Race and Monstrosity in Dungeons & Dragons

This work examines how ideas of race in Dungeons & Dragons are rooted in more than 2,000 years of history, from ancient Greek depictions of "monstrous races" through early modern Europe. It shows how co-creator Gary Gygax formalized fantasy creatures using frameworks based on scientific taxonomy and nineteenth-century racial theory. These influences continue to shape how race functions in the game, especially in the depiction of orcs and drow—two groups identified by publisher Wizards of th...