D&D as humanocetric ... or not?

[JeffB]

Pull something = turning my game into a soap opera. We explore dungeons, not characters. I expect characters not to have backstories. A characters' story is what happens in the game, not before it.

BTW, character goals are fine (invent the first item capable of ending the universe, taming a dragon, etc.), but no backstories.

I'm OK with a few sentences of backstory, but yeah- this is an emphasis with modern D&D that I just cannot gel with- at all. I'm not calling anything badwrongfun, but I'm here to run a game of exploration of the world, mystery and some butt kicking action- you know...what the game was designed for. Not here to play a game that can help me figure out why I can't talk to my Mom & Dad about my problems by living vicariously through my Tiefling Warlock*


*This is just a general comment- not directed at @WayOfTheFourElements

If you are, you should go talk to someone-not use a game of make believe elves and faeries and the other folks at the table as your therapy sessions. That's my advice as someone who suffered greatly from depression in my younger years. Your grasp on reality is probably skewed (to a varying extent) to begin with as are most people who are depressed or have other mental/emotional issues.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I'm OK with a few sentences of backstory, but yeah- this is an emphasis with modern D&D that I just cannot gel with- at all. I'm not calling anything badwrongfun, but I'm here to run a game of exploration of the world, mystery and some butt kicking action- you know...what the game was designed for. Not here to play a game that can help me figure out why I can't talk to my Mom & Dad about my problems by living vicariously through my Tiefling Warlock*


*This is just a general comment- not directed at @WayOfTheFourElements

If you are, you should go talk to someone-not use a game of make believe elves and faeries and the other folks at the table as your therapy sessions. That's my advice as someone who suffered greatly from depression in my younger years. Your grasp on reality is probably skewed (to a varying extent) to begin with as are most people who are depressed or have other mental/emotional issues.

“I’m not here to say it’s badwrongfun, but you guys playing the way I don’t like are just dodging therapy and should go do something else instead of dnd.”

-you, basically

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

If you are, you should go talk to someone-not use a game of make believe elves and faeries and the other folks at the table as your therapy sessions. That's my advice as someone who suffered greatly from depression in my younger years. Your grasp on reality is probably skewed (to a varying extent) to begin with as are most people who are depressed or have other mental/emotional issues.

Exactly. Mothers, wives, and husbands are for loving you. Shrinks are for talking to when all else fails. Friends are for laughing with. D&D is for playing. I don't want be my friends' mother, and I certain don't want to be my D&D player's wife.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

“I’m not here to say it’s badwrongfun, but you guys playing the way I don’t like are just dodging therapy and should go do something else instead of dnd.”

-you, basically

I think it's more like - "You can play the way you like, but if you want a therapy sessions, play somewhere else - not with me and my buds."

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

repost

 

[Krachek]

I think a dm can imagine a setting where the only race is human and use the other DnD races as « cultural » or background trait.
half orc fit well for any barbarian culture,
high elf for scolar, aristocratic culture,
tiefling for decadent or tainted culture,
...
it may suit a medieval setting, with a lot a family interaction, such as Game ot thrones,
Those interested may search for the
Player’s Guide to the World of Xoth

 

[JeffB]

“I’m not here to say it’s badwrongfun, but you guys playing the way I don’t like are just dodging therapy and should go do something else instead of dnd.”

-you, basically

Nice try, completely wrong.

I'm saying if people want to play with backstory- go ahead. I don't like that style of PC creation/gaming.

I'm also saying if you are playing your characters as therapy for real life issues (as was mentioned further upthread by several people) you should go get some help.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I think it's more like - "You can play the way you like, but if you want a therapy sessions, play somewhere else - not with me and my buds."

Not what they said, but even if we accept that as the intent, it’s a very strange and somewhat ablest (you play different so you have mental issues) response to anything in this thread.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Maybe. I still prefer my setting where everyone is human, but if you want to play any other race, you can.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Nice try, completely wrong.

I'm saying if people want to play with backstory- go ahead. I don't like that style of PC creation/gaming.

I'm also saying if you are playing your characters as therapy for real life issues (as was mentioned further upthread by several people) you should go get some help.

But no one said they were playing dnd as therapy. That’s a thing that a few of you have invented as a strawman to dismiss a playstyle you don’t like.