What are you?

Riders

Dragon riders are created through pact with dragon and riders. Although most riders are human and elf, through a change of spell and agreement, urgals/kulls and dwarves have also become riders although still not as numerous. Dragons choose their rider by reading their hearts and will not hatch until they meet their rider. Riders and dragons both wield magic and can communicate telepathically.

Humans

Humans are, most agree, the weakest of all creatures, but also the most numerous. A majority of dragon riders arise from them and though not as powerful, they definitely are the most empathetic and the most varied of all creatures. They're hard workers and though they don't live as long as other creatures do, they live life to the fullest, even more, some say, than other creatures do or even bother to.

Magicians

People born with natural abilities to manipulate magic, magicians (also called spellweavers) are humans that rarely appear and tend to be forsaken when they do. Their level of magic varies upon person to person and each has a different ability. Magicians and spellweavers with weak magic tend to become witches or wizards and occasionally, a few become sorcerers or sorceresses to better channel magic.

Witches

Witches and wizards are magicians and spellweavers with weak magic levels who channel their magic through potions and other concoctions made through ingredients they gather, some more unusual and rare than others. They have the ability to read a person's future but even then do not know everything. They must test their potions several times over and usually it comes with a side effect.

Sorcerers

Sorcerers or sorceresses are magicians and spellweavers who perform magic through the use of spirits. They communicate with and utilize spirits but rarely see them and may not always have an answer to their call. However, in the rare and deadly case of an evil or powerful spirit overtaking them, they become shades. It takes a strong will and knowledge of their limits to prevent turning.

Shades

Shades are sorecerers or sorceresses who summoned a spirit they could not control or was evil by nature, and thus was taken over by it, whether by force or willingly. They are stronger than humans and even elves. They are always evil and can only be killed by a direct blow to the heart. They are rare, luckily, since when killed any other way, they regenerate elsewhere and return for vengeance.

Elves

At first glance, elves look like humans but possess a feline edge with angular features and pointed ears. They hold an enchanting beauty and are tall and lean in stature. They are naturally strong, fast, and gifted at magic - born warriors. They possess an affinity for nature, able to bend it to their wills, but also respect it. They love the arts, especially music and are talented musicians. 

Dwarves

Though small, dwarves are quite sturdy and have a natural affinity for the earth, even living in underground cities built through their own work and architecture. They are master craftsmen and dedicated warriors as well. They have stronger bones than humans and even elves and live for a long period of time. They are organized into thirteen clans and are deeply rooted in their traditions.

Dragons

Creatures that still surprise other creatures, dragons have the ability to fly and gain the ability to breathe fire as they age. They come in many colors and often grow so large they can be mistaken as small mountains. They have scales strong enough to withstand most weapons and possess a long, barbed tongue. They are naturally gifted at magic and gain another power when bonded with their rider.

Fanghur

Cousin to dragons, fanghur, also called wind-vipers, are giant serpents similar to dragons. They have smaller wings and grow up to around 20 feet long. They cannot breathe fire, unlike dragons, nor are they as intelligent. They hunt in small groups of 3 or 4 and immobilize their prey with a mental attack first, then attack together.  Unlike dragons, they are only green or brown and at one point, were an endangered species.

Nïdhwal

Also similar to dragons, nïdhwal and fanghur are quite alike. They are, unfortunately, very vicious and although closer to dragons in intelligence, cannot fly and are sea creatures that can stay submerged in water for long periods of time. They also attack mentally and have angular heads with tendrils as long as a fanghur and hundreds of teeth. They were also endangered at one point like the fanghur.

Feldûnost

Similar to rams, but a third larger and more sure-footed, Feldûnost, meaning "frostbeard" in the Dwarven language, are ideal animals of transportation up on the mountains. They have horns that curve down to their cheeks and are used mostly by dwarves who live in the mountains. They are rather tame and can be used for milk, wool, and meat like other animals. They have a sure balance and a smooth ride.

