D&D General Greyhawk Humanocentricism?

[Remathilis]

IDK, I like it when say seeing an Elf is rare. It adds a special air to them or any other "special" race.

I mean, if I meet a French guy I want to talk to him. That's a rare sight in my neck of the woods.

Everyone is just plain shades of grey is BORING. Everyone is the same except for their racial trait. Zzzzzz

Big Cities like Baldurs Gate or Waterdeep. Sure not a big deal but Podunk Faerun, wow a dwarf/dragonman/aasimar! I would think that would make the player feel special for a bit.

I'm a human every single day of my life, be nice to be a little extra special on occasion in a world of elves and dragons.

IMO.

I don't think every town or village has to be fully integrated for the nation to be. Dragonborn don't have to live in every community, but they can live in any community. So a particular Podunk doesn't have an elf community and they are a rare sight, but that doesn't mean elves in that nation are likewise rare. The important part is that the elf coming into said town is treated more like a foreign visitor than an alien from another world....

 

[Parmandur]

I think there's something you're not considering. Only a tiny minority of D&D players are represented here at ENWorld and other online forums. In 2023, roughly 48% of D&D players were identified as Millennials. The oldest Millennials weren't even born when the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Setting was released in 1980, they were only two when The World of Greyhawk boxed set was released in 1983, and they were eight when City of Greyhawk was released in 1989. What I'm getting at is the bulk of D&D's player base these days probably didn't grow up with Greyhawk. i.e. The die-hard Greyhawk fan isn't a significant concern for WotC these days. i.e. They don't have to worry about appeasing them.

For the record, I realize WotC doesn't really much care about my opinion. I don't buy many of their books despite 5th edition being my favorite version of the game. I do have some sympathy when it comes to fans. There are some games I'm hesitant to talk about because rabid fans come out of the woodwork and aren't shy about letting you know why you're wrong.

As a Millenial Greyhawk fan born in 1985, my first brush with the Setting was creating a character with the 3E PHB.

I'm confused. How would that change the statement?

"Fan"

 

[SkidAce]

As a Millenial Greyhawk fan born in 1985, my first brush with the Setting was creating a character with the 3E PHB.

"Fan"

Ohh.

 

[Hussar]

I'm confused. How would that change the statement?

Its just some of the "fans".

 

[Micah Sweet]

well considering not so long ago in recent years it was being said it doesn't make sense that bar the token melting pot hub city every other major settlement seemed to be monoculture settlements...

Who was saying that? Not me.

 

[Micah Sweet]

So I'm going to preference this with a huge IMHO.

It's just easier that way. The average D&D party is cosmopolitan. It's probably a good thing to say that represents society in large rather than being the exception. It's not like conflicts can't still happen; nationalism doesn't need to see race in order to function. Furyondy doesn't need to be overwhelmingly human to war with the Empire of Iuz.

Moreover, most species historically didn't have their own monospecies nations. There is no halfling nation or gnome nation and nobody questioned where they lived or how integrated they were in other lands. If they can just live amongst human nations, I don't see why dragonborn or goliaths can't.

Lastly, and on a personal note, the real world is so full of division based on race, gender, religion and lifestyle that it's mildly refreshing to imagine a world where that doesn't matter as much. I'm kinda over characters being hated for being born an orc, tiefling or drow by society writ large. Let hatred be a personal, rather than societal ill for a change.

What do you mean by "historically" in reference to fantasy cultures? Just Greyhawk? Because there are plenty of halfling and gnome monospecies nations historically in fantasy.

However, I of course respect your IMHO.

 

[Micah Sweet]

The problem is that in Greyhawk, people doesn't want to talk with the special guy. They want to kill him because "he is different".

Is that a Greyhawk thing? I'm not familiar enough with the setting to say.

For my part, I'm fine with that kind of intolerance being a thing in fantasy (Dragonlance for example is practically built on it, and you see it plenty of other places too). Nothing wrong with not wanting it in your game of course.

 

[Remathilis]

What do you mean by "historically" in reference to fantasy cultures? Just Greyhawk? Because there are plenty of halfling and gnome monospecies nations historically in fantasy.

However, I of course respect your IMHO.

Yeah, I was referring specifically to Greyhawk not having a gnome or halfling nation.

 

[Parmandur]

Yeah, I was referring specifically to Greyhawk not having a gnome or halfling nation.

Yeah, I think that Species not needing distinct ethnoststed to be common player options was a pretty clever idea on Gygax part...and is scalable with modern options