FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

There are many races in the assembled lands, some even stretching far beyond Valora's boundaries. Many times, you'll see a wide variety of friendly faces, ranging from the flat-footed to the swift of wing. Each have their own story to tell, and a place that they call home.

Humans

"They have their claws, their wings, their toughened hides; but we will always have our wit and our resolve." -Ser Rowand D'Vatche of Hearthsfield

Humans are what most would consider the most average species. They're rather common along Valoran soil, and are the most active race among those that call the kingdom's borders home. They are a simple creature, nothing spectacular of note, save for their strength of will. It's what has empowered them to claim a center of power in the assembled lands, as the borders of the kingdom stretch far beyond the borders of their homeland.

The human kingdom is located in the Wanaro Highlands, most famously known for its fertile soil and rich agricultural heritage. Before the kingdom was forged, Wanaro was a humble farming country, lending to a popular slur against humans of "dirtbacks." It was only until the first king-to-be faced off against the first scourgespawn, Dalkra, and defeated her in battle, did the kingdom of Valora become established. Founded upon a single discipline, valor, hence its name, the first king grew the kingdom's borders to encompass its neighbors through peaceful delegation.

Their culture, much like themselves, has adapted over the centuries, taking in aspects of their neighbors and their traditions and integrating it into their own. In short, the human settlements are a sort of melting pot, a cultural hotspot in the heart of the kingdom. It's what's made the capitol of Sol a very well-desired tourist destination: you'll always see a little bit of everything whichever corner you pass. It almost never feels like the same place after a while; you might take a few wrong turns down the immediate alleyways, and feel like you've ended up in another city entirely.

In terms of anatomy, there's nothing about humans that we don't all already know: they're fleshy, lack natural weapons or defense, and the majority are very malleable and brittle. However, they make up for this with one incredible trait: their ability to adapt. This trait alone has cemented the humans as a force to be reckoned with; whatever may plague them, be it disease, misfortune, or even the threat of death itself, you can be certain that the "weakest" of the Valoran races is made to last.

Felinir

"Some think of us as remorseless, violent sociopaths, and those're the nicer opinions. Would I say the same? Well...yes. -Unknown

The Felinir species is the closest neighbor to the human settlements, hailing from the tropical habitats of the eastern forests. These lands consist dominantly of two seperate forests of considerable size: Arvio and Runa, named after the famous explorer couple, Arvio and Runa Fey, who cartographed the eastern lands beyond the Wanaro Highlands. However, most people don't count this as a discovery, per se (especially the Felinir,) as the lands were already inhabited by a sentient race.

Now, the culture of the Felinir is different depending upon whom you may ask. In the Arvio Forest, the one closest to Wanaro settlements, the Felinir share a very rooted tribal heritage, one that still holds sway today. Groups of them tend to form into something similar to a tribe, where a village chief is delegated, and the former chief, if any, passes down into the status of village elder. Everyone has a part in these tight-knit communities, and things go smoothly so long as everyone does their fair share. Some who lived in Arvio Forest whom have migrated to other lands, such as the human settlements, carry with them spiritual roots to where they once called home. Many take up the roles of artisans or other crafts, and are known to be hard workers.

As for Runa Forest, the Felinir who live there, while they are still very tribal, are much more militant. They hold a more sturdy, almost Amazonian society, where those in power are there through strength. This doesn't always translate to physical strength, mind you; there are many other factors that take part, such as their ability to lead, make wise judgments and tactical decisions, and overall further their kind to establishing themselves as a military juggernaut. What stops them from this goal is the tribes' inability to cooperate with one another on important political issues, which further hampers their military efforts. To this day, only the tribes of Arvio have representation in Valoran politics, as those of Runa refuse to be part of the kingdom, instead insisting on being known as their own independant land, with it coming the freedom of such. There are some few either brave or foolish enough to defy their Runan heritage, and migrate to other lands. These bold folks are known to be much more aggressive and fiercely loyal than their neighboring kinfolk, making for reliable mercenaries.

