In Alacrity, your character’s ancestry forms a crucial part of their identity, influencing their cultural background, physical appearance, and inherent talents. Many players will recognize familiar archetypes drawn from classic fantasy literature and gaming: the adaptable and widespread humans, the graceful and long-lived elves often attuned to nature or magic, the stout and resilient dwarves with their affinity for stone and craft, or the nimble and often surprisingly brave halflings. These common ancestries typically come with certain expectations and often grant minor mechanical benefits within the Alacrity system, such as slight bonuses to starting statistics, enhanced senses like low-light vision, innate resistances, or natural aptitudes in specific skills. These serve as helpful starting points grounded in popular fantasy conventions.
However, while these tropes provide a useful baseline, Alacrity is fundamentally designed for flexibility and adaptation. The true range of ancestries available in any given campaign depends entirely on the unique world crafted by your Game Master. Perhaps elves are non-existent, dwarves live in floating cities instead of mountains, or entirely unique species with distinct cultures and abilities populate the setting. Alacrity encourages players and GMs to embrace these specific world details, moving beyond the standard options if desired. The examples provided, like Daerwyn the woodland elf noting her specific traits, illustrate the process of applying benefits, regardless of whether the ancestry is a familiar one or something wholly unique to the GM’s creation.
Ultimately, selecting an ancestry is a collaborative discussion between the player and the Game Master. Before settling on a choice, consult with your GM to understand the specific peoples and cultures within their campaign world and their definitive traits. This ensures your character concept fits organically within the setting’s lore and themes. Whether you choose a well-known archetype adapted for the world or a completely original creation provided by the GM, your ancestry lays the cultural and biological foundation upon which you will build your character’s skills, experiences, and unique story.
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File Created: 04/28/2025 Last Modified: 04/28/2025