Arderians live in the floating clouds of Arderial, high above the surface of the Moonlands. They are naturally gifted with an ability to fly, and love to spend their time floating among the clouds and soaring high in the stratosphere, where day gives way to eternal night. Their magic deals with the air and the weather, and although such magic may, at first glance, appear to be weaker than explosions and earthquakes, it is no less dangerous.
Among the Moonlands, the phrase "putting on airs" means acting like an Arderian. Arderians are known for being proud and vain, which is rather alarming when one considers that this means they are even more so than the rest of the Magi-Nation. In their opinion it is only just and right that they inhabit the region that soars above all others; they take it as proof if their inherent superiority, and they enjoy spending their idle time lazing on a cloud and gazing down at the other Magi far below. Arderians are typically soft-spoken and somewhat dreamy, as one might expect from a race that enjoys the utter freedom of magical flight. Yet despite the impression they give, Arderians are temperamental, and take slights as personally as the other races. Unfortunately for everyone, it takes some time for Arderians to work up a good fury when they are offended; as a result, they often exact their vengeance hours or days afterwards, which has given them a bit of a reputation for being as unpredictable as the weather.
Arderians tend towards the tall and thin; tall because their environment offers them no restrictions, and thin because the lighter they are, the easier soaring is for them. Arderian physique tends not to be as athletic as those of the ground-dwelling races, but rather softer and smoother as the gentle soaring does not but as much stress upon their muscles. There are exceptions, of course, and those Arderians who spend a lot of time on or near the ground tend to be more buff than their fellows. Arderians are light-skinned, even pale, and their eyes are usually light colors found in the summer sky. Their hair is most commonly blue, although shades from plum to blonde to gray are not unknown. Arderians prefer to wear their hair long and loose, as it looks best when blown in the breeze. And they make sure there are enough breezes at all times to show off their hair to best effect.
Arderian fashion follows the same trends as Arderian hairstyles: "long and free looks best on me." Most Arderian clothing is loose, with lots of long dangling sashes and billowing folds. At times when the expansive and decorative wardrobe would be indiscreet when blown about, tight underclothing is worn beneath to provide modesty with minimal interference with the windblown look. Arderians accessorize with light jewelry. They are especially fond of butterfly wings (treated for durability) as they provide maximum color and beauty for minimal weight.
Arderian society is as free and unorganized as the winds and clouds themselves. Arderians are a rather intellectual society, spending countless hours debating philosophy, writing poetry, or idly - and rather wildly - speculating on the activities on the surface of the Moonlands far below them (this activity they term "groundwatching"). Children are allowed to soar about as they please; Arderian parents perhaps enjoy less parental concern than any other race in the universe; the heavens are slow to anger, and the children are incapable of falling as they soar gracefully from cloud to cloud. However, this freedom is not without a price. While blessed with freedom and security, many Arderian children lack the discipline of other races' offspring, and tend towards whimsy even when times are serious.
Arderian names are very reminiscent of their region: open and airy. Vowels are round and full, and often found in pairs and diphthongs. Most consonants are soft.