Chapter 2: Races

S h o r t a n d S t o u t
Bold and hardy, dwarves are known as
skilled warriors, miners, and workers
of stone and metal. Though they stand
well under 5 feet tall, dwarves are so
broad and compact that they can weigh
as much as a human standing nearly two
feet taller. Their courage and endurance
are also easily a match for any of
the larger folk.
Dwarven skin ranges from deep brown to a paler
hue tinged with red, but the most common shades are
light brown or deep tan, like certain tones o f earth.
Their hair, worn long but in simple styles, is usually
black, gray, or brown, though paler dwarves often have
red hair. Male dwarves value their beards highly and
groom them carefully.

L o n g M e m o r y , L o n g G r u d g e s
Dwarves can live to be more than 400 years old, so the
oldest living dwarves often remember a very different
world. For example, some o f the oldest dwarves living
in Citadel Felbarr (in the w orld o f the Forgotten Realms)
can recall the day, more than three centuries ago, when
orc s conquered the fortress and drove them into an exile
that lasted over 250 years. This longevity grants them a
perspective on the world that shorter-lived races such as
humans and halflings lack.
Dwarves are solid and enduring like the mountains
they love, weathering the passage o f centuries with stoic
endurance and little change. They respect the traditions
of their clans, tracing their ancestry back to the
founding o f their m ost ancient strongholds in the youth
o f the world, and don't abandon those traditions lightly.
Part o f those traditions is devotion to the gods o f the
dwarves, who uphold the dwarven ideals o f industrious
labor, skill in battle, and devotion to the forge.
Individual dwarves are determined and loyal, true to
their w ord and decisive in action, sometimes to the point
o f stubbornness. Many dwarves have a strong sense
Kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur, halls carved into the
roots o f mountains, the echoing o f picks and hammers
in deep mines and blazing forges, a commitment to
clan and tradition, and a burning hatred o f goblins and
orc s—these common threads unite all dwarves.
“Y e r l a t e , e l f !” c a m e t h e r o u g h e d g e o f a f a m il ia r
voice. Bruenor Battlehammer walked up the back of his
dead foe, disregarding the fact that the heavy monster lay
on top of his elven friend. In spite of the added discomfort,
the dwarf’s long, pointed, often-broken nose and graystreaked
though still-fiery red beard came as a welcome
sight to Drizzt. “Knew I’d find ye in trouble if I came out
an' looked for ye!"
—R. A . Salvatore, The Crystal Shard

o f justice, and they are slow to forget w rongs they have
suffered. A wrong done to one dwarf is a wrong done to
the dwarf’s entire clan, so what begins as one dwarf’s
hunt for vengeance can become a full-blown clan feud.

C l a n s a n d K i n g d o m s
Dwarven kingdoms stretch deep beneath the mountains
where the dwarves mine gems and precious metals
and forge items o f wonder. They love the beauty and
artistry o f precious metals and fine jewelry, and in some
dwarves this love festers into avarice. Whatever wealth
they can’t find in their mountains, they gain through
trade. They dislike boats, so enterprising humans and
halflings frequently handle trade in dwarven goods
along water routes. Trustworthy m embers o f other races
are welcome in dwarf settlements, though some areas
are off limits even to them.
The chief unit of dwarven society is the clan, and
dwarves highly value social standing. Even dwarves
who live far from their own kingdoms cherish their clan
identities and affiliations, recognize related dwarves,
and invoke their ancestors’ names in oaths and curses.
To be clanless is the worst fate that can befall a dwarf.
Dwarves in other lands are typically artisans,
especially weaponsmiths, armorers, and jewelers. Some
become mercenaries or bodyguards, highly sought after
for their courage and loyalty.

G o d s , G o l d , a n d C l a n
Dwarves w ho take up the adventuring life might be
motivated by a desire for treasure—for its own sake, for
a specific purpose, or even out o f an altruistic desire to
help others. Other dwarves are driven by the command
or inspiration o f a deity, a direct calling or simply a
desire to bring glory to one of the dwarf gods. Clan and
ancestry are also important motivators. A dwarf might
seek to restore a clan’s lost honor, avenge an ancient
wrong the clan suffered, or earn a new place within the
clan after having been exiled. Or a dwarf might search
for the axe w ielded by a mighty ancestor, lost on the field
o f battle centuries ago.

S lo w t o T r u s t
Dwarves get along passably well with most other races. “The
difference between an acquaintance and a friend is about a
hundred years,” is a dwarf saying that might be hyperbole,
but certainly points to how difficult it can be for a member o f
a short-lived race like humans to earn a dwarf’s trust.
Elves. “ It’s not wise to depend on the elves. No telling what
an elf will do next; when the hammer meets the orc’s head,
they’re as apt to start singing as to pull out a sword. They’re
flighty and frivolous. Two things to be said for them, though:
They don’t have many smiths, but the ones they have do very
fine work. And when orcs or goblins come streaming down
out of the mountains, an elf’s good to have at your back. Not
as good as a dwarf, maybe, but no doubt they hate the orcs
as much as we do.”
Halflings. “Sure, they’re pleasant folk. But show me a
halfling hero. An empire, a triumphant army. Even a treasure
for the ages made by halfling hands. Nothing. How can you
take them seriously?”
Humans. “You take the time to get to know a human, and
by then the human’s on her deathbed. If you’re lucky, she’s
got kin—a daughter or granddaughter, maybe—who’s got
hands and heart as good as hers. That’s when you can make
a human friend. And watch them go! They set their hearts on
something, they’ ll get it, whether it’s a dragon’s hoard or an
empire’s throne. You have to admire that kind of dedication,
even if it gets them in trouble more often than not.”

D w a r f N a m e s
A dwarf’s name is granted by a clan elder, in accordance
with tradition. Every p roper dwarven name has been
used and reused down through the generations. A
dwarf’s name belongs to the clan, not to the individual.
A dwarf who misuses or brings shame to a clan name
is stripped o f the name and forbidden by law to use any
dwarven name in its place.
Male Names: Adrik, Alberich, Baern, Barendd, Brottor,
Bruenor, Dain, Darrak, Delg, Eberk, Einkil, Fargrim,
Flint, Gardain, Harbek, Kildrak, Morgran, Orsik,
Oskar, Rangrim, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Thorin,
Tordek, Traubon, Travok, Ulfgar, Veit, Vondal
Female Names: Amber, Artin, Audhild, Bardryn,
Dagnal, Diesa, Eldeth, Falkrunn, Finellen, Gunnloda,
Gurdis, Helja, Hlin, Kathra, Kristryd, Ilde, Liftrasa,
Mardred, Riswynn, Sannl, Torbera, Torgga, Vistra
Clan Names: Balderk, Battlehammer, Brawnanvil,
Dankil, Fireforge, Frostbeard, Gorunn, Holderhek,
Ironfist, Loderr, Lutgehr, Rumnaheim, Strakeln,
Torunn, Ungart

D w a r f T r a i t s
Your dwarf character has an assortment of inborn
abilities, part and parcel of dwarven nature.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score
increases by 2.
Age. Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans, but
they’re considered young until they reach the age o f 50.
On average, they live about 350 years.
Alignment. Most dwarves are lawful, believing firmly
in the benefits o f a well-ordered society. They tend
toward good as well, with a strong sense o f fair play and
a belief that everyone deserves to share in the benefits of
a just order.
Size. Dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall and
average about 150 pounds. Your s ize is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet. Your
speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.
Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground, you
have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You
can see in dim light within 60 feet o f you as if it w ere
bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You
can’t discern color in darkness, only shades o f gray.
Dwarven Resilience. You have advantage on saving
throws against poison, and you have resistance against
poison damage (explained in chapter 9).
Dwarven Combat Training. You have proficiency
with the battleaxe, handaxe, throwing hammer,
and warhammer.
Tool Proficiency. You gain proficiency with the
artisan’s tools o f your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s
supplies, or mason’s tools.
Stonecunning. Whenever you make an Intelligence
(History) check related to the origin o f stonework, you
are considered proficient in the History skill and add
double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of
your normal proficiency bonus.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
and Dwarvish. Dwarvish is full o f hard consonants and
guttural sounds, and those characteristics spill over into
whatever other language a dwarf might speak.
Subrace. Two main subraces o f dwarves populate the
worlds o f D&D: hill dwarves and mountain dwarves.
Choose one o f these subraces.

H i l l D w a r f
As a hill dwarf, you have keen senses, deep intuition,
and remarkable resilience. The gold dwarves of Faerun
in their mighty southern kingdom are hill dwarves, as
are the exiled Neidar and the debased Klar o f Krynn in
the Dragonlance setting.
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score
increases by 1.
Dwarven Toughness. Your hit point maximum
increases by 1, and it increases by 1 every time you
gain a level.

