D&D 5E (2024) WotC Should Make 5.5E Specific Setting

[Yaarel]

Probably best not say what is or is not genetically impossible in an imaginary elf game. Stories are filled with shapechanged dragons siring children with dragon blood.

3e had whole prestige classes for growing up as a half dragon.

The 5.5 elimination of "half" species and the use of the term "species", confirms Elf and Human cannot reproduce children together.

Any lore where there is mixed ancestry was accomplished by means of magic. Typically, the Elf parent shapeshifted into a Human, and the children are Human. Often the children also inherit a nonbiological magical capacity from the Elf parent.

 

[Parmandur]

I mean, they literally are a hybrid.

"HALF-DRAGON
A dragon’s magical nature allows it to breed with virtually any creature. Conception usually occurs while the dragon has changed its shape; it then abandons the crossbreed offspring."

Fizban's and the new Monster Manual have moved away from direct parentage being the necessary cause of a half-dragon. Magic and draconic "radiation" are now listed as causes.

 

[Maxperson]

The nickname "Half" means, not fully. For example, somewhat like a Dragon. It doesnt necessarily refer to sexual reproduction. Indeed, the sexual teproduction is genetically impossible.

The socalled "Half" species are ALWAYS a magical shapechange.

The bolded is flat out wrong as the default for D&D. You can run your game that way, but in D&D cross-breeding is pretty darn common.

 

[Remathilis]

Fizban's and the new Monster Manual have moved away from direct parentage being the necessary cause of a half-dragon. Magic and draconic "radiation" are now listed as causes.

Almost all half-monsters have moved away from monster-paramore as the primary or only way of creation.

 

[TheSword]

Almost all half-monsters have moved away from monster-paramore as the primary or only way of creation.

They’ve added extra reasons but let’s be very clear it isn’t genetically impossible.

Draconic ancestor is one of the four examples given for why someone might be a draconic sorcerer.

I’m all for mixing it up and not being prescriptive. Ironically now folks are trying to be prescriptive the other way which is equally unnecessary.

 

[Yaarel]

The bolded is flat out wrong as the default for D&D. You can run your game that way, but in D&D cross-breeding is pretty darn common.

Nonbiological reproduction is correct for D&D 5.5.

 

[Zardnaar]

I think WotC should have stuck to its guns with Tymanther. I cannot imagine there was a call for an Ancient Fertile Crescent inspired area of Faerun, especially one that barely bothers to file off the real world names. Between that and destroying Many Arrows just to justify the traditional orc role, Faerun squandered two great opportunities for species homelands just to literally reset them both to appease grogs.

I like the old empires region.

The lore goes back around 4 decades. Better than shoe horned in Dragonborn. Adding DB was fine execution not so much.

 

[Remathilis]

I like the old empires region.

The lore goes back around 4 decades. Better than shoe horned in Dragonborn. Adding DB was fine execution not so much.

The Old Empires are anachronistic, stereotypical and don't even make sense. Ancient Egypt and Babylon is on the same continent as Waterdeep and Neverwinter? They have as much consistency as the Worlds Pavilion at Epcot.

Please, replace them with something interesting.

 

[Zardnaar]

The Old Empires are anachronistic, stereotypical and don't even make sense. Ancient Egypt and Babylon is on the same continent as Waterdeep and Neverwinter? They have as much consistency as the Worlds Pavilion at Epcot.

Please, replace them with something interesting.

They came through portals in that region.

Makes sense D&D wise.

I don't care what they add to the Realms more how they do it. Far off land coming through portals would be less disruptive than nuking a continent.

 

[Parmandur]

The Old Empires are anachronistic, stereotypical and don't even make sense. Ancient Egypt and Babylon is on the same continent as Waterdeep and Neverwinter? They have as much consistency as the Worlds Pavilion at Epcot.

Please, replace them with something interesting.

They are on the same "Continent" sure...but in excess of 3200 miles away. It's greater than the distance between Sweden and India. Cultural differences between the Savage Frontker and the Eastern coast of the Sea of Fallen Stars will be extreme.