Hey there @Dark_Shadow,
Well, for now, yes, you’d have to modify your game in order to play as another race.
Check out a mod by @Wharp here!
[Mod] (A20) The Bastioneers! More Dangerous (and Mod-Friendly) Than Ever! Help me test for A20!
But! The good news is that they do plan on having two other races in the game. Dwarves and Rabbit People!
I believe both of them will be playable, but don’t quote me on that just yet.
And here! Check out their updated roadmap, in the features section below the map, to see a huge list of planned and to-be-worked on features!
http://www.stonehearth.net/stonehearth-development-roadmap/
Again, scroll down a bit to see all of the features.
-Surly