In the Monster Manual, every "humanoid" creature type must include a "tag". The tag is normally a race, such as: "humanoid (elf)". But there are also other kinds of tags, such as "humanoid (human, shapechanger)".
In any case, there is no such thing as a "generic humanoid". Every humanoid has a tag specifying its kin.
PCs play by a very different and much more restrictive set of rules compared to NPCs and monsters. NPCs and monsters can be built however the GM wants, and GMs are only limited by their imagination. PCs on the other hand follow a very strict guideline, and they can only have more freedom with their builds if the GM allows.
Custom Lineage uses the generic humanoid tag. It does not say you can be humanoid (elf) or humanoid (Aarakora). You can only be generic humanoid. In addition to that, it does not say you are your kin, it only says you are free to choose your appearance to resemble whoever you want.
Actually, now that you mentioned the tag thing, I am pretty certain now that RAW disallows Custom Lineage taking racial feats. Mechanically, Custom Lineage does not have the qualifying racial tag.
With regard to Custom Lineage, being a humanoid must also specify the race (or something comparable) with this "kin" adding parenthetically as a tag.
The reference to kin means race and subrace, or something else comparable to this instead.
Where kin refers to a race, it can also include a subrace, if any.
In the Monster Manual, the entry mentions the subrace when relevant. An entry can mention the subrace and even the class, both of which are part of the origin. Subrace is part of the lineage. For example, "Drow humanoid (elf)", "Drow Mage humanoid (elf)". Elsewhere we have "Githyanki Gish humanoid (gith)".
Note, in the Monster Manual, in Appendix B, many of the Non-Player Characters list as "humanoid (any race)". This term "(any race)" corroborates that being humanoid also requires a more specific race (or some comparable tag). But also. Where the entry is the NPC "Archmage humanoid (any race)" this requirement of "any race" can be a "high elf Archmage", thus this mention of "race" also includes the possibility of a more specific subrace, if any.
Custom Lineage does NOT say humanoid (any race). If anything, it ONLY says humanoid, and you cannot add any racial tag to it. The only thing it specifies is that "instead of choosing one of the game's races", meaning Custom Lineage is disqualified from being one of the game's existing races, at least from a mechanical standpoint. Appearance and flavor wise, you can make Custom Lineage look like an elf, but mechanically speaking, it does not qualify as an elf.
With regard to a custom lineage, this lineage must be human and must have a race (or something comparable instead) and can specify a subrace for a race that divides up by subrace.
An example of a lineage is: Eladrin humanoid (elf). All members of the group that share this lineage are a "kin".
From how I read the rules, Custom Lineage must be humanoid, BUT it has to be a humanoid with no racial tag, or else it would have put (any race) in there. Nowhere does the rules state that you are allowed to put (any race) tag in there. If anything, putting a racial tag in there would be homebrew and definitely not RAW.
As mentioned above (which might not be on your screen yet if without refreshing).
The technical term "kin", can specifically mean the "elf" race.
Tashas (page 8) "Your elf [ = elf race] might not have the keen senses associated with your kin [ = elf race]."
Thus.
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
Custom lineage grants the character the humanoid creature type, along with a more specific "kin", such as the elf race.
In other words, you are an elf humanoid, who may or may not resemble other elf humanoids.
Ok, I am going to walk away from this. You are just making up rules at this point. Enjoy playing your game the way you like and have a happy holiday.
In the Monster Manual, every "humanoid" creature type includes a "tag". The tag is normally a race, such as: "humanoid (elf)". But there are also other kinds of tags, such as "humanoid (human, shapechanger)".
In any case, there is no such thing as a "generic humanoid". Every humanoid has a tag specifying its kin.
Thus it is impossible to be "humanoid" without specifying a "race" as part of the tag, except that custom lineage allows the player to invent a new kind of tag, instead of a race, if the player wants. For example, a player who wants can choose to have "humanoid (shapeshifter)", and count shapeshifters as kin.
With regard to Custom Lineage, being a humanoid must also specify the race (or something comparable) with this "kin" adding parenthetically as a tag.
The reference to kin means race and subrace, or something else comparable to this instead.
