At the start of the story, humans are the only playable race, since Drakengard is a human nation. Players may create new characters from other races as they visit those nations. So for example, if you visit the elves' nation Aetherion, you may create an elf character.

While Aion is bursting with magic, people capable of casting it are relatively few, and thus far relegated to the realm of NPCs. The knights are among the strongest soldiers in the kingdom, able to best any other soldier in single combat. You won't be slaying whole armies all by yourselves, though, so when you're up against numerous opponents, you'll need to fight judiciously, and maybe even recruit the locals.