New
Player Races

One of the most important choices you
make when creating your adventurer is
their race, sometimes referred to as their
lineage. While the player races presented
in the Player's Handbook are assumed to be
in every campaign, the dungeon master can
choose to add additional races to the game.

Below are six player races that can be made
available to players alongside those in the
Players Handbook: Entlings, Half-Dwarves, Magen
and Alternate Fairies, Humans, and Lizardfolk

Entling

WHEN I WAS A CHILD I SOUGHT OUT THE
guardian of my people's ancestral forest. I wandered for
days deep within the woods, and I am certain that I never have found the ancient gardener had he wished to remain hidden from me. His true name was too much long for me
to comprehend, but he allowed me to call him Whiproot.

For a year and a day he taught me the ways of the wood, slowly nurturing my druidic potential. Sometimes I still see those ancient green eyes in my dreams. Though I have grown old, I know that the gardener is still out there in the forest of my people, quietly singing to himself as he tends to the trees.

-Zumug, Archdruid of the North

Elder Gardeners

Deep in the forests of the world dwell a forgotten people, the Entlings. They are the ancient caretakers of the forest who awoke at the dawn of the world. To many, they are creatures of myth and folktale, reclusive tree-like people with skin like bark and hair that resembles tree-tops and verdant gardens. Though these gardeners are few in number, they are very much real, though they prefer to be forgotten. Most Entlings will happily spend their exceptionally love lives tending to the large swaths of wilderness under their care, learning the names of every root, flower, and tree under their protection.

Shepherds of the Forest

Entlings care deeply for the plants under their care, and often watch them grow from seedling to fully mature plants. They prefer to spend their lives in quiet harmony with nature, only occasionally interacting with other mortals. They carefully maintain the natural order of the ecosystems they dwell in, culling creatures that grow to numerous, nurturing those on the brink of extinction, and all the relationships in between.

Though rarely roused to action, Entlings who strike out into the world often do so to protect the forests under their protection. Though slow to anger, their fury knows no bounds when evil or blight threatens the groves that they have raised from seedlings. Entlings who leave the forest usually find it difficult to fit in amongst civilized settlements, and usually struggle to understand the norms and customs of normal folk. Entlings who become adventurers most often train to defend the wild as a ranger or join a local Circle of druids.

Entling Names

Due to their long lifespans and relaxed disposition, Entling names are often exceptionally detailed stories that can take days to explain. Often, the Entlings that interact with mortals will adopt the name of their favorite plant, tree, or flower.

Entling Traits

No matter their home ecosystem, environment, or forest of origin, all Entlings have the following traits in common:

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases
by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Creature Type. You are both Humanoid and Plant.

Age. Entlings are considered to be adults around the age of 100, and can live to be over 1000 years old if they spend their lives in peace. Hasty Entlings that take up the stressful live of adventuring can shorten their lifespan by up to 500 years.

Alignment. Entlings are a naturally peaceful folk that care for all living things, and they tend towards good alignments.

Size. Entlings reflect the forests and plants they tend to, and thus come in all shapes and sizes. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, and your choice of either Druidic, Sylvan, or Elvish.

Gardener's Lore. You gain proficiency in the Nature skill, and you can make a Wisdom (Nature) check whenever you would normally make an Intelligence (Nature) check.

Natural Magic. You know one cantrip of your choice from the Druid spell list. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for it.

Photosynthetic. You don't need to eat or drink so long as you are exposed to sunlight for 1 hour each day. To gain the benfits of a long rest, you must spend at least 6 hours in an inactive, motionless state, though you remain aware of your surroundings. In this state, you can see and hear as normal, and you appear to be a normal tree unless closely inspected.

Shepherd of the Forest. Through sound and gestures, you may communicate simple ideas with plants of all kinds.

Half-Dwarf

FROM ATOP THE GREAT WALLS OF HAMMERDEEP I
watched as the the young half-dwarf disappeared into the swamp. Based on talent along, he should have been chosen as apprentice to the master smith of the great walled city. Sadly, due to his human mother, the young smith had been passed over for a less skilled, but full-blooded dwarf.

