Race

Each empire starts with one race and can obtain additional races if it acquires a city populated by the said race.

The 10 possible physical forms for races:

• Dwarfkin
• Elfkin
• Feline
• Goblinoid
• Halfling
• Human
• Molekin
• Orcoid
• Ratkin
• Toadkin

Body traits

Each race will have a Body Trait, giving all units recruited from the race certain bonuses.

	Body trait	Effects
	Bulwark	+2 Defense Mode Defense +2 Defense Mode Resistance
	Fast Recuperation	+5 Hit Points Regeneration per Strategic Turn
	Hearty	+10 Hit Points
	Keen-Sighted	+20% Accuracy
	Quick Reflexes	-30% Enemy Ranged Accuracy
	Resilient	+3 Status Resistance
	Resistant	+2 Resistance
	Resolute	-1 turn Negative Status Effect Duration (does not affect Status Effects that last only 1 turn)
	Strong	+10% Melee Damage +10% Physical Ranged Damage
	Tough	+2 Defense
	Nightmare Mounts	+10 Hit Points for Mounted Units Mounted Units gain the Intimidating Aura ability Ruler starts with a Nightmare mount
	Spider Mounts	+10 Hit Points for Mounted Units Mounted Units gain the Web ability Ruler starts with a Spider mount
	Unicorn Mounts	+10 Hit Points for Mounted Units Mounted Units gain the Phase ability Ruler starts with a Unicorn mount
	Wolf Mounts	+10 Hit Points for Mounted Units Mounted Units gain the Enfeebling Howl ability Mounted Units gain the Pack Hunter passive ability Ruler starts with a White Wolf mount

Sidenote: "Mount" traits have unwritten effect of giving "Cavalry" property to certain culture units for cultures that don't have mounted non-scout units (Tier 3 units for High, Mystic and Industrious cultures, Tier 2 archers for Barbarian culture).

Mind traits

Each race will have a Mind Trait, giving all units or cities of the race certain bonuses.

	Mind trait	Effects
	Adaptable	+30% Experience
	Arcane Focus	+15% Magic Attack Damage
	Cold Blooded	-50% Morale Lost
	Defensive Tactics	+1 Defense when standing next to a friendly unit with the same trait (does not stack) +1 Resistance when standing next to a friendly unit with the same trait (does not stack)
	Elusive	+6 Defense against Retaliation Attacks and Opportunity Attacks +6 Resistance against Retaliation Attacks and Opportunity Attacks
	Fast Initiative	Can move 6 hexes of first Combat Turn
	Ferocious	+40% Retaliation Attack Damage +40% Opportunity Attack Damage
	Overwhelm Tactics	+20% Critical Hit Chance when standing next to a friendly unit with the same trait (does not stack)
	Sneaky	+25% Flanking Attack Damage
	Tenacious	-50% Damage penalty from casualties
	Arctic Adaptation	-2 Move Point Cost on Snow and Ice terrain Can build Farms on Snow terrain Starting regions will have Snow terrain
	Desert Adaptation	-2 Move Point Cost on Sand terrain Can build Farms on Sand terrain Starting regions will have Sand terrain
	Underground Adaptation	-2 Move Point Cost on Cavern Floor, Mushroom Forest, Fungus Fields and Rocky terrain Can build Farms on Cavern Floor terrain Starts underground Start with the Excavation empire skill
	Water Adaptation	-2 Move Point Cost on Swamp terrain Can build Farms on Swamp terrain Starting regions will have Swamp terrain

Cultures

Each race has a culture, which influences the following:

• Affinity
• Culture units
• Culture unit traits

• Culture unit enchantments extending culture unit traits to non-culture units
• Culture hero skills equivalent to culture unit traits

• Additional culture hero skill choices
• A T1 and a T2 city structure is replaced with a culture variant with modified yield
• Additional culture structures
• One unique province improvement

