The Races of the Fading Word

Every Maelstrom Walker who creates a world gives rise to a variety of intelligent races. Sometimes, as in the case of Mardaka, the succession is degenerative, with the Pure Folk dying out to be replaced by humans, who are in turn losing ground to the breath-eaters. Other times, as in Abbatine, the world is a cornucopia of different species. Most worlds with any known Bridges at all are also host to a succession of Outsider races, some old enough that their own native world has long since been lost in the mists of time.

An Index of the Races

Adapoi
Bat-Folk

Breath-Eater
Bull-folk
Deyrey Drone
Deyrey Neuter
Holy City Humans
Human
Lobrun
Makers
Oorthoi
Padachee Humans
Slave Demek
Turgosk
Yierdo Dwarf
Youda

Adapoi

Dominance          Major
Magic              Highly Magical
Abundance          Common
Native World       Abbatine
Primary World      Abbatine
Point Cost         40

Advantages & Disadvantages

Adapoi have +1 DX (10 points), two extra arms (20 points), two extra legs (5 points), +1 Acute Hearing (2 points), +2 to learn any Plant college spell (12 points), the ability to treat any heavily-forested region as High mana (5 points), a reduced cost of 1 energy on all Plant spells in heavily-forested regions (5 points), Naturalist at IQ-2 (1 point), a Sense of Duty to their Clan-mates (-10 points), and a fear of becoming isolated from their Clan-mates (-10 points)

Appearance

The adapoi are slightly reminiscent of eight-legged monkeys. Their fur is short and usually brown or dark green, and their eyes are solid black. Their front four limbs end in four-fingered hands, while their back limbs end in flexible feet. Standing as erect as possible, they are about 1.8 meters tall. They pefer to live in the trees proper, but are capable of moving without great difficulty upon the ground.

Typical Culture

Adapoi live in family groups of ten to fifty individuals, and are highly dependent upon the other members of the group. Adapoi separated from their clan generally become despondent. Those who have become acclimated to living alone are usually regarded as insane by their fellows. Adapoi are excellent at using Plant magics, and consider themselves to be the guardians fo the forest. This is not just an idealistic attitude, as adapoi are greatly weakened magically when they are not surrounded by plants.

Other Comments

Typical adapoi do not carry much gear. Their weapons are spears and javelins, made from sharpened tree limbs. They sometimes carry slings. They do not know how to work metal or make bows. Their armor tends to be light animal hide at the best (PD 1, DR 2; torso 3 kg, arms 2 kg, legs 3 kg). Personal combat is typically done in guerrilla style; skilled adapoi warriors usually have high Stealth and often know the Forest Warning or Tangle Growth spells.

Bat-Folk

Dominance          Minor
Magic              Magical
Abundance          Rare
Native World       Unknown
Primary World      Mardaka
Point Cost         30

Advantages & Disadvantages

Bat-folk have -2 ST (-15 points), +1 DX (10 points), +1 HT (10 points), +1 Fatigue (3 points), -3 Hit Points (-15 points), Winged Flight (30 points), Sonar Vision (25 points), Fragile (-20 points), and the Flight skill at DX level.

Appearance

Bat-folk are short and covered with black fur. They have a pair of huge wings upon their backs, and skinny limbs with long fingers. Their ears are huge and pointed. They tend to enjoy eating insects.

Typical Culture

Bat-folk culture is communal, though only small groups of them are known to exist in Mardaka. There, they usually adopt all or part of the culture of the dominant local group.

Other Comments

A fairly large number of bat-folk are known to belong to the Society for Illuminated Truths in Mardaka. This society is considered heretical by many, and is subject to a certain amount of persecution by the Theosophs.

Breath-Eater

Dominance          Major
Magic              Magical
Abundance          Uncommon
Native World       Mardaka
Primary World      Mardaka
Point Cost         6

Advantages & Disadvantages

+1 HT, -1 IQ, Survival (jungle) at IQ+1, Stealth at DX

Appearance

Breath-eaters look like scrawny humans with light green skin, twisted black hair and exaggerated teeth. They are almost instinctively able to survive in their jungles, and while most of them are not bright, they are able to control their jungles effectively enough to be able to repulse all invasion forces sent thus far.

