(Please note that this page assumes you know what each race is, physically at
least. If you do not, please refer to the FFRPG 3E Beta Rulebook, under Chapter
Three: Races. Thank you.)
Dwarves were not much of a part of Terranotos until recently, with the
discovery of the Depths. Now, their aptitude for exploring and living in dark,
dangerous tunnels make them prime guides and delvers. Though essentially “new”
to Terranotos, they have been graciously accepted and are slowly, but surely,
becoming part of society.
The few Dwarves that are native to Terranotos usually live in the Zephyr
Mountains. They tend to send their children to the Palestra Ferratus, making
the journey there by a young Dwarf an ascent into adulthood. For those Dwarves
not concerned with fighting, Masters of the Art of Mining, Refining, and many
other Arts await.
Elves are probably the longest settlers of Terranotos, having, some say,
founded Notos itself. Their past long forgotten to the annals of time, Elves
make themselves a part of Terranotos all the more. They are often quite well-
off, having many generations of savings and enterprises built up. Many Elvaan
families have a few titles to their name, some of which have lost meaning and
power - but have yet to be forgotten.
The Elves that are native to Terranotos - and there are many - usually make
their home in the “center” of the kingdom, either living in their estates in
Notos, or fine retreats in the forested mountains north of there. They usually
send their children to Palestra Ferratus, making for some strange friendships
with Dwarves. However, it is not unheard of for Elves to send their children to
Palestra Magus, or even, in the case of poorer families, to an Apprenticeship.
Both the word “Elves” and “Elvaan” are grammatically acceptable, the latter
being the correct word in an old language known only as Silvaan and no longer
spoken. “Elves” is the Common adaptation thereof. This language has seen an
upsurge in study, after artifacts with Silvaan writing on them were found in
the Depths. Some have theorized that the solution to many questions about the
Depths lay in the past of the Elves, but no one’s talking.
The Galka are a hardworking species, well-built for manual labor. This aptitude
for heavy lifting and reaching the top shelf often leads them into factories
and construction work, where their immense strength and constitution are
challenged greatly. This also leads them to be found in many parties entering
the Depths, as “bricks” or “tanks,” armored to take the blows for the rest of
the team. The responsibility of such a job is not lost on them.
Galka consider one-on-one mentoring to be of the utmost importance, and as
such, most children are sent to a Master of the Art. However, some Galka
children are sent to the Palestra Ferratus, having heard of and seen its merits
from fellow delvers.
Humans, you and I, are considered the “average” race. They are found in about
any nook or cranny that will accept them, and will do whatever needs doing to
get the job done. They have lived in Terranotos for at least a thousand years,
as far as Elvaan historians can remember, and have formed a close bond with the
Elves as a result. This does not limit them from interacting with other races,
however, and Humans tend to get along with just about anyone who crosses their
path.
Humans are known to send their children in just about any direction - Palestra
Ferratus, Palestra Magus, Apprentice of the Art, or just scatter ‘em to the
winds. This means that Humans have become the multipurpose tools of delving
parties, forming useful backup and even taking over some jobs when no one
better is available. They don’t always do it as well, but they give it their
damnedest and, against all odds, tend to come out on top.
Mithra are agile and swift, making it easy for them to move across the country
or through the Depths. They are often found in jobs that require this agility,
such as mail couriers. This aptitude for getting the mail where it needs to has
given the Mithra and Moogles a strange bond, one only recently formed but
strong as a rock. Their agility also makes them adept scouts in the Depths,
finding traps and new tunnels with their sensitive hearing and eyes.
Mithra children are usually sent to a Master of the Art, or in some cases, to
Palestra Ferratus, where they tend to make good warriors - as long as they
concentrate on not taking hits.
Moogles are just as agile and swift as Mithra are, but are much better at magic
than the Mithra tend to be. They tend to find a home in any available spot,
often finding enough room in a house’s attic or in a belltower - somewhere
nice, well-aired, and shiny. They are also prolific letter-writers, making up
at least 60% of all Terranotos’ mail traffic at any point in time. This
affinity for the written word turns many Moogles into writers or Bards, but
also makes them so intimately knowledgable about the Chocobo Messenger Service
that they often join it themselves.
Moogles are versatile, usually allowing their children to scatter to the winds
and apply to a Palestra or a Master only if they truly wish it. Moogles who do
often wind up in a job that takes advantage of both their agility and their
slight magical prowess, often under a Master. However, they do not feel limited
by their size or lack of strength, and will go wherever their fancy does.
Nezumi are another agile race, though they are not as lighthearted as the
Moogles and Mithra tend to be. A highly honorable race, they easily associate
with the Galka in their assumption of responsibility. However, they tend to
disdain Elves, thinking them, as a whole, to have become much too lax and self-
indulgent to be considered honorable, as their forefathers were. They can
(usually) accept the easygoingness of others, if need be, but only if those
others can perform when the chips are down.
Nezumi are a warrior race, and though you couldn’t say they are proud of it,
they acknowledge the fact and put it to good use. Most Nezumi children learn at
the Palestra Ferratus, often becoming Dragoons or Fencers. A fencing
competition between a Nezumi and a Mithra is often a fierce, entertaining, and
much too quick affair.
Okami are a pack-driven, wolfish race, who tend to be antisocial and, in some
cases, slightly xenophobic. They are a race of warriors, unafraid to get in the
face of an enemy, curse their mother, and beat them down. The race, as a whole,
tends to dislike everyone else, though by earning the trust of one Okami, one
usually earns the trust of the pack - as such, Galka and Nezumi tend to be more
welcome in their packs than most others. They find the optimism of Mithra
strange, and that of Moogles moreso. As pack creatures, Okami usually only
delve with other Okami or well-trusted pack-fellows.
Okami usually send their children to an Okami Master of an Art, simply out of
tradition and disdain for other races. More open-minded ones, however, may send
their children to Palestra Ferratus. Maybe.
Qu are a race concerned only with food, and the consumption thereof. They tend
to befriend anyone with good taste, or with good access to good food. A
simpleminded race, they often hide complex thoughts, and Qu philosophy is a
popular one in the circles of younger folk. Few Qu are actually native to
Terranotos, though they may visit to explore the culinary culture.
Qu tend to keep their children within the marsh. Of those that leave, they
often join up with the first acceptable group they find and stick like glue.
Ronso are a species that usually keep to themselves - not with the tinge of
xenophobia that Okami have, but more as a strange form of respect to themselves
and others. They are built more for bursts of intense strength than for
prolonged labor, making them skilled at temporary exertions of both the
physical and magical. They prefer to live on mountaintops, and as such,
the few Ronso that actually live in Terranotos live in the heights of the
Zephyr Mountains.
Ronso tend to send their children to Palestra Magus, if anywhere. Their
naturally sharp, pointed horns make them strangely attuned with the Caelesti,
and they seem to channel Mana with a bit of ease.
TaruTaru, the smallest of the races (just barely edging out the Moogle), is
also the most magically adept. Though relativitly new to the kingdom, TaruTaru
have fit in rather well in Notos, at least, with their prowess at manipulating
Mana earning them respect in Palestra Magus, and their cuteness warming the
coldest of hearts. But they aren't anywhere near as childlike in thought as
they are in body...
TaruTaru almost always send their children off to Palestra Magus, having built
a growing community in Notos. Those that don't would probably go to a Master of
the Art.