Humanoid
See also: Category: Humanoid characters and for various species on this wiki, see Category:Humanoids
"Humanoid" is a term which has changed in meaning over various editions. It is a general term for the enormous diversity of sentient species which make up the world's primary inhabitants, whether tribal and primitive, or more civilized. They are capable of language, culture, and in most cases, of learning magic.[1]
"Humanoids are people defined by their roles and professions, such as mages, pirates, and warriors. They include members of varied species."[2]
The term "humanoid" is also frequently used in earlier editions in a narrower sense, which specifically refers only to "monstrous" races, and excludes humans as well as demihumans and giants.[3][4] In those editions, the term was often used in populations, listing human, demi-human, and humanoids separately (such as: "Population: 9,000; Demihumans: None; Humanoids: yuan-ti. bugbears (1000?), tasloi (1000?)"[5]
Description
Humanoids,are given reasonably clear definition in second edition , and are described thus—
"Monsters that have two arms, two hands, at least two legs, and stand generally upright. ... They bear the general shape of humanity, but they have startling—and often times frightening—differences. Some are taller or broader than the average human. Others are smaller, frailer. Many have misshapen features, wicked claws and fangs, thick fur or long, dank hair. Humanity is one race, humanoid races are legion."[6]
Humanoids are typically bipedal,[1][7][8] having two arms, two legs, and walking upright,[8][6][9] but they vary widely in terms of size and features.[6] Most do not have innate spellcasting abilities (notable exceptions include the drow)[1][7] and they generally are capable of using tools and weapons.[8]
"A humanoid usually has two arms, two legs, and one head, or a humanlike torso, arms, and a head. Humanoids have few or no supernatural or extraordinary abilities, but most can speak and usually have well-developed societies. They usually are Small or Medium. Every humanoid creature also has a subtype, such as elf, goblinoid, or reptilian. "—"Glossary". Monster Manual, third edition[10]
Types or subspecies
- Demihumans
- This is an outdated term from early editions generally not used in conjunction with "humanoid" as those terms were mutually exclusive in those editions. It was used to collectively refer to dwarves, elves, gnomes, halflings and half-orcs[11][12][13] Some humans view them as being the "civilized", generally benevolent non-humans. The term "demihuman" is rooted in a humanocentric perspective, as some humans considered humans to be wholly distinct from other humanoids,[6] some even going so far as to claim that humans predated most humanoid races.[14]
- Tn third edition, Elves, dwarves, and orcs became a subtypes of humanoid, rather than "demihuman."
- Giant
- Goblinoids
- Otherwise known as "goblinkin," "goblinoid" is a term used to collectively refer to goblins and the humanoid races believed to be related to them, such as hobgoblins and orcs.[15]
- Reptilian
- "... are scaly and usually cold-blooded." But this "is only used to describe a set of humanoid races, not all animals and monsters that are truly reptiles."[16]
Society
The most numerous humanoid societies are composed of dwarves, elves, halflings, and humans.[1]
A few other humanoid races are far more primitive, with generally evil[1] or hostile[11] cultures such as gnolls, goblinoids, kobolds, lizardfolk, and orcs.[1] These species are not considered demihumans and often live within clans or tribes.[17]
Sometimes these humanoids go against the norms of their societies and take up the life of an adventurer, often facing prejudice along the way[18] with inns having rules against serving them, shops refusing to do business with them, and authorities watching them closely for signs of trouble,[19][20] as well as unscrupulous humans and demihumans fearing them or wishing to exploit them.[20] Some humanoids face physical limitations, running into communities which are built with smaller or larger humanoids in mind, or those of a different body type,[19][20] and could require weapons specially designed for someone of their size.[21]
There are, however, some cosmopolitan or broad-minded places where other races, while still rare, are accepted as a result of international or multi-cultural trade and exchange. Some of these include the Free City of Greyhawk,[22] Ket,[23] the Shield Lands,[24] Old Keoland[25], and the Lortmils.[25]
References
Notes
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e f Monster Manual (2014), p.7.
- ↑ Monster Manual (2025), p.6.
- ↑ Waterdeep and the North, p.36.
- ↑ Demihumans of the Realms, p.4.
- ↑ The Scarlet Brotherhood (1999), p.49.
- ↑ a b c d PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993), p.4.
- ↑ a b Player's Handbook (2014), p.2.
- ↑ a b c Player's Option: Combat & Tactics (1995), p.181.
- ↑ Dungeon Master Guide (1989), p.24.
- ↑ Monster Manual v3.5 (2003), p.310, Glossary.
- ↑ a b Dungeon Masters Guide (1979), p.228.
- ↑ Player's Handbook (1989), p.11.
- ↑ Demihuman Deities (1998), p.1.
- ↑ "The Everwinking Eye: Something is Rotten at the Citadel of the Raven". Polyhedron #83 (May 1993), p.29.
- ↑ Dragon #277 (Nov 2000), p.94.
- ↑ Monster Manual v3.5 (2003), p.314.
- ↑ PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993), p.100.
- ↑ PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993), p.5.
- ↑ a b PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993), p.103.
- ↑ a b c PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993), p.105-106.
- ↑ PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids (1993), p.112-113.
- ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.152.
- ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.171.
- ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.163.
- ↑ a b Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.169.
Bibliography
- Slavicsek, Bill. PHBR10 The Complete Book of Humanoids. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994. Item code TSR2135.
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Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Find Humanoid Familiar (LVL3) (Dragon) | Spell | Spell (Magic User), | FOR1 - Draconomicon, AD&D 2e | 74-75 |
| Potion of Humanoid Control | Item | Dungeon Masters Guide 1st Edition | 126 | |
| Potion of Humanoid Control | Item | Dungeon Masters Guide, AD&D 1e (Premium Edition) | 126 | |
| Potion of Humanoid Control | Item | Encyclopedia Magica - Volume III | 872 |