Nonhuman, or the neutral yet polysemantic humanoid, is not a race onto itself but is a collective term used to refer to cultured races similar to humans in outward appearance. Although nonhumans had conflicts with one another, they mostly found their place on the then Elder Races-dominated Continent^[1] until being pushed into ravines, high mountains, and primeval forests by burgeoning mankind. Some, like werebbubbs, had almost gone extinct as a result.^[2]

History

Despite virtually every Nordling having a dash of Aen Seidhe blood in their veins by 1267, xenophobia towards nonhumans stood behind many wars, pogroms, and general tension.^[1] In times of hunger, conflict, or hardship, even minor physical differences—such as pointed elven ears,^[3] long gnomish noses,^[4] or the absence of a laryngeal prominence in elven and other hominid males (a trait shared only by dwarven, human, and gnomish men)^[5]—could ignite violence. Even being a quarter-elf could make a person an outcast in the eyes of some.^[1] Knights born as both illegitimate and from human-nonhuman unions were entitled to heraldry but couldn't be considered "true nobles" and were prohibited from crossing city gates after dusk.^[3] Yet, periods of harmony also existed.^[2] Northerners sometimes quietly acknowledged their similarities with the Elder Races.^[1] At times, individual Northern monarchs not only tolerated nonhumans but even favored certain kinds, lending an ear to their pleas.^[2]

The humanoid label is also used by witchers for enemies with composition akin to humans,^[1] though they technically aren't monsters just as animal beasts. Classification gets murkier in ogroids^[6] such as trolls, who evolved from deadly monsters into semi-intelligent, helpful neighbors due to contact with sapient races.^[3]

Nonhuman races

For all the sentient races, not just those called "nonhuman" or "humanoid", see Race.

References