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Races of Mystara

T

his section contains entries for each race and subrace that may be available as a PC race, based on having rules for such in at least one source of Mystaran Lore. In addition to the basic 3E rule mechanics we have generated Mystara specific details for some racial entries. Where they are provided, you may click on the [More Details...] link to view a single file with more complete information about that race.
 

Quick Links into this file

Special Terms

Languages: Automatic and bonus languages for all races appear in the race descriptions, since the Regions of Mystara are home to a number of unique tongues. For races that are listed with the term "local regional language" and "local common", the actual languages that apply are based on their "home region" (i.e., the region of Mystara from which they originated). See the regional discussions under the Mystara Settings section for complete details.

Regions: Each race description includes a listing of the Mystara settings, and the regions therein where that race is most commonly found. It may also include notes regarding regions where there are particular reasons the race would be particularly rare. Players and DMs should not feel restricted by this information in their selection of a home region for any given character, although a DM may, based on this information, decide that certain choices will require a particularly interesting background story to be acceptable.

Additionally, the availability of regional feats and equipment for starting characters may depend on whether her home region is a preferred region for her, based on race and starting class. See the Classes of Mystara, Skills and Feats and Equipment sections for further details.

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Core PC Races

Humans

Standard Humans

The standard human is the basic human race all D&D players have come to know and love.  While cultural and language differences set individual groups apart, they are all one and the same people at their core.

Standard Human Racial Traits

Standard human characters have racial traits identical to those of the standard human race as defined in Chapter 2: Races of the Player's Handbook [PHB], except as follows:

Standard Human Racial Traits updated: June 07, 2003 (version 1.2)

The Karimari

The Karimari are a human subrace found only on the Serpent Peninsula at the far south-western edge of the continent of Brun, where the Known World meets the Savage Coast.

Racial traits still under development

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Dwarves

Rockborn Dwarf

Rockborn Dwarves are those who hail, or whose ancestors hailed, from the dwarven region of Rockhome. The original Rockborn Dwarves were created by the Immortal Kagyar.

Rockborn Dwarf Racial Traits

Rockborn dwarf characters have the following racial traits:

Rockborn Dwarf Racial Traits updated: July 11, 2003 (version 2.1)

Kogolor Dwarf

Kogolor Dwarves are a dwarven subrace found only in the Hollow World.

Racial straits still under development

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Elves

Wood Elf

Wood Elves are the prototypical elf race in Mystara.  After the Great Rain of Fire, the hero Ilsundal, who would eventually become the main Immortal patron of the elven people, lead the ancestors of the wood elf people out of the Sylvan Realm, to the western regions of the continent of Brun and then eastward, eventually ending their migration in the region that is now known as Alfheim.  [More Details...]

Wood Elf Racial Traits

Wood elf characters have the following racial traits:

Inherently Magical Elves (Variant)

In 0E D&D, all elves are predefined as having skills and abilities equivalent to a multi-classed Fighter-Wizard.  Although this is a mechanic of the rules in use, and not, strictly speaking, defined by the Mystara setting, it did have a side effect on the setting.  Specifically, it is common knowledge across all of Mystara that all elves know arcane magic and are proficient with martial arms and all forms of armor.

The official Mystara-3E conversion of the Mystaran Wood Elf uses the "Elven Magical Training" regional feat to emulate the traditional arcane nature of elves in the setting.  However, it must be said that the members of the Mystara-3E Project team were highly divided on whether to use this feat, which does not require all wood elves to exhibit skill with magical, or to grant all wood elves an inherent magical trait, similar to that of the standard D&D 3E gnome race and balanced by the reduction or elimination of other standard traits.

Since the team was so highly divided on this issue, and the decision to use the Magical Training regional feat was so close, we also offer DMs the following variant option for the Mystara Wood Elf race:

Inherent Magic: Wood elves with Intelligence scores of 10 or higher may cast the 0-level spells (cantrips) daze, detect magic, and prestidigitation, each once per day. These are arcane spells. Treat the wood elf as a 1st-level caster for all spell effects dependent on level (range for daze and duration for detect magic). See the spell descriptions in Chapter 11: Spells of the Player's Handbook.

To fully balance this benefit, remove the Sleep Immunity trait, including the elven ability to trance rather than sleep.

Note that this does not remove the Magical Training regional feat from the setting entirely, as it may still be taken by non-elves who have been formally adopted into a elven clan.

† There are several regions in Mystara that are specifically known to be strongholds of traditional elven society. Where this is the case, it is noted where the relevant regions are described in detail (see the Mystaran Settings section). A DM may define any community of wood elves as a "traditional elven society" simply by having it supply the benefits, and adhere to the restrictions, specified for these two traits.