	Culture	Affinity	Effects	Description
	Barbarian	1 Chaos 1 Nature	Structures with Food and Draft income +8 Blight Damage on first Melee Attack Can activate the Ritual of Alacrity Army on the outpost or city hex recovers 100% of  move points, and recovers 50% of  hp or removes Exhausted. Cooldown 3  turns.	A people who thrive on war and aggression. They value strength and prefer to charge head-on into bloody battles.
	Dark	2 Shadow	Cities can negate City Stability income penalties Unique city structures granting Knowledge and extra income from Prisons and Crypts +20% Damage against units with Weakened Attacking units with Weakened grants the unit Regeneration once per turn -10 Alignment	A dictatorial civilization where the strong and ruthless dominate the weak. They use forbidden magics to maintain control and weaken their enemies.
	Feudal	1 Order 1 Nature	Structures with Food income Units deal +20% Damage when adjacent of a unit with the same culture Enables the Feudal Lord hero skills	A hierarchic society wherein lords, ladies, and knights reign over peasants. All stand together in battle when their fertile realm is threatened.
	High	2 Order	Structures have High Stability and Knowledge income Awakened Units have +4 Spirit Damage on Base Attacks Awakened Units activate any Dormant Traits +10 Alignment +25 City Stability if Pure Good alignment +10 Food and Production per City Stability Level if Neutral alignment Unit starts combat with Awakened if Pure Evil alignment	A highly devoted society whose members strive for harmony. When threatened, however, they wield their guiding light as a weapon.
	Industrious	2 Materium	Structures with Production income Once per turn each unit gains Bolstered Defense and Bolstered resistance Scout Units can Prospect in friendly or neutral provinces	Master builders who value grand cities and strong armor, preferring a defensive attitude over an aggressive one.
	Mystic	2 Astral	Structures with Mana income Units have Attunement: Star Blades Can see Astral Echoes pickups	A culture of scholars, driven to study every corner of the Astral Sea. They prefer to find answers through research and arcane prowess.

Society traits

Each race has two society traits.

	Society trait	Affinity	Effects	Starting bonus	Excludes	Description
	Chosen Uniters	Order	+10 Alignment +20% Income from Vassals +1 Rank for Shield units +1 Rank for Polearm units	Extra Shield unit or Polearm unit Diplomatic Focus Empire Skill	Ritual Cannibals Ruthless Raiders Scions of Evil	The strive to build a realm based on cooperation, but will not hesitate to defend it.
	Devotees of Good	Order	+10 Alignment +10 City Stability per Good alignment level +5 Imperium per Good alignment level +1 Rank for Support units +1 Rank for Polearm units	Extra Support unit or Polearm unit	Ritual Cannibals Ruthless Raiders Scions of Evil	They share pure intentions, compassion and an unerring devotion to the cause of Good.
	Imperialists	Order	+20 City Stability for Throne City and cities that share a border with it +20 Gold Income for Throne City and cities that share a border with it	1 Throne City Population	Adept Settlers	They are focused on the glory of their empire and the development of their cities.
	Prolific Swarmers	Chaos	-10% Food requires to grow Population -20% upkeep for non-Magic Origin units +1 Rank for tier I units	Extra tier I unit		They find their strength in fast population growth and overwhelming numbers.
	Ritual Cannibals	Chaos	-10 Alignment Units gain the Corpse Eating ability Nearest City gains +3 Food and Mana per tier of non-Magic Origin units killed or lost in a victory		Chosen Uniters Devotees of Good	The believe both in the spiritual power of life... and in the value of a good banquet.
	Ruthless Raiders	Chaos	-10 Alignment Nearest City gains +3 Draft and Gold per tier of units killed in a victory	2 Random Hero Items	Chosen Uniters Devotees of Good	They murder without remorse, more interested in loot and plunder than right or wrong.
