15. Races of the Known World

The known world is inhabited by many different sentient creatures that have built great towns and cities. The following is a list of these creatures, their origins and other trivia.

EARTH PONIES, PEGASI, UNICORNS AND ALICORNS
These are the most common of inhabitants in Rin. Legend states they were the First Pilgrims to come from Rin-That-Was after its mysterious collapse, and are therefore the native inhabitants of Rin. There are other races similar to these (such as Ibergalians and the Arinese), but they are not considered "true" ponies.
	Earth ponies are generally considered the strongest and toughest of the three. They have no wings or horns, but make up for it with their sheer willpower, might and size. Many earth ponies either do manual labor or are knights and sellswords due to their strength and prowess.
	Pegasi are the quickest of the three, although not as sturdy or strong as the earth ponies or attuned to magic as the unicorns. Their skills come from their wings, nimbleness and innate ability to control the weather to some extent. This makes them ideal for speedy or stealthy jobs.
	Unicorns are not nimble like the pegasi, nor are they particularly strong like the earth ponies. Their greatest asset is their intellect and affinity with magic, a great asset to them in many situations. They can cast spells from their horn and have the innate ability to use telekinesis.
	Alicorns are the rarest of races, only being born to non-alicorns once every thousand years. They are considered to have holy blood due to their combination of the traits of all three pony races as well as their unnatural longevity, and are treated with great respect as a result. The royal line of rulers in Rin were alicorns. Unlike the other pony races, they took unique names to distinguish themselves from their subjects. With the disappearance of King Endon III, the alicorns are presumed to be extinct.
These races are often referred to as the Rinish due to their origins. They are the majority of the population of Rin, and are very common in other parts of the known world too.

BAT PONIES, SLIME PONIES AND CHANGELINGS
These three races are the natives of the island nation of Arineau. They traditionally lived in the caverns running underneath the island, but since the settlers from Sarnath and Rin arrived to their lands they have become integrated into modern society (with the exception of the changelings, who frequently rebel against the crown). Together, the bat ponies, slime ponies and changelings are referred to as the Arinese.
	Bat ponies, as their name implies, are nocturnal creatures that can now be found all over the known world. They are most likely related to the pegasi. They traditionally lived in tribal communes in the caves of the Red Ranges and the Stralm Mountains, worshipping the Blind Lady Pinia, of which little is written. These communes still exist, inhabited by the descendants of the traditional owners of the land. They have dark coats, bright eyes, sharp teeth and leathery wings.
	Slime ponies lack a proper culture. They lived separated from all others, ignorant of the world around them until the settlers came. Since then the slime ponies have become social chameleons of sorts, living wherever they can and trying to get by. They have malleable, gelatinous bodies and mostly come in shades of green and blue. Some look upon slime ponies with derision due to their poisonous bodies, and are treated as second-class citizens in many places. They often follow the naming scheme of whatever culture pleases them, but the lowest of slime ponies are sold into slavery. Here, the Dregs (as many called them) are given names suggesting vermin, such as White Rat, Red Mole and Feeble Leech.
	Changelings are a violent, warlike race hailing from the northern islands of Arineau. Their homebase is a colony named the Hive on the island of Little Yath, and they serve their ruler known only as the Black Empress. The changelings serve the Black Empress as a deity made flesh, praying to her and worshiping her image. Their culture states that the Empress gave them life to reave and pillage for her, and so almost all Changelings reject the society of the Arinese settlers, instead attacking the nearby villages and raiding along the shores of Arineau. They appear in their natural form as black insect-like ponies, with both wings and horns. They are notable for their ability to change their form and face to suit their needs, making Changelings masters of subterfuge, and also their unique diet. Rather than requiring physical sustenance, Changelings feed on positive emotions such as love and joy; however, this only appears to apply to pure-blooded Changelings from the Hive. Half-blood Changelings, i.e. the offspring of a Changeling and a pony, are omnivores. Little is known about Changeling culture, for strangers are not allowed to step inside the Hive.

