The Gresit

The term Gresit, is a blanket word used to describe any number of the human-adjacent species whose presence is widely considered to be the catalyst of the First Great War.

History

While the Gresit were first recorded as abnormal births, their frequency increased to the point that they could not be brushed aside as simple coincidence. Scholars now trace the genetic lines back to a single village in the south of the continent, and while some claim this place to be cursed, no such magical anomaly was discovered and any claims of such have been dismissed.

The Gresit, already deeply integrated with many societies, quickly became a normal (though infrequent) sight. Not all countries were as welcoming as others however and one day the shoe dropped and it became apparent that several countries had begun a systematic purge of all Gresit. Though it took some time, during which thousands upon thousands of Gresit lost their lives, the other countries eventually stood against this purge and the First Great War began.

Now, Gresit have the same rights within the Families as any "regular" human, though there will always be those who despise them simply for being different.

Oldaar

Among the most populous of the Gresit, Oldaar are literal giants among humanity. The smallest of them standing well over eight feet tall and weighing over four hundred pounds, Oldaar are frequently sought out for laborious and military jobs. Other than their size, Oldaar remain mostly human looking, though some boast horns, tusks, or even a rare second set of arms. Being the most populous, Oldaar are known to make their own small communities within or adjacent to other larger towns and cities, allowing for interaction with others while also giving them places to live, eat, and sleep that are tailored to their large size. Oldaar are compatible genetically with humans, but a Human/Oldaar couple will always produce an Oldaar child.

Gemeng

Less common than the Oldaar but still widely spread, Gemeng look like the average human but possess the rare ability to alter their physical form in sometimes dramatic ways. While most Gemeng's abilities are restricted to being able to adjust things like their height or eye and hair colour, a few rare Gemeng can transform their bodies entirely, even to mimic specific people down to the tiniest detail. Still others can mimic the physicality of animals to enhance their sight, hearing, or even allow them to breathe underwater. Despite their (usually) relatively minor differences from humans, some people still show extreme apprehension around Gemeng, which has caused some to simply ignore their abilities and live their lives as if they were human.

Isici

The most rare Gresit population are the Isici. While still relatively humanoid, but more visually distinct than the Gemeng, Isici are tied directly to elemental magic. This displays itself as hair made of fire or water, gemstones growing from their skin, inhuman weight (heavy or light), and may other variations. For some Isici this goes beyond physical appearance and can allow them to interact with the elements in ways humans normally cannot, such as holding burning coals, breathing underwater, moving through the earth, or even flight. Due to their rarity, Isici are often marveled at instead of resented (an aspect any Isici can tell you isn't much better).