Magical Beings of the Realm

~* Ra'azac:

> Ancient beings, by many thought extinct. Recently however, several ra'azacs have been spotted in quite the same area, which is always troubling. Not much is known about their mating habits, reproduction and habits. They can't usually be caught alive and they few to which that happened have killed themselves. The killed specimens (again, not many) have allowed for a minimum biological study. They all look quite the same: they are approximately the size of a goose, but only their strong wings are feathered with dull black feathers. Their beak is strong, steel-like and filled with sharp teeth and fangs. Their backs and necks are covered with black scales and their abdomens with partially interlaced rings, such as the chitinous armour of kitchen bugs, but on a larger scale and obviously more resistant. Their strong legs end in four fingers with sharp claws, as strong as their beaks. Their eyes are huge compared to their heads, portruding and multi-faceted like insect eyes.

> They have night vision that is as good as their sight at day and are fast flyers as well as runners. Their armour of scales and rings offers an almost complete protection. If hit in their eyes, they take after the smell, which makes their most vulnerable spot the neck, at the place where the scales grow smaller and the rings don't grow yet. Even for that, you'd need good, preferably enchanted weapons and of course the opportunity of a precise strike. Killing them through magic is extremely difficult, if not even impossible, since they have a high degree of resilience, bordering on magic immunity.

> Ra'azacs strike ferociously, preferably with their claws to procure food. They eat any kind of meat. When they taste blood or when they encounter resistance, they enter a bloodlusty rage and kill blindly, for pleasure. Then they also use they fangs, inject a rather slow but lethal poison, which they also use to kill themselves in captivity.

> There are rumours that several persons have attempted and succeeded in communicating with ra'azacs and hiring their 'services'. Presuming the rumours are true, the rituals of calling, the means of communication and especially the pay provided for such services is a well guarded secret about which little is known and much is speculated.

> As recomended to any voracious magical being, outside normal human powers: stay out of its way...

~* The elven race:

> Most people know how elves look like: tall and lean, pointy ears, preferably long hair and with beautiful features... some even radiating a beauty out of this world. It is said that the Elves were the first sentient beings to walk this world, which explains their wisdom and calm nature, as well as their deep love for everything living. As such, they manifest an often odd gentleness with the creatures of the world. They are usually slow to anger, but if roused, few can stand in their way. Because of their deep bond with nature, they are unparalled spellcasters as far as the Magic of Nature is concerned and have also mastered some of the areas connected with that.

> They are immune to sleep, drifting in a state that many describe as daydreaming, remaining alert at all that surround them but resting their minds, which cures them of tiredness. Elves do not know old age as other sentient beings of the realm. They just grow wiser in the ways of the world. Their lifespans reach centuries and they are not likely to die of old age. In a way, they are immortal, though they can be killed by spells and weapons. Their long lives make them take a different view on things, sometimes taking ages to make up their minds to act one way or another, though they can also be resolute and act swiftly when needed. What they perceive as need in the greater scheme of things might however not coincide with the needs of other races that have been blessed with a shorter life and less worries about the fate of the world.

> Many elves become Rangers or Druids, dedicated to the protection of nature, or talented Healers. As far as weapons are concerned, they have a preference for bows of all sorts and generally weapons that require quickness and dexterity rather then strength. In melee, they usually use long slender blades. Ancient Elven empired had troups of so called Blade Dancers, wielding two deadly blades in combat, that they used in stunningly fast attacks. Still many others dedicate themselves to crafts and arts. Some of the innate enchantment of their race passes on to everything they create, be it songs, weapons, sculptures or musical instruments - they are all forged with love.

> The so called High Elves have built true cities in deep forests, bending the growth of trees to their will and have forged kingdoms and empired throughout the ages. They have a rather rigid society, with a hierarchy of leaders and formal schools and its members dedicated to the prosperity of their nation. The Wild Elves prefer small communities and the pursuit of individual goals rather than the forging of empires. They are more likely to take to becoming Bards and Rangers and are more prone to wanderlust. If you encounter Elves in cities of other races, they are more likely to be Wild Elves gone adventuring or following a plan of their own, than one of the haughtier and more separatist High Elves. A race apart are the Drow or Dark Elves, dwellers of caves and labyrinths underground.

> Throughout the ages, elves have mixed with various other races, human or non-human. A feature all of their offspring inherit is prolonged life and a certain native talent for magic, as well as a grace apart. These crossbreads are usually interesting individuals, though they are often looked down upon by pure blood High Elves, who consider their blood tainted. Apart from that, they may inherit a variety of features or skills from their Elven parent, creating interesting and sometimes contradictory mixes with the other half of their inheritance. It is thus easy for them to be caught between two worlds, not belonging completely to any... or to carve out a special place for themselves, making used of combined talents, depending on the individual.

> Many leser species see the elven kind amongst the races most powerfull in arts and dreaded in battles... and for a good reason too.

archer/ranger

druid

bard

half-elves

~* Felix'Kasha

> Is a race of felines: larger cats, able to walk on two legs. Felix'Kashas have a pretty weird look, though. Their face has obvious feline characteristics and they possess claws at the end of all paws (the upper two are finger shaped and he lower ones are adapted to walking). They also have a long cat tail, pointy ears and unusual long fur on their head, which looks like normal human hair. Females tend to take care of it better, while males usually have something more like a horse mane. Their definite special look is the fact that they have 6 hands, not just 2. Three one one side, and three on another - thus making their torso longer and the chest, a bit wider. Males are much more stronger than females (and better build) but both of them have a considerable physical force, nonetheless. Their body has soft fur, not easy visible like a normal cat one, which is usually blue (different hues, females are brighter).

> Felix'Kashas fight with incredible dexterity with all 6 arms, caring even from 4 to 6 swords (males are better at fighting). However, they are good at magic wielding too, since they are Water-related beings. The end of their 8 paws is Ice enchanted, making them magically cold, so cold, that they leave icy traces behind them - and touching these white-glowing, very cold areas cools anything almost to instand freezing. A soft, chilling steam can be easily seen emanating from these dangerous areas. Moreover, their blades are also enchanted with Ice and they know a fine variety of Water-based spells (Ice, for attacking and Healing, for support casting). Females usually make good spell-caster, while possessing a good ability to defend with their weapons - few sorcerers know to wield magic and might so good together. As such, they can be found with Water lovers and other Water-based spell casters, in alliance, and not subordination. However, they can do several errands for the worthy...

> Some other books (especially dark-related) also presented undead variants of the Felix'Kasha. This is however, a sight specific to the darker areas of the realm. But apparently, undead Felix'Kashas get an ill blue, with no shine colour, and their very cold, white areas, transform to death-freezing black steam-aspect (in the possible picture, excepting the absence of the other 4 hands). But nobody has yet seen an undead Felix'Kasha, this being just a possible concept.

> Felix'Kashas are not to be trifled with... dead or alive.