Where kin refers to a race, it can also include a subrace, if any.
In the Monster Manual, the entry mentions the subrace when relevant. An entry can mention the subrace and even the class, both of which are part of the origin. Subrace is part of the lineage. For example, "Drow humanoid (elf)", "Drow Mage humanoid (elf)". Elsewhere we have "Githyanki Gish humanoid (gith)".
Note, in the Monster Manual, in Appendix B, many of the Non-Player Characters list as "humanoid (any race)". This term "(any race)" corroborates that being humanoid also requires a more specific race (or some comparable tag). But also. Where the entry is the NPC "Archmage humanoid (any race)" this requirement of "any race" can be a "high elf Archmage", thus this mention of "race" also includes the possibility of a more specific subrace, if any.
With regard to a custom lineage, this lineage must be human and must have a race (or something comparable instead) and can specify a subrace for a race that divides up by subrace.
An example of a lineage is: Eladrin humanoid (elf). All members of the group that share this lineage are a "kin".
So neither a half-elf's human parent nor their elven parent is kin to their offspring even if they clearly affect their child's lineage and origin (however those may be defined)? But a humanoid (shapeshifter) wererat with no shared ancestry whatsoever with a humanoid (shapeshifter) werebear they never met and were never within 10,000 miles of is kin to that werebear nonetheless? This is in accordance with the 'technical' meaning of the word kin?
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
Xanathars made a mistake by creating feats that have a race prerequisite. I doubt we will see this same mistake in the future.
According to Xanathars, a "half elf" is its own unique race. A character that is half high elf and half human, is no longer a "high elf" and cannot qualify for the high elf feat.
A player using Custom Lineage is forced to specify "high elf" as the "kin", in order to meet the prerequisite to take this high elf feat.
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
"Kin" means a "racial tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
"Kin" means racial "tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
They would have put (any race) with humanoid if they wanted, but they did not. This alone is clear enough that you cannot add any racial tag to it.
RAW, Custom Lineage does not have specific racial tags, and RAW, they are not allowed to have them.
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
"Kin" means racial "tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
They would have put (any race) with humanoid if they wanted, but they did not. This alone is clear enough that you cannot add any racial tag to it.
RAW, Custom Lineage does not have specific racial tags, and RAW, they are not allowed to have them.
Instead they put "kin".
And kin includes race.
The reason they didnt say "race" is because your lineage doesnt have to be a race. If a player wants to have nothing to do with racism, then Lineage allows the player to opt out of race, if the player wants. The player can choose some other kind of lineage as "kin", if they want.
At the same time, an other player who wants to be a member of the high elf, can do this.
The player has full control over origin, and the lineage may or may not be a race.
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
"Kin" means racial "tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
They would have put (any race) with humanoid if they wanted, but they did not. This alone is clear enough that you cannot add any racial tag to it.
RAW, Custom Lineage does not have specific racial tags, and RAW, they are not allowed to have them.
Instead they put "kin".
And kin means race.
Actually it means: "one's family and relations."
You can have kin that is not your race, because it is simply a way of referencing who you are related to. And your family does not need to biologically be the same as you.
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
"Kin" means racial "tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
They would have put (any race) with humanoid if they wanted, but they did not. This alone is clear enough that you cannot add any racial tag to it.
RAW, Custom Lineage does not have specific racial tags, and RAW, they are not allowed to have them.
Instead they put "kin".
And kin means race.
"You determine your appearance and whether you resemble any of your kin."
It makes no mention that you are mechanically your kin. It only says you can look however you want.
Xanathars made a mistake by creating feats that have a race prerequisite. I doubt we will see this same mistake in the future.
According to Xanathars, a "half elf" is its own unique race. A character that is half high elf and half human, is no longer a "high elf" and cannot qualify for the high elf feat.
A player using Custom Lineage is forced to specify "high elf" as the "kin", in order to meet the prerequisite to take this high elf feat.
Do I really need to point out that the PHB already specifies "half elf" as its own unique race via the Ranger's Favored Foe mechanic?
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
"Kin" means racial "tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
They would have put (any race) with humanoid if they wanted, but they did not. This alone is clear enough that you cannot add any racial tag to it.
