← Human VersionAI CurriculumIntent SpecConventions SpecDice SpecStats SpecLuck SpecResolution SpecActions SpecEconomy SpecAbilities SpecEntities SpecClasses SpecRaces SpecProgression SpecChar Creation SpecMovement SpecCombat SpecEquipment SpecAoE SpecDamage SpecMounts SpecCrafting SpecMass Combat SpecGlossaryCore# TDGS RACES - AI REFERENCEDocument 11 | Structured specification for AI parsing
## RACE DEFINITIONRACE_DEFINITION:
  - A Race represents inherent nature, biology, and inborn capability
  - Class is what you've BECOME
  - Race is what you ARE

RACES_PROVIDE: [
  "Innate Traits (including natural weapons and armor)",
  "Base Stat Ranges (starting limits)",
  "Size",
  "Slots (equipment locations)"
]
## RACE STRUCTURErace: {
    name: string,
    size: string,
    description: string,
    
    base_stat_ranges: {
        str: {min: integer, max: integer},
        dex: {min: integer, max: integer},
        con: {min: integer, max: integer},
        int: {min: integer, max: integer},
        wis: {min: integer, max: integer},
        cha: {min: integer, max: integer},
        ref: {min: integer, max: integer},
        mov: {min: integer, max: integer},
        luk: {min: integer, max: integer}
    },
    
    slots: {
        [location: string]: integer  // e.g., "head": 1, "finger": 10
    },
    
    natural_weapons: [
        {name: string, damage: string}  // "+5" or "+1d6" or "+2 + 1d4"
    ],
    
    natural_armor: [
        {name: string, deflection: float}  // 0.0 to 0.75
    ],
    
    traits: [string]
}
## STAT RANGE RULESSTAT_RANGES: Starting Limits Only

Characters START within racial stat ranges.
Training, items, and class bonuses can exceed later.

Example:
  Human STR range: 6-14
  Human starts with STR 6-14
  Human can later exceed 14 through advancement
## HUMAN BASELINEHUMAN_BASELINE:
  average_stat: 10
  typical_range: 6-14

All other races compared to Human:
  "Stronger than Human" = higher STR range
  "Less intelligent than Human" = lower INT range
## LUK RANGEDEFAULT_LUK_RANGE: -3 to +3

Most races use default.
Exceptions noted in race definition.

Examples:
  Leprechaun: +2 to +6 (inherently lucky)
  Cursed Bloodline: -6 to -2 (inherently unlucky)
## SLOTSSLOTS:
  - Define where equipment CAN be worn/wielded
  - Races determine available slots
  - Non-humanoids may have different slot layouts

STANDARD_HUMANOID_SLOTS: {
    "head": 1,
    "face": 1,
    "ears": 2,
    "neck": 1,
    "torso": 1,
    "back": 1,
    "arm": 2,
    "hand": 2,
    "finger": 10,
    "waist": 1,
    "leg": 2,
    "foot": 2
}
// Total: 26 slots

DRAGON_SLOTS: {
    "head": 1,
    "face": 1,
    "ears": 2,
    "neck": 1,
    "torso": 1,
    "back": 1,
    "wing": 2,
    "foreleg": 2,
    "claw": 4,
    "hindleg": 2,
    "tail": 1
}
// No finger/hand slots (claws can't manipulate fine objects)
## NATURAL WEAPONSNATURAL_WEAPONS:
  - Listed as race traits
  - Using natural weapon is an action
  - Cannot combine with held weapon in same attack
  - Damage can be flat (+5) or dice (+1d6) or both (+2 + 1d4)

Example:
  dragon.natural_weapons = [
    {name: "Claws", damage: "+2d6"},
    {name: "Bite", damage: "+3d6"},
    {name: "Tail Sweep", damage: "+1d8"}
  ]
## NATURAL ARMORNATURAL_ARMOR:
  - Listed as race traits
  - STACKS with worn armor
  - Respects 75% deflection cap

Example:
  dragon.natural_armor = [
    {name: "Dragon Scales", deflection: 0.40}
  ]
  
  // Dragon (40%) + Chain Mail (30%) = 70% deflection
  // Dragon (40%) + Plate (50%) = 75% deflection (capped)
## TEMPLATE RACESRaceSizePower LevelKey Traits
HumanMediumBaselineAdaptable, Versatile
ElfMediumBaseline+Darkvision, Longevity, Arcane Affinity
DwarfMediumBaseline+Darkvision, Poison Resistance, Sturdy
OrcMediumBaseline+Intimidating Presence, Relentless
GoblinSmallLowDarkvision, Cowardly, Nimble Escape
DragonGargantuanHighFlight, Breath Weapon, Frightening Presence
// HUMAN EXAMPLE (BASELINE)
{
    "name": "Human",
    "size": "Medium",
    "base_stat_ranges": {
        "str": {"min": 6, "max": 14},
        "dex": {"min": 6, "max": 14},
        "con": {"min": 6, "max": 14},
        "int": {"min": 6, "max": 14},
        "wis": {"min": 6, "max": 14},
        "cha": {"min": 6, "max": 14},
        "ref": {"min": 6, "max": 14},
        "mov": {"min": 8, "max": 12},
        "luk": {"min": -3, "max": 3}
    },
    "slots": {
        "head": 1, "face": 1, "ears": 2, "neck": 1,
        "torso": 1, "back": 1, "arm": 2, "hand": 2,
        "finger": 10, "waist": 1, "leg": 2, "foot": 2
    },
    "natural_weapons": [],
    "natural_armor": [],
    "traits": ["Adaptable", "Versatile"],
    "power_level": "baseline"
}

