Editing Xanth (section)

=== Inhabitants and talents ===
{{main|List of Xanth characters}}

Each human character in Xanth is born with a unique [[magic (paranormal)|magical]] ability, called a talent.<ref>{{cite web |title=Piers Anthony |url=http://www.hipiers.com/AuthHour/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124113538/http://hipiers.com/AuthHour/index.html |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=4 September 2018 |website=www.hipiers.com}}</ref> With the exception of the curse fiends, the winged centaurs, and the child Surprise Golem (Daughter of Rapunzel and Grundy Golem), these abilities never repeat exactly in individuals throughout the entire history of Xanth (although nearly identical talents show up on occasion). Though many talents are limited in scope (called the "spot-on-a-wall" variety), the series focuses mainly on individuals with "Magician" caliber abilities (one of the criteria for serving as King of Xanth).

In addition to the human characters, Xanth is populated by [[Elf|elves]], [[centaur]]s, [[demon]]s, [[dragon]]s, [[faun]]s, [[gargoyle]]s, [[goblin]]s, [[golem]]s, [[harpy|harpies]], [[merfolk]], [[naga (mythology)|naga]], [[nymph]]s, [[ogre]]s, [[zombie]]s, curse fiends, and other fictional beasts. Though initially introduced as obstacles to the human characters, some individuals from those groups become main characters in later books of the series.

As the series progresses, some of the half-human species are discovered to have the potential to possess magical talents. The centaurs of the primary centaur community, Centaur Isle, exile any centaurs who demonstrate a magical talent (although some centaur communities are more lenient about possession of talent); however, they tolerate talents in "lesser" races such as humans. Goblins and harpies are shown to have the potential to possess half-talents, the complementary half existing in a member of the other species, (i.e., a goblin must team with a harpy for them to utilize their talent); the hostility between goblins and harpies proved a major obstacle to any serious effort by them to work together to develop these potential talents. Other non-human species are also known to possess talents, for example: Sesame Serpent and Claire Voyant. Visitors from other dimensions with talents retain their talents after arriving in Xanth.