The world of Iiosia is populated with a great variety of people, beasts, and monsters. From the shambling hordes of restless, the war-loving ghreal, warped ferian, wicked harpies, fabled dragons, the magical atia or the disgusting 'blood-toad', Iiosia has creatures and races the details of which are found within these pages.
The High Races are those who have formed civilisations and cultures of their own. They have developed beyond the pure needs of survival, and construct elaborate dwellings and constructions, created culture, trade and, yes, hostilities between themselves and one another. The High Races have had the greatest impact on the development of Iiosia, and thus they are most frequently referred to within the world's lore and histories
Atia are a race of frail humanoids who are attuned to the arcs of magic (shown right). In ages passed the atia were stargazers, and explorers of the world. They worshipped the pantheon which is still revered to this day, and mapped out the shores of the world before the events of the Sundering. They initiated the events which led to the Sundering, and the cracking of the world, due to their inquisitiveness about the Black Arc. In the centuries that followed, they became a shattered and nomadic race, and one which aided the development of humans, particularly in Oun.
The children of the Dark Arc, the ghreal (shown left) are the manifestation of mankind and that corrupting form of magic. They are a skeletal, frightening race, whose gaunt frames belie their physical and mental fortitude. Twisted by the Black Arc, they are driven by the desire to control and dominate both other races, and each other.
The grellkin are a race of gigantic, metal-working people who have a high resistance to fire and a low tolerance to nonsense. A direct and gruff people, the grellkin of Xakara do not possess the keen intellect of the other High Races, but have an honesty and purity that is perhaps lacking in the others. The grellkin have a natural aversion to the sun, and will be turned to stone by it if caught in its rays without being in possession of their Sunstone.
Children of The Stone, the dwarves are a stout, hearty race who are as quick to laughter as they are to anger. Their empire, and much of their population, was largely destroyed with the Sundering, and the dwarves have never regained their former strength. They value friendship, honour, and song. Some would describe them as crude and bawdy, yet others would say they are stoic and humourless. Whatever their manner, their reputations as fierce, resilient fighters goes unchallenged.
Humans are the most widespread race on Iiosia. They came to flourish after the events of the Sundering, when the empires of the tar'tchii, atia and dwarves either declined or vanished entirely. Humans are highly adaptable, quick to learn, and intuitive, and so have flourished, forming three unique counties of their own; Oun, Rune, and Orondor.
One of the Ghreal
A Grellkin
A Human knight of Rune
Somewhere the relatively sophisticated dealings of the High Races, and the animalistic nature of the Beasts, Demi-races possess the ability to reason and understand, but due to a lack of intelligence, physical limitations, or natural behaviours, they are unable to form complex societies of their own, nor form them with others. As such, demi-races are found in primitive tribes, or possibly mingle within the settlements of the High Races, where their unique attributes may be of some benefit to them.
Thought to have been plentiful in ages gone by, these half human, half horse people are a rare sight upon modern-day Iiosia. They are a people who love wine, fighting, and adultery - traits which otherwise taint their reputation as powerful fighters.
Magicial, forest-dwelling folk who are at best mischievous and at worst spiteful. They are hunted for their affinity to the magical Arcs, though are an elusive and mysterious race because of this.
A race of cave-dwelling humanoids who have uniquely adapted to life within the craggy islands and rough seas of Nethicka. An erratic, and cruel race of people, they worship an alien rock which lies at the centre of their hostile homeland.
The fabled race of dragons has not been seen nor heard of in over a thousand years. Though rumours persist as to their sightings, many accept that their race has long since ended, with some races ever doubting they had existed at all
The strange lands of the north have changed those who live there. Humans began to take on animalistic traits, whereas dwarves turned into the wicked, evasive halflings.
Once the jewels of the sky, the tar'tchii were the purest of all beings. That was until they were betrayed by the atia in the events of the Sundering, and turned into vicious, warped monsters who are burned by the light of the sun.
One of the tar'tchii, before The Sundering
Across Iisoia, monsters lurk in dark caverns, dwell in deep forests, roam barren plains, and perch on high cliff faces. Almost exclusively, they are thinking of their next meal, and will attempt to devour anyone who ventures into their territory.
A giant Maloudai
A Harpy
An Ormadon
A vile, bloated, toad-like creature which is drawn to carrion
Solitary giant people who make their homes in mountains and rocky terrain
The “warriors of the forest”, Dryads live deep within the woodland of Iiosia and guard the Fea who live there
Gigantic winged beasts, half eagle and half lion, which are a highly sought prise for hunters.
Large, carniverous dogs which lurk the night in search of easy prey.
A winged race of women, preying on those who come near their mountainous home (shown right)
A relic from centuries ago, when the atia used to bind mindless human bodies to their will.
Large humanoids who live within forests, famed for their great strength and appetites.
Races of aquatic people who live within swamps and shorelines... and love human flesh.
Gigantic, warped versions of the natural species, weiving webs as strong as iron and harnessing the most powerful poisons on the
planet.
Parasitic oozes which lure people into its grasp with visions of desirable objects or situations
Massive reptiles who spend much of their lives totally motionless. They use their rock-like appearance to surprise their prey.
A freakishly large rodent with several heads.
Cat-like creatures, large than horses and with armoured skulls. Tempting mounts for those foolish enough to attempt to train them
Plants that emit spores through the air, controlling the minds of any who breath them in. Thankfully very rare.
Large lizards who dwell in volcanic areas and deep caves.
Creatures of evil magic, manifested upon the face of Iiosia to wreak harm, death, and destruction. Demons are the most chaotic entity on the planet, and come in a myriad of forms. Some are almost mindless, driven mad by the need to inflict cruelty and suffering. Others are masters of magic, capable of commanding sorcerous powers humans mages could never hope to achieve. Others still are armour plated, or possess great strength, or staggering speed. Whatever their attribute, demons are a terrible race of beings, brought about by Dark magic and intent on destroying all they come across.
A Succubea
Demonic servants, more entities than physical beings, which deliver messages of dread, terrifying and haunting the dreams of the living (shown right)
Bizarre, four legged, four armed creatures with tusks and tough hides.
Large, fast, armoured killing machines, substituting hands for long, serrated blades.
A female demon who will attempt to beguile males before killing them.
The mindless lackeys and main foot soldiers of demon hosts, ulthin are the most numerous of all demons.
One of the Ulthin
The undead are a collective term used for those concerned with the Dark magical aspect of Necromancy – the power over death. From macabre wizards conducting bizarre experiments on the dead, to the shambolic Restless, foul ghouls, the undead are an unnatural blight which is largely found within the north of Iiosia.
The remains of the dwarves who still haunt their holds after they were destroyed during The Sundering. Dwarfs that are slain by chill
become one themselves, but strangely this does not affect other races.
Foul, savage creatures who feast upon the remains of the undead.
Mages who have transcended death to become one of the most powerful wizards on Iioisa. The aspiration of many Necromancers
Mages who study death, controlling and warming its powers to their own ends
Shambling hordes of the dead, totally mindless and unable to function without a necromancer or lich to direct them.
Born through an unholy union of necromantic and demonic influences, vampires suck the blood of the living, shun the sun, and posses fantastic physical and supernatural powers.
A Lich
