Races
Races within the Rings
There are many races in the Rings of Meropis. Each has their own unique and distinct history.
Aarakocra
Isolated, soaring, and free, the Aarakocra tend to gather near the high spots on the Rings. They are legendary messengers with the ability to travel discretely across the continent.
Aasimar
Usually the children of Material Gods or their Saints, Aasimar are usually born with a distinct purpose. Many are aether souls from birth. However, sometimes they rebel against Purpose and fall.
Centaur
Most Centaurs are residents of the Primordial Ring. They tend to stick to their own cities where
they can easily travel and live. Most centaurs do not like the Prime Ring since it does not cater to
their unique physiology.
Changeling
It is said that Changelings are born of Sin and thus are hated across much of the Rings. Learned
people know this is entirely untrue. Changelings were born out of the chaos of the Primordial
Ring. That is where many of them reside to this day. However, those seeking fortune might
journey to the Prime Ring to become spies, thieves, or sellswords. Their names are usually
ethereal in nature. They drive at a feeling or emotion. Bloom, Sunset, Ripple, and many others
like these are good templates for a Changeling's "true name." However, they also usually adopt a
name based on the culture around them. A Changeling’s true name is sacred and only told to
those that the Changeling truly trusts.
18
Dragonborn
Dragonborn are rare on the continent of Ramesh. Most keep to the Draconic Kingdom for
purposes of safety and ease. The people of the continent are too energetic for most dragonborn.
They value the peace and slow moving lifestyle of their island. Yet, when the dragonborn do
leave, they are usually humanitarians. Dragonborn are great teachers, scholars, and academics.
Drow
These elves broke away long ago and decided to make their homes underground. The Drow at
one point in their history made a pact with Sin for protection. They have since broken the pact
but the damage is done. Drow are hated by many races. In recent years, the Drow have begun to
worship a new goddess, Lolth. She has begun to unite the Drow races against “the common foe.”
Dwarf
Most dwarves live in monasteries and protect gargantuan libraries dedicated to the gods.
Dwarves guard the knowledge, history, and magic of the gods. Kings and Queens routinely
summon elder dwarves to advise them. A common saying is “stone from stone” meaning that the
dwarves were made from the stone of the prime ring, are unchanging, and their word is as true as
the stone. Dwarves are seen as the gold standard of truth.
Elf
Elves are a shunned race. They are connected to low-magic naturally. Due to this and Sin’s
corruption of the low magic source, elves are seen as innately evil. Thus, they stick to the
outskirts of society or make their own society. Many live on the Dark Ring due to the distrust
and violence they suffer on the Prime and Primordial Rings.
Firbolg
Firbolg come from beyond the planet of Null. They say that the first Firbolg came from Bolg
Rem Sen, a lush paradise far away. Because of this, Firbolg culture is alien to many. The Firbolg
settled mostly on the Primordial Ring, due to its similarities to Bolg Rem Sen, and are rare on the
Prime Ring.
Genasi
Long ago, the Genasi ruled the Prime Ring as an empire. However, their civilization fell apart
and all Genasi went extinct. There are no known living Genasi. Once a powerful low magic user
attempted to wish the Genasi back into existence. The Lord of Mists came after the wish was
spoken and the mage was turned into an immortal tree made of flesh, crying out in agony,
evermore.
19
Gith
For thousands of years, according to their records, the Gith have traveled the universe in their
ships. They have hunted their ancient enemies, the Mind Flayers, in every corner of the known
universe. However, the Gith will hunt any dark beasts they come across.
Gnome
The Gnomes in the Rings are vicious. Known for their diabolical traps and cunning designs,
Gnomes are frequent members of the criminal underground or mercenary groups.
Goblinoids
It is thought that the Goblinoids are the original inhabitants of the Primordial Ring. They live in
great cities there where they specialize in the domestication of beasts. However, centuries ago, a
sect of goblinoids became isolated in the Prime Ring and became feral. Many scholars almost
regard these two goblin groups as two different species. It is unknown why the Prime Ring
goblins went feral.
Goliath
The mountain going Goliath are a docile people. They are usually shepherds and farmers in
mountainous areas on the Prime Ring. Their innate strength allows them to traverse sheer cliff
sides with ease.
Half-Elf
These bastard children are without community. They are shunned by non-elves due to their low
magic connection and shunned by elves due to them not being pure. Some half-elves can pass as
human and will hide their true nature at all costs, moving every couple of years so people don’t
question their lack of aging. Yet, inexplicably, half-elf aether souls appear to possess extremely
powerful torvians.
Halfling
Halflings are the thespians of the Rings. They are bards, actors, and poets. Many say the Creative
blessed their race due to a great deed long ago. There are theories that Purpose was once a mortal
halfling but these are just theories.
Half-Orc
Half-orcs are the union of humanoid and orcish blood. They are embraced by orcish city states
and usually rejected by non-orcish populations. This is silly to the orcs. They see half-orcs as the
next stage as orcish evolution and the key to future growth in the species.
20
Human
Humans are the keepers of the Prime Ring. It is said they were the first creatures to inhabit the
Prime Ring. They are adaptable and walk every path possible under the sun.
