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Four New Elf Subraces in Unearthed Arcana
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<blockquote data-quote="R_Chance" data-source="post: 7729584" data-attributes="member: 55149"><p>IMO, you get sub-races of Elves, Dwarves etc. and not Humans because there are physical differences between the other species sub-races, and not just cultural ones. The Elves in AD&D were differed in size, life span, level limits, base characteristics and so on, it was more than simply cosmetic or cultural. Drow were not Drow just because of pigmentation. Cultural differences can be accounted for with Backgrounds or access to different Classes or Sub-Classes. You wouldn't need different sub-races for that.</p><p></p><p>If you want sub-races of Humans, they should be physically / biologically different as well. Standard Humans (Homo Sapiens Sapiens) versus, say Neanderthals (Homo Neanderthalensis), or one of the other existing (or some imaginary) types of Human. Then you have some reason for differences in abilities (and life span, etc.). Otherwise the differences between standard Humans are best done as Backgrounds.</p><p></p><p>Of course, given the rough similarities in form between Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Orcs, etc. and the apparent ability of some of them to interbreed, you might say you already have your variant Humans. Or Humans might be the variant...</p><p></p><p>Just a thought. In my game world the differences between the different sub-races of the species go back to a cataclysmic ancient war fought with high magic, divine power and raw chaos. Hence the physical differences between sub-races within a historical rather than evolutionary time frame. It works for me. It explains the physical differences, the divergence in culture, their adaptations to radically different environments (i.e. the sea) and so on. Oh, and the hatreds <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> The origins of the separate races go back further in my games history.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="R_Chance, post: 7729584, member: 55149"] IMO, you get sub-races of Elves, Dwarves etc. and not Humans because there are physical differences between the other species sub-races, and not just cultural ones. The Elves in AD&D were differed in size, life span, level limits, base characteristics and so on, it was more than simply cosmetic or cultural. Drow were not Drow just because of pigmentation. Cultural differences can be accounted for with Backgrounds or access to different Classes or Sub-Classes. You wouldn't need different sub-races for that. If you want sub-races of Humans, they should be physically / biologically different as well. Standard Humans (Homo Sapiens Sapiens) versus, say Neanderthals (Homo Neanderthalensis), or one of the other existing (or some imaginary) types of Human. Then you have some reason for differences in abilities (and life span, etc.). Otherwise the differences between standard Humans are best done as Backgrounds. Of course, given the rough similarities in form between Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Orcs, etc. and the apparent ability of some of them to interbreed, you might say you already have your variant Humans. Or Humans might be the variant... Just a thought. In my game world the differences between the different sub-races of the species go back to a cataclysmic ancient war fought with high magic, divine power and raw chaos. Hence the physical differences between sub-races within a historical rather than evolutionary time frame. It works for me. It explains the physical differences, the divergence in culture, their adaptations to radically different environments (i.e. the sea) and so on. Oh, and the hatreds :) The origins of the separate races go back further in my games history. [/QUOTE]
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