Shrrg

A form of a giant wolf, shrrg are around the size of a horse but are still fast and agile hunters with heightened senses. They are stealthy and travel in packs. Only the alpha female and male are allowed to breed. The other wolves help raise the cubs and when the pack grows too big, some of the wolves leave and create their own pack. They have yellow eyes, saber teeth, and fur that ranges from wolf-grey to white to black. 

Nagra

A form of a wild boar, nagra are bigger than even shrrg and therefore bigger than even a horse. They are only hunted by the toughest of hunters and are surprisingly fast and agile. Their coats are brown to grey to black and young nagra have brown stripes for camoflauge. Their eyes are yellow, brown, or black, and they are cooked with honey and mint for the highest of guests as they are difficult to hunt.

Urzhad

Urzhadn for plural, Urzhad are larger than nagra and are around the size of a house. The males are called boar, the females sows, and children, cubs. They have brown-silver fur and hooked claws. Despite their size, they move quickly and can kill almost all other animals. They have a heightened sense of smell and hibernate in the winter. They hunt shrrg and nagra but eat other animals and edible plants.

Sundavrblaka

Meaning shadow-flapper in the ancient language, sundavrblaka are large owl-like creatures that resemble wraiths at first since they blend into the shadows. Their call sounds similar to a squirrels. They were created through a "poison" left over from a catastrophic magic battle between Galbatorix and the last of the Forsworn vs. dragon riders, one of who turned his entire body into energy in a last stand.

Snalglí

A mutation much like sundavrblaka, snalglí are a race of giant snails that for some reason are affected little by magic. At maturity, they are over 5 and 1/2 feet tall and its shell is said to be good for dragon digestion. Whether it is true or not has not been proven as of yet but due to the belief, they are much harder to come by nowadays. However, efforts have been made to preserve this race.

Illgrathr

Illgrathr, meaning "bad hunger" and also called burrow grub, is an ivory maggot-like creature around three inches long. They are able to move by jumping in the air. They have a distinct screeching call and when they launch at a target, they divide into dozens of small green centipedes that feed on the host from within the body. It was created like the sundavrblaka and is used for torture.

Urgals

Although seen as evil beings in the past, Urgals are inherently not evil. Their tribal culture is built on physical strength and leadership skills - warfare in general. They can use magic but other creatures forget this fact easily and too often. They grow from 6 to 9 feet tall on average and are stronger, faster, and sturdier than humans. They have seven toes on each foot like dwarves do and have a pair of twisted horns above their ears.

Kull

The tallest and most powerful of Urgals, Kull stand around 8 feet on average and are much stronger than Urgals, but slower. Heritage plays no part as Urgal parents may give birth to Kull and Kull parents may give birth to Urgals just as easily. Little is known on how the two races diverged in the past, but like Urgals, Kull have their culture centered around warfare and use the same language, Urgralgra.

Wereanimals

Wereanimals are shapeshifters that can take on the form of an animal and a human. They are powerful, mysterious, and brilliant. They can command the animals that they transform into and are mostly independent. They are rare and dislike revealing themselves without reason. They are flighty but occasionally, they will befriend and stay with other creatures. Little is known about these creatures.

Ra'zac

Creatures that feed upon humans, a Ra'zac's breath paralyzes humans. They fear both the sun and water because it burns their sensitive eyes and they cannot swim. They are equal to elves in strength and speed, but thankfully cannot use magic. They are shielded from mental attacks and resemble humanoid birds. Their exoskeletons are tough  for defense and yet light in weight They are shed later in life.

Lethrblaka

Known as adult Ra'zac, Lethrblaka are as intelligent as dragons, albeit cruel and twisted ones, and can fly. They speak with the Ra'zac in their own language of bird sounds and like the Ra'zac, possess heightened senses. Like Ra'zac, they eat humans and cannot be detected or affected by mind spells. Unlike Ra'zac, they do not possess an exoskeleten as they shed it to be Lethrblaka.

Spirits

Spirits are supernatural energies that are rarely seen. They remain neutral in most conflicts, but are known to intervene in rare moments. It is assumed they can take on the appearance of anything they choose and are powerful enough to intrude upon the strongest of minds with ease. They use magic easily and much more effectively than any other creature. However, not all spirits are good spirits.