Eladrins, Tieflings, Dragonborn Too Far Outside Standard Fantasy?
- Thread starter ArchAnjel
- Start date
The Little Raven
First Post
Scribble said:Although on second thought, while this might be true, since those races have "existed before" it's easier to accept. It's easier to ignore their backstory because they are "familiar" races, and the backstory is relatively similar to the old D&D stuff...
To accept the new races you also have to kind of accept the new story.
I don't know, I'm not a psychologist, so I'm just BSin on a message board.
Sounds like a perception issue, rather than a substance issue.
Vikingkingq
Adventurer
Eladrin - actually are more evocative of the Fair Folk and the Sidhe of Celtic myth then your usual fantasy elf, which I like. For example, the emphasis on Underhill/Fairie as an indicator - these people aren't from around here, they are strange and awe-inspiring. IMHO, I like these kinds of Elves better than Tolkienish elves, because their other-ness nicely offsets their superiority factor. Having Elves as a constant physical presence in the world would lead humans to have huge inferiority complexes - how do you deal with a species that's better than you in almost every conceivable way? With them being "outsiders," it's clear - they're not normal, they're the Wild Hunt thundering out of the forest, the people who steal babies and leave behind changelings, they're powerful spirits that need to be propitiated.
Tieflings - I agree that they look too damn demonic. I would be ok with them maybe having some sort of minor deformity (small horns, forked tongue, etc.) that marks them as other but can be dealt with. That would be closer to the stories of Merlin being the spawn of the Devil, or women being impregnated by incubi, or other daemon-related legends.
Dragonborn - Don't really have a background in mythology as far as I can tell, but I think they're a solid concept. Brave warriors with a savior complex, descendants of the gods themselves, not a half-bad idea.
Tieflings - I agree that they look too damn demonic. I would be ok with them maybe having some sort of minor deformity (small horns, forked tongue, etc.) that marks them as other but can be dealt with. That would be closer to the stories of Merlin being the spawn of the Devil, or women being impregnated by incubi, or other daemon-related legends.
Dragonborn - Don't really have a background in mythology as far as I can tell, but I think they're a solid concept. Brave warriors with a savior complex, descendants of the gods themselves, not a half-bad idea.
I think one of the big complaints with Dragonborn is how much they cheapen dragons.
Dragons used to be these awe inspiring creatures of myth and power. In western mythology, they're creatures of evil, fire, poison, and pure brute strength, terrorizing entire kingdoms and destroy armies, often requiring a champion chosen by God, armed with holy relics, to defeat. In eastern mythology, dragons ARE the gods, identified with power beyond the conception of mortals. Traditionally in Dungeons and Dragons, dragons held the sort of "last boss" position, the thing you didn't even THINK about messing around with until you were very, very, very powerful.
In 4e, dragons are killable in your first few levels, and hey, look, there's one in your group!
Dragons used to be these awe inspiring creatures of myth and power. In western mythology, they're creatures of evil, fire, poison, and pure brute strength, terrorizing entire kingdoms and destroy armies, often requiring a champion chosen by God, armed with holy relics, to defeat. In eastern mythology, dragons ARE the gods, identified with power beyond the conception of mortals. Traditionally in Dungeons and Dragons, dragons held the sort of "last boss" position, the thing you didn't even THINK about messing around with until you were very, very, very powerful.
In 4e, dragons are killable in your first few levels, and hey, look, there's one in your group!
hong said:
Yes, Saint George does, and he does so because and ONLY because he has God on his side.
hong said:
Epic levels. God has no time for commoners ;p
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