II. HISTORY

1. Story of Archipelago
   
   
   
   
2. People and Creatures
   
   Many people and creatures inhabit the world of Archipelago. All are unique with each having their limitations as well as advantages. Note: ogiers, satyrs, orcs, dragons, demons, and the list of bestiary are not player races, but listed to represent Archipelago's sense of history and diversity. --many thanks to ratatosk for writing many of the descriptions.
   

   People

   • Elves are a beautiful, and graceful people, most at home in the great forests and woodlands. Well known for their wisdom and ancient knowledge, they dabble in magic as much as humans have turned to toil for support.
   • Halflings are a diminutive folk preferring comfort and idleness to hard work. They depend on others for sustenance, and although more communal than most, are also seen as a race of thieves, for better or worse.
   • Giants live out in the wilderness. They are a race known for brute strength and endurance. Most are solitary hunters, but others come to the cities to make their living among the other races.
   • Humans are the most populous and accepted of the many races. They cover the land in large communities that are home to all skills and trades.
   • Goblins are as mistrusted as the night itself. Known for theft, and other dark deeds, they are unwelcome at best among the other races.
   • Selkies are the sea folk, raised among the foam of the waters. Much like human-kind, they thrive through hard work and trade and find themselves at home among the harbour towns of the land.
   • Dwarves are a race born in tunnels and works of stone, they are delvers and shapers known for their skill in crafts and art. They often make their way to the cities, where they find ready work and a home among others of their kind.
   • Pixies are most at home among the woods and hidden places of the world. A magical race without parallel, they are better suited to spells and mysticism than any other.
   • Gnomes are a close cousin of pixies and dwarves. They find their way as best they can, whether through magic or work. They are a quiet people, and are known for their simple wisdom and great machines and artifacts.
   • Ogres are a somewhat brutal race, the darker brothers to giants and man. Feared for their cunning and fighting abilities, they are barely tolerated among the civilized people of the land.
   • Amarya are a race of feline tribesmen. They are well-suited to stealth and make their living in the wilds as hunters and trackers. In the cities, they are thought of much the same, but often take to less desirable pursuits.
   • Trolls are a tribal folk. They make a living in simple hunting but are known for their exceeding toughness and ability for hard work. For this reason alone, they are quite often found among the cities of the land.
   • Ogiers are a extinct race. Lovers of knowledge, and respectful of magic, they were a peaceful communal people. In the cities, they were well known for their superb monuments and woodshaping abilities, as many ancient cities and towns were built by them. Ogiers have not been seen in ages, and are believed to be legends told in tall tales.
   • Satyrs are a barbarous race with the features of both goat and man. Their society is feudal and warlike, comprised of tightly-knit warrior clans residing in heavily fortified caves. They are, for the most part, despised by other races as they prefer to pillage and plunder than to engage in civil discourse and trade.
   • Orcs are a simple tribal race prefering dark places and solitude. Although not particularily bright, nor bold, they are hardworkers. Most make their living among other races as professional soldiers, mercenaries, and labourers.
   • Dragons, although few in number, are as varied as the colors in the rainbow. Theirs is a noble race, both strong and proud. Most prefer a life of solitude and secrecy. Others are more social, and amendable to usefulness when tamed, or controlled through great magicks.
   • Demons are supernatural beings, masters of both the spirit and physical worlds. These creatures simply exist, for better or worse. Some are known to be summonable for whatever small purpose, but more times than nough, they break loose to cause undue harm among the world.

   Bestiary

   • Undead are abdominations of the natural world. They live through unnatural means either through magic, or by arcane methods. They have no will, nor compassion, but exist simply to wreak havok and cause pain.
   • Ghosts usually are benign spirits gravitating toward places reverant to the dead. Some, however, are more malicious, and find delight in a prank or two.
   • Wyrms are solitary serpent creatures closely related to dragons. They live out their lives in quiet isolation, hunting and preying on almost anything in their habitat.
   • Mammals, aside from the various peoples populating the world, come in all sizes, shapes, and smells. Some, like sheep and oxen, have been domesticated by people to serve as food, transportation, pets, and beasts of burden. Others, like bears, and lions are wild and predatory, surviving only by instinct and brute strength.
   • Insects are the most populous, and diverse of all animals. They can fill any niche thought uninhabitable for higher organisms. Some species, especially ants and bees, have highly complex and organized societies rivalling that of people.
   • Reptiles are scaly cold-blooded creatures distantly related to highly intelligent dragons. Some are predatory, others are not.
   • Amphibians are cold-blooded smooth-skinned creatures. They live in habitats where water is plentiful. Some are brightly colourful and considered noxious, others are not.
   • Birds are feathery egg-laying creatures, the rulers of the sky and of the wind. Most are colourful, and frilly to attract others of their kind. Others are more drab for purposes of secrecy and evasion.
   • Fishes fill the seas, and roam the oceans. Most are harmless and live only to survive, or be eaten. A rare few, however, are more malignent, and interested only in preying on seafaring vessels stuck out on the high seas.
   • Plants cover the world in green finery. They absorb the sun's energy to survive, and become food for animals. Some plants are harmless and tasty, yet others are dangerous hunters employing seduction and beauty as bait.
   
   
   
3. Cities and Places
   
   One can travel to many places not just on land, but on water, underwater, in the air, below ground, and in other planes of existance. Among civilized places, there are a few cities, and a handful of towns and villages scattered across the Archipelago. Here is a Map of the City of Lamman.