So, the adopted trait allows you to choose a racial trait from a different race. Specifically, it seems to require you to do so. Human ethnicities have specific race traits as well. So my question is: Can a human say they were adopted by a human family of a different ethnicity and thus choose a racial trait for human but with the different ethnicity requirement. For example: A varisian human takes adopted and chooses a shaonti only trait (Shoanti Spirit-Singer, for example http://archivesofnethys.com/TraitDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Shoanti%20Spirit-sin ger).
This question would probably also apply to an Aasimar or Tiefling choosing a trait from a different heritage.
Tl;DR - Does human ethnicity or aasimar/tiefling heritage count as a race for the purpose of the Adopted trait?
Race trait. Not racial trait.
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I tried so hard to avoid getting that correction too... but that's what I thought too. The argument could be made based RAW that, as an ethnicity isn't a race, the trait doesn't allow it but that seems really pedantic... Thank you for the fast replies!
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So my question as a GM is why can't you just be Shoanti, or have one Shoanti and one Varisian parent? Seems like you can qualify for the trait with backstory alone.
Unless you're angling for multiple traits from the same list, pretty much anything should be fine. Like trying to distinguish via the rules between a Shoanti adopted by Varisians, a Shoanti who grew up in Varisia, someone who is multi-ethnic Shoanti and Varisian who has spent time in only one of those places, the prior example except they spent time in both places, etc. seems like a waste of time.
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Race trait. Not racial trait.
OP did carelessly type "racial trait," but Shoanti spirit-singer is a race trait. It lists Human[Bekyar Tribe or Shoanti] as its race requirement. Either OP is of race Human[Bekyar Tribe or Shoanti] and can take the trait, or is of a different race and can use Adopted to take the trait.
Given that ethnicities are included in the race requirement, I don't see a good argument for saying that something allowing you to bypass a race requirement wouldn't also allow you to bypass an ethnicity requirement.
Agreed with PossibleCabbage that it seems pointless unless you're trying to represent both ancestries with your mechanics.