M o u n t a in D w a r f
As a mountain dwarf, you're strong and hardy,
accustomed to a difficult life in rugged terrain. You’re
probably on the tall side (for a dwarf), and tend toward
lighter coloration. The shield dwarves o f northern
Faerun, as w ell as the ruling Hylar clan and the noble
Daewar clan o f Dragonlance, are mountain dwarves.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score
increases by 2.
Dwarven Armor Training. You have proficiency with
light and medium armor.

D u e r g a r
In cities deep in the Underdark live the duergar, or gray
dwarves. These vicious, stealthy slave traders raid the surface
world for captives, then sell their prey to the other races of
the Underdark. They have innate magical abilities to become
invisible and to temporarily grow to giant size.

“ I HAVE NEVER IMAGINED SUCH BEAUTY EXISTED,”
Goldmoon said softly. The day’s march had been difficult,
but the reward at the end was beyond their dreams.
The companions stood on a high cliff over the fabled
city of Qualinost.
Four slender spires rose from the city’s corners like glistening
spindles, their brilliant white stone marbled with shining
silver. Graceful arches, swooping from spire to spire, soared
through the air. Crafted by ancient dwarven metalsmiths,
they were strong enough to hold the weight of an army, yet
they appeared so delicate that a bird lighting on them might
overthrow the balance. These glistening arches were the
city’s only boundaries; there was no wall around Qualinost.
The elven city opened its arms lovingly to the wilderness.
—Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman,
Dragons of Autumn Twilight

Elves are a magical people o f otherworldly grace, living
in the w orld but not entirely part of it. They live in
places of ethereal beauty, in the midst o f ancient forests
or in silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where
soft music drifts through the air and gentle fragrances
waft on the breeze. Elves love nature and magic, art
and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things
o f the world.

S l e n d e r a n d G r a c e f u l
With their unearthly grace and fine features, elves
appear hauntingly beautiful to humans and members
o f 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. Males and
females are about the same height, and males are only
marginally heavier than females.
Elves’ coloration encompasses the normal human
range and also includes skin in shades of copper,
bronze, and almost bluish-white, hair o f green or blue,
and eyes like pools o f liquid gold or silver. Elves have no
facial and little body hair. They favor elegant clothing in
bright colors, and they enjoy simple yet lovely jewelry.

A T i m e l e s s P e r s p e c t i v e
Elves can live well over 700 years, giving them a broad
perspective on events that might trouble the shorterlived
races more deeply. They are more often amused
than excited, and more likely to be curious than
greedy. They tend to remain aloof and unfazed by petty
happenstance. When pursuing a goal, however, whether
adventuring on a mission or learning a new skill or art,
elves can be focused and relentless. They are slow to
make friends and enemies, and even slower to forget
them. They reply to petty insults with disdain and to
serious insults with vengeance.
Like the branches o f a young tree, elves are flexible
in the face o f danger. They trust in diplomacy and
compromise to resolve differences before they escalate
to violence. They have been known to retreat from
intrusions into their woodland homes, confident
that they can simply wait the invaders out. But when
the need arises, elves reveal a stern martial side,
demonstrating skill with sword, bow, and strategy.

H i d d e n W o o d l a n d R e a l m s
Most elves dwell in small forest villages hidden among
the trees. Elves hunt game, gather food, and grow
vegetables, and their skill and magic allow them to
support themselves without the need for clearing and
plowing land. They are talented artisans, crafting finely
worked clothes and art objects. Their contact with
outsiders is usually limited, though a few elves make a
good living by trading crafted items for metals (which
they have no interest in mining).
Elves encountered outside their own lands are
commonly traveling minstrels, artists, or sages. Human
nobles compete for the services o f elf instructors to
teach swordplay or magic to their children.

E x p l o r a t i o n a n d A d v e n t u r e
Elves take up adventuring out o f wanderlust. Since
they are so long-lived, they can enjoy centuries of
exploration and discovery. They dislike the pace of
human society, which is regimented from day to day but
constantly changing over decades, so they find careers
that let them travel freely and set their own pace. Elves
also enjoy exercising their martial prowess or gaining
greater magical power, and adventuring allows them
to do so. Some might join with rebels fighting against
oppression, and others might become champions o f
moral causes.

E l f N a m e s
Elves are considered children until they declare
themselves adults, some time after the hundredth
birthday, and before this period they are called
by child names.
On declaring adulthood, an elf selects an adult name,
although those w ho knew him or her as a youngster
might continue to use the child name. Each elf’s adult
name is a unique creation, though it might reflect
the names o f respected individuals or other family
members. Little distinction exists between male
names and female names; the groupings here reflect
only general tendencies. In addition, every elf bears a
family name, typically a combination of other Elvish
words. Some elves traveling among humans translate
their family names into Common, but others retain the
Elvish version.
Child Names: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil.
Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai,
Syllin, Thia, Vall
Male Adult Names: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis,
Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric , Enialis, Erdan, Erevan,
Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios,
Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon,
Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis

H a u g h t y b u t G r a c io u s
Although they can be haughty, elves are generally gracious
even to those who fall short of their high expectations—
which is most non-elves. Still, they can find good in just
about anyone.
Dwarves. “Dwarves are dull, clumsy oafs. But what they
lack in humor, sophistication, and manners, they make up in
valor. And I must admit, their best smiths produce art that
approaches elven quality.”
Halflings. “Halflings are people of simple pleasures, and
that is not a quality to scorn. They’re good folk, they care
for each other and tend their gardens, and they have proven
themselves tougher than they seem when the need arises."
Humans. “All that haste, their ambition and drive to
accomplish something before their brief lives pass away—
human endeavors seem so futile sometimes. But then
you look at what they have accomplished, and you have to
appreciate their achievements. If only they could slow down
and learn some refinement.”
Female Adult Names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna,
Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn,
Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth,
Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna,
Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui,
Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia
Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir
(Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel
(Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir
(Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne
(Oakenheel), Nai'lo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel
(Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)

E l f T r a i t s
Your elf character has a variety o f natural abilities, the
result o f thousands o f years o f elven refinement.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score
increases by 2.
Age. Although elves reach physical maturity at about
the same age as humans, the elven understanding of
adulthood goes beyond physical growth to encompass
worldly experience. An elf typically claims adulthood
and an adult name around the age o f 100 and can live
to be 750 years old.
Alignment. Elves love freedom, variety, and selfexpression,
so they lean strongly toward the gentler
aspects o f chaos. They value and protect others'
freedom as well as their own, and they are more
often good than not. The drow are an exception; their
exile into the Underdark has made them vicious and
dangerous. Drow are more often evil than not.
Size. Elves range from under 5 to over 6 feet tall and
have slender builds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Accustomed to twilit forests and the night
sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions.
You can see in dim light within 60 feet o f you as if it
were bright light, and in darkness as if it w ere dim light.
You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades o f gray.
Keen Senses. You have proficiency in the
Perception skill.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws
against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Trance. Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they
meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4
hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation
is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a
fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that
have become reflexive through years o f practice. After
resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a
human does from 8 hours o f sleep.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
and Elvish. Elvish is fluid, with subtle intonations and
intricate grammar. Elven literature is rich and varied,
and their songs and poems are famous among other
races. Many bards learn their language so they can add
Elvish ballads to their repertoires.
Subrace. Ancient divides among the elven people
resulted in three main subraces: high elves, wood elves,
and dark elves, who are commonly called drow. Choose
one o f these subraces. In some worlds, these subraces
are divided still further (such as the sun elves and moon
elves o f the Forgotten Realms), so if you wish, you can
choose a narrower subrace.

H ig h E l f
As a high elf, you have a keen mind and a mastery of
at least the basics o f magic. In many o f the worlds
o f D&D, there are two kinds of high elves. One type
(which includes the gray elves and valley elves of
Greyhawk, the Silvanesti of Dragonlance, and the
sun elves o f the Forgotten Realms) is haughty and
reclusive, believing themselves to be superior to
non-elves and even other elves. The other type
(including the high elves o f Greyhawk. the
Qualinesti o f Dragonlance, and the moon elves
o f the Forgotten Realms) are more common
and m ore friendly, and often encountered
among humans and other races.
The sun elves o f Faerun (also called gold
elves or sunrise elves) have bronze skin and
hair of copper, black, or golden blond. Their
eyes are golden, silver, or black. Moon elves (also
called silver elves or gray elves) are much paler,
with alabaster skin sometimes tinged with blue.
They often have hair o f silver-white, black, or blue,
but various shades o f blond, brown, and red are
not uncommon. Their eyes are blue or green and
flecked with gold.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score
increases by 1.
Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with
the longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.
Cantrip. You know one cantrip o f your choice from
the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting
ability for it.
Extra Language. You can speak, read, and write one
extra language o f your choice.

