Races of Stone is an optional sourcebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...

fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 role-playing game

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

.

Contents

It focuses on gnomes

Gnome (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are more tolerant of other races and of magic, and are skilled with illusions...

, dwarves

Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...

, and a new race, called goliaths

Goliath (Dungeons & Dragons)

Goliaths are a race related to the giants, in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Publication history:Goliaths were introduced as a playable race in the 3rd edition book Races of Stone ....

, providing cultural information for these races as well as subraces.

Publication history

Races of Stone was written by Jesse Decker

Jesse Decker

-Biography:Decker began playing Dungeons & Dragons in 1983 during recess at his elementary school. During the summer of 1996, he began doing "temp work" for Wizards of the Coast, before returning to finish college that fall. After finishing college, he returned to Wizards of the Coast, where he...

, Michelle Lyons, and David Noonan

David Noonan (game designer)

David Noonan is an author of several products and articles for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from Wizards of the Coast.-Role-playing games:...

, and published in August 2004.

A web enhancement for the book was published in 2004 by Wizards of the Coast

Wizards of the Coast

Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...

.

Reprints and revisions

Races of Stone was later included, along with Races of Destiny

Races of Destiny

Races of Destiny is a supplement for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:This book deals with races that live primarily in urban settings, specifically humans, half-orcs, and a new race called the Illumian, whose most notable features are the sigils that constantly...

and Races of the Wild

Races of the Wild

Races of the Wild is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:Races of the Wild contains background information on the elves and halflings, introduces a race of winged humanoids called "raptorans," as well as giving rules for...

in the Dungeons & Dragons Races Gift Set, released in 2005.

Reception

The racial substitution levels in the book have been praised because "[the] mechanic lets you play more than just another dwarven fighter

Fighter (Dungeons & Dragons)

The fighter is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A fighter is a versatile, weapons-oriented warrior who fights using skill, strategy and tactics....

 or gnome bard

Bard (Dungeons & Dragons)

The bard is a standard playable character class in many editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The bard class is versatile, capable of combat and of magic . Bards use their artistic talents to induce magical effects...

."

The book has also been criticized for its focus on three different races, because "By splitting its attention three ways, odds are only a third of this book is for any given player. Sure, some players fall in love with a specific race, but it’s doubtful that anyone falls in love with the idea of all races that live in the mountains."

MetaReview's MetaRating for the book is 6.8.

Awards and nominations

Races of Stone was nominated for the 2005 Chesley Awards

Chesley Awards

The Chesley Awards were established in 1985 by the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists to recognize individual artistic works and achievements during a given year. The Chesleys were initially called the ASFA Awards, but were later renamed to honor famed astronomical artist Chesley...

 award for Best Gaming-Related Illustration for William O'Conner's artwork, "Training a Dire Badger", although it lost to the artwork of the Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...

card Blazing Archon.