Halfling | Kender | Dwarves | Duergar | Gnomes 

Humans | Half-Elves | Wood Elves | High Elves | Drow | Ogres

HALFLING
Average Height: 2' 11"
General Description: Halflings are stocky little people who resemble humans, but are much more agile, dexterous, and light of foot (feet which are considerably larger than human feet). Halflings have no true lands of their own, though there are some halfling cities. Rather, they live in the lands of other races, where they can benefit from what the lands have to offer. They often form tight-knit communities in large cities, and while they work readily with others, they often make friends only among each other. Halflings also settle into secluded places where they set up self-reliant villages, however, they are known to pick up and move en masse to some place that offers a new opportunity, such as a land in need of workers. If the opportunity is temporary, the community may move again, or if the opportunity is lasting the halflings may settle down and make a new village. On the other hand, some communities are nomadic, never having a permanent home. Their mischievous, jovial natures make them fun people to be around. Male halflings take great pride in their foot hair and strive to ensure that each hair is properly groomed. Possessing naturally high dexterity and agility, halflings are viewed as quick little fellows who smile a lot. They have a love of travel, and their professions lead them on many an adventure. With their innate ability to hide, halflings make great pranksters, sneaking up on an unsuspecting victims and poking them, causing a bladder-loosening scream. A halfling has a given name, a family name, and possibly a nickname; though it seems that family names are simply nicknames that have been passed down through the generations.
History: Legend holds that the halflings are an offshoot of the human race created many generations ago by the god Kryndal. On a particularly boring day in the heavens, Kryndal took pity on a traveling circus troupe who weren't particularly entertaining circus performers or very skilled thieves, the profession their circus identity was simply a cover for. He changed them in body and spirit making them into the first halflings.

KENDER
Average Height: 3' 6"
General Description: Most kender are usually mistaken for young humans upon first glance, but a closer inspection will reveal pointed ears, face wrinkles, and pouches. Kender are an adventure loving, curious, spontaneous race that embody the youthfulness and lust for life that all adventurers share. Kender have pouches for the same reason a chipmunk has cheek space, it’s just natural. Kender have a tendency to pick up anything that is not nailed down. They usually don’t intend to keep what they have found, but find that the person they borrowed it from has walked away, or that they themselves have wandered on. Almost every kender is encountered during wanderlust, and affliction that strikes kender hard during their early adult and late teen years that causes the kender to pick-up and travel the world far and wide in search for one exciting adventure after another. To complicate issues kender are totally fearless. This race also embodies the ideals of freedom. They roam aimlessly and are not known for following orders unless they believe they came up with the idea or are interested enough in what might happen if they follow that order. They do not like to be locked up, even though they spend a fair share of their time in city jails, and they repeatedly find themselves in places they are not meant to be. Any attempt to control a kender may result in the kender taunting their assailant and driving them into a fit of uncontrollable rage, which is exactly where the kender wants them, giving the kender an advantage in that fight. But if one can look beyond the insanity that kender seem to be composed of, they will find a heart of gold. No evil kender have ever been known to exist and when a person finds a kender has become their friend, they will also find that kender to be totally dedicated and unwavering, even if they do ignore orders and tend to get their friends in more trouble than they would have found in the first place. Kender have family names as the halflings do, but they will often change their first name to their favorite nickname or to any other, more interesting name.
History: 

DWARVES
Average Height: 4' 3"
General Description: Dwarves are short but extremely strong (much more so than humans) and dexterous. They appear to be small, burly humans, and males are never seen without beards and mustaches. Of course, dwarves do not see their lack of physical height as a disadvantage. To them, it is simply the way of things. Besides, it is just as satisfying to break kneecaps as it is to break noses. Dwarves believe in many different things, and each is willing to die for their beliefs. One thing all dwarves share is a common belief in good, strong ale. It would not be strange to witness a dwarf in battle, a weapon in one hand and a frothing mug in the other. To better serve their dwarven patrons, taverns across the lands have specially constructed stools that can take a beating. The innate infravision of the dwarves allows them to see if a mug is half-empty or half-full in even the darkest of rooms. For the safety of those around, the mug better be half nothing and always full! Dwarves reach adulthood at age 50 and can live to be over 400 years old. A dwarf's name is granted by his clan elder, as tradition dictates, thus every proper dwarven name has been used and reused through the generations. Dwarves get along fine with gnomes, and don't mind half-elves or halflings - though they consider kender 'lazy vagabonds' and will only reluctantly associate with one. Humans have a hard time making friends with dwarves due to their short lifespans - the best friendships between dwarves and humans are with a dwarf who liked the human's parents and grandparents. Dwarves consider elves as unpredictable and fickle, though they have often found common cause in battles against goblinoids and other beasts, thus elves have earned the dwarves' grudging respect. A dwarf's name belongs to his clan, and if he misuses it or brings shame to it, his clan will strip him of his name. Such a dwarf is forbidden by dwarven law to use any other dwarven name in its place. 
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DUERGAR
Average Height: 4' 3"
General Description: Also known as gray dwarves, this evil race of dwarf live in the Underdark, the series of underground caverns that stretches out under the whole known world. They are thin and nasty-looking, with gray hair and skin, though most duergar are bald. They war with the other dwarves, even allying with other Underdark dwellers from time to time.
History: 