W o o d E lf
As a w ood elf, you have keen senses and intuition, and
your fleet feet carry you quickly and stealthily through
your native forests. This category includes the wild
elves (grugach) o f Greyhawk and the Kagonesti of
Dragonlance, as well as the races called wood elves in
Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms. In Faerun, wood
elves (also called wild elves, green elves, or forest elves)
are reclusive and distrusting o f non-elves.
Wood elves’ skin tends to be copperish in hue,
sometimes with traces o f green. Their hair tends toward
browns and blacks, but it is occasionally blond or
copper-colored. Their eyes are green, brown, or hazel.
Ability Score Increase. Your W isdom score
increases by 1.
Elf Weapon Training. You have proficiency with the
longsword, shortsword, shortbow, and longbow.
Fleet o f Foot. Your base walking speed
increases to 35 feet.
Mask o f the Wild. You can attempt to hide even when
you are only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain,
falling snow, mist, and other natural phenomena.

T h e D a r k n e s s o f t h e D r ow
Were it not for one renowned exception, the race of drow
would be universally reviled. To most, they are a race of
demon-worshiping marauders dwelling in the subterranean
depths of the Underdark, emerging only on the blackest
nights to pillage and slaughter the surface dwellers they
despise. Their society is depraved and preoccupied with the
favor of Lolth, their spider-goddess, who sanctions murder
and the extermination of entire families as noble houses
vie for position.
Yet one drow, at least, broke the mold. In the world of the
Forgotten Realms, Drizzt Do'Urden, ranger of the North, has
proven his quality as a good-hearted defender of the weak
and innocent. Rejecting his heritage and adrift in a world that
looks upon him with terror and loathing, Drizzt is a model
for those few drow who follow in his footsteps, trying to find
a life apart from the evil society of their Underdark homes.
Drow grow up believing that surface-dwelling races are
inferior, worthless except as slaves. Drow who develop a
conscience or find it necessary to cooperate with members of
other races find it hard to overcome that prejudice, especially
when they are so often on the receiving end of hatred.

D a r k E l f (D r o w )
Descended from an earlier subrace of dark-skinned
elves, the drow w ere banished from the surface world
for following the goddess Lolth down the path to
evil and corruption. Now they have built their own
civilization in the depths o f the Underdark, patterned
after the Way o f Lolth. Also called dark elves, the drow
have black skin that resembles polished obsidian and
stark white or pale yellow hair. They commonly have
very pale eyes (so pale as to be mistaken for white) in
shades o f lilac, silver, pink, red, and blue. They tend to
be smaller and thinner than most elves.
Drow adventurers are rare, and the race does not exist
in all worlds. Check with your Dungeon Master to see
if you can play a drow character.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score
increases by 1.
Superior Darkvision. Your darkvision has a
radius o f 120 feet.
Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack
rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on
sight when you, the target o f your attack, or whatever
you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.
Drow Magic. You know the dancing lights cantrip.
When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire
spell once per day. When you reach 5th level, you can
also cast the darkness spell once per day. Charisma is
your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Drow Weapon Training. You have proficiency with
rapiers, shortswords, and hand crossbows.

Regis the halfling, the o n l y o n e o f h is k in d f o r
hundreds of miles in any direction, locked his fingers behind
his head and leaned back against the mossy blanket
of the tree trunk. Regis was short, even by the standards
of his diminutive race, with the fluff o f his curly brown
locks barely cresting the three-foot mark, but his belly was
amply thickened by his love of a good meal, or several, as
the opportunities presented themselves. The crooked stick
that served as his fishing pole rose up above him, clenched
between two of his toes, and hung out over the quiet lake,
mirrored perfectly in the glassy surface o f Maer Dualdon.
—R.A. Salvatore, The Crystal Shard

l iv e s : a place to se ttle in peace and quiet, far from
marauding monsters and clashing armies; a blazing fire
and a generous meal; fine drink and fine conversation.
Though some halflings live out their days in remote
agricultural communities, others form nomadic bands
that travel constantly, lured by the open road and the
wide horizon to discover the wonders o f new lands and
peoples. But even these wanderers love peace, food,
hearth, and home, though home might be a wagon
jostling along an dirt road or a raft floating downriver.

Small and Practical
The diminutive halflings survive in a w orld full o f larger
creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding
offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively
harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries
in the shadow of empires and on the edges o f wars and
political strife. They are inclined to be stout, weighing
between 40 and 45 pounds.
Halflings’ skin ranges from tan to pale with a ruddy
cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown
and wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men
often sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among
them and mustaches even more so. They like to w ear
simple, comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring
bright colors.
Halfling practicality extends beyond their clothing.
They’re concerned with basic needs and simple
pleasures and have little use for ostentation. Even the
wealthiest of halflings keep their treasures locked in a
cellar rather than on display for all to see. They have
a knack for finding the most straightforward solution
to a problem, and have little patience for dithering.

Kind and Curious
Halflings are an affable and cheerful people. They
cherish the bonds of family and friendship as well
as the comforts of hearth and home, harboring few
dreams of gold or glory. Even adventurers among
them usually venture into the world for reasons of

Affable and Positive
community, friendship, wanderlust, or curiosity. They
love discovering new things, even simple things, such
as an exotic food or an unfamiliar style of clothing.
Halflings are easily m oved to pity and hate to see any
living thing suffer. They are generous, happily sharing
what they have even in lean times.

Blend into the Crowd
Halflings are adept at fitting into a community of
humans, dwarves, or elves, making themselves valuable
and welcome. The combination of their inherent stealth
and their unassuming nature helps halflings to avoid
unwanted attention.
Halflings work readily with others, and they are loyal
to their friends, whether halfling or otherwise. They can
display remarkable ferocity when their friends, families,
or communities are threatened.

Pastoral Pleasantries
Most halflings live in small, peaceful communities with
large farms and well-kept groves. They rarely build
kingdoms of their own or even hold much land beyond
their quiet shires. They typically don’t recognize any
sort of halfling nobility or royalty, instead looking to
family elders to guide them. Families preserve their
traditional ways despite the rise and fall of empires.
Many halflings live among other races, where the
halflings’ hard work and loyal outlook offer them
abundant rewards and creature comforts. Some halfling
communities travel as a way of life, driving wagons or
guiding boats from place to place and maintaining no
permanent home.
Halflings try to get along with everyone else and are loath to
make sweeping generalizations— especially negative ones.
Dwarves. “Dwarves make loyal friends, and you can count
on them to keep their word. But would it hurt them to smile
once in a while?”
Elves. "They’re so beautiful! Their faces, their music, their
grace and all. It’s like they stepped out of a wonderful dream.
But there’s no telling what’s going on behind their smiling
faces— surely more than they ever let on.”
Humans. “Humans are a lot like us, really. At least some
of them are. Step out of the castles and keeps, go talk to the
farmers and herders and you’ ll find good, solid folk. Not that
there’s anything wrong with the barons and soldiers—you
have to admire their conviction. And by protecting their own
lands, they protect us as well.”

E x p l o r i n g O p p o r t u n i t i e s
Halflings usually set out on the adventurer’s path to
defend their communities, support their friends, or
explore a wide and wonder-filled world. For them,
adventuring is less a career than an opportunity or
sometimes a necessity.

H a l f l i n g N a m e s
A halfling has a given name, a family name, and possibly
a nickname. Family names are often nicknames that
stuck so tenaciously they have been passed down
through the generations.
Male Names: Alton, Ander, Cade, Corrin, Eldon, Errich,
Finnan, Garret, Lindal, Lyle, Merric, Milo, Osborn,
Perrin, Reed, Roscoe, Wellby
Female Names: Andry, Bree, Callie, Cora, Euphemia,
Jillian, Kithri, Lavinia, Lidda, Merla, Nedda, Paela,
Portia, Seraphina, Shaena, Trym, Vani, Verna
Family Names: Brushgather, Goodbarrel, Greenbottle,
High-hill, Hilltopple, Leagallow, Tealeaf, Thorngage,
Tosscobble, Underbough
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
and Halfling. The Halfling language isn’t secret, but
halflings are loath to share it with others. They write
very little, so they don’t have a rich body o f literature.
Their oral tradition, however, is very strong. Almost all
halflings speak Common to converse with the people
in whose lands they dwell or through which they
are traveling.
Subrace. The two main kinds o f halfling, lightfoot and
stout, are more like closely related families than true
subraces. Choose one o f these subraces.