Wood Elf Racial Traits updated: July 04, 2003 (version 2.0)

Wood Elf Vital Statistics

Wood elves mature at a faster rate than standard elf race as specified in Chapter 2: Races of the Players Handbook [PHB], and their average height is about 2" taller. Additionally, most wood elves feel the "call of the forest" after adventuring for a century or so and return home from their wandering, although some may continue adventuring for several centuries if they are able to do so.

Add the following information for wood elves to Tables 6-4, 6-5 and 6-6 of the Player's Handbook [PHB]:

Table 6-4: (modifications) Random Starting Ages
                                   Brd      Clr
                          Brb      Ftr      Drd
                          Rog      Pal      Mnk
Race        Adulthood     Sor      Rgr      Wiz
Elf, wood   20 years      +4d6     +6d6     +10d6

Table 6-5: (modifications) Aging Effects
            Middle                                 Maximum
Race        Age          Old          Venerable    Age
Elf, wood   350 years    525 years    700 years    +4d% years

Table 6-6: (modifications) Random Height and Weight
                   Base    Height         Base     Weight
Race               Height  Modifier       Weight   Modifier
Elf, wood, man     4'5"    +2d8           85 lb.   x (1d6) lb.
Elf, wood, woman   4'5"    +2d8           80 lb.   x (1d6) lb.

Wood Elf Vital Statistics updated: July 11, 2003 (version 1.4)

Water Elf

The Water Elves are an elven subrace found primarily in the Minrothad Guilds.

Racial traits still under development

Shadow Elf

The Shadow Elves are an elven subrace who hail from caverns located deep between the outer surfaces of the Known World and the inner surface of the Hollow World.

Despite a few superficial similarities to the Drow Elves found in other campaigns, the Shadow Elves are a very different race and should not be confused with the former.

Racial traits still under development

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Gnomes

Earth Gnome

Earth Gnomes.... [More Details...]

Earth Gnome Racial Traits

Earth gnome characters have the following racial traits:

Earth Gnome Racial Traits updated: July 04, 2003 (version 2.0)

Earth Gnome Vital Statistics

Mystaran earth gnomes mature at a faster rate than the standard gnome race as defined in Chapter 2: Races of the Player's Handbook [PHB], and their average height is also several inches taller.

Add the information for standard gnomes to Tables 6-4, 6-5 and 6-6 of the Player's Handbook [PHB]:

Table 6-4: (modifications) Random Starting Ages
                                      Brd      Clr
                             Brb      Ftr      Drd
                             Rog      Pal      Mnk
Race           Adulthood     Sor      Rgr      Wiz
Gnome, earth   20 years      +2d4     +3d6     +4d6

Table 6-5: (modifications) Aging Effects
               Middle                                 Maximum
Race           Age          Old          Venerable    Age
Gnome, earth   50 years     75 years     100 years    +5d20 years

Table 6-6: (modifications) Random Height and Weight
                      Base    Height         Base     Weight
Race                  Height  Modifier       Weight   Modifier
Gnome, earth, man     3'0"    +2d6           40 lb.   x 1 lb.
Gnome, earth, woman   2'10"   +2d6           35 lb.   x 1 lb.

Earth Gnome Vital Statistics updated: July 11, 2003 (version 1.1)

Skygnome

Skygnomes.... [More Details...]

Skygnome Racial Traits

Skygnome characters have the following racial traits:

† These abilities effectively replace the standard earth gnome abilities and bonuses related to earth, stone and metal: saving throws vs. earth based magic, stonecunning, appraisal, stone and metal craft and the language ability to speak with animals. Mystaran skygnomes have abandoned most of their ancestral affinity for earth and metal in exchange for their affinity with the air and sky.

‡ These abilities effectively replace the standard earth gnome abilities and bonuses related to combat with the traditional enemies: attacks vs. kobolds and golblinoids and AC bonus vs. Giants. Mystaran skygnomes have virtually no contact with the "traditional" enemies of their earth gnome cousins and so no longer emphasize the skills required to attack and defend against them effectively. Instead they have refocused their natural skills and abilities towards dealing with the dangers they do encounter regularly, and thus gain an increased effectiveness and awareness in precarious locations.

Skygnome Racial Traits last updated: June 07, 2003 (version 1.2)

Skygnome Vital Statistics

Mystaran skygnomes, like the earth gnomes, mature at a faster rate than the standard gnome race as defined in Chapter 2: Races of the Player's Handbook [PHB], and their average height is also several inches taller..

Add the following information for skygnomes to Tables 6-4, 6-5 and 6-6 of the Player's Handbook [PHB].

