More Species of Terra (Patreon)

Unlike Earth, there are many intelligent, sentient species living in Terra beyond just humans. The six mentioned in the previous article - Humans, Elves, Gnomes, Halflings, Orcs, and Dwarfs - are the most populous, controlling a vast majority of the planet’s land. This can sometimes leave other species feeling like second class citizens, even though they also call Terra home.

Goblins are small humanoid creatures, often with green-colored skin. It was originally theorized that they may be related to orcs, but study has shown them to have more in common with reptiles or amphibians than mammals, with cold-blooded circulation. Some subspecies, such as the Kobold, lack ears and are even covered in scales. Sadly, this also leads to a lot of discrimination, insinuating the species’ is less intelligent, due to them being more like an animal than a person. For much of Terran history, goblin cultures have shunned the outside world to insulate themselves from those who would do them harm, but in the past century have begun making themselves known and interacting with other cultures. In addition to kobolds, some other subspecies of goblin are the brownies, the dokkaebi, and the gudrobongai.

One of the most mysterious, enigmatic species is the fae - also called fairies or faeries. They are most known for their extremely powerful and very unique magical powers, and their open hostility to anyone not a fairy. Fairy magic works in strange ways still not fully understood by non-fae, following odd rules and customs that can prove dangerous to those not anticipating them. Interacting with the fae runs the risk of falling into a trap laid by those rules and customs, granting the fairy magical power over their prey. Typically a physically diminutive species, they often use their magic to transform their appearances in an effort to deceive non-fae. Most fae do not live in our realm, instead living in small pocket-dimensions they have created on the Astral Plane. The dryads, jogah, and yosei are just some of the different fae tribes.

The word giant immediately makes people think of massive, immensely tall beings, but the truth is that most rarely ever grow more than ten feet tall. With many of their societies still in the development phase, they are commonly stereotyped as brutish and unintelligent. With their immense strength and durability, it is common for members of this species to become mercenaries and bodyguards, though it is also becoming more and more common to find them in construction and demolition. However, their larger size also translates to shorter life spans when compared to other Terran species. Ogres, trolls, and jotunn are just a few of the known giant clans.

Beneath the waves of Terra’s oceans are the homes of the merpeople. For a long time, this aquatic species was thought to be a myth, nothing more than the tales of lonely pirates and fishermen. Then one day, an underwater city was discovered, and merpeople entered the world stage. There is an extremely high level of physical variation among them, with some groups sharing the physical characteristics of specific aquatic animals. While some members of this species are able to breathe on land, the majority require water - some even specifically fresh or saltwater. The haffrue are one known species of merpeople, along with the ningyo, and the pincoy. Because of their similarities to aquatic animals, some wonder if merpeople are related to the final species of our list.

The name beastkin is one that can be applied to many species of humanoids with animal-like features, but is primarily associated with a species that originated on the island continent known as Dreamland. This species itself can be divided into several subspecies, each sharing qualities of a specific biological family of animals. Canine, feline, bovine, ursine, avian, reptilian - there are many, many subspecies, and those can be divided even further. However, the term “beastkin” has also been used to refer to any sentient being with both animal and human-like qualities. The hyena hybrids known as gnolls, the part-horse centaurs, the musically inclined avians called the kinnara, and the cat-eared nekomata of Taiyohito. Species like this can be found all over the world, having seemingly evolved independently of one another, despite their similarities.

There may be even more species that have yet to be discovered, hiding in some of the darkest corners of Terra. Rumors abound of an angelic species living high in the mountains, or a demonic species in caverns that lead deep into the planet's crust. Only time, or a daring group of adventurers, may be able to determine the truth.