The various humanoid races are called that because, except for humans themselves, they are all offshoots or corruptions of the human race. Humans, being the most common of the natural races, were the easiest for the gods to experiment with.

The races commonly called 'humanoids' are: Humans, of course, the Goblins, Hobgoblins, Kobolds, Orcs, Half-orcs, gnolls, centaurs, and minotaurs round out the rest.

Humans are the most common race in the world, and make up the majority of adventurers. Although they have no special talents like the other races, they are more versatile, being skilled in any class. They have no great strengths, but no weaknesses to prey upon either.

The remainder of the humanoids were twisted or reformed versions of the humans by the gods during the godwars. As troops of darkness, they all have excellent vision, even in darkness, with few exceptions. The Orc and Goblin footsoldiers of the godwar were later replaced by the large Hobgoblins. Their bodies were mostly used as cannon fodder or minor infantry units, and the stronger hobgoblins were used as the frontline troops. Half-orcs were created by human interbreeding, trying to create an officer race of superior intelligence than the orcs. In their squalid conditions, the weakest members of the orc, goblin, and hobgoblin tribes were quickly killed, so all of these races share some resistances to poison and disease, which ran rampant in their camps. They were not the most commanding of mental powers in general, and may be somewhat easily fooled in certain regards. Orcs and half-orcs speak orcish and common, goblins and hobgoblins speak common and goblin. Orcs range from 4 to 6 feet on average, with pig-like features and often tusk-like teeth. Half Orcs are usually in the same height range, with more muted features than their orcish relatives. Goblins and hobgoblins are somewhat misshapen humanoids, goblins moreso than hobgoblins. They both have flat broad faces, and backwards-sloping foreheads. Their skin ranges from yellow to dull red, with hobgoblins often furred as well. Both races have pointed fanged teeth, hobgoblin's are usually yellow. Goblins are usually 3-4 feet tall, hobgoblins about 6 1/2.

The scouting races of the Kobolds and Gnolls were altered to be effective scouts in the lands of the elves. Kobolds being small and weak are nonthless effective as scouts or spies. Gnolls, a larger, hardier race from the same strain, are effective rangers, but also tend to be more of free-thinkers, and as such are not as likely to be serving the dark powers of their creation. Kobolds tended to hide and live in the dirtiest conditions, being the smallest and weakest humanoids, and are resistant to the diseases and plagues that would kill most individuals, but like their stronger brethren, they are not the brightest of the races. Gnolls, on the other hand, prefer the wide open spaces, and were especially useful in the forays into the frozen wastes of Thera and upon the lightning-swept mountaintops. Both Kobolds and Gnolls speak common and kobold. Kobolds and Gnolls both resemble dog-faced peoples. Kobolds are usually 3 1/2 feet tall or so, where gnolls range through the entire height range of tall humans, as tall as 7 1/2 feet.

The Centaurs were the cavalry troops of the light gods against the darkness. A mixture of man and beast, various forms exist, from the half-man half horse, to the half-man half-antelope of the heated plains. They all share the same common characteristics, however, regardless of appearance. From their common association, they share the common language and also speak the tounge of sylvan inhabitants. As their senses are close to humans, they are the only humanoid race besides humans that are not naturally equipped to see in darkness.

Minotaurs were the shock troops created to battle-rage against the forces of good. Their extreme twisting in creation, however created a race that was unstable, and even the gods of darkness were hard-pressed to put them to use. Banished from the camps, they formed loose bands and raided any and all to survive until they were placed in deep underground prisons by their creators. Eventually regaining their senses, these mighty warriors emerged from the darkness of the underdark maze prisons and have been seen in the daylight world once again, but no longer a renegade threat. Minotaurs are single minded and focused, giving them some mental armor. Their dense bodies are tough, turning away unwell-placed blows. If there is one thing that they still fear, from their time in the darkness, it is untamed light. Minotaurs speak common and the language of the underdark. Most minotaurs are upwards of 7 feet tall, and heavily muscled. They are usually bull-headed, and can be quick to rage.