Typical Culture

The Breath-eaters are a human-derived race who live in the jungles near the Sweet Sea. They are a savage race, and do not cooperate well with the humans of Mardaka. Their society is tribal, and inimical to humans. The Breath-eaters living near the Mountainshadow Principalities are the best-known, for their vicous assaults on the Screaming Wall.

Other Comments

Breath-eaters are sometimes born to human women of the Breath of Mardaka, especially near the Breath-eaters' jungles. Some Philosophs have suggested that they are the next stage of the Breath of Mardaka, and that humans will slowly be replaced by Breath-eaters just as humans are currently replacing the Pure Folk. Others violently disagree with this analysis, and suggest that the Breath-eaters are actually Heretics who have been punished by Mardaka.

Bull-folk

Dominance          Minor
Magic              Magical
Abundance          Uncommon
Native World       Padachee
Primary World      Padachee
Point Cost         30

Advantages & Disadvantages

Bull-folk have +2 ST (20 points), +2 hit points (10 points), DR 2 (6 points), horns (thrust/crushing at close range; 5 points), Bad Temper (-10 points), Code of Honor (warrior's; -10 points), Color Blind (-10 points), Peripheral Vision (15 points), +1 Acute Vision (2 points), Brawling skill at DX+1 (2 points)

Appearance

Bull-folk look very much like their name would imply. They have the heads of bull cattle, complete with horns and wide-set eyes. Their body structure is essentially human, save for a large mane of hair reaching down to the small of their back.

Typical Culture

Tribal bull-folk culture is herd-based. Tribes are ruled by an alpha male Chieftain who is married to all the female bull-folk. Succession is by challenge, though the opinion of the Elders has great influence on the frequency of challenges. Many urban bull-folk adopt some version of linder culture. It is appropriate for urban bull-folk to replace their 10-point Code of Honor with Social Stigma: second-class citizen, -2 Reputation: urban bull-folk, or Sense of Duty: linder city-state.

Other Comments

Many bull-folk have been convinced to work for linder masters as guards, soldiers and craftsmen. This practice has given the bull-folk exposure to other worlds, and environments much different from the highlands they traditionally inhabit. It has also inflicted great damage upon traditional bull-folk society. Linder society has also become much more volatile, as the bull-folk have given the linder Trading Houses and Confederations their first real standing armies.

Deyrey Drone

Dominance          Dominant
Magic              Highly Magical
Abundance          Uncommon
Native World       Abbatine
Primary World      Abbatine
Point Cost         52

Advantages & Disadvantages

Deyrey drones have +1 ST (10 points), +2 hit points (6 points), +1 to learn all Earth and Light & Darkness spells (6 points), the ability to treat the interior of any hive city as High mana (5 points), a reduced cost of 1 energy on all Earth and Light & Darkness spells (6 points), the ability to treat the interior of any hive-city as High mana (5 points), a reduced cost of 1 energy on all Earth and Light & Darkness spells within hive cities (5 points), Magery 1 and +1 Status.

Appearance

Deyrey drones look like squat, semi-humanoid lizards about 1.5 meters tall. They are typically distinguished from neuters by their greyish-white skin. High-status drones will also wear ornate feather and bone headdresses, and whatever metal trinkets and weapons the Queen has favored them with.

Typical Culture

Deyrey drones are the representatives of their race to the outside world. Depending upon their favor with the Queen, they can wield tremendous power. Even low-status drones are able to order neuters around without a second thought. Most drones are terribly arrogant and proud, always conscious of their relative status. Everything they do is ultimately directed towards increasing their favor with the Queen.

Other Comments

Typical deyrey weapons are clubs, maces and stone tebbre (thrust+1 crushing; SS 13; ACC 0; .5D=1.5xSTR; MAX=2xSTR, uses Rock Throwing skill), along with huge hide shields (PD 3, 12£, 5/35 hits). Drones may carry metal weapons and armor obtained from other races, depending upon their status with the Queen.

