D&D (2024) Does the concept of subspecies of Elves come across as racist to you

[Tonguez]

Its not racist because elfs arent real and the ridiculous variety has made it more parody than design choice.

elfs are so magical that everytime they have a new thought or shift to a new place they become an entirely different species with sparkly eyes and flawless skin and the ability to fart perfume

 

[Yaarel]

The definition of "subspecies" is they are all members of the same "species", thus can and do reproduce normal offspring together.

 

[Scribe]

Each lineage is a choice of which spells to learn to cast innately.

Each lineage is a player choice, which comes as a rules package where the biological attributes and spells are innate to the species.

Yes.

 

[Yaarel]

Its not racist because elfs arent real and the ridiculous variety has made it more parody than design choice.

elfs are so magical that everytime they have a new thought or shift to a new place they become an entirely different species with sparkly eyes and flawless skin and the ability to fart perfume

So just let the player choose which spells they they want for their own Elf character.

If they want Prestidigitation, Darkness, and Misty Step, fine, whatever.

Different elven communities can tend to prefer certain spell choices more frequently, or even typically, but there will be individuals who vary. Player characters can choose whichever spells.

 

[Scribe]

Player characters can choose whichever spells.

They do so by selecting the Lineage, or biological species, which has the abilities and spells they wish to play.

 

[Yaarel]

They do so by selecting the Lineage, or biological species, which has the abilities and spells they wish to play.

That would look like the "one drop" rule.

 

[Scribe]

That would look like the "one drop" rule.

Hardly, thats the travesty Wizards is trying to force on Half Elf players.

You pick your Species, and Half Elf should be one of them, and you have your rules. If you want to play around with a more mix and match system that matches your sensibilities, there are 3PP options out there, or you can craft your own.

 

[Bedrockgames]

Well, I was against changing to species because a lot of the linguistic arguments that would follow. But I read threads like this and I really wonder how people are even able to game anymore when this is where these debates get dragged to

 

[Gorck]

Are you kidding me!?!?! Lemon curry sounds absolutely disgusting

 

[Neonchameleon]

Does the concept of subspecies of Elves come across as racist to you?

This question comes from the Half-Race Apperception Thread

The following can all be true.

• The concept of a fantasy race that has subspecies that are notable but not quite as extreme or on the nose as those of Genasi is fine
• The concept of it being a famously long lived species rather than a short lived fast breeding one is weird unless we use biomancy
• The underground black-skinned subspecies being evil does come across as racist.