GNOMES
Average Height: 3' 10"
General Description: Gnomes spend most of their lives in their underground burrows and rarely come to the surface. They resemble dwarves to some extent, but have a ruddy brown skin, large noses, and are more wiry and gnarled. Their hair is white, and somewhat sparse. Yet, their appearance is not what gets them noticed. Gnomes believe that building contraptions ranks right up there with saving the world. Renowned for their tinkering abilities, gnomes delight in the fact that they can build the right machine for any occasion. The many catastrophes, explosions, and traumatic amputations of limbs that have resulted from this pursuit of mechanics are not seen as tragedies, but rather as learning experiences. Gnomes are an easy-going race, and most have a pleasant, carefree attitude. They do not believe in failures, only temporary setbacks. Their fascinations with gadgets, sprockets, springs, doodads, and-frighteningly enough--explosives, provide gnomes with an abundance of healthy respect (at a safe distance) from others. Not ones to waste time on such things as revenge, gnomes prefer to experiment. It cannot be helped if an experiment happens to go bad on someone who just offended them in some way. Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or more names and nicknames given to them by their parents, clan elders, friends, and everyone else.
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HUMANS
Average Height: 5' 10"
General Description: Humans are the most abundant race. Some would say only rats outnumber them, but then again no one has taken a census of either humans or rats. Good, neutral, or evil, humans pursue a gamut of philosophies. Humans may pursue the professions of their choice undeterred by racial shortcomings. From bard to wizard, they can do it all. Humans are an open-minded lot. They accept almost any other race. 
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HALF-ELVES
Average Height: 5' 10"
General Description: Half elves, sharing the blood of both humans and elves, share some of the strengths and weaknesses of both races. They most closely resemble humans, except for their slightly pointed ears and sharper facial features. Although scorned by the more closed-minded individuals of their parent races, half elves receive some of the best attributes of both parents. From the elves, they gain the much-valued ability to see clearly in the dark, good agility and good dexterity. From humans they take better strength and stamina. History: 

WOOD ELVES
Average Height: 5' 2"
General Description: Wood elves appear somewhat human at first glance, but their very sharp features and pointed ears set them apart. Elves are weaker than humans, but more than make up for this with their amazing agility and superior dexterity. They are intelligent and wise, and quite charismatic. Wood elves make their homes high up in the trees, which provide them with not only safety but also a view of their cherished woodlands. Being in tune with nature, wood elves gravitate toward "nature" professions. Wood elves consider themselves a beautiful people, but that beauty does not inflate their egos as it would the high elves. They are generally liked by most races. The wood elves live deep in the forests, and are even more reclusive than their cousins. They have hair of yellow or coppery red, and are more muscular than other elves.
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HIGH ELVES
Average Height: 5' 5"
General Description: The high elves are much more intellectual than their woodland kin, and are the "royalty" of the elven races (with the exception of their dark brethren). They share the elfin features of their woodland kin, but are taller, and paler in skin. Sweat and dirt do not combine well with the finicky high elf personality. They prefer the use of magic to muscle. They are a highly intelligent race, which is reflected in their choice of many magic-using professions. Even though high elves consider themselves the royalty of the elven races, they will not hesitate to join parties with other races who lean toward good. They understand that some sacrifices must be made in order to do what they believe is the right thing. Of course, they still will not hesitate to remind others of their own supremacy. They are graceful but frail, tending to be pale-skinned and dark-haired, with green eyes. Elves have pointed ears, unearthly grace, and fine features, and are found to be hauntingly beautiful by the other races. Also, elves to not sleep--instead, they go into a meditative trance for four hours a day, which is roughly equivalent to the amount of rest eight hours of sleep would give. As such, elves are immune to Sleep spells. An elf reaches adulthood at 110 years and can live to be over 700. When an elf is declared an adult, usually a bit after her hundredth birthday, she chooses a new name. Those who knew her as a child may still call her by her 'child name', and she may or may not care. In addition, elven family names are combinations of elven words, and elves sometimes translate them into Common while in human lands.
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DROW
Average Height: 5' 6"
General Description: Drow are an evil offshoot of high elves who were cast underground thousands of years ago for worshipping Lloth, however elves today refuse to admit that they exist. Drow have midnight blue-black skin with pale hair that is usually white in color with vivid red eyes. The females are a bit heavier and stronger than the males. Drow society is matriarchal, with the males regarded as a lower class. They live in vast caverns in the Underdark, with each family having its own mansion, ruled by a female head of the household, usually the eldest of the family and a cleric of Lloth. Drow also hate the sunlight, and a drow who comes to the surface never truly gets used to it. Due to their life under the earth and dedication to evil gods, they have excellent vision in the dark. Drow are a race filled with hate. They hate all other races, and even their fellow drow. They will lend aid to one another, but only for their own selfish reasons. "I will help you now to use you later," is a common sentiment.
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OGRES
Average Height: 8' 10"
General Description: Ogres are incredibly massive beings. With an average weight well over four hundred pounds, they are truly immovable objects. Due to their size, they are the strongest of all the races. Conversely, they are the least intelligent race, whose lives consist mostly of smashing things and eating them. An ogre's strength is its strength. Never let the ogre's dull personality and lower intelligence mislead you into thinking they are harmless. Ogres are ruthless killers and will eat what they kill. The best way to make friends with an ogre is to feed him your left hand. He'll stay with you until he gets the rest.
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