Races of Ahuin

Elves

Before the era of the 10 Kingdoms, Elves were the dominant race in Ahuin. Many of the older cities still prominently feature Elven architecture. Since the end of The Landing wars Elves have been relegated to third class status. They live among the Humans but most live in abject poverty due to restrictive laws, racist bias, and lingering hostility to their kind. Most Elves that live in main cities are relegated to ghettos where crime, disease, and other depredations are common. There are rumors that some Elves still live according to the old ways in the interior of the continent in hidden enclaves but perhaps that is just the wishful thinking of an oppressed minority.

Dwarves

During The Calming Dwarves lived as part of Elven society but were not able to hold property or public office. During the Human conquest most of the dwarven clans joined with the Human invaders. Since the end of the wars the Dwarves have enjoyed a reversal of their fortunes and now live as equals in the new order. Their facility for industry and invention has raised them up and given them position and influence in the Ten Kingdoms. The largest clans wield considerable economic power and even have representatives in some of the Human royal courts. They have created steam powered and clockwork devices that work much the same as many magical tools. Newer generations of Dwarves are discovering a new-found facility for martial traditions and many are now finding ways to combine their old traditions with the new.

Tieflings

Tieflings were unknown on Ahuin before the arrival of the Humans and are still rare in the Imperium. During The Colonization Wars the king of Girony ordered his court magician to explore diablery as a path to increase his army's power. The result of those experiments were the Tieflings and some hold that their were the secret weapon that won the wars against the Elves. Legend holds that the King ordered that his family act as the fodder for the earliest conversions and many Tieflings today claim royal blood in their heritage. Few can actually prove any such ties though since by law they are not allowed to inherit land or title. These legends are given some credence since each new generation of the noble families of most kingdoms still give birth to Tiefling children without either parent showing the signs of outsider blood. Many people consider it bad luck to meet the gaze of a Tiefling but in some lower class areas it is considered a sign of bravery to tug on the tail of one.

Halflings

When Humans came to Ahuin the Halflings largely stayed out of the conflict preferring to wait it out as a neutral party. When the fighting was over they neither lost nor gained status as a result of their pragmatism. Many Elves still resent them for their choice and the Dwarves scoff at them for not taking the opportunity to improve their lot. Most Halflings are content in knowing that they are not oppressed and are able to live comfortable lives.

Half Elves

Half Elves have feet in two worlds but gain little benefit from either. Humans view them as akin to bastard children. Elves view them as impure and resent their Human heritage. Some Half Elves work twice as hard as everyone else to prove that they are worthy of respect. Others view the disdain for their mixed heritage as an opportunity to live up to the worst expectations of everyone. The latter group make up the backbone of most criminal enterprises.

Half Orcs & Orcs

Ahuin has never lived under the threat of humanoid raids unlike other parts of the world. The Orcs and Half Orcs came across the oceans with the Humans during the arrival. As such, most people living there do not hold Half Orcs in disdain. Half Orcs make up the backbone of most Human standing armies and heavy labor forces and have earned a respected place in society for that. Most citizens hold Half Orcs in better esteem than Elves and Half Elves.

Gnomes

Gnomes largely dwell in the deepest sylvan settings on Ahuin. They shun civilized areas and some lean toward xenophobia. It is extremely rare to see Gnomes participating in Human society except on the fringes to trade goods or knowledge. Gnomes are the masters of arcane studies with an affinity for illusions. They enjoy using illusion magic to play pranks on each others and to discourage outsiders from entering their territory. Rumors are that the deep forests are a filled with Gnomes consorting with monstrous elemental beings and vile Elven rebels.

Dragonborn

Most Dragonborn are not native to Ahuin itself but hail from the nearby island of Drakemund. No one really knows the origins of their species but every one knows that they are dangerous barbarians. The Dragonborn clans raid the Northern kingdoms of the Imperium and in those areas the arrival of any Dragonborn is cause for alarm. Dragonborn tend toward primal pursuits and very few have any formal education. Those that live within the Imperium are usually outcast from their own lands and have found an uneasy home within the Imperium.

Goblins

Tribes of Goblin slave soldiers and servants arrived at Ahuin as part of the Human diaspora. During the ensuing war with the Elves and colonization they won their freedom by providing invaluable service to their masters. In doing so Goblins earned the hatred of the Elves by seeking out hidden Elven enclaves, assassinating their leaders, and watching the dark places where Humans could not see. Other clans gained their freedom by working their way up from the least enviable beuarocratic niches in the growing Human Imperium. Their hard work and dedication to their status in society is somewhat undercut but the commonality of sayings like, 'There's a Goblin in the works.

Kobalds

Kobalds have been living on Ahuin since long before the Humans arrived. No one can say for sure if they are native or not though. It is a commonly held, if unsubstantiated, rumor that they are cousins of the Dragonborn or Drakemund who fled that home. The Koblads were no allies of the Elves though and stayed apart from the war until it was clear the Humans would win. Toward the waning years of the war the Kobalds joined the Humans in an effort to gain some position of power in the Empire to come. To this day there are several Kobald tribes that own vast wealth due to ancient mineral rights granted to them. They are known to be canny traders, proficient miners, and fiercely territorial of their clan holdings.