Deyrey Neuter

Dominance          Major
Magic              Highly Magical
Abundance          Common
Native World       Abbatine
Primary World      Abbatine
Point Cost         3

Advantages & Disadvantages

Deyrey neuters have +1 ST (10 points), +4 hit points (12 points), +1 to learn all Earth and Light & Darkness spells (6 points), the ability to treat the interior of any hive city as High mana (5 points), a reduced cost of 1 energy on all Earth and Light & Darkness spells (6 points), the ability to treat the interior of any hive city as High mana (5 points), a reduced cost of 1 energy on all Earth and Light & Darkness spells (6 points), the ability to treat the interior of any hive-city as High mana (5 points), a reduced cost of 1 energy on all Earth and Light & Darkness spells within hive cities (5 points), Short Lifespan (-25 points, mature at 13 years), and a Sense of Duty to their Queen (-10 points)

Appearance

Deyrey neuters look like squat, semi-humanoid lizards about 1.5 meters tall. Drones and neuters look very similar, but can be distinguished by their flesh tones: neuters are usually tan or brown, while drones are greyish-white. Most neuters also act very submissive, especially when a drone is nearby.

Typical Culture

The deyrey live in massive earthen hive cities, in a highly communal society. The neuters comprise about 95% to 99% of the population, with most of the rest made up of drones. The Queen is always at the top of the social order, followed by drones in a pecking order determined by their favor with the Queen. Neuters do the work that keeps the hive fed and intact, but always remain at the bottom of the society.

Other Comments

The deyrey do not work metal. Their preferred weapons are clubs and maces. They also usually carry large shields of hide (PD 3, 12£, 5/35 hits), but usually do not wear armor. Their best ranged weapon is a spiked stone sphere called a tebbre (thrust+1 crushing; SS 13; ACC 0; 0.5D=1.5xST; MAX=2xST), used with Rock Throwing (P/E) skill. Because they can afford to lose large numbers of neuters, the deyrey generally fight in large, undisciplined masses.

Holy City Humans

Dominance          Minor
Magic              Highly Magical
Abundance          Rare
Native World       Mardaka
Primary World      Mardaka
Point Cost         -10

Advantages & Disadvantages

Humans of the Holy City have -1 DX (-10 points), Magery (15 points), and Poverty: poor (-15 points). Those who are Living Weapons usually have Combat Reflexes and Toughness (total cost of 25 points). Those who are Food-Makers usually have Magery 2, +2 Reputation: Food-maker and Fat (total cost of 0 points).

Appearance

Holy City humans have dark skin, gray hair and generally caucasian features. They are heavy-set, and move with great deliberation. Even the best of them dress in little more than rags. Their demeanor is often fearful, and always resigned. They are a people without spirit.

Typical Culture

The Holy City of Mardaka was once a glorious place of learning and culture. Now it is far less. The wrath of Mardaka rained down upon it during his struggle against the Spyral, leaving only a huge plain full of ramshakle mud and adobe huts scattered about the fantastic Citadel of the Voice. Agriculture is impossible because the earth is dead and cannot support plants. Crafts are nearly as hard, as the only raw materials available are the dirt of the land and the flesh and bone of the people.

Other Comments

Living Weapons and Food-makers are the best of their kind. The Living Weapons train in the martial arts to protect their hearth neighborhoods and the entire Holy City from attack, but even they recognize that compared to the Maelstrom Walkers that soar above them their efforts are foolish. The Food-makers use magic to transform the dirt of the ground into a tasteless gruel that sustains the entire population. Most Food-makers are phenomenally fat.

Human

Dominance          Dominant
Magic              Magical
Abundance          Common
Native World       Unknown
Primary World      Unknown
Point Cost         0

Advantages & Disadvantages

Humans are the default race, and normally have no special racial advantages or disadvantages. For exceptions, see Padachee Humans, the humans of the Holy City in Mardaka and the various human races of Shilldree.

Appearance

Human races throughout the worlds of the Fading Word display a dizzying variety of body shapes, skin and hair colors, and facial features. The majority are fairly easily recognizable as being of the same basic type, and most can interbreed. Usually, a given world with a Created human population will have only one or two different genotypes.

Typical Culture

Normal human culture is extremely variable, implying that humans originated in several different worlds. Examples range from the economic oligarchies of Paiden and Hegger to the feudal aristocracy of Seitha to the religous autocracies common in Mardaka.

Other Comments

Humans are the GURPS default race.

