The mains
races
In this section, I will introduce the main races. I will not provide any information about the Chorredas and Attaveks so as not to spoil the events of the 1st book.
I will also not introduce interracial people on this page, as it would be unnecessarily long. To learn more about their customs, check out the blog posts on the home page!
Feel free to browse through the menu to find the section that interests you!
(As the interactive menu is not available on mobile devices, here is the order in which my races are presented:
Light Elves
Shadow Elves
Dwarves
Nomegats
Fairies
Orcs
Iquas
Rokaths)
Light Elves
These peaceful beings are incredible healers who grow wheat, barley, and medicinal plants on their land. Their diets vary from town to town, but they are usually vegetarian or vegan.
Their dwellings are often huge trees created by their goddess, with enough rooms to accommodate each family. The village of Fyrupana-Ra is the only exception; it has handmade houses. This group rejects modern technology in order to live in harmony with nature according to traditional customs.
The Light Elves of Kovan and Zovan differ in many ways, including their appearance and culture. On the first continent, they have light skin and dark hair, but on the second continent, they have dark skin and light hair. However, there are a few places where these traits are mixed on both continents.
When it comes to politics, they are the mediators and negotiators. Thanks to them, many conflicts have been avoided and concessions have been made in the past. They attend every diplomatic meeting to maintain peace, even though there hasn't been a Doven in centuries. However, the peace they work to maintain is only driven by pride. They do not hesitate to pull strings behind the scenes, lie, and scheme to achieve it. This can result in unpunished injustices that infuriate others.
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They enjoy making jewelry for their hair to honor their deity. An earring with a faceted diamond, called a Milia, indicates marital status. If worn on the left ear, the individual still lives with their parents. If worn on the right ear, the individual is married and lives with their partner. Long tube beads separate the diamond from the ring, representing the number of children or siblings. After marriage, the Milia representing siblings is hung at the entrance of the house as a blessing and for protection.
The villagers seduce their partners with their beautifully decorated hair, which is their main distinguishing feature. Villagers gather for every meal, demonstrating unity. They are so loyal to each other that they can hide their members' worst secrets from outsiders.
Every morning, they kneel with their foreheads touching the ground and pray to Fyzi to maintain their relationship with her. They let animals roam freely through their village but drive away the larger ones if they threaten their homes or crops.
Shadow Elves:
The Shadow Elves are devoted to the survival of their race, no matter the cost. They are very secretive and superstitious, which creates major global tensions. They are neo-vegetarians who add fish to dishes composed of various vegetables.
What distinguishes them most is not their varied appearances from one continent to another, as with their cousins, but their eyes. Unable to see in daylight, they have adopted a nocturnal lifestyle. Those who live in diverse cities during the day wear special glasses made by the Nomegats.
In Kovan, they build their dwellings in a spiral pattern around trees using their own hands and the help of Fysi. They connect these dwellings with bridges and large wooden walkways, which they have built over time using branches and trees that they have patiently bent over the course of decades. Wooden lanterns containing luminescent crystals gently light the paths, bathing the city in an enchanting glow that harmonizes with the surrounding wildlife. Unlike their cousins who worship the sun and its natural red satellite, Krazon, the religious symbols depicted on their doors feature the phases of the moons.
In Zovan, large stone cities are built by hand, which is a disturbing contrast to their Mother Goddess. The most remote villages remain in harmony with Fysi, while those close to the capital are much more modern.
Being a good storyteller and having well-groomed, decorated hair are essential for finding a partner. Their Milia is a gauge plug worn in their earlobes. Only the left one is a tunnel. The Milia representing love turns white during marriage, blue if divorced, and black if the partner has died. Divorced individuals can never remarry.
If they start a new relationship with someone, people call them Philimàn, a name with negative connotations. They are accepted in their country but frowned upon. Their Milia(jewelry representing marital/family status) bears a red painted cross. Lying is not an option because the truth always comes to light. Liars who are discovered are treated like outcasts and are forbidden from leaving the city. If they do, word spreads from city to city, ensuring they are not welcome anywhere in the country.
Zovan people have large beads that decorate thick strands of hair in a single color that often matches their eyes. Most Shadow Elves have dark skin and light hair, which is often very curly. In contrast, their Zovan counterparts have white skin and dark hair decorated with gold or silver. However, due to ethnic diversity and different generations, it is possible to see a variety of appearances among them.
They are fine poets and great storytellers who enjoy gathering at nightfall to share stories about the world and their clans.
They pray to Fyzi by kneeling around the oldest tree in their town or village with their families, joining hands and murmuring prayers. They are pious and superstitious beings who devote their entire existence to the gods. Respecting the gods is one of their most important traditions, and it is not to be disregarded when setting foot on their land.