I always admired how he refused to stoop to the menial work delegated to half-dwarves, and I was determined to help him earn the right to use the clan name of his father. I knew the task would be dangerous, especially to a dwarf with so little experience as a warrior, but if the he could succeed in slaying the young dragon that had taken up residence in the swamp, the elders would have no choice but to accept him.

-Lord Thorin Stormfist
Hero of Hammerdeep

Dwarven Tradition

Half-dwarves often showcase the best of both of their parents' heritage. Like dwarves, they will usually place high value on honorable conduct and reputation. And, although they are not considered full members of their respective clans, most half-dwarves will go to great lengths to win acceptance, or prevent bringing shame upon the clan of their dwarven parent.

Often, when a clan has risky or nefarious business to take care of, they will task a half-dwarf with taking care of things. That way, should things go poorly, dishonor is not brought upon a full-blooded member of the clan. Seeking to belong, half-dwarves will go to great lengths to gain the favor of their dwarven relatives. Refusing to deny their human heritage, it is very difficult, and requires great feats of service for a half-dwarf to be recognized by the elders as a member of the clan.

Human Innovation

From their human heritage, half-dwarves bring the spark of innovation and desire to create a personal legacy. Far more individualistic then other dwarves, their innate desire to push boundaries drives them to innovate on the craftsmanship of both dwarves and humans, often ignoring the traditions of master artisans. Due to their dedication and ingenuity, half-dwarven products are often sought after by those with an eye for quality. Unfortunately, half-dwarves are rarely accepted into dwarven guilds due to dwarven tradition and customs.

Half-Dwarf Names

Half-dwarves are often given dwarven first names, but either take the last name of their human parent, or adopt the name Stone. Being officially recognized as a member of their clan is seen as the highest honor to be bestowed on a half-dwarf.

Half-Dwarves of the Multiverse

Half-dwarves can exist in any setting that includes both humans and dwarves. A hardy folk, they often sprout up wherever these two races meet.

In the Dark Sun setting, half-dwarves are known as Mul, and sadly, due to their natural fortitude and stamina they are prized as gladiators and laborers.

Half-
Dwarf Traits

Half-dwarves share some qualities in common with dwarves, and some new abilities thanks to their human blood:

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age. Half-dwarves mature at the same rate humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live much longer than humans however, often close to 200 years.

Alignment. Half-dwarves often share the lawful bend of their dwarven heritage, but some favor more chaotic ways of life. Most tend toward good as well, with a strong sense of fair play and a belief that everyone deserves to go wherever they please and share in the benefits of a life free from tyranny.

Size. Half-dwarves are about the same size as humans, if a little shorter and stockier. You stand between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 feet , and weigh around 200 pounds. Your size is medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision. Thanks to your dwarven blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. However, you can’t discern color when in darkness, only shades of gray.

Hardy. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.

Language. You can speak, read, and write Common, Dwarvish, and one additional language of your choice. Half-dwarves often learn the language of peoples they work with.

Natural Craftsman. You gain proficiency with one set of artisan's tools of your choice. You add double your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make that uses those tools.

Astute Human

Astute humans are those, that have spent their lives honing their mental abilities. They tend to become highly specialized experts in certain subjects, ignoring all other areas of study for the sake of mastery. Some become sages, learning all they can from tomes and scrolls. Others sit at the feet of the wise, seeking to emulate the elders of their clan or temple. And still others master the persuasive arts, honing their social skills.

Ability Score Increase. You increase you Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score by 2, and one other Ability Score of your choice by 1. You cannot select the same Ability Score for both increases you gain from this feature.

Sharp Mind. You gain proficiency in one Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma-based skill of your choice. When you make an abilty check with the proficiency you gain from this feature, you add double your proficiency bonus to your roll.

Generalist Human

Some humans never settle down, and instead spend their lives learning to do a bit of everything. These wanderers are known as Generalists. They become restless if they stay in one place for too long, so they spend their lives experiencing as many things as they possibly can. Generalists usually find their way in the world as wandering entertainers, sell swords, or hired hands. Their desire to experience foreign lands and new cultures often leads them to pursue a life of adventure.

Ability Score Increase. All Ability Scores increase by 1.

Skill Versatility. You gain proficiency with any two of the following: a set of tools of your choice, a skill of your choice,
a simple melee or ranged weapon, light armor, or shields.