L ig h t f o o t
As a lightfoot halfling, you can easily hide from notice,
even using other people as cover. You’re inclined to be
affable and get along well with others. In the Forgotten
Realms, lightfoot halflings have spread the farthest and
thus are the most common variety.
Lightfoots are more prone to wanderlust than other
halflings, and often dwell alongside other races or take
up a nomadic life. In the world o f Greyhawk, these
halflings are called hairfeet or tallfellows.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score
increases by 1.
Naturally Stealthy. You can attempt to hide even
when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least
one size larger than you.

St o u t
As a stout halfling, you’re hardier than average and have
some resistance to poison. Some say that stouts have
dwarven blood. In the Forgotten Realms, these halflings
are called stronghearts, and they’re most common
in the south.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score
increases by 1.
Stout Resilience. You have advantage on saving
throws against poison, and you have resistance
against poison damage.

H a l f l i n g T r a i t s
Your halfling character has a number o f traits in
common with all other halflings.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score
increases by 2.
Age. A halfling reaches adulthood at the age of
20 and generally lives into the middle o f his or her
second century.
Alignment. Most halflings are lawful good. As a rule,
they are good-hearted and kind, hate to see others in
pain, and have no tolerance for oppression. They are
also very orderly and traditional, leaning heavily on
the support o f their community and the comfort of
their old ways.
Size. Halflings average about 3 feet tall and w eigh
about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Lucky. When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability
check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must
use the new roll.
Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against
being frightened.
Halfling Nimbleness. You can move through the
space o f any creature that is o f a size larger than yours.

T h e se w e r e t h e s t o r ie s o f a r e s t l e s s p e o p l e w h o
long ago took to the seas and rivers in longboats, first to
pillage and terrorize, then to settle. Yet there was an energy,
a love of adventure, that sang from every page. Long into
the night Uriel read, lighting candle after precious candle.
She'd never given much thought to humans, but these
stories fascinated her. In these yellowed pages were tales of
bold heroes, strange and fierce animals, mighty primitive gods,
and a magic that was part and fabric of that distant land.
—Elaine Cunningham, Daughter of the Drow
In the reckonings o f most w orlds, humans are the
youngest o f the common races, late to arrive on the
world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves,
elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because o f 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 empires on the foundation of
conquest and trade. Whatever drives them, humans
are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers
o f the worlds.
A B r o a d S p e c t r u m
With their penchant for migration and conquest,
humans are more physically diverse than other common
races. There is no typical human. An individual can
stand from 5 feet to a little over 6 feet tall and w eigh
from 125 to 250 pounds. Human skin shades range
from nearly black to very pale, and hair colors from
black to blond (curly, kinky, or straight); males might
sport facial hair that is sparse or thick. A lot o f humans
have a dash o f nonhuman blood, revealing hints o f elf,
orc , or other lineages. Humans reach adulthood in their
late teens and rarely live even a single century.
V a r i e t y i n A l l T h i n g s
Humans are the most adaptable and ambitious people
among the common races. They have widely varying
tastes, morals, and customs in the many different lands
where they have settled. When they settle, though,
they stay: they build cities to last for the ages, and
great kingdoms that can persist for long centuries. An
individual human might have a relatively short life span,
but a human nation or culture preserves traditions
with origins far beyond the reach o f any single human’s
memory. They live fully in the present—making them
well suited to the adventuring life—but also plan for the
future, striving to leave a lasting legacy. Individually and
as a group, humans are adaptable opportunists, and
they stay alert to changing political and social dynamics.
Ev e r y o n e ’s S e c o n d - B e s t F r i e n d s
Just as readily as they mix with each other, humans mingle
with members of other races. They get along with almost
everyone, though they might not be close to many. Humans
serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants,
and functionaries of all kinds.
Dwarves. “They’re stout folk, stalwart friends, and true to
their word. Their greed for gold is their downfall, though.”
Elves. “ It’s best not to wander into elven woods. They don't
like intruders, and you’ ll as likely be bewitched as peppered
with arrows. Still, if an elf can get past that damned racial
pride and actually treat you like an equal, you can learn a lot
from them.”
Halflings. "It’s hard to beat a meal in a halfling home, as
long as you don’t crack your head on the ceiling—good food
and good stories in front of a nice, warm fire. If halflings had
a shred of ambition, they might really amount to something.”
L a s t i n g I n s t i t u t i o n s
Where a single elf or dwarf might take on the
responsibility o f guarding a special location or a
powerful secret, humans found sacred orders and
institutions for such purposes. While dwarf clans and
halfling elders pass on the ancient traditions to each
new generation, human temples, governments, libraries,
and codes o f law fix their traditions in the bedrock o f
history. Humans dream o f immortality, but (except for
those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to
escape death’s clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that
they will be remembered when they are gone.
Although some humans can be xenophobic, in
general their societies are inclusive. Human lands
welcome large numbers o f nonhumans compared to the
proportion o f humans w ho live in nonhuman lands.
E x e m p l a r s o f A m b i t i o n
Humans w ho seek adventure are the most daring and
ambitious members o f a daring and ambitious race.
They seek to earn glory in the eyes o f their fellows
by amassing power, wealth, and fame. More than
other people, humans champion causes rather than
territories or groups.
H u m a n N a m e s a n d E t h n i c i t i e s
Having so much more variety than other cultures,
humans as a whole have no typical names. Some human
C a l i s h i t e
Shorter and slighter in build than most other humans,
Calishites have dusky brown skin, hair, and eyes.
They’re found primarily in southwest Faerun.
Calishite Names: (Male) Aseir, Bardeid, Haseid,
Khemed, Mehmen, Sudeiman, Zasheir; (female)
Atala, Ceidil, Hama, Jasmal, Meilil, Seipora, Yasheira,
Zasheida; (surnames) Basha, Dumein, Jassan, Khalid,
Mostana, Pashar, Rein
C h o n d a t h a n
Chondathans are slender, tawny-skinned folk with
brown hair that ranges from almost blond to almost
black. Most are tall and have green or brown eyes,
but these traits are hardly universal. Humans of
Chondathan descent dominate the central lands of
Faerun. around the Inner Sea.
parents give their children names from other languages,
such as Dwarvish or Elvish (pronounced more or less
correctly), but most parents give names that are linked
to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions of
their ancestors.
The material culture and physical characteristics
o f humans can change wildly from region to region.
In the Forgotten Realms, for example, the clothing,
architecture, cuisine, music, and literature are different
in the northwestern lands of the Silver Marches than
in distant Turmish or Impiltur to the east—and even
more distinctive in far-off Kara-Tur. Human physical
characteristics, though, vary according to the ancient
migrations o f the earliest humans, so that the humans
o f the Silver Marches have every possible variation of
coloration and features.
In the Forgotten Realms, nine human ethnic groups
are w idely recognized, though over a dozen others are
found in more localized areas o f Faerun. These groups,
and the typical names o f their members, can be used as
inspiration no matter which world your human is in.
Chondathan Names: (Male) Darvin, Dorn, Evendur,
Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal,
Stedd; (female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri,
Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (surnames)
Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood,
Greycastle, Tallstag
D a m a r a n
Found primarily in the northwest o f Faerun, Damarans
are o f moderate height and build, with skin hues
ranging from tawny to fair. Their hair is usually brown
or black, and their eye color varies widely, though brown
is most common.
Damaran Names: (Male) Bor, Fodel, Glar, Grigor,
Igan, Ivor, Kosef, Mival, Orel, Pavel, Sergor; (female)
Alethra, Kara, Katernin, Mara, Natali, Olma, Tana,
Zora; (surnames) Bersk, Chernin, Dotsk, Kulenov,
Marsk, Nemetsk, Shemov, Starag
I l l u s k a n
Illuskans are tall, fair-skinned folk with blue or steely
gray eyes. Most have raven-black hair, but those who
inhabit the extreme northwest have blond, red, or
light brown hair.
Illuskan Names: (Male) Ander, Blath, Bran, Frath,
Geth, Lander, Luth, Malcer, Stor, Taman, Urth;
(female) Amafrey, Betha, Cefrey, Kethra, Mara, Olga,
Silifrey, Westra; (surnames) Brightwood, Helder,
Hornraven, Lackman, Stormwind, Windrivver
M u l a n
Dominant in the eastern and southeastern shores of
the Inner Sea, the Mulan are generally tall, slim, and
amber-skinned, with eyes o f hazel or brown. Their hair
ranges from black to dark brown, but in the lands where
the Mulan are most prominent, nobles and many other
Mulan shave off all their hair.
Mulan Names: (Male) Aoth, Bareris, Ehput-Ki,
Kethoth, Mumed, Ramas, So-Kehur, Thazar-De,
Urhur; (female) Arizima, Chathi, Nephis, Nulara,
Murithi, Sefris, Thola, Umara, Zolis; (surnames)
Ankhalab, Anskuld, Fezim, Hahpet, Nathandem,
Sepret, Uuthrakt
R a s h e m i
Most often found east o f the Inner Sea and often
intermingled with the Mulan, Rashemis tend to be short,
stout, and muscular. They usually have dusky skin, dark
eyes, and thick black hair.
Rashemi Names: (Male) Borivik, Faurgar, Jandar,
Kanithar, Madislak, Ralmevik, Shaumar, Vladislak;
(female) Fyevarra, Hulmarra, Immith, Imzel,
Navarra, Shevarra, Tammith. Yuldra; (surnames)
Chergoba, Dyernina, Iltazyara, Murnyethara,
Stayanoga, Ulmokina
Sh o u
The Shou are the most numerous and powerful ethnic
group in Kara-Tur, far to the east o f Faerun. They are
yellowish-bronze in hue, with black hair and dark
eyes. Shou surnames are usually presented before
the given name.
Shou Names: (Male) An, Chen, Chi, Fai, Jiang, Jun,
Lian, Long, Meng, On, Shan, Shui, Wen; (female)
Bai, Chao, Jia, Lei, Mei, Qiao, Shui, Tai; (surnames)
Chien, Huang, Kao, Kung, Lao, Ling, Mei, Pin, Shin,
Sum, Tan, Wan
T e t h y r i a n
Widespread along the entire Sword Coast at the
western edge o f Faerun, Tethyrians are o f medium build
and height, with dusky skin that tends to grow fairer
the farther north they dwell. Their hair and eye color
varies widely, but brown hair and blue eyes are the most
common. Tethyrians primarily use Chondathan names.
T u r a m i
Native to the southern shore of the Inner Sea, the
Turami people are generally tall and muscular, with
dark mahogany skin, curly black hair, and dark eyes.
Turami Names: (Male) Anton, Diero, Marcon, Pieron,
Rimardo, Romero, Salazar, Umbero; (female) Balama,
Dona, Faila, Jalana, Luisa, Marta, Quara, Selise,
Vonda; (surnames) Agosto, Astorio, Calabra, Domine,
Falone, Marivaldi, Pisacar, Ramondo
H u m a n T r a i t s
It’s hard to make generalizations about humans, but
your human character has these traits.
Ability Score Increase. Your ability scores each
increase by 1.
Age. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and
live less than a century.
Alignment. Humans tend toward no
particular alignment. The best and the worst are
found among them.
Size. Humans vary widely in height and build, from
barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless o f your
position in that range, your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base w alking speed is 30 feet.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
and one extra language o f your choice. Humans typically
learn the languages o f other peoples they deal with,
including obscure dialects. They are fond o f sprinkling
their speech with w ords borrowed from other tongues:
Orc curses, Elvish musical expressions, Dwarvish
military phrases, and so on.
V a r i a n t H um a n T r a i t s
If your campaign uses the optional feat rules from chapter 5,
your Dungeon Master might allow these variant traits, all of
which replace the human’s Ability Score Increase trait.

