D&D General My Problem(s) With Halflings, and How To Create Engaging/Interesting Fantasy Races

[doctorbadwolf]

I'm sorry, I'm not understanding what you are saying. They specifically DID add races not normally found in Greyhawk because those races are core in 5e. Now, I'll be 100% honest here and say I welcome the changes. I'm all for it. But, it did cause a LOT of consternation in some circles.

My point is, they have to include all the PHB races in a setting. Although, again, to be fair, it seems that the Magic The Gathering D&D settings get to break that mold. We'll see if that holds true in later supplements.

You end by answering the implied question at the start, here.

 

[Chaosmancer]

Query: Would you agree or disagree that the following two characters have a meaningful difference between them?

1) A fast talking swashbuckling Dwarf with a big hat and an irreverent attitude.

2) A fast talking swashbuckling Half-elf with a big hat and an irreverent attitude.

I would assume they have a meaningful difference between them. Half-Elves and dwarves are presented as quite different. At the very least the half-elf likely has some story about their parentage, since they may feel the need to dig into which of their parents was human and which was an elf. Meanwhile the Dwarf does likely have to contend with the idea of their clan. There is also the fact that the dwarf is a crafter of some sort and the half-elf is more skillful, both of which can be played into.

It is also possible that the players choose not to pursue these avenues though and make their race an irrelevant choice, just from the information you provided I cannot say that is not a possibility.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I mean, you have repeatedly pointed to 'conflict' specifically several times at this point. What are we supposed to take from this?

That dungeons and dragons is a game that focuses a lot on the idea of the conflict between good and evil. I mean, there are multiple planar spanning wars in DnD lore. Combat is a massive pillar of the game. Conflict is baked into the game at many different levels.

And not the sort of conflict where choosing not to fight is more noble and good, because it prevents you from being corrupted, but the type of conflict where you fight and bleed to hold back the darkness.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I would assume they have a meaningful difference between them. Half-Elves and dwarves are presented as quite different. At the very least the half-elf likely has some story about their parentage, since they may feel the need to dig into which of their parents was human and which was an elf. Meanwhile the Dwarf does likely have to contend with the idea of their clan. There is also the fact that the dwarf is a crafter of some sort and the half-elf is more skillful, both of which can be played into.

It is also possible that the players choose not to pursue these avenues though and make their race an irrelevant choice, just from the information you provided I cannot say that is not a possibility.

I would say they’ll be different regardless of whether the player delves into any of that, because one is playing to type, and the other against type.

 

[Mind of tempest]

The whole point of playing a halfling is they don't matter. People choose them because they don't want to be associated with war, imperialism and aggression.

Consider Yoda. His species is basically Star Wars halfling. He doesn't need a whole planet full of yodas running round conquering the universe in order to exist.

mattering does not equal war imperialism and aggression, I hate the fact that they are made to be irrelevant if they are not aggressive where are their doctors, scientists, philosophers or artists those matter and are peaceful.

Yes! This! Halflings not having grand histories or great organisations is a feature, not a bug! If you make halflings 'important' in the grand scale, then they lose their halflingness!

so by definition halflings are supposed to not matter? if this is true then it sickens me.

 

[Yora]

Well, that was their overall concept in Middle-Earth. Cute little fellas who are endearing in their innocent ignorance of the world and deserve to be protected in their little pastoral paradise, so that the evils of the world don't despoil them.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

so by definition halflings are supposed to not matter? if this is true then it sickens me.

They don't until they do. They're small, forgotten and possibly underestimated. But no, as a species they very much do not matter in the grand scheme of things. Your halfling might though. Sam and Frodo mattered quite a bit, though not many expected that from them, That's like the point. Also, if this causes you nausea or something, you might want to see a doctor. Halfling allergy is a serious condition.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Well, that was their overall concept in Middle-Earth. Cute little fellas who are endearing in their innocent ignorance of the world and deserve to be protected in their little pastoral paradise, so that the evils of the world don't despoil them.

yeah, that sounds well like a child, not a full human.

They don't until they do. They're small, forgotten and possibly underestimated. But no, as a species they very much do not matter in the grand scheme of things. Your halfling might though. Sam and Frodo mattered quite a bit, though not many expected that from them, That's like the point. Also, if this causes you nausea or something, you might want to see a doctor. Halfling allergy is a serious condition.

what kind of off-brand quantum logic, a thing either matters or it does not, by definition most people never do anything important thus this trait can't be the thing that defines a whole race as that would be like defining elves as the race with two eyes.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

what kind of off-brand quantum logic, a thing either matters or it does not, by definition most people never do anything important thus this trait can't be the thing that defines a whole race as that would be like defining elves as the race with two eyes.

It is perfectly clear logic in a thread where people complain about halflings not having important nations, institutions or affecting to the course of history as a species. That doesn't prevent individual halflings from being important. Like seriously have you not read the Lord of the Rings? The concept is super clear and will definitely resonate with a lot of people even if it doesn't with you. (It is literally one of the core themes of the most popular fantasy novel ever.)

 

[jayoungr]

protected in their little pastoral paradise, so that the evils of the world don't despoil them.

To be clear, those "evils" are less "going to the big city and losing their innocence" and more "getting slaughtered by orcs."

what kind of off-brand quantum logic, a thing either matters or it does not

I think the Yoda comparison above is a good one. Yoda's species doesn't matter in the grand scheme of the galaxy. Not only do they lack lore, but they don't even have a name.

Yoda himself, however, and a few other members of his species? Super-important.