Fantasy Races (DnD or otherwise) with strong backstory and culture

[Graf]

So race really refers to two things in DnD right now
1. A meta-template that each character selects at character creation providing a suite of mechanical traits.
2. A roleplaying construct about your character (i.e. I’m a dwarf, I drink beer and never retreat from battle no matter the odds).

In DnD theoretically speaking the mechanics of the different races are balanced against each other either by being roughly equivalent or through the ECL system (where you have to pay for the power of the race by giving up a level).
Opinions differ as to how effective this system is but his thread isn’t about mechanics; the roleplaying background, etc. of a race.

So what races stand out in your mind as having an excellent backstory, different-but-interesting culture and strong imagery?

To my mind there are several standouts
Skaven: a classic, there have been several Warhammer novels from the Skaven point of view and there is a strong emphasis on the non-human psyche.
Slitheren from the Scarred Lands (one of the only sub-race concepts I’ve seen that I found interesting from a roleplaying standpoint)
Droamite from the Expanded Psionics Handbook (information about them is scant)

Others?

 

[demiurge1138]

I'm a huge fan of kenku, as presented in Monster Manual III and Dragon 329. Sneaky thieves cursed by Pazuzu with the ability to mimic any sound? Sold. The racial abilities centering around teamwork (flanking, improved aid another) are nice, too, especially considering their race's tendancy to be insular and band together to make a living for themselves in an urban world hostile to them (to be fair, they're hostile right back).

Demiurge out.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The Wolfen from Palladium rpg simply rock. Whereas the typical take on wolf-humanoids are medium sized, those babies are 8'+ tall with the speed of elves and the strength of ogres- much like the Wolfen from the Confrontation Miniatures wargame.

Dremmen did a thread on converting them... http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=138099:uhoh:

 

[Graf]

Just three huh?
I actually liked the Kenku quite a bit from an image standpoint.

I liked the Wolfen too, but I don't like the three-races-as-one thing. Too much like elvin subraces for me. they had some great pictures though.

 

[Hussar]

Heh, if you liked Skaven, it's not terribly surprising you'd like slitheren. Although, mechanically, they are brutal. IIRC, +8 str and no LA. Yes please.

I've always like Aaroakokra. Dunno why, just do.

Kobolds have certainly seen a whole lot of loving in recent years.

Speaking of Scarred Lands, the Gnolls in SL were really cool.

 

[shilsen]

I think some of the standard races in Eberron are pretty good. And what KB did with gnomes is just freaking brilliant.

 

[TheAranan]

I'm fairly partial to the Warforged. I had been tinkering with a PC intelligent golem race for a while when I heard about the Warforged being released in Eberron. I like how they function mechanics-wise and their default Eberron fluff is really interesting.

However, my favorite race has to be Illithids.

 

[Kid Socrates]

I'm really impressed with the Eberron take on gnomes, and the warforged, and the elves.

The World of Warcraft RPG's goblins are also inspired, and really all the races from that line, as there's so much history already in place it's astounding.

 

[The_Gneech]

Assuming we're talking outside the realm of elves and dwarves here, Tunnels & Trolls had fairies as a player race, which I always thought was a neat idea. I also rather liked the liontaur race from the Quest For Glory crpg, but then I'm biased in that regard.

-The Gneech