Harks Quartz

Player Races

19 min read

Races

This section does not need to be read end to end (unless you are looking for some inspiration). All races in the Common Races of Khorvaire list are accepted, and all races in Exotic Races of Eberron will need DM approval/guidance. Once you do pick a race, check its entry in this section to check that the Eberron Flavour of this race matches your expectations.

Please remember that although you may know of all these races, it is unlikely that your character will have ever heard of some of them!

Common Races of Khorvaire

Changelings

ERLW 17, EXE 33, CRE 39, MPMM 60

  • Many in Khorvaire treat changelings with mistrust due to a few bad actors who use their natural skills to deceive.
  • Many of
  • Most changelings grew up in one of three paths
  • If using MPMM version your creature type is not Fey

Children of the Traveller

  • These nomadic clans wander the continent hiding their true nature from “Single skins”
  • They worship the Traveller, a deity of the Dark Six, reviled on most of the continent
  • With such communities, your character will need good reason to have left their safety

Stable communities

  • Open about their nature these communities do their best to gain the trust of those they regularly deal with
  • Often live within insular communities and compounds
  • With such communities, your character will need good reason to have left their safety

Orphans

  • Grow up with little to no knowledge of their nature, and may not even know other changelings exist
  • Might be raised by other races, or self sufficient street children who use their natural abilities to get ahead in the rough world they inhabit.

Dwarfs

ERLW 19, ERLW 51, PHB 18, PHB 20, EXE112

  • This includes all variants except Ruinbound and Duergar
  • Dwarf population is concentrated within the Mror Holds, an Independent but friendly nation to the Five Kingdoms.
  • However many Dwarves have migrated to the kingdoms over the years, and most of them consider their new homes just that, Home.

Dwarves of the Mror Holds

  • This nation is Ruled by the Iron Council, who represent the 12 Clans (although Kundarak are technically “Observers”).
  • Defined by a relationship to the Realm Below, the Daelkyr (an Underdark nation with who they are locked in battle)
  • Artifacts of the Daelkyr are symbiotic, some clans (such as Clan Soldorak) see them as abhorrent, while others (e.g Clan Mroranon) have embraced their dark gifts.
  • With the Dwarves locked in an endless battle over the Realm Below you character will need a good reason for why they have abandoned the fight to roam the Continent.

Dwarves of the Five Nations

  • Dwarfs outside of Mror have likely transferred their clan loyalty to their new home nation
  • These dwarfs have a heritage in the builders and engineers of the original Kingdom, and often feel a deep connection with historic buildings and structures of the Nations.

Dragonmarked Dwarves

  • Dwarves of House Kundarak are generally from the Mror Holds, although many hold station within the Kundarak Banks, and security services of Khorvaire.
  • Kundarak does not support use of the Daelkyr Symbionts, and though technically politically neutral, its opinion is still held in regard by the Iron Council

Elves

ERLW 21, PHB 21, PHB 23

  • Includes all variants except: Eladrin, Drow & Sea Elf
  • The Elven nation has a long history of moving continents within the world of Eberron, as such they can be found all over the world.
  • Although the Main concentration of Elves in the Modern age are found on the continent of Aerenal. Visitors from this nation are uncommon but not impossible. For more information see The Aereni (High Elves), The Tairnadal (Wood Elves) and The Drow of Xen’drik

Elves of the Five Nations

  • Throughout their history many Elves have migrated to Khorvaire, either as individual, small groups and even entire houses (such as House Phiarlan almost 3 thousand years ago).
  • Although you can find an Elves of any Lineage throughout the nations Wood Elves are often found in the Eldeen Reaches.

Elves and Dragonmarks

  • House Phiarlan was once driven out of Aereni by their ancestors.
  • Once in Khorvaire the house fractured into two forming House Thuranni
  • Elves with the Mark of Shadow are likely already part of either House Phiarlan or Thuranni.

Gnomes

ERLW22, ERLW 47, PHB 35, PHB 37

  • Includes all Gnomes except: Deep Gnome

Gnomes of Zilargo (mostly Forrest Gnomes)

  • Zilargo is a nation of Gnomes who put the “Gnome” in “Boy what a bunch of scheming Gnomes those Zilargo folk are!”
  • The Culture of Zilargo is to deceive and manipulate as a matter of course
  • Similarly Zil Gnomes put family above all
  • Most Zilargo Gnome families have multiple feuds and schemes on spanning generations
  • Zilargo also has a secret police known (or not) as “The Trust” this police guards Zil interests both in and out of Zilargo.
  • Zilargo is considered a friendly nation to Khorvaire and Zil Gnomes commonly travel around the Five nations (often watched by Trust Agents)

Gnomes of the Five Nations

  • Over time Many Zil Gnomes have migrated to the Five Nations, most now consider this home (although some families might sill be Zil agents on a VERY long con).
  • Five nation Gnomes are not as Scheming as their Zil brethren, though they tend to maintain their emphasis on Family.

