Humanoids

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The various humanoid races are called that because, except for humans themselves, they are all offshoots or corruptions of the human race. Humans, being the most common of the natural races, were the easiest for the gods to experiment with.

The races commonly called 'humanoids' are: Humans, of course, the Goblins, Hobgoblins, Kobolds, Orcs, Half-orcs, gnolls, centaurs, and minotaurs round out the rest.

Humans are the most common race in the world, and make up the majority of adventurers. Although they have no special talents like the other races, they are more versatile, being skilled in any class. They have no great strengths, but no weaknesses to prey upon either.

The remainder of the humanoids were twisted or reformed versions of the humans by the gods during the godwars. As troops of darkness, they all have excellent vision, even in darkness, with few exceptions. The Orc and Goblin footsoldiers of the godwar were later replaced by the large Hobgoblins. Their bodies were mostly used as cannon fodder or minor infantry units, and the stronger hobgoblins were used as the frontline troops.

Half-orcs were created by human interbreeding, trying to create an officer race of superior intelligence than the orcs. In their squalid conditions, the weakest members of the orc, goblin, and hobgoblin tribes were quickly killed, so all of these races share some resistances to poison and disease, which ran rampant in their camps. They were not the most commanding of mental powers in general, and may be somewhat easily fooled in certain regards. Orcs and half-orcs speak orcish and common, goblins and hobgoblins speak common and goblin.

Orcs range from 4 to 6 feet on average, with pig-like features and often tusk-like teeth. Half Orcs are usually in the same height range, with more muted features than their orcish relatives. Goblins and hobgoblins are somewhat misshapen humanoids, goblins moreso than hobgoblins. They both have flat broad faces, and backwards-sloping foreheads. Their skin ranges from yellow to dull red, with hobgoblins often furred as well. Both races have pointed fanged teeth, hobgoblin's are usually yellow. Goblins are usually 3-4 feet tall, hobgoblins about 6 1/2.

The scouting races of the Kobolds and Gnolls were altered to be effective scouts in the lands of the elves. Kobolds being small and weak are nonthless effective as scouts or spies. Gnolls, a larger, hardier race from the same strain, are effective rangers, but also tend to be more of free-thinkers, and as such are not as likely to be serving the dark powers of their creation. Kobolds tended to hide and live in the dirtiest conditions, being the smallest and weakest humanoids, and are resistant to the diseases and plagues that would kill most individuals, but like their stronger brethren, they are not the brightest of the races. Gnolls, on the other hand, prefer the wide open spaces, and were especially useful in the forays into the frozen wastes of Thera and upon the lightning-swept mountaintops. Both Kobolds and Gnolls speak common and kobold. Kobolds and Gnolls both resemble dog-faced peoples. Kobolds are usually 3 1/2 feet tall or so, where gnolls range through the entire height range of tall humans, as tall as 7 1/2 feet.

The Centaurs were the cavalry troops of the light gods against the darkness. A mixture of man and beast, various forms exist, from the half-man half horse, to the half-man half-antelope of the heated plains. They all share the same common characteristics, however, regardless of appearance. From their common association, they share the common language and also speak the tounge of sylvan inhabitants. As their senses are close to humans, they are the only humanoid race besides humans that are not naturally equipped to see in darkness.

Minotaurs were the shock troops created to battle-rage against the forces of good. Their extreme twisting in creation, however created a race that was unstable, and even the gods of darkness were hard-pressed to put them to use. Banished from the camps, they formed loose bands and raided any and all to survive until they were placed in deep underground prisons by their creators. Eventually regaining their senses, these mighty warriors emerged from the darkness of the underdark maze prisons and have been seen in the daylight world once again, but no longer a renegade threat. Minotaurs are single minded and focused, giving them some mental armor. Their dense bodies are tough, turning away unwell-placed blows. If there is one thing that they still fear, from their time in the darkness, it is untamed light. Minotaurs speak common and the language of the underdark. Most minotaurs are upwards of 7 feet tall, and heavily muscled. They are usually bull-headed, and can be quick to rage.

