The 12 Tribes of Mann

More than just visual, tribes affect all areas of play, from skill training to language

Tribes in Chronicles of Elyria take the place of what would normally be considered a "race" in other games, but provide much more. Tribes share common set of physical characteristics, values, and beliefs that stem from their adaptation to their environment. Though many settlements will initially be formed by a single tribe, tribe choice is not tied to a starting area. Instead, where the family you are born into resides is where you will begin play. Members of different tribes will naturally migrate to where they can make a good living so you don't need to be confined to your tribal biome when making a character. Yet, tribes are far more impactful than you may first realize, and influence many different feature areas of the game.

Your tribe will impact your body dynamics and how easy or hard it is to train different attributes. Some of this is based on the different metabolisms of each tribe, and the different adaptations which impact their ability to survive in different biomes. As each tribe is a different size, not all armor, weapons, and tools are usable by members of all tribes. They will also move at different rates, can pass through different openings, and are capable of varying levels of agile maneuvers because of their different sizes and shapes.

Lastly, each tribe is known for different attributes and skills and unique culture. Each tribe has their own set of shared or personal languages, which will have some impact on which other tribes you can interact with by default. While dynamic, a tribe's reputation also impacts their ability to survive socially in different regions. Some tribes are known for their physical prowess, while others are known as great traders, and these attributes will shape your relationships in the world. There are also known animosities between different tribes, whether it be for historic reasons, or from competition of limited resources. This is why contracts can be tailored toward or against members of specific tribes. While your bloodline will affect your predisposition toward certain attributes, players are still free to develop their character in the path of their choosing. So, while being a Brudvir may cause you to get stronger easier, it doesn't make you automatically stronger and a character of a different tribe could work to improve strength through gameplay.

Brudvir

The Brudvir are one of the most physically impressive tribes. Adapted to life in the boreal forests that lie along the extreme latitudes of Elyria, the Brudvir are tall and muscular due to a meat-rich diet, and sport pronounced, flesh-rending canines. They are known as fearless hunters and master woodworkers.

Dras

The Dras have extremely pale, white skin, black hair, and tall, lanky physiques from adapting to the swamps. With their striking violet eyes, their gaunt faces often come off as foreboding and ghoulish to outsiders. Believing that their duty in life is to seek balance, their culture centers around community and charity.

Hrothi

Due to adapting to life in caves and subterranean tunnels, the Hrothi have fair skin and short, stocky builds. Their eyes are typically varying shades of brown, a nod to their ancestry, but a mismatch to their upbringing in the deep caverns of the Mountain Steppe. Dedicated lore-keepers, the Hrothi value knowledge and history.

Janoa

Members of the Janoa tribe are tall and athletic in stature, and have developed a longer and more powerful upper-body than most other tribes. The combination of yellow eyes and camouflage striping on their skin gives the Janoa a wild, feral appearance. Hunting and physical prowess is at the core of their culture.

Kypiq

The Kypiq tribe are unquestionably the most diminutive of the tribes, but are significantly lighter on their feet than the other tribes, enabling them to make their homes in the treetops. Their most striking feature, however, are their eyes which have evolved to provide improved vision, particularly in the thick, forest canopy. The Kypiq value cleverness and practical knowledge most of all.

Neran

The Neran are, out of all the different tribes, the most similar to Humans on Earth. As such, they have no single distinct adaptation. Instead, they are the most flexible of all the tribes, and their ability to survive in different biomes, as well as the rate at which they are able to develop their attributes, is the most neutral.

To'resk

The To'resk have striking facial features: strong brows, angular cheekbones, distinct noses, and pointed, razor-sharp teeth capable of biting through the tough leathers, shells, and scales of the creatures that inhabit the wetlands. Their culture values wealth and they are patient and calculating in all things they do.

The Waerd

The Waerd are relatively androgynous, with males and females looking very similar to one another. This serves their purpose well, and adheres to a core value of their culture: that The Waerd are one. Guided by their singular sense of purpose, The Waerd are famous for their cool determination and steely resolve, but outsiders understand little of their true nature.

Erishé, Mydarri, Owem, and Yoru

Four additional tribes are rumored to exist in Elyria, but will not be available at launch. These four tribes will be accessible after ocean travel is researched and their continents have been discovered. The Yoru are an imposing tribe at over 7 feet tall. They live in the Tundra, thriving in the cold weather. The Owem are found natively in the Savannah biome. They are slightly above average stature, at 186cm tall, due to their longer legs. The Erishé are found natively in the Arid Desert biome. The Erishé are average in height and build, around 174cm tall. The Mydarri are also of average height, at 174cm tall, and live amongst the swamps in the Saltwater Mangrove biome.