H e r f a t h e r s t o o d o n th e f ir s t o f th e t h r e e s ta ir s
that led down from the portal, unmoving. The scales of his
face had grown paler around the edges, but Clanless Mehen
still looked as if he could wrestle down a dire bear himself.
His familiar well-worn armor was gone, replaced by
violet-tinted scale armor with bright silvery tracings. There
was a blazon on his arm as well, the mark of some foreign
house. The sword at his back was the same, though, the one
he had carried since even before he had found the twins left
in swaddling at the gates of Arush Vayem.
father’s face was a skill she'd been fortunate to learn. A
human who couldn’t spot the shift of her eyes or Havilar’s
would certainly see only the indifference of a dragon in
Clanless Mehen’s face. But the shift of scales, the arch of a
ridge, the set of his eyes, the gape of his teeth—her father's
face spoke volumes.
But every scale of it, this time, seemed completely still—
the indifference of a dragon, even to Farideh.
—Erin M. Evans, The Adversary
Born o f dragons, as their name proclaims, the
dragonborn walk proudly through a world that greets
them with fearful incomprehension. Shaped by draconic
gods or the dragons themselves, dragonborn originally
hatched from dragon eggs as a unique race, combining
the best attributes o f dragons and humanoids. Some
dragonborn are faithful servants to true dragons, others
form the ranks o f soldiers in great wars, and still others
find themselves adrift, with no clear calling in life.
P r o u d D r a g o n K i n
Dragonborn look very much like dragons standing erect
in humanoid form, though they lack wings or a tail. The
first dragonborn had scales o f vibrant hues matching
the colors o f their dragon kin, but generations of
interbreeding have created a more uniform appearance.
Their small, fine scales are usually brass or bronze
in color, sometimes ranging to scarlet, rust, gold, or
copper-green. They are tall and strongly built, often
standing close to 6 1/2 feet tall and weighing 300 pounds
or more. Their hands and feet are strong, talonlike
claws with three fingers and a thumb on each hand.
The blood o f a particular type o f dragon runs
very strong through some dragonborn clans. These
dragonborn often boast scales that more closely match
those o f their dragon ancestor—bright red, green, blue,
or white, lustrous black, or gleaming metallic gold,
silver, brass, copper, or bronze.
S e l f - S u f f i c i e n t C l a n s
To any dragonborn, the clan is more important than
life itself. Dragonborn owe their devotion and respect
to their clan above all else, even the gods. Each
dragonborn’s conduct reflects on the honor o f his or her
clan, and bringing dishonor to the clan can result in
expulsion and exile. Each dragonborn knows his or her
station and duties within the clan, and honor demands
maintaining the bounds o f that position.
A continual drive for self-improvement reflects the
self-sufficiency o f the race as a whole. Dragonborn value
skill and excellence in all endeavors. They hate to fail,
and they push themselves to extreme efforts before they
give up on something. A dragonborn holds mastery of
a particular skill as a lifetime goal. Members o f other
races who share the same commitment find it easy to
earn the respect o f a dragonborn.
Though all dragonborn strive to be self-sufficient,
they recognize that help is sometimes needed in difficult
situations. But the best source for such help is the
clan, and when a clan needs help, it turns to another
dragonborn clan before seeking aid from other races—
or even from the gods.
D r a g o n b o r n N a m e s
Dragonborn have personal names given at birth,
but they put their clan names first as a mark o f
honor. A childhood name or nickname is often used
among clutchmates as a descriptive term or a term
o f endearment. The name might recall an event or
center on a habit.
Male Names: Arjhan, Balasar, Bharash, Donaar, Ghesh.
Heskan, Kriv, Medrash, Mehen, Nadarr, Pandjed,
Patrin, Rhogar, Shamash, Shedinn, Tarhun, Torinn
Female Names: Akra, Biri, Daar, Farideh, Harann,
Flavilar, Jheri, Kava, Korinn, Mishann, Nala, Perra,
Raiann, Sora, Surina, Thava, Uadjit
U n c o m m o n Ra c e s
The dragonborn and the rest of the races in this chapter are
uncommon. They don’t exist in every world of D&D, and
even where they are found, they are less widespread than
dwarves, elves, halflings, and humans.
In the cosmopolitan cities of the D&D multiverse, most
people hardly look twice at members of even the most
exotic races. But the small towns and villages that dot
the countryside are different. The common folk aren’t
accustomed to seeing members of these races, and they
react accordingly.
Dragonborn. It’s easy to assume that a dragonborn is a
monster, especially if his or her scales betray a chromatic
heritage. Unless the dragonborn starts breathing fire and
causing destruction, though, people are likely to respond
with caution rather than outright fear.
Gnome. Gnomes don’t look like a threat and can quickly
disarm suspicion with good humor. The common folk are
often curious about gnomes, likely never having seen one
before, but they are rarely hostile or fearful.
Half-Elf. Although many people have never seen a half-elf,
virtually everyone knows they exist. A half-elf stranger’s
arrival is followed by gossip behind the half-elf's back and
stolen glances across the common room, rather than any
confrontation or open curiosity.
Half-Orc. It’s usually safe to assume that a half-orc is
belligerent and quick to anger, so people watch themselves
around an unfamiliar half-orc. Shopkeepers might
surreptitiously hide valuable or fragile goods when a half-orc
comes in, and people slowly clear out of a tavern, assuming a
fight will break out soon.
Tiefling. Half-orcs are greeted with a practical caution, but
tieflings are the subject of supernatural fear. The evil of their
heritage is plainly visible in their features, and as far as most
people are concerned, a tiefling could very well be a devil
straight from the Nine Hells. People might make warding
signs as a tiefling approaches, cross the street to avoid
passing near, or bar shop doors before a tiefling can enter.
Childhood Names: Climber, Earbender, Leaper, Pious,
Shieldbiter, Zealous
Clan Names: Clethtinthiallor, Daardendrian, Delmirev,
Drachedandion, Fenkenkabradon, Kepeshkmolik,
Kerrhylon, Kimbatuul, Linxakasendalor, Myastan,
Nemmonis, Norixius, Ophinshtalajiir, Prexijandilin,
Shestendeliath, Turnuroth, Verthisathurgiesh, Yarjerit
D r a g o n b o r n T r a i t s
Your draconic heritage manifests in a variety o f traits
you share with other dragonborn.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score
increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.
Age. Young dragonborn grow quickly. They walk
hours after hatching, attain the size and development
o f a 10-year-old human child by the age o f 3, and reach
adulthood by 15. They live to be around 80.
Alignment. Dragonborn tend to extremes, making a
conscious choice for one side or the other in the cosmic
war between good and evil (represented by Bahamut
and Tiamat, respectively). Most dragonborn are good,
but those w ho side with Tiamat can be terrible villains.
Size. Dragonborn are taller and heavier than humans,
standing w ell over 6 feet tall and averaging almost 250
pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
D r a c o n i c A n c e s t r y
Dragon Damage Type Breath Weapon
Black Acid 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Blue Lightning 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Brass Fire 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Bronze Lightning 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Copper Acid 5 by 30 ft. line (Dex. save)
Cold Fire 15 ft. cone (Dex. save)
Green Poison 15 ft. cone (Con. save)
Red Fire 15 ft. cone (Dex. save)
Silver Cold 15 ft. cone (Con. save)
White Cold 15 ft. cone (Con. save)
D r a c o n i a n s
in the Dragonlance setting, the followers of the evil goddess
Takhisis learned a dark ritual that let them corrupt the
eggs of metallic dragons, producing evil dragonborn called
draconians. Five types of draconians, corresponding to the
five types of metallic dragons, fought for Takhisis in the War
of the Lance: auraks (gold), baaz (brass), bozak (bronze),
kapak (copper), and sivak (silver). In place of their draconic
breath weapons, they have unique magical abilities.
Draconic Ancestry. You have draconic ancestry.
Choose one type o f dragon from the Draconic Ancestry
table. Your breath weapon and damage resistance are
determined by the dragon type, as shown in the table.
Breath Weapon. You can use your action to exhale
destructive energy. Your draconic ancestry determines
the size, shape, and damage type of the exhalation.
When you use your breath w eapon, each creature in
the area o f the exhalation must make a saving throw,
the type o f which is determined by your draconic
ancestry. The DC for this saving throw equals 8 +
your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus. A
creature takes 2d6 damage on a failed save, and half
as much damage on a successful one. The damage
increases to 3d6 at 6th level, 4d6 at 11th level, and 5d6
at 16th level.
After you use your breath weapon, you can’t use it
again until you complete a short or long rest.
Damage Resistance. You have resistance to the
damage type associated with your draconic ancestry.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
and Draconic. Draconic is thought to be one o f the
oldest languages and is often used in the study o f magic.
The language sounds harsh to most other creatures and
includes numerous hard consonants and sibilants.