Kalashtar
Sometimes humans become connected to a greater consciousness. When this happens, their
physiology morphs and they become Kalashtar. A Kalashtar cannot reproduce with any other
creature other than a Kalashtar. They also, at some point in their lives, begin to age backwards.
Some Kalashtar have lived up to four-hundred years.
Kenku
This cursed race was scorned by Illusion long ago. Due to this, they lost their flight and voices.
Now, the Kenku can only repeat what they’ve heard.
Kobold
Most Kobolds reside in the Draconic Kingdom. However, they are known as the greatest
architects in the Rings. Many buildings, mines, and monuments were designed by Kobolds.
Leonin
The Leonin are from the dimension of Arborea. They are natives of the plane where they hunt to
their heart's content.
Lizardfolk
Lizardfolk are the original natives of the islands that make up the Draconic Kingdom. Every
year, they receive tribute from the Metallic Dragons. With these tributes, the Lizardfolk have
grown apathetic over decades. They are at their best lazy and at their worst hedonistic.
Loxodon
In the endless forests of the Primordial Ring, the Loxodon make their living as woodsmen. A
loxodon can chop down nine trees in the time a human can chop down one. Due to this, a
loxodon can always find work in the frontier of the Prime Ring.
Maldow
Maldow are Drow who have pledged themselves to Purpose. They have made it their mission to
grow beyond the failings of the Drow. Many Maldow have a strong guilt and can suffer from
severe self-esteem issues.
21
Mind Flayer
Mind Flayers are the unifying enemy across all Rings. They hunt anything with a brain. Their
monstrosities cause havoc and misery. According to the Gith, the Mindflayers enact this terror
across the stars. There are theories that Mindflayers have consumed nearly half of the universe’s
sentient life.
Minotaur
This powerful race was once present in vast numbers during the Gensai era. Then, during the fall
of the Genasi, most minotaur died. Now the race hangs on by a thread. A minotaur meeting
another minotaur is a rare event.
Nyx
Nyx are the original natives of the Dark Ring. Over the centuries, due to Mind Flayer attacks and
Prime Ring invaders, the Nyx have become warlike. Many will attack non-sabians on sight. They
worship the Lord of Mists fervently.
Orc
Orcs live in great fortress cities. They are isolationists and are years behind in terms of magic,
technology, and philosophy. However, an Orc city state is a sleeping giant. If awakened, they can
sweep across the land destroying anything in their path until they accomplish their goal. To an
orc, being direct is best. One great orc general sent one orc at a time against the walls of an
enemy castle until they achieved victory.
“Send another. They cannot stop us forever. Just as they cannot stop the rain. Eventually, our will
shall break their cowardice.”
-General Remadon Thark to a Dwarf monk documenting the battle
---
Satyr
The life of any party is usually a Satyr. They are lively beings of wild possibility. Satyrs hail
from the Primordial Ring where they have created “party cities.” Here the party never stops and
the good times seem to go on forever. There is danger in these places though. Many mortals who
enter never leave and die of dehydration, exhaustion, or “exertion.”
Simic Hybrid
These are the creations of low magic. Thus, due to their nature, the Simic Hybrid is given a wide
berth when encountered by someone who knows the truth of its origin. To others, they are simply
weird looking individuals.
Tabaxi
From deep in the jungles in the Dark Ring comes the tabaxi race. They are hunters. A tabaxi
hunts their foes for fun. Entire adventuring parties have been toyed with for weeks by a single
22
tabaxi before meeting a horrific end. However, the true terror begins when a tabaxi finds its way
onto the Prime Ring. Entire hamlets have turned up dead at dawn due to a single tabaxi hunter.
Tiefling
Tieflings are of Sin. It is from his touch that the tiefling race was born. Due to this, tieflings are
actively hunted. Most tieflings would not be harmed in daylight but in the night, the town guard
tends to look the other way if a group of concerned citizens show up at a tieflings door. This has
caused many tieflings to forsake civilization and flee toward the outer reaches of Ramesh.
Tortle
On the beaches of Ramesh you’ll find the tortles. They fish and sleep. No one, not even the Mind
Flayers, bother the innocent turtle. They are under the Primordial’s protection. Why? Well, the
truth is that nobody really knows.
Triton
These are the lords of the oceans. The Triton are the undisputed rulers of all that lies beneath the
waves. Some also say they have knowledge of what lies beyond the Glass Sea.
Vessel
Once in a generation, a High God might desire to assert their influence in the Rings of Meropis.
When this is done, a mortal is imbued with aether and is placed onto one of the Rings via a
natural disaster. This mortal has the ability to hear and comprehend the wishes of the High God
that created them.
Warforge (Vindicar)
Long ago, the great wizard Caerwyn created a legion of metal soldiers to help them fight Sin. In
a great betrayal, Sin convinced the Vindicar not to fight. Instead, the Vindicar entombed
themselves and waited for the world’s troubles to pass by them. But now the Vindicar begin to
awaken. Worse, their minds have broken down during their long sleep. These mad warriors now
enter an unrecognizable world.
Yuan-Ti
A Yuan-Ti was once another creature. Then, via a dark ritual given to mortals from Sin, a
creature can be transformed into a Yuan-Ti. When this is done, a creature’s inhibitions are
dissolved and their dark impulses grow.