Telrai

The Telrai are a large and imposing race who stand and average of six foot four, and possess four arms. Their four arms give them a huge advantage in terms of strength, and it is said that strongest of Telrai can out-wrestle a troll. Besides their four arms and large, muscular frames, Telrai appear similar to the average humanoid. Despite their physical capabilities, the Telrai are generally quite a peaceful race, preferring to avoid conflict when possible. However, if provoked, they make a very dangerous enemy. The Telrai also possess a natural affinity for the sea, and their religion in centered on the ocean. The Telrai affinity for the sea may be natural or it may be a legacy of their confinement on an island for thousands of years, as Telrai originated on the destroyed continent of Salazuir but survived on a floating island. This island crashed into the Þaru Isles in 783 SC, which was a calamity for the Telrai as the resulting flooding and earthquakes almost destroyed their civilization again. With the island unable to support their population, the Telrai were pushed to begin exploring new frontiers, and settlers soon fell into conflict with the Marounian population of the Þaru Isles, who considered the Telrai invaders and bad omens. After some time, the Telrai began adventuring further afield as well, claiming small islands and remote costlines which were lightly populated. By the 1200s, the Telrai had reached the very south of Telgren, where they contributed to the defeat of the Khanate of Clesentia. The Telrai considered the Khanate a mortal foe as it had sponsored raiders to capture and Telrai for use as slaves. Telrai despise slavery on principle, and so became valued members of the anti-centaur coalition. In Telrai society, those who assist or participate in slavery are cast out and are known as the Nameless Ones; they are not mentioned ever again nor considered to exist. However, the Telrai are only truly roused when another Telrai is enslaved, and they have mostly turned a blind eye to Orcish and Goblin slavery (of course not participating in the practice) which is widely practiced on Telgren. It should be noted that the Telrai are honor bound to not assist in slavery at all, and hiring a Telrai on a slave ship is a recipe for disaster.
The southern Telrai, known as Saurai, quickly became valued traders in their own right as they adventured to Ifyrial and Archelin, establishing the first Telgrener presence on those lands. The Telrai started settling Ifyrial in 1500 SC, and later kickstarted the colonization of Ifyrial in the 1700s after discovering valuable resources. Telrai have since became one of the main races to travel the seas between Telgren, Ifyrial, Archelin, and Ærellion, competing with the gnomes and elves.
In the north, Telrai also ventured along the straits between Telgren and Ærellion, forming colonies on both sides of the sea. These Telrai, known as the Saerai, began settling the islands of Ærellion by the early 14th century, later establishing holdings in Telgen's Orentesh region and finally along the steppe coast of Ærellion by the 1550s. While the Saurai had refused contact with Centaurs during earlier explorations due to their memory of the Khanate of Clesentia, by the time the Saerai settled the area this was long in the past. While the centaurs were slavers, the Telrai themselves were not originally enslaved, entering an uneasy trade-based relationship with the centaurs, which eventually led to a hybrid known as a Teltar; a four-armed centaur born from Telrai and Centaur parents. The first of the Teltars went on to establish the Tögsgölgüi Ord, a fearsome steppe empire which has become the most powerful state in existence at several points. The Ord purposefully prevents Teltars from being born in all but the elite, and the Telrai population of the steppes have been subjugated, their best and brightest taken to the Harmaash (Harem city), where Teltar blood is maintained.
Some Telrai have also ventured west, hoping to find their lost homeland. Their only notable discovery has been the Maua Lugalaumau Archipelago, which some have planned to settled but is currently unpopulated. Therefore, the current Telrai population is split into three groups: The Saurai, Saerai, and Þarai, who remained on the Þaru isles. The Þarai are the most traditional, mainly sticking to themselves and organizing into a republican confederation. The other two groups are more adventurous, and have come to embrace a number of different ideals. Culturally, the Telrai are usually slow to adopt new technologies and practices, preferring to rely on their strength and proven methods. This is especially prevalent for the Þarai who have not historically needed to contend with as advanced of technology. The only area in which Telrai have always been interested in advancement is in maritime matters. They are fascinated by boats and new construction methods and modern classes of ships have been adapted by all Telrai in recent years.