Player's Guide: Races of Hyerune

Character Races of Hyerune

Humans are not the only ones who direct the fate of Hyerune. This is a world of fantasy and many humans have learned to live in harmony along side a great number of races, each with its own distinct culture, language and outlook on life. Of course, not all humans will be as accepting or as open minded when it comes to dealing with those who may be different from themselves, particularly in the more remote or out-of-the-way locations when such occurances are more the exception rather than the norm.

The creatures that inhabit the World of Hyerune are both numerous and unique, each in their own way. Although the various racial species can be found throughout the world in all environments, some tend to dwell in preferred regions and settings based on cultural ideology and historical preference. As a player, you may choose to play a character from any of the following races when in the World of Hyerune. Please check with your Dungeon Master (DM), however, before making your final selection. Click on the racial name to learn more about them (as they are available).

Character Races of Hyerune
Race Name Racial description

Human The most numerous race on Hyerune consisting of six different subraces. Humans are considered the 'standard' race and therefore receive no bonuses to character attributes.

Avorial A race of winged humanoids resembling a cross between a human and a bird though they have no human blood in them. Avoriels have human-shaped arms and upper bodies but have talons instead of feet and great wings on their backs. Their heads are bird-shaped with strong beaks, sharp eyes and are covered with feathers instead of hair. They are a war-like race that enjoys the thrill of the hunt

Baleen A race of aquatic humanoids, baleens are mammals that can breathe air but can only exist out of water for very short periods of time. Their arms are human-like in appearance but with webbed fingers. Their heads are blunt and stout and they lack any body hair. Baleens are covered with a layer of fat that keeps them warm and allows them to maintain their body temperature no matter what their environment. They lack legs and instead have a powerful tail with a horizontal tail fin which allows them to swim at great speeds. Baleens have no sense of smell but have excellent hearing and communicate through a series of high pitched wails. Many baleen are allies of the more numerous merfolk.

Catfolk Humanoid creatures covered with a thin layer of fine, shiny hair. Their ears protrude from the top of their heads rather than on the side and they have long, thin tails and sleek, muscular bodies. There are six subraces of catfolk. The subraces are spread in many different environments throughout much of Hyerune.

Dwarf A race of earth and stone. Dwarves are diminuative folk usually with long beards and a preference for mining and living below the ground. They tend to be short in size and stocky in build. Their name for themselves is the Khazar which means 'sons of earth.' There are five subraces of dwarf.

Elf A race of nature spirits greatly attuned to the forests and trees. Elves are a long lived race, thin of limb and fair of face. Their name for themselves is the Shaeline which means 'children of the wood.' There are six subraces of elf.

Fennex A race of humanoid foxes, the fennex (both singular and plural), have bushy tails, sharp snouts and are covered with a soft fur that is as various as the hair of humankind. The fennex is about the size and build of an elf and are excellent hunters. Fennex are highly agile and their long, pointed ears give them excellent hearing.

Gnome A jovial race sharing a love of the natural world both above and below the ground. They delight in humor, music and merry making. They tend to be small in size and slender in build with beards like a dwarf and bright eyes like an elf. Their name for themselves is the Norri which means 'stunted folk.' There are five subraces of gnome.

Halfling The smallest of the character races, the halflings are primarily a pastoral people fond of idyllic settings. They tend to be small of stature but big of heart with a great cultural value placed on family and traditions. They usually lack facial hair making them appear much younger than they may be. Their name for themselves is the Holbyt, or 'hole-builder.' There are three subraces of halfling.

Half-elf Both a hybrid race as well as a distinct race of beings, half-elves are creatures either born from the union between a human and elf or are themselves children of one or more half-elves. The elven genetic code does not diminish over time due to its far greater longevity and half-elf offspring do not lose their racial traits as a result of procreation. Half-elves share physical characteristics common to both humans and elves.

Half-orc Both a hybrid race as well as a distinct race of beings, half-orcs are creatures either born from the union between a human and orc or are themselves children of one or more half-orcs. The orcish genetic code does not diminsh over time due to its far more aggressive chemistry and half-orc offspring do not lose their racial traits as a result of procreation. Half-orcs share physical characteristics common to both humans and orcs.

Ratling A race of cunning and shifty-eyed creatures similar to humanoid rats in appearance. They have a slender, scaly tail and long, sharp claws but are slightly smaller in size compared to humans. Ratlings have large, rounded earlobes that expand well over their heads, a blunt snout and course hair usually brown or black in color. They prefer living in large, urban environments and are usually more active at night.

Taurian An ancient race of humanoids resembling a cross between a human and a cow though there is no human in them. Taurians have small, white horns, tails and cloven hooves. The males, or 'bulls,' tend to have larger horns than the females, or 'cows.' They are very strong and live in herds. The minotaur is a cursed offshoot of the taurian that fell from the grace of their ancient beliefs and now live as outcasts. They are sometimes thought to be the oldest sentient race of creatures on Hyerune after the dragons. They prefer mountainous regions to call their home.