With as far as appearances go, Felinir come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Those from the mundane to the exotic can be seen amongst the routine lives of the humans in the Wanaro settlements, though many are known to migrate further still. They come equipped with claws and incredible, unrivaled dexterity, making them natural-born fighters, especially for those trained in Runa. Coming into conflict with one could result in more than just a couple scrapes and bruises.

Canis

"How funny that the savage beast holds the most earnest soul." -Alven Sire, Historian

Upon first encounter, the Canis were thought as wild beasts that inhabited the Frostspire Mountains directly north of Wanaro. While the latter is true, as they make their homes in the bitter climate, the former was far from true: the Canis were actually a well-organized collection of "packs," in a traditional sense. Regardless, this was before Valish became the common tongue of the land, and during this language barrier, the Wanarans hunted the Canis for sport, despite the kingdom's best efforts to dissuade this practice. Suffice to say, this was far from a good start to inter-special relations.

When initial confusion died down, the humans and the Canis came to an agreement out of a rather astonishing and, at the time, taboo event: a Wanaran farmer and a pack Beta becoming smitten with one another, even going so far as to become mates! The farmer, Kayla Dunnhurst, was reluctantly given access to the inner workings of a Canis pack, and what she saw astounded the historions of her time: an intricate and honorable society of hard-working, sentient beings.

Peace negotiations began, starting with translators from both native sides to help with the proceedings; these just so happening to be Kayla and the pack Beta, whose name in Valish translates to "North." The bloodsport of hunting Canis was deemed illegal throughout the lands, but this didn't stop some of the more determined poachers of the time. However, after the Canis packs started to embrace technology given to them by the kingdom, the poachers started to realize these "beasts" weren't as mindless as they first thought, and those who weren't tried and prosecuted were made an example of. While this did make peace talks a bit shaky, both sides understood the line between game hunting and murder that these poachers crossed, and recognized where the Valorans failed to stop the activity when it first began. To this day, the packs have not unanimously agreed to join with the kingdom, but are still strong allies and trade partners to Valora.

As mentioned before, Canis culture works in a very similar sense to how wolves or any creatures akin to such would operate in the wild: a series of packs with designated Alphas, whereas the Canis are much more advanced in this concept. Each pack has their own developed societies where everyone has a purpose, much like the Felinir. However, more strict rules were set in place that deemed their communites of a pack-like interest: the Alpha handles all political and domestic disputes with other packs, regardless of circumstance, and is the primary specimen allowed to breed in the pack. Betas are allowed to mate with either females the Alpha chooses not to breed, and females outside of the pack whom're unclaimed, so long as the Alpha deems consent. Regardless of these rules, however, there are always romances that may blossom between a Beta and an Alpha's breeding mate, which is rather common. However, due to the rules in place, should this ever come out, it incites severe consequences. These may depend upon the Alpha's attitude towards the action, but this generally entails between exile, imprisonment, or execution. However, these sentences can be avoided through one ancient tradition within all the Canis packs: dueling the Alpha.

Dueling an Alpha for his position is a serious challenge in Canis society. Unlike the Felinir of Runa forest, Canis Alphas are chosen through their dominant strength, earning the right to lead and mate whomever they wish. When a Beta challenges an Alpha, the stage is set for a battle usually among equals. Should the challenger lose, he is banished for defying the wisdom of the Alpha, no exceptions. However, should the Alpha lose, the Beta becomes the new Alpha by right, and can determine whether he should give pity upon the former Alpha. Despite the ferocity that the Canis may have in the terms of battling the Alpha, rarely does it ever escalate into one killing the other. This displays that, even as enemies, Canis are honorable fighters whom respect their peers, be it friend or foe, as equals. In fact, the Alphas, even in their high role, still respect their subjugates and one another, a reason why the packs convene with one another on serious matters.

