D&D 5E D&D's Inclusivity Language Alterations In Core Rules

In recent months, WotC has altered some of the text found in the original 5th Edition core rulebooks to accommodate D&D's ongoing move towards inclusivity. Many of these changes are reflected on D&D Beyond already--mainly small terminology alterations in descriptive text, rather than rules changes.

Teos Abadia (also known as Alphastream) has compiled a list of these changes. I've posted a very abbreviated, paraphrased version below, but please do check out his site for the full list and context.

• Savage foes changed to brutal, merciless, or ruthless.
• Barbarian hordes changed to invading hordes.
• References to civilized people and places removed.
• Madness or insanity removed or changed to other words like chaos.
• Usage of orcs as evil foes changed to other words like raiders.
• Terms like dim-witted and other synonyms of low intelligence raced with words like incurious.
• Language alterations surrounding gender.
• Fat removed or changed to big.
• Use of terms referring to slavery reduced or altered.
• Use of dark when referring to evil changed to words like vile or dangerous.

This is by no means the full list, and much more context can be found on Alphastream's blog post.

 

[GothmogIV]

Of course, that is not how we speak. But I guess you’ve unwittingly provided an example. Just swap “British” for some other demographic.

I wish you talked that way. That would be awesome.

 

[Morrus]

I wish you talked that way. That would be awesome.

It would not be awesome if I talked in comedy way to entertain you.

 

[GothmogIV]

Morrus, if I could pull off talking like an 19th century British explorer, I'd do it! (Kidding, friend. Zero offense intended)

 

[Morrus]

Taking a risk here, I know you are the "big boss" and can boot at will but I will go for it with best intentions

Am I kicked?!

Ignoring everything else, daring me to ban you is one of the very best ways to get banned, because I don't need those purity challenges in my life. If you can't engage with me honestly without the subtext of 'if you ban me it's because I disagreed with you' pervading your post, we have a problem. Don't do that, please. It's insulting.

 

[AstroCat]

Ignoring everything else, daring me to ban you is one of the very best ways to get banned, because I don't need those purity challenges in my life. If you can't engage with me honestly without the subtext of 'if you ban me it's because I disagreed with you' pervading your post, we have a problem. Don't do that, please. It's insulting.

Oh I was sincerely trying to bring some levity and humor to the conversation, wasn't meant as antagonizing dare. I was just kidding, not trying to be a jerk a bout it. I have to remember you deal with so much stuff on forums, assuming humor might not always be the sound bet, better for in person. I'm just used to having so many friendly awesome game conversations, even debates at the cons and all over, my assumption of casualness is my fault.

Sincerely no ill intent there, but I do stand by the content of my post.

 

[Hussar]

You know, that thought never crossed my mind...

But then again, most innuendos do woosh right by me...

Heh. Totally understand that. They tend to do the same for me.

I learned about this one of my uni classes on mythology. So, it's not like this is some new idea that's just sprung up. This was being talked about... ooooh... ewww.... uni is almost thirty years ago for me. Yikes.

I think I'm going to go have a lie down now. :'(

 

[Nightfly]

Removing the word savage, bummer... fun word for gaming, now not allowed. So much speak policing, it's just gotten insufferable, you can't even keep up.

No one is telling you that you can't use the word "savage". There are no speech police who will write you a ticket for using that word at your gaming table. You want to run the Goodman Games adventure "Tomb of the Savage Kings"? Have at it! I think I remember that it's good.

WotC has decided they want to avoid that word in their books, and if you can't understand why, you're not even trying to understand. It ain't calculus. You don't need a degree in sociology to understand why the word "savage" might be touchy in 2023. If the removal of that word irks you, well... first of all, it doesn't really harm you in any way. But second of all, blame the bigots who have tainted that word, not the company that has decided to retire it as a result.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Also, to me, the "Orc" is symbolic of a person who is so driven by hate that they have lost all morality and have become a separate, monstrous being altogether. It's a warning that war/tragedy/conflict can makes orcs of us all if we are not careful.

Would hate to lose that.

You could lean into that further in a worldbuilding sense. Remove Orcs as an always evil race, with orc children always growing up evil.
Instead introduce the concept that you mention above: Orcs are what happens when a being of any intelligent race chooses a path of rage and violence against others.

 

[AstroCat]

No one is telling you that you can't use the word "savage". There are no speech police who will write you a ticket for using that word at your gaming table. You want to run the Goodman Games adventure "Tomb of the Savage Kings"? Have at it! I think I remember that it's good.

WotC has decided they want to avoid that word in their books, and if you can't understand why, you're not even trying to understand. It ain't calculus. You don't need a degree in sociology to understand why the word "savage" might be touchy in 2023. If the removal of that word irks you, well... first of all, it doesn't really harm you in any way. But second of all, blame the bigots who have tainted that word, not the company that has decided to retire it as a result.

You are close to my point, the fact wotc needs to remove the word savage from their books is part of the problem, while other's don't, that over and over, catering to every niche and every possible scenario is what happens when you try and cater to every single person and sub group of people in existence. It's the cliché mainstreaming but taken to, in my opinion, to such absurd levels, it waters down any content, it's like a creativity prison they have constructed, it's gotten out of their control. What might have started with legit intent, has gotten unwieldy and all consuming to the product.

Printing, "The savage swords of chaos!" or some other silliness in a fantasy game book should not be grounds for mass upheaval and public shaming. It's all just gone too far and too wide, in my opinion. I was totally on board for a while, but the train has just gone off the rails for me.

And remember this is was just one sub section of what I've found unappealing about wotc neo 5e d&d, don't even get me started on the nose dive of art direction, which of course is subjective.

 

[Jahydin]

@Cap'n Kobold
100% would work. Thank you!