One the biggest decisions you will have in creating a character is choosing what race you want to play. Each race brings with it a distinct cultural attributes, abilities, advantages and disadvantages.

As a player, you can shape whatever history or education you want into your character but choosing a race tends to bring certain permanent attributes to your character. If you play a Halfling for example you will be of shorter stature to most of the races in NWN. You can be an unusually large Halfling but you still will be seen as a Halfling by the rest of the world. Also consider some races have an irrational dislike of other races. Dwarves are known for there mistrust of elves for example. You could be the most true-hearted Paladin in the known world but the Dwarven bartender won't let you stay because you're an elf. These are things to consider when picking a race.

The particulars of the culture of each race will not be dealt with as each can be subject to interpretation by the player when creating a character. The bonuses and penalties are described as they effect your character in the game.

AVAILABLE RACES

Human
Humans are considered very adaptable to their surroundings and being quick to learn new skills.

Favored Class: Any. When determining whether a multiclass human suffers an XP penalty, his highest-level class does not count.
Quick to Master: 1 extra feat at 1st level
Skilled: 4 extra skill points at 1st level, plus 1 additional skill point at each level up

Dwarf
Extraordinarily resilient to damage and magic- they are feared warriors.

Dwarven Ability Adjustments: +2 Con, -2 Cha
Favored Class: Fighter. A multiclass dwarf's fighter class does not count when determining whether he suffers an XP penalty for multiclassing.
Special Abilities: Stonecunning, Darkvision, Hardiness vs. Poisons, Hardiness vs. Spells, Offensive Training vs. Orcs, Offensive Training vs. Goblinoids, Defensive Training vs. Giants, Skill Affinity (Lore).

Elf
Lithe, graceful and deadly; Elves have magic infused into their very being.

Elven Ability Adjustments: +2 Dex, -2 Con
Favored Class: Wizard. A multiclass elf's wizard class does not count when determining whether he suffers an XP penalty for multiclassing.
Special Abilities: Immunity to Sleep, Hardiness vs. Enchantments, Bonus Proficiencies (Longsword, Rapier, Shortbow, Longbow), Skill Affinity (Listen), Skill Affinity (Search), Skill Affinity (Spot), Keen Senses, Low-light vision.

Gnome
The master tinkerers, inventors and scientists amongst the races.

Gnome Ability Adjustments: +2 Con, -2 Str
Favored Class: Wizard. A multiclass gnome's wizard class does not count when determining whether he suffers an XP penalty for multiclassing.
Special Abilities: Small Stature, Hardiness vs. Illusions, Offensive Training vs. Reptilians, Offensive Training vs. Goblinoids, Defensive Training vs. Giants, Skill Affinity (Listen), Skill Affinity (Concentration), Spell Focus (Illusion), Low-light vision.

Half-Elf
A potent mix of human curiosity and ingenuity with the Elven longer lifespan and magical defensives.

Favored Class: Any. When determining whether a multiclass half-elf suffers an XP penalty, his highest-level class does not count.
Special Abilities: Immunity to Sleep, Hardiness vs. Enchantments, Partial Skill Affinity (Listen), Partial Skill Affinity (Search), Partial Skill Affinity (Spot), Low-light vision.

Half-Orc
The brutal Orc mixed with the natural intelligence of the human has produced a race of enormous strength and endurance possessing a foul temper and dubious intelligence.

Orc Ability Adjustments: +2 Str, -2 Int, -2 Cha
Favored Class: Barbarian. A multiclass half-orc's barbarian class does not count when determining whether he suffers an XP penalty for multiclassing.
Special Abilities: Darkvision.

Halfling
Tiny, resourceful and skillful; Halflings are sometimes dismissed as weak by the foolish.

Halfling Ability Adjustments: +2 Dex, -2 Str
Favored Class: Rogue. A multiclass halfling's rogue class does not count when determining whether he suffers an XP penalty for multiclassing.
Special Abilities: Small Stature, Skill Affinity (Move Silently), Skill Affinity (Listen), Lucky, Fearless, and Good Aim.

Players are encouraged to read more about each race as ideas may be added to an existing character concept or further fleshed out.