Ur
From Codex Vocrotha
Physical Description
The Ur have been feared for longer than most civilizations have histories -- not for savagery, ruthlessness or barbarism, but simply for their size, their build, and their unfortunate propensity to consider their actions only after they have acted. Huge only begins to describe the Ur, and their height alone tells only part of the story. In proportion, they are smaller only than the Kâlindur, and then only barely so. Combined with their incredible height, this means that the Ur are easily the most massive thinking creatures in the world, and this, perhaps, begins to explain the fear the Ur often find themselves faced with.
The skin color of the Ur is a ruddy orange -- nearly red in many cases, though lighter-colored Ur more resemble caucasian Human skin tones than anything else. Their hands have only three fingers, making fine manipulation difficult for them, especially when dealing with some of the smaller Sentients. Their facial features tend to be very rounded and smooth, and they very rarely form wrinkles anywhere on their body -- possibly due to the fact that their bodies constantly secrete an odd, odorless oil that protects them not only from the sun, but from small insects and birds. This oil tends to give them a sweaty look regardless of their recent exertions, though the oil is harmless and actually keeps Ur fresher-smelling than any of the other races after hard work. Also possibly due to this oil, however, their hair turns out thick, scruffy and hard to maintain without many hours of daily maintenance.
Sociopolitical Outlook
Many of the races believe the Ur tendency to act without thinking is further proof -- backed up by their difficulty with magic and other learned skills -- that the Ur are stupid, foolish creatures, barely sentient at all, and that there is little hope for them to rise beyond their current state of intelligence. The Ur don't particularly care what the other races think of them, though such universal condemnation of their intelligence will occasionally get them down. Their tendencies, however, are just a manifestation of the Ur philosophy, a philosophy that has been actively developed by the Ur for thousands upon thousands of years -- a racially unifying philosophy, in fact, that none of the other races can match for thoroughness, thoughtfulness or, in many ways, insight.
The cornerstone of Ur thinking is simply that impulses are to be followed. Second-guessing causes a vicious cycle of circular thinking that wastes time and energy, and can lead to self-doubt and -- a horrifying possibility in the eyes of any Ur -- inaction. This is not due to any fault in the Ur learning or intelligence mechanisms; their massive philosophy, quick understanding of the obstacles before them and ponderous answers to any of life's questions -- given the opportunity to provide them -- quashes any doubts instantly as to whether Ur possess complexity of thought. This is simply one of the things that they, after centuries of consideration, have decided: that careful consideration rarely produces results any better than honed impulsive thinking, and, given that, why waste the time and effort in worrying about what you cannot in any event predict?
Under many circumstances, this philosophy would be an instant recipe for anarchy, but the other philosophical standard that the Ur have adopted is a strong loyalty to kin and a belief in right and wrong as absolutes. While there are always a few sociopathic exceptions in any society, the Ur are by and large moral, upstanding, have a clear vision of right and wrong, and will not tolerate conscious wrongdoing. In Areg, their long-standing capital city, there has been no need of a police force during its entire history, as the populace does such an excellent job of self-policing.
It is this combination, however, that makes the Ur somewhat more susceptible to having wool pulled over their eyes, especially when confronted by unscrupulous emissaries from other races. The Ur strive for honesty in all things; it is unfortunate, perhaps, that others around them prefer to take advantage of this and manipulate the Ur by professing honesty and upright practices. While the Ur are not so foolish as to not eventually see through these dupes, they are, perhaps, more forgiving and patient than they should be.
Allies & Enemies
The Ur have, at one time or another, been friends and enemies to just about every civilized race, though the circumstances under which they have acted in these capacities have often been marginal, at best. Prized for their strength and prowess, yet discounted for what the other races assume is racial stupidity, the Ur have very few allies that have lasted long.
Still, they find the Gochin have proven themselves friendly time and time again, if for no other reason than their direct approach and their respect for the Ur; while it is certainly because of strength alone, at least it is an arrangement the Ur can count on. Cautious trust, too, has been placed in the Tenebriel, the first non-martial race to treat the Ur with respect and friendship. While the motives of the Tenebriel are uncertain at best, and many of the more cynical Ur believe their overtures of friendship are just another set-up to take another fall, most Ur are willing to give the Tenebriel the benefit of the doubt and to take them at face value. As yet, they have not disappointed the Ur.
Most others do not call the Ur enemy, but neither do they call them friend or trust them. Many, like the Kâlindur, Solindriel, and the Lyđuđræ, consider them too stupid to consider true alliance with. Others, most notably the Kâlindival and Zephriel races, are too frightened by their perception of the average Ur -- consider scale, after all -- to seriously consider any kind of lasting partnership. The rest can take or leave the Ur, for good or ill, and thus it is unlikely that the reputation of the Ur, be it accurate or otherwise, will change any time soon.
