Feel free to discuss the title. I know humanoids makes sense because we can easily understand what kind of species we're talking about. But why are they all named after humans? Is there lore behind this or not? Or are humans just more common? Did they do something important? Or is it simply for player understanding? Feel free to discuss.
* No "Ad Hominem" (look it up) should be used.
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Check out Monach of the Realms forum game!As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
The single most populous species in any D&D setting is Human, by a longshot. As in something like 60~70% human on most worlds and planes that support human life.
Now there are a few "Changed Humans" species, ie Tiefling and Assamar, both came from Planescape, but in the end yes there are more types of Elves, but not really.
Since 90% of the elves can be grouped into one of 4 categories: Sylvan (Wood), High, Dark, or Feywild (And I'm being generous here as these are basically High Elves on Seasonal highs)
Most of the descriptions of the Elves found in special settings start with "High Elf's changed by ..." "The Dark Elves..." "Wood Elves of the ..."
And the major differences between all these elves in the lore can be described as cultural and skin tone. The major difference between Wood Elves and High Elves is where they live and what culture they grew up in. The big difference in Shadar-Kai and Drow one group became dark and lives under ground, and the others became pallid and live in the shadowfel. At one time All Elves were "High Elves" after all.
Meanwhile the unique changed Human species are:
Tieflings - influenced by lower plains, have horns, tails, colorful skin and hair, and in 5.5e unique body odors.
Assamar - Influenced by Upper planes... might have wings.
Dragonborn - may or may not be changed humans.
Shifter - needs some updates, but probably changed humans.
Triton - Changed to be aquatic humans
Lineages - bit of a cheat as they can start as any other species.
Kalashtar - Humans with an extra being connected to them... Seriously just humans.
Gith (yanki & Zerai) - Humans changed by Illithids
The single most populous species in any D&D setting is Human, by a longshot. As in something like 60~70% human on most worlds and planes that support human life.
Now there are a few "Changed Humans" species, ie Tiefling and Assamar, both came from Planescape, but in the end yes there are more types of Elves, but not really.
Since 90% of the elves can be grouped into one of 4 categories: Sylvan (Wood), High, Dark, or Feywild (And I'm being generous here as these are basically High Elves on Seasonal highs)
Most of the descriptions of the Elves found in special settings start with "High Elf's changed by ..." "The Dark Elves..." "Wood Elves of the ..."
And the major differences between all these elves in the lore can be described as cultural and skin tone. The major difference between Wood Elves and High Elves is where they live and what culture they grew up in. The big difference in Shadar-Kai and Drow one group became dark and lives under ground, and the others became pallid and live in the shadowfel. At one time All Elves were "High Elves" after all.
Meanwhile the unique changed Human species are:
Tieflings - influenced by lower plains, have horns, tails, colorful skin and hair, and in 5.5e unique body odors.
Assamar - Influenced by Upper planes... might have wings.
Dragonborn - may or may not be changed humans.
Shifter - needs some updates, but probably changed humans.
Triton - Changed to be aquatic humans
Lineages - bit of a cheat as they can start as any other species.
Kalashtar - Humans with an extra being connected to them... Seriously just humans.
Gith (yanki & Zerai) - Humans changed by Illithids
I was not aware that 60-70% of humanoids were human. I think this neatly ends the discussion, thank you.
* Dragonborn, if I remember correctly, is an altered dragon egg.
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Check out Monach of the Realms forum game!As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
I was not aware that 60-70% of humanoids were human. I think this neatly ends the discussion, thank you.
* Dragonborn, if I remember correctly, is an altered dragon egg.
There has been several origins for Dragonborn over the years, the majority came from Abeir those that did may or may not have been humans changed to be labor for Dragons. It was why originally Dragonborn had no tails. Later lore added the dragon eggs changed to be humanoid. But even now each book will have a different origin for them. Which falls into WotC is an unreliable narrator at times. It's why I said "Dragonborn - may or may not be changed humans." since some of the lore says this, and other lore says otherwise.
Just like the Gith some of their lore says they were humans altered by Illithids, others use the vague "humanoids".
At the same time though Humans are in fact one of the Oldest intelligent species in the D&D multiverse, and now originate from Sigil.
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game!As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
I was not aware that 60-70% of humanoids were human. I think this neatly ends the discussion, thank you.
* Dragonborn, if I remember correctly, is an altered dragon egg.
