D&D (2024) No Dwarf, Halfling, and Orc suborgins, lineages, and legacies

[Charlaquin]

I think the question I would raise is this. Is the desire to separate the two (genetic and cultural traits) driven purely by a need to create a more coherent narrative around how the race or subrace lives in the setting? Is it a primarily simulationist agenda at work?

For some folks. For others it’s part of the work of removing the undertones of racial essentialism from the game. For some folks it’s about adding more diversity and customization to the available player options. And I’m sure for a lot of folks it’s probably some combination of those factors.

 

[Corinnguard]

For some folks. For others it’s part of the work of removing the undertones of racial essentialism from the game. For some folks it’s about adding more diversity and customization to the available player options. And I’m sure did a lot of folks it’s probably some combination of those factors.

This appears to be what the creators of Level Up were aiming for. I think they succeeded.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Sorry, that just doesn’t say “halfling” to me. Halflings’ simplicity is a huge part of their appeal. We already have gnomes, we don’t need halflings to be gnomes too.

and i see that as nowhere even aproaching close to anything like gnomes, gnomes can be high magics and halflings can be subtle magic and they can still be distinct in their own ways

They’re not boring, they’re just simple. And that’s ok. Less can be more sometimes.

and sometimes less is just less.

 

[Charlaquin]

and i see that as nowhere even aproaching close to anything like gnomes, gnomes can be high magics and halflings can be subtle magic and they can still be distinct in their own ways

and sometimes less is just less.

In this case, it’s more.

 

[CreamCloud0]

In this case, it’s more.

i simply disagree.

 

[Mind of tempest]

i simply disagree.

look halflings are just boring and made to be so stop worrying about them and focus energy in battles still to be decided.

however, you can make all halflings sound like band members of black sabbath and export fantasy Worcestershire sauce this is both lore-friendly and true to the local inspirations this is the only good thing I will even give the halflings

 

[Mecheon]

and i see that as nowhere even aproaching close to anything like gnomes, gnomes can be high magics and halflings can be subtle magic and they can still be distinct in their own ways

We've been through multiple threads on this very forum where quite a few people have advocated just merging the two. I, as a noted gnome fan, very much disagree with them being that close but, if they were really that distinct we wouldn't have that as a semi-regular topic that shows up

 

[el-remmen]

Good. Get rid of all “sub-races” and make that all an aspect of background/culture.

 

[Micah Sweet]

look halflings are just boring and made to be so stop worrying about them and focus energy in battles still to be decided.

however, you can make all halflings sound like band members of black sabbath and export fantasy Worcestershire sauce this is both lore-friendly and true to the local inspirations this is the only good thing I will even give the halflings

But what do you really think about halflings?

 

[Micah Sweet]

Good. Get rid of all “sub-races” and make that all an aspect of background/culture.

Sure, so long as background and culture are separate choices.