Introduction to Races

After the Flame and the Age of the First Ones, there emerged the Four Tribes, blessed by the gods and the Flame, and granted the New World in which they could stake their claim.

The Goblins found homes in the shadows of the old ruins, their adaptability and tenacity allowing them to survive the terrors there.

The great Feyborn from built mighty cities and guarded them ferociously with their magics. They stood for centuries against the Old Evils.

The Beastfolk grew strong in the wildest places, where the Forebears' labyrinthine structures had not spread, and the branches of mighty trees could hide them.

The Startouched arose from the other three tribes, their blood touched by beings from beyond. They became great champions and heroes, their magic both potent and powerful.

## Races in the current timeline

**Feyborn** are the predominant force fighting against the undead hordes. Elves, dwarves, halflings, gnomes, goliaths, and changelings all contribute what they can to the war effort. Elves lend their magic, dwarves create armor and weapons, halflings generate food, gnomes invent war machines, goliaths make for excellent foot soldiers and changelings make for ideal spies.

Firbolgs, satyrs and a selection of halflings and gnomes have elected to stay out of the war, however, choosing to sequester themselves away in their hidden forest glens.

Underdark subraces such as drow, deep gnomes and duregar are not present in this setting.

**Beastfolk** are staunch allies of the Feyborn, and fight tirelessly alongside them. The dragonborn are the largest Beastfolk military support, and their power is invaluable to the war effort. Other Beastfolk eager to lend their might are the centaurs, loxodon, shifters, minotaurs, tortles and yuan-ti. The kenku and kobolds rarely fight on the front lines, but they have their uses and are willing to serve any way they can.

The leonin and tabaxi have hidden themselves away on their secret islands, though a few tabaxi will wander out to aid in the war. The aarakocra, already so far distanced from the rest of civilization, prioritize guarding their own nests over aiding others. The lizardfolk keep to themselves for the most part, and fight the undead on their own using guerilla tactics.

The yuan-ti have a particularly interesting part to play. At this point in history, their empires are at their peak, and most have not fallen to violent fanaticism. The yuan-ti's experience with the Old Science has proven a valuable asset for dealing with creatures that originate from the Forebearers. Some members of the Alliance refuse to deal with them, however, believing the Old Science could only corrupt, while others believe it is the only way to victory.

**Goblinoids**, while previously on tense terms with the feyborn and the beastfolk, have become valuable allies. The goblinoid's familiarity with forebear ruins has allowed the Alliance an advantage that would have otherwise been their undoing. Some prejudices still remain, however, but even the most anti-goblin among the Alliance understands their necessity. On the other end of this, certain Beastfolk and Feyborn have formed strong relationships especially with the orc tribes, and a great deal of them believe this to be a step towards better interracial relationships for the future. The goblinoids see this war as a way to improve their territory, especially those who believe the Forebears ruins are their rightful land. Those who follow that philosophy believe this war is a reclamation, and wish to drive out the undead so that they may live in the ruins themselves.

The orcs and hobgoblins are the ones leading the war efforts, with the hobgoblin's military strategy playing an important role in the conflict. The bugbear's muscle is always useful and the goblins, while hard to control, can be both sneaky and clever enough to serve as excellent spies and scouts.

Gith are not present in this setting.

**Startouched** have been rare occurrences in the population up to this point. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and many are willing to make deals with extraplanar entities to get the upper hand in battle. Startouched born from deals such as tieflings and genasi are becoming more common, and their otherworldly abilities are welcome enough in battle. Aasimar are also being born more frequently, as the Celestials look to send their aid.

Kalashtar and vedalken are not present in this setting.

Simic hybrids and warforged help when they are allowed to but, similar to the yuan-ti, many Alliance members rationalize that as products of the Forebearers they will only hinder the war efforts. Some hybrids and warforged see the war as a moment of freedom, as people are more focused on the war efforts to pay much attention to a few strange-looking folk, and travel much more freely.

Humans are not present in this setting.

Goblin

Feyborn

Beastfolk
 Naga

Startouched

Other Races