Races

Although there are more races that exist on Aestros, only four main races are playable in this role play, not including Halflings. Please read the following to decide which race best suits your playstyle! Also, if you would like to play as a Halfling, please send a message to the moderators, either through this site or via discord.

Halflings

Halflings are the offspring of parents of two differing races or subraces. They inherit aspects of both parents, for better or worse. Lifespans vary depending on the parents, but you can decipher that by finding the average of the two (i.e. Torran-Goliath Halfling, 70+250 /2 =160 estimated lifespan.

Torrans

Torrans are the Aestros equivalent of Humans. They are very well rounded, and have the potential to be whatever they want to be. Torrans are well known for their versatility, however commonly have extreme difficulty practicing magic. They are easily swayed by their emotions, often leading to Torran civilizations being the cause of many wars. Torrans make up most of the Aestros population.

Appearance

Torrans are often described as "The people of the land"; this is because many of their features reflect things that come from the ground. Torran hair colours vary from blonde, to brown, to red, to black, and can be curly, straight, or anything in-between. Most often, Torran eye colours are shades of brown, but can also be variants of blue, and rarely green. Colours of the flesh vary from a very pale peach to a dark, near black brown, and they can develop freckles, moles, and other skin details that humans from our earth might have. Average height for Torrans is 4-6 feet tall. Average weight is 80-200 pounds. Average lifespan is 60-80 years.

Fashion

Torran fashion is usually simple, with woolen cloths, tanned leathers, and treated animal pelts. Usually, Torran garments are rugged and practical, while only the more wealthy have any kind of "higher fashion". Higher fashion is more similar to what you would expect in between the anglo-saxxon to the tudor era; big, poofy dresses and a penchant for layers of elaborate cloths.

Relations

Torrans get along with all races except the Qua'si. They often butt heads with the pride of Qua'si, which has also been the cause of many wars between the two races. There is a long-term hatred between the two, so it is rare to see any Torasi (the offspring of a Qua'si and Torran).

Otherwise, it isn't uncommon to see Halflings of many races amongst the Torrans. On the off-chance a Torasi were to come into existence, the Torran parent is more likely to accept them than the Qua'Si parent.

Qua'Si

Qua'Si are an elegant and prideful species, often misinterpreted as supremacist for their extreme viewpoints. Qua'Si hold nature in high regard; this is because Qua'Si have subspecies based on various elements. The most common Qua'Si subspecies is the earth qua'si, whom have been nicknamed by other peoples as "wood-si", or "Qua'Si of the woods". All Qua'Si, however, hold their heads high and their shoulders back, and honor the ancient gods of Aestros that symbolize nature. While magic runs through their blood, their abilities are still weaker than a magi. Often, it is more common that a Qua'Si can commune with its element, rather than manipulate it.

Qua'Si Intermingling is not uncommon, so halflings among Qua'Si, or Qua'Si with mixed bloodlines, are not unheard of. Keep in mind that Qua'Si find huge differences between themselves despite this.

General Background

Earth Qua'Si...

live on land masses, typically in communities deep within forests. These Qua'Si have the deepest history of animosity with Torrans, however recently small groups of younger generation Qua'Si have been moving out into neutral communities. A new voice in the community is spreading the idea of forgiveness, causing more Earth Qua'Si to choose to live out in a more varied society.

Air Qua'Si...

live on floating islands in the south, and do not interact much with other societies. They prefer a life of solitude, and typically only confer with others of the Qua'Si race. Their islands are near the tip of a tall, treacherous mountain. Wingless Qua'Si typically rely on large flying beasts or small airships to descend the mountain to the land below, should the need to do so arise.

Water Qua'Si...

are the most friendly and curious. They enjoy spreading joy and mischief, yet do not stray far from the safety of their clans without great prompting. Water Qua'Si live mostly on beaches, or islands close to shore. It is also not uncommon to find water Qua'Si villages in murky marshes.

Fire Qua'Si...

live on islands along the equator, where the sun brings warmth all year long. They live in tribes, and can have mindsets that differ immensely; one tribe might welcome visitors of other races to spread their culture, while another might guard their secrets visciously behind pointed walls and snarling teeth. Their islands are unique to many spices, and the more refined tribes have even discovered a way to produce silk.

Dark Qua'Si...

have no particular home, and are seen as outcasts by most other Qua'Si. They are believed to be cursed, rumored to be the offspring of an evil god and a goddess of nature from long ago. If Dark Qua'Si stay near each other for too long, they begin to feel ill and weak, eventually leading to insurmounting pain; this is suspected to be part of the supposed curse. Being as such, Dark Qua'Si are rare and do not often have offspring.

