Arcadians

Arcadians are the third most populous species on Earth. They make up about a sixth of the population in Mundus, but are much more numerous in Arcadia, where they make up around a third of the population. They resemble a variety of classic “fantasy” races, such as elves and dwarves.   As their name suggests, Arcadians are native to Arcadia: a parallel dimension dominated by magic. Arcadians were shaped into their current forms in the distant past by the dimension’s Arcane forces. To most people in the modern world, Arcadia is nothing but a myth, and the Arcadian races are believed to be simply naturally-occurring subraces of humanity.   Most Arcadians in both Costa Grande and the local regions of Arcadia are descended from immigrants, mainly from Europe. With strong, proud cultural traditions, Arcadians have resisted human cultural assimilation somewhat better than beastmen.   In addition to the primary subtypes listed below, there are a number of rarer, more exotic Arcadians, both empowered and otherwise. These types are mainly found only in Arcadia. Arcadians with innate magical abilities do exist, are usually considered Fey. Also, if you wish to play a magical being from a realm more distant than Arcadia, consider playing an Extraplanar Alien.  

• Elves: Elves are known for being graceful and charismatic, with slender builds, pointed ears, and delicate features. They are the longest-lived of the Arcadians, with lifespans of several centuries. They are also pioneers of Arcadian civilization, art, and culture. Notable varieties include the sophisticated high elves, the underground-dwelling dark elves, and the forest-favoring wood elves.
• Gnomes: Also known as dwarves, halflings, and littlefolk, gnomes resemble stout humans, but stand only around 3-4 feet tall. Gnomes are known for being hardy and pragmatic. In Arcadia, they have the most technologically advanced civilization (despite the realm’s limitations), and have established a vast empire in the subterranean region known as Agartha.
• Goblins: Goblins are a race of nocturnal, monstrous-looking Arcadians. They come in a variety of subtypes, ranging in size from diminutive gremlins to human-sized orcs and hobgoblins, to hulking bugbears. They have almost ape-like proportions, vicious teeth, and skin colors in a variety of pigmentations, from green to gray to red. Known for their aggression and strength, goblins are traditionally adversarial towards other races, but, on the whole, they’ve been peaceful members of the global community for decades now.
• Trolls: Also known as ogres. The largest, strongest, and most inhuman-looking of the Arcadians, trolls are also the most solitary, and have the least civilization development. Trolls are tremendously varied in appearance, often having claws, horns, pelts of fur, sharp fangs, and monstrous proportions. Trolls are stereotyped as being stupid, but this has more to do with their lack of access to education - a result of their solitary and often rural lifestyles. Truly gargantuan subtypes of trolls, known as giants, are still found in Arcadia, and are considered Fey.