is races for power some the down

Princess Serissa

Monsters Storm King's Thunder

thrust into power. Unable to find her father and fearing that he might be dead, Serissa can imagine her political influence evaporating quickly. Several giant lords previously under her father’s

thumb have abandoned her court and set out to impress the gods in ways that could all but destroy the civilizations of the small folk. Serissa fears warfare among the six giant races as they strive to

Sahuagin Baron Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

the Shark. Sahuagin worship the shark god Sekolah. Only female sahuagin are deemed worthy of channeling the god’s power, and priestesses hold tremendous sway in sahuagin communities. Sahuagin are

as allies and don’t prey on them. Elven Enmity. The sahuagin might control the oceans if not for the presence of their mortal enemies, the aquatic elves. Wars between the two races have raged

Sahuagin Priestess Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

female sahuagin are deemed worthy of channeling the god's power, and priestesses hold tremendous sway in sahuagin communities. Sahuagin are driven into a frenzy by the smell of fresh blood. As

might control the oceans if not for the presence of their mortal enemies, the aquatic elves. Wars between the two races have raged for centuries across the coasts and seas of the world, disrupting

Yuan-ti Malison (Type 3) Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

or were defeated by those who fought against their cannibalism and slavery, and the serpent folk were left in the ruins of their great capitals, far removed from other races. Cold of Heart. Humanoid

’t be bound for long by brute force, and that many creatures will refuse to serve. As a result, yuan-ti first influence other creatures with the promise of wealth and power. Time and again

Aereni High Elf

Species Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

godlike power and has protected your island home for thousands of years. The greatest heroes of your people join the Undying Court after death; if you achieve great things in your life, you too could

leave your island and wander the world? Are you in search of a power that could earn you your place in the Undying Court? Have you been given a quest by one of your own deathless ancestors? Or are

Anthropologist

Backgrounds Tomb of Annihilation

culture—even one in need of aid. (Lawful) 3 Knowledge. By understanding other races and cultures, we learn to understand ourselves. (Any) 4 Power. Common people crave strong

; Suggested Characteristics Anthropologists leave behind the societies into which they were born to discover what life is like in other parts of the world. They seek to see how other races and civilizations

Elf Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

of many other races. They are slightly shorter than humans on average, ranging from well under 5 feet tall to just over 6 feet. They are more slender than humans, weighing only 100 to 145 pounds

enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry. A Timeless Perspective Elves can live well over 700 years, giving them a broad perspective on events that might trouble the shorter-lived races more deeply. They are

Air Genasi

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Planes, each genasi can tap into the power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water—these are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of genasi. Some genasi are direct

violent end on an adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact is mentioned in the race

Aarakocra

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

;and were imbued with a measure of their masters’ power over winds. Their descendants still command echoes of that power. From below, aarakocra look like large birds and thus are sometimes called

violent end on an adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact is mentioned in the race

Water Genasi

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Water genasi descend from marids, aquatic genies from the Elemental Plane of Water. Water genasi are perfectly suited to life underwater and carry the power of the waves inside themselves. Their

the power of one of the elements. Air, earth, fire, and water—these are the four pillars of the Material Plane and the four types of genasi. Some genasi are direct descendants of a genie, while

Lineages

Species Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

In the Land of the Mists, power and dread lie in the simple question “What happened to me?” The following lineages are races that characters might gain through remarkable events. These

as the deathless power of vampirism surges through them. Once able to exhale destructive energy, the dragonborn now feels a powerful hunger inside, and their bite is now able to drain life. Some

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

reckonings of most worlds, humans are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their

shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the elder races, and that’s why they build their mighty

Uthgardt Tribe Member

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

among the people as living embodiments of his power. Perhaps they needed a reminder of who they were and from whence they came. The Chosen of Uthgar led bands back to the old ways, and most of your people

fullest. 3 I remember every insult I’ve received and nurse a silent resentment toward anyone who’s ever wronged me. 4 I am slow to trust members of other races, tribes, and

Aereni Wood Elf

Species Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

godlike power and has protected your island home for thousands of years. The greatest heroes of your people join the Undying Court after death; if you achieve great things in your life, you too could

leave your island and wander the world? Are you in search of a power that could earn you your place in the Undying Court? Have you been given a quest by one of your own deathless ancestors? Or are

Chromatic Dragonborn

Species Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Dragonborn with chromatic ancestry claim the raw elemental power of chromatic dragons. The vibrant colors of black, blue, green, red, and white dragons gleam in those dragonborn’s scaled skin

forest, toxic and corrosive. Creating Your Character When you create your D&D character, you decide whether your character is a member of the human race or one of the game’s fantastical races

Goliath Legacy

Species Elemental Evil Player's Companion

physical power. Their spirits take after the wandering wind, making them nomads who wander from peak to peak. Their hearts are infused with the cold regard of their frigid realm, leaving each goliath with

mock folk who rely on society’s structures or rules to maintain power. Survival of the Fittest Among goliaths, any adult who can’t contribute to the tribe is expelled. A lone goliath has

Chapter 2: Character Races

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Chapter 2: Character Races Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. This chapter presents character races that are some of the more distinctive race options in the D&D multiverse. They supplement the

options in the Player’s Handbook and are more rare in the worlds of D&D than the races in that book are. If you’re a player, consult with your DM before using any of the races here. Many DMs like to

Giants: World Shakers

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

world. Elves had yet to set dainty foot out of the fey realm when the thunder of the giants’ steps shook the world to its bones, and even the dragons were yet unaware of the power and glory they would

the giants and their kin know for certain is that they are sibling races. Humanoids such as elves, humans, and dwarves are more similar in size and shape than the disparate giant types are to one

Humanoids and the Gods

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

ignored by the gods, or are those races the deciding factor that can tilt the balance of power in favor of one god or another?