fair hair has a tendency to stick out in every direction,
as if expressing the gnome’s insatiable interest in
everything around.
A gnome’s personality is writ large in his or her
appearance. A male gnome’s beard, in contrast to
his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often
styled into curious forks or neat points. A gnome’s
clothing, though usually m ade in modest earth tones,
is elaborately decorated with embroidery, embossing,
or gleaming jewels.
D e l i g h t e d D e d i c a t i o n
As far as gnomes are concerned, being alive is a
wonderful thing, and they squeeze every ounce of
enjoyment out o f their three to five centuries o f life.
Humans might w onder about getting bored over the
course o f such a long life, and elves take plenty o f time
to savor the beauties o f the world in their long years, but
gnomes seem to worry that even with all that time, they
can’t get in enough o f the things they want to do and see.
Gnomes speak as if they can’t get the thoughts
out o f their heads fast enough. Even as they offer
ideas and opinions on a range o f subjects, they still
manage to listen carefully to others, adding the
appropriate exclamations o f surprise and appreciation
along the way.
Sk in n y a n d f l a x e n - h a ir e d , h is s k in
walnut brown and his eyes a startling
turquoise, Burgell stood half as tall as Aeron
climb up on a stool to look out the peephole. Like most habitations
in Oeble, that particular tenement had been built
for humans, and smaller residents coped with the resulting
awkwardness as best they could.
But at least the relative largeness of the apartment gave
Burgell room to pack in all his gnome-sized gear. The front
room was his workshop, and it contained a bewildering
miscellany of tools: hammers, chisels, saws, lockpicks,
tinted lenses, jeweler's loupes, and jars of powdered and
shredded ingredients for casting spells. A fat gray cat, the
mage’s familiar, lay curled atop a grimoire. It opened its
eyes, gave Aeron a disdainful yellow stare, then appeared
to go back to sleep.
—Richard Lee Byers, The Black Bouquet
A constant hum o f busy activity pervades the warrens
and neighborhoods where gnomes form their closeknit
communities. Louder sounds punctuate the hum:
a crunch o f grinding gears here, a minor explosion
there, a yelp o f surprise or triumph, and especially
bursts o f laughter. Gnomes take delight in life, enjoying
every moment o f invention, exploration, investigation,
creation, and play.
V i b r a n t E x p r e s s i o n
A gnome’s energy and enthusiasm for living shines
through every inch o f his or her tiny body. Gnomes
average slightly over 3 feet tall and w eigh 40 to 45
pounds. Their tan or brown faces are usually adorned
with broad smiles (beneath their prodigious noses),
and their bright eyes shine with excitement. Their
Though gnomes love jokes o f all kinds, particularly
puns and pranks, they’re just as dedicated to the more
serious tasks they undertake. Many gnomes are skilled
engineers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors. They’re
willing to make mistakes and laugh at themselves in
the process o f perfecting what they do, taking bold
(sometimes foolhardy) risks and dreaming large.
B r i g h t B u r r o w s
Gnomes make their homes in hilly, wooded lands. They
live underground but get more fresh air than dwarves
do, enjoying the natural, living w orld on the surface
whenever they can. Their homes are well hidden by
both clever construction and simple illusions. Welcome
visitors are quickly ushered into the bright, warm
burrows. Those w ho are not w elcome are unlikely to
find the burrows in the first place.
Gnomes w ho settle in human lands are commonly
gemcutters, engineers, sages, or tinkers. Some human
families retain gnome tutors, ensuring that their pupils
enjoy a mix o f serious learning and delighted enjoyment.
A gnome might tutor several generations o f a single
human family over the course o f his or her long life.
G n o m e N a m e s
Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so.
A gnome's mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles
each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames
from just about everyone else might or might not stick
over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the
names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some
are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans
and others w ho are “stuffy” about names, a gnome
learns to use no more than three names: a personal
name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in
each category that’s the most fun to say.
D e e p G n o m e s
A third subrace of gnomes, the deep gnomes (or svirfneblin),
live in small communities scattered in the Underdark. Unlike
the duergar and the drow, svirfneblin are as good as their
surface cousins. However, their humor and enthusiasm
are dampened by their oppressive environment, and their
inventive expertise is directed mostly toward stonework.
Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell,
Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble,
Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar,
Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook
Female Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin,
Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli,
Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla,
Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Clan Names: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle,
Murnig, Ningel, Raulnor, Scheppen, Timbers, Turen
Nicknames: Aleslosh, Ashhearth, Badger, Cloak,
Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe,
Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck
S e e i n g t h e W o r l d
Curious and impulsive, gnomes might take up
adventuring as a way to see the world or for the love
o f exploring. As lovers o f gems and other fine items,
some gnomes take to adventuring as a quick, if
dangerous, path to wealth. Regardless o f what spurs
them to adventure, gnomes w ho adopt this way of life
eke as much enjoyment out o f it as they do out of any
other activity they undertake, sometimes to the great
annoyance o f their adventuring companions.
G n o m e T r a i t s
Your gnome character has certain characteristics in
common with all other gnomes.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score
increases by 2.
Age. Gnomes mature at the same rate humans do, and
most are expected to settle down into an adult life by
around age 40. They can live 350 to almost 500 years.
Alignment. Gnomes are most often good. Those who
tend toward law are sages, engineers, researchers,
scholars, investigators, or inventors. Those w ho tend
toward chaos are minstrels, tricksters, wanderers,
or fanciful jewelers. Gnomes are good-hearted, and
A lw a y s A p p r e c i a t i v e
It’s rare for a gnome to be hostile or malicious unless he
or she has suffered a grievous injury. Gnomes know that
most races don’t share their sense o f humor, but they enjoy
anyone's company just as they enjoy everything else they set
out to do.
even the tricksters among them are more playful
than vicious.
Size. Gnomes are between 3 and 4 feet tall and
average about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground, you have
superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can
see in dim light within 60 feet o f you as if it w ere bright
light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't
discern color in darkness, only shades o f gray.
Gnome Cunning. You have advantage on all
Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws
against magic.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
and Gnomish. The Gnomish language, which uses the
Dwarvish script, is renowned for its technical treatises
and its catalogs o f knowledge about the natural world.
Subrace. Two subraces of gnomes are found among
the worlds o f D&D: forest gnomes and rock gnomes.
Choose one o f these subraces.
F o r e s t G n o m e
As a forest gnome, you have a natural knack for illusion
and inherent quickness and stealth. In the worlds of
D&D, forest gnomes are rare and secretive. They gather
in hidden communities in sylvan forests, using illusions
and trickery to conceal themselves from threats or
to mask their escape should they be detected. Forest
gnomes tend to be friendly with other good-spirited
woodland folk, and they regard elves and good fey as
their most important allies. These gnomes also befriend
small forest animals and rely on them for information
about threats that might prowl their lands.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score
increases by 1.
Natural Illusionist. You know the minor illusion
cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.
Speak with Small Beasts. Through sounds and
gestures, you can communicate simple ideas with Small
or smaller beasts. Forest gnomes love animals and often
keep squirrels, badgers, rabbits, moles, woodpeckers,
and other creatures as beloved pets.
R o c k G n o m e
As a rock gnome, you have a natural inventiveness and
hardiness beyond that o f other gnomes. Most gnomes
in the worlds o f D&D are rock gnomes, including the
tinker gnomes o f the Dragonlance setting.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score
increases by 1.
Artificer’s Lore. Whenever you make an Intelligence
(History) check related to magic items, alchemical
objects, or technological devices, you can add twice your
proficiency bonus, instead o f any proficiency bonus you
normally apply.
Tinker. You have proficiency with artisan’s tools
(tinker’s tools). Using those tools, you can spend 1
hour and 10 gp worth o f materials to construct a Tiny
clockwork device (AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases
to function after 24 hours (unless you spend 1 hour
repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when
you use your action to dismantle it; at that time, you can
reclaim the materials used to create it. You can have up
to three such devices active at a time.
When you create a device, choose one o f the
following options:
Clockwork Toy. This toy is a clockwork animal, monster,
or person, such as a frog, mouse, bird, dragon, or
soldier. When placed on the ground, the toy m oves
5 feet across the ground on each o f your turns in a
random direction. It makes noises as appropriate
to the creature it represents.
Fire Starter. The device produces a miniature
flame, which you can use to light a candle,
torch, or campfire. Using the device
requires your action.
Music Box. When opened, this music box
plays a single song at a moderate volume.
The box stops playing when it
reaches the song’s end or
when it is closed.

