----------------------------------------------------------------- Sands of Time - Help File - Any new ideas for races mail Admin ----------------------------------------------------------------- HELP RACES ---------- -=> Humans <=- Humans are the dominant race of the world, they are also the youngest race. The main reason for their dominance is their vast numbers, and the fact that they are readsonably good at anything. They adapt, they improvise, and they overcome! Humans are equally adept in every aspect of life, both physically and mentally. Humans motto: "Average doesn't have to be bad, as long as you are in a majority!" ---oOo--- -=> Elves <=- Elves are delicate creatures, with finely chiseled features. They have a long life span, and they tend to ponder any action carefully. Elves are in general a bit shorter than humans. Most elves live in the deep lush forests of the world. They have little contact with other races. They distrust the short and quicktempered dwarfs, and loath the evil orcs. Elves are extremely graceful in their movement and they are very intelligent while not strong physically, other abilities make up for this. Because of their intelligence some elves become powerful powerful magic users able to cast more spells more often, as their rate of magical ability is ultimately restored faster than any other race. Their excelent perceptive skills means they will be able to detect secret doors, and notice things more often than their human counterparts. Their natural ability to wield two weapons simultaneously means that an elf is deadly in combat. Elves motto : "Graceful superiority and peaceful longevity" ---oOo--- -=> Dwarfs <=- Dwarfs are stubborn creatures who are very short tempered. They are so stubborn they insist that each faction of Dwarf, be it Hill Dwarfs or Mountain Dwarfs are the most stubbornest. Hill dwarfs have deep tan to light brown skin and ruddy cheeks. They are a dull race who like to dress in browns, blacks or grey. Although they have been known to wear colourful clothing. They have deep voices and actually sing quite will, but to get one to sing requires exceptional skills in dimplomacy. Mountain Dwarfs are rough and lack some of the refinements of their underground fellows. They complain often but usually do so to side the have a rather plesant nature. Mountain Dwarfs are similar to Hill giants except for their choice of environment. Also they are more vocal than the Hill giant. Dwarves are famous for the amounts of alcohol they can consume, and can drink more than any other race (recall that the more drunk you are, the faster you heal). Dwarves, due to their military life style, are famous for their strategy and strength in combat, to this end, all dwarves gain bonuses when in melee. Dwarf motto: "Eat, drink and be merry!" ---oOo--- -=> Minotaurs <=- Minotaurs are gargantuan brutes over 7 feet in height. They have soft fur covering their massive muscles. Their faces are brutish and ugly by human standards, close to those of a bull. They have short horns that grow from the edges of their forehead to length of 6 to 12 inches for the female and 1 to 2 feet for the male. Minotaurs firmly believe in the superiority of their race and in the ultimate place as the rulers of the world. It is their destiny to bring the rest of the world under their rule. They will go to any lengths to achieve dominance over others. They are ruthless in battle and cold in their duties. They believe that the weak should perish and the might proves right. After all, to them it it is the natural process of life. A minotaurs strength allows him to carry much more than any other race, except perhaps for the gigantic Hill Giant race. Their keen intellect, and strong combat skills means they are almost as well rounded in their tallents as the human race. Minotaurs motto: "To rule the world!" ---oOo--- -=> Orcs <=- Orcs are agressive, hairy and dirty. They band together in groups to raid and plunder. They vary widely in appearance as they often crossbreed with other species, but they have the sickly green skin and stooped posture in common. Orcs are among the unusually very strong and sinous, and they can handle quite a good beating. They are not in the least intelligent though. Where an orc lacks in intellect, he gains in sheer will power. An orc is more resistant to some magic, and can become an excelent shaman of his tribe. Orc motto: "Slit throats and thrive!!" ---oOo--- -=> Halflings <=- Halflings are a hard-working race of lawfully good citizens. Their average height is 3 feet, and have a ruddy complexion. Their dress is usually colour- full but serviceable, and are likely to wear caps or tunics. In adition to their own tounge they also speak common, gnome, goblin and orcish. Halflings will fight with great ferocity in defense of good or their commun- ity. Halflings are naturally resistant to magic and poisons. In addition halflings are exceedingly clever at quiet movement and hiding. In natural terrain halflings are considered invisible when they are hiding in vegitation. In combat, their size makes them difficult targets. All halfling gain extra bonuses to their natural armour class. Halflings have a long life expectancy, some of them living to 180 years on average. Halfling motto: "Height isn't the way you measure someones abilities" ---oOo--- -=> Half-Giant <=- Half-Giants are bread to become gladiators. They are selfish, cunning brutes who's main aim is to kill. They stand 24 feet on average and weight about 11, 500 pounds. The favourite weapon of a half-giant is the club. They cannot cast spells as they are not that intelligent, and it would be very hard for them to hide. Instead a half-giant's greatest advantage is his sheer brute strength. A half-giant can lift some loads that would astound any human. They can speak common and giant languages. Half-Giant motto: "Killing someone isn't the object, its the way thats import- ant." ---oOo--- -=> Gnomes <=- Small cousins of the dwarfs, gnomes are friendly but reticent, quick to help their friends but rarely seen by other races unless they want to be. Gnomes have a life expectancy of 450 years, although they can live longer. Gnomes speak their own language, and each subrace has its own distinctive dialect. Many gnomes learn to tounges of humans, kobolds, goblins, halflings, the dwarfs in order to communicate with them. Gnomes are highly resistant to magic, and are high to moderately intelligent. They prefer to use strategy over brute force in combat and will often use illusions in imaginative ways to "even the odds". Like the halfling, their size makes them harder to hit. Gnomes are also highly resistant to some natural poisons. A gnome can use any weapon that matches their size, although being small - only 3.5 feet tall - the choice of weaponry is limited to small weapons. Gnomes can be fighters or priests, but most prefer to become thieves or mages. Gnome motto: "Work hard, play hard, live long!" Appendix 1 ---------- This table gives an indication of how races compare to humans. Racial Save Carry Right Left Defence Bargain Stock Bonus Bonus Weapon Weapon Bonus Bonus Elf V. Good Average Good Good Good V. Poor Dwarf Excellent Average V. Good Average Average Poor Minotaur Good Excellent V. Good V. Good V. Poor V. Poor Orc Poor V. Good V. Good Average V. Good V. Poor Giant Poor Mega Good Average Poor V. Good Halfling Excellent V. Poor Good Good Good Excellent Kender Mega Bad Average V. Good V. Good Good Gnome Mega Poor Average V. Good Excellent Average Pixie Excellent V. Poor Poor V. Good Excellent V. Good Nixie Mega Poor Poor V. Good V. Good Good Sprite Mega Poor Average V. Good V. Good Good Kobold V. Good Poor Good V. Good Excellent Poor Goblin Good Good V. Good V. Good Good Poor