D&D 5E D&D Races: Evolution, Fantasy Stereotypes & Escapism

[Filthy Lucre]

I cannot speak for them, but the Orc entry in Volo's is pretty on the nose for multiple stereotypes that have been leveled at multiple targets of persecution over the decades, especially with a colonial leaning.

Its not like 'a word' was used, but they went and grabbed all the words, phrases, or terms which have been the topic of this thread for (looking) over 20 pages.

I mean, in all honesty, I tend not to read fluff or lore because I use my own? So maybe I should go back and re-read it and see if it's really bad.

You know who WotC did dirty in 5e? Gnolls.

IN FACT, as much as I naughty word on sensitivity, inclusion, etc... I have never incorporated biological essentialism into any of my games - starting all the way back when I was 16 and in highschool. So I just don't get why this is even still an issue.

 

[FrogReaver]

WotC isn't progressive enough for you?

Maybe you intended this to be humorous but I thought it came across a bit rude - especially given he had made a lengthy and respectful reply expounding on some deeply personal examples.

I cannot speak for them, but the Orc entry in Volo's is pretty on the nose for multiple stereotypes that have been leveled at multiple targets of persecution over the decades, especially with a colonial leaning.

Its not like 'a word' was used, but they went and grabbed all the words, phrases, or terms which have been the topic of this thread for (looking) over 20 pages.

I want to acknowledge that this observation is true.

 

[Scribe]

I mean, in all honesty, I tend not to read fluff or lore because I use my own? So maybe I should go back and re-read it and see if it's really bad.

You know who WotC did dirty in 5e? Gnolls.

Thats another target of complaint yes, especially for 4e fans I guess. They have their champions around here.

 

[Filthy Lucre]

Maybe you intended this to be humorous but I thought it came across a bit rude - especially given he had made a lengthy and respectful reply expounding on some deeply personal examples.

I'm really not the target audience for these discussions. Whenever someone says something has offended them, I just believe them. Whatever can/should be done about it is another matter entirely.

 

[Faolyn]

For most, likely the society, that which is most commonly encountered. Few people push for a specific race to ALWAYS FULL STOP NEVER DEVIATE be EVIL.

If people didn't push for that, we wouldn't be having threads like this. Or threads where people complain that various races are being watered down and "we can't kill anyone now, we'll have to have tea parties with beholders" and stuff like that. And WotC wouldn't have changed races to being "typically" a particular alignment.

 

[Scribe]

If people didn't push for that, we wouldn't be having threads like this. Or threads where people complain that various races are being watered down and "we can't kill anyone now, we'll have to have tea parties with beholders" and stuff like that. And WotC wouldn't have changed races to being "typically" a particular alignment.

Thats simply false. There are strawmen arguments stating that that is the claim, but this is incorrect.

Most people seem to understand that the 'typical' isnt necessary, because its understood you could always change things if you wish. Typically was added for the people who couldnt grasp that, despite it being clear in the MM.

 

[FrogReaver]

If people didn't push for that, we wouldn't be having threads like this. Or threads where people complain that various races are being watered down and "we can't kill anyone now, we'll have to have tea parties with beholders" and stuff like that. And WotC wouldn't have changed races to being "typically" a particular alignment.

IMO the issue with the change was less about the change itself and more the cultural implications and baggage the way it was changed occurred.

I don’t know any that are so zealous in their evil orcs or drow that they couldn’t fathom having a single good orc or drow as a surprising NPC in their games.

 

[Malmuria]

Perhaps one way to move forward with Orcs would be to base their identity in the game around being nomadic peoples. Nomadic peoples aren't (obviously) evil, either always or "typically." Focusing on nomadism could be a generic base for establishing a diversity of orcish cultures and customs and variety of approaches to their neighbors (hostile or friendly or anywhere inbetween). I don't love the fluff around "Barbarians" either, but at least they get to have a variety of alignments based on their actions. Just a thought.

 

[Scribe]

I don't love the fluff around "Barbarians" either, but at least they get to have a variety of alignments based on their actions. Just a thought.

I was actually thinking about this yesterday, and I dont understand why this gets a pass, but.../shrug

 

[Malmuria]

I was actually thinking about this yesterday, and I dont understand why this gets a pass, but.../shrug

In our group Barbarian just becomes "angy fighter" and we don't deal with all that shamanistic "noble savage" nonsense