Pentalithic Ramblings

Humans may be the dominant species on Pentalithia’s Earth, but they are widely varied. In addition to all the human variations that exist in the real world, there are other significant subraces: the elves, the dwarves, the goblins, and the nymphs.

Nymphs

The most significant (and divergent) human subrace is the nymphs, or naiads. They have developed gills and a thin webbing between their fingers, and typically live on lake floors, keeping out of the way of land-dwelling humans. They have not lost their ability to breathe air, however. Nymphs can breathe salt water as well as fresh, though the salt may irritate them a little until they get used to it. Nymphs originally evolved in saltwater.

Appearance

A nymph looks much like a human at first glance, though they tend to avoid clothing for the most part. The main differences are the gills around the neck, and the webbing between their fingers. Additionally, many nymphs have pale green hair, though plenty have brown or black hair as well. Red hair is rare amongst nymphs, having originated on the opposite side of the continent. Blonde hair is also uncommon, though not as uncommon as red.

Life Cycle

A nymph’s life cycle is roughly identical to any other human’s. Infants are born without functioning gills, though despite this they usually emerge underwater, usually in the shallows; the umbilical cord sustains them until they are able to surface and take their first breath. Their average life span may be a little shorter.

Diet

Nymphs living in lakes, as most of them do, primarily eat fish and lake weeds, though they may occasionally hunt small birds and mammals along the shore if there is a shortage of fish. Of course, a nymph who has left its society and integrated into some other human culture would not necessarily retain this diet.

Powers/Abilities

Nymphs have no supernatural powers, but they are innate swimmers and can easily beat an untrained swimmer of any other human race.

Society and Culture

Modern day nymphs live in a handful of lakes scattered through Russia, Scandinavia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. Most of these lakes are members of a union called the Nereidic Confederacy, which works as a sort of nation, keeping its citizens out of reach of the land-based nations and the Ministry of Magic. There are also nymphs in the Great Lakes of North America, who form a more coherent nation. As speech is next to impossible underwater, nymphs have their own sign language that they use to communicate. Most also learn a spoken language, typically whatever is spoken by other humans near their lake.

Brief History

The nymph subrace plays a major role in ancient history, as it was nymphs who discovered the isle of Eidan and founded the kingdom of Mu. Thus, they were the first human race to achieve civilization. Mu eventually expanded into an empire stretching across most of the globe, which may explain why they are so widespread now.

Elves

Appearance

The only way to distinguish an elf from a Caucasian is the pointy ears. The point is subtle enough to miss, not the highly pronounced taper of some fantasy elves; the Vulcans from Star Trek are a good approximation.

Life Cycle

An elf’s life cycle is pretty much the same as any other human’s. They may live a little longer on average.

Diet

While as a whole an elf’s diet is much the same as any other human’s, vegetarianism is quite common.

Powers/Abilities

Elves tend to have sharper senses than the average human; they can see more clearly, hear better, and even have a more sensitive nose. However, not every elf possesses all (or even any) of these traits.

Society and Culture

Modern day elves are split into two kingdoms. The Alpine elves live deep beneath the earth in the European Alps, in caves that have been altered to provide them with a surface-like natural environment, even going so far as to channel sunlight into the cave. The Himalayan elves also live in similar caves deep beneath the Himalayas, particularly Mount Everest. Although the caves are deep beneath the surface, they are still mostly above sea level. Elves have their own language, commonly known as Elvish to outsiders though the elves themselves have their own name for it. The Alpine and Himalayan elves speak the same language, though they each have distinctive dialects.

Brief History

Elves did not always live underground. They used to roam throughout Europe, Turkey, Iran, and the Indian subcontinent. They were primarily woodsmen then, living in small communities nestled in the depths of vast forests. However, the encroachment of civilization on the forested areas eventually led them to migrate towards higher, less inhabited areas, namely the Alps and Himalayas. Eventually, they discovered the underground caverns they now live in and decided to terraform them to their liking.

Dwarves

Appearance

Dwarves are, on average, shorter and stockier than the average Caucasian. Many dwarves never exceed a height of four feet, the average being a litle higher than that; it is exceedingly rare to meet a dwarf taller than five feet. The other main difference is that dwarf women grow facial hair just like the men.

Life Cycle

A dwarf’s life cycle is pretty much the same as any other human’s.

Diet

Dwarves tend to have a liking for the meat of lizards and rats, as the caverns they inhabit are infested with unusually large specimens of both. This is supplemented by a myriad of vegetables, fruits, and grains.

Powers/Abilities

Dwarves typically have exceptionally good hearing. This is an adaptation for their subterranean nature, and allows them to effectively see by the echoes of their footsteps even in the absence of any light. Of course, if they need to move quietly, they will not be able to take advantage of this to the same extent.

Society and Culture

Dwarves live in caverns deep underground, deeper than those of the elves. They are divided into several states, sprawled across the globe from Scotland all the way to Turkey, but the states are united under a single king. Dwarves have their own language, commonly known as Dwarvish to outsiders though the dwarves themselves have their own name for it.

Brief History

It isn’t entirely clear where the dwarf subrace originated, but most modern scholars believe they started on the island of Flores in Indonesia, then migrated northwest, interbreeding with taller humans along the way. However, little evidence of this has been found, so it’s still possible that there is no connection between the dwarves and the Flores Man.

Goblins

Appearance

Goblins are as short as dwarves, but not as stocky. In addition, they have elf-like ears and overly large, pointy noses.

Life Cycle

A goblin’s life cycle is pretty much the same as any other human’s. They may have a slightly shorter average lifespan.

Diet

Goblins have a similar diet to dwarves, although they typically have a greater preference for meat than dwarves do.

Powers/Abilities

Goblins don’t really have any special abilities as a race?

Society and Culture

Like dwarves, goblins live in underground caverns, but they tend to stay to shallower caverns and they are not as widespread as the dwarves. Goblins have their own language, commonly known as Goblinese to outsiders though the goblins themselves have their own name for it.

Brief History

Perhaps due to a long history of conflict with goblins, less is known of their origin than that of the other human subraces. Some argue that the Picts were goblins, though there is only circumstantial evidence of this. Others argue that they must be a result of breeding between dwarves and elves. No-one really knows for sure, yet.