D&D 5E If not the word "race", what word instead?

[doctorbadwolf]

You are missing the purpose of Newspeak. Reported to Minitrue for doubleplusungood. Also, equating race to biology is a thoughtcrime. Everyone knows race is a social construct. Right, bb?

There are other books.

 

[Hriston]

Species doesn't work because, clearly, humans, elves, and orcs are all the same species.

 

[Hriston]

Tolkien used the word peoples which I think is a good precedent to follow.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I am not too opposed to race in this context because it does not distinguish between different human people but between elves and orcs and humans.
But I do see that the name "race" has a very ugly history, especially here in germany and I think replacing it is a good idea. The only term in the list i really like is species. I could live with folk or people.
I do not like ethnic group and the like because this is what I would use to differentiate between different human or elven cultures.

 

[bedir than]

It can't be Kin, because that's a key grouping in my world. The Kin are the people whose power is familiarity and family. The Ken are the people who know - the magic types.

 

[Charlaquin]

People as the general-use term for what is currently called “race” in the game, folk as a synonym to use in the prose, and culture for what is currently called “subrace.”

 

[DEFCON 1]

I think "Marshal" makes more sense, because "Warlord" denotes that the character is lording over the rest of the party and is in charge, when it fact they aren't--

-- Oh, sorry. What? That's not--? Heh, ah, well... wrong word choice argument I see. My mistake. Carry on.

 

[MGibster]

Tolkien used the word peoples which I think is a good precedent to follow.

I prefer peoples to all other options presented.

 

[Ed_Laprade]

Species doesn't work because, clearly, humans, elves, and orcs are all the same species.

Exactly.

 

[Eltab]

Species, while not technically correct (half-elves, half-orcs exist) is close.
Kind might work to describe the desired concept.

Unlike IRL "races", the different races in D&D do not come from a common ancestor. In most cases, each origin is an act of divine intervention.