Race Schema Reference

Complete field reference for race and subrace entries in the extracted 5etools data format.

File Location

• Path: {book}/races/{source}.json
• Fluff: {book}/races/fluff-{source}.json
• Images: {book}/img/races/{source}/

JSON Structure

{
  "race": [
    {
      // race objects
    }
  ],
  "subrace": [
    {
      // subrace objects
    }
  ]
}

Core Fields

Required Fields

• name (string) - Race name (e.g., “Dwarf”, “Elf”, “Human”)
• source (string) - Source book abbreviation (PHB, VGM, etc.)
• size (array) - Size categories (typically [“M”] for Medium)
• speed (number/object) - Movement speed(s)
• entries (array) - Racial trait descriptions

Optional Core Fields

• page (number) - Page number in source book
• srd (boolean) - Available in System Reference Document
• basicRules (boolean) - Available in basic rules
• hasFluff (boolean) - Has associated lore text
• hasFluffImages (boolean) - Has associated artwork
• soundClip (object) - Audio pronunciation reference

Ability Scores (ability)

Array of ability score modifications:

// Fixed bonuses
[
  {
    "str": 2,
    "con": 1
  }
]

// Choice-based bonuses
[
  {
    "choose": {
      "from": ["str", "dex", "con", "int", "wis", "cha"],
      "count": 2,
      "amount": 1
    }
  }
]

// Mixed bonuses
[
  {
    "cha": 2,
    "choose": {
      "from": ["str", "dex", "con", "int", "wis"],
      "count": 1,
      "amount": 1
    }
  }
]

Age (age)

Maturity and lifespan information:

{
  "mature": 18,      // Age of maturity
  "max": 100         // Maximum typical age
}

Size and Physical Traits

Size Categories

• "T" - Tiny
• "S" - Small
• "M" - Medium
• "L" - Large
• "V" - Varies (with choice)

Height and Weight (heightAndWeight)

{
  "baseHeight": 56,    // Base height in inches
  "heightMod": "2d10", // Height modifier roll
  "baseWeight": 110,   // Base weight in pounds
  "weightMod": "2d4"   // Weight multiplier
}

Speed (speed)

Movement capabilities:

// Simple speed
30

// Complex speed with multiple types
{
  "walk": 30,
  "fly": 50,
  "swim": 30,
  "climb": 30,
  "burrow": 20
}

// Conditional speed
{
  "walk": 25,
  "condition": "(35 ft. in light armor)"
}

Languages (languageProficiencies)

Known and learnable languages:

[
  {
    "common": true,
    "dwarvish": true
  }
]

// With choices
[
  {
    "common": true,
    "anyStandard": 1  // Choose 1 standard language
  }
]

Racial Traits (entries)

Array of trait descriptions:

[
  {
    "type": "entries",
    "name": "Darkvision",
    "entries": [
      "You can see in dim light within 60 feet..."
    ]
  },
  {
    "type": "entries",
    "name": "Dwarven Resilience",
    "entries": [
      "You have advantage on saving throws against poison..."
    ]
  }
]

Special Abilities

Damage Resistance (resist)

[
  "poison",
  {
    "resist": ["fire"],
    "condition": "from spells"
  }
]

Damage Immunity (immune)

[
  "poison",
  "disease"
]

Condition Immunities (conditionImmune)

[
  "poisoned",
  "charmed"
]

Senses (senses)

[
  {
    "type": "darkvision",
    "range": 60
  },
  {
    "type": "tremorsense",
    "range": 30
  }
]

Skill and Tool Proficiencies

Skill Proficiencies (skillProficiencies)

[
  {
    "perception": true,
    "stealth": true
  }
]

// With expertise
[
  {
    "perception": true,
    "expertise": true
  }
]

Tool Proficiencies (toolProficiencies)

[
  {
    "smith's tools": true,
    "brewer's supplies": true,
    "mason's tools": true
  }
]

