diff --git a/player/race/dwarf_p.arc b/player/race/dwarf_p.arc
index 546bb3265..7fada3e4d 100644
--- a/player/race/dwarf_p.arc
+++ b/player/race/dwarf_p.arc
@@ -2,6 +2,27 @@ Object dwarf_player
 name dwarf
 randomitems dwarf_player_items
 face dwarf_p.111
+msg
+The Dwarves are the hardy scions of Mostrai.
+The traditional profession of the dwarf is
+smithery, and you'll be hard-pressed to find
+a dwarf who is not competent at it. Whether
+their great strength and hardiness leads them
+to become smiths and miners, or whether their
+profession leads to their strength and
+hardiness is unknown. Their thick musculature
+makes them slow of body, and seemingly, some
+of their muscle has crept into their brain.
+Perhaps their repetitive tasks dull their
+minds, perhaps they're just plain born
+dumb.
+Dwarves can see in the dark, but they're
+slightly impious and tend to be a bit poor at
+controlling magic. Despite this, there are
+indeed dwarven clerics and mages. They're
+just not quite as good as human clerics or
+mages.
+endmsg
 anim
 dwarf_p.151
 dwarf_p.131
diff --git a/player/race/elf.arc b/player/race/elf.arc
index 7963fec97..bc9886ce5 100644
--- a/player/race/elf.arc
+++ b/player/race/elf.arc
@@ -3,6 +3,23 @@ race faerie
 name elf
 randomitems elf_player_items
 face elf.171
+msg
+An Elf is a child of Faerie, a scion of
+Lythander. Being of Faerie, they heal more
+slowly than other races, but mana flows into
+them more quickly. They also need far less
+food than other races.
+Every elf is taught the use of a bow, but
+their long lives allow them to take up any
+trade. They are weaker and less hardy than
+humans, but quicker of body and mind, and
+generally make more powerful spellcasters.
+However, they have a notoriously offhanded
+attitude toward their religious devotions
+and make poor priests.
+As a race, Elves possess a preternatural
+beauty and eyes that see into the dark.
+endmsg
 anim
 elf.111
 elf.131
diff --git a/player/race/fireborn.arc b/player/race/fireborn.arc
index d8e1aa505..5a135a1b9 100644
--- a/player/race/fireborn.arc
+++ b/player/race/fireborn.arc
@@ -4,6 +4,36 @@ race unnatural
 randomitems fireborn_player_items
 face fireborn.111
 color_fg red
+msg
+Legends say that fireborn are sparks struck
+off the anvil of creation which had life and
+spirit, and after time, mind. Those who
+research magic think that they are relatives
+of some  kind to will 'o the wisps. An
+observer seeing one for the first time would
+see a strangely intelligent vortex of
+flame somehow carrying items without burning
+them.
+Their insubstantial nature makes them both
+very weak and very quick.  Their minds are
+agile, and they are able to commune well with
+the gods. However, their area of excellence
+is magic. They spellcast more powerfully than
+any other race, and mana flows into them
+readily. They can even cast cold spells with
+devastating effectiveness.  They all know a
+basic fire spell.
+They have the ability to levitate at will, and
+they can touch to burn. As they gain more
+power, they are increasingly difficult to hit
+with weapons. However, they cannot use weapons
+or armour, and thereby miss out on many benefits
+(including powerful magical enchantments) those
+items may bring.
+Fire does not harm them, nor poison. Cold,
+spiritual drain, and physical drain present
+great peril to them.
+endmsg
 anim
 fireborn.111
 fireborn.222
diff --git a/player/race/gnome_p.arc b/player/race/gnome_p.arc
index 63aa83b7a..65ff0d2a4 100644
--- a/player/race/gnome_p.arc
+++ b/player/race/gnome_p.arc
@@ -3,6 +3,26 @@ name gnome
 race dwarf
 randomitems gnome_player_items
 face gnome.111
+msg
+Gnomes and dwarves look so much alike that
+some speculate that they are the same race,
+but with very different cultures. No one has
+been able to talk a Dwarf and a Gnome into
+attempting interbreeding, however, which would
+settle the issue.  Dwarves and gnomes have a
+disgust for one another and both find the
+thought of intimacy with the other repulsive.