BUFFALO, DIAMOND DOGS AND GRIFFONS
These three races, although they are all different in their own ways, are collectively known as the Sarnathi. They are the native inhabitants of the southern land of Sarnath, although they have since spread to other lands and are just as common, especially in Arineau. Sarnathi culture is deeply rooted in their religion, and many of the inhabitants of Sarnath follow the worship of Nophis. However, all cultures and religions are accepted in Sarnath, with temples dedicated to the many gods of the world.
	The buffalo (and their close cousins the Yaks in southern Sarnath) name themselves the oldest of races. They traditionally live in the grasslands of Sarnath, traveling in great numbers. They are perhaps the most plentiful race in the land, occupying many of the cities and towns. They appear as huge bovines with large horns. The latter are a buffalo's pride and joy, and to lose one's horns is considered shameful. Buffalo are known for being superstitious, holding strong beliefs in good luck and bad luck. For instance, touching a corpse that you have not killed is considered bad luck, as is the number six.
	Diamond dogs are a race of burrowing canines with a fondness for gold and gems. They are often treated with some disdain due to their reputation for thieving, although they are also master craftsmen. The current royal family in Sarnath are Diamond Dogs, and only took the throne from the griffons via a rebellion 36 years ago.
	Griffons are a proud race of eagle-lion hybrids who once held most if not all the power in Sarnath. A family of griffons were the traditional rulers of Sarnath, until they were deposed by a family of Diamond Dogs. Griffons are noted for their military prowess and tendency to act as leaders. They are headstrong and disciplined, and skilled warriors in combat.

ZEBRAS, DEER, MINOTAURS AND CAEL
These four are the native races of the continent of Ibergal. Like most other races, they are fairly common throughout the known world, although less so than the Rinish, Sarnathi or Arinese. Ibergalian culture revolves around the coastal cities, particularly the capital of Vathis. Technological and magical innovation are what Ibergal is most known for, and these along with the Ibergalians have spread across much of the known world. However, out of all the different races, the Ibergalians are the ones that keep to their homelands the most.
	Zebras inhabit the steppes and grasslands of central Ibergal. They traditionally worship the nature deity Gaia, like the deer, but their customs and practices are kept secret, and known only to them. They mostly live in small villages on the plains, but some venture into the coastal cities. The current royal family in Vathis are a long line of zebras. They appear much like ponies, only with black and white stripes and similarly colored manes.
	Deer live in the southern rainforests and jungles. Their culture is similar to that of the zebras, but again, little to nothing is known about them other than the name of their deity. They appear as four-legged hooved creatures with brownish coats and stumpy tails. The males often grow large branching horns. Deer are among the most reclusive of all races, caring little for the outside world. There is (or was) a small population of deer inhabiting the central forests of Rin, but how they found their way there is unknown.
	Minotaurs are the most plentiful and sociable race in Ibergal, being common throughout the known world. They traditionally live in vast clans roaming across the central plains, relying on the land for survival. These clans are enemies of the zebras, often raiding their villages. They sometimes also clash with the nomadic Ibergalians of the north, although they dare not venture into the Shifting Sands. Minotaurs are humanoids with the body of a man and the legs and head of a bull. They worship a god named the Horned One, believing that one day he will visit each living minotaur in their dreams and guide them to eternal glory. Minotaur raiders often carry axes and spears, and wear little. To protect yourself with metal armor is considered craven. The current royal family in Arineau are minotaurs, although they do not follow their ancestors' beliefs.
	The Cael are a race of ponies with a knack for surviving in harsh conditions. They have no wings or horns, but are very tall and lithe. Their culture shares many similarities with that of minotaurs; they both travel in clans and live off the land, and are both open to assimilation into foreign culture. However, they are much less violent in nature, and arguably more civilized. Instead of strictly sticking with their clans, they often trade goods with each other. Once per year, each clan makes a pilgrimage to the center of the Shifting Sands and takes place in a great Swap Meet. Here, they not only exchange goods but wives, forming marriages and therefore alliances between the different clans. They also do not worship any true gods, instead holding the belief that all living beings are connected. Cael often hold what is called a Communion in groups of 20 or more, channeling their spirits via a shaman in order to grant them prophetic visions. The shaman is said to be given glimpses of the future through these Communions, with the visions being clearer the more participants in a Communion. Cael are relatively common throughout the known world, with a sizeable population in the southern cities of Ibergal and in Rin. Many of the legendary Sentinels of Ibergal were Cael.

