D&D General Drow & Orcs Removed from the Monster Manual

[TiQuinn]

So they're just the same stereotypical orcs using the same coded language, but it's ok because they don't have an alignment in the statblock.

Right. I thought they were doing something interesting.

Shadowdark's only description of orcs is that they are "tusked, tall humanoids with grey skin and pointed ears."

 

[Remathilis]

Elf has a statblock and so is just as killable.

Does Shadowdark have modules? If so, what is the ratio of combat encounters with orcs vs combat encounters with elves?

 

[Dire Bare]

Replace orcs with kittens. Is everyone still perfectly happy to kill them on sight?

Orcs are people. They can be good, evil, or like most of us, somewhere in between.

Kittens? Kittens are monsters. You shouldn't slay them on site, you should RUN.

 

[Dire Bare]

So they're just the same stereotypical orcs using the same coded language, but it's ok because they don't have an alignment in the statblock.

Right. I thought they were doing something interesting.

The 2024 books aren't perfect in how they portray orcs (and other fantasy beings) as people, rather than as monsters.

But they have made significant improvements over the past D&D rules, including the 2014 rules. They are no longer portrayed as inherently savage, bestial, and evil. In the Monster Manual, there actually isn't much lore at all.

It's not perfect, but it's progress.

 

[Scribe]

Does Shadowdark have modules? If so, what is the ratio of combat encounters with orcs vs combat encounters with elves?

3 zines. The Cursed Scrolls.

One about Cults, Oozes, Weird Stuff.
One about Deserts, Gladiators, Beasts. Bandits.
One about Vikings, in the stereotypical way, with various Norse options, bandits.

At a glance and by my old memory, no Orcs or Elves.

 

[TiQuinn]

Does Shadowdark have modules? If so, what is the ratio of combat encounters with orcs vs combat encounters with elves?

For the modules that I have combat encounters are seldom dictated outright.

 

[Belen]

The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

 

[AlViking]

Are they imaginary, evil kittens with big claws?

It's safe to assume chaotic evil for all kittens. The claws aren't big, but they are tiny little needles of agony. Sadly they also have a mass charm person ability especially if appearing in videos. It's how they spread their evil chaos so effectively.

 

[TiQuinn]

Orcs are people. They can be good, evil, or like most of us, somewhere in between.

Kittens? Kittens are monsters. You shouldn't slay them on site, you should RUN.

Legendary action = Zoomies. Kitten immediately gets two dash actions. Direction determined randomly.

 

[Bedrockgames]

It's safe to assume chaotic evil for all kittens. The claws aren't big, but they are tiny little needles of agony. Sadly they also have a mass charm person ability especially if appearing in videos. It's how they spread their evil chaos so effectively.

Speaking of needles of agony, toxoplasmosis is no joke, so better safe than sorry