Archlord features three playable races: Orcs, Humans, and Moon Elves on the continent of Chantra. The Orcs, begin their quests in the Village of Golunndo. Humans begin in the first human settlement, Anchorville, and the Moon Elves in Norine. There are three classes in each race with the exception of Moon Elves, which only have two.
Humans- The Human race first appeared in Chantra 1000 years after the Orcs had settled. Following the dramatic sinking of their land, key pioneers in Human society initially established a foothold in the Western part of the continent known as Chantra. History suggests they were able to do so due to their ability of handling fire. In the early stages, Humans lived in relative peace, however, they soon began to realise that Orcs had landed on the Eastern part of the continent and before long tensions were raised as the Humans became protective over their territory.
Humans have a relatively short lifespan, with 80 years considered to be long. Humans also have an inferior breeding capacity when compared to Orcs, with the average number of offspring being 3.
Orcs- The Orcs have occupied the land of Chantra for a 1000 years longer than the Humans. For this reason, the Orcs held themselves in higher regard than their Human counterparts and enslaved them for 500 years.
Over time the Humans rebelled against their Orc masters and eventually won their freedom. 500 years later the continent was struck by a huge earthquake, which caused much of it to sink into the ocean. Humans and Orcs were forced to flee the western continent of Chantra and under the leadership of Ugdrasil, the Orcs colonised a small part of the continent where they began the re-building process.
Moon Elves- The Moon Elves are a race that was once considered Elves but that became mutated through its use of the dark spirits. Once one of three of the great elf races that inhabited the Nordenland during the 2nd period, they were the first race to fall in the Great War. As a result of this devastating war most of the male population was annihilated. A few males were able to escape together with the women hide themselves in the shadows from the outside world. As time went on, the women took it upon themselves to replace the male position and thus learned to master the fine arts of hunting and magic. The few remaining men were banished from combat, as they were too precious a commodity. Through a cruel twist of fate the remaining men only seemed capable of producing more women. Thus the Moon Elves were forced to step from their shadowy world and start exploring for additional breeding options, and this is how they came to be known by the Orcs and Humans.
They were so ashamed of this action that they chose to hide themselves in the dark for centuries, only revealing themselves once their land was invaded by the Orcs and Humans.