The most common of races and the only one found with any regularity within the Empire are Humans. They come in many shapes and sizes but do tend to follow a commonality through each of the five kingdoms. They occupy a vast empire that encapsulates the northern portion of a great continent. Rimmed by the Sea of Falling Stars to the east, north, and west, and a dense nearly impassible mountain range in the south the Empire was always thought of as secure from all attacks. It wasn't until the God Quelin shook the mountains that a deep crack formed and allowed the Jorith-Kai to flood into the domain of the Five Kingdoms.
Human adults stand anywhere from four and a half feet, to six feet in height, the males tending to be the larger and more physically strong of the race. Among the female population, it is considered 'beauty' to have long hair and a feminine shape, as such a well fed noble woman is far more attractive then a half starved whelp (though any extreme is frowned upon). Attractiveness in males is seen as physical prowess, skill in battle and most notably honor.
Within Human sociaty wealth and the display of status plays a dominant role in day to day life, ones goal if male would be to further your family's wealth, increase your honor and standing within the city and train for the war months to protect your people. For the women of the Human race, beauty, fashion and the family status all play roles in each day. It is also however not unheard of for some women to enter the military service of the city, though it is more a rarity then with the men. For the males of this race, war and combat is not only expected but almost manditory for ones honor, the only exceptions are those serving the priesthoods or special cases of handicap in previous wars.
A race of graceful and ethereal beings, the elves live in a far eastern land that can only be reached by boat across the sea of falling stars. The kingdom of the elves cares little for the fate of mankind and apart from the occasional trading excursion stays away from the five Kingdoms. From the Elves (who refer to their dominion as the Sylvan Lands) Humans have enjoyed finer fabrics, metals and other exotic wares that were previously unknown to them. A few daring souls crossed the sea of falling stars to apprentice with the elves, but it is unknown what if anything has become of them.
Many a sailor speaks of how the Elves can control the animals of the sea, and many think the people are bad luck or ill omens. It is not unheard of for sailors to deny passage to those who bare Elvin wares. Elves stand approximately the same height as humans but with a much slighter build. Their coloring tends to lean towards the fair, with blonds and pale ivory’s a commonality. It is rumored that many many years ago an elf ship struck ground on the rocks near the kingdom of Prease and the sailors were rescued by the women of a nearby village. These women were so struck by the elven beauty they left their husbands and joined with the elves… thus explaining why those of Prease have a striking resemblance to the elves coloration.
Since the invasions of the Jorith-Kai, the Elvin people have been seen less and less in the lands of Mirabilis. The few that remain to trade speak of their Queen's declaration that for safety they insure none of these wretched beasts cross the sea and so have placed most seafaring vessels on military patrol rather then trade delegations. This has caused the cost of the already rare elvin goods to skyrocket, if one has the connections though, these items can be found. All Elvin traders bare the mark of their merchants guild upon their left wrist. (a twining band of coral tattooed in the skin of a shocking green color.)
Typical trade with the Elves is : Ores, Silks, foodstuffs, spices, herbs, knowledge.
A fierce race of foul creatures bent solely on destruction of all things. 49 years ago the peace of the people shattered when their lands were over-run with the evil Jorith-Kai. Deemed to be of less than human intelligence they are naught more than monsters to be dispatched in the eyes of the citizenry of Mirabilis. Little else is known about these ferocious demons, as those who get close enough to report either wind up dead or enslaved. There is much debate as to their mental abilities concidering the ability to mentally enslave human, elf, and the Lodikar.
Standing nearly seven feet in height, and having to their advantage a full battery of natural weapons the Jorith-kai choose to go unfettered by any armor or weapons. Having reptilian like skin and a clear distaste for the colder months, the Jorith-Kai have entrenched themselves through the winter months back underground. Many have tried to strike in these periods of "hibernation" but have not returned. Thus the battles between man and Jorith-kai are always fought spring through fall, known as the warring season. There seems to be little or no distinction between male and female, but as no human or elf has ever dared to find out where they come from, it is not known if it is only male or female or both that people have seen.
Recently there have been reports of some Jorith-Kai with extreme head orniments which some think may be signs of rank. While it has not been made clear, the main generals of the Mirabilis Empire have targeted them as such. It is already known that a very few Jorith-kai are able to summon demon magics and they carry large staffs of bone and gristle. To be sure these foul beasts are a formitable enemy, and their secrecy and mystery only aid them in their terrors.
A race of small imp-like creatures that were enslaved by the Jorith-kai long before they were known to mankind. Not much is known of their history as they only arrived in the five kingdoms with their masters the Jorith-Kai. They are fairly innocent little beasts, and while many humans have attempted to free them from their enslavement they seem to be under some sort of mental control. Those that were taken in the first battles soon turned on their would-be rescuers killing and maiming many to return to the Jorith-Kai hordes.
Small, they stand approximately 2 to 3 feet in height and look thin enough to snap under any weight, but all this does not account for their extreme speed and strength. A group of fifteen if properly motivated can tunnel through a mountain in less than two turns of the moon! This is likely why the Jorith-Kai enslaved them. In recent battles there have been five Lodikar captured by Mirabilis forces, instead of attempting to 'free' these slaves of the enemy they are being held within Mirabilis itself rumor has it, with the most trusted of the Holy seat working on unknown things to get information from these small beasts. This of course is only conjecture as no one close to the holy seat has said any such thing aloud… even in the baths…
