The Ventyrri Theocracy

The Ventyrri are, at first glance similar to humans but, upon closer inspection, are quite different. They are short, have dark olive-toned skin, and their eyes are large in proportion to their head. Their hair is course like sheep's wool and dark like the night sky. Most Ventyrri males tightly braid their hair in patterns to signify status within their sept while women generally shave their heads completely. Most notable about their appearance is their ears. The Ventyrri have large, pointed ears often adorned with ceremonial piercings. The Ventyrri are almost never found away from their homeland Vormithis where they live in expansive tunnel systems beneath the ground. In their homeland, they are protected by ancient magic put in place by the spirits their people have been worshiping for thousands of years known as "The Eternal Circle". In Vormithis the Ventyrri carve out large tunnels that sometimes reach depths of over one hundred feet into the ground and use magic to construct entire villages in them. They do this by using magic to manipulate the root systems of large trees called Ethaquoia's. These massive trees grow so tall that their canopies are often in the clouds. Their sap is carefully harvested for medicinal purposes while the bark of these wonderous trees can be used to make armor if done properly. According to the Ventyrri people, these magical trees resonate with a healing frequency that helps them connect with their beloved spirits, although it seems you can't perceive this frequency unless you are from Ventyrri lineage. In the year 4,000BD the elemental spirit of fire, wind, storm, and terra, manifested themselves into physical forms under the leadership of a fifth, and even more powerful spirit, The Green Mother. The Green Mother sought to protect and heal the land of Aratonia after a war between gods had badly damaged it. The Green Mother constructed a temple for herself to live in during her time in Aratonia, although the exact location of the temple is lost, it is believed it was somewhere in Vormithis. It was at this temple she raised certain animals to make them wise, strong, and noble stewards of the world she was forging. She took in animals such as foxes, turtles, pandas, rabbits, and even sharks and snakes just to name a few. These stewards would go on to sire entire lineages of peoples that are known in modern times as "Beastoids". These people walk on two legs and can speak the language of humish, but still retain many of their animal ancestor characteristics. In ancient times they were supposed to be like gardeners of the world. They would travel with the Eternals and would learn how to tend to the needs of the lands and keep the natural balance of nature in check.
The Green Mother and her Eternals worked tirelessly for over two thousand years to repair the damaged planet. Had they been able to continue their work, the world as we know it today would be far different. Alas, however, they were not able to finish their work. A great and otherwordly evil crept into the world and sought to destroy The Green Mother. This evil hated the Eternal Circle so much that it took the name of their leader and twisted it to make her own name. She called herself "The Void Mother". The Void Mother used her evil and vile powers to twist and corrupt the creations of The Green Mother and created beasts such as minotaurs and centaurs, goblins, orcs, ogres, and many more. Eventually, The Void Mother defeated the Eternal Circle and took control of Aratonia for a brief time. During her reign the land was dark and it was horrid. The planet itself cried out in agony for help, and help answered. Three angels came to Aratonia and purged the land of darkness and freed what remained of The Green Mother's people. The Void Mother, however, escaped and went into hiding. Slowly over time the lands became green again and the sun began to shine bright, but the Eternal Circle could no longer take physical form. The Ventyrri still worship them to this day in hopes that one day they will return and restore the world. 
In the year 1,500BD a star vessel fell from the sky and crashed in the ocean north of Vormithis. Survivors of this crash would make their way to Vormithian shores and take occupation of ancient Lunarrium cities where they would attempt to adapt to a new way of life. These survivors called themselves "Stellarum".