Category:Races and Cultures

Race refers to any of the species that can be player characters in GemStone IV. There are thirteen playable races, with various subcultures that can sometimes span between the races themselves. Races can affect different mechanics for game play, while culture focuses on different avenues for roleplay. Races and cultures may also have specific verbs that allow for additional ways to express themselves via roleplay.

Playable Races

Race	Description	Height	Lifespan
	Aelotoi are thin with large heads and big round eyes totally devoid of white. They have diaphanous wings of varying color but they are too weak to fly. It is often easy to tell how an Aelotoi is feeling based on the position of his or her wings. Available cultures: Gaeh'deh, Mrae'ni, Vaer'sah	5' to 6' (max 6.5')	80
	Burghal gnomes live in, under, or near the cities of other civilizations. Excellent scavengers and thieves, their true delight lies in the art of tinkering. Burghal gnomes take great delight in puzzles and games, though some prefer pranks and dirty tricks. Available cultures: Aledotter, Neimhean, Nylem, Vylem, Winedotter, Withycombe	3' to 3.25' (max 3.5')	180
	Long ago exiled after the Undead War, dark elves' skin grew dark from exposure to the mana foci of Rhoska-Tor. Distinguished by sharp features, they possess a great love of knowledge and learning and have mastered spiritual and elemental magic as no other race ever could. Many are still bitter and resentful of their political status. Available cultures: Faendryl, Dhe'nar	5.5' to 6' (max 6.5')	1500
	Dwarves are a hardy race, short, strong, and stout. They're quite fond of mining, forging, and ale. Their beards are a matter of great pride, often long and elaborately braided. Some dwarven females are bearded, some are not. Neither agile nor quick, they have a natural resistance to certain forms of elemental magic. Available cultures: Borthuum, Egrentek, Gotronek, Greetok, Grenroa, Grevnek, Gulroten, Kazunel, Khanshael, Kikthuum, Krenlumtrek, Krethuum, Mithrenek, Mordrakam, Oltregek, Parkshnuum, Ragnak, Ralgrenek, Reznek, Roramnoak, Schneckgren, Sharznekgren, Smaelton, Toktrog	4' to 4.5' (max 4.75')	180
	Tall, slender and agile with fine features, elves are resistant to the ravages of time and disease. Their senses are extremely keen but their long lifespans bring a natural lack of discipline. Elves are talented in many things and consider themselves superior to other races, especially humans. The Elven Empire is in its twilight and only five of the original Seven Cities remain, but they still hold sway over much of eastern Elanith. Available cultures: Ardenai, Illistim, Loenthra, Nalfein, Vaalor	5.5' to 6' (max 6.5')	1500
	Erithians are tall, thin and have slightly pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes giving them a somewhat elf-like appearance. Hardy and deceptively tough, both genders are often balding with just a fringe of hair. Erithians mysteriously appeared in Elanthia only 1500 years ago. Available cultures: Eloth Dai, Nathala Dai, Surath Dai, Tichan Dai, Valaka Dai, Volnath Dai, Yachan Dai	5.5' to 6.5' (max 7')	430
	Forest gnomes protect their dwellings with camouflage, deadly traps and poisonous foliage. They have become stronger and wiser in order to survive. Despite their cautious nature, Forest gnomes can be friendly and are known to be great lovers of poetry and rumination. Available cultures: Angstholm, Basingstoke, Felcour, Greengair, Rosengift, Wendwillow	3.5' to 4' (max 4.25')	200
	Tall, well built and physically strong. Great warriors and builders, their intuition matches their physical prowess. However, they are not especially quick or agile. Available cultures: T'Kirem, Grot'karesh, Wsalamir, Grishknel, Issimir, Araime, Maeramil, Vaikalimara	6' to 6.5' (max 7')	100
	Appearing as humans with slightly pointed ears and sharp features, half-elves are agile and dexterous like elves, yet full of strength and stamina like humans. Unfortunately, they are shunned in many lands due to the enmity between humans and elves. Available cultures: Half-elves have the ability to select any of the Elven or Human cultures or have the option to be Half-Faendryl or Half- Sylvan.	5' to 6' (max 6.5')	400
	Half-Krolvins have pale skin with a slight blue or blue-gray tinge. Particularly hairy, their long arms have delicate fingers with swollen-looking knuckles. Half-Krolvins benefit from strong able bodies, but often get into trouble due to poor judgment or short-sighted reasoning. Available cultures: Gob'tak, Hos'tau, Lar'toth, Rafi'kaes, Swu'lin	5' to 5.5' (max 6')	100
	Smaller than most, halflings are rotund and have large feet endowed with luxuriant hair. Preferring the simple pleasures of life, such as good food (mostly tarts), drink and companionship, their inquisitive manner frequently lands them in awkward situations. Available cultures: Brughan, Malghava, Mhoragian, Paradis	3' to 3.25' (max 3.5')	100
	With an average stature, humans are rather stocky and tend to be somewhat rustic in appearance. Men often sport a beard or mustache while the women tend to be sturdy and good-natured. Most humans hail from the Turamzzyrian Empire, the dominant power in western Elanith. Available cultures: Aldora, Allace, Bourth, Chastonia, Dragach, Estoria, Hendor, Highmount, Honneland, Jantalar, Mestanir, Oire, Riverwood, Seareach, Selanthia, Shakat, Talador, Tehir, Torre, Trauntor, Vornavis	5' to 6' (max 6.5')	80
	Long ago, when the elves moved from the forests to build their Seven Cities, some remained and became sylvan. Extremely rare outside of the forest, few sylvankind ever leave their wooded homes. Slight and lithe, they move about the woodlands and hills with ease, preferring garbs of forest green and brown. Available cultures: Fresiawn, Kytawa, Lassaran, Tyesteron	5.5' to 6' (max 6.5')	1500

Statistics

These racial modifiers are added to the statistic bonus (not raw stat).

For racial modifiers to statistic growth, see the article on statistic growth rate.

Weight and Encumbrance

Main article: Encumbrance

There are three factors that determine body weight: base race weight, race weight factor (see table below) and the statistics (Strength + Constitution). Note that the strength and constitution stats are weighted equally. Base weight is the character's weight with (theoretically) zero (STR + CON) stats. As the STR and CON stats increase so does body weight.

Body weight is determined by the formula:

Note: Use only even number STR and CON stats. If the stat is an odd number, subtract 1 from its value. For example, if the STR stat is 89 use 88 (89 - 1) for the calculations. The formula is accurate when both stat values are 50 or greater. If either stat value is less than 50 the character's actual weight will be slightly higher than the formula's calculated weight.

Maximum weight is 3x the race base weight.

Body Weight Formula

A human has 70 strength and 60 constitution stats.

Human base weight: 90

Human weight factor: .90

(90) + (130 * .90) = 207 lbs total body weight

Body Weight and Encumbrance

The amount of weight that a character can carry is primarily a function of body weight and the strength stat. Each character can carry a certain amount before becoming encumbered. That amount is:

Our human, with a body weight of 207 and a strength stat of 70, has an unencumbered carrying capacity of:

[((70 - 20)/200)* 207] + 207/200

(.25 * 207) + 1.03 = 52.78 lbs of unencumbered carrying capacity.

Once you become encumbered each 1% of encumbrance is simply 1% of body weight. In the example above with 207 lbs. body weight each 1% encumbrance = 2.07 lbs

Trade Modifiers

Shops in towns have racial biases that modify the cost of buying and selling. For more details, see the Trading article.

Resources

• Race capitalization guide
• Saved posts (most are out of date)

Officials Folders

• Elanthian Lore Announcements Folder
• Races Folder