	Chosen Destroyers	Chaos	Razing cities gives a permanent +40  gold, +20  mana, and +20  knowledge income. Cannot obtain new cities and conquered cities can only be razed. Suffer -300 relations with all free cities and empires		Chosen Uniters Devotees of Good Imperialists Adept Settlers	They are warmongers and destroyers, choosing violence over diplomacy any time they can.
	Ancient Wise Ones	Astral	When a Tome is unlocked, a random skill from it costs 60% less	1 Random Research Skill	Gifted Casters Shadow Walkers	They have been around since the start of history, homing their minds in the pursuit of arcane knowledge.
	Gifted Casters	Astral	+10 World Map Casting Points +10 Combat Casting Points -20% Combat Casting Cost	Extra Combat Spell unlocked	Ancient Wise Ones Shadow Walkers	They are blessed with an innate talent for spellcasting, rarely encountering problems that can't be solved by an abundant use of magic.
	Mana Channelers	Astral	-50% Summoning Spells Mana Cost +1 Rank for Magic Origin units	Extra Magic Origin unit		They are attuned to the Astral Flows and support their armies by channeling arcane powers.
	Adept Settlers	Nature	+1 City Cap -25% Founding Cities Imperium Cost +1 Population for new Cites	1 Throne City Population	Imperialists	They are pioneers and settlers, founding cities wherever they go.
	Experienced Seafarers	Nature	+2 Draft, Food and Gold from Fisheries -25% Cost and Upkeep for Naval units +2 Rank for Naval units	Basic Seafaring empire skill		With strong sea legs, they are unrivaled on the water and know how to dredge up extra value from its depths.
	Fabled Hunters	Nature	+100% resources from cleaning Infestation, Ancient Wonder and Resource Nodes +1 Rank for Ranged units +1 Rank for Skirmisher units	Extra Ranged unit		They are legendary hunters, excelling in ranged combat and exploration.
	Great Builders	Materium	+2 Gold from Quarries -50% Production Cost for Special Province Improvements	Workshop city structure Stone Walls city structure		They form a society of builders and makers who take pride in the things they construct.
	Runesmiths	Materium	-30% Unit Enhancement Research Cost -30% Unit Enhancement Upkeep +1 Rank for Shield units +1 Rank for Polearm units	Extra Shield unit or Polearm unit		They are legendary smiths, weaving magic into their finely crafted creations through enchantments.
	Wonder Architects	Materium	Ancient Wonders can be annexed without requiring Population Cities gain +20% production per annexed Ancient Wonders	1 nearby Ancient Wonder cleared		They are inspired by unique constructions and the Ancient Wonders of the old.
	Perfectionist Artisans	Materium	City structures cost 100% more  production but grant +1  stability and +5  gold in addition to their normal effects. +1 rank for Tier 3 units -2 city cap	Extra Tier 3 unit		They demand perfection of their artisans, taking their time to build marvels like no other.
	Powerful Evokers	Shadow	+5 Combat Casting Points per Battle Mage unit +5 Combat Casting Points per Support unit +1 Rank for Battle Mage units +1 Rank for Support units	Extra Battle Mage unit or Support unit		They emanate raw power as they release an endless barrage of destruction upon all in their path.
	Scions of Evil	Shadow	-10 Alignment +10 Draft per Evil alignment level +5 Imperium per Evil alignment level +1 Rank for all units if Pure Evil alignment +1 Rank for Shield units +1 Rank for Shock units	Extra Shield unit or Shock unit	Chosen Uniters Devotees of Good	They share a thirst for knowledge and power, thriving in their pursuit of Evil.
	Shadow Walkers	Shadow	+2 Vision Range for Cities and Provinces Scout units have universal Camouflage Outpost start with the Watchtower upgrade built	Extra Scout unit Wayfinder Enchantment is active Wayfinder Enchantment costs no upkeep	Ancient Wise Ones Gifted Casters	They are talented spies, sneaking past enemy lines to gain precious information.