“Tanis?” said Flint hesitantly as the man neared.
“The same.” The newcomer’s bearded face split in a wide
grin. He held open his arms and, before the dwarf could
stop him, engulfed Flint in a hug that lifted him off the
ground. The dwarf clasped his old friend close for a brief
instant, then, remembering his dignity, squirmed and freed
himself from the half-elf’s embrace.
—Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman,
Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Walking in two w orlds but truly belonging to neither,
half-elves combine what some say are the best qualities
o f their elf and human parents: human curiosity,
inventiveness, and ambition tempered by the refined
senses, love o f nature, and artistic tastes o f the elves.
Some half-elves live among humans, set apart by their
emotional and physical differences, watching friends
and loved ones age while time barely touches them.
Others live with the elves, growing restless as they
reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while
their peers continue to live as children. Many half-elves,
unable to fit into either society, choose lives o f solitary
wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in
the adventuring life.
O f T w o W o r l d s
To humans, half-elves look like elves, and to elves, they
look human. In height, they’re on par with both parents,
though they’re neither as slender as elves nor as broad
as humans. They range from under 5 feet to about 6 feet
tall, and from 100 to 180 pounds, with men only slightly
taller and heavier than women. Half-elf men do have
facial hair, and sometimes grow beards to mask their
elven ancestry. Half-elven coloration and features lie
somewhere between their human and elf parents, and
thus show a variety even more pronounced than that
found among either race. They tend to have the eyes
o f their elven parents.
F l in t s q u in t e d in t o th e s e t t in g s u n . H e t h o u g h t
he saw the figure of a man striding up the path. Standing,
Flint drew back into the shadow of a tall pine to see better.
The man's walk was marked by an easy grace—an elvish
grace, Flint would have said; yet the man’s body had the
thickness and tight muscles of a human, while the facial
hair was definitely humankind’s. All the dwarf could see
of the man’s face beneath a green hood was tan skin and a
brownish-red beard. A longbow was slung over one shoulder
and a sword hung at his left side. He was dressed in soft
leather, carefully tooled in the intricate designs the elves
loved. But no elf in the world o f Krynn could grow a beard
. .. no elf, but...
H a l f -E lf
D i p l o m a t s o r W a n d e r e r s
Half-elves have no lands o f their own, though they are
welcome in human cities and somewhat less w elcome
in elven forests. In large cities in regions where elves
and humans interact often, half-elves are sometimes
numerous enough to form small communities of their
own. They enjoy the company o f other half-elves, the
only people who truly understand what it is to live
between these two worlds.
In most parts of the world, though, half-elves are
uncommon enough that one might live for years
without meeting another. Some half-elves prefer to
avoid company altogether, wandering the w ilds as
trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting
civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by
the wanderlust that comes o f their longevity. Others,
in contrast, throw themselves into the thick o f society,
putting their charisma and social skills to great use
in diplomatic roles or as swindlers.
H a l f - E l f N a m e s
Half-elves use either human or elven naming
conventions. As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit
in to either society, half-elves raised among humans are
often given elven names, and those raised among elves
often take human names.
H a l f - E l f T r a i t s
Your half-elf character has some qualities in common
with elves and some that are unique to half-elves.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score
increases by 2, and two other ability scores o f your
choice increase by 1.
Age. Half-elves mature at the same rate humans
do and reach adulthood around the age o f 20. They
live much longer than humans, however, often
exceeding 180 years.
Alignment. Half-elves share the chaotic bent o f their
elven heritage. They value both personal freedom and
E x c e l l e n t A m b a s s a d o r s
Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with
everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground.
As a race, they have elven grace without elven aloofness and
human energy without human boorishness. They often make
excellent ambassadors and go-betweens (except between
elves and humans, since each side suspects the half-elf
of favoring the other).
creative expression, demonstrating neither love
o f leaders nor desire for followers. They chafe at
rules, resent others’ demands, and sometimes prove
unreliable, or at least unpredictable.
Size. Half-elves are about the same size as humans,
ranging from 5 to 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Thanks to your elf blood, you have
superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can
see in dim light within 60 feet o f you as if it w ere bright
light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t
discern color in darkness, only shades o f gray.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws
against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Skill Versatility. You gain proficiency in two skills
o f your choice.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common,
Elvish, and one extra language of your choice.

