Culture in DND

[Belen]

I am separating this argument from the discussion on race, as it really is different. Also, I am not really complaining about the PHB, as I am fully aware that it uses GH as a base. However, it would be nice to see WOTC worlds add more cultures to the campaign world mix.

The question: Do you all feel that the core books could benefit from allowing different cultures? Or that WOTC would benefit from producing a book for GMs and players about different cultures being added to the core?

Now, Gin, if you want to debate the culture of DnD, then I will be right on your side. Personally, I have a real problem with the mono-cultural themes presented in the core books and that of most WOTC worlds.

Most DnD culture is western in nature. Humans, elves etc all seem to behave in a western style and I would love to see differences.

However, I agree that the world really needs to do this rather than the generic rules book. However, it would be nice to see a dicussion on fitting different cultures into a campaign world in the DMG.

Personally, in my campaign world every race adhere to the regional culture. All elves do not have the same culture, instead the elves of one region will be a part of the culture and they just follow built-in instincts. For instance, elves are gypsies in one region and bedouin in the next. They fit into the culture that they belong.

Skin color also depends on a region and that goes for ALL races. In the area where African culture exists, all races are people of color, although the different races do not look human.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I think it's cool, but I'm kind of a dork.

I don't have a problem with human "sub-species" and the like. I think it makes sense. If you're from a wealthy, literate area, why should you be premitted to take barbarian as a favored class?

This is one of those areas where I think the mechanics can enhance roleplay.

 

[Emiricol]

I think a netbook put together by EN World folks, about adventuring in different cultural areas, would be great. Europe is nicely covered. Asia outside of South East Asia is covered with OA. What about the rest of the world? My campaign currently is in an area rather like Germany, so it would be merely an interesting read for me at this point, but I think there are people who would find it useful.

Now, to give an answer to your question: I think it already does allow it, and WotC would benefit from producing a book for GMs and players about different cultures being added to the core, if their market analysis showed it'd break even or profit them. If it would not be profitable, then no I don't think a product like that would benefit WotC.

 

[Dogbrain]

D&D is a monoculture, and so long as "core" classes of the PHB are used, it will be that monoculture. The "core" classes are archetypal representations of how a culture sees its heroes and other lifepaths. If a culture is different from no-spice-twinkies-and-mayonnaise D&D, the core character classes need to be different as well.

Yes, it is theoretically possible to play Rhapsody in Blue with a four-man punk group, but it won't really be Rhapsody in Blue. Likewise, Blister in the Sun just wouldn't be the same if played by the 1001 Strings Beautiful Music Orchestra.

As for culture vs. "race" (actually, it's species), it is just as much a mistake to presume that nonhuman species MUST adhere to the local human culture as to presume they adhere to a "race"-wide monoculture.


However, this is all in a world where DMs are independently wealthy and can devote their full-time lives to fleshing out the variegated details of magnificent campaigns. For Bier und Brezeln roleplaying, the standards are likely to be quite lower.

 

[Dogbrain]

I think a netbook put together by EN World folks, about adventuring in different cultural areas, would be great. Europe is nicely covered.

Actually, Europe is very badly covered. Indeed, in some ways it's worse than having no information, at all.

 

[Wombat]

Likewise, Blister in the Sun just wouldn't be the same if played by the 1001 Strings Beautiful Music Orchestra.

Dang ... now I have to go wash my brain...

Be that as may be, I am playing around in my next campaign with the notion of culture clash -- the setting is more-or-less "New World" exploration, but based on an idea from a lecture that I heard regarding the timing of the Conquistadors. There will actually be three cultures: a pseudo-European, a pseudo-Mesoamerican, and a pseudo-Asian. One of the major thrusts of the campaign is how will the three cultures interact with each other; I am even toying with variant magic systems for each culture.

We'll see how it goes...

 

[Aaron2]

The question: Do you all feel that the core books could benefit from allowing different cultures?

I'm curious why you think the core books don't "allow" different cultures. Isn't that up to the DM? Do you think different cultures should have different stats?


Aaron

 

[Painfully]

Cultures and cultural differences are things to be addressed by a campaign setting because they need to be reasonably specific to be of any use. I don't think the core books need to get into it. DMs who develop their own campaigns will naturally be attracted to adding cultural differences when they feel a need for it.

 

[Hjorimir]

It is no surprise (and understandable) why WotC (and TSR before them) took a Eurocentric approach to the core books. If you ask somebody if they know what a Knight is, I'm willing to bet that more often than not, they will have at least some understanding of the title. Ask those same people what a Shatria is, I'm guessing that most will skake their head in negative.

WotC wants to invite new players into the hobby. Best to start on ground that most of the western market will understand.

All of that being said, best published campaing setting (in my opinion) goes to Al'Qadim. I loved the idea of Persian Adventure! Unfortunately, for me, many of my players didn't care for it.

 

[the Jester]

Take the Greyhawk out of the PH and you have fairly archetypical classes that, for the most part, cross cultures. So what if your wizard calls himself a wu jen? Or your fighter calls himself a samurai? Or your cleric an imam?