DONKEYS, GOATS, CRYSTAL PONIES AND SHEEP
These four races are called the Transients, as they have no discernible land of origin. They have become social chameleons, much like the slime ponies, lacking a definitive culture and so assimilating that of others. The status of crystal ponies as Transients is debatable, as they have a culture and homeland of their own; however, the location of their homeland is unknown, as they will not say where it lies. Goats too are sometimes counted among the Rinish because of the Capricon population there, although they bear little resemblance to ponies.
	Donkeys are the most common of the Transients. They are often compared to earth ponies, although they are not as physically sturdy. What they are known for, however, is their iron will. Donkeys are infamously stubborn and implacable, only moving forward and never back. They also have an aversion to magic, innately seeing it as bad luck and unpredictable. Physically, they look like ponies, only with longer ears, short manes, spindly tails and lanky bodies.
	Goats are somewhat uncommon, being mostly secluded to monasteries; they are often priests in a religion, taking to faith easily. They are most common in Sarnath, where they hold the religious power. The current High Reverend in Sarnath is a goat, as have been all his predecessors. Goats are also known for their resistance to bad weather and their omnivorous diet. There is a sizeable population of goats called Capricons in the eastern vales of Rin, who worship a god of fire. They look similar to donkeys, although with longer, bonier faces and strange eyes. The males usually grow horns.
	Crystal ponies are one of the most enigmatic races in the known world. They appear much like earth ponies, only slighter and with a brilliant shining coat that looks like crystal. They arrived to Rin after fleeing their homeland from an unknown terror. They were initially refused entry to the mainland by the then-king Lorn II, instead being granted dominion over the unnamed isles off the eastern shore. They were later given full citizenship by his son Alton I after the old king's death. The crystal ponies keep to themselves, following their religion of Chaos and Order. Most of them live on the isles and do not venture onto the mainland, making them an even rarer sight outside of the land of Rin. Many outlanders are not even aware of the crystal ponies' existence. Much like unicorns, crystal ponies have an innate connection with magic which they can channel through their crystalline bodies. However, they lack the unicorns' telekinetic powers, although they can still learn how to use it.
	Sheep are believed to be descendants of goats, although the truth of this is unknown. They can be found wherever civilization can be found, often staying together in groups of their kin. They are a markedly peaceful race, slow to anger and often shirking from violence; this makes them ideal to keep as slaves, and they are the most plentiful race in the Sarnathi city of Omos. They are similar to goats, although they boast large coats of wool that keep them warm in cold places.

DRAGONS
Dragons are a rarity in the known world, seldom seen outside of their nests and (until the curse ravaged Rin) small communes. They come in all shapes and sizes, but all have a handful of constant traits. Dragons are born without wings, sprouting them as they mature. Once fully grown, they are not only too large to fit into society proper but also feel a primal instinct to fly north. Why this is is not known, although what is known is that they reach an unknown land beyond Rin-That-Was that is seldom spoken of. Dragons that venture into the Far Land (as it is often referred to) are never seen again, save for the eldest of them which are spotted once in a blue moon. These eldest of dragons are known as Archdrakes, and appear to have become covetous, bloodthirsty beasts, although they do retain their sentience. Archdrakes have always been known to bring destruction and ruin to Rin, lusting for gold and jewels above all else. The last Archdrake to attack Rin came during the time of King Endon, and was eventually subdued and kept captive in the Serpentine Keep.
While the appearance of dragons varies greatly, one defining aspect is their underside. It is a light blue color by default, and changes according to the sky they fly under. This is a form of camouflage for hunting, and as such even the largest of adult dragons can be difficult to spot. However, an immature or teenage dragon only has a regularly colored underside, and this camouflage only appears once they are fully grown. The main colors seen in dragons are golden, red, rainbow like an opal, blue with white spots, green, purple and a dazzling pale white like a diamond. They can come in many other colors besides, but these are the most common of them.
While many dragons follow their instincts and migrate to the Far Land, many others choose to live solitary lifestyles, finding remote locations in the world and making nests. They are proud yet easily angered creatures that simply wish to be left to their own devices. They seem to worship the same gods as the other inhabitants of Rin and Arineau. Dragons are instinctively territorial, and do not take kindly to intruders in their lair. To ward off potential thieves, dragons often decorate the entrances to their nests with bones, rocks, leaves and other small gems. They are omnivorous, although they favor meat, especially fish. Due to their solitary nature, dragons are very slow breeders, and a dragon's egg is a prized treasure by less savory folk. Their nests are often lined with soft materials.