Gnomes and Dragonmarks

  • House Sivis is based in Zilargo and most of its members are considered Citizens of there.

Goblins

ERLW 24, MPMM 20, CRE 41

  • All Goblins except: Dhakaani Golin’dar, Dhakaani Golin’dar; Artisan, Golin’dar; Kesh’dar
  • Goblinoids were once the dominant civilisation of Khorvaire.
  • That civilisation has retreated to the shadows and the nation of Darguun, but many Goblins adapted to the new human Civilisation that replaced them
  • Goblins are found in most cities of the Five Nations and are considered ordinary citizens by the vast majority.

Half-Elves

*ERLW 26, ERLW 40, ERLW 50, PHB 38, *

Half-Elves of Khorvare

  • Many Half-Elves are born in the Khorvaire and adopt their parents culture (or a blend of both)

Khoravar

  • Many Half-eves within Khorvaire consider them selves Khoravar (Children of Khorvaire)
  • They dislike the term Half-Elf
  • A strong sense of community and a Khoravar will often do what they can to aid another member of the group (even a stranger).
  • Khoravar often consider themselves a bridge between cultures and species (not just Human and Elf) and take the roll of Bards, diplomats, mediators and diplomats.

Half-Elves and Dragonmarks

  • All Half-Elves born with Marks of Detection and Storm are expected to join House Medani and Lyandar respectivly.
  • Both the Half-Elf Dragonmarked Houses (House Medani and House Lyandar) were part of the Khoravar Communities and espouse their values.
  • Half-Elves bearing these marks born outside of Khoravar communities, might struggle more to adapt to house life.

Halflings

ERLW 27, PHB 26, PHB 28, ERLW 43-44

  • Most halflings in Khorvaire are Lightfoot Halflings, though Stout halflings are not unheard of.
  • Halflings migrated across Khorvaire with Humans and are a common sight in the Five Nations.
  • The Boromar Clan are mostly halflings. They are the dominant crims syndicate in Breland, although they are now challenged by the monstrous Daask.

Halflings and Dragonmarkes

  • Halflings manifesting the Mark of Healing and Hospitality are expected to join House Jorasco and Ghallanda respectively.

Humans

*ERLW 29, ERLW 42-41, ERLW 45-46, ERLW 48, PHB 29, PBH 31 *

  • Humans are everywhere. Almost every common and exotic race on Khorvaire might find a random human somewhere within their ranks (with a few exceptions).
  • Humans are also the most common race within the Five nations.

Humans and Dragonmarks

  • Humans can bear Five marks:
  • Mark of Making for House Cannith
  • Mark of Passage for House Orien
  • Mark of Sentinel for House Denith
  • Mark of Finding (along with Half-orcs) in House Tharashk

The Kalashtar

ERLW 29, EXE 40

  • Most cannot tell a Kalashtar from a human, and many Kalashtar strive to maintain this anonymity.
  • Kalashtar communities exist Throughout Khorvaire and the Five Nations, though some Kalashtar grow up Orphaned from these and do not know of others of their race.
  • Kalashtar are bound to Virtuous Spirits from the Dreaming called Quori who fight the Dreaming Dark of Dal Quor.
  • If you pick a Kalashtar, you will need to talk with the DM to discuss the nature of your link and its effect of the story of the campaign.

Half-Orcs

ERLW 32, ERLW 41, PHB 40

  • The rise of House Tharashk has brought many Half-Orcs into the Five-nations however Half-Orcs are still relatively rare
  • Half-Orcs native to the Five Nations are almost without exception Members of House Tharashk.
  • Most Citizens of the Five Nations will assume a Half-Orc is either a mercenary or bounty hunter of House Tharashk or a Swap Simpleton from the Shadow Marshes

Shifters

ERLW 32, EXE 43, MPMM 32

  • Sometimes called “Weretouched”
  • Often Originating in the Eldeen Reaches (previously part of Aundair), but many are native to the rural areas of the Five Nations
  • Shifters have faced unfounded persecution for their distant link to Were-creatures. Most notably the Silver flame crusaded against them when Lycanthropy became a threat in the past.
  • These days the Silver Flame does not pursue shifters, but many still face bias for their heritage and choose to keep their nature secret.

