Character Creation
Race
Race will affect how NPCs perceive and react to you. Racial stereotypes do exist, and most commoners or those who live outside of large cities, are more likely to believe such stereotypes. Bare this in mind when you pick a race other than human or halfling (who are always welcomed in human society). They are similar to the races as describe in the PHB, and are as such:
Human
The predominant race will of course be human. The other demi-human races are fewer in number, but do still possess their own territories and kingdoms. They are as varied as the wind, and just as numerous.
Halflings
Where humans build settlements halflings will soon follow. They do have their own territories, governed by halfling councils and, on occasion, a self-proclaimed king or duke. But most halfling settlements are in fact suburbs of human cities.
Halflings are often seen as the weaker cousins of humans, but they have courageous hearts and a natural curiosity that drives them as a race. They are naturally dexterous and light of foot and touch, with warm personalities that more than makes up for their small stature. Their natural, racial curiosity and determination makes them effective wizards, though there are few sorcerers amongst their numbers.
Dwarf
Next numerous are the dwarves. Underground Dwarf holds are scattered across the mountains and hills, with numerous mining communities established across most of the Old World. There are few dwarven surface settlements larger than small towns, though they have created a number of surface forts strategically placed to guard access points to their underground holds and cities.
Dwarves are stubborn, loyal and stoic. They have a sense of family honour, and are proud of their lineage and ancestry. As a race, most dwarves have little patience to learn magic, and have a healthy distrust of sorcerers. Those that do seek to learn how to manipulate the magics of the world find their stubborn, direct nature is often at odds with the whimsical flow of magic through the world.
Elf
Fewer in numbers than the dwarves, the most dominant elves are the wood elves as their settlements have always remained hidden deep in the dark forests of the Old World, mostly untouched and unspoiled by the expansion of humans. A number of tall, glittering High Elf cities still exist in the Old World, though most have now been surrounded and partially consumed by human settlements eager to access the culture and magic of the elves.
Where elves and humans meet, half-elven children are but a natural consequence, and half-bloods walk the strange shadows between the passionate, short-lived human world and the beautiful, graceful, patient and long-lived elven world. They are seen by other races as fragile, flighty and distracted, though the truth is that their long lives grant them a unique perspective on life that is impossible to share with non-elves.
Most elves have some talent with magic, even if it is but a few minor cantrips, and their warriors while often lacking the raw power of other races make up for it in grace and style.
Gnomes
Like halfling, gnomes are often viewed as weaker cousins of dwarves, and at some point in history they might have shared a common ancestry. However, while dwarves are quick to use their physical strength gnomes have keen minds and are more curious than halflings. And what dwarves lack as a race in magical ability, the gnomes more than make up for it. They are a naturally magically race, with all gnomes having a knack for illusory tricks.
Gnomes are split almost equally between hill gnomes and their smaller kin, the forest gnomes.
Half-orcs
To the east lie the Great Steppes, where nomadic tribes of humans and orc compete for resources. Some tribes are savage and ferocious, but others have learned more tolerance and are willing to trade with the human nomads or even the forts and cities that line the mountain passes. Half-orcs are viewed with fear and suspicion by others, as their savage ways are not fully understood or recognised as being civilised. This raw ferocity leads most to be impulsive with little time or patience to learn magic. However, descendants of orc tribal shaman often have magic in their blood, and half-orc sorcerers are viewed with even more fear and intolerance than their others of their race. There are few with the patience to become wizards, and even fewer magical institutes that would consider taking a half-orc within their halls.
This message was last updated by the GM at 10:26, Mon 19 July 2021.