I have a fantasy world that I've been working on for years (have run a few campaigns, first D&D 3.5, then Pathfinder, and now Genesys), and recently I've been expanding on the options and lore, but I'm a little stuck on the races at the moment.
Briefly, the world of Margonis is flanked by 4 planes that blend directly with the world: Rymfell, a land of ice-filled waters and frigid winds; Caldera, a land of terrible volcanic activity, hot and barren; Burgeoning, a land of life run rampant, light, and blessing; and Miasma, a land so decrepit that it is beyond decay, antithesis of life, and home to the undead. In addition, there is a world of the fey hidden behind the normal world, and poking through in places.
There are some of the standard fantasy races: elves, dwarves, halflings, gnomes, orcs
But I want to populate the world with denizens from these other planes. So far, I have some rough ideas, but nothing concrete, and I'm looking for suggestions on characteristic arrays and interesting abilities that can help define each race. Ideally, I'd also like to break each race down into at least 2, or 3, sub-races for further variety and options.
From the Rymfell
Sylphs -- wispy, born of the air and mist, these humanoids are curious and elusive, preferring to remain hidden from others, observing, and only occasionally inserting themselves into events
Ursus -- these are bear-like creatures; powerful, swift hunters, they are clannish but not necessarily warlike
From the Caldera
Oreads -- these vaguely humanoid beings are composed of rock or crystal, sometimes glowing from within as if filled with magma, they harbor great wisdom behind their impenetrable lithic gaze
Emberkin -- these creatures are small, not always of human shape, and burn as if made entirely of fire, though they do have a physical form beneath; they can be mischievous and disruptive
From the Burgeoning
Saraphim -- of angelic bearing, these humanoids almost seem to glow from within, and always seem to be bursting with life, often elevating those around them; rarely some are seen with great dove-like wings
something else on theme?
From the Miasma
Winnowers -- small shadowy creatures that have eked out an existence in the treacherous lands of undeath, they seek to form connections with other living beings, but struggle doing so: in some the Void has taken route and they are themselves inherently the negation of other life and light
Other Beings of Margonis
Amaranthine -- reddish hued humanoids, often covered in strange glowing runes, these beings carry with them the experiences of their forebears, either in memory, or in the manifestation of some past magical ability