There has been several origins for Dragonborn over the years, the majority came from Abeir those that did may or may not have been humans changed to be labor for Dragons. It was why originally Dragonborn had no tails. Later lore added the dragon eggs changed to be humanoid. But even now each book will have a different origin for them. Which falls into WotC is an unreliable narrator at times. It's why I said "Dragonborn - may or may not be changed humans." since some of the lore says this, and other lore says otherwise.
Just like the Gith some of their lore says they were humans altered by Illithids, others use the vague "humanoids".
At the same time though Humans are in fact one of the Oldest intelligent species in the D&D multiverse, and now originate from Sigil.
I'm not entirely sure you can extrapolate "humans originate from Sigil" from the blurb about languages in the new PHB. What it says is "Every player character knows Common, which originated in the planar metropolis of Sigil, the hub of the multiverse. The other standard languages originated with the first members of the most prominent species in the worlds of D&D"; it doesn't say anything about humanity originating from Sigil or Common originating from humanity. There's a blurb in the Human description about Sigil being one of the earliest recording gatherings of humanity, but it's not conclusively laid out the way elves coming from the Feywild is.
Interesting point, Rogues. I'll let you and Shark discuss that since I know close to nothing about Sigil.
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Check out Monach of the Realms forum game!As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
I'm not entirely sure you can extrapolate "humans originate from Sigil" from the blurb about languages in the new PHB. What it says is "Every player character knows Common, which originated in the planar metropolis of Sigil, the hub of the multiverse. The other standard languages originated with the first members of the most prominent species in the worlds of D&D"; it doesn't say anything about humanity originating from Sigil or Common originating from humanity. There's a blurb in the Human description about Sigil being one of the earliest recording gatherings of humanity, but it's not conclusively laid out the way elves coming from the Feywild is.
Human
Found throughout the multiverse, humans are as varied as they are numerous, and they endeavor to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Their ambition and resourcefulness are commended, respected, and feared on many worlds.
Humans are as diverse in appearance as the people of Earth, and they have many gods. Scholars dispute the origin of humanity, but one of the earliest known human gatherings is said to have occurred in Sigil, the torus-shaped city at the center of the multiverse and the place where the Common language was born. From there, humans could have spread to every part of the multiverse, bringing the City of Doors’ cosmopolitanism with them.
---
Originally humans may or may not have come from Our Earth by way of magical portals that connect the Earth to various worlds of the Multiverse. (70s/80s lore and the basis for the term 'the Forgotten Realms' ie forgotten by the people of Earth, and the basis of the 80s Cartoon.)
Originally several cultures in D&D were transplanted from out Earth, but Humans were suppose to have already been on the many worlds of D&D. Back then the Earliest Known human civilization was basically the Egyptians living on Toril.
So for Sigil to be the first Human Settlement, it has to predate the Egyptians coming to Toril. Then you read the lore of Sigil...
Inhabitants
Sigil is the backstage of the multiverse. Celestials and Fiends share drinks in genie-owned taverns, agents of evil gods trot through the streets astride nightmares, and hags stable faerie steeds alongside pegasi and beasts of living stone. As a result of this mingling, fundamentally incompatible parts of the multiverse come into direct contact. They don’t always clash, but when they do, authorities maintain order and stifle cosmic peril. Only when these eruptions threaten the city on a grand scale does the Lady of Pain intervene.
Humans are the earliest known inhabitants of the City of Doors. Some sages track the existence and spread of humans back to Sigil itself, rather than to a deity or its creations.
Various factions handle the day-to-day governance of Sigil, enforcement of laws, and maintenance of civic infrastructure. These groups each follow a philosophy inspired by a cosmic aspect of the multiverse, and they actively recruit visitors and citizens into their ranks.
Gods and godlike figures—including archdevils and demon lords—can’t enter Sigil by any means. However, their schemes and influence still find their way into the city through their agents.
Hey shark, how do makes gray box (like the ones in Human and Inhabitants)? Is it just copy and pasted or a certain code?
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Check out Monach of the Realms forum game!As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game!As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
I don't know about you all, but "humanoids" is not an In Character term in my games. It's a solely game term.
True. But this begs the question, what do D&D NPCs say? Are the species just called "people" or what?
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Check out Monach of the Realms forum game!As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
I don't know about you all, but "humanoids" is not an In Character term in my games. It's a solely game term.
True. But this begs the question, what do D&D NPCs say? Are the species just called "people" or what?
It depends on the NPC. Everyone speaks slightly differently. But yes in general they would speak of "the people of Waterdeep" or "the folk who live downriver" or if they have to get specific they talk about "the halfling community in Ten Towns."
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I don't know about you all, but "humanoids" is not an In Character term in my games. It's a solely game term.
