Ethically-Informed Race Creation Forms

Race Basics Form

1. General Overview:
   Race Name: Enter the official designation for this race. Consider cultural significance and linguistic origins.

Reflective Overview on Ethical and Cultural Awareness

• In a few sentences, summarize your approach to creating this race with an emphasis on ethical and cultural considerations. How have you strived for respectful and accurate representation?

Encouragement for Detailed Exploration:• We recommend delving deeper into these considerations. Please refer to our comprehensive section on “Ethical and Cultural Awareness in Race Creation” for a more detailed exploration of these vital aspects. This section will guide you through a series of reflective questions and prompts to ensure a thoughtful and respectful approach to race creation.

Primary Habitat: Provide a synopsis of the race’s preferred living conditions and geographical preferences, including climate and terrain.
Appearance Summary: Describe the distinguishing physical features, typical stature, and common physical expressions of the race.

2. Core Attributes:
   Strengths: Detail the race’s innate advantages, such as resilience, intelligence, agility, or magical affinity. Reflect on how these strengths impact their survival and culture.
   Weaknesses: Identify inherent disadvantages or susceptibilities that the race might have, which could include physical frailty, sensitivity to certain elements, or social vulnerabilities.
   Special Abilities: Enumerate any unique or supernatural abilities intrinsic to the race, like enhanced senses, shape-shifting, or innate spellcasting capabilities.
3. Cultural Snapshot:
   Societal Structure: Give an overview of the race’s societal organization, including hierarchies, governance, and communal living arrangements.
   Key Traditions or Beliefs: Spotlight the central cultural practices, significant beliefs, and ethical standards that are integral to the race’s identity.
   Common Interests: List prevalent pastimes, collective pursuits, or cultural hobbies that are widespread within the race.
4. Interaction Overview:
   Preferred Communication Style: Describe the race’s typical methods of communication, whether it be verbal language, telepathy, sign language, or other forms.
   Usual Stance on Outsiders: Summarize the race’s general attitude toward interaction with other races, ranging from xenophobic to welcoming.
   Common Conflict Approaches: Characterize the customary ways in which the race handles disputes, whether through diplomacy, avoidance, or combat.
5. Basic History & Mythology:
   Origin Story: Sum up the mythos or known history surrounding the race’s origins and early existence.
   Historical Milestones: List significant events that have shaped the race’s development and place in the world.
6. Initial Goals & Aspirations:
   Short-term Objectives: Outline immediate aims and endeavors the race is collectively working towards in the near future.
   Long-term Vision: Define the race’s grand aspirations, societal dreams, and their desired legacy for future generations.

Subrace: [Name of Subrace]

1. Subrace Overview
   Subrace Name: [Name, considering cultural significance and linguistic origins]
   Primary Habitat: [Describe the specific environmental preferences of this subrace, including climate, terrain, and any unique geographical features of their preferred habitat.]
   Appearance Characteristics: [Detail the unique physical features of this subrace, noting any specific variations from the main race, such as fur patterns, coloration, or other traits.]
2. Distinct Attributes
   Strengths: [List the unique strengths or advantages of this subrace, like specialized abilities or adaptations to their habitat.]
   Weaknesses: [Identify any specific vulnerabilities or challenges this subrace faces, which could include environmental sensitivities or social dynamics.]
   Special Abilities: [Detail any unique abilities or skills that set this subrace apart, such as specialized shape-shifting capabilities, magic affinity, or enhanced senses.]
3. Cultural and Social Structure
   Societal Organization: [Describe the social and familial structures, leadership, and governance specific to this subrace.]
   Cultural Practices and Beliefs: [Highlight key cultural practices, beliefs, rituals, or traditions that are central to this subrace’s identity.]
   Recreational Activities: [List common hobbies, pastimes, or cultural pursuits that are popular within this subrace.]
4. Interaction and Communication
   Communication Styles: [Explain how this subrace typically communicates, noting any unique languages, non-verbal cues, or telepathic abilities.]
   Relations with Outsiders: [Summarize this subrace’s general attitude and approach toward interaction with other races or subraces.]
   Conflict Resolution: [Describe how this subrace typically handles disputes or conflicts, both internally and with outsiders.]
5. History and Mythology
   Origin and Development: [Provide a brief history or mythological background specific to this subrace, detailing how they diverged or evolved from the main race.]
   Historical Conflicts and Alliances: [Mention any significant historical events that have shaped this subrace, including conflicts, alliances, or major societal changes.]
6. Current Goals and Challenges
   Immediate Objectives: [Outline the current, short-term goals or initiatives this subrace is pursuing.]
   Long-term Aspirations: [Define the broader, long-term aspirations and dreams of this subrace, including their vision for their community and legacy.]

Ethical and Cultural Awareness in Race Creation

This section is dedicated to ensuring respectful and accurate representation of races in your storytelling. Please consider and address the following points:

1. Cultural Sensitivity and Representation • Describe how you’ve ensured the race’s portrayal is respectful and avoids stereotypes. • Have you consulted any cultural experts or members of a similar real-world community? If so, how did their input shape your race’s portrayal?

2. Diversity within the Race • Explain how your race includes diverse representations and avoids monolithic characterizations. • How do individual variations within the race reflect a broader spectrum of personalities and experiences?

3. Historical and Mythological Influences • Detail any real-world historical or mythological influences on your race’s development. • How have these influences been adapted to respect their origins while fitting into your story’s universe?

4. Inter-Racial Dynamics and Relations • Describe the dynamics between your race and others within your story’s universe. • How does this race perceive and interact with others, and what historical or cultural factors influence these interactions?

5. Evolution and Change Over Time • Discuss how you envision this race evolving culturally, socially, and physically over time within your story. • How do historical events, inter-racial relations, and internal developments contribute to this evolution?

6. Personal Reflection • Reflect on your own process in creating this race. What challenges did you face in ensuring ethical and culturally aware representation? • How has this process influenced your approach to character and race creation moving forward?