Reflavoring the Races for Classic Fantasy: Humans

In many fantasy games (especially D&D 4e), the setting includes a wide array of races for players to choose from. By limiting the race selection to only a few base races (human, elf, dwarf, and halfling), you can bring back a more traditional and realistic feeling to the setting. Now, understanding that variety is the spice of life, we don’t want to limit the racial bonuses and special abilities from any of the races normally allowed. Therefore, all of the 4E race selections are still available to players, though with a twist.

There are a lot of races in 4e that offer really cool racial traits, like the Shifter, Deva, and Half-orc. Classic Fantasy does not restrict these traits, only the races that they belong to. Instead, each of these off-beat races has been reflavored into either a human, elf, dwarf, or halfling. This makes for several different types of the same race, which can be accounted for because of geographical locations, environmental conditions, and cultural differences. Think of humans on Earth, and how different and varied we are. The same is true of races in Classic Fantasy.

Humans are the most abundant race in the game, so they have the most variations. Even though the online Character Builder might print on your character sheet “Goliath,” you know that you’re actually just a tough, athletic human from the Northern Wood. If none of the choices appeal to you, by all means make up your own.

For each of the following racial or subracial choices, all of the actual mechanical stats, powers, and traits are unchanged. It’s the flavor and descriptions that have been altered to describe a human. Some of the traits or powers might need to be interpreted… creatively, but for the most part, mechanics are not affected. Again, take any of the following descriptions as a subrace, or rewrite one of your own design.

HUMANS

• COMMON HUMAN (Human) – The common human uses the entry for Humans. He or she can be found in any human settlement or region, living among any of the human sub-races.
• SHANJO WARRIORS (Bladeling) – Far to the East live the Shanjo people. In this region, volcanic activity continues to release toxins into the air, creating many acid rainstorms. However, over time, the Shanjo people, vegetation, and wildlife have grown accustomed to the cursed rains (developing a resistance to acid). The Shanjo Warriors have also developed a technique for picking up and throwing small objects (such as small pebbles, rocks, darts, daggers, etc.), also known as Razor Storm.
• FILTH-MONGER (Bullywug) – You’re a disgusting, diseased degenerate. No, you don’t speak Primordial. Change the language to something else.
• IMPERSONATOR (Changeling) – The impersonator is a master of disguise, pure and simple. For this character, the player must agree to call his shape changing ability “disguise,” realistically limiting it to appearances that he has set up ahead of time.
• NORTHERN WOODSMEN (Goliath) – The Northern Wood is a lightly forested range of vast proportions. Most of the area is populated by nomadic tribes, forced to relocate frequently due to weather and range animals. All this moving and hunting has developed these humans into strong, athletic hunters. Most of the tribes are seen as barbaric, and indeed many of them are. They normally hold no allegiance to any kingdom, empire, or nation, and may war frequently amongst themselves.
• TELEKKINETIC (Githyanki) – Swap out Deep Speech for a different, more appropriate language. You’re then left with a telekinetic psion.
• DISCIPLES OF ASTEN (Githzerai) – Deep in the mountains of Asten live a people dedicated to defending against the Underdark. Asten was a man long dead, but forever remembered as a great hero, one who led several victories against the Drow (even the mountain range has been named after him). The majority of the humans living here are referred to as “Children of Asten,” while the warriors are called “Disciples of Asten.” All children are taught of the threat that the Underdark poses, the histories of war with those from the Underdark, how to speak Deep Speech (the language of the enemy), and how to stay focused on the task at hand. This is all in preparation for the next war with those from the Underdark, as untold millions of under-dwellers are still living under the Asten Mountains, waiting…
• GIFTED (Kalashtar) – Some call you gifted, others call you cursed. You’re simply a rare and unusual human. It’s up to you to decide how (growing up) your family and community viewed your telepathic ability. Did they see it as a gift from the gods, or a curse from the devil? Even more importantly, how do you see yourself?
• BANDIT BRUTE (Minotaur) – The Bandit Brute is, well, a brute. He charges head-strong into fights and generally loves the thrill of combat. Since a lot of his escapades take him into the wilderness, he’s picked up the Nature skill.
• NIGHTFALL BEASTMEN (Orc) – Far to the North, deep in mountainous caves live several warring tribes. Food and wood is scarce, leading to fierce battles over territories. Also, the general area is mostly cut off from the more southern regions, making trade difficult at best, and deadly otherwise. Largely being cut off from the rest of society, the people of the North are less advanced in science and the arcane arts. Most warriors follow martial, primal, or shamanic pursuits. These people (as a whole) are referred to as Nightfall Beastmen because (1) much of the territory is under darkness for half of the year (giving them low-light vision), and (2) they are regarded as beasts by much of the rest of the southerly societies.
• NIGHTRAIDER (Razorclaw Shifter) – The Nightraiders are a nomad pack of people who roam the western territories, performing night raids on villages and other communities almost nonstop. They stay on the move constantly, avoiding detection and eradication. Why has your character left the nomad pack?
• REVENANT (Revenant) – You are a human revenant.
• WHITE ROSE MONK (Shardmind) – High in the hills of the Seledian Range sits a rather large monastery of a very secretive and fiercely protective group of monks. It is rumored that these monks attempt to master their bodies and minds, with the sole purpose of extending life. What tricks and black magic they practice is unknown by others, but still of suspect. Why have you gone against the wishes of your leaders and left the monastery, before your training is complete?
• WHITE ROSE WARRIORS (Warforged) – Having mastered the ways of the White Rose Monks, you’ve been pushed toward the more physical aspects of your training. Certain that your intended role in the temple is more than what you’ve been told (more than merely a monastic defender), you’ve left the temple in search of a life that includes less deception. You are your own master.
• ELVEN ADOPTED (Wilden) – For whatever reason (decided by you), you lived with elves for at least twenty years, possibly from birth. Has your communal family largely rejected you, only hoping for you to move on, or have they adopted you with open arms? Are they wary of your desire to leave their lands, taking with you whatever elven secrets you have gleamed, or are they helpful and hopeful you will find your way?