Warforged

ERLW 35, EXE 45

  • Living constructs built by House Cannith during the last war.
  • The Treaty of Thronehold ended the last war and granted Warforged freedom and equal status of Citizens of the Five Nations.
  • The Treaty also forbid the creation of any more Warforged.
  • Some in the Five Nations still view the Warforged as objects rather than the sentient beings they are. Others see them as a grim reminder of the War and all that entails

Exotic Races of Eberron

Eladrin (Elf) of the Fey Spires

DMG 286

  • Occasionally an Eladrin of the Fey Spires gets left in the world of Eberron

Dragonborn of Q’Barra

ERLW 19, PHB 32, FTD 10-12

  • These distant descendants of a warrior clans of Argonnessen left by the Dragons to guard against the Lords of Dust.
  • Over the tens of thousands of years since, they have drifted from their purpose
  • Generally these people do not stray from Q’Barra and their own kind, but a rare traveller might wander the continent, with good reason.
  • Most people of Khorvaire have no concept of the Dragonborn, some might assume they are some exotic form of Lizardfolk, other might think they are Demons of the Demonwastes, or a Monster from Droaam.

The Elves of Aerenal

ERLW 22, EXE 36, PHB 21, PHB 23, PHB 24

  • This includes all Elves except Drow and Eladrin.
  • Dragonmarks do occasionally form in these Elves and any child bearing them in always inducted into the elite force of the Cairdal Blades.

The Aereni (High Elves)

  • These Elves are ruled by the Undying court an anchient council of Godlike Undead Elves
  • Great heroes of the Aereni might be invited to join the Undying court
  • Most people of Khorvaire have little to no knowledge of the Aereni
  • As a Aereni character you will need a good reason to have left the protection of your homelands to visit Khorvaire

The Tairnadal (Wood Elves)

  • The Tairnadal of Aerenal are the second nation of Elves on the continent
  • These Elves are a warlike nation who are steeped in a tradition of Bonding with the spirits of their ancestors.
  • When Tairnadal Elves reach adulthood they are (often, but not always), selected by an ancestor to bond with.
  • Each ancestor has many living Elves bonded with them, and those bonded are expected to follow their ancestors footprints. The three main lines of Ancestors are: Valaes Tairn, Silaes Tairn and Draleus Tairn.
  • As such these Elves are always looking for more and harder fights to test their mettle and allow them to prove themselves against their ancestors deeds.
  • Tairnadal have access to the Double Bladed Scimitar as a national weapon.
  • Most people of Khorvaire are aware of the Tairnadal, mostly because the Valaes Tairn line of Tairnadal invaded the South East of Cyre during the last war.

The Drow of Xen’drik

ERLW 22, PHB 24

  • Unlike the other Elves of Eberron the Drow found themselves on the side of the Giants during the rebellion wars between Elves and the Giants of Xen’drik.
  • The Drow of Xen’drik (and the Elves of Aerenal) have no real memory of other Elves. They are beings of fable passed down through fairy tails for children.
  • Although the Civilisation of Giants has long since fallen, the Drow remain on Xen’drik and one could find their way to Khorvaire.
  • Three main clans of Drow inhabit Xen’drik (listed below in order of numbers).
  • The Vulkoori - hunters dedicated to the Scorpion god “Vulkoor”
  • The Sulatar - traditional Elemental shapers who wish to cleanse the world in fire
  • The Umbragen - Underground Drow locked in a war with the Daelkyr
  • The journey to Khorvaire from Xen’drik is long and hard, few have ventured the other way and non have returned. A character from here would need an exceptional reason for their journey.

Ghaal’dar (Darguun) Goblinoids

ERLW 24, MPMM 20, MPMM 23, MPMM 8

  • The Ghaal’dar tribes arose from the tenants of the Dhakaani Empire
  • During the last war House Denith hired Ghaal’dar mercenaries giving focus to the divided tribes under the Hobgoblin Leader Haruuc.
  • Haruuc lead a renege on against the humans and sized a portion of Cyre now known as Darguun.

