Reference Pages
Ancestries
Ancestries represent your character's lineage, which affects their physical appearance and access to certain special abilities. The following section describes each ancestry in Daggerheart and the characteristics generally shared by members of that ancestry. However, each player decides how their character aligns with the "standard" or "average" expression of their ancestry.
In Daggerheart, the term "people" is used to refer to all ancestries, as individuals from all lineages possess unique characteristics and cultures, as well as personhood.
Some ancestries are described using the term "humanoid." This does not imply any genetic relation to "humans," which is a distinct ancestry within Daggerheart. Instead, it refers to the set of physical characteristics humans will recognize from their own anatomy, such as bipedal movement, upright posture, facial layout, and more. These traits vary by ancestry and individual, though "humanoid" should still provide a useful frame of reference.
The 18 Ancestries
The core ruleset includes the following ancestries:
Clank
Mechanical beings
Drakona
Dragon-blooded
Dwarf
Hardy mountain folk
Elf
Graceful and keen
Faerie
Small magical beings
Faun
Nature-touched
Firbolg
Giant-kin
Fungril
Mushroom people
Galapa
Turtle-like beings
Giant
Large humanoids
Goblin
Small and cunning
Halfling
Small and cheerful
Human
Versatile and adaptable
Infernis
Fire-touched
Katari
Feline humanoids
Orc
Strong warriors
Ribbet
Amphibious folk
Simiah
Ape-like beings
Ancestry Features
Each ancestry grants two ancestry features. While some features specify the anatomy of any player character of that ancestry's anatomy, players determine their characters' physical form. Work with the GM to re-flavor any implied traits that don't align with your character concept.
If you'd like to make a character who combines more than one ancestry, see "Mixed Ancestry" below.
Mixed Ancestry
Families within the world of Daggerheart are as unique as the peoples and cultures that inhabit it. Anyone's appearance and abilities can be shaped by blood, magic, proximity, or a variety of other factors.
If you decide that your character is a descendant of multiple ancestries and you want to mechanically represent that in the game, use the steps below:
1 Determine Ancestry Combination
When you choose an ancestry at character creation, write down how your character identifies themself in the Heritage section of your character sheet.
Example: If your character is descended from both goblins and orcs, you could use a hybridized term, such as "goblin-orc." To describe your ancestry, list only the ancestry you more closely identify with (e.g., just "goblin" or just "orc"), or invent a new term, such as "toothling."
2 Choose Ancestry Features
Work with your GM to choose two features from the ancestries in your character's lineage. You must choose the first feature from one ancestry and the second from another. Write both down on a notecard you can keep with your other cards or next to your character sheet.
Example: If you are making a goblin-orc, you might take the "Surefooted" and "Tusks" features or the "Sturdy" and "Danger Sense" features. You can't take both the "Surefooted" and "Sturdy" features because both are the first features listed on their respective ancestry cards.