves & elves of high mountains (Druid)
Blue Elves - Aquatic Elves (Barbarian)

Elven Art & Music

Elven music is almost always done as solo's. The elven preferred instrument is a lute or other sting instrument, accompanied by the distinctive Elven voice. Their music is often too suble to non-elven hearing and tastes. It is more often played formally and at night - the better to focus on hearing rather than visuals. Elven music is a test of improvisation rather than recital.

Elven Government & Politics

Elven Justice

Elves never kill their kind, but shun them. While this seems a minor punishment by outsider standards, it must be remembered that elves live for centuries. Centuries of never hearing an elven voice or the touch of another elf is punishment indeed.


Gnomes

Legends say that they were from the world before, and somehow were carried or brought to this world. Other legends say they were created by Apollon from the enchanted gems of the crown of Chronos.

Gnomes live in the hilly areas across the world, though they are less common than dwarves. Many groups lead a nomadic life in the XX desert. Forest gnomes are extremely populous in Germania.

The people of the League see gnomes as pesky annoyances, never to be trusted. Besides that, they're short, they dig around in the dirt, and — for crying out loud — they talk to animals! On the other hand, they are notable craftsmen, like dwarves, and so they have at least the nominal economic respect of the League.

Gnome Tribes

Gnome Art & Music

Gnomes are natual bards. Other races may have great bards, epic performers, but only Gnomes have ever created the Symphony or the Opera. Gnome's tend to specialize in one instrument and seek out other Gnomes to perform. Gnomes also mix choral groups along with apparently unrelated tasks - a group of Gnomish teamsters all singing to the rythem of their horses is quite a sight and sound.

Gnomish Justice

Conveluted traditions codifed into laws.

Gnome Government & Politics

Democracy, Republic,


Halflings

Created by ?


Halflings of the lightfoot variety are found with some frequency in the fertile river regions of the Ooth-Nargai and the Oukranos.

Halfling Art & Music

Halfling performers resemble gnomish choral groups, but also have the unique halfling whistlers. Halflings make use of less complicated instruments such as flutes, records, and simple lutes.

Halfling Government & Politics

Democracy predominates


Orcs

The first mortal race, created by Titans.

Halfspawn Races

None of the halfspawn races is considered a sperate race. Typically, they have bear a heavy stigma for their dual racial heritage.


Half-elves

Half-Elves, of course, are not entirely uncommon, especially in urban areas. Halfelves bear a heavy stigma in human society, since they are seen as being "tainted" with elvish blood. They are halfbreeds, contaminated, cursed — true outsiders. However, there seems to be a certain mystique to halfelven women (who, undeniably, tend to be quite atractive), who are seen as exotic and therefore desirable.


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