Understanding Demihumans in Tabletop Role-Playing Games
In the context of tabletop role-playing games, "demihuman" is a term used to describe races that are part human but have some non-human characteristics. These can include elves, dwarves, halflings, and other fantastical creatures that are not fully human. The term "demihuman" is often used to distinguish these races from humans, who are considered the "standard" race in many tabletop RPGs.
The term "demihuman" has its roots in the early days of tabletop gaming, when games like Dungeons & Dragons were first being developed. In those early games, elves and dwarves were often depicted as being only half-human, with the other half being some kind of animal or monster. This was reflected in their abilities and characteristics, which were often limited compared to those of human characters. Over time, however, the term "demihuman" has evolved to encompass a wider range of races, including those that are fully human but have non-human ancestry or traits.
In modern tabletop RPGs, the term "demihuman" is often used more broadly to refer to any race that is not fully human. This can include elves, dwarves, halflings, and other creatures that are commonly found in fantasy settings. The term is often used interchangeably with "non-human," although some gamers may use the two terms to distinguish between races that are partially human and those that are fully non-human (such as orcs or trolls).