Well Traveled. You learn to speak, read, and write two languages of your choice. Often from places you have been.

Vigorous Human

By far the most common, Vigorous humans form the down to earth backbone of nearly all human settlements. Hailing from the ranks of farmers and herdsmen, woodsmen and hunters, masons and carpenters, they know the value of a hard day's work. Vigorous humans often leave their humble beginnings to protect their homes and families. Forging their plows into weapons, they embark on lives of adventure. No matter how far they travel, they never forget their humble beginnings.

Ability Score Increase. You increase you Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution score by 2, and one other Ability Score of your choice by 1. You cannot select the same Ability Score for both increases you gain from this feature.

Relentless Endurance. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can choose to drop to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this feature you must finish a long rest before you can use it again.

Demi-Human Player Races

In most settings, humans are the most numerous of the mortal races, and often have children with other peoples. The human subraces here provide insight into some of the traits present in the more common demi-humans: the Skill Versatility of the Half-elves, the Relentless Endurance of the Half-Orcs, or the Natural Craftsman of Half-Dwarves.

Optional Rule: Feats

If your game uses the optional rule for Feats as presented in the Player's Handbook, you can select the following subrace for your human player character: the Specialist Human.

Specialist Human

Some humans are trained beyond normal specialization and are raised from a young age to fulfill a specific duty. Whether they are trained as elite warriors, or hone minds to awaken psionic abilities, Specialist humans are capable of skill and ability beyond that of even the most fantastical races.

Ability Score Increase. Two different Ability Scores of your choice each increase by 1.

Specialized. You gain one Feat of your choice, so long as you meet the prerequisites. Your chosen Feat must increase one of your Ability Scores by 1, such as Lightly Armorerd or Observant, in order for you to select it as part of this feature.

Desert Dwellers

Above all else, Desert Dwelling lizardfolk are cowards. After hundreds of years of being hunted by desert predators these frilled reptilians are few in number, living in tribes less than ten members strong. They always settle in locations with many escape routes should they be attacked while resting.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity increases by 2.

Quick Feet. Your movement speed increases by 5 feet, and you have advantage on initiative rolls when not surprised.

Frilled Defense. You gain proficiency in Intimidation, and you have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks you make against creatures with an Intelligence of 6 or lower.

Grassland Dwellers

Grassland Dwelling lizardfolk are brutish tribes of raiders and marauders. They live together in large hordes, and move through their territory as nomadic tribes. Despite a warlike lifestyle, their biggest threat comes from within their ranks. Their leaders are constantly challenged for control, and many of their strongest are slain during internal power struggles.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength increases by 2.

Aggressive. As a bonus action, you can move up to your speed toward an enemy creature of your choice. You must end this movement closer to the enemy than you started.

Conquering Horde. You gain proficiency with shields and three simple or martial melee weapons of your choice.

Hungry Jaws. As a bonus action, you can make a special attack with your bite. If the attack hits, it deals its normal damage, and you gain temporary hit points (minimum of 1) equal to your Constitution modifier, and you can't use this trait again until you finish a short or long rest.

Jungle Dwellers

Valuing stealth and quick, decisive strikes over open battle, Jungle Dwelling lizardfolk are experts at remaining unseen until they strike. These ruthless lizardfolk live in secluded places and guard the location of their nests with their lives. They do not discriminate, all trespassers die the same.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score and your Intelligence score both increase by 1.

Natural Predator. You gain proficiency in Survival, and you have advantage on any Wisdom (Survival) check you make while in jungle, swamp, or forested environments.

Reptilian Camouflage. As a bonus action, you can turn invisible until the start of your next turn. This effect ends early if you make an attack roll or force a creature to make a saving throw. Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

Swamp Dwellers

By far the most common, Swamp Dweller lizardfolk live in and around great bodies of water. These semi-aquatic folk form small tribes that come together during the full moon to take care of tribal affairs. Unlike most lizardfolk, only resort to violence when it is necessary for their survival.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score and your Wisdom score both increase by 1.

Amphibious. You have a swimming speed equal to your movement speed and you can breathe both air and water.

Aquatic Stalker. You gain proficiency in Stealth, and you have advantage on any Dexterity (Stealth) check you make while you are at least partially submerged in water.