Races

From Tazlure Gaming System Wiki

[edit] Introduction

Race in fantasy and sci-fi settings is usually considered to mean the species that are considered intelligent and can therefor interact and sometimes even interbreed with each other. Traditionally fantasy knows elves, halflings, gnomes, dwarves, orcs, goblins, trolls and even dragons to make up a nations population, whereas sci-fi is a far more free genre, creating a variety of aliens in various degrees of being humanoid or not.

Are there races other than humans in your nation? What are their physical characteristics? Where do they live, with whom do they interact? Do they have a single culture, a single trade, or have varieties between cultures developed? Are your races a symbol for a concept like "nobility" or "progress"? How can you make that a tool in your writing?

Are you using "template races" like elves then make a concious choice to follow tradition or to throw it overboard to come with your own vision. Be aware of the fact that your readers will make assumptions about the races based on their own knowledge of mythology. If you create completely new races you will have to provide more background to them than you would with a standard race.

In settings that have no other race than humankind the term race is sometimes used to indicate a tribe or cultural heritage which may come with certain physical characteristics such as a dark pigmentation, red hair or small eyes. This to our contemporary eyes may seem a fact of life, but to face an African scholar would have been a cultural and even religious shock to an European peasant from the Middle Ages.

Whether there is a single race or several, make sure you have the numbers right. The intelligent races are considered the head of the pyramid you created above. Can they live like this? Are they destroying the balance? If so, why? Are any of the races causing the others directly or indirectly to become extinct? Consider the plight of the Neanderthaler, who could not keep up with the Cro Magnum Man who created language and overall was more flexible, and so the Neanderthaler was forced into the mists of time. Are there any ancient races that have become extinct in your world? What legacy did they leave?

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[edit] Writing Up Races

Now you have determined quite a lot about the races in your game setting. Now start making notes. Below is a recommended write up lay out.

• Common Name
• Scientific Name
• Other Name(slang, religious references)
• Typical Appearance
• Average Lifespan
• Common Religion
• Habitat
• Current Population
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Outlook on Life
• Typical Career Paths
• Skills
• General Overview