Table 6-4: (modifications) Random Starting Ages
                                      Brd      Clr
                             Brb      Ftr      Drd
                             Rog      Pal      Mnk
Race           Adulthood     Sor      Rgr      Wiz
Gnome, sky     20 years      +2d4     +3d6     +4d6

Table 6-5: (modifications) Aging Effects
               Middle                                 Maximum
Race           Age          Old          Venerable    Age
Gnome, sky     50 years     75 years     100 years    +5d20 years

Table 6-6: (modifications) Random Height and Weight
                      Base    Height         Base     Weight
Race                  Height  Modifier       Weight   Modifier
Gnome, sky, man       3'0"    +2d6           40 lb.   x 1 lb.
Gnome, sky, woman     2'10"   +2d6           35 lb.   x 1 lb.

Skygnome Vital Statistics created: June 07, 2003 (version 1.0)

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Half-Elves

Although the Elves of Alfheim Gazetteer [GAZ 5] states that "the half-elf does not exist", other Mystaran material, in both 0E and 2E, acknowledge that when elf and human do produce offspring, they may give rise to children with both elf and human features. Accordingly, the Mystara-3E development group concluded that the "legendary half-elf" from Elves of Alfheim refers to a mythical paragon possessing all the positive attributes and none of the imperfections of both Elves and Humans combined, and thus the standard 3E half-elf, being no such paragon, does indeed exist in Mystara.

Use the following guidelines for Mystaran half-elves:

In Mystara, all human/elf offspring can be referred to as half-elves with the physical features of both races, but some have all human racial abilities, some have all elf racial abilities and some may, indeed, have standard 3E half-elf racial- abilities. All half-elves, regardless of which racial abilities they possess, also gain the elven-blood racial ability.  Half-elves may also be assigned initial languages based on whether they grew up with Elves or Humans and choosing whether they substitute Still Spell for Scribe Scroll when becoming wizards (see the Fighting Magi ability of the Mystaran Elves for more details) will depend on whether they learned their first level of the wizard class from a traditional Elf community or not.

As described in Elves of Alfheim, Mystaran elf and human genetics are not 100% compatible and, unfortunately, certain pairings may not produce viable offspring.  Specifically, when a female human and a male elf produce male offspring the child will always be stillborn.  All offspring expected from different human and elf pairings are described below:

Female human and male elf
  • Female offspring: half-elf with human or half-elf racial features.
  • Male offspring: stillborn
Female elf and male human
  • Female offspring: half-elf with human or half-elf racial features.
  • Male offspring: half-elf with elf or half-elf racial features.

As a result of the same incompatibility between elf and human genetics, Mystaran half-elves do not always "breed true" with each other or with humans and elves.  The offspring expected from different half-elf and half-elf, human or elf pairings are described below:

Female half-elf and male half-elf
  • Female offspring: 50% - half-elf with human or half-elf racial features; 50% - pure elf.
  • Male offspring: 50% - half-elf with elf or half-elf racial features; 50% - pure human who does not inherit the elven-blood racial trait.
Female half-elf and male human
  • Female offspring: 50% - half-elf with human or half-elf racial features; 50% - pure human who does not inherit the elven-blood racial trait.
  • Male offspring: 50% - half-elf with elf or half-elf racial features; 50% - pure human who does not inherit the elven-blood racial trait.
Female half-elf and male elf
  • Female offspring: 50% - half-elf with human or half-elf racial features; 50% - pure elf.
  • Male offspring: 50% - pure elf; 50% - stillborn.
Female human and male half-elf
  • Female offspring: 100% - half-elf with human or half-elf racial features.
  • Male offspring: 100% - pure human who does not inherit the elven-blood racial trait.
Female elf and male half-elf
  • Female offspring: 100% - pure elf.
  • Male offspring: 100% - half-elf with elf or half-elf racial features.

 

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Half-Orcs

Racial traits still under development

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Halflings

Hin

The Hin ....

Hin Racial Traits

Hin characters have racial traits identical to those of the core halfling race as specified in the Players Handbook [PHB], except as follows:

Hin Racial Traits updated: Feb 01, 2004 (version 3.0)

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Other Mystaran PC Races

R

aces listed in this section have been given details in at least one Mystaran source for use as a PC race. In addition to the 3E racial traits references to all relevant original sources will be provided.

These PC races have been categorized by the monster type specified in their entry in the Monstrous Manual section of this web site or the Monstrous Manual [MM], whichever is appropriate. The definition of each monster type is given in the first chapter of the Monstrous Manual [MM].

Other Humanoid Races

Goblin

Racial traits still under development

Kobold

Racial traits still under development

&c.

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Monstrous Humanoid Races

Lupin

Racial traits still under development

Rakasta

Racial traits still under development

Tortles

Racial traits still under development

&c.

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Fey Races

Sidhe

Racial traits still under development

Pooka

Racial traits still under development

&c.

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Shapechanger Races & Templates

Arenea

Racial traits still under development

Were

Racial/Template traits still under development

&c.

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