Lobrun

Dominance          Minor
Magic              Magical
Abundance          Uncommon
Native World       Unknown
Primary World      Abbatine
Point Cost         19

Advantages & Disadvantages

Lobrun have +6 ST (55 points), -2 DX (-15 points), -2 IQ (-15 points), +2 hit points (6 points), Inconvenient Size (-10 points) and Social Stigma (-10 points, enslaved race), and Ax/Mace at DX+2 (8 points).

Appearance

The lobrun race is tall and bulky, with typical individuals over 250 cm tall. They have deep red, leatherlike skin and hard black eyes. Their hair tends to be black or red, and grows in a mane from their head down to their shoulders. It can grow quite long, but most lobrun keep it tightly trimmed. The rest of their bodies are hairless.

Typical Culture

Primal lobrun culture was probably pastoral. The youda of Paiden lack records showing when they originally found the lobrun, but it seems clear that the lobrun have never created an advanced society on their own. Lobrun culture under servitude to the youda of Paiden is essentially composed of borrowings from local youda and human culture. Most are resigned to slavery, though this may be a seeming due to the youda's use of raw jaya to control troublemakers.

Other Comments

Paiden forbids lobrun to enter the city proper. The slave markets are all located some distance outside the city walls.

Makers

Dominance          Major
Magic              Nonmagical
Abundance          Rare
Native World       Abbatine
Primary World      Abbatine
Point Cost         30

Advantages & Disadvantages

A Maker has -3 ST (-20 points), +3 IQ (30 points), -1 HT (-10 points), Extended Lifespan (two levels; 10 points), Immunity to Poison (15 points), -3 Reputation (as aggressive poisoners; -15 points), Cowardice (-10 points), and Combat Paralysis (-15 points). Makers also have a +3 bonus to all Craft skills (18 points) and a culture with a base TL4 (25 points). All Makers have the Demek Handling (M/A) skill at IQ (2 points).

Appearance

A typical Maker is about 140 cm (54) tall. It's skin is an unhealthy whitish color, and is heavily wrinked. It's limbs are skinny and devoid of muscle. It tends to walk in a hunch, and generally exudes an unpleasant smell. Makers often wear extravagant, ornate clothing in horrible style, especially if they possess high status.

Typical Culture

The Maker culture is easily the most industrially-oriented one in Abbatine's world. Their culture is a plutocracy, and is run completely upon the backs of demek slaves. Makers have an aversion to physical work of any type, and a physique that makes most most heavier labor (like metalsmithing) impossible. Most Maker craftsmen do their works using the hands of demek slaves, guiding their efforts closely with the Demek Handling skill.

Other Comments

No Maker can ever possess the Magery or Magic Resistance advantages, or learn any spells (even those not requiring Magery). A Maker becomes adult at age 54 and suffers the effects of aging starting at 150 cycles. Makers know how to manufacture railroads, very good double-shot crossbows, and simple muzzle-loading firearms.

Oorthoi

Dominance          Minor
Magic              Magical
Abundance          Common
Native World       Unknown
Primary World      Abbatine
Point Cost         20

Advantages & Disadvantages

Oorthoi have +2 HT (20 points), Night Vision (10 points), Universal Digestion (15 points), Immune to Disease (10 points), Limited Vision: -3 to vision-based rolls in sunlight (-15 points), Ugly (-10 points), -2 Reputation: unpleasant creatures (-10 points). Typical advantages include Acute Hearing, Alertness and Toughness. Typical disadvantages include Social Stigma: outcast (-10 points) or Phobias of sunlight and fire.

Appearance

Oorthoi are a scavenger race, able to eat practically anything. They have pallid skin that continually peels away from their bodies. Their eyes are huge, lambent orbs that work poorly in bright light but very well in darkness. They are about the same size as humans, but tend towards a shapelessness of form that repulses most other races. They tend to wear flowing robes in drab colors. Most oorthoi smell faintly of rotting flesh. Their teeth are flat and stubby, intended to grind and chew.

Typical Culture

Oorthoi live on the fringes of other races' societies. Due to their resistance to disease and their willingness to endure conditions other races find intolerable, they can often find work as undertakers and leatherworkers. Even when they are long-standing members of a society, however, they are generally not accepted among "polite" company.

Other Comments

Padachee Humans

Dominance          Minor
Magic              Magical
Abundance          Common
Native World       Padachee
Primary World      Padachee
Point Cost         10