Ardean:
The Kingdom of Ardea is very diverse-- home to dwarves, elves, orcs, and, of course, humans. Even the humans of Ardea are diverse in appearance and culture, arriving on the shores of Aetheral from all corners of the world. It is difficult to identify an exact human-Ardean culture, although pride in what it means to be Ardean culture usually involves a pride in diversity and overcoming great odds.

Dorboroughian:
Dorboroughians hail from the badlands of Norenia. After years of warring against the orcs, in an unrelated cataclysmic event involving the corrupt orc Zulga, the Norenian orcs monolith was destroyed. Thus, the orcs of Norenia fled, with no monolith to gather under-- at last, Norenia was left open to long-desired human domination. Thus, the fair-complexioned Norenians take pride in their history and resilience despite the brutal conditions of the badlands. Notably, Dorboroughians are quite xenophobic due to their wartorn history and the isolationist nature of their kingdom.

Dwarves hail from all corners of the world, living in several secluded, underground kingdoms, cavern shanties, and highland forests. In Aetheral, there is no known dwarven kingdom, though the dwarves do have a presence. A clan of rich merchants hailing from a faraway land have come to the Kingdom of Ardea, secured a position on the council, and run a very lucrative trade operation with the outside world.



Dwarves are stout creatures, whose girth makes up for their short size of three to five feet. Dwarves hailing from the grand underground kingdoms are typically fair featured, though in the deeper levels of the caverns, the dwarves can take on a dark skin tone mirroring the darkness of their caverns. Despite any cultural or physical differences, all dwarves seem to sport a long beard.

Aetheral’s diverse landscape has attracted all of the races, and the Elves are certainly no exception. High Elves are often privileged with nobility (often being born into it) and arcane research positions, as this human Kingdom does not fear magic as some others do. Drow are often residents of Ardea’s run-down Dusktowne district, and genuinely seem to prefer it to living within the city's walls-- Some even seem to take pride in it. Drow who prefer to live amongst themselves came to settle Aetheral’s caverns and swamps. Many tribal Woodelves believe the continent to the heart of the world. It’s landscape is so diverse that they feel it must be intentional, crafted by Saria as a place where all the people of the realm may live together in harmony. Those tribes have settled around it’s expansive forests and are generally less based on traditions than their predecessors, welcoming the diversity of the other races and sharing the art of Druidism. The Wood Elves who are less connected to the earth often live alongside humans, being farmers, hunters, apothecaries, and the like.

High Elves:
Proficient in both magic and commerce, these Elves are the category perhaps most present in cities and Kingdoms. The first of the subraces to weave themselves into Human society, now commonly reaching knighthood, noblestatus, academics, and so forth. Elitism runs rampant in their attitude towards the Elven variations, thinking themselves superior. High Elves are the tallest of the Elven subraces. Their flesh tones, hair color, and eye color reflecting that of humans, but often can be more saturated.

Wood Elves:
The Elves said to most closely resemble the Ancient Ones, most Wood Elves remained in their Saria’s lush forests.They center their lifestyle around her mission: to nourish and love the earth just as it does to us. They accomplish this with the art of Druidism, a humble magic that serves the land. Many of the Wood Elves remain in their forest tribes, distinguishable by their elaborate body tattoos and hide clothing. Thought by now, just as many live integrating into other societies. Unlike their High Elven brothers, Wood Elves are typically commoners, farmers, hunters, and the like. Their flesh and hair tones reflect that of nature: dark and earthy. When a Wood Elf hails from a tribe, they are likely given tattoos when they come of age.

Dark Elves (Drow):
Certainly the most elusive of the Elves, researchers know very little about their history. After the schism they were said to have been disgusted with the realm and feared magic.Therefore, they receded into the underground where they formed civilizations in it’s massive caverns. They intentionally made labyrinthian to ward off the curious. After centuries of lonesomeness the Drow began to integrate into some Dwarven societies, feeling they understood their perspective. Present day, many Drow still opt to live in secluded caverns or have settled small villages in swamps. Many also live in cities, often as commoners if not impoverished due to prejudice but in place by High Elves. The Drow’s features represent their devoid environment-- Flesh being grayish blues, eyes bright and glazed over, and hair sapped of color.

Dark Crystalline stone stands rooted in the ground, shouting the power that the Spirit World holds over the Mortal Realm. At first the Orcs did not see the importance of these monoliths but, over time, were able to tap into the network of stones bred deep within and around the mortal realm. Now, anywhere there is a monolith, an orcish tribe can be found. Orcs’ appearances vary by the environment in which they live.



Orcs in Aetheral:
The secluded orcs of the jungle follow their Matriarchal Gazer. Their society holds death close to their hearts-- everything they do is in preparation, or perhaps celebration, of their end. Compared to most Orcs, they truly despise the unnatural things of this world. Their houses are not built of the stone of the earth, but rather the roots that are energized by the spiritual world beyond.

These sickly green, sometimes brown, humanoids stand typically around seven feet tall. Their bone structure is rigid, pulling their posture forward into a hunch, causing their matted black hair to hang over their bodies. Dark colored birthmarks appear all over a jungle orc’s body, randing from lighter shades of green to charcoal blacks.


Non-Tribal Orcs:
There also exist orcs in Aetheral that have chosen a different path in life than their brothers and sisters, rather than making their home within the tribe, they find themselves within the diverse kingdom of Ardea. Represented by the orcish councilman of the kingdom, these orcs dress and act as humans would, living a non-tribal lifestyle.

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