+Despite that, they coexist peacefully enough:
+perhaps because their interests and needs
+never conflict.
+Gnomes do not have nearly the strength or
+hardiness of dwarves, and they are even more
+clumsy. They are quite spiritual, and make
+very good priests, and many are very strong
+magicians.  They can see in the dark, and their
+familiarity with the gods seems to bring a
+general blessing of good luck on all Gnomekind.
+endmsg
 anim
 gnome.111
 gnome.112
diff --git a/player/race/halfling.arc b/player/race/halfling.arc
index 881151e72..f85c662ed 100644
--- a/player/race/halfling.arc
+++ b/player/race/halfling.arc
@@ -2,6 +2,17 @@ Object halfling_player
 name halfling
 randomitems halfling_player
 face halfling.111
+msg
+Halflings are another sub-race of humankind,
+like the Northman. They are much smaller and
+shorter than humans, so they are weaker, but
+they are far quicker and hardier. They're
+quite unreligious, but many take up magic.
+Their small sizes lets them hide more
+effectively, and for some reason, chance seems
+to favor them with good luck. They are also
+surprisingly resistant to loss of lifeforce.
+endmsg
 anim
 halfling.151
 halfling.131
diff --git a/player/race/human.arc b/player/race/human.arc
index e87f74e8a..b2e80fb8d 100644
--- a/player/race/human.arc
+++ b/player/race/human.arc
@@ -3,6 +3,13 @@ name human
 race human
 randomitems human_player
 face human.171
+msg
+Humans are the generalists of the races.
+They are fit for any trade, and usually
+pick up a skill from their parents in
+addition to what they've learned as
+apprentices in their craft.
+endmsg
 color_fg black
 anim
 human.111
diff --git a/player/race/northman.arc b/player/race/northman.arc
index 5d21d0228..855f456e5 100644
--- a/player/race/northman.arc
+++ b/player/race/northman.arc
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@ name Northman
 race human
 randomitems northman_player_items
 face viking.171
+msg
+Northmen are simply humans who have been
+shaped by their harsh environment. They are
+stronger, quicker, and hardier than most
+humans, but also stupid and impious. Most
+races also consider them a bit unattractive.
+They have some resistance to cold, but the
+few of them who take up magic find it
+difficult to master fire spells.
+endmsg
 color_fg black
 anim
 viking.111
@@ -11,7 +21,6 @@ viking.151
 viking.171
 mina
 resist_cold 30
-
 is_animated 0
 type 1
 level 1
diff --git a/player/race/pl_half_orc.arc b/player/race/pl_half_orc.arc
index b26c2fb3c..26635690f 100644
--- a/player/race/pl_half_orc.arc
+++ b/player/race/pl_half_orc.arc
@@ -2,13 +2,23 @@ Object pl_half_orc
 name half orc
 randomitems half_orc_player_items
 face pl_half_orc.111
+msg
+Half-Orc's are usually the product of rape
+or slavery or some unpleasantness of some
+sort. They look it too:  Half-Orcs are rather
+ugly. On average, they're stronger, a bit
+quicker, and hardier than humans, but also
+dumb and impious, and unmagical. They're
+resistant to poison and can see in the dark,
+and every half-orc seems to know how to steal.
