Wyrds

Wyrds, pronounced 'Weerds' are a race known for their volatile but powerful engineering and their short tempers. As a confluence between the elements of Water and Fire, the Wyrds are passive-aggressive, pragmatic, but also loyal and brave.

Most Wyrds live in the Northlands, specificially, the majority of their isolated towns are set in the desolate southern reaches of the Land of Lakes. The largest community outside of Wyrdish territory live in Hawkesbury.

Appearance
Wyrds are humanoid, usually of a comparable size to humans. They have pointed ears similar to elves, and sharp teeth like orcs. They have sky blue skin, which darkens to a grey-blue as they age, along with white hair usually seen in a mess or standing on end. Wyrds cannot grow facial hair. A Wyrd's eyes have red sclera, white irises and black pupils, giving their gaze a mildly unsettling effect.

Most Wyrd dress in sturdy clothing of a distinct appearance, featuring lamellar plates, black fur mantles and collars, Wyrdish runes done in brass stitched onto the cloth, and metal plates on the back and chest.

Culture
Wyrdish culture - much Goblin and Gnomish culture - is very reverent of engineering and technology. Where the Goblins have their slapdash contraptions, and the Gnomes their fiddly clockwork, the Wyrds use sturdy, steam-driven machines to accomplish their tasks. Wyrds began Hawkesbury's 'Steam Revolution', the rapid modernisation of the Duchy.

Wyrdish towns are fortified lakeside structures, which draw the lake-water to be put into the boilers of Wyrdish towns.

Insulting a Wyrd's intelligence is an easy way to get one into a fight, but other than that Wyrds tend to be fairly passive. Most Wyrds are artisans and engineers, few in any locale perform menial tasks or dangerous jobs. Farming is handled by a few Wyrds and quite a few machines - what little farming is done to support the mostly fish-based diet of the water-travelling Wyrds.

As for war, most Wyrds fight in what can basically be called proto-tanks, driven by steam with a crew of about five. Some wear steam-driven suits of armour, these combat oriented Wyrds are called the Steamguard.

Magic
Wyrds use both Fire and Water magic, many have a spell from one element or the other, but some combine the two, creating volatile magics like steam or sheer explosive force.