After all your stats for your profession have been generated, you now choose your race. Certain races have bonuses or penalties which apply to various stats. These bonuses apply above and beyond whatever bonuses or penalties your character has because of the actual value of the stat. For example, a giantman will be far stronger than a halfling, but the halfling will have an advantage in dexterity.
Your race also influences your health points. You gain health points each time you train in the physical training skill. Each race has a maximum number of health points. If you take damage in excess of your health points, you die.
Your race plays a major role in determining how much you can carry. Encumbrance is based on race, strength, and constitution. In general, larger races can carry more than smaller ones, as your carrying capacity is a direct function of your weight, modified by your strength.
Humans -- Humans on Elanthia, like those on Earth, vary in their appearance. Human cultures on Elanthia also vary wildly, though they do tend to be urban folk. They have no remarkable strengths or weaknesses in their stats, and they are adept at any profession.
Giantmen -- Giantmen are huge, averaging 7' tall. They are also extremely strong and hardy. A variety of giantman cultures exist on Elanthia, and many are quite civilized and noble. Others are more barbaric. Giantmen are not, however, unintelligent. Their physical appearance also varies, though they tend to have dark hair and eyes. They are great warriors because of their physical prowess.
Elves -- Elves, though similar to mortal men, differ in a number of important ways. They are tall (6' or so) and slender, lithe and agile, with little body hair, fine features and unmarred skin. Elves are much more resistant than men to the ravages of time and disease. They are able to withstand a greater range of temperature extremes, and their senses are extremely keen. Because of their extended lifespans, they suffer from a natural lack of discipline.
Half-Elves --The progeny of human and elf parents, they are sometimes looked down upon by both races. Similar in most attributes to Giantmen, they also share the elves' quickness, agility, and low discipline.
Dark Elves -- Sturdier and darker than their fair cousins, the Dark Elves are great builders and craftspeople. Skilled in fine metalwork and weaponsmithing, they are also possessed with a great love of knowledge and learning.
Elves -- More numerous and rustic than their two higher kin, they have ruddy complexions with sandy hair and light eyes. They are slight and lithe, moving about the woodlands and hills virtually undetected, garbed in forest green or brown clothes.
Sylvankind -- Related to elves, sylvankind are extremely rare. Females are the most numerous, though males are not unheard of. They have pale complexions with sandy hair and light eyes. They are slight and lithe, moving about the woodlands and hills virtually undetected, garbed in forest green or brown.
Dwarves -- The hardiest of the races of Elanthia, they are short (usually under 5') and stocky. Their long beards are matters of great pride. Some dwarven females are bearded, others are not. Little is known about the dwarven cultures on Elanthia, as few dwarves leave their homes for a life of adventure. Dwarves have a natural resistance to certain forms of Elemental magic, but they are less adept at using it.
Halflings -- the smallest of Elanthia's races, averaging just over 3' tall, Halflings tend to be quite rotund. Their feet are covered with carefully- groomed hair. Their culture tends to be simple and rustic, and they value good drink, companions, and freshly-baked tarts. Halflings have little physical strength, but no race can match their dexterity. They also have remarkable resistance to elemental magic.
Continue on to Skill Selection.
Go back to the Profession Selection Table.
Return to the Character Generation Index
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Last modified 28 April 1996.