Weapon/Armor Proficiencies (weaponProficiencies, armorProficiencies)

{
  "weaponProficiencies": [
    {
      "battleaxe|phb": true,
      "handaxe|phb": true,
      "throwing hammer|phb": true,
      "warhammer|phb": true
    }
  ]
}

Trait Tags (traitTags)

Standardized trait categories for filtering:

• "Amphibious" - Can breathe air and water
• "Armor Proficiency" - Grants armor proficiencies
• "Damage Resistance" - Has damage resistances
• "Darkvision" - Has darkvision
• "Improved Resting" - Modified rest mechanics
• "Monstrous Race" - Non-standard player race
• "Natural Armor" - Has natural armor
• "Natural Weapon" - Has natural weapons
• "Powerful Build" - Counts as larger size
• "Skill Proficiency" - Grants skill proficiencies
• "Spellcasting" - Has innate spellcasting
• "Tool Proficiency" - Grants tool proficiencies
• "Weapon Proficiency" - Grants weapon proficiencies

Subrace Structure

Core Subrace Fields

{
  "name": "Hill Dwarf",
  "source": "PHB",
  "raceName": "Dwarf",        // Parent race
  "raceSource": "PHB",         // Parent race source
  "ability": [
    {
      "wis": 1
    }
  ],
  "entries": [
    {
      "type": "entries",
      "name": "Dwarven Toughness",
      "entries": [
        "Your hit point maximum increases by 1..."
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Subrace Overrides

Subraces can override or add to base race features:

• Additional ability scores
• Modified speed
• Extra proficiencies
• New traits
• Different size

Fluff Linkage

Race Fluff (fluff-{source}.json)

{
  "raceFluff": [
    {
      "name": "Dwarf",           // Must match race name
      "source": "PHB",           // Must match race source
      "entries": [
        {
          "type": "quote",
          "entries": ["..."],
          "by": "Bruenor Battlehammer"
        },
        "Kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur...",
        {
          "type": "entries",
          "name": "Short and Stout",
          "entries": ["Bold and hardy..."]
        }
      ],
      "images": [
        {
          "type": "image",
          "href": {
            "type": "internal",
            "path": "races/PHB/Dwarf.webp"
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Example Race Entry

{
  "name": "Dwarf",
  "source": "PHB",
  "page": 18,
  "srd": true,
  "basicRules": true,
  "size": ["M"],
  "speed": 25,
  "ability": [
    {
      "con": 2
    }
  ],
  "age": {
    "mature": 50,
    "max": 350
  },
  "darkvision": 60,
  "resist": ["poison"],
  "weaponProficiencies": [
    {
      "battleaxe|phb": true,
      "handaxe|phb": true,
      "light hammer|phb": true,
      "warhammer|phb": true
    }
  ],
  "toolProficiencies": [
    {
      "choose": {
        "from": [
          "smith's tools|phb",
          "brewer's supplies|phb",
          "mason's tools|phb"
        ],
        "count": 1
      }
    }
  ],
  "languageProficiencies": [
    {
      "common": true,
      "dwarvish": true
    }
  ],
  "traitTags": [
    "Damage Resistance",
    "Darkvision",
    "Tool Proficiency",
    "Weapon Proficiency"
  ],
  "heightAndWeight": {
    "baseHeight": 44,
    "heightMod": "2d4",
    "baseWeight": 115,
    "weightMod": "2d6"
  },
  "entries": [
    {
      "name": "Age",
      "type": "entries",
      "entries": [
        "Dwarves mature at the same rate as humans..."
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Size",
      "type": "entries",
      "entries": [
        "Dwarves stand between 4 and 5 feet tall..."
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Darkvision",
      "entries": [
        "Accustomed to life underground..."
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Dwarven Resilience",
      "entries": [
        "You have advantage on saving throws against poison..."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "hasFluff": true,
  "hasFluffImages": true
}