// DRAGON EXAMPLE (HIGH POWER)
{
    "name": "Dragon",
    "size": "Gargantuan",
    "base_stat_ranges": {
        "str": {"min": 30, "max": 50},
        "dex": {"min": 15, "max": 25},
        "con": {"min": 35, "max": 55},
        "int": {"min": 15, "max": 25},
        "wis": {"min": 15, "max": 25},
        "cha": {"min": 20, "max": 40},
        "ref": {"min": 15, "max": 25},
        "mov": {"min": 20, "max": 35},
        "luk": {"min": -3, "max": 3}
    },
    "slots": {
        "head": 1, "face": 1, "ears": 2, "neck": 1,
        "torso": 1, "back": 1, "wing": 2, "foreleg": 2,
        "claw": 4, "hindleg": 2, "tail": 1
    },
    "natural_weapons": [
        {"name": "Claws", "damage": "+2d6"},
        {"name": "Bite", "damage": "+3d6"},
        {"name": "Tail Sweep", "damage": "+1d8"}
    ],
    "natural_armor": [
        {"name": "Dragon Scales", "deflection": 0.40}
    ],
    "traits": ["Flight", "Breath Weapon", "Frightening Presence", 
               "Elemental Affinity", "Ancient Knowledge"],
    "power_level": "high"
}
## POWER SPECTRUMPOWER_LEVELS:
  low:      Goblin (cannon fodder, underdog PCs)
  baseline: Human (default, versatile)
  baseline+: Elf, Dwarf, Orc (specialized but balanced)
  high:     Dragon (boss monster, special PCs)

// TDGS doesn't assume balanced parties
// System handles any combination
## TRANSFORMATIONTRANSFORMATION_RULES:
  When entity changes race:
  1. Stats may change to fit new racial ranges
  2. Racial Traits swap (lose old, gain new)
  3. Class abilities persist (may become Dormant if impossible)
  4. Power Tier recalculates based on new stats

// Race is what you ARE right now
// What you ARE can change
## RACE DESIGN QUESTIONSRACE_DESIGN_CHECKLIST: [
    "1. IDENTITY: What IS this race? (core physical/mental truth)",
    "2. COMPARISON: How does it compare to Human baseline?",
    "3. TRADEOFFS: Where does it excel? Where does it fall short?",
    "4. TRAITS: What 2-4 traits capture its essence?",
    "5. NATURAL_EQUIPMENT: Does it have natural weapons/armor?",
    "6. SIZE: How big is it?",
    "7. SLOTS: What equipment locations does it have?"
]
## KEY CONSTANTSHUMAN_AVERAGE = 10
HUMAN_TYPICAL_RANGE = {min: 6, max: 14}
DEFAULT_LUK_RANGE = {min: -3, max: 3}
DEFLECTION_CAP = 0.75
NATURAL_ARMOR_STACKS = true
STAT_RANGES_ARE_STARTING_LIMITS = true
## DESIGN NOTESDESIGN_PRINCIPLES: {
    "stat_ranges_starting_only": true,   // Can exceed through advancement
    "human_is_baseline": true,           // Average 10, compare others to Human
    "natural_weapons_are_traits": true,  // Use as action, don't stack with held
    "natural_armor_stacks": true,        // With worn armor, 75% cap
    "luk_default_neg3_to_pos3": true,    // Exceptions noted per race
    "damage_can_be_dice": true,          // "+5", "+1d6", or "+2 + 1d4"
    "templates_are_examples": true,      // Not canonical content
    "power_imbalance_intentional": true, // Goblin vs Dragon is valid
    "slots_define_equipment_locations": true,  // Races define where gear goes
    "standard_humanoid_26_slots": true   // Non-humanoids may differ
}
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Race	Size	Power Level	Key Traits
Human	Medium	Baseline	Adaptable, Versatile
Elf	Medium	Baseline+	Darkvision, Longevity, Arcane Affinity
Dwarf	Medium	Baseline+	Darkvision, Poison Resistance, Sturdy
Orc	Medium	Baseline+	Intimidating Presence, Relentless
Goblin	Small	Low	Darkvision, Cowardly, Nimble Escape
Dragon	Gargantuan	High	Flight, Breath Weapon, Frightening Presence