Creatures of the Sword Bearer

When I set out to write Legend of the Sword Bearer, I really only had considered three different species; humans, elves, and gods, and maybe some dwarves if I needed them for something. But as I wrote, some other creatures appeared, so here’s a detailed description of the beings that occupy the Sword Bearer universe.

Elves

Elves were one of the first sentient species. They originally lived on Primeval Earth, but their society was destroyed from within by sectarianism. One group was a colonizing, empire-building group that saw other species, such as humans, as subservient to themselves, and they elevated themselves as gods. The other was content to live in peace with other sentient beings. There was a great war that destroyed their civilization. The gods went to live in Annwn, while the elves rebuilt their civilization on the Isle of Avalon. 

The elves look roughly the same as humans but are generally more intelligent. They are gifted with magical powers that enable them to manipulate their environment. They are also much longer-lived than humans, sometimes living two or three thousand years. They are a monarchical society but their monarchs are chosen by the priestly caste, known as wizards. Their current monarch is Nimue, daughter of Gwyn. They are a monotheistic society, worshipping the Almighty Spirit, who gave life to all things. 

Gods

As stated above, the gods are elves that have been twisted by black magic. They see themselves as the rightful rulers of the universe, and all others as their servants to do with as they please. They are also a monarchical society but use a hereditary model. Their current ruler is Morgause, daughter of Arawn. Their lifespan is indeterminate, as they consume the life-essence of humans to unnaturally lengthen their lives. They do this with the use of the Graal, an ancient and evil vessel. The gods adore none but themselves. The gods were once much more numerous than they are now, but there was a great war that left most of their number dead.

Werewolves

Werewolves are not a race in the strictest sense; they are humans who can transform into wolves. The gods enchanted several humans, causing them to transform into wolves and do their bidding. The wolf curse is passed on through the mother, but it only asserts itself in the presence of the gods. Since the gods haven’t visited earth in over a millennia, the werewolves have been dormant. Many humans are completely unaware that they are werewolves.

Dwarves

Dwarves live in the Dwarf Realm (where else?). They have roughly the same appearance as humans but are much shorter. Physically, they are far stronger than humans, but not more intelligent. Their lifespans are much longer than a human’s, but not as long as an elf’s; they typically live for five to eight hundred years. They are a patriarchal society, being led entirely by males. They have a parliamentary system of government; the elders of the seven great households meet each solstice to vote. Each clan is basically independent of the others. They are a generally peaceful society; they prefer negotiation to violence but are perfectly capable of warfare if the need arises. They are great craftsmen and tradesmen but mostly do business with the gods. They worship the spirits of the seven great clans.

Hobgoblins

Hobgoblins are small, humanoid creatures that live underground or in hollow trees throughout the universe. No one knows where they came from; not even the hobgoblins themselves. Hobgoblins have been characterized as pests by dwarves and gods, and they’ve been trying to eradicate them. They typically grow 2-3 feet tall and have blue-grey skin, (owing to living most of their lives in the dark). They have large, very acute eyes and ears for navigating in the dark. Their lifespan is longer than a human; maybe 150 years for most. They have the unique ability to turn invisible for short time periods if need be. Some of them have other magical abilities, but most do not.  Hobgoblins always have twins, which allows them to reproduce quickly. 

Hobgoblins usually live in small family bands. Hobgoblins have no government to speak of; each family is led by the patriarch. Most of them answer to Robin Goodfellow, though he rarely orders them to do anything they don’t already want to do. Hobgoblins are peaceful folk, preferring pranks and tricks to warfare, but they can be formidable warriors. Hobgoblins are generally friendly toward humans; if you have one in your home or garden, they will perform small tasks in exchange for food and drink. They enjoy mushrooms, root vegetables, porridge, rabbit stew, spiced cider, music, and dancing. Hobgoblins are not to be confused with boggards- feral hobgoblins. 

Ogres

The ogres were bred by the gods as brutes to do whatever they needed them to; expendable soldiers, menial labor, whatever. They were bred many millennia ago from humans, and retain many human-like characteristics. They are more muscular than a normal human and have denser bones, but they are much less intelligent.

Soldiers

Soldiers, like ogres, were bred from humans but were intended to be an elite fighting force for the gods. They are like humans in almost every way, except they are somewhat stronger and taller than the average human. They are brought up from a young age to serve the gods. They have no families and are not allowed to form emotional attachments; to do so would result in exile, a fate worse than death. They have a hierarchical authority structure, which they are taught to respect above all. 

Trolls

Not much is known about trolls. No one knows where they came from; no one really cares. They live in uninhabited places, mostly in the Dwarf Realm and the Iron Forest. They are highly carnivorous- even cannibalistic- and travelers must be very careful when passing through the trackless wastes of the Dwarf Realm, or they may be eaten. Trolls typically live in caves and mines, only emerging at night; sunlight causes their skin to harden, and become rock-like. Trolls are much larger and stronger than a human, usually growing between eight and ten feet tall, though they walk in a stooped manner, dragging their knuckles on the ground, or even walking on all fours. They are much less intelligent than humans. Little is known about their lifespan. 

Giants

The giants were an ancient race of huge humanoid monsters that once wandered the cosmos, spreading death and destruction wherever they went. They devastated primeval Earth, as well as several other worlds in a cosmic war with the elves. Their only aim was chaos for its own sake. They were large and brutish, but also fiendishly intelligent. The elves eventually destroyed most of them; the rest they banished to the Realm of Ice behind a barrier of powerful magic. They still dwell there, awaiting the day when they can break loose and begin spread destruction again. 

Conqueror Wyrms

The conqueror wyrms were an ancient reptilian race that inhabited the ancient cosmos. They were known for their great size and strength, their stone-like skin, and deadly breath. Like the giants, they lived to spread chaos wherever they went, but like the giants, they were defeated. Some of them were killed, others were banished, some lie in slumber under our very feet.