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<blockquote data-quote="CruelSummerLord" data-source="post: 3702595" data-attributes="member: 48692">This a question for all the world-builders out there: Do you put dwarves, elves, orcs and other non-human races around the world, just as you do with humans?&nbsp; I personally do, because not only does it reinforce the vitally important Tolkienesque stereotype, but also because I simply think D&amp;D wouldn't be D&amp;D without elves, orcs and dragons.&nbsp; I personally think it's not so hard to imagine how the demihumans might vary around the world, just as do humans-if you look at certain elements of human nature (organizing into states and countries, a need for companionship, a tendency to want to compete in many aspects of life, etc.) and juxtapose them with certain demihuman or humanoid tendencies (halfling skill with agriculture, dwarven skill at metalsmithing and living underground, hobgoblin militarism, etc.) I think some of the combinations that you could come up with would be rather surprising.&nbsp; Who's to say, for instance, that dwarves couldn't flourish in societies that place a strong emphasis on social standing and honor, like Japan or China?&nbsp; Suirely elves could interact well with societies that have animistic outlooks and religions, like some parts of Africa or the First Nations of North America?&nbsp; Gnomes might prosper in a society that places strong emphasis on intellectualism or scientific research, like the medieval Arab countries, China, or the Mayan Empire, with its own mathematical and astronomical discoveries?&nbsp; The human cultures would, of course, be modified accordingly: all societies have access to metalsmithing and/or metal weapons, which they acquire either as knowledge or finished goods from their dwarf and gnome neighbors, although they might refuse to wear heavy metal armor for cultural or practical reasons.&nbsp; A nomad might gather enough oil to keep his swords and arrowheads in excellent condition, but heavy armor is a heavy load on his horse, makes too much noise when hunting, or is simply murderously hot in the weather the nomad is accustomed to living in, for example.&nbsp; Thoughts?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="CruelSummerLord, post: 3702595, member: 48692"] This a question for all the world-builders out there: Do you put dwarves, elves, orcs and other non-human races around the world, just as you do with humans? I personally do, because not only does it reinforce the vitally important Tolkienesque stereotype, but also because I simply think D&D wouldn't be D&D without elves, orcs and dragons. I personally think it's not so hard to imagine how the demihumans might vary around the world, just as do humans-if you look at certain elements of human nature (organizing into states and countries, a need for companionship, a tendency to want to compete in many aspects of life, etc.) and juxtapose them with certain demihuman or humanoid tendencies (halfling skill with agriculture, dwarven skill at metalsmithing and living underground, hobgoblin militarism, etc.) I think some of the combinations that you could come up with would be rather surprising. Who's to say, for instance, that dwarves couldn't flourish in societies that place a strong emphasis on social standing and honor, like Japan or China? Suirely elves could interact well with societies that have animistic outlooks and religions, like some parts of Africa or the First Nations of North America? Gnomes might prosper in a society that places strong emphasis on intellectualism or scientific research, like the medieval Arab countries, China, or the Mayan Empire, with its own mathematical and astronomical discoveries? The human cultures would, of course, be modified accordingly: all societies have access to metalsmithing and/or metal weapons, which they acquire either as knowledge or finished goods from their dwarf and gnome neighbors, although they might refuse to wear heavy metal armor for cultural or practical reasons. A nomad might gather enough oil to keep his swords and arrowheads in excellent condition, but heavy armor is a heavy load on his horse, makes too much noise when hunting, or is simply murderously hot in the weather the nomad is accustomed to living in, for example. Thoughts? [/QUOTE]

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