Demihuman

"Demihuman" is an abandoned term no longer used in contemporary editions, but was used in early editions (second edition and prior). It is collective name for races who were not human but had a similar physiology, and included only player character races in the Player's Handbook. It was used primarily to indicate which races were "monstrous" and those who were not. "Humanoid" was used to describe non-player races and more monstrous (and less human-like) creatures.

They are peoples of the dwarves, elves, half-elves, halflings, half-orcs, and gnomes.

In the first edition Dungeon Master's Guide they are defined as "anthropomorphic, generally non-hostile (towards man) creatures that may be played as characters: elves, dwarves, halflings, etc." Elsewhere in that same source, half-orcs are listed amongst the demihumans.

For comparison, in second edition, humanoids were 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."

The term "demihuman" eventually was subsumed into "humanoid", and all PC races in the Player's Handbook are considered humanoids. During third edition, this became a similar distinction between "humanoids" and "monstrous humanoids".

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