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

 

[mamba]

no, but they need to have good enough reasons for the removal of any of the basic options.

and who decides what reason is a good reason ? They can do whatever they feel is right and if you disagree, you can change it at your table

 

[darjr]

The annotated second novel mentions orcs as mythical, I think. Based upon a quick internet search.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

and who decides what reason is a good reason ? They can do whatever they feel is right and if you disagree, you can change it at your table

A good reason is something that increases the fun at the table.

Restricting options from the core of the game doesn't have that effect as much as it does when you expand the options somewhat.

 

[Richards]

Since I (and a bet a good % of us in this thread) never read Kendermore, how are they treated? is the Half Orc look at odd or are they just a half orc and no one cares?

If I remember correctly, he was a half-orc assassin sent to kill Tasselhoff. Nobody made a big deal out of his heritage, I suspect because the author wasn't aware half-orcs (and orcs) weren't a thing in Dragonlance.

Johnathan

 

[mamba]

A good reason is something that increases the fun at the table.

Restricting options from the core of the game doesn't have that effect as much as it does when you expand the options somewhat.

Whether adding orcs increases the fun will depend on your players, most probably are perfectly fine with e.g. playing a minotaur instead, and if one for some reason is not, you can always opt orcs in

I don't think every setting has to include all core races and classes to 'increase fun' - or that doing so would, all it definitely does is make all settings less distinct

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Whether adding orcs increases the fun will depend on your players

Which is precisely why I think the book should leave the player options open.

I don't think every setting has to include all core races and classes to 'increase fun' - or that doing so would, all it definitely does is make all settings less distinct

And, again, I've never advocated for WotC adding or referencing Orcs in the book at all. Just not mentioning them is enough for both sides.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Whether adding orcs increases the fun will depend on your players, most probably are perfectly fine with e.g. playing a minotaur instead, and if one for some reason is not, you can always opt orcs in

I don't think every setting has to include all core races and classes to 'increase fun' - or that doing so would, all it definitely does is make all settings less distinct

Yep, because as common and uninteresting as orcs have become, if a game needs them to "make it more fun", then it must be a very bland game to start with, and there a lot of other niche and underused creatures that can replace them. Note: this is from the point of view of someone in the hobby for 40+ years now, so to someone only gaming for a few years, or a decade or so, orcs may still be fresh and exciting, so my comment is not targeting anyone specifically.

 

[mamba]

Which is precisely why I think the book should leave the player options open.

the option is always open

And, again, I've never advocated for WotC adding or referencing Orcs in the book at all. Just not mentioning them is enough for both sides.

or mentioning the supported races (not including orcs) and leaving the decision to the DM. It accomplishes the exact same thing, it just starts from a different implied starting point

 

[Dragonhelm]

There are no gnolls .

The Bestiary of Krynn disagrees with you.

 

[Dragonhelm]

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'

Kender don't steal from party members and are not jerks. The players who play them that way certainly are jerks.