Some time has passed in Aetolia since the War of Night, and its effects are still felt across the land. One of these is that several new races have become integrated into the Aetolian society, and as a result are now available as player races!

We're releasing four new races today: Ogre, Orc, Nazetu and Arqeshi!

Here's a brief explanation of each of the races, along with their skills and some artwork of them drawn by Eleanor! Make sure to read HELP <race> for the full verbose explanation of each race.

Ogre
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The Ogres, cousins to the Trolls, are a powerful people, with dark, beady eyes and skin that tends toward hues of stone. Stalwart people of the earth, their stature makes them indispensable in a fight, but their contemplative nature lends itself to magecraft and piety as well.

http://www.aetolia.com/image/ogre

Level 1: Sturdiness
Ogres may STAND FIRM to make them immovable by most skills and abilities that would normally do so until their next use of balance or equilibrium.

Level 25: Crashing
Opens up the Crashing skill in Survival. See AB SURVIVAL CRASHIGN for details.

Level 50: Health Regeneration
Analogous to existing health regeneration racial (HELP RACIAL SKILLS).

Level 75: Tremor sense
Analogous to existing tremor sense racial (HELP RACIAL SKILLS).

Heritage: Unflinching
The hide of an Ogre is thick enough to block an extra 10% damage when diverting an attack.


Orc
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Another cousin-race to the Trolls, the Orcs are nimble but tough, with mottled green skin - the better to camouflage them in their native jungles - and protruding tusks. Possessed of unique skill with warfare and blacksmithing, many can be found serving in the armies and the militias of the land, lending their cunning to the fight for the Midnight Age.

http://www.aetolia.com/image/orc

Level 1: Gripping
Analogous to existing gripping racial (HELP RACIAL SKILLS).

Level 25: Cunning
Orcs can use their innate cunning to gain a free proficiency with one weapon of their choice. This choice, once made, is irreversible, and the proficiency is disabled if you are not in the Orc race or heritage. CUNNING SELECT <weapon>, CUNNING SHOW.

Level 50: Health Regeneration
Analogous to existing health regeneration racial (HELP RACIAL SKILLS).

Level 75: Improved Forging
Analogous to existing improved forging racial (HELP RACIAL SKILLS).

Heritage: Viciousness
Those of Orc heritage have a 5% greater chance of scoring critical hits while dealing blunt or cutting damage.


Nazetu
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The Nazetu are a foul, disgusting, once-seafaring race, marked apart by their green, slimy flesh and their penchant for cruelty and hedonism. Made in the fearful image of the Goddess of Corruption, most seek to serve Her and Her ideals to the exclusion of all other ends, and are a powerful force of Darkness.

http://www.aetolia.com/image/nazetu

Level 1: Sliminess
Nazetu slowly accrue stinkiness passively, as a result of secreting foul-smelling slime. While stinking, Nazetu also swim faster, as a result of moving through the water more efficiently. Moreover, they may OOZE, taking several seconds of balance to accrue stinkiness.

Level 25: Trawling
When in a watery environment, you can trawl the waters for sustenance, in a similar manner to foraging. Also allows the Nazetu to eat raw fish.

Level 50: Shedding
When stinky, your natural coating of slime suppresses the stench. You may SHED as an alternative to scrubbing.

Level 75: Cold-blooded
Analogous to existing cold-blooded racial (HELP RACIAL SKILLS).

Heritage: Mother's Kiss
Those of Nazetu heritage may lean over a fallen opponent and spew a stream of bile and poison into their mouth. This deals a large amount of damage, and afflicts them with loki.


Arqeshi
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The Arqeshi were once monsters, redeemed by the power of the Light. Though temptation faces them at every turn, and their once-creator, the Goddess of Corruption, seeks to lure them back - for they and the Nazetu are of the same race, and the line dividing the two is thin - they turn their monstrous visages and slimy forms to other pursuits, seeking freedom to live as they wish.

It's important to note that any Arqeshi created before year 470 MA in the game will have been a convert from the Nazetu race. Only after the year 470 MA will enough time have passed in Aetolia for there to be actual 18 year old Arqeshi who were born Arqeshi.

http://www.aetolia.com/image/arqeshi

Level 1: Sliminess (see Nazetu)

Level 25: Trawling (see Nazetu)

Level 50: Shedding (see Nazetu)

Level 75: Ice-Breath
Analogous to the existing ice-breath racial (HELP RACIAL SKILLS).

Heritage: Shriving
Those of Arqeshi heritage may shed their slime to instantly cure all afflictions. Usable once per Howling.

As the Arqeshi and Nazetu emerge, defining themselves at odds, competition between them to convert the undecided has intensified. As such, Lugra Roosi, sage of Huanazedha, seeks to bring Arqeshi into the Nazetu fold, while Mojat the Damarielite, who lives near Esterport, wishes to redeem the Nazetu from their dark path and make more Arqeshi.

Penned by my hand on Kinsday, the 19th of Chakros, in the year 456 MA.