Akthross is a medieval style world, inhabited by a number of races. These include Humans, Elves, Gnome, Dwarves, Askan and Tulkan as well as Ogres, Goblins and Xan. Each of these races was created by one of the Gods that discovered the world as described in the books prologue. Other races, present before the arrival of the Gods, also inhabit the land. Orcs, Trolls and Centaurs, and these are cleared from the main hospitable part of the continent, known as Akthross, to make way for the newcomers.
The story’s pre-history sees a rivalry build up between the Gods. This influence on the races forces a conflict between the Humans, Elves, Gnome, Dwarves, Askan and Tulkan on one side, with the Ogres, Goblins on the other. Hobgoblins are created as a slave race later and in secret by magically crossbreeding Ogres and Goblins. The result of this conflict sees the latter side driven out of Akthross, into the inhospitable lands where the Orcs, Trolls and Centaurs were forced to dwell centuries ago.
It is revealed early on in the story that the Xan vanished from Akthross at a time shortly after ‘The Final Announcement’ given by the Gods. They are not described in any detail and shall remain shrouded in mystery until the appropriate time.
The Askan and Tulkan are described as the Brother Race’s, being created by the same God, Morkiesh. They are a feline type humanoid, tribal and semi-nomadic. The two differ from each other in the colour of their fur and their traditions. Ogres’ aside, of all the God created Races, they are considered the strongest and fastest and posses a keen scenting ability making them excellent hunters and trackers. Their magic is shamanic in its nature and so limited to a few individuals in each tribe; they are an illiterate people who have no interest in the benefits of a civilised society.
All the Crafted Races share a common language, the one used by the Gods. The Orcs, Trolls and Centaurs each have their own. Most races are typical of what people will be familiar with, a few are less conventional. Goblins differ from tradition in that they are few in number and most are powerful Mages; the few that aren’t are deadly assassins.
Magic is only available to the Crafted Race’s, the Gods discover Akthross and create their Races; these first beings are known as the First Generation. They are immortals and are taught their magical skills by their Gods. Their children however, being born into a mortal world, age and die in the normal way, these descendants of the First Generation are born without an innate ability to wield magic. Magic can be learnt, given the opportunity and willingness to learn. The act of using magic is both physically and mentally exhausting and the extent to which magic can be used is determined by the strength and pureness of the individual’s blood. This threshold can be increased with practice and training. The exception to this is the Gnome’s, for them magic use is innate. The level of magic use is dependent on Race, with the Gnomes using magic constantly in their day to day life. Magic cannot defy the laws of nature because it’s drawn from nature and channelled through the God specific to the Race of the magic user. The act of using magic differs a little by Race and in general requires a paradoxical state of peace and concentration combined with something akin to prayer or meditation.
The Elves have their own woodland kingdom along the eastern coast of Akthross, the Dwarves a mountain stronghold in the centre. The Gnomes populate a hilly area to the west of the Dwarves. There are eleven human kingdoms spread between and around those first three. Ethania, Shodan, Tarn, Galan, Marl, Valan, Hetos, Degos, Ritos, Kedos and Parstan. These were mainly founded by First Generation as the human population expanded and far overtook that of other Races. The Askan live within Galan and Marl, and the Tulkan within Degos, Hetos and Parstan. These lands were originally settled by the Brother Races before the Human population grew, the Askan and Tulkan still have full autonomy and profess no claims to the lands they dwell in. Having a tribe of Askan or Tulkan live within your kingdom holds more advantages than disadvantages. Bandit problem for example are either non-existent, or very short lived.
The Orcs, Trolls and Centaurs; these Races existed before the arrival of the Gods and were cleared by them from the main part of Akthross, to a vast barren wilderness north of the Jagged Mountains. They are godless, evolved naturally and are effectively of a primitive ‘stone age’ people.
The Ogres and Goblins are bound together by a pact between their creators, although the Ogres hold sway in the balance of power, their God being the stronger. They created the Hobgoblins as a slave race through crossbreeding and the use of dark magic. When they were driven from Akthross in their turn, they looked for a place to settle and subdued the godless races in the wilderness as they went. For centuries, they have remained in the north, forgotten as a reality by the good races and remembered by humans only as stories of myth and legend.
Akthross Lore
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Originally Posted by Vaulkhar_Melkor