Dwarves:
The dwarves of Kovan are infamous for their bad temper and lack of tact. Because of this, they are widely disliked except for their ability to work in the mines. Nonetheless, the other Imelians continue to trade with them in order to obtain the precious stones that only they can mine.
Omnivorous and greedy, the kovanian dwarves tend to hunt for pleasure and regularly come into conflict with their neighbors. However, those from Zovan are calmer and act as mediators for their continent. This is why the eponymous dwarf city of Dovena, where the world councils were held, has a library that stores the Dovens' records.
Their cities are made entirely of stone to prevent fires and to honor the spirit of the mountains, whom they revere as much as Kruvo, the god of materials. They mainly use wood to make furniture, doors, shutters, and transport crates. Like the Nomegats, they surround their cities with gigantic ramparts to protect their people from the karapots and their neighbors.
On Kovan, they are closed-minded with highly questionable practices. This mindset stifles social progress by excluding those who have remarried or have illegitimate children. They also exhibit significant racism.
Consequently, many dwarves find themselves outside the mining towns, conducting business in other cities to escape the pressure of their homeland while still working for their people. These outcasts feel an irrepressible need to prove their worth to their homeland, which unfortunately will never accept them.
Love also beats in their hearts. Each continent has its own customs about it. In Kovan, life partners meet through clashes between two individuals. Many couples meet in taverns, where alcohol, music, and bawdy songs create a surprisingly welcoming atmosphere.
Zovan culture is a blend of influences from the Fairies, a matriarchal people, and the Rokaths of Morwean, creating a kaleidoscope of colors and customs. They are less vindictive but just as determined and know when to take up arms to defend themselves or maintain peace on the continent.
The appearance of their beards is the ultimate standard of beauty and seduction. They may also bring a stone from Morwean as a token of commitment, demonstrating their readiness to face life's challenges together.
The dwarves gather in a chapel once a week to pray at the altar of Kruvo, but they can also go there whenever they wish. Weddings are also held here. According to tradition, one of the spouses is thrown into the crowd by the other, and whoever catches them becomes the best man or maid of honor.
Nomegats:
Their energy and exuberance can be overwhelming at times. As Imely's official scientists, the Nomegats are innovators driving technological progress. Despite being omnivorous, they are reasonable and take only what they need. They cultivate the land and care for their livestock. They have four fingers instead of five and bear the symbol of Ekryv, the god of energy, on their foreheads.
Like the Dwarves, the Nomegats have large, fortified cities with cannons and other energy weapons on their ramparts to defend against any type of attack. These weapons are designed primarily to repel or stun; they only kill in cases of dire necessity. Construction hangars in the centers of their cities are the most imposing structures, and some serve as inns for lost travelers. The clearly visible machines and gears attract many imelians, who are warmly welcomed. At least in Kovan. However, zovanian Nomegats have shown deep hostility and discord among their own people for a long time.
These people are busy studying and creating crazy inventions, so they have little interest in politics. They would rather follow the majority than suggest new ideas. However, they agree to participate in meetings if a conflict threatens to impede their research. They get along with the dwarves by winning them over with alcohol refined by their machines. This collaboration enables them to more easily obtain materials from the dwarves' mines. Each time the latter dies, a karta is chosen to maintain the pretense of order and the vain hope of having a new Doven.
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Their ability to manipulate different types of energy gives them the ability to create batteries for their machines. Therefore, a group of Nomegats is present in all cities with this technology to power the machines directly on site.
Cities organize invention festivals every year. The largest and most extravagant festival takes place in Ekodjova-Nyan. These celebrations are also a place to meet people and find a partner.
The more creative a Nomegat is, the more likely they are to be liked. Their craziness is even seen as attractive. A woman blew up her house while trying to build a remote-controlled vehicle. She'll be married within a week!
They thank their gods for each of their inventions. They pray to the gods for the materials needed to build their inventions and for their machines to work properly.
Fairy:
They are all born females, however whether or not they identify as such depend on the individual. The philosophy of the kovanian fairies differs from that of zovanian fairies. On Kovan, fairies are considered idealistic and passive, while on Zovan, they are seasoned warriors who are feared by their opponents and are often the first to take up arms. Unlike other peoples, the fairies of these two continents do not consider themselves to be two different groups. They treat each other with the same respect they would show a family member.
In Kovan, each city is built on a giant tree called Phillyn, which means "protector" in the language of the fairies. The fairies live in miniature form in clusters of giant flowers that grow on the mother tree. The golden sap visible on their surface is also present in the Phillyn. Small rock extensions covered with moss and other vegetation on which flowers grow are scattered at the foot of the Phillyn and are often gathering places. Plant roots connect the entire city to the tree, enabling the fairies to communicate with each other and with the Phillyn simply by touching the bark or walls of their homes. When night falls, the phosphorescence of the magic-born flora illuminates all corners of Siflan.