Ursine A race of humanoid bears that tend to dwell in temperate woodlands. They tend to be larger and stockier than humans with bear-like heads and sharp claws on their forearms. Their bodies are covered with a thick, coarse hair that varies in color from black to brown. They possess great wisdom and ancient knowledge of lore but make powerful fighters especially when threatened.

Character Races of Hyerune
Race Name	Racial description
Human	The most numerous race on Hyerune consisting of six different subraces. Humans are considered the 'standard' race and therefore receive no bonuses to character attributes.
Avorial	A race of winged humanoids resembling a cross between a human and a bird though they have no human blood in them. Avoriels have human-shaped arms and upper bodies but have talons instead of feet and great wings on their backs. Their heads are bird-shaped with strong beaks, sharp eyes and are covered with feathers instead of hair. They are a war-like race that enjoys the thrill of the hunt
Baleen	A race of aquatic humanoids, baleens are mammals that can breathe air but can only exist out of water for very short periods of time. Their arms are human-like in appearance but with webbed fingers. Their heads are blunt and stout and they lack any body hair. Baleens are covered with a layer of fat that keeps them warm and allows them to maintain their body temperature no matter what their environment. They lack legs and instead have a powerful tail with a horizontal tail fin which allows them to swim at great speeds. Baleens have no sense of smell but have excellent hearing and communicate through a series of high pitched wails. Many baleen are allies of the more numerous merfolk.
Catfolk	Humanoid creatures covered with a thin layer of fine, shiny hair. Their ears protrude from the top of their heads rather than on the side and they have long, thin tails and sleek, muscular bodies. There are six subraces of catfolk. The subraces are spread in many different environments throughout much of Hyerune.
Dwarf	A race of earth and stone. Dwarves are diminuative folk usually with long beards and a preference for mining and living below the ground. They tend to be short in size and stocky in build. Their name for themselves is the Khazar which means 'sons of earth.' There are five subraces of dwarf.
Elf	A race of nature spirits greatly attuned to the forests and trees. Elves are a long lived race, thin of limb and fair of face. Their name for themselves is the Shaeline which means 'children of the wood.' There are six subraces of elf.
Fennex	A race of humanoid foxes, the fennex (both singular and plural), have bushy tails, sharp snouts and are covered with a soft fur that is as various as the hair of humankind. The fennex is about the size and build of an elf and are excellent hunters. Fennex are highly agile and their long, pointed ears give them excellent hearing.
Gnome	A jovial race sharing a love of the natural world both above and below the ground. They delight in humor, music and merry making. They tend to be small in size and slender in build with beards like a dwarf and bright eyes like an elf. Their name for themselves is the Norri which means 'stunted folk.' There are five subraces of gnome.
Halfling	The smallest of the character races, the halflings are primarily a pastoral people fond of idyllic settings. They tend to be small of stature but big of heart with a great cultural value placed on family and traditions. They usually lack facial hair making them appear much younger than they may be. Their name for themselves is the Holbyt, or 'hole-builder.' There are three subraces of halfling.
Half-elf	Both a hybrid race as well as a distinct race of beings, half-elves are creatures either born from the union between a human and elf or are themselves children of one or more half-elves. The elven genetic code does not diminish over time due to its far greater longevity and half-elf offspring do not lose their racial traits as a result of procreation. Half-elves share physical characteristics common to both humans and elves.
Half-orc	Both a hybrid race as well as a distinct race of beings, half-orcs are creatures either born from the union between a human and orc or are themselves children of one or more half-orcs. The orcish genetic code does not diminsh over time due to its far more aggressive chemistry and half-orc offspring do not lose their racial traits as a result of procreation. Half-orcs share physical characteristics common to both humans and orcs.
Ratling	A race of cunning and shifty-eyed creatures similar to humanoid rats in appearance. They have a slender, scaly tail and long, sharp claws but are slightly smaller in size compared to humans. Ratlings have large, rounded earlobes that expand well over their heads, a blunt snout and course hair usually brown or black in color. They prefer living in large, urban environments and are usually more active at night.
Taurian	An ancient race of humanoids resembling a cross between a human and a cow though there is no human in them. Taurians have small, white horns, tails and cloven hooves. The males, or 'bulls,' tend to have larger horns than the females, or 'cows.' They are very strong and live in herds. The minotaur is a cursed offshoot of the taurian that fell from the grace of their ancient beliefs and now live as outcasts. They are sometimes thought to be the oldest sentient race of creatures on Hyerune after the dragons. They prefer mountainous regions to call their home.
Ursine	A race of humanoid bears that tend to dwell in temperate woodlands. They tend to be larger and stockier than humans with bear-like heads and sharp claws on their forearms. Their bodies are covered with a thick, coarse hair that varies in color from black to brown. They possess great wisdom and ancient knowledge of lore but make powerful fighters especially when threatened.