The Awakened are those sentient races considered emergent, having risen from barbaric or Bestial origins. There is lengthy debate among scholars about whether certain races belong in this category. At one end of the discussion are the Eylfae, who by their own reckoning claim to have arrived at the World of Teréth End upon ships that crossed the Zarátam. Dekàlan scholars claim this is reason enough to classify the Eylfae as Perverse, rather than Awakened. Others claim that the Perverse category is more appropriate for the awful Gru and manifestations of the Nether. At the other end of this discussion are the Created Chaosborn and Ortor, which by many accounts are both barbaric and Bestial. There is growing support for the reclassification of all Created races as Perverse.
While these taxonomical debates continue, please use the established categories to learn more about the individual races.
Immortals
The term "immortal" is used here to define any race whose lifespan is far greater than that of the Uren. The criteria typically followed is that any race whose average lifespan is greater than 2x that of the average Uren, is considered Immortal.
- Bloodlings
- Dragul (e.g., Eastern, Northern, Old, Sea, Western)
- Dwürden (e.g., Fal, Flog, Mor, Nar, Skral)
- Eylfae (e.g., Anahla, Aqolahqba, Druul, Ichrae, Nehkrul, Solahra)
- Jotun (e.g., Felor, Havor, Ildor, Jar, Skorg, Tord)
- Jyar
Mortals
The term "mortal" refers to any race whose lifespan is 2x the average lifespan for Uren or less. Most Mortal races emerged after the first two Ages.
- Gnor (e.g., Dul, Kal, Yurdrul)
- Hôrk
- Ikitikirittik
- Ogdar (e.g., Dru, Fal, Grūmun, Jorn, Nyr)
- Sha'al (e.g., Alas, Dsara, Nul, Shadas)
- Uren
- Zultaya
Created
Created races are considered to have been manufactured through either magical or other unnatural methods of breeding. This is perhaps the most contentious sub-category, for many of the Created deny the classification. The only races that do not deny this grouping are the Chaosborn and the Werrid, who likely don't care. The classification of Ortor as Created is the most interesting revelation. This categorization was made by a Dwürden scholar presenting at the Hall of Silùruin in the late 7th century HK. The priests and scholars were much impressed with her presentation, enough so that the change was codified by the priests of Harúin following a battery of divinations. No details remain of the scholar's oration, only a mention in the Hall of Harúin that her words were true. Both Dwürden and Eylfae scholars have since refused to comment on the subject.
- Chaosborn (e.g., Droles, Skallog, Zrū)
- Craw (e.g., Bludur, Fetur, Nur)
- Ortor (e.g., Agâru, Bludzrū, Ergzrū, Murdrū)
- Phaeridou (e.g., Phaejin)
- Shul (e.g., Canada, Capru, Cathara, Cered, Eccayda, Felid, Serped)
- Urdar (e.g., Kurúrdar)
- Werrid (e.g., Gul, Sabral)
Hybrids
Cross-breeding with Mortals sometimes results in a viable Hybrid race. Almost without exception, Hybrid races are viewed skeptically. Commonly, the appearance of Hybrids is met with fear, hatred, and an outright desire for extermination. Hybrid races represent a closeness between species that invalidates much of what their progenitors value as unique. The Eylfae in general, are not pleased with the idea that their blood can be mixed with that of Mortal races. In practice, some hybridization cannot occur naturally and requires magical assistance to happen. This fact places the Hybrid races much closer to that of the Created than many would prefer.