The world of Rivellon, as presented in Larian Studios' masterpiece Divinity: Original Sin 2, is a tapestry woven from profound conflict, ancient magic, and deeply personal struggle. At the heart of this narrative richness are its playable races. Far more than mere aesthetic choices or stat modifiers, the races of Rivellon—Humans, Elves, Lizards, Dwarves, and the Undead—are foundational pillars of the game's lore, mechanics, and role-playing depth. Each race carries a distinct history, cultural baggage, and unique perspective that fundamentally shapes the player's journey, transforming a personal quest for divinity into a commentary on prejudice, heritage, and identity.
Table of Contents
The Human Ambition
The Elves of the Heartwood
The Lizard Empire of the Sacred Order
The Dwarven Resilience
The Undead: A Curse and a Liberation
Racial Tensions as Narrative Engine
Conclusion: Beyond Statistics, Into Identity
The Human Ambition
Humans in Rivellon are defined by their relentless ambition and adaptability. Hailing from the bustling human empire, they are the newcomers, often viewed with suspicion by the elder races. Their racial trait, Ingenuity, which provides bonus Critical Chance and extra Action Points, perfectly encapsulates their drive and opportunistic nature. Humans carry the weight of recent history, particularly the persecution of Sourcerers by the Divine Order, an institution they dominate. Playing a human allows for exploration of themes of zealotry, progress, and the complex morality of a race striving to secure its place in a world it does not fully understand. Their story is one of grasping for power, whether for noble or selfish ends, making them a versatile canvas for player ambition.
The Elves of the Heartwood
Elves are intrinsically tied to the soul of Rivellon itself. They are not merely inhabitants of the forest; they are its memory and its voice. Through the racial ability, "Flesh Sacrifice," an Elf can gain an Action Point by harming themselves, a ritualistic act that symbolizes their deep, sometimes brutal, connection to nature and ancestry. More profoundly, Elves possess the ability to consume the flesh of the fallen to experience their memories—"Dinner" is never just a meal. This makes them living historians and the moral conscience of the world, burdened with the sorrows of the past. Their culture, centered on the Heartwood and the Mother Tree Saheila, presents a stark contrast to human industrialization, offering a narrative path focused on preservation, spiritualism, and the heavy price of knowledge.
The Lizard Empire of the Sacred Order
The Lizards, or the Dragon-kin, hail from the ancient and proud empire of the Sacred Order. Their society is rigidly hierarchical, built on honor, tradition, and a deep-seated connection to dragons, whom they revere as gods. Their racial skill, "Dragon's Blaze," allows them to breathe fire, a direct manifestation of their draconic heritage. Lizards face intense prejudice across Rivellon, often dismissed as mere beasts or slavers. Playing a Lizard involves navigating this prejudice while confronting the realities of their own empire's complex history, including its practice of slavery. Their narrative explores themes of honor versus morality, the weight of tradition, and the struggle to redefine one's identity in a world that refuses to look beyond scales and claws.
The Dwarven Resilience
Dwarves are the stoic craftsmen and unwavering warriors of Rivellon, known for their physical toughness and stubborn pride. Their racial ability, "Petrifying Touch," reflects their earthy, unyielding nature. While their presence in the main campaign is less prominent as a primary origin, their culture is deeply felt. Dwarves value stone, craftsmanship, and oaths above all. They represent resilience in the face of catastrophe, as their kingdom has endured immense suffering. A Dwarf character's journey often revolves around concepts of endurance, loyalty to one's clan, and a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to the world's chaos. They provide a grounded, steadfast perspective amidst the high-flying magic and political intrigue.
The Undead: A Curse and a Liberation
The Undead race is Divinity: Original Sin 2's most revolutionary narrative and mechanical creation. Any character of any base race can be Undead, existing as a being whose soul is bound to its decaying body by Void magic. This state is a double-edged sword. Mechanically, they are healed by poison and damaged by conventional healing, a brilliant inversion that demands constant player awareness. Narratively, it is a profound role-playing experience. An Undead must wear disguises to interact with society, as all living beings react with instinctual horror. This makes every social interaction a tense performance. The Undead condition explores themes of identity, mortality, and liberation from societal expectations—what does it mean to be truly free when you are literally an outcast from life itself?
Racial Tensions as Narrative Engine
The genius of the racial system lies not in isolation, but in interaction. Rivellon is a land seething with racial tensions. Elves remember when humans were primitive; Lizards view others as inferior; everyone fears and hunts the Undead. These prejudices are woven into the very fabric of dialogue and quests. An Elf may gain unique, empathetic options when dealing with spirits of the forest, while a Lizard might intimidate a human guard with mere presence. These dynamics ensure that race is never a passive choice. It actively shapes the narrative, opening some doors while slamming others shut, forcing players to constantly consider their character's place in a deeply divided world. This transforms the gameplay into a continuous exercise in perspective-taking.
Conclusion: Beyond Statistics, Into Identity
The races of Divinity: Original Sin 2 transcend the conventional role-playing archetype. They are not simple bundles of bonuses but complete narrative frameworks. Choosing a race is the first and most defining act of role-playing in Rivellon. It determines how the world sees you, how you interact with its history, and what unique tools you have to navigate its conflicts. From the ambitious Humans and mystical Elves to the proud Lizards, resilient Dwarves, and tragically liberated Undead, each race offers a distinct lens through which to experience the epic struggle for divinity. They ensure that the story is not just about becoming a god, but about understanding what it means to be a person—with all the history, prejudice, and unique power that entails—in a world on the brink of annihilation. In doing so, Larian crafted a world that feels authentically alive, complex, and deeply responsive to the identity of the one who seeks to shape its destiny.
Food distribution mechanism in Gaza back by U.S., Israel weaponizes starvation: NGOsIndian PM reviews preparedness concerning national security
Israel strikes Syrian presidential palace area, army HQ in Damascus
Full text: The Report on Human Rights Violations in the United States in 2024
Feature: Chinese medics treat patients, empower locals in Benin
【contact us】
Version update
V5.97.054