True. But this begs the question, what do D&D NPCs say? Are the species just called "people" or what?
There's a couple different words; "people" is a common one, "races" has also been used in the past although that's almost certainly not going to appear in products going forward (and let's please leave that matter there for this discussion), "mortals" is sometimes tossed around by more fantastic beings.
True. But this begs the question, what do D&D NPCs say? Are the species just called "people" or what?
Well, sadly because the creators of D&D were kind of lazy in this regard. "Common" in lore is basically Modern English with a few strange quirks.
It doesn't use our alphabet, but randomly works more like a font than a language. The other languages got a lot more work btw. I guess their thought was common is what the players speak, so no need to really design it as a real language. Doesn't help that some novels set in the Forgotten Realms include people Like Elminster visiting New York city and playing with kittens. (Seriously it happened, although it might have been Vancouver, been years.)
So yeah.. Generally the concept of Humanoid exists, but usually terms like Mortals, people of Destiney (4th ed), gifted (2nd for Players), are used by the common people, while Wizards and people of Learning might use categories like Human-Kin, Dragon-Kin... as the fake old timey speech in books will people say stuff like that, although Elf-Kin, and Drawf-Kin have been said as well, implying that humans don't see dwarves or elves as looking anything like a human. /shrug. Honestly trying to figure that out in character is kind of silly really since once again they never did anything else but make a font for common. Note this is worse for any setting other than The Forgotten realms, as they just used standard "Old English Font" for common. Although at least Planescape changed it up a bit, by using every D&D alphabet in neon for the fonts. (And ironically maybe because people doing planescape art were fans of Doctor Who some of the art looks to be written in Gallifreyan aka Celestial.
Ah right Also a Planetouched Species. Just like Aassamar and Tiefling. I'll be honest I always forget Genasi, they are an interesting idea but really do not make an impression on me.
I guess the real point is, besides the two echo-planes-touched Elves (Shadar-Kai & Eladrin) Elves really only come in City, Wood, or Underground variants and the biggest difference is skin tone, hair, and culture aka Ethnicities. While Humans have become entirely new and very different species, and they are everywhere and every time you flip the stone of deep lore the ancient ancestors were humans.
Feel free to discuss the title. I know humanoids makes sense because we can easily understand what kind of species we're talking about. But why are they all named after humans? Is there lore behind this or not? Or are humans just more common? Did they do something important? Or is it simply for player understanding? Feel free to discuss.
* No "Ad Hominem" (look it up) should be used.
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game! As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
The single most populous species in any D&D setting is Human, by a longshot. As in something like 60~70% human on most worlds and planes that support human life.
Now there are a few "Changed Humans" species, ie Tiefling and Assamar, both came from Planescape, but in the end yes there are more types of Elves, but not really.
Since 90% of the elves can be grouped into one of 4 categories: Sylvan (Wood), High, Dark, or Feywild (And I'm being generous here as these are basically High Elves on Seasonal highs)
Most of the descriptions of the Elves found in special settings start with "High Elf's changed by ..." "The Dark Elves..." "Wood Elves of the ..."
And the major differences between all these elves in the lore can be described as cultural and skin tone. The major difference between Wood Elves and High Elves is where they live and what culture they grew up in. The big difference in Shadar-Kai and Drow one group became dark and lives under ground, and the others became pallid and live in the shadowfel. At one time All Elves were "High Elves" after all.
Meanwhile the unique changed Human species are:
Tieflings - influenced by lower plains, have horns, tails, colorful skin and hair, and in 5.5e unique body odors.
Assamar - Influenced by Upper planes... might have wings.
Dragonborn - may or may not be changed humans.
Shifter - needs some updates, but probably changed humans.
Triton - Changed to be aquatic humans
Lineages - bit of a cheat as they can start as any other species.
Kalashtar - Humans with an extra being connected to them... Seriously just humans.
Gith (yanki & Zerai) - Humans changed by Illithids
I was not aware that 60-70% of humanoids were human. I think this neatly ends the discussion, thank you.
* Dragonborn, if I remember correctly, is an altered dragon egg.
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game! As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
There has been several origins for Dragonborn over the years, the majority came from Abeir those that did may or may not have been humans changed to be labor for Dragons. It was why originally Dragonborn had no tails. Later lore added the dragon eggs changed to be humanoid. But even now each book will have a different origin for them. Which falls into WotC is an unreliable narrator at times. It's why I said "Dragonborn - may or may not be changed humans." since some of the lore says this, and other lore says otherwise.
