“The Origins of Humanoids” is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.
Many have wondered if and how the various humanoid species are related.
The Elf Hypothesis
Elvish tradition claims they gained sapience first, followed by humans and Dwarfs. Others emerged as blends or mutations of those three species. Traditionally, Elves do not recognize the Elvish or Orcish lineage of Half-Elves or Half-Orcs, considering them merely variant humans.
Dwarfs hold to a similar theory but dispute the ordering.
The Khosridates Hypothesis
The ancient philosopher Khosridates believed that all humanoid species came from a pre-humanoid ancestor. His disciples and followers used the prevalence of Primal Blood in humanoids to argue for this hypothesis. Below are their presumed relationships between known humanoids, and his speculations about the peoples of the Primordial Age.
Most people took great exception to Khosridates ideas, and his followers had to go into hiding.
The Anaxillius Hypothesis
Meanwhile, Anaxillius opined that the Elvish hypothesis was mostly correct, but Elves, Dwarfs, and Humans (among others) did come from an Ur-Humanoid species just as Khosridates suggested.
Anaxillius, an expert on Primordial Artifacts despite not having Primal Blood, believed the Primordials were not even remotely humanoid. Instead they introduced Primal Blood into humanoids as servants, to assist them in using their artifacts. He and countless others searched for one of these devices, to no avail.
Anaxillius went further to claim all species had been created by the Primordials. Some say he died as a raving lunatic in the streets.