The Arkins are a race bound firmly to the worship of the sacred flame, Auran / Aderan. Within their bones, blood, and souls, the flame is inscribed in the form of fiery runes. These runes originate in the Fire, and their system is reflected in the structure of Arkin lineages, as well as in their architecture, music, and customs. In appearance and traits, the Arkins are quite consistent across their various nations—which, after all, emerged as colonies from the original Valarkagant. The only significant differences lie in the distinct dialects of individual Arks, which nonetheless remain mutually intelligible.

Arkins possess fair skin, with hair and eyes of many different colors (depending more on clan than nation), and are of average human stature (men 180 cm, women 165 cm). Their average lifespan is 60 years, though kings or grandmasters of magic sometimes achieve supernatural longevity. Their unique abilities include an innate disposition toward Runic Magic and a reduced need for sleep (Arkins sleep an average of only four hours, and some do not sleep at all). By nature, Arkins are generally calm and slow to both anger and joy. They take the affairs of their community with deadly seriousness, and the constant challenge of upholding the ideals associated with the doctrine of the Sacred Fire occupies most of their days. A deep, existential sorrow—stemming from the sense that their ideal is ultimately fighting a losing battle against a corrupt world—is a temperamental bond they share with the Elven race.

Known Nations of the Arkin Race:

– Valarkagantians: Inhabitants of the “Original Ark” in the Far North. They are strict in their customs and traditions, especially regarding the purity of bloodlines and the immutability of the Fire rituals. Tempered by constant warfare with the black-magic city of Xalgon, they are, conversely, quite open and creative regarding military strategy and the use of magic.

– Arkagantians: Arkagas, particularly under the rule of King Punar, is the most cosmopolitan of the Arks, showing far greater tolerance for foreigners and the mixing of blood. This tendency has been present since its inception; thus, Arkagantians have an admixture of Siranian and Saifian elements in their blood and possess slightly darker skin

– Other Arkins: Arks are scattered throughout Qurand and even in Urulóka; thus, one may find Arkin settlements of various sizes in both near and distant lands. However, they never form vast empires—at most, they establish city-states of moderate size, but usually only small towns and adjacent meadows. This is due to the fundamental principle of the Ark: once a city reaches a certain size, rather than continuing to grow, it “swarms,” sending out its surplus population to found a new colony.