Sentient Creatures
Mortal Ancestries
In the civilized lands of Tessam, people stemming from the Mortal Ancestries are most common. Most of these stem from before The Cataclysm, but others, like the Elephantines are a product of it. Though not always together, these peoples have rebuild some of the cities of the old world while creating others.
Beyond the Mortal
Beyond the ancestries and their societies, the world is teeming with life. While most of it might be monstrous in nature, there are some higher forms of life that have taken residence on Tessam as well.
Fey
Due to how The Fey Realms can overlap with Tessam, many fey creatures have entered the Material world. Whether it was intentional or they got lost, they sometimes remain in that world. Often, they simply wander around for a bit until they find their way home. But sometimes a hag or a similar creature will settle down. Either disguising themselves to blend in and move into a city, or creating a home out in the wilderness.
Undead
Aside from fey, there are also many kinds of higher undead that inhabit the world. In the dark corners of Tessam, vampires and revenants hide away in their lairs while waiting for prey to come close.
Others
Several mythical kinds of creatures can be found around the world as well. From the mystical sphinxes to the powerful sea dragons of the deep, they make their lairs in any number of different places. Travellers that wander into unfamiliar places might run into them and have their lives changed in unexpected ways.
Beasts
Beyond the sentient creatures, many other beings inhabit the lands of Tessam. Livestock such as tarnels, abrom and ilsarim are frequently kept by all manner of folk. Fullers in particular are known for their versatility, and often brought along by merchants to limit the amount of food needed for travelling long distances.
On the other hand, predators like shinrivs, owlbears and eydar might make for unpleasant surprises in smaller settlements, or pose danger to unprepared lone travellers. But even these creatures can be domesticated with enough patience, skill and luck.
Monsters
But not all beasts can be tamed. The further from civilization one gets, the more dangerous the roads get. And while a pack of dire wolves might be a challenge for even a well-prepared convoy, they are at least a familiar foe. If one is to stray from the path too far, creatures like the criinth or shadebleeders that only appear in myth start taking an interest. Few know how to handle such beings, and fewer still return from an encounter able to share information.