Their anatomy is odd in the case that they're the one species that can breed with any other due to their natural virility. Because of their virility, Canis have another unique feature: their seed is so strong that whomever they breed with, the offspring is guaranteed to be full-blooded Canis. This racial trait has baffled races and Canis alike, as it completely goes against what they know of inter-racial breeding. The most intriguing thing about Canis mating is that if their mate is already pregnant with another child, their seed can override the fetus' race to be that of Canis, no matter how far into pregnancy the mate is. Because of this, it's impossible to see a half-Canis species in Valora's borders.

Avior

"Don't call it a magic trick. Magic tricks don't generally light you on fire...at least, the professional ones." -Gale, Scholar and Master Archeomancer

For years, scholars of all races have researched a mysterious force that lies within Terra itself, known colloquially as Archea, named after the ethereal realm. To this day, very few possess the skill to harness it. Those who can are known as Archeomancers, skillful magic-weavers that wield significant power. But of all the races, none are more skullful than the Avior.

The Avior is a flight-enabled race that makes its home atop the floating metropolis of Altos, kept aloft using Archea. The city, as a safety precaution, is constantly moving, with only the most trusted of outside races knowing its location at any point and time. Avior feel the draw of the Archea, almost like an internal compass, which allows them to return to Altos whenever they wish.

Avior are born with an innate gift at weaving the Archaic elements to their whim. Any race is capable of using Archea, but it's the Avior who are born with a much stronger affinity to it. While it starts off unrefined, those who practice this skill become powerful Archeomancers, to which Altos is home to many. Hatchlings are born to nests, and are cared over by an eggmaiden, or friend to the mother that helps her to lay and tend to the flock. Clutches generally go up to 3 at most, but it's been known for clutches to hold 4, 5, even up to 7 for the most fertile. Unlike other races, it's the mothers whom work and are the breadwinners to their families, while the males have a more home-centric role, keeping things stable and helping the eggmaiden however he can. This can be attributed to why powerful positions in Altos are headed by females.

It's not uncommon to see the denizens of Altos, or Aviors in general, craft stone-carved talismans known as signets. Signets are small, rounded stones that are carved with symbols infused with different aspects, or elements, of Archea. These aspects are generally based on the prime elements: Pyra, Agua, Gaia, and Wena. These aspects can be merged with one another and themselves to create different, more complex aspects. For example, Pyra and Gaia mixes to form Molta, just as a volcano mixes fire and rock to form magma. Signets infused with simple aspects hold very little power, but, in the hands of the skilled, can be used for extraordinary feats. Experts in the craft can create incredibly complex aspects, weaving together signets with unique and powerful attributes.

Altos holds its own council, represented by the most powerful and wise of Archeomancers, whom hold the honorary title of Justiciar. Justiciars hold considerable clout in Altos, and head all political disputes in the city. Those who wish to become Justiciars must show incredible affinity with Archeomancy, and pass a rigorous test exam by forging a pure signet. Pure signets are infinitely more difficult to create as opposed to their garden variety, stone-carved counterparts. Pure signets are created through the harnessing of raw, unadulterated Archea, creating signets with devestating power; some are even used to power Altos' powerful magics to keep it afloat. A pure signet takes time, patience, and great care to craft, but those who create one are considered Master Archeomancers, and are titled as Justiciars among their peers. Altos is one of the few cities to flat-out reject requests to join the Valoran kingdom, but are still considered reliable, albeit shaky, allies.

As like any other race, Aviors come in many different species, such as ravens, eagles, the list goes on. One particularly odd specie of the Avior race is that of the Gryphons. Gryphons are a modern marvel to most races, as they appear to be a mix of Felinir and Avior, which are known to be incapable of inter-racial breeding. Regardless, they exist, and show a weaker affinity to Archea than their native kin. However, they're also known to be much more intuitive and creative than their peers, which makes them a perfect fit as inventors.