Only playable races are you usual core races minus half orcs. The kingdom is predominantly human with elves coming from kingdoms folded in time and space in the Imperial Forest. These elves are left alone due to their power and the fact the empire, despite all their spying, still cant figure out where they come from so its best to be on good terms with them. They are reminiscent of feudal japan.
The Dwarves live in the Quinnbern mountains in the west and are left to their own devices since they trade large amounts of minerals and metals to the empire. They are norse typically in appearance and culture.
The Halflings are a curious people with wanderlust and no one knows where they come from, not even them. They are the gypsies of my world, with most traveling in groups and setting up temporary hamlets they operate from. They are natural born magic users for the most part, but many never get past a few illusions and magic tricks to make a quick coin.
Half elves are not abundant but most people consider them human enough, while the elves avoid them at all cost.
The gnomes are master craftsman of practically every trade, spending decades to purely master the art of napkin folding or knot making. The gnomes live in hills kept hidden from predators and love to throw nonlethal traps around to deter enemies. The Empire utilize gnomes to craft masterwork arquebus's and mechanical devices since the dwarves won't share their knowledge.