Just like the Gith some of their lore says they were humans altered by Illithids, others use the vague "humanoids".
At the same time though Humans are in fact one of the Oldest intelligent species in the D&D multiverse, and now originate from Sigil.
Got it, thanks again for your wisdom.
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game! As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
I'm not entirely sure you can extrapolate "humans originate from Sigil" from the blurb about languages in the new PHB. What it says is "Every player character knows Common, which originated in the planar metropolis of Sigil, the hub of the multiverse. The other standard languages originated with the first members of the most prominent species in the worlds of D&D"; it doesn't say anything about humanity originating from Sigil or Common originating from humanity. There's a blurb in the Human description about Sigil being one of the earliest recording gatherings of humanity, but it's not conclusively laid out the way elves coming from the Feywild is.
Interesting point, Rogues. I'll let you and Shark discuss that since I know close to nothing about Sigil.
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game! As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
---
Originally humans may or may not have come from Our Earth by way of magical portals that connect the Earth to various worlds of the Multiverse. (70s/80s lore and the basis for the term 'the Forgotten Realms' ie forgotten by the people of Earth, and the basis of the 80s Cartoon.)
Originally several cultures in D&D were transplanted from out Earth, but Humans were suppose to have already been on the many worlds of D&D. Back then the Earliest Known human civilization was basically the Egyptians living on Toril.
So for Sigil to be the first Human Settlement, it has to predate the Egyptians coming to Toril. Then you read the lore of Sigil...
Hey shark, how do makes gray box (like the ones in Human and Inhabitants)? Is it just copy and pasted or a certain code?
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game! As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
First type or copy text.
Then quote it.
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game! As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
I don't know about you all, but "humanoids" is not an In Character term in my games. It's a solely game term.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
True. But this begs the question, what do D&D NPCs say? Are the species just called "people" or what?
Check out Monach of the Realms forum game! As Djinni you'll know me, for I am your king. From void I have shaped thee, I've shaped everything. But please do not kneel, just look and behold, I rule you to heal and share stories untold. The mask that I wear is a crude one of glass, so your soul will repair if you glance at me fast. You'll pray that you know me, and I'll let your heart ring. I'm as strong as the world tree and I'll make your heart sing.
It depends on the NPC. Everyone speaks slightly differently. But yes in general they would speak of "the people of Waterdeep" or "the folk who live downriver" or if they have to get specific they talk about "the halfling community in Ten Towns."
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
There's a couple different words; "people" is a common one, "races" has also been used in the past although that's almost certainly not going to appear in products going forward (and let's please leave that matter there for this discussion), "mortals" is sometimes tossed around by more fantastic beings.
Well, sadly because the creators of D&D were kind of lazy in this regard. "Common" in lore is basically Modern English with a few strange quirks.
It doesn't use our alphabet, but randomly works more like a font than a language. The other languages got a lot more work btw. I guess their thought was common is what the players speak, so no need to really design it as a real language. Doesn't help that some novels set in the Forgotten Realms include people Like Elminster visiting New York city and playing with kittens. (Seriously it happened, although it might have been Vancouver, been years.)
So yeah.. Generally the concept of Humanoid exists, but usually terms like Mortals, people of Destiney (4th ed), gifted (2nd for Players), are used by the common people, while Wizards and people of Learning might use categories like Human-Kin, Dragon-Kin... as the fake old timey speech in books will people say stuff like that, although Elf-Kin, and Drawf-Kin have been said as well, implying that humans don't see dwarves or elves as looking anything like a human. /shrug. Honestly trying to figure that out in character is kind of silly really since once again they never did anything else but make a font for common. Note this is worse for any setting other than The Forgotten realms, as they just used standard "Old English Font" for common. Although at least Planescape changed it up a bit, by using every D&D alphabet in neon for the fonts. (And ironically maybe because people doing planescape art were fans of Doctor Who some of the art looks to be written in Gallifreyan aka Celestial.
Poor Yuan-Ti, they were missed from the list.
ugh... I knew there was more. And I know that old lore, and looked them in their serpentine faces and didn't add them.
And Genasi.
Ah right Also a Planetouched Species. Just like Aassamar and Tiefling. I'll be honest I always forget Genasi, they are an interesting idea but really do not make an impression on me.
I guess the real point is, besides the two echo-planes-touched Elves (Shadar-Kai & Eladrin) Elves really only come in City, Wood, or Underground variants and the biggest difference is skin tone, hair, and culture aka Ethnicities. While Humans have become entirely new and very different species, and they are everywhere and every time you flip the stone of deep lore the ancient ancestors were humans.