RAW, Custom Lineage does not have specific racial tags, and RAW, they are not allowed to have them.
Instead they put "kin".
And kin means race.
"You determine your appearance and whether you resemble any of your kin."
It makes no mention that you are mechanically your kin. It only says you can look however you want.
Custom Lineage says, this "humanoid" has "kin", meaning the humanoid is a member of a race, such as elf.
Even tho you are an elf, you can look whatever way you want to look.
If you want to look like a human, you can. Even tho you are an elf.
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
"Kin" means racial "tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
They would have put (any race) with humanoid if they wanted, but they did not. This alone is clear enough that you cannot add any racial tag to it.
RAW, Custom Lineage does not have specific racial tags, and RAW, they are not allowed to have them.
Instead they put "kin".
And kin means race.
"You determine your appearance and whether you resemble any of your kin."
It makes no mention that you are mechanically your kin. It only says you can look however you want.
Custom Lineage says, this "humanoid" has "kin", meaning the humanoid is a member of a race, such as elf.
Even tho you are an elf, you can look whatever way you want to look.
No it is "even though you aren't a elf, you can look like one." Seriously, you are the only one arguing the opposite and RAW supports what the rest of us are saying.
You are someone who looks like an elf, but you are not an elf yourself.
Kin does not at all mean what you are using it to imply. Kin simply is way noun used to reference family and relatives. Which as can be very common NOT of the same race as you. If my father is an Orc, but I am a half orc, He is my kin, but I myself am not an orc. Your entire argument is based of a a flawed use of this noun.
KIN DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE OF A RACE IT SIMPLY MEANS WHO YOUR FAMILY IS.
Which as can be very common NOT of the same race as you. If my father is an Orc, but I am a half orc, He is my kin, but I myself am not an orc. Your entire argument is based of a a flawed use of this noun.
"Custom Lineage ... Creature type. You are humanoid. You determine ... whether you resemble your kin."
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
"Kin" means racial "tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
They would have put (any race) with humanoid if they wanted, but they did not. This alone is clear enough that you cannot add any racial tag to it.
RAW, Custom Lineage does not have specific racial tags, and RAW, they are not allowed to have them.
Instead they put "kin".
And kin means race.
Actually it means: "one's family and relations."
You can have kin that is not your race, because it is simply a way of referencing who you are related to. And your family does not need to biologically be the same as you.
Because an origin "lineage" may or may not be a race, the choice of the term "kin" is intentional.
In Eberron, a Dragon Mark might be considered a kind of lineage. If so, other characters with the mark would be kin.
It is part of a wider discussion about whether D&D should discontinue the term and concept of "race".
If you are a member of a race, such as elf, then elf is your kin.
However, if your character has no race, maybe is a kind of construct, then similarly constructed characters are kin.
Regarding half elf. Obviously, both human and elf are kin. It would be: humanoid (human, elf).
The problem is Xanathars. Its prerequisite must have the lineage say "high elf", specifically. And according to Xanathars, half elf cannot take it. The problem is Xanathars.
Ok, I am going to walk away from this. You are just making up rules at this point. Enjoy playing your game the way you like and have a happy holiday.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
The rule is.
Kin = race
But kin also includes creature type, race, subrace, or other kinds of "lineage".
he / him
So neither a half-elf's human parent nor their elven parent is kin to their offspring even if they clearly affect their child's lineage and origin (however those may be defined)? But a humanoid (shapeshifter) wererat with no shared ancestry whatsoever with a humanoid (shapeshifter) werebear they never met and were never within 10,000 miles of is kin to that werebear nonetheless? This is in accordance with the 'technical' meaning of the word kin?
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
It does not say you are an elf humanoid. It only says you are humanoid with no racial tag. You determine who you resemble, but it does not say you are any kind of kin, it only says you can choose your appearance to be however you want. It does not allow you to choose your kin mechanically.
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D&D with High School Students by Bill Allen; Season 1 Episode 1: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NJTUDokyk&t >
The problem begins and ends with Xanathars.
Xanathars made a mistake by creating feats that have a race prerequisite. I doubt we will see this same mistake in the future.
