NON-HUMAN RACES
The Cephan
The Cephan are generally equivalent to dwarves, but several distinctions should be made in their case vs. the traditional depiction of said race. The Cephan do not live in caves or mines. Rather, they live above ground in predominantly mountainous areas. They revere nature and the elements, but worship stone above all. They have no designated god, but look to “Liferock” (stone) as a living part of nature.
The Cephan are generally druidic in their practices, and it is not unheard of for a clan to sacrifice one of their finest warriors on a great stone altar as an offering to the “Liferock.” Though they do not necessarily practice “magic” in the traditional sense, the “Liferock” grants them the abilities to heal themselves by pressing ground stone and earth into any open wounds. They are also known for their exceptional strength, endurance, and constitution. Even in times of plague, the Cephan population remained untouched by any disease.
Physically, adult Cephan typically stand 5' and weigh an average of 200-300 pounds. Though not rotund, they are stocky creatures with dense musculature. Females scarcely become taller than 4'6'' and typically weigh slightly less. Cephan skin is often tanned from long days in the sun.
The men wear their hair long and common coloration is red, brown or black. Married Cephan will grow long, bristly beards. The longer a man's beard is, the longer he has been married. Such loyalty is seen as paramount to the continuation of the race and any Cephan who would dare to commit adultery is publicly shamed and executed. Divorce is unheard of and Cephan are encouraged to choose their mates wisely, as such unions are to last the entirety of their lifetime.
Unmarried males are typically devoid of facial hair and stand out amongst their elders. Most Cephans are married before the age of thirty. The average lifespan for a Cephan, 200-300 years, is considerably longer than their human counterparts.
Many Cephan are expert craftsmen and their race is particularly well-known for their fashioning of armor, weapons, and leather. It is uncommon to see such Cephan-made finery in the hands of other races as the Cephan are very self-reliant and have little need for trading. They grow, hunt, and gather their own food, mine their own stone, locate their own ores for metal, etc.
The Cephan are traditionally a peaceful race and do not seek to mingle with other races. Despite their lack of interactions with other races, they still maintain a formidable army of warriors. Their isolationist practices create a great deal of curiosity, and at times, animosity, from outside entities.
When approached by representatives of another race, the Cephan are not outwardly unfriendly, but are suspicious and naturally mistrustful. Several hundred years ago, King Daphomen I of Mormount led a Holy Crusade against all who did not worship the one true god. Many Cephans were slain. After several years of bitter fighting, the armies of Mormount were driven back by the Allied Cephan clans. As a result, the Cephans now tend to isolate themselves upon the highest mountains of Grey Hall, though sightings of a few, wandering clans have been documented.
The highest population of Cephan are found in the north, near Grey Hall, though their presence is not strictly unheard of in other countries. The generally tend to avoid cities.