However, when Darklings, the name of a young Dark Qua'Si, are born, because of the curse they cannot stay with their parents. Often, Darklings are left at the doorstep of another family with naught but a trinket from their parent and the crest on their back. From there, the Darkling might be accepted, passed on, or fed to the wolves as a mercy. Sometimes a Dark Qua'Si might have non Dark friends, Qua'Si or no, and will entrust their offspring to the family.

Light Qua'Si... (Off-Limits)

are a rare people, and hardly seen. Some speculate that they are only spirits of the dead, because they are often claimed to be witnessed in long abandoned ancient ruins.

Appearance

All Qua'Si rarely develop freckles, moles, or anything else that might be considered an impurity, but it is possible. Their ears are typically long and pointed upwards, and they have excellent hearing and eyesight. All Qua'Si are typically taller than humans, average height being 5-7 feet. Average weight is 75-150 pounds, and average age is 150-200 years. They age in early stages much like humans, reaching maturity around 20, however they stagnate for a long time before showing signs of age again, at around 80 and onward.

Earth-

Skin is commonly a light brown or tan, but can also be pale. Hair is shades of blonde, brunette, and even green. Eyes range from a light hazel to a deep blue, and can also be a lush green. Hair texture is typically straight, but can be wildly curly. Long hair is a symbol of virtue to Earth Qua'Si, so many, male and female, wear their hair long.

Air-

Typically fair skinned, but may also have shades of light brown. Hair is almost always a very light blonde, but only has variations of blonde. Hair texture can be straight or slightly wavy, and is not worn in any particular way. Eye colours are typically bright yellow, green, or blue, but can sometimes be grey and even a pale purple. Very rarely, some Air Qua'si can be born with wings that allow them to fly. These wings vary from that of an insect to those of a bird.

Water-

Skin can be light as sand to dark as mud. Hair is usually wavy, sometimes being heavily curled. Hair colour is commonly black, but varies in different shades of blue as well. Usually hair is worn loose, but sometimes is decorated in braids with small shells. Eye shades vary from browns to all shades of blue. Water Qua'Si may sometimes form gills on their necks, or finned fingers/toes that help them swim faster.

Fire-

Skin is typically darker shades of brown. Hair is often warm coloured, vibrant shades of red and orange are common alongside blonde. Black hair is possible, but more rare. Hair texture is often curly or wavy, hardly being straight. Eye colours range from electric yellow and crimson red to vibrant green and piercing black. Fire Qua'Si are resistant to flame, and do not feel its pain for quite some time while exposed to it; yet, Fire Qua'Si have immense difficulty in cold environments

Dark-

Skin can be light grey to near black. Hair is usually a dark blue or pitch black, and straight. Eyes are typically nearly white or variations of grey. They also have canines and fangs that are pointed, like an animals.

Light (Off-Limits)-

Skin is pale, near white. Eyes are pale blue, green, purple, and gold. Hair is variations of blonde, white, or other pastel colours, and can grow in any texture.

Halflings-

A halfling with one parent of quasi is likely to inherit the parent's affinity toward their nature aspect.

Qua'Si Halflings-

Typically Inherit aspects from both parents. This can range from physical appearance to the affinity to the element of one, but it is highly uncommon that a Qua'Si halfling inherits the affinities from both parents.

Fashion

Fashion for each subspecies of Qua'si varies, but I will try to give a vague outline for each element. Please feel free to use your imagination to fill in the blanks!

Earth-

Typically tight-fitting garments. Vests and high collars are common. Women and men both wear pants, skirts are reserved for high ranking Qua'Si in each tribe, again regardless of gender. Typical colours are variants of grey, white, brown, and green.

Air-

Very little, and light clothing in pale colours. It is not considered shameful to bare flesh, so many Qua'Si of the air element often have no tops (Including women). However, when dealing with other societies, they usually will don some sort of top, often form fitting. Feathers are a popular hair accessory.

Water-

While in their own communities, water elves wear outfits quite similar to today's swimsuits. On land, however, they cover up with simple robes. Shells are a popular accessory, as jewelry, in hair, or as extra pieces of clothing or armour.

Fire-

As they are more tribal, fire Qua'Si tend to wear simple leather or silk garments and decorate themselves with tattoos and jewelry.

Dark-

Dark Qua'Si typically adorn themselves with whatever the fashion of those around them is in an attempt to easily blend in. They also mark their bloodline by tattooing a simple family crest on their backs at birth.