Their culture focuses different things like celebrations, games, dancing, music, or singing. For this reason, they regularly enjoy large parties that last all night. They are also renowned for their meticulous embroidery, which uses gold or silver thread and silk to create elegant garments resembling insects.
The criteria for seduction vary but mainly involve communion with one's inner self and the environment. Fairies also seduce with their wings. Some are dragonfly-like, while others resemble butterflies. In the latter case, color is important. As a sign of union, fairies wear a ring on their right hand that matches their engagement bracelet.
When the wings are wrapped around them, a series of runes appear around their arms, giving them the average height of other imelians. When activated, the wings unfold and pass through clothing to give fairies their small signature height. Some, proud of their attributes, keep their wings over their clothes.
To conceive a child, partners choose an element (fire, earth, air, water, plants, or lightning) and seek the help of a priestess. The priestess binds their energy to the chosen element to create an egg. This type of conception results in babies having a birthmark instead of a belly button. Fairies are also biologically capable of becoming pregnant if they wish.
A city situated along the precipices to the north of Siflan of Kovan evinces certain peculiarities. They are the Tillythiams. They are mages, priests, and enchantresses who work in communion with all the gods. A magic school is also present to train new mages. Since they're living with mixed races people, the Tillythiams use to be in their natural, larger forms. The Tillythiams are responsible for the great celebrations in honor of the One (all 9 gods), as well as performing the union of souls, known as katesh. Despite popular belief, the queen mother of the Tillythiams is not the karta of the fairies. The karta lives in a different town in Siflan of Kovan.
Fairies can communicate with the Phillyn at any time of day to pray to Ekryv. Many fairies seek solace from the deity of energies and guidance about their magical abilities this way. Answers appear in the form of images or emotions transmitted telepathically. Apart from the Tillythiams, who give equal attention to all nine gods, most fairies primarily worship Divlan and Fysi, the deities of love and nature.
Orcs:
Their muscular build and large fangs are equally impressive. Despite their sinister appearance, they are sensitive beings who care for their people and their livestock and animals they tame and raise to protect their homeland. Eloquence is not their strongest suit, but they make the required effort to maintain good relationships with their neighbors. They are not averse to war and will respond with force to the slightest provocation.
On Kovan, the Orcs dig their homes into the canyon walls for protection against storms and desert animals. Solid double doors lead to large spaces for their animals and passageways in the rocks. The caves are dark, damp, and cool, which allows them to grow the plants needed to feed their livestock and inhabitants. Towns and villages are enclosed by high walls and gigantic gates to prevent giant scorpions from wandering in. They have chosen the Tillythiams, whom they greatly admire and trust, to be their protectors against anyone who might seek to invade them.
The Orcs on Zovan have adapted to the tropical climate by building wooden dwellings stacked on top of each other. They try to take up as little space as possible by building upwards. Living high up not only serves an ecological purpose, but also protects them from frequent flooding and small animals that could get past their defensive walls.
The Orcs have a fairly neutral political presence. Unfortunately, their unwillingness to take sides has led to a lack of respect for them, especially from the Dovens, Dwarves, and Rokaths, with whom they have a turbulent history. In the villages, a chief is chosen to meet the people's basic needs. He makes all decisions, and nothing is done without his approval. They then report monthly to their karta. The latter makes no promises to improve their diplomatic situation, having grown tired of exhausting their people with vain hopes.
This people is renowned for its blacksmithing skills and natural resistance to pain and high temperatures. They can work with any metal near a forge and shape it into whatever they desire. They have created many weapons and pieces of armor, but crossing their land makes trading goods difficult. This is especially true in Kovan because of the wall they built along their country's border.
All members of this people are blacksmiths, and children learn how to hold a hammer and use fire from an elder at a very early age. To win over their significant other, Orcs craft a special item and present it to the love of their life. If the feelings are mutual, the other person accepts the gift and creates something in return. If they unite through a razoss (a form of marriage) the spouses wear a couple's bracelet with arabesques representing their relationship.
While forging, the rhythm of the hammers and clanging metal inspire them to sing hymns to Lokum, the blacksmith deity. A totem bearing the deity's image can be found in their homes, forges, and sometimes in the main square.
Iquas:
Women Iqua
They are a bitter, cantankerous, and extremely misandric people who seclude their matriarchal society from the rest of the world. Their appearance matches the fear they inspire. While the men are colorful and exotic, the women are violent and cold. They violently mistreats male members and those considered weak. They have no mercy either for their own kind or for the rest of Imely. They do not rely on other races for sustenance because they feed on the surrounding sea plants and fish. They typically raid ships to collect jewelry, but they may also engage in trade, which they view as a game and a means of exerting power over sailors. If the price does not suit them, they become offended and sink the ship to take what they want.
