Player Options, Playable Races

of Krynn, Dawn of War

Information about the playable races of the setting and limitations incurred when selecting them.
The history of Krynn is filled with strief and catastrophes and this has shared the people of Krynn and caused them to adopt different customs than their brethren on other worlds. Also even though the world of Krynn contains fantastical, mythical and magical beings, the races of Krynn as fairly limited compared to many other worlds. Furthermore, the campaign setting starts in the Kalaman region of Solamnia in the north western part of Ansalon, which is predominantly inhabitted by humans.
So let us go through the list of the playable races of the settings and their limitations if chosen.

Humans

The most ubiquitous people of Krynn, humans have formed several nations on the continent of Ansalon and make up the primary military might through sheer strength of numbers. Ranging from the nomadic Plainsfolk of northern Abanasinian to the more prosperous people of Solamnia, the humans of Krynn have survived, adapted, and thrived throughout all of the terrible events that have marred their history.
Humans would be the default choice for the setting and have no special limitations.

Dwarves

Both mountain dwarves and hill dwarves exist in the lands of Krynn, though they share a dislike for one another that stems back to a battle between their clans around the time of the Cataclysm. The mountain dwarves closed the gates of their underground kingdom after the fiery mountain devastated the continent of Ansalon, leaving the hill dwarves—who worked the land and traded with other surface folk—high and dry. Since then, mountain dwarves have become a reclusive people, with only some venturing to the surface since the Cataclysm 300 years ago. Hill dwarves, on the other hand, have learned to survive in harsh lands and among other folk.
Hill dwarves are a playable character races and they are know to travel the lands of Ansalon, so it is not unreasonable for one to be present in the Kalaman region. Hill dwarves will be slightly frowned apon in certain areas for Solamnia, but without any severe impact on gameplay.
Mountain dwarves are very reclusive in the periode of the setting and it is therefore unlikely for one to venture to the Kalaman region. Playing one is not strictly bared, but would therefore require significant background work to make sure the reasoning is plausible and prepared for NPC's probing.

Elves

Over time the elves of Krynn have formed several distinct sub-races: Silvanesti, Qualinesti, Kagonesti, Dimernesti and Dagonesti.
Silvanesti is said to be the original elven kingdom and was the elves' center of power for untold generations. For many years high elves of Silvanesti kept themselves secluded in their home forrest.
Qualinesti elves are another group of high elves that follow more relaxed societal practices. They are less hierarchical than the Silvanesti, which has resulted in better relationships with outsiders.
Kagonesti wood elves descended from elves that departed the lands of Silvanesti and sought a more harmonious relationship with nature.
Both Dimernesti and Dagonesti are hidden sea elven nations at the time of the setting and are not available to play.
Of the elves, Qualinesti, is the most likely player race as they are the one with the best relationship with other races. It would certainly not be common to see a Qualinesti travel the lands of Kalaman region, but still possible with the right story in place.
Both the Silvanesti and Kagonesti are very unlikely to find themselves in the Kalaman region and would therefore require a very good story to explain why they are therefore and more so why they would stay with the party. So while they are not strictly bared from play, they are very unlikely candidates.
The sea elves of Dimernesti and Dagonesti are not available as a playable race in the setting.

Gnomes

Gnomes on Krynn are typically associated with Mount Nevermind, a hollow, dormant volcano that houses the gnome's many experiments. Here, rock gnomes devise, create, and tinker with countless wondrous (and dangerous) inventions. While forest gnomes exist, they are rarer than their rock gnome cousins and prefer to seek harmony between nature and science rather than pursue endless innovation.
While gnomes are not common in the most lands of Ansalon, they are playable with the right background story.

Kender

Curious, inventive, and at times legendary knick-knack collectors, the kender are a new player option in Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen. These folk have ancestral ties to gnomes and can be found throughout Krynn. Since Kender are known for their traveling nature, they are not very uncommon visitors to the Kalaman region. However, because of their unique view of the concept of possession, they are unwelcome in many social situations.
Kenders are allowed as a playable race, however since they are not tolerated in many situations by many cultures, playing one will impose several social limitations and challenges the player must be prepared for.

Mixed race

Humans have been known to breed with other races producing race-combinations with a human component and a component from the other race. Of the many possible combinations, only two are playable races in the setting; human-qualinest and human-dwarves combinations.
As in may settings mixed-race characters will faced the situation of being outsiders where ever the go, but otherwise they are not further limited.

Other races

There are several other races in the world of Krynn and on the continent of Ansalon, like Minotaurs, Irda, Ogres, Centaurs etc. but these races are not playable in the setting.

The TL;DR ...

• Human: normal
• Dwarves, Hill: uncommon
• Dwarves, Mountain: rare
• Elves, Qualinesti: uncommon
• Elves, Silvanesti: rare
• Elves, Kagonesti: rare
• Gnomes, Rock: uncommon
• Gnomes, Forest: uncommon
• Kender: uncommon
• Mixed race: uncommon
• Other races: not allowed