Whether united under the leadership o f a mighty
warlock or having fought to a standstill after years
o f conflict, orc and human tribes sometimes form
alliances, joining forces into a larger horde to the terror
o f civilized lands nearby. When these alliances are
sealed by marriages, half-orcs are born. Some half-orcs
rise to become proud chiefs o f orc tribes, their human
blood giving them an edge over their full-blooded orc
rivals. Some venture into the w orld to prove their worth
among humans and other more civilized races. Many of
these become adventurers, achieving greatness for their
mighty deeds and notoriety for their barbaric customs
and savage fury.
S c a r r e d a n d S t r o n g
Half-orcs’ grayish pigmentation, sloping foreheads,
jutting jaws, prominent teeth, and towering builds make
their orcish heritage plain for all to see. Half-orcs stand
between 6 and 7 feet tall and usually weigh between
180 and 250 pounds.
Orc s regard battle scars as tokens o f pride and
ornamental scars as things o f beauty. Other scars,
though, mark an orc or half-orc as a former slave or
a disgraced exile. Any half-orc who has lived among
or near orc s has scars, whether they are marks of
humiliation or o f pride, recounting their past exploits
and injuries. Such a half-orc living among humans might
display these scars proudly or hide them in shame.
T h e M a r k o f G r u u m s h
The one-eyed god Gruumsh created the orc s, and even
those orc s who turn away from his w orship can’t fully
escape his influence. The same is true o f half-orcs,
though their human blood moderates the impact o f their
orcish heritage. Some half-orcs hear the whispers of
Gruumsh in their dreams, calling them to unleash the
rage that simmers within them. Others feel Gruumsh’s
T h e w a r c h ie f M h u r r e n r o u s e d h im s e l f f r o m h is
sleeping-furs and his women and pulled a short hauberk
of heavy steel rings over his thick, well-muscled torso. He
usually rose before most of his warriors, since he had a
strong streak of human blood in him, and he found the
daylight less bothersome than most of his tribe did. Among
the Bloody Skulls, a warrior was judged by his strength, his
fierceness, and his wits. Human ancestry was no blemish
against a warrior—provided he was every bit as strong,
enduring, and bloodthirsty as his full-blooded kin. Halforcs
who were weaker than their orc comrades didn't last
long among the Bloody Skulls or any other orc tribe for
that matter. But it was often true that a bit of human blood
gave a warrior just the right mix of cunning, ambition, and
self-discipline to go far indeed, as Mhurren had. He was
master of a tribe that could muster two thousand spears,
and the strongest chief in Thar.
—Richard Baker, Swordmage
exultation w hen they join in melee combat—and either
exult along with him or shiver with fear and loathing.
Half-orcs are not evil by nature, but evil does lurk within
them, whether they embrace it or rebel against it.
Beyond the rage o f Gruumsh, half-orcs feel emotion
powerfully. Rage doesn’t just quicken their pulse, it
makes their bodies burn. An insult stings like acid,
and sadness saps their strength. But they laugh loudly
and heartily, and simple bodily p leasures—feasting,
drinking, wrestling, drumming, and wild dancing—fill
their hearts with joy. They tend to be short-tempered
and sometimes sullen, more inclined to action than
contemplation and to fighting than arguing. The most
accomplished half-orcs are those with enough selfcontrol
to get by in a civilized land.
T r i b e s a n d S l u m s
Half-orcs most often live among orc s. Of the other races,
humans are most likely to accept half-orcs, and halforcs
almost always live in human lands when not living
among orc tribes. Whether proving themselves among
rough barbarian tribes or scrabbling to survive in the
slums o f larger cities, half-orcs get by on their physical
might, their endurance, and the sheer determination
they inherit from their human ancestry.
H a l f - O r c N a m e s
Half-orcs usually have names appropriate to the culture
in which they were raised. A half-orc who wants to fit in
among humans might trade an orc name for a human
name. Some half-orcs with human names decide to
adopt a guttural orc name because they think it makes
them more intimidating.
Male Orc Names: Dench, Feng, Gell, Henk, Holg, Imsh,
Keth, Krusk, Mhurren, Ront, Shump, Thokk
Female Orc Names: Baggi, Emen, Engong, Kansif,
Myev, Neega, Ovak, Ownka, Shautha, Sutha, Vola,
Volen, Yevelda
H a l f - O r c T r a i t s
Your half-orc character has certain traits deriving from
your ore ancestry.
hate orcs. Some are reserved, trying not to draw attention to
themselves. A few demonstrate piety and good-heartedness
as publicly as they can (whether or not such demonstrations
are genuine). And some simply try to be so tough that others
just avoid them.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score
increases by 2, and your Constitution score
increases by 1.
Age. Half-orcs mature a little faster than humans,
reaching adulthood around age 14. They age
noticeably faster and rarely live longer than 75 years.
Alignment. Half-orcs inherit a tendency toward chaos
from their orc parents and are not strongly inclined
toward good. Half-orcs raised among ores and w illing
to live out their lives among them are usually evil.
Size. Half-orcs are somewhat larger and bulkier than
humans, and they range from 5 to well over 6 feet tall.
Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Thanks to your orc blood, you have
superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can
see in dim light within 60 feet o f you as if it w ere bright
light, and in darkness as if it w ere dim light. You can't
discern color in darkness, only shades o f gray.
Menacing. You gain proficiency in the
Intimidation skill.
Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to
0 hit points but not k illed outright, you can drop to 1 hit
point instead. You can’t use this feature again until you
finish a long rest.
Savage Attacks. When you score a critical hit with
a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the weapon’s
damage dice one additional time and add it to the extra
damage o f the critical hit.
Languages. You can speak, read, and
write Common and Orc . Orc is a
harsh, grating language with
hard consonants. It has
no script of its own
but is written in the
Dwarvish script.

“Bu t y o u d o see t h e w a y p e o p l e l o o k a t y o u ,
devil’s child."
Those black eyes, cold as a winter storm, were staring
right into her heart and the sudden seriousness in his
voice jolted her.
“What is it they say?" he asked. “One’s a curiosity, two’s
a conspiracy—”
“Three's a curse,” she finished. “You think I haven’t heard
that rubbish before?”
“I know y o u have.” When she glared at him, he added,
“It’s not as if I ’m plumbing the depths of your mind, dear
girl. That is the burden of every tiefling. Some break under
it, some make it the millstone around their neck, some
revel in it.” He tilted his head again, scrutinizing her, with
that wicked glint in his eyes. “You fight it, don’t you? Like
a little wildcat, I wager. Every little jab and comment just
sharpens your claws.”
—Erin M. Evans, Brimstone Angels
To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer
violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and
fear in every eye: this is the lot o f the tiefling. And to
twist the knife, tieflings know that this is because a
pact struck generations ago infused the essence o f
Asmodeus—overlord o f the Nine Hells—into their
bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are not
their fault but the result o f an ancient sin, for which
they and their children and their children’s children
will always be held accountable.
I n f e r n a l B l o o d l i n e
Tieflings are derived from human bloodlines, and in the
broadest possible sense, they still look human. However,
their infernal heritage has left a clear imprint on their
appearance. Tieflings have large horns that take any
o f a variety o f shapes: some have curling horns like a
ram, others have straight and tall horns like a gazelle’s,
and some spiral upward like an antelopes’ horns. They
have thick tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil
around their legs when they get upset or nervous. Their
canine teeth are sharply pointed, and their eyes are
solid colors—black, red, white, silver, or gold—with no
visible sclera or pupil. Their skin tones cover the full
range o f human coloration, but also include various
shades o f red. Their hair, cascading down from behind
their horns, is usually dark, from black or brown to dark
red, blue, or purple.
S e l f - R e l i a n t a n d S u s p i c i o u s
Tieflings subsist in small minorities found mostly in
human cities or towns, often in the roughest quarters
o f those places, where they g row up to be swindlers,
thieves, or crime lords. Sometimes they live among
other minority populations in enclaves where they are
treated with more respect.
Lacking a homeland, tieflings know that they have
to make their own way in the w orld and that they have
to be strong to survive. They are not quick to trust
anyone w ho claims to be a friend, but when a tiefling’s
companions demonstrate that they trust him or her,
the tiefling learns to extend the same trust to them.
And once a tiefling gives someone loyalty, the tiefling
is a firm friend or ally for life.
T i e f l i n g N a m e s
Tiefling names fall into three broad categories. Tieflings
born into another culture typically have names reflective
o f that culture. Some have names derived from the
Infernal language, passed down through generations,
that reflect their fiendish heritage. And some younger
tieflings, striving to find a place in the world, adopt a
name that signifies a virtue or other concept and then
try to embody that concept. For some, the chosen name
is a noble quest. For others, it’s a grim destiny.
Male Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas,
Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech,
Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai
Female Infernal Names: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella,
Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia,
Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta
“Virtue” Names: Art, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair,
Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere,
Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow,
Temerity, Torment, Weary
Mu t u a l Mi s t r u s t
People tend to be suspicious of tieflings, assuming that
their infernal heritage has left its mark on their personality
and morality, not just their appearance. Shopkeepers keep
a close eye on their goods when tieflings enter their stores,
the town watch might follow a tiefling around for a while,
and demagogues blame tieflings for strange happenings.
The reality, though, is that a tiefling’s bloodline doesn’t affect
his or her personality to any great degree. Years of dealing
with mistrust does leave its mark on most tieflings, and they
respond to it in different ways. Some choose to live up to the
wicked stereotype, but others are virtuous. Most are simply
very aware of how people respond to them. After dealing with
this mistrust throughout youth, a tiefling often develops the
ability to overcome prejudice through charm or intimidation.
T i e f l i n g T r a i t s
Tieflings share certain racial traits as a result o f their
infernal descent.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score
increases by 1, and your Charisma score increases by 2.
Age. Tieflings mature at the same rate as humans but
live a few years longer.
Alignment. Tieflings might not have an innate
tendency toward evil, but many o f them end up there.
Evil or not, an independent nature inclines many
tieflings toward a chaotic alignment.
Size. Tieflings are about the same size and build as
humans. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Thanks to your infernal heritage, you
have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You
can see in dim light within 60 feet o f you as if it w ere
bright light, and in darkness as if it w ere dim light. You
can’t discern color in darkness, only shades o f gray.
Hellish Resistance. You have resistance
to fire damage.
Infernal Legacy. You know the thaumaturgy cantrip.
Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the hellish
rebuke spell once per day as a 2nd-level spell. Once you
reach 5th level, you can also cast the darkness spell
once per day. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for
these spells.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common
and Infernal