View source for Alathra:Race Guideline

This guideline explains how to create and document a '''Minor Race''' in Alathra. All players wishing to use a minor race must follow these standards to ensure balance, consistency, and fairness in the shared world. To view the current major and minor races of Alathra visit [[Alathra:Races| Alathra Races]].

'''These guidelines are subject to change!'''

== What is a Minor Race? ==

A Minor Race is a custom subrace based on an existing major race (e.g., Elves, Dwarves, Humans), you cannot make a minor race of another minor race. It must have meaningful differences in traits, biology, culture, or history. Players creating a minor race are responsible for its lore and proper documentation on the Alathra Wiki.

Creating a Minor Race allows for creative freedom, but comes with responsibility:
* Players must first open a [https://discord.com/channels/769211588988502047/884673728846376970| Special Request ticket] on the discord before creating a Minor Race.
* The race must be fully documented on the Alathra Wiki.
* The race must have a balance of strengths and weaknesses.
* The race must not violate the lore or established limits of its parent race.
* Once created and approved, the race’s core traits cannot be changed after posting on the wiki.
** Major traits (e.g., lifespan, elemental resistances, etc)
** Biological characteristics (e.g., height range, lifespan, etc)
** Cultural foundations or societal structure
This ensures consistency and protects players who have built characters and narratives around the original race documentation. Minor edits or expansions (e.g., grammar fixes, added lore, cultural subgroups) may be made with discretion, but major revisions that would alter the race’s mechanics or player experience are not allowed once the race is approved and on the wiki. 

If all members of a Minor Race go inactive, the wiki entry will remain, but staff will not maintain or continue its role in broader canonical events.

== General Requirements ==
* Minor races must have a clear and meaningful divergence from their major race.
* Cosmetic only changes (e.g., hair color, slight aesthetic differences) are not allowed.
* Minor races must be capable of diplomacy, even if withdrawn or reluctant.
* A Minor race cannot be used to bypass limitations of the major race.
* Trait stacking (combining all positive traits of the major race + new ones) is not allowed.
* Must include a MC Skin, others reference images can be included alongside the MC Skin.
* Must be a minor race of a major race. '''Cannot''' be a minor race of another minor race. 
* The maximum allowable height for any race is 5 meters. While races can be shorter, they must not exceed this limit.

== Balance & Limitations ==

Minor Races must have a fair trade-off between abilities and drawbacks.

{| class="wikitable"
! Positive Trait !! Required Drawback (Example)
|-
| Extended lifespan || Infertility, slow reproduction, inability to use magic
|-
| Enhanced strength || Reduced dexterity, brittle bones
|-
| Magical affinity || Chance to kill the host, mana exhaustion, madness, 
|-
| Amphibious biology || Higher susceptibility to dehydration, slow land movement
|}

'''Note:''' A powerful positive must be offset by an equally impactful drawback. Minor flaws like “drinks more water” are not acceptable trade offs for major benefits.

=== Diplomacy Requirement ===
All races must be capable of interaction, negotiation, or reasoning. Races can be reclusive, antisocial, or hostile but they must still be able to engage in diplomacy if the situation calls for it.
* '''Allowed''': A secretive race that distrusts outsiders but can be reasoned with under specific conditions.
* '''Not allowed''': A race bent solely on extermination, with no capacity for communication, empathy, or negotiation.

== Required Wiki Documentation ==
Before a character using a Minor Race can be approved:

* The race must be fully documented on the Alathra Wiki using the template below.
* Staff will verify that the character matches the approved race’s traits and lore.
* If no page exists, create one and wait for another player to create one before submitting your character.
* Players must open a [https://discord.com/channels/769211588988502047/884673728846376970| Special Request ticket] on Discord before submitting a Minor Race for approval.

== Duplicate or Conflicting Races ==
If two players have similar race ideas:

* Collaboration is encouraged. Players may work together or create cultural subgroups under one page.
* If no agreement is reached, only the first version submitted in the correct format is accepted.
* The second player must either adjust their concept or create a new and distinct race.

== Lore Locking After Approval ==
Once a Minor Race is approved and added to the wiki:

* Core traits, biology, and culture cannot be changed, even by the original creator.
* This protects other players who have built characters around the original documentation.

'''Example''': A player creates a High Elf Minor Race with a 300-year lifespan. Other players build characters with this trait. The creator later wants to remove the long lifespan. This is not allowed, as it would retroactively affect other characters.

* Minor edits like grammar, added lore, or cultural expansions may be made with original creator's permission.

== Mixed-Race Characters ==

* May only take strengths from '''one''' major race.
* Must inherit weaknesses from '''both''' major races.
* Appearance is flexible, as long as it remains consistent with lore. 

=== Wiki Page Template ===
Here a template to help with creating minor race wiki page. You're not required to follow this template but you must include the same content. 

<pre>
== Race Name ==
=== Parent Race ===
(e.g., Elf, Dwarf, Human)

=== Appearance ===
Describe distinctive physical features: height, body type, skin tone, markings, clothing styles, etc.
Must include a MC Skin image, others reference images can be included alongside the MC Skin image.

=== Abilities & Behaviors ===
List strengths and weaknesses, both must be clearly explained and balanced.
Include instincts, attitudes, social behavior, etc.

=== Biology ===
* Average lifespan (Max Lifespan)
* Maturity age
* Height and weight ranges

== Culture & Beliefs ==
Describe their society, religion, philosophy, language, or traditions.

== Origin & History ==
Explain how this race diverged from its parent race.
Include major historical events, origin myths, or relevant societal shifts.

</pre>
'''Note:''' Any section omitted is assumed to be identical to the parent race by default.

== FAQ ==
'''Q: Can I create a magic-using Dwarf'''<br>
'''A:''' No. A Minor Race cannot bypass limitations of its major race.

'''Q: Can I later change my race’s biology or remove a core trait?'''<br>
'''A:''' No. Once approved, those traits are locked.

'''Q: What if someone else has a similar race idea?'''<br>  
'''A:''' You can collaborate, make a regional variant, or create a new race with different elements.

'''Q: What if my race goes inactive?'''<br>  
'''A:''' The wiki page remains, but staff will not maintain the race.

'''Note:''' Creating a Minor Race is a creative and collaborative opportunity. Think of it as planting a branch on the tree of Alathra’s lore. If you nurture it well and build connections, your race may grow to become a lasting part of the world.