The Vanae

Vanae are humans, or at least a subrace of humans. They are found predominantly in the Sorquos region and before the arrival of the Irryllian settlers there was the Vanae Empire, with various grand cities across the land. The largest and most important of these are marked on the campaign map in purple. The vanae were decadent and often amoral, keeping their bad behaviour in check just enough to allow their society to function. 

The Vanae culture had suffered several vicious civil wars prior to the Irryllian colonists. It seems that their arrival caused the final spasms that spelt the end of the Vanae Empire as a political entity. The surface cities were abandoned. However, the Vanae themselves have not gone extinct - although their numbers have declined since the rise of the city-states, there are still two main subcultures - the subterranean Vanae who now live underneath the ruined cities and the feral Vanae who have reverted to a tribal existence in the hills and forests. Neither subculture have friendly relations with the Irryllians or their city-states. The feral Vanae resort to banditry, little better than orcs and goblins. The subterranean Vanae fortify their dungeons and scheme and plot the downfall of those they consider responsible for the collapse of their mighty empire - the four city-states. Interestingly the feral Vanae and subterranean Vanae do not have much trust or love for each other either - Irryllian scholars believe that this may date back to schisms within the Vanae Empire before the Irryllians arrived, and the subterranean and feral Vanae are the descendents of those warring factions. 

At the height of their culture about 500 years ago the Vanae were very sophisticated and cultured, and also skilled wizards and sorcerers - they took great pride in their knowledge and power in arcane magic. Their deities were darker and less pleasant than the patron deities of Irryllia or even the barbarians of Estaar. Aristus was the chief deity and his corrupting influence infiltrated many aspects of Vanae life. Other deities include the brutal and bloody Croloxos and the restless and capricious Lorilia, Queen of the Oceans. This all meant that while Vanae culture was intelligent and structured, it was never benevolent, compassionate or forgiving. Many would say it had a distinct slant towards evil.  Their current descendents have perpetuated this attitude, especially those who have retreated underground. 

This can be seen in the company they keep - the feral Vanae often tame and control wild animals, including large predators such as brown bears and wolves that Irryllians consider too dangerous. The subterranean Vanae will have evil humanoids as slaves, mercenaries and labourers. Goblins and kobolds are particularly common as they respond better to discipline than the more chaotic orcs and gnolls. In addition the Vanae often dabble with summoning fiends from the Lower Planes, and also necromacy to create undead servants and soldiers. 

In physical appearance Vanae are humans, with pale skin and dark, usually black hair. They are slightly taller than average humans, typically over 5' 6" and often over 6'. Subterranean Vanae often dress in a manner similar to their illustrious ancestors with rich silks, leathers and fine-woven patterned cloth, while feral Vanae now tend to wear leather and wool. 

In terms of player characters, those of Vanae ancestry have +2 to Intelligence instead of the usual human choice of +2 to any one ability. Also instead of the initial bonus feat that human characters normally get, Vanae can instead have the ability to Read Magic at will. Both the ancient Vanae and the subterranean Vanae can read arcane sigils as easily and naturally as other characters can read common. The bonus skill ranks that humans get still apply. Vanae count as humans for purposes of creature type, are medium sized and move at human speeds.