Light (Off-Limits)-

Typically seen without any clothes at all, the few occasions they are seen.

Relations

Qua'Si do not get along well with Torrans, Earth Qua'Si having the biggest issue with the people of the land out of all others. Dark Qua'Si are looked down on by all other Qua'Si, but openly accepted by other races, especially Goliath. Qua'Si generally enjoy the company of Magi, often considering the smaller humanoids as little siblings.

Magi

Magi are named for their unusual connection to magic. While mages exist as a profession or class, Magi are a race of humanoids whom are directly connected to the Mana Tree, the source of all magic. All Magi have weak constitutions, and 1 out of 5 Magi children do not survive birth. Magi do not typically live in their own communities, instead relying on the stability of other communities to support themselves. However, there are tales of hidden villages out in nature in which dwell the healthiest Magi ever seen.

Appearance

Magi are rather short, average height being 3-5 feet. Their weak constitutions make them fairly light, average weight being 50-100 pounds, and average age is the same as Torrans, 60-80 years. Their diminutive size and pointed ears are alike to that of the faefolk of tales of old--and Torrans sometimes mistaken them as such, keeping the stories alive. Their ears are pointed, however they are shorter and lower than that of a Qua'Si's ear. Skin varies in different shades of the earth, and their eyes have been seen as nearly every colour; eye colour does not seem to be hereditary for Magi. Hair texture varies widely, while hair colour is only variants of grey, from white to black.

Magi age slowly, reaching adulthood at around 30 years. When they pass, it is usually because the body begins to collapse on itself, however the magi still remains eerily youthful in its last days, almost as if this isn't their natural age to die...

Fashion

Because Magi do not have their own societies, they tend to wear whatever the fashion of the people they live with wear. Magi do typically have pierced ears, however, with simple stone-embedded silver earrings. These earrings are rumoured to help balance the Magi's chakra, which helps them survive.

Magi Halflings-

Halflings with a Magi parent have a heightened ability for magic, but also take the weak constitution of their Magi parent. It is difficult for them to complete physical work. Also, they cannot live longer than 80 years, regardless of their other parent. The same way all Magi die will claim the Halfling in the end.

Relations

In order to keep their species alive, Magi have developed very friendly personalities. Magi are typically people-pleasers, and are very determined to befriend everyone they meet. They have no quarrel with anyone, except maybe the enemies of their friends- even then, Magi try to avoid conflict as often as possible.

Goliath

Goliath are known as the people of the mountain, and are incredibly strong and tough. They live deep in the mountains and make a living off of mining ores and gems, and forging high quality armour and weapons. Many Goliaths go out in search of better quarries, and it is a rather common dream for Goliaths to go out and find a mountain to call their own, and start a family there. Goliath have no ability to produce and manipulate magic, no matter how hard they try.

Appearance

Goliath were named that by other races for their large stature. They are very tall, average height being 6-8, and are usually very stocky and muscular. Because of their builds, average weight varies from 150 to even 500 pounds. Their skin resembles stone itself, both for its dark grey colour as well as its unusual toughness. Eyes are milky, but colours vary from purple, to blue, to white, to black. Hair is thick and wiry, but usually straight. Hair is worn based on personal preference. Typically, average lifespan is 250 years. They age slowly, reaching adulthood at around 45 years. They do not begin to deteriorate until they are around 200 years, during which they begin to wrinkle and form cracks in their skin.

Fashion

Goliath do not get cold easily so most of their clothing is made from wool, linen, or cotton. Every Goliath has a tattoo that represents some sort of act that shapes who they are. Jewelry is uncommon, and wealth is reflected in the quality of the wool or leather they wear.

Relation

Goliath have no enemies, and are a very neutral people. They do not hold grudges against one person for what another has done, and tend to take everything at face value. Of all the races, Magi and Fire Qua'Si have the greatest bond with Goliath, being well suited to the tasks Goliaths surround themselves with. Magi have a knack for minor enchantments on forged goods, while Goliath typically are the sole producers of the stones Magi rely on. Fire Qua'Si, despite being islanders, will sometimes make the trip to the Goliath to live among them instead, for varying reasons.

Goliath Halflings-

Goliath Halflings will inherit some of the dark, stone skin of the parent, but it may not necessarily be all over the body. They are also likely to inherit the strength of their Goliath parent, even if it is not immediately decipherable. However, a Goliath-Magi Halfling will never be born. The magic of the Magi will not bond properly with the Goliath's gene, and it will only produce a stillborn.