The world of the Chronicles is populated by not one, but eight intelligent peoples. Exactly which began the journey towards civilisation first is lost somewhere in the mists of time, all we know is that centuries of trade and social interaction have left a mix of races in most areas. Here and there, exclusion zones are set up to keep away other races, but these are few, and often centred upon sites of little interest to the others anyway, and cause little friction.
As is the way of such things, one can never be quite sure that all the races on the planet have joined the "civilised world", but for now, let us catalogue those that are known.
Ape descended, sharp of mind, and expansionistic, humans can be found in almost every corner of the known world.
Driven by a desire to shape their surroundings, and a preference for shelter over an outdoor life, humans are often the main force behind the founding of towns, the establishment of farming communities, and the creation of defensive emplacements.
Although capable of hunting, they are by and large an agricultural people, preferring the tilling of soil, the growing of corn and fruits, and domestication of animals to a predator-prey chase.
Of all the races, they are acknowledged as being the most difficult to judge as a people, noted for being capable of great acts of kindness, yet just as capable of brutal cruelty.
Of feline ancestry, the leonin are a race of hunters and warriors. Strong and fearless in battle, they are nonetheless quite gentle when it comes to family, the important thing being that the strongest and most capable look after the weakest or youngest, leading to the distinction between parent, sibling, and family-friend being somewhat blurred.
While they have developed good techniques for the domestication of animals for their own use, they do still perform ritual hunts at times of celebration, such as when a member of the family comes of age, and every fifth year beyond that.
Leonin do not shy away from the great outdoors when it faces them, but given a choice they are often found in comfortable lodging, by a warm fireplace. They generally prefer open grasslands, and warm climates, and only rarely brave the coolness of the mountains.
They are always in demand for police, and mercenary forces, as they are excellent fighters - though many employers are careful to offer them high wages, as leonin loyalties often lie more with friends and family than with the origin of their cash flow. Their hunter nature, excellent night sight, and feline stealth often leads them into the realm of bounty hunting, or in some cases, hired assassins.
Of canine descent, the lupari have a strong and supportive pack mentality, enjoying little more than the company of family and friends. A hardy race by nature, they thrive in all climates and regions.
With keen senses, lupari make good trackers and hunters, which is fortunate as they enjoy a life on the move, and have little interest in agriculture or domesticating livestock, preferring to either catch what they need or trade for it.
Known for their loyalty, they are often welcomed into the military as they are notoriously difficult to bribe or sway once their allegiance has been gained. They are also commonly found as traders, travelling in groups, and covering more ground on foot than many other races would do on horseback.
In appearance, the vulpani might be mistaken for smaller cousins of the lupari, their vulpine ancestry giving them many canine traits. Usually short and slim, they tend to be quite independent by nature, not liking the idea that they are reliant upon another. Despite this, they have a strong sense of kinship, and invariably offer support to strangers of their own kind who look like they need a hand.
The vulpani are known to be jacks-of-all-trades in many things, dipping into farming, the raising of livestock, hunting (usually small game and fish), and being found in all the major vocations such as carpentry, cobbling, or tailoring.
Noted for their cunning and quick witted nature, vulpani have a reputation for hearing everything, and can often use the knowledge thus gained to think and talk their way out of situations that leave other races reaching for their weapons. For this reason they can often be found working as diplomats, translators, and bartenders.
Slightly rodent-like in appearance, the sciurel are forest loving and as a race, really quite peaceful.
Generally cheerful, these slender, agile people are nonetheless quite territorial when strangers encroach upon their turf, and they are well prepared to defend it by a childhood of the rough and tumble play that they seem to love. Fortunately, most fights with sciurels end with a laugh, a loud chorus of song, and a trip to the local tavern.
Sciurel are typically excellent carpenters, shipwrights and woodsmen, their knowledge of the forest and its resources being second to none.
Tending to shun the consumption of meat, they have developed good techniques for farming and harvesting vegetables, fruits and nuts - a practise in which they are often aided by the fact that no tree is ever declared un-climbable. They are also known to produce the best, and most varied wines and ales, and often work together with the lupari to establish long, swift export chains.
Often dubbed the Wacky Water Weasels by the other races, the lutrani live up to the name admirably. Loud, fun loving, and adventurous, lutrani are almost never found gloomy.
With a strong love of rivers, lakes, and the ocean, they are often found crewing ships for trade, passenger transport, or fishing which they are acknowledged masters of - though on occasion they will shun the net and simply dive into the water in person.
The lutrani run many, if not most of the water-based trade routes, and often find themselves sailing for far shores in partnership with humans, the latter's drive for exploration and expansion leaving them ever in search of a good ship and a bold crew - and there's no bolder sailor than a lutrani.
Of bear-like appearance, heavy set and almost immovable physically, the ursai are typically the biggest of the races. Often topping seven feet in height, and up to half that in width, it is often viewed as fortunate that these ambling mountains of fur and muscle generally prefer a solitary existence. That said, when roused, they make fearsome warriors, their great size and sharp claws meaning they are never found unarmed.
Ursai enjoy quiet lives in forests and mountains, ideally near a source of fish. Where they can, they will be self sufficient and politely but firmly decline the company of others.
Despite, or perhaps because of their preference for solitude, ursai can be highly intelligent and those that do venture into society often find work in accountancy, architecture, and town planning. They also make excellent smiths, their strong arms and careful natures being well suited to the shaping of steel.
Last, and frequently least in the eyes of the other races, the muscai are a small, quiet race, who like little better than a cosy dwelling where they can read about the world outside while never leaving the security of their home.
Often seeming nervous and skittish, they frequently give the impression of wanting to be left alone by the bigger, stronger races, which is a shame really, as when their trust is gained they are a friendly and caring people.
Despite their quiet and rather timid attitudes, muscai are a wide ranging folk, and are found in almost all the civilised world, managing to adapt admirably to each new location they encounter.
They are often found working as farmhands where their light feet do no damage to the new crops, as cleaners and servants since they can easily slip through a crowded room, or as messengers where their low weight makes for a fast horse. Muscai are also known to make excellent scribes and librarians, as their quiet ways, bookish natures, and large ears mean they rarely miss a word either spoken or printed.
