A Guide to the Peoples of Aeroth

Children of the Moon

Background
The Children of the Moon are one of the original races of Aeroth and predate both the
humans and the dwarves.
The children were a nomadic people, traversing much of the savage world of Aeroth
in Sky Arcs, mighty floating vessels with a core of moonstone. Originally a peaceful
race of creatures, the Children were intrinsically linked with Aeroths moon, it gave
them near immortality and was the source of their magic. Ironically it was this that
first attracted the attention of the young race known as the Elves.
With single minded determination the Elves sought to conquer the Lunar Children and
enslave them to learn their secrets. For a race unused to violence, the Children were
decimated. Hundreds died as their settlements were raised to the ground, sky arks
were boarded by dragon riders and burned, falling from the sky like fiery meteors.
Many more died in the experiments of the Elven mages.
It was during one of these experiments when something unexpected to happen.
Jamuga Silvermane, one of the few remaining Lunar Shaman was exposed to the full
power of a cabal of sorcerers magic during the full moon. The rite Lunar power
surged into the unfortunate shaman giving him near superhuman strength but twisting
his body into that of a huge silver wolf. Driven mad by the change Silvermane tore
the shocked Elves apart. Across Aeroth, similar changes afflicted the Children of the
Moon and the land rang with the howl of the wolf.
Dawn saw the few remaining children bloodied but free. Regaining their senses but
retaining their monstrous form, the Children were horrified by what they had done
and realising that they could never return to their previous existence, they boarded
their sky arks, and departed Aeroth for ever.
The Children of the Moon did not in fact leave Aeroth entirely. They relocated to the
far north, further even than the barbarian settlements, to the endless tundra and frozen
pine forests. Here they sought to rebuild their lives but the call of the moon was too
strong and over the passing eons they have lost much of their humanity becoming
more beast than man. Now they roam the lands in packs in an eternal hunt, embracing
their new feral nature.
Appearance
The average Lunar Child stands roughly seven feet tall, and is a cross between a wolf
and a man. Barrel chested and powerful the individual Children are capable of moving
on two legs or four and have endless stamina enabling them to track and chase down
prey in a hunt that can last days.

The bond between the pack is unbelievably strong and their spoken language has all
but died out, replaced by a form of unconscious telepathy. This allows the pack to
communicate, even over a distance.
Despite their changed shape, the Lunar Children retain their immortality and can take
a huge amount of punishment in battle, often regenerating wounds almost as quickly
as they have been taken.

Children of the Worm

The Children: Blessed with the gift of unlife these gaunt creatures were once human
but are now something far less. Wrapped in fine silks and wearing ornate armour
these pale skinned creatures form the bulk of the Devourers followers. Relentless,
pitiless and totally evil.
The Decayed: These rotting zombies are the remains of those who have fallen in
battle against the Children. Pitiful and mindless the decayed form shuffling packs of
fodder and are used to overwhelm opponents by sheer weight of numbers.
The Blessed: The most fortunate of the children are the blessed. Using dark rituals, a
small version of the Devourer is implanted into their bodies. This process warps and
mutates the body turning it into a large, vaguely humanoid shape but grossly fat.
Capable of absorbing vast amounts of damage these beasts will continue to fight even
after taking hideous wounds. When the body takes enough damage the worm will
burst out of the beasts mouth and can continue to operate its host body for a short
period of time.
Sand Devil: The larval from of the devourer, these revolting creatures look like spiny
maggots with 6 bulky, insect like limbs. The front end of the creature is dominated by
a tooth filled maw. Sand devils form the cavalry units of the Children of the Worm
and are ridden into battle by the most favoured of the Devourers followers.
Carmine Terror: The second stage of the devourers development, the carmine terror is
a huge clawed monstrosity which moves with the aid of rows of spiny limbs. These
razor sharp claws are also the terrors main form of attack and in close combat they
rear up to flail at their opponents. The terror also has a huge tooth lined maw capable
of devouring a human sized creature with a single bite. Often ridden into battle by
heavily armoured warriors the terror is a horrendous monstrosity that forms the elite
of the devourers force.
Devourer Worm: The last stage of the devourers development this mighty beast is a
smaller version of the great devourer that resides in the southern desert. These beasts
are worshipped by the children as the harbinger of their dark god. These sly creatures
often begin battle submerged and will burst forth when it feels the vibrations of
nearby units. Its great bulk can devour a dragonbane whole and will also use its mass
to crush opponents. A really unpleasant ability of the devourer worm is also its ability
to carry several decayed warriors in its innards and will vomit them out to form a new
unit on the battlefield.