+endmsg
 anim
-facings 4
 pl_half_orc.151
 pl_half_orc.131
 pl_half_orc.111
 pl_half_orc.171
 mina
+is_animated 0
 no_pick 1
 alive 1
 level 1
@@ -19,7 +29,6 @@ type 1
 speed 1
 weight 70000
 resist_poison 30
-
 can_use_armour 1
 can_use_weapon 1
 can_see_in_dark 1
diff --git a/player/race/quetzalcoatl.arc b/player/race/quetzalcoatl.arc
index 8ba5013e7..a927d9a86 100644
--- a/player/race/quetzalcoatl.arc
+++ b/player/race/quetzalcoatl.arc
@@ -3,14 +3,43 @@ name Quetzalcoatl
 race dragon
 randomitems quetzalcoatl_player_items
 face quetzalcoatl.131
+msg
+Quetzalcoatls are a strange mix of dragon,
+bird, human, and a dash of the divine. They
+bear the most resemblance to dragonkind, but
+are able to manipulate objects with their
+claws. They are amazingly strong, very quick,
+and amazingly hardy, but quite stupid and
+impious (despite the dash of divinity). 
+However, they are strongly magical in nature
+and usually have a vast reservoir of mana
+with which to cast any spell they're not too
+stupid to learn. Often, they're only able to
+grasp one basic fire spell.
+Their strongly draconic nature immures them
+to fire and helps them with fire spells, but
+they are vulnerable to cold and
+paralyzation.
+They can grasp weapons, but their bizarre body
+shape prevents them from using armour, helmets,
+and other items of apparel usually intended for
+bipedal creatures with two arms and two legs
+and a head. Their inability to use armour comes
+back to haunt them when they compare themselves
+with other races:  highly enchanted armour is
+usually more benefical than dragonhide! The
+wings come in handy:  they can use them to
+'levitate', and their hide gets thicker as they
+gain power, compensating them somewhat for not
+being able to use armour.
+endmsg
 anim
-facings 2
 quetzalcoatl.131
 quetzalcoatl.132
 quetzalcoatl.171
 quetzalcoatl.172
 mina
-is_animated 1
+is_animated 0
 type 1
 level 1
 ac 5
diff --git a/player/race/troll_player.arc b/player/race/troll_player.arc
index b050e8230..95fd0fdf5 100644
--- a/player/race/troll_player.arc
+++ b/player/race/troll_player.arc
@@ -3,6 +3,20 @@ name troll
 race troll
 randomitems troll_player_items
 face smalltroll.111
+msg
+A Troll is a nasty creature, usually: a scion
+of Gnarg. They have amazing strength and amazing
+hardiness, but they're a bit clumsy, very stupid,
+impious, and bad at handling and obtaining magic.
+They heal with amazing rapidity and can see in
+the dark.  Because of the above attributes, they're
+great in any fight.  Well, they're great until
+someone waves torches at them: fire presents great
+peril to trolls.
+Most trolls are destroyed on sight by civilized
+people: but a few have proved deserving of tolerance
+and are permitted to enter cities.
+endmsg
 anim
 smalltroll.111
 smalltroll.112
diff --git a/player/race/wraithp.arc b/player/race/wraithp.arc
index 373d6bca3..cc6e45084 100644
--- a/player/race/wraithp.arc
+++ b/player/race/wraithp.arc
@@ -3,6 +3,26 @@ name Wraith
 race undead
 randomitems wraith_player_items
 face wraithp.111
+msg
+A Wraith is a spirit which has made an evil
+bargain in order to persist after natural
+death, or been forced involuntarily into its
+new undead state. This transformation frees
+them of the limits of a natural lifespan,
+and grants them immunity to diseases, poison,
+and loss of lifeforce. Wraith's also need
+feel little fear of cold, and they can see
+well in the dark.
+A Wraith's corporeal form has terrible
+vunlerabilites: Fire and most godpower are
+dangerous to Wraiths. Their tenuous form makes
+them quick, and somewhat harder to hit, but
+also weaker and less hardy.
+Wraith's have a strong affinity to magic,
+especially cold spells, and are very strong
+spellcasters. However, they cannot use fire
+spells for fear of self-destruction.
+endmsg
 color_fg black
 anim
 wraithp.111