Registered Member #24041
Joined: 4:19:01 am GMT 01/24/17
Posts: 2213
Hey everyone! As many of you know, most Non-standard Subraces (NSS) and all Monstrous player characters (MPC) outside of RDD require DM approval to play. However, not all NSS characters need approval! Following a recent discussion about Svirf, I thought it might be a good idea/helpful to players/promote RP to add a list of NSS races that don't need DM approval, as well as their counterparts which would need approval. Here is that list:
Dwarf:
Doesn't need approval: Mountain Dwarf Hill Dwarf
Needs Approval: Duregar
Elf:
Doesn't need approval: Moon Elf High Elf Wood Elf Wild Elf Gold Elf
Needs approval: Drow Aquatic Elf Eladrin Avariel
Gnome:
Doesn't need approval: Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin) Forest Gnome Rock Gnome
Halfling:
Doesn't need approval: Lightfoot
In addition, Thain has some sub-races as well. To quote Warlord Kro:
Thain isn't only restricted to Forgotten Realms NSS races. While the island is somewhat located in the sea off the shores of Faerun, it is also a strange and magical place, and she has a habit of drawing people from many lands to her, through one way or another. Due to the in game lore around Thain's endemic races we encourage folk to play a character from elsewhere as their first character in order to discover the lore in game, however the following Thain NSS races are also open for play without approval:
Dwarf: Hammersong Dwarf
Elf: Greenvale Elf (which appearance-wise would likely most resemble high/sun elves) Feywood Elf (which appearance-wise would likely most resemble wood elves) Poisonwood Elf (which appearance-wise would likely most resemble wild elves, perhaps with a slight greenish tint due to the constant poison of their homes)
Hin: Sandburrow Hin
Human: Iron City Human
In addition, many regular races can be represented in Steinkreis, Dragon's Watch or Hamley.
As a final note, none of these NSS races have any mechanical changes associated with them, nor do staff currently offer changes to these races without approval, even if they are listed in a players' handbook or another similar source. If you want to play an NSS race that is not listed here, check with a DM first! If this list is updated, you will find the changes here.
Hopefully this helps to spark some creativity around some of the NSS races and clears things up a bit!
[ The Island of Thain ]
Non-standard Subraces that do not need DM permission to create.