Goblins (Golin’dar)

  • All Goblins except: Dhakaani Golin’dar, Dhakaani Golin’dar; Artisan, Golin’dar; Kesh’dar
  • Artisans and Laborors, but exception Goblins join the Khesh’dar (Silent folk)
  • Classes: Rogue, Monk, Ranger

Hobgoblins (Ghaal’dar)

  • All Hobgoblins except: Dhakaani Ghaal’dar, Dhakaani Ghaal’dar; Guide, Dhakaani Ghaal’dar; Soldier
  • Leaders and strategists
  • Classes: Fighter, Bards Rogues

Bugbears (Guul’dar)

  • All Bugbears except: Dhakaani Guul’dar
  • Focus on battle rage
  • Class: Barbarian

The Marguul (Bugbears)

ERLW 24, MPMM 8

  • All Bugbears except: Dhakaani Guul’dar
  • These Bugbears threw off the yolk of the Ghaal’dar and live in territory near the seawall.
  • The Marguul are savage and worship The Mockery

Heirs of Dhakaani (Goblinoids)

ERLW 24, EXE 210-211

  • These are the true Remains of the Dhakaani Empire
  • The Clans of the Heirs sealed themselves off in underground cities at the end of their war with the Daelkyr and have remained in secret since.
  • Goblinoids of the Heirs have no Clerics, Paladins or Druids and are a strictly agnostic race
  • They are also strict on martial discipline and the races have generally prescribed classes which they rarely deviate from

Goblins (Golin’dar)

  • This is specifically the following races: Goblin (Dhakaani Golin’dar), Goblin (Dhakaani Golin’dar; Artisan) and Goblin (Dhakaani Golin’dar; Kesh’dar)
  • Artisans and Laborors, but exception Goblins join the Khesh’dar (Silent folk)
  • Classes: Rogue, Monk, Ranger

Hobgoblins (Ghaal’dar)

  • This is specifically the following races: Hobgoblin (Dhakaani Ghaal’dar), Hobgoblin (Dhakaani Ghaal’dar; Guide) and Hobgoblin (Dhakaani Ghaal’dar; Soldier)
  • Leaders and strategists
  • Classes: Fighter, Bards Rogues

Bugbears (Guul’dar)

  • This is specifically the race: Bugbear (Dhakaani Guul’dar)
  • Focus on battle rage
  • Class: Barbarian

Talenta Halflings

ERLW 27, ERLW 43-44, ERLW 99-100, PHB 26, PHB 28

  • almost Exclusively Lightfoot Halflings
  • Talenta Halflings are nomadic wanderers of the Planes
  • They often ride the domesticated Dinosaurs common to their people
  • They also worship spirits and the land with a strong cultural pull towards hospitality and helping those in need.
  • Although Nomadic Talenta halflings dont generally leave the planes, a Talenta halflings are not at all unheard of, but still likely draw attention.

Orcs & Half-Orcs Khorvaire

ERLW 31, ERLW 41, ERLW 98 MPMM 28, PHB 40

  • Orcs are descendants of those that were scattered across Khorvaire by the rise of the Dhakaani Empire.
  • These Orcs where pushed into the Shadowmarshes, Ironroot Mountains or the Demon Wastes
  • The Orcs of the Shadowmarshes learned druidic magic from a Dragon and became the first Gatekeepers, binding the Daelkyr to the Khyber.
  • This Druidic tradition spread to the other bulwarks of Orcs who maintain the seals on either the Daelkyr or the Demon Overlords.

Orcs of The Shadowmarshes

  • The Shadowmarshes holds the largest population of Orcs and Half-Orcs in Khorvaire
  • These Orcs follow the Druidic practices and maintain the bindings on the Daelkyr.
  • This way of living and their distance from the Five Nations has given them a reputation of “Swamp Simpletons”, however this is far from the truth.

Ghaash’kala of the Demon Wastes (Orcs and Half-Orcs)

  • Servants of the Kalok Shash, the Binding Flame, which many accept to be the Same of the Silver Flame of the Five Nations, but predating it by Milennia.
  • The Ghaash’kala are dedicated fighting the Fiends of the Wastes and help to maintain the seals held on the Demon Overlords held in this region.

Jhorash’tar Orcs of Ironroot Mountains

  • Similar to the Orcs of the Shadowmarshes these Orcs historically maintain the seals on the Daelkyr. However they have been pushed out of this role by the rise of the Dwarfs.
  • They are in constant and ongoing war with the Dwarfs of Mror, who drove them underground, away from the Seals they wish to maintain to keep the Daelkyr at bay

Tieflings of the Demon Wastes

ERLW 35, PHB 42

  • Tieflings born to Barbarian tribes of the Demon Wastes are touched by the fiendish nature of the Planes and considered blessed by their tribes.
  • Although the source of their manifestation is demonic, the Tieflings themselves do not have to be Evil by nature.

