Race (fantasy)

Race (fantasy)

Many fantasy stories and worlds call their main sapient humanoid species "races" rather than species. In most such worlds, these races are related, typically having evolved from one root species (usually humans) by magical or divine influence. The usage of the term in this context was popularized by J. R. R. Tolkien and was further adapted and spread by the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

In role-playing games, "race" typically refers to any species that can be played as a player character. In older editions of Dungeons & Dragons, the primary non-human player races (dwarf, elf, gnome and halfling) were called "Demi-Humans".

Table of contents

1 Races

1.1 Dungeons & Dragons
1.2 Legend of Zelda video game series
1.3 Final Fantasy video game series
1.4 Phantasy Star Online video game series

2 See also

Races

A partial list of major races in popular role-playing games:

Dungeons & Dragons

Legend of Zelda video game series

Final Fantasy video game series

Bangaa (in 12th game and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance)
Black Mage (in 9th game; existed in previous games, but as a job instead of as a race)
Chocobos
Dwarf (in 1st and 4th games)
Elf (in 1st game)
Esper (in 6th game)
Hume (Human; named "Hume" in 12th game and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance)
Moogles
Nu Mou (in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance)
Viera (in 12th game and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance)

Phantasy Star Online video game series

Android
Human
Newman