Peoples of Aetheria

Original peoples

Humans, Orcorocks, Sterlings, Gnomes, and Avalorians are among Aetheria’s original peoples. The realm’s long history includes migration, alliances, conflict, and intermarriage.

Descendant peoples

Many peoples trace ancestry to more than one of the original groups. Ancestry and cultural identity are related, but they are not the same thing.

• Half-elves: Human and Sterling ancestry.
• Trells: Gnome and Sterling ancestry.
• Shades, also called dark-elves: Orcorock and Sterling ancestry.
• Orcmen, also called half-orcs: Human and Orcorock ancestry.
• Grendrels, also called goblins: Orcorock and Gnome ancestry.
• Dwarves and halflings: distinct cultures that share Human and Gnome ancestry.

Names and identity

The word ‘Wight’ refers to half-elves in Aetheria; it does not mean undead. The Sterling term means ‘unfortunate,’ and many half-elves consider it derogatory. They may prefer elf, half-elf, or a name reflecting their cultural identity.