According to Xanathars, a "half elf" is its own unique race. A character that is half high elf and half human, is no longer a "high elf" and cannot qualify for the high elf feat.
A player using Custom Lineage is forced to specify "high elf" as the "kin", in order to meet the prerequisite to take this high elf feat.
he / him
"Kin" means a "racial tag", such as elf.
In the game, every humanoid includes a more specific racial tag. Every humanoid.
he / him
They would have put (any race) with humanoid if they wanted, but they did not. This alone is clear enough that you cannot add any racial tag to it.
RAW, Custom Lineage does not have specific racial tags, and RAW, they are not allowed to have them.
Check Licenses and Resync Entitlements: < https://www.dndbeyond.com/account/licenses >
Running the Game by Matt Colville; Introduction: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8 >
D&D with High School Students by Bill Allen; Season 1 Episode 1: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NJTUDokyk&t >
Instead they put "kin".
And kin includes race.
The reason they didnt say "race" is because your lineage doesnt have to be a race. If a player wants to have nothing to do with racism, then Lineage allows the player to opt out of race, if the player wants. The player can choose some other kind of lineage as "kin", if they want.
At the same time, an other player who wants to be a member of the high elf, can do this.
The player has full control over origin, and the lineage may or may not be a race.
he / him
Actually it means: "one's family and relations."
You can have kin that is not your race, because it is simply a way of referencing who you are related to. And your family does not need to biologically be the same as you.
"You determine your appearance and whether you resemble any of your kin."
It makes no mention that you are mechanically your kin. It only says you can look however you want.
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Running the Game by Matt Colville; Introduction: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8 >
D&D with High School Students by Bill Allen; Season 1 Episode 1: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NJTUDokyk&t >
Do I really need to point out that the PHB already specifies "half elf" as its own unique race via the Ranger's Favored Foe mechanic?
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Custom Lineage says, this "humanoid" has "kin", meaning the humanoid is a member of a race, such as elf.
Even tho you are an elf, you can look whatever way you want to look.
If you want to look like a human, you can. Even tho you are an elf.
he / him
No it is "even though you aren't a elf, you can look like one." Seriously, you are the only one arguing the opposite and RAW supports what the rest of us are saying.
You are someone who looks like an elf, but you are not an elf yourself.
Kin does not at all mean what you are using it to imply. Kin simply is way noun used to reference family and relatives. Which as can be very common NOT of the same race as you. If my father is an Orc, but I am a half orc, He is my kin, but I myself am not an orc. Your entire argument is based of a a flawed use of this noun.
If elf is your kin, then you are an elf.
If human is your kin, then you are human.
And so on.
he / him
And in neither case is your half-elf child kin to you?
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Seriously, go look up the word you are using.
KIN DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE OF A RACE IT SIMPLY MEANS WHO YOUR FAMILY IS.
Which as can be very common NOT of the same race as you. If my father is an Orc, but I am a half orc, He is my kin, but I myself am not an orc. Your entire argument is based of a a flawed use of this noun.
It only allows you look like any existing race. It does not allow you qualify as an existing race mechanically.
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Running the Game by Matt Colville; Introduction: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8 >
D&D with High School Students by Bill Allen; Season 1 Episode 1: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NJTUDokyk&t >
This, I guess according to Gvarayi, your child stops being your kin OR I guess your child is considered a tri race; Human, Elf, and Half-elf.
Or the more logical conclusion is that Kin, simply means ones family, and ones family does not half to be the same race.
Because an origin "lineage" may or may not be a race, the choice of the term "kin" is intentional.
In Eberron, a Dragon Mark might be considered a kind of lineage. If so, other characters with the mark would be kin.
It is part of a wider discussion about whether D&D should discontinue the term and concept of "race".
If you are a member of a race, such as elf, then elf is your kin.
However, if your character has no race, maybe is a kind of construct, then similarly constructed characters are kin.
he / him
Regarding half elf. Obviously, both human and elf are kin. It would be: humanoid (human, elf).
The problem is Xanathars. Its prerequisite must have the lineage say "high elf", specifically. And according to Xanathars, half elf cannot take it. The problem is Xanathars.
he / him