Diverse as the many cultures of humans are, the world of Mystaris is filled with peoples and races of creatures mundane, exotic and magical.

Deorsar.

The oceans to the west of Tarkania are reputed to contain many strange and fabulous creatures in their depths, but few have had the chance to explore them. This is because the entrance to the seas is held by the Deorsar, a race of reptilian beings who have a great hatred for land dwellers. Their invasion of the Illeanic Empire was defeated, but the battles were so devestating that the Empire never recovered.

The Deorsar consist of a number of castes and slave races. The most powerful Deorsar are black, bipedal and eight feet tall, being fearsome warriors and wielders of water magic. The Deorsar make their home in shallow water, striving their utmost to conquer coastal lands and then use their elemental powers to sink the captured territory.

Fire Demons.

The race of Fire Demons live in a plane of existence very different from our own. The first recorded contact with the Fire Demons was by the Elvish Firelord Urzen, but it was with his human protege Pyrrean that we have the first detailed records of this species. It was with their help that he constructed the ancient fortress of Vulkos. This began a time when there was considerable traffic between the races of Mystaris and the Fire Demons.

Centuries after Pyrrean's death the Fire Masters were driven from their lands by an invasion of Ice Warriors. They joined with the militia of the town of Landspar to repel the invasion, and the Fire Masters promised the Fire Demons untold wealth if they would aid them in battle. The Fire Demons agreed and were instrumental in winning the day against the legions of Ice Warriors. When it came time to make payment the Fire Masters reneged on their agreement. The Fire Demons were appalled by this, and since that day they have considered humans to be untrustworthy. In the millennia since that battle very few encounters with Fire Demons have been recorded.

Hydras.

Hydras are multi-headed monsters related to dragons. The majority of these creatures have five heads, making them fearsome and mighty opponents in battle. Unlike their draconic relatives they do not have wings or have magical breath weapons, although there have been reported some unusual and rare species of hydra that do possess some of the traits and abilities of dragons.

Necromancers.

Necromancers are practitioners of the magical arts that have devoted their studies to the dark branch of magic known as necromancy. This gives these mages the power to summon and create undead creatures from the Plane of Death, where countless evil spirits and shades await the chance to enter the mortal plane and wreak their unending hatred on all things living. Necromancers can bind these undead to their will, making them tireless servants, and many necromancers have used such monsters to further their own power and influence in the world. One of the most notable instances of this in Mystarian history was the reign of the Necromancer Kings in Breton, some two thousand years ago, when Breton's undead armies swept across neighbouring lands, subjugating them.

Only the most powerful necromancers can control the greater shades of the Plane of Death; those who have failed have loosed terrible undead in the world, or been taken over and become monstrous and feared creatures such as lichs and phantoms.

Ogres.

Ogres are giant humanoids that are common throughout the lands of Mystaris. They are carnivores who are reputed to eat anything that moves, and with their size they have a voracious appetite.

While the civilised races view them as stupid, they do have their own guttural language, and are capable of great feats of animal cunning.

Skeletons.

Skeletons are the animated remains of creatures, usually humanoid, and are created by powerful necromancers, wizards, and others with access to the powers of the Plane of Death. These undead are normally used as guards or soldiers, and although individually relatively weak, in numbers they can prove to be an effective force, and this is magnified by their immunity to any mind-based attacks. Since skeletons are mindless creatures, they obey their masters without question and are utterly loyal.

Spidrons.

The Spidrons were said to have been created by the Spider Lord Galrakh in his long and unsuccessful war on the Illeanic Empire. Since then, a few colonies of them have been found underground or deep within forests throughout the region. Whenever contact is made with humans war immediately ensues, until one or the other party withdraws from the area.

Spidrons have the advantages of human hands and co-ordination combined with the speed, night sight and poison resistance of their spider-kin. Their society is matriarchal, though the males distinguish themselves in battle.

Vampires.

Vampires are powerful undead driven to seek the blood of mortals to sustain their existence. These feared undead come from the Plane of Death, their spirit taking over a host, though they can also be created by existing vampires; this is achieved when a vampire slays a mortal but then chooses for them to return as a vampire, subservient in will to them. Vampires have many powers, including the ability to charm victims, change into a bat at will, and superhuman strength. They also have several well-documented weaknesses, including a susceptibility to garlic and holy symbols, and sunlight or a wooden stake driven through their hearts can destroy them.

Wutha.

Thousands of years ago the continent that is now known as Tarkania was inhabited by the Wutha. These nomadic tribesmen tended their flocks and ranged from the north to the south of the continent with the changing of the seasons. The tribes were fiercely independent, occasionally raiding each other though they were at peace with the other races of the land. They shared a common language and religion. The tribesmen had many gods, but chief among them was Obenor, who brought the rain, gave victory in battle, and passed judgement among the people.

Then an army under Tarkan the Mighty invaded and conquered the Wutha. The worship of Obenor was outlawed, and all his temples were destroyed. The old religion of the Wutha survived in secret, their prayers to Obenor were now concerned with revenge upon their Tarkanian oppressors and reclaiming the land that was once their own.