Dragonlance Dragonlance Creators Reveal Why There Are No Orcs On Krynn

Talking to the Dragonlance Nexus, Dragonlance creators Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman revealed why the world of Krynn features no orcs -- in short, because they didn't want to copy Tolkien, and orcs were very much a 'Middle Earth' thing.

Weis told Trampas Whiteman that "Orcs were also viewed as very Middle Earth. We wanted something different." Hickman added that it was draconians which made Krynn stand out. Read more at the link below!

Why are there no Orcs in Krynn? Weis and Hickman give us the answer! - Dragonlance Nexus

Dragonhelm gets the scoop from Weis and Hickman on why there are no orcs in Krynn. Read More

dragonlancenexus.com

 

[DarkCrisis]

I actually laughed reading it. Not in a mean way, but I always saw Dragonlance as off-brand Lord of the Rings for D&D.
Cute.

Because some adventures go on an adventure and there is a big war? Only connection I got. At least Faerun has Orcs...

 

[Von Ether]

Would he want drow in Middle Earth?

Preaching to the choir, friend.

I think in his head all D&D games are D&D. I also think he likes having many options, so perhaps he uses "players" like it's the royal "we."

 

[Erdric Dragin]

Ok, that's the real-life reason.

What's the in-game reason? Pretty sure that's what people were really asking.

 

[Celebrim]

No orcs but goblins and hobgoblins. So OK.

 

[Erdric Dragin]

Makes perfect sense. If someone really had to play an orc, I'd just fluff it as a hobgoblin from a savage tribe anyway.

Careful. Don't let 5e customers hear orcs being phrased as savage now.

 

[Bedrockgames]

It has been forever since I read this but I remember liking the Draconians (who seemed to fill the role but were a little more threatening)

 

[darjr]

It has been forever since I read this but I remember liking the Draconians (who seemed to fill the role but were a little more threatening)

They explode when they die. Makes the medics job quite a bit trickier.

 

[Bedrockgames]

They explode when they die. Makes the medics job quite a bit trickier.

Krynn medics don't get enough credit for the job they do

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Hey look, something that makes a world somewhat unique with good reasoning behind it.

but like I said in the other thread it is good reason that doesn't stand up in 2022. They felt Orc/Halforc was 1 note just evil foot soldier... they are not any more. They didn't want to repeat Tolken, and the Orc of today is not a 1:1 tolken (although I would argue that was true from at least 3e).
SO if those are the reasons, there is no reason (other then tradition) to not include them today.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

They did! Kender were an intentional effort to move away from Hobbits!
But sometimes you move out of the frying pan into HELL ITSELF.

ironicly I think the Kender is both the worst and best idea... taking the hobit and giving it something new was great, I just wish the something new wasn't ''steal from party' and 'be a jerk'