D&D, by continuing to not speak to a setting, sets up the implication that it believes in inherent good or evil without action, much less inherently among species.
The movement away from unqualified alignment descriptors undermines that contention.
D&D, by continuing to not speak to a setting, sets up the implication that it believes in inherent good or evil without action, much less inherently among species.
Can I remind you that though horses and donkeys are different species they can have offsprings called mules?The "different species" argument is severely weakened by the existence of half-orcs.
The "different species" argument also ignores how humans are all one species, but show enormous differences in culture, attitude, and behavior over time and space - so "different species" that is used to support monoculture has issues.
Two things. First, drow are getting a makeover. There are now 3 variations of drow, with the Lollth version being just one. There's been other discussion, if you want to read an article about it: D&D: WotC Adds Three New Types Of Drow, Retcons Drow Lore - Bell of Lost Souls
As far as what group orcs are associated with it has shifted over the years. At one point, people accused Tolkien of basing orcs on the Japanese.
...You don't need the justification of "all of these guys are evil" if whoever it is wants to stop the characters from, say, finding the magic sword or rescuing the lost prince....
Personally I think it's a lot more fun when your opponents think they're doing the right thing!I agree with you overall. I think the "evil" label/justification helps in a way though? (forgive the wording, I'm trying to think and type. )
Because you "can't"?, "shouldn't"? kill the people that are stopping you from getting the magical sword if they are also on a quest to save the world and are "nice" people.
Its a complicated thing...
Sure, makes for great interaction and story, I'm all for it.Personally I think it's a lot more fun when your opponents think they're doing the right thing!
It definitely isn’t WoW’s fault. First of all, regular-old Warcraft existed first. Second of all, as long as there have been always-evil orcs, there have been people who felt that idea was boring at best and also kinda gross. It’s just that, as we have progressed culturally, those voices have finally started being listened to.I blame World of Warcraft.
If you are playing a simpler game, it doesn't matter if your opponents are evil or not. They are in the way of getting the treasure or whatever, so you use the tools you have (sword, spell, etc) to overcome.Sure, makes for great interaction and story, I'm all for it.
But if you are playing a simpler game, you cant just go around killing good folk whose goals oppose yours. IMO.