Erudite: Seekers of Arcane Knowledge

Descended from humans, erudites are humanoid in form, but therein end the similarities. Having devoted their lives to the pursuit of knowledge and having a distaste for conventional mabor, the erudites have evolved to a slighter, thinner version of their ancestors. In their quest for mastery of the arcane arts, erudite eyes glow with mystical power and their skin tone has changed to shades of grey. With their unsurpassed intelligence, erudites make extraordinary mages. Although not as developed as their intellect, their wisdom also serves them well on the path of the priest.

Profile: Starting City Qeynos or Freeport Alignment Good or Evil Racial Language Erudian Racial Homeland Erudin or Paineel on Odus Mythical Creator No direct creator Traditional Roles Mage, Priest
Racial Attributes Strength 12 Agility 18 Stamina 15 Intelligence 30 Wisdom 25

Background:

Erudites long ago renounced their human ancestry, looking at them to be no more than primitives. Indeed, erudites consider all other races to be inferior, and have no qualms about saying so - especially in regard to the kerra, who the Erudites see as little more than animals.

The city of Erudin was founded by the disciples of the great mage Erud on the barren coast of Odus. With high towers built of white marble, Erudin possesses a lofty beauty unsurpassed by any other work of man and was long regarded as a bastion of intelligence and culture. In the years that followed the founding of the City of High Men, a sect of Erudites led by Miragul began practicing the art of necromancy after obtaining the knowledge from the dark elves. It was not long before the city fathers discovered this group of Necromancers. They were branded heretics and great conflict arose, leading to civil war. Magical forces took a horrible toll on all involved, and in a final epic battle a great hole was torn from the ground that touched the fringe of the Underfoot itself. The heretics were forced to flee Erudin and hide and regroup, which they did, founding the city of Paineel hidden in the Hole itself.

Faith

Erudites are devout followers of Quellious the Tranquil, whose doctrine of inner peace fits well with the discipline necessary for intellectual pursuits. An order of paladins called the Deepwater Knights were devoted to Prexus, seeing the rise of the oceans as proof that their god will soon return. Some clerics also follow the water god. The Heretics of Paineel worship Cazic-Thule, using the power of Fear to control lesser beings.