Keeper

The Keeper of a race is the only empire that can apply Race Transformation spells to the race. There are three ways for an empire to become the Keeper of a race.

• If the race does not have a Keeper, the empire must control 40% of the race's  Population.
• If the race has a Keeper and no empire started with that race, the empire must control 5 more  Population from that race than the current Keeper.
• If the race is the starting race of another empire, the Keeper must be defeated first.

Race transformations

Race transformations can only be added to a race when its Keeper casts a Race Transformation spell. There are two types of race transformations: minor and major. A race can have multiple minor transformations but only one major transformation.

Minor Transformations

	Minor Transformation	Tome	Effects	Excludes
	Magical Wards	Tome of Warding ( Tier I)	+2 Lightning Resistance +2 Fire Resistance +2 Frost Resistance
	Astral Blood	Tome of Amplification (Tier II)	Attunement: Fortune, which increases Critical Hit chance when spells are cast
	Spawnkin	Tome of the Horde (Tier I)	Increased number of units in formaiton +20% damage	Supergrowth
	Reveler's Heart	Tome of the Revelry (Tier II)	+50% Morale from all sources
	Vessels of Chaos	Tome of Pandemonium (Tier III)	+10% damage for each of the target's negative status effect. Stacks up to 3 times.
	Scion of Flame	Tome of Chaos Channeling (Tier IV)	+4 Fire Resistance Vengeful Flames, which damages melee attackers Fiery Wake, which ignites flammable terrain such as Flora Obstacles Immunity to Burning
	Earthkin	Tome of Rock (Tier I)	+1 Defense Grants Rock Camouflage, which lets your units hide in rocky terrain Grants Rock Walk, which speeds your units up while transversing rocky terrain
	Steel Skin	Tome of Transmutation (Tier III)	+2 Defense +2 Blight Resistance -2 Lightning Resistance
	Goldtouched	Tome of the Golden Realm (Tier IV)	+2 Resistance +1 Gold per Population in their Cities
	Animal Kinship	Tome of Beasts (Tier I)	When adjacent to friendly Animal or Cavalry unit, they are granted: +10% damage +10% Critical Hit chance
	Leakskin	Tome of Glades (Tier II)	Forest Walk, which increases movement over Forest terrain Forest Camouflage, which makes them hard to spot on Forest terrain
	Supergrowth	Tome of Vigor (Tier III)	+10 Hit Points +1 Retaliation Attack Decreased number of unit in formation	Spawnkin
	Anointed People	Tome of Sanctuary (Tier III)	+3 Status Resistance +3 Spirit Resistance
	Joy Siphoners	Tome of the Doomherald (Tier II)	Steal 3 Morale per hit
	Frostling Transformation	Tome of the Cold Dark (Tier III)	+3 Frost Resistance Immunity to Frozen +10 Morale while on cold terrain Arctic walk, which allows them to traverse cold terrain faster

Major Transformations

	Major Transformation	Tome	Effects
	Astral Attunement	Tome of Astral Convergence (Tier IV)	PassThrough, which allows them to walk through obstacles + 1 Mana and +1 Knowledge per Population
	Demonkin	Tome of the Demon Gate (Tier IV)	Demonkin Desolate Walk, which increase movement over Desolate terrain Immunity to Burning Flying, increasing mobility Frenzy, increasing damage as they attack
	Gaia's Chosen	Tome of Paradise (Tier IV)	Plant unit type (not in tool tip) +2 Lightning Resistance -2 Blight Resistance -4 Fire Resistance Forest walk, which increase movement in Forest terrain Charge Resistance, making them strong against Shock Units Unaffected by the bonus of Charge attacks Can be countered by using Heavy Charge Strike +3 Status Resistance +20 Hit Points
	Angelize	Tome of Exaltation (Tier IV)	Celestial unit type +2 Spirit Resistance -4 Blight Resistance -4 Frost Resistance Control Lost Immunity Flying, increasing mobility Faithful, which reduces Unit Upkeep by 10%
	Wightborn	Tome of the Great Transformation (Tier III)	Undead unit type +2 Frost Resistance +2 Blight Resistance -4 Spirit Resistance -4 Fire Resistance -100% to Morale changes Immunity to Poisoned Life Steal 10 Temporary Hit Points for single attacks 5 Temporary Hit Points for repeat attacks

Destiny trait

When fulfilling certain conditions you may get an event that gives the option of activating a destiny trait for your primary race. A race may have up to two destiny traits.

Destiny trait	Trigger	Effects
Mark of the Hoard	Have 1000 or more stored  gold.	+1 Materium Affinity. -1 Gold per Population. +1 city stability per 50 stored Gold, up to a maximum of +30 at 1500 stored Gold.
Mark of the Conflux	Have 1000 or more stored  mana.	+1 Astral Affinity. -1 Mana per Population. +1 city stability per 35 stored Mana, up to a maximum of +30 at 1050 stored Mana.
Mark of the Dove	No battles for 5 turns while not being in any offensive wars?	+10 Alignment. Cities of this Race gain +2 City Stability for each Population. Units of this Race earn -50% Experience in combat.
Mark of the Butcher	8 or more recent battles while having a large amount of stored  imperium?	-10 Alignment. Cities of this Race lose -2 City Stability for each Population. Units of this Race earn +50% Experience in combat.
Mark of the Owl	High  knowledge income and at least 3 ancient wonders.	+1 Shadow Affinity. Cities of this race gain +15 Knowledge from cleared Ancient Wonders in their Domain. Cities of this race have -20 City Stability when there is no cleared Ancient Wonder in their Domain.
Mark of the Otter	Have at least 5 animal units, which must make up at least 25% of your total units.	+1 Nature Affinity Cities of this race gain +5 City Stability for each friendly Animal unit within their domain up to a maximum of +30 City Stability. Cities of this race have -20 City Stability when there is no friendly Animal unit within their domain.
Mark of the Tower	Have high Imperium and at most 3 cities, at least one of which is tier 4.	+1 Order Affinity Cities of this race with City Tier 3 or higher generate +5 Imperium Cities of this race with City Tier 2 or lower generate -10 Imperium