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The Demihumans are a collection of races that are physically similar to humans, but are different and usually smaller. Elves and Dwarves traditionally fit in this category, but are treated separately due to their populus nature.

The demihumans were evolutions of the other races. Shapeshifters evolved from humans, kender and halflings from gnomes and dwarves, and quicklings from elves. Each has their own abilites and tendencies, and is outlined here.

Quicklings are very small cousins of elves. They are incredibly quick. The gods, during the godwars, tried to kill a particular race of elves. This band, continually racing ahead of this god, became so small and quick that they were difficult for gods to slay. They are very tough to hit because of their speed. They are amongst the smallest creatures in the land, so they rely on that speed to help them survive. They speak both common and the sylvan tongue.

Kender are small human-like individuals. Their size and appearance and curiosity can leave them mistaken for human children at times. They have a natural ability to 'borrow' things, sometimes, even without their own consciousness directing them. Small, quick their bodies are suprisingly tough. They speak only the common tongue.

Halflings are the most uncommon of adventurers. They prefer many of the comforts of home, but are some of the most aware of their surroundings of any demihuman. Their short stature makes them poor swimmers, but other than this shortcoming, they are excellent thieves. They speak only common.

Shapeshifters are a secretive race, and this quotation may explain why, of sorts: "As time rolled on in the cosmic being of things, creatures began to be borne with less and less distinguishing features. Pasty skin, dull eyes, hairless, no ears... in all other respects seeming Human. One young Lad, Daarg, found that through concentration, he could change the form of his body into other animals. Soon, his knowledge was widespread of what he could do. Other races hunted and killed all of his kind that they could, while which skills person that could sought refuge to keep their heritage alive from extermination. Shapeshifters they would come to be called." -- Elaz Wllrwrysih, sage, ancient of the High Elves.

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The five mystical races, Trolls, Titans, Gargoyles, Pen'gywns, and Wraiths, were all created in the time of the godwars. Titans and trolls to combat the giants, gargolyes to combat the evil that would come in the night. Wraiths were the humans drained of life by self-sacrifice to their dark gods, only the blackest of human hearts were given this regeneration to drain the life essence of the living. Trolls and titans, with the resurgence of the Creator, are now of free wills. The Gargoyles, no longer of single purpose nor single creator, found themselves free in both day and night, but this newfound freedom twisted some of their spirits. The Pen'gwyns were created for water combat. Following the godwars they found independence and solace in an isolated and frigid region of Thera.

Trolls are big ferocious fighters. Their regenerative properties make them tough to keep down. Their awareness is very acute and they can walk through the dark with ease. Trolls are very resilient fighters but quiver in fear of some magics. Their ferociousness makes them dangerous. They are large, strong, rubbery, and usually green. They speak common and their own strange gibbering troll language.

Gargoyles were hewn from stone, and enchanged with life to be the guardians against the evil that would come in the night. With the freeing of their spirits, they can now choose to follow the old ways, or that of their own gain. Being of stone, they are resistant to various shortcomings of flesh, like poison and disease. They can see in the dark, and fly to combat their enemies. They speak common, as stone has no language of it's own.

Titans were made to combat the giants, in particular the powerful storm giants. Their larger size made them physically dominating, usually 25 feet tall or taller. Slow of mind, however, and low quickness can be their downfalls. They speak common and titan.

Wraiths are the final corruption of a black human heart that gave their soul to the blackness in a self-sacrifice. These spectre-type undead have a free will all their own, and drain the living for their existance. They can pass through substantial material at will, and most physical barriers mean nothing to a wraith. Most things that kill mortals do less to a wraith, but the forces of light and darkness still hold much sway over their existance. Wraiths speak only common, like their formerly human consicousness.

Pen'gwyns are small birds, created to be the greatest water combatants ever known. Due to spending much of their lives in and under water, they find movement on land extremely difficult. Because of their size (the average Pen'gwyn is a mere 3'4"), they lack strength. They are usually black and white, with leaders exhibiting some small tufts of yellow feathers near their eyes. A sharp beak might be used as a weapon. Pen'gwyns are known for their amazing insight, hardiness, and ability to tolerate cold temperatures.