Warforged of the Mourning

ERLW 35

  • A leading figure of Warforged Rebellion The Lord of Blades has formed a new nation in the Mourning.
  • These Warforged believe they are superior beings to others and that their Warforged Nation will one day Inherit Eberron.
  • The Warforged Nation was at at time less agressive towards the Five Nations, however shifts within the group now makes them far more hostile and agressive towards all non-Warforged.

The Dragonhawk Battalion (Aarakocra)

CRE 38

  • The Result of Project Dragonhawk in Aundair during the Last War
  • Volunteers were transformed using Mage breading Techniques and cutting edge transformation magic into Aarakocra.
  • The Dragonhawks proved to expensive to create en masse, but served well as scouts, mascots and rallying propaganda to the arcane might of the nation.

Trascalando of Talenta (Centaurs)

CRE 39, MPMM 5

  • “People with The Thundering Hooves”
  • Highly isolationist, rarely leave the Southern Plaines
  • Nomads who tend tribes of Tribex.
  • Friendly towards the halflings
  • A tradition of Storytelling and trade
  • Valenar Elf invasion threaten these people, and they are highly distrusting of Elves

Fey Centaurs of the Eldeen Reaches

CRE 39, MPMM 9

  • Tied to the many Fey spires of the Reaches
  • Not only half horses, but other creatures such as deer as well
  • Shun the violence and brutality of the world outside

Firblogs of the Eldeen Reaches

CRE 40, MPMM 15

  • Friendly to travellers, but with little interest outside of the Reaches.

Plane touched Creatures (Tieflings, Aasimar, Genasi, Dhampir)

Tieflings

ERLW 35, PHB 42

  • Though most Tieflings come from the Demon Wastes, some are born within the Five Nations
  • Most Five Nations Tieflings are born in Manifest Zones when Coterminous.
  • Tiefling’s are viewed as and oddity within the Five Nations but not stigmatised, as the Planes their are born from do not necessarily imply Evil.

Aasimar

EXE 208, MPMM 7

  • Assimar exist in Eberron via the influence of the Manifest Zones, but are very rare.

Genasi: Touched by the wild

CRE 40, MPMM 16-17

  • Born from manifest Zones tied to Lamannia
  • Most refer to these rare people as “Touched” for example “Stormtouched”
  • People consider them natural and do not feel threatened

Dhampirs

CRE 39, VRGR 16

  • Born in Mabarrian Manifest Zones when its power is at height

Ruinbound Dwarfs

EXE 209, EXE18

  • Rarely Dwarfs of Mror are born “Ruinbound”, infect by the Daelkyr
  • Depending on the clan they are born too, these dwarfs are shunned or worshiped

Sea Wall Kobolds

MPMM 25

  • At odds with the Zil Gnomes

The Races of Droaam

EXE 81

Kaan’dar (Centaurs)

CRE 39, MPMM 9

  • Sworn to the Daughters of Sora Kell
  • Occasional Mercenaries of House Tharashk

Gnoll

EXE 87, EXE 211

  • A wide military force in Droaam
  • Unemployed Gnolls are often hunters
  • The Znir Pact are a respected mercenary group

Kobolds

MPMM 25

  • Mostly live in the Byeshk Mountains

Minotaurs

EXE 88, MPMM 27

  • Barbarians
  • Can be found either joined to the Sisters, or warring against their control
  • Worship the Horned Prince, likely an avatar of Rak Tulkesh

Tieflings

EXE 89, PHB 42

  • Immigrants for a rumoured city state in the West of Droaam,

Changelings

EXE 87, MPMM 10

  • Nothing really notable about these, except for where they grew up

Goblins

EXE 87, MPMM 20

  • All Goblins except: Dhakaani Golin’dar, Dhakaani Golin’dar; Artisan, Golin’dar; Kesh’dar
  • Nothing really notable about these, except for where they grew up

Humans

EXE 88, PHB 29, PHB 31, ERLW 42, ERWL 45, ERLW 102, ERLW 48, ERLW 41

  • Most of these are War Criminals, Brigands and, Renegades from the Last War fleeing the law of the Five Kingdoms

Gaa’aram (Orcs)

EXE 89, MPMM 28

  • “Children of Wrath”
  • Largest group of Orcs in Droaam
  • Chaotic, raiding lifestyle.

Gaa’ran (Orcs)

EXE 89, MPMM 28

  • “Children of Sacrifice”
  • Believe that violence stains the soul
  • Only the Pure may pass Dolurrh
  • A troubling living with the violence of Droaam

Shifters

EXE 89, MPMM 32

  • Nothing really notable about these, except for where they grew up

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