D&D 5E WOTC Possibly Removing "Druids" for Religious/Cultural Sensitivity Reasons

[Tony Vargas]

Every time I use a term like priests to mean all clerics, someone in the room will inevitably say "and priestesses!".
Cleric is nicely generic that way.

I mean, there's no English term "Clericess," because the word long referred to an all-male Clergy.

"Martial artist" is a term that applies to all warriors, isn't it? Mystic Warrior might be a better name, but still isn't brilliant.

Thus going on about "Martials" (which spellcheck insists is not a word) in D&D, yeah. But, also, more than just warriors, arguably.
And, "martial arts" is often, if incorrectly, used to refer just to 'eastern' martial arts, including the mystical beliefs or legends surrounding them, and, if expanded to 'western' martial arts, limited to sports and excluding any mystical trappings or legends surrounding warriors in the past. Yup, orientalism, again.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

Why not skip the middleman and just go with healing-on-a-miss?

I... like it. You're not sure what you'll get this turn, but you will get something!

 

[billd91]

I think this illustrates a problem in that no matter what word you choose you're likely stepping on someone's toes.

Sure, but sometimes, they're putting their toes in your way.

 

[TwoSix]

And, "martial arts" is often, if incorrectly, used to refer just to 'eastern' martial arts, including the mystical beliefs or legends surrounding them, and, if expanded to 'western' martial arts, limited to sports and excluding any mystical trappings or legends surrounding warriors in the past. Yup, orientalism, again.

Realistically, you can't name a class "Martial Artist" and expect people to get that you're also including armored swordsmen in that bucket.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

I am glad I have my 1e and 5e books now more than ever.

Part of what makes D&D interesting are cultural references, history and language. If folks go all in on removing almost all cultural/historical references, no matter how tortured their path to current meaning, it will be a loss. How many of us learned to read and love history because of this game?

But no matter. I am going to play a guy with pointy tools that kills things. Or maybe a guy who reads from a magic book and zaps things. Not evocative but inoffensive so win-win?

I mean I would get it if druids were always evil and ineffectual…but what class is an accurate representation of anything but ideas in fiction?

And then we read it’s probably just hysteria and is not a real thing…back to shaking fist at the sky…

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

If folks go all in on removing almost all cultural/historical words, no matter how tortured their path to current meaning it will be a loss.

You did see that this doesn't appear to be actually happening, right? This was all just intended to provoke this kind of response.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

You did see that this doesn't appear to be actually happening, right? This was all just intended to provoke this kind of response.

Yes. Added to my post while you were responding.

I was halfway joking…and halfway shaking my fist at the sky in advance. Crabby old
Age is more and attitude than a number.

 

[Clint_L]

I think this illustrates a problem in that no matter what word you choose you're likely stepping on someone's toes.

This is true...but it doesn't mean you should therefore do nothing when the situation calls for it. Language evolves, and I think reasonable people have a pretty good sense of when a widespread term has gone past its "best by" date - if unclear, let those affected tell you. Or ask a teenager; they will definitely explain it to you, possibly with a number of eye rolls for emphasis.

So I actually don't think it's that much of a problem. When I am hearing folks say, "please don't use that word that way; I find it harmful and here is why," I try to listen to them. It doesn't cost me anything, and if it makes their lives better, then great! I have found that this is something I have had to pay more attention to as I have aged and am no longer as in step with the zeitgeist as I once was.

 

[Reynard]

Ironically, just as Priest would be a more generic class name than Cleric, Shaman would be a more generic class name for that sort of Druid.

And we're right back to the original click-bait issue.

Druids weren't shamans. Shaman is a very specific thing, and off the top of my head I can't think of a European shamanic tradition (but i am not well versed in eastern Europe history and tradition, so i could be wrong). Druids were priests of the celtic gods.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I have found that this is something I have had to pay more attention to as I have aged and am no longer as in step with the zeitgeist as I once was.

Inner Monologue- Yeah, I'll show 'em with my hip and fresh Hall & Oates reference.

Lit.