Kerram

Deep beneath the surface of Ninavar, in sprawling caverns and hidden warrens, dwell the kerram—a cunning race of jackal-headed humanoids whose fascination with science and invention borders on obsession. Master engineers and ingenious craftsmen, the kerram construct elaborate machines powered by steam, intricate clockwork mechanisms, and a mysterious radioactive mineral known as glow rock. Coveted above all other resources, this dangerous substance fuels their most ambitious inventions, driving the kerram to excavate ever deeper into the earth, often forcing enslaved captives to labor in their mines. Though physically imposing, their greatest weapons are their intellect and their relentless pursuit of technological advancement. Few outsiders have ventured into the subterranean strongholds of the kerram, and fewer still have returned to tell of the strange and terrible wonders concealed within.

Slith

Deep within the steaming jungles of Eribiss lurk the slith, a savage reptilian and amphibious race devoted to bloodshed, dark sorcery, and the worship of Echid and Tephon, the Mother and Father of all serpents. The slith exist in three distinct forms: the orm, small, frog-like creatures known for their cunning; the asath, fearsome crocodilian warriors possessing tremendous strength and ferocity; and the priests of Ngennu, huge toad-like sorcerers who command powerful and ancient magic. Dwelling in primitive jungle villages and imposing pyramid temples, the slith practice gruesome rituals and offer living sacrifices to appease their insatiable gods. Their civilization is steeped in superstition, cruelty, and forbidden knowledge, and those unfortunate enough to wander into their territories may find themselves dragged before bloodstained altars, where death is not merely an act of violence, but an offering to the gods.

Orcs

Brutal, savage, and bred for warfare, the orcs are among the most feared inhabitants of Ninavar. These powerful humanoids possess thick, muscular bodies, dark gray or black skin, and a natural ferocity that makes them formidable opponents in battle. Organized into fiercely competitive tribes and warbands, orc society values strength, conquest, and unquestioning loyalty to its most powerful warriors. Clad in crude armor of iron and leather, they favor heavy swords, axes, and other brutal weapons, relying upon overwhelming force to crush their enemies. Though sometimes dismissed as mindless savages, orcs possess a cunning intelligence and an instinctive understanding of warfare, making them particularly dangerous when united beneath a powerful chieftain or warlord. Their endless hunger for territory, plunder, and domination has brought them into conflict with nearly every civilized race in Ninavar.

Goblins

Small, nimble, and endlessly mischievous, goblins are a cunning and treacherous race found throughout the darker corners of Ninavar. With their grayish skin, oversized features, and wicked grins, these diminutive creatures are easily underestimated, often to the great misfortune of those who encounter them. Lacking the physical strength of their larger cousins, the orcs, goblins survive through deception, stealth, and sheer numbers. They inhabit caves, abandoned ruins, underground tunnels, and ramshackle settlements, where they delight in thievery, scavenging, and the construction of ingenious traps. Though cowardly when confronted alone, goblins become remarkably bold in large groups, overwhelming their enemies with relentless attacks and malicious trickery. Some possess an aptitude for magic, alchemy, or mechanical invention, making them unpredictable adversaries whose greatest weapon is often their willingness to employ any means necessary to survive.

Ogres

Massive, brutish, and possessed of an almost insatiable appetite, ogres are among the most terrifying creatures to roam the wilds of Ninavar. Standing twice the height of an ordinary man, these hulking giants possess enormous muscular bodies, thick leathery skin, grotesque features, and tremendous physical strength. Solitary by nature, ogres generally dwell in remote caves, mountain valleys, deep forests, and other isolated places where they hunt whatever unfortunate creatures wander into their territory. Their intelligence is limited, but their capacity for violence is nearly boundless, and they favor enormous clubs, crude stone hammers, and other weapons capable of crushing an armored knight with a single blow. Notoriously gluttonous, ogres will devour nearly anything they can catch, including humans and other intelligent beings. Though rarely organized, they are sometimes recruited into the armies of orc chieftains or dark sorcerers, where their immense size and destructive power make them devastating instruments of war.

Trolls

Ancient, mysterious, and fiercely territorial, Trolls are monstrous creatures whose origins are said to be intertwined with the oldest forests and wildest places of Ninavar. Towering above even the largest orcs, these formidable beings possess massive bodies covered in rough, bark-like skin, with tangled growths of moss, vines, and vegetation hanging from their heads and shoulders. Their extraordinary strength is matched by a remarkable resilience, allowing them to endure wounds that would kill most other creatures. Trolls generally inhabit deep forests, forgotten valleys, and remote mountain wildernesses, where they live in isolation and fiercely defend their territories against intruders. Though slow-moving and seemingly ponderous, they are capable of sudden bursts of terrifying violence, wielding enormous clubs, stone hammers, and uprooted trees as weapons. Some believe Trolls possess a primitive connection to the natural world, drawing strength from the very earth beneath their feet, but whatever their origins, few travelers survive an encounter with one of these ancient and fearsome giants.