The native peoples of Ruknaset are not human. They are 'humanoid' in the most vague sense, as bipedal, upright-standing creatures with hands that include at least one fully articulated finger, but that is often the extent of their similarities to humans. Their morphology far more resembles animals coerced to walk upon their hind legs. Despite their animalistic, ungainly appearances, they are usually roughly as spry, strong, and intelligent as humans of similar stature. The main physical advantage most Natives exhibit is that they have thicker, hardier torsos than humans. Their fur, scales, or feathers often offer even more protection, making them somewhat harder to wound than humans. Some also exhibit special traits thanks to their 'kind', such as bird-kind's ability to glide (though not fly) and turtle- or tortoise-kind's thick shells.
Though they exhibit extreme diversity and are obviously not human, Natives have no biological issues breeding with each other or humans. They often pass their 'kind' off to their children, but Native civilizations are more likely to have a broad array of 'kinds' among their members than not. Curiously, while Native children will almost always be the same 'kind' as one of their parents (barring two 'kinds' that are already very similar, which can occasionally produce mixtures similar to the mule or the liger), human-Native children are consistently blends of human and Native. They vary from somewhat more human-shaped versions of their Native parent to humans with minor animal-like features such as tails, ears, or patches of animal skin.
Natives have a deep spiritual connection to Ruknaset. It is believed among the Natives that they were created to tend to Ruknaset, and for their service they are granted magical power. Native magic often reflects or takes advantage of their 'kind' blended with elemental power. A bird-kind might be able to sweep forth a blast of fire with its wings or fly through earth as easily as a bird could through air. Human-Native children inherit a part of this Native magic, though much weaker.
Prior to the arrival of humans on Ruknaset, Natives were nomadic. Small tribes traveled across the land and sea, living off the land and performing 'rituals' dictated by the 'voice of Ruknaset' to keep the land healthy. Since the Earthchildren appeared, the Natives have been forced to settle in fortress cities similar to their human counterparts. This change has been distressing, and many blame the arrival of humans for the appearance of the Earthchildren. A small but growing faction instead believe that the Earthchildren are a punishment from Ruknaset itself for something the Natives did wrong, and seek to find this 'sin' and set it right.