Heroic
Adventures

The Races of Heroic Adventures

The world of Heroic Adventures is filled with villages, kingdoms, and empires of many different races that are either seeking to maintain or expand their various civilizations. Ancient races like elves and dwarves are either forging new paths in a world dominated my humans or seeking to maintain their ancient legacies. Humans are ever expanding into the unknown, building cities and empires. Everyone faces the constant threat of orcs, goblins, and various forces of darkness.

Human

The humans of Heroic Adventures are explorers, builders, and warriors. Some expand into lands unknown and live in remote villages. These folk push the boundaries of civilization. They often cultivate the earth and subdue it to their basic needs of food and shelter. Other's discover ancient secrets that might be left behind by the ancient races such as the elves and dwarves. They incorporate the knowledge of anyone they come into contact with and warp it to their needs. Still more will construct mighty cities with towers reaching the skies and walls that are imposing even upon the most aggressive of foes.

In all of their endeavors, humans tends to come into conflict with others. Other humans often, but also other races such as elves and dwarves, who do not share in the passions and ambitions of the humans. More than this, their are much more terrifying forces at work than the mere misaligned goals of the civilized. Orcs might always be amassing over the next mountain range or beyond the next forest. Goblins are ever on the move and harassing the edges of civilization. More than this, forces of darkness are always seeking to corrupt, gain power, and unleash destruction at the most opportune time.

Elf

The Elves of Heroic Adventurers are in some places have a diverse and often sad history. In eons past they built grand empires spanning the various continents of the world. Their empires crumbled however in a series of terrible calamites, mostly brought about by their ancient enemy, Zeerzashra: the spider queen. Some elves withdrew into more remote regions, still guarded by the parts of their powerful magic that was unaffected by the War of the Dead. These are the High Elves, rare to see, powerful in war after years of conflict, and quick to judge those that they deem as lesser.

Others departed the elven lands. These were elves that descended from the Betrayers or who came into conflict with the Elven Lords of the Realm. These traveled on. Ghosts of the forest, wanderers of the world. These are the Wood Elves. Rarely stopping in one place long. They have gained the skills of the wild.

Over the centuries some of the wandering elves consolidated into small communities. These are the Grey Elves. Neither high and noble nor wild and mysterious. They are closest in temperament and lifestyle to the humans, who value them for their abilities with magic and their ancient knowledge. Over time Grey Elves have rekindled and even exceed, on an individual level, the magical abilities of their High Elves ancestors.

Some of the Grey Elves have intermingled with human societies to such a degree that they have even given one another in marriage, forming lasting connections between the communities. Whether this leads to peace or conflict depends on the village or region. These Half Elves live in a split world. Ever connected to their elven past but feeling the urges of the human spirit to explore, expand, and build.

Dwarf

The Dwarves of Heroic Adventures are as diverse as any. Some are warriors and conquerors. These dwarves rarely find peace with human societies. Their lifestyle and customs are largely unknown to outsiders. Other dwarves however are natural allies of humans, who face largely the same enemies and dangers. These dwarves are often intermingled with human society, while still maintaining their own political hierarchies, separate family residences, and social practices. Dwarves often buid subterranean cities under human cities that are just as large and complex if not more so. However, due to the fact that it is rare for dwarves to have children, often the sell the habitations to gnomes, halflings, and humans.

Dwarves, generally speaking, are tough and strong. When their mind is set it is hard to diswade them from their chosen course of action. They are also resilient to magic, a skill developed in the ancient days after long conflicts with the elves. In those ancient days they developed a counter-magic that is based on runes and symbols, and any dwarf can pick up this magic with dedicated training.

Gnome

The gnomes of Heroic Adventures have lived side by side with the dwarves for time immemorial. Being the lesser race in terms of both stature and number, the gnomes rarely have political clout within the community. However, they have skills with metal, producing equipment that exceeds the craft of any other race and intricate trinkets with complexity that baffles even the greatest human engineers.

Gnomes can be furious in combat. While not as strong as a dwarf they well exceed halflings, who in appearance they are most similar to. Gnomes, as often as dwarves or humans, can engage in warfare. However, like everything else, gnomes are almost never found acting alone but almost always following the leadership of dwarves.

Halfling

Halflings do not maintain records of their own history, and so what is known about their history is largely because of the humans that have welcomed them into their own communities and kingdoms. Halflings seems to be just about everywhere, with consistent habits and customs. This includes their propensity to cultivate the land, live at peace with civilized races, provide goods and services in the markets, and providing inns as a rest stop for travelers.

Wherever there are human villages and cities, it is common for halflings to build smaller settlements nearby. This seems to be a way to live within the protection of the humans, who often provide this protection in exchange for the benefits the halflings provide to the human communities. This includes food, local knowledge of the land, and artisan items and equipment.

Some halflings do feel the call to adventure. They find joy in exploring the natural beauty of wild lands. When faced with combat, they are quite elusive and often take advantage of stealth, surprise, and exploiting weakness.