Men must be content with the bare minimum, such as leftovers from women's meals or simple beds with no personal space. Complaining is not an option unless they wish to shorten their lives. They live in perfect harmony with marine animals and therefore fear nothing in the oceans. The only thing that could destroy them is the Lismur, a legendary creature that the Karta controls through an unknown power.
Those few who have glimpsed a man never see them return to the surface a second time. Half-Iqua children are not uncommon, though they rarely know their sea-born parent. The karta adheres to an extreme and rigid system of ruling her people and is feared throughout the world. Each tribe has a chief who brings a political report to the karta in the Mother City once a month.
Water assists them throughout their lives and responds to their calls in a strange, mysterious way. Their wrath can make it impossible for fishermen to catch any fish and cause boats to sink without warning. They can trigger tsunamis, wiping out coastal towns and villages. Their hypnotic song, shrouded in legends of both truth and myth, is said to be capable of breaking a spell.
Their voice is an important part of their culture and identity. Losing it for any reason is akin to a slow psychological death. Depriving an Iqua of their voice is also a punishment that women use to control men. Some become mute due to injury, while others are forced into silence after intense physical and psychological abuse.
Rather than seducing men, women choose the man they want based on his colorful and sophisticated scales. They lay a small egg inside the man to fertilize it. Children are born in pairs but rarely grow up with their twin. While men care for them, feed them, and bathe them, women educate them. Guards supervise the men to ensure that no revolutionary ideas are imparted to the young boys. As for the young girls, they learn early on to be as cruel as their mothers. Any Iquas who try to change things disappear one evening and never return.
Female couples are not uncommon and are the only evidence of the twisted love this people can feel for one another. They often surround themselves with a harem of men for questionable reasons. A woman's cruelty toward a man has become such a standard for social acceptance that it has turned into a fetish.
The Iquas can adapt to life on land and in the sea. Their gills compress on their necks, allowing them to breathe out of water. Out of the water, they can alter their appearance: their tails transform into scaly fins, the webbing between their fingers disappears, and the fins on their heads turn into hair. They are too arrogant and feel too superior to join the mainland, so the women remain in the sea and consider the shores an exotic destination for relaxation.
The Iquas are very pious and pray to Shikymra, the deity of all waters, every morning and evening. Each birth is followed by a baptism in the name of Takuro, the god of life. They make offerings to him during pregnancy. These offerings to the gods are dishes placed on an altar before the blood of a man (usually a baby) is sprinkled into the waters of the place of worship.
Man Iqua
Rokaths:
In Imely, many people feel a range of emotions when they think about the Rokaths, from fascination to disgust. Their difficult and unyielding nature does not help them communicate with other races. The violent conflict between the Orcs and the Rokaths on Kovan is well known. In contrast, the Rokaths on Zovan are more diplomatic and shrouded in mystery.
They are omnivorous, but they clearly prefer meat. They hunt in groups with packs of karapots they have bred and bring back meat for the rest of the village. If karapots are present where they wish to settle, even temporarily, they perform an unexpected karakesh (ritual of territory) to legitimize their presence.
Shunned by other peoples, the Dovens have nothing in common with the “world assembly” except its name. For a long time, the Rokaths have taken care of their homeland themselves, with clan leaders meeting once a year to discuss problems and find solutions. Their living karta, Morwean, sometimes gives them orders to obtain the necessary supplies for the country so that they do not have to trade directly with other peoples. Consequently, they take little interest in what happens outside their own community, unless it concerns the karapots and dragons. Unfortunately, this behavior has led to extreme deviance within the country.
Their main form of courtship is combat. Many of them find a partner through ceremonies and festivities involving friendly contests. Though they appear fierce in public, they know how to show affection in private. Divlan is their favorite deity because of the ability to fall in love only once in a lifetime. If their partner dies, they allow themselves to die of a broken heart. Couples who wish to unite officially perform a katesh, a union of souls usually performed after the razoss, the first marriage-like union, because they do not fear that their feelings will fade. Unable to kiss like other people, they grab each other's tusks to symbolize this act, which they consider to be highly passionate (shary).
There are different clans, each with a distinctive style based on their local environment. Each member has a tattoo representing their clan on their body. For business reasons, a Rokath from one clan may live with another, but romantic relationships between members of different clans are forbidden. If this happens, the couple's tattoos are scratched off before they are banished from all clans. This makes them razens, or outcasts. Among the Dragon Clan, falling in love with someone from another clan is punishable by death.
From an early age, Rokaths learn to use weapons and martial arts, as well as percussion and tribal songs. They protect the karapots, and the karapots protect them, as their bond with all of Kettoss' realm is very important to them. They raise certain breeds to hunt with or as pets. They are also skilled at taming beasts and will help other Imelians calm their karapots, whether herbivore or carnivore, if they prove difficult to control.
To worship Kettoss, they perform a ritual in his honor with all the karapot who chose them. They also pray to him before each fight. To honor Divlan, couples pray to her daily, thanking her for their union.
