Algher Mhankur, a male Utraean, wearing a suit of Hassat skin.
The Utraeans are a race possessing the greatest technological and magical knowledge known in all of Aranna. Though nearly extinct in recent times, they once had a civilization greater than even the Empire of Stars.
Appearance[]
Utraeans, on average, are roughly the same size and shape as humans. Utraeans are gray-blue skinned, with darker lines running in intricate patterns across their skin. It is unknown whether these are birthmarks or tattoos of cultural significance. While male Utraeans have no hair, females do. Older Utraean men have been seen with beards, showing that they can grow facial hair.
Utraeans are native to the Island of the Utraeans.
History[]
Concept art of a Utraean male
In ancient times, the Utraeans possessed technologies and magic still unmatched by the other races of Aranna. In The Genesis of Species, a Utraean scientist describes a form of sorcery that allowed them to evolve other, "lesser" beings. Two species, the reptilian Zaurask, and the feline Hassat, were the most responsive to this treatment.
At some point, the Utraeans expanded to the southern region now known today as the Utraean Peninsula. A second basilicus, similar to the one on the Isle of Utrae, was build here to link the various settlements. At an unknown point in time, the Utraeans sealed the Maljin in catacombs beneath Hiroth and separated the key into several parts, dividing up each part among the different towns.
As time passed, the Zaurask in particular became slaves in Utraean society. Eventually, however, the Zaurask turned on their Utraean overlords in a brutal war of genocide. Outnumbered, the Utraeans were forced out of their old strongholds, such as Fortress Emerard, Jherkal's Crown, and Xulphae's Cove. Only the city of Illicor remained. During this uprising, Utraean forces were called in from the Utraean Peninsula to assist in the fighting and the entire peninsula was eventually abandoned.
When the Hero of Arhok reached Illicor, Zaurask forces had invaded, and occupied parts of the city, seeking to finally wipe their oppressors from the face of Aranna. In the nearby jungles, Utraean historians and scholars excavated old ruins and temples, in search of the remnants of their ancient weapons. Meanwhile, pilgrimages tried to reclaim lost territories, or to even broker a peace with Nosirrom, the Zaurask King.
Legacy[]
By the time that Valdis claimed the Sword of Zaramoth, the other races of Aranna appear to have forgotten the Utraeans, and the ancient race may have finally succumbed to the Zaurask, or simply faded away. However, this could be simply a matter of geography; as the Isle of Utrae was on the opposite side of the continent from the lands threatened by Valdis.
Geography[]
The majority of the Utraeans lives on the Island of Utraeans. Their homeland ranges from the humid jungle to the deadly swamp, even the dry badlands and towering mountains.
Natural Resources[]
Utraeans used the wide range of resources from their surroundings. Stones, woods, scales, and furs are the common resources in their society. The Utraeans used the stone and wood for buildings while using animals skins such as fur and scales for carpets, tapestries, and clothings. The spider silk are also used for armour as well. They also used the metals to build the generators and machines. The marbles are uncommon, mostly used for the marble golems.
Similar to the droogs, the sandstone cliffs have been hollowed out into the houses inside the cliffs or the large statues.
Society[]
Utraeans works as the scholars, guards, miners, traders, wizards, and many more.
The Utraeans are known for wearing their vibrant, silky clothes and adorning themselves in golden bracelets and other beautiful jewelleries. Showing their darker side, they would skin the Hassats and use them as furred armour or clothing while skinning the Zaurusk for armour or clothings.
Armours and weapons are unique compared to humans.
Architecture[]
Utraeans built their cities and other structures out of stone, woods, or marbles. The buildings are rectangular and has slopes instead of stairs, possibly used to roll down heavy objects.
The floating totem head floating on top of the magical orb that supports it upright.
Technology[]
In addition to the ability to accelerate the natural evolution of animals, the Utraeans constructed great statues and temples that dominated their homeland. A statue of Lor, the greatest Utraean scientist of his age, had feet taller than even the half-giants.
Another Utraean technology, the Displacers (also known as the H.U.B.), allowed quick transport throughout their empire. Displacers are platforms which, when activated, would ascend, then teleport to a linked landing pad. Before the fall of the Utraean Empire, a large transport hub near the city of Jherkal's Crown linked every Utraean outpost, city, and stronghold. During the war with the Zaurask, the Utraean garrison at the H.U.B. center held their ground until all but one of the Displacers was disabled or sealed off. Another hub is known to exist upon the Utraean Peninsula.
Perhaps the greatest achievement of Utraean science, however, is the Great Clock, a device capable of controlling the weather itself. Created so that the Utraean wizard-priests could directly contact a divine power, it was inadvertently used to summon forth the Shadowjumper from the Elemental Realm of Shadow. The evil creature would eventually return, after centuries of imprisonment, and use the device in an attempt to completely annihilate the Utraean race.