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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dire Bare" data-source="post: 8566970" data-attributes="member: 18182">Getting rid of the kender's kleptomania is a good thing. But count me in as one who doesn't like how it's done here. Certainly some get into the crusty, "WotC is just changing things for the sake of change" canard (a mindset I loathe), but not all of us fear change.To me, I love the character of Tasslehoff Burrfoot from the novels . . . and later Sindri Suncatcher from the "New Adventures" series . . . but generally found the portrayal of the kender race extremely problematic and irritating . . . . and kender "handling" was just the start.Portraying them as a race of child-like innocents was not handled well past Burrfoot himself, with perhaps a few other exceptions. It's not a bad concept for a fantasy race, but hard to write well for authors/designers, and hard to roleplay well for players. That coupled with many players confusing "handling" for kleptomania . . . . is why the kender race has become as controversial as drow rangers with panther companions. Also the fantasy racism directed at kender, in-setting, is also hard to write and roleplay well. And I've always disliked the kender taunt . . .The kender aren't going to be an easy update for WotC, IMO. I wish them luck. They'll need it before getting to gully dwarves . . . .My current (and evolving) thoughts on the classic kender tropes and traits:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kender child-like nature: Are kender truly child-like . . . or is that a part of the stereotype other races have of kender? I would avoid describing kender as inherently child-like . . . I find too many writers and players don't really know how to pull that off well.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kender innocence and curiosity: Make these qualities a part of their description, but not a part of their game traits. Describe innocence as kender rarely experiencing negative emotions such as hatred, fear, and anger, and also struggling to understand those emotions in others. But kender can learn to experience those emotions as they wander the world. Make it clear these qualities do not equal stupidity or foolhardiness. Kill the idea that their curiosity is "supernatural". I see these qualities as psychological, or inherent, but a bad fit for game mechanics.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kender bravery: Are kender inherently brave? I'd rather see them as fearless, as a part of their innocence above. I think the current "Brave" trait works well, but I'd rename it to "Fearless". A subtle distinction, perhaps, but a meaningful one IMO.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kender handling: Are kender kleptomaniac thieves, or does kender society lack the concept of personal property? I feel handling can stay, but has to be toned down and carefully done. I think I'd move it from a racial trait to a feat, and boost the effectiveness. Being curious and not understanding personal property doesn't have to equate to kleptomania, and kender can learn (even before leaving Kenderhome) that big folk society does value personal property and that should be respected. Kender can be innocent and curious, but don't have to be stupid. Respecting the property of others outside of kender society is a way to survive outside of kender society. And, this is a cultural, or learned trait, not something inherent to kender biology . . . at least if you drop the supernatural explanation.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">More handling: In a previous edition, probably 3E, there was a kender handler subclass of thief/rogue. I'd bring it back! It could represent kender who decide to capitalize on this quality rather than respecting other people's values . . . and master the art of pick-pocketing and sleight-of-hand. But with a sidebar warning against stealing from your fellow PCs . . . or again, being a klepto constantly getting the party in hot water.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Kender taunting: I wouldn't mind keeping this . . . but only by ditching the supernatural explanation again and also moving it away from being a child-like trait. Make the art of insulting a part of kender culture . . . it's how kender solve disputes with other kender, by carefully crafted and artistic insults that the loser will congratulate the winner over. And move it from a racial trait to a feat. A master kender taunter is a learned skill, not something inherent to the race.</li> </ul>I reserve the right to change my mind on any and all of these! <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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