Races of
Aranthia

06 - The blood covenant freeborn

Shy yet powerful beings, born of the dark blood of their demonic masters and the essence of betrayal, the Telrakhi were destined to be warlike slaves. They ultimately and unexpectedly gained their free will, and were left to fend for themselves. Their appearance varies greatly: horns, facial features, ears, and eyes take on a wide variety of colours and shapes, while their dark scars emit a black, terrifying mist that further underscores their demonic origins. They secretly established a civilization within the cave systems beneath Aranthia’s majestic mountain ranges. Their sophistication, intelligence, and ferocity gave rise to great warriors, mages, and assassins. Beginning as small tribes, Telrakhi society grew into the Blood Covenants—vast tribal structures that now administer entire metropolises beneath the peaks and field immense military forces. Though they became increasingly neutral after reaching the surface, their origins and ferocity led many covenants to take up arms beneath the banner of the Shadow Pact.

07 - The voices beneath the waves

Extraordinary creatures whose origins lie in the dark depths of the seas, the Xarandur are among Aranthia’s oldest humanoid species. They breathe both water and air, sustain themselves by consuming magical essence and life force, and communicate through telepathy. Their voices can even penetrate the minds of outsiders. Ancient culture, wisdom, and a natural affinity for the magical arts make the Xarandur among the most powerful and talented spellcasters in all of Aranthia. Once nomadic tribes, they were driven into the upper waters and eventually to the surface after a bitter battle against Shyurgurrak, the Lord of the Depths. There they established vast kingdoms over the seas. Having defended justice and unity in earlier eras, an ever-growing thirst for power took root within the royal houses. During the Age of the Shadow Wars, some of those great houses joined the Shadow Pact.

08 - Children of the wasteland

Descendants of a repulsive brood created through experiments on living beings, the Orcs are also known as Orx—named for their creator, Orxhala, an outcast witch and former princess of the Xarandur Aranthi tribe. Thousands of years ago, these monstrosities were used as instruments of vengeance in an invasion of the Aranthi lands. Their original homeland was Shadowburn Isle in the Southern Sea. Over millennia, however, they evolved into a distinct people, settling the lands of Yilthir after they had degenerated into desert and wasteland. Following the downfall of their mistress, the Orcs were forced to forge their own destiny. Their wild and uncontrollable nature, thirst for war and conquest, immense strength, and growing intellect made them fearsome warriors and talented necromancers. Marked by mistrust and hatred, they rarely ally with other peoples; the Age of Shadowfall ultimately led them to swear allegiance to the Shadow Pact.

09 - Blades of the Soul Shattering

The embodiment of the dark side of the betrayal of Aranthia’s firstborn elves, the dark elves are marked by deep red scars and fiery, glowing eyes. They shared the Light Elves’ fate and left Velenthir after the Soul Shattering, seeking a new home in Erathion. There they settled far south in the barren plains and mountain ranges of Moonfall Valley, built imposing cities and settlements, and adopted the name Selethien. Cunning and driven by immense willpower, they perfected dark arts such as blood magic and combined them with centuries-old swordsmanship and other combat techniques. The dark elves are considered the creators of the battle-mage disciplines; few beings in all Aranthia master magic and blade to such a degree. Alongside the Xarandur, they are regarded as a driving force behind the founding of the Shadow Pact.

10 - Scions of the Dragon Dominion

Created by the Dragon Gods to seize power over worldly affairs and emerge as the dominant people, the Drakari and the Elder Dragons were nevertheless unable to maintain their rule. With the Age of the Dragon Dominion, Aranthia’s last dark age came to an end. Weakened and ostracised for their deeds, the Drakari initially retreated to the far north of Dwenareth. Across the centuries of the Age of Enlightenment, however, they became increasingly accepted and mingled with other peoples. Known as exceptionally talented melee fighters, elemental mages, and armour smiths, they now attempt, under the banner of the Shadow Pact, to reignite the flames of conquest and dominance.