The number of obviously sentient species in the world of Black Steel is significantly greater than the number on Earth, a fact which is almost certainly a consequence -- at least in part -- of the presence of sorcerous forces. Any species that can manipulate such forces in even primitive ways is likely to evolve in the direction of greater intelligence, but even were this not the case, existing sentients who wield great sorcerous power might well be responsible for "creating" new sentient species (from existing ones or other "raw material") by sorcerous means.
Nonetheless, the most numerous known sentients are humanoid creatures, and the majority in fact are genetically /Homo sapiens/, though -- like modern humans and neanderthals -- they may represent different subspecies or races of the same species. In the context of this game, "human" always refers to genetically modern humans, but it can be important to remember that the goblin and elven races are genetically similar enough to interbreed with humans and bear healthy, fertile children -- even if they rarely do so. Likewise, "race" is generally used to distinguish between e.g. elves, humans, goblins, and (if any were to survive) neanderthals; starlight elves and moonlight elves might be said to be of two different races, as might the dark-skinned humans of Grat'ha and the pale-skinned humans of the lands north of Illenia, but this usage is rare to the extent it exists at all, as the differences between "true races" like elves and goblins are vast in comparison with those between "sub-races" of humans or of elves. Finally, note that humanoid races cannot necessarily all interbreed with one another; indeed, though humans are known to have borne fertile children of both goblin and elven parentage, there are no presently known cases of goblins and elves interbreeding.
See Also:
Beastmen (such as Horned Men, Lizardfolk, Merfolk, Seashore Sirens, Serpentfolk, Werebeasts, and Wolfmen)
Dragons
Dwarves
Earth Giants
Elvenkind
Goblinkind
Humankind
Legendary Giants
Nethygi
The Undead
The Unknown