Humanoids and the Gods When it comes to the gods, humans exhibit a far wider range of beliefs and institutions than other races do. In many D&D settings, orcs, elves, dwarves, goblins, and other

Minotaur

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

carve their horns to sharpen their edges, etch symbols of power into them, or sheathe them in bronze to prevent them from shattering during battle. Thick hair extends down minotaurs’ necks and

adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact is mentioned in the race’s description

Menzoberranzan

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

Underdark, with other races and factions trying to claim some of the power long held by the drow. Despite Vizeran’s best efforts, not all drow believe that Lolth is responsible for the disaster, instead

blaming a lack of faith in the Demon Queen of Spiders, as well as the power of the wizards. Chaos and agitation for change embroil the city, forcing the already weakened ruling houses to put down

Hobgoblin Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

little to conceal an underlying brutality that hobgoblins practice on each other and perfect upon other races. Punishment for infractions of hobgoblin law are swift and merciless. Beauty is something

banners, each one made up of a group of interrelated families. Members of a banner live, work, and fight together, and each banner has a separate status within the legion that is reflected in the power of

Aasimar Legacy

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Whether descended from a celestial being or infused with heavenly power, aasimar are mortals who carry a spark of the Upper Planes within their souls. They can fan that spark to bring light, ease

violent end on an adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact is mentioned in the race’s

Yuan-ti

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

in a variety of ways: a forked tongue, snake eyes, a snakelike nose, or some other ophidian characteristic. However a yuan-ti looks, they have the power to pursue great good or evil in the multiverse

character doesn’t meet a violent end on an adventure. Members of some races, such as dwarves and elves, can live for centuries. If typical members of a race can live longer than a century, that fact

Rule of Matriarchs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

also a merciless assassin with blood on her hands. Unlike with many other races, female drow are typically taller and more robust than males. To rise to the top echelons of power, a female must first

become a priestess of Lolth. Then, to ascend to the status of high priestess, she must take advantage of powerful connections or craft special alliances. The path to ultimate power in drow society is

Lineages

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

Lineages In the Land of the Mists, power and dread lie in the simple question “What happened to me?” The following lineages are races that characters might gain through remarkable events. These

power of vampirism surges through them. Once able to exhale destructive energy, the dragonborn now feels a powerful hunger inside, and their bite is now able to drain life. Some racial traits might

Suggested Characteristics

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tomb of Annihilation

Suggested Characteristics Anthropologists leave behind the societies into which they were born to discover what life is like in other parts of the world. They seek to see how other races and

lost tribe, or the truth about an ancient empire’s downfall. d6 Personality Trait 1 I prefer the company of those who aren’t like me, including people of other races. 2 I’m a stickler when it comes

Protanther

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Rise of Tiamat

. Though he sees both good and bad in the lesser races, he believes that their capacity for attaining great power despite their physical limitations makes them dangerous. For all their capability

power. He considers the cycle of failed human civilizations across Faerûn as a sign of a quintessential flaw in human nature. Moreover, he is quick to point out that humans make up the majority of

High Elves: The Aereni

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

High Elves: The Aereni Aereni Elf with a Symbol of the Undying Court For thousands of years, the island nation of Aerenal has been ruled and protected by the godlike power of the Undying Court, a

you to leave your island home and the protection of the Undying Court in order to wander the world. Are you in search of a power that could earn you your place in the Undying Court? Have you been given

Protanther

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Tyranny of Dragons

. Though he sees both good and bad in the lesser races, he believes that their capacity for attaining great power despite their physical limitations makes them dangerous. For all their capability, humanoids

power. He considers the cycle of failed human civilizations across Faerûn as a sign of a quintessential flaw in human nature. Moreover, he is quick to point out that humans make up the majority of evil

The Demon Wastes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

years ago, fiends ruled Khorvaire. This region was the seat of power of some of the mightiest archfiends, holding cities of rakshasas and demons. These foul spirits were bound long ago, but their power

battles against the Ghaash’kala and the other Carrion Tribes. These people are mostly humans, but there are corrupted orcs, half-orcs, and tieflings mixed in, along with a handful of other races

Elves

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

, who developed subraces in the world, elves brought their divisions with them, settling into separate kingdoms by type. Beings of immense power, the first elves explored and settled the world, bringing

about a golden age of art, magic, and civilization. At the height of their power, the elves performed a High Magic ritual intended to create the ideal homeland. They succeeded, but the spell sundered

Fiends

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Fiends The mightiest of the fiends born from Khyber are creatures of immense power known as the overlords. Dozens of overlords were imprisoned by the Silver Flame at the dawn of time; two of them

. Two other races of fiends, though, play important roles in its history. Night Hags Night hags have been around since the Age of Demons, when they often served as ambassadors and carried messages

Type

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Lost Mine of Phandelver

world. Beasts. Nonhumanoid creatures that, like real-world animals, are a normal part of the world’s ecology. Dragons. Large, winged, reptilian creatures of ancient origin and tremendous power

. Giants. Humanoid-like creatures that tower over humans and their kin. Humanoids. Bipedal peoples of the civilized and savage world, including humans and a tremendous variety of other races, including

Diseases

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

wasting illness. A warlock offends some dark power and contracts a strange affliction that spreads whenever he casts spells. A simple outbreak might amount to little more than a small drain on party

might affect only constructs or undead, or sweep through a halfling neighborhood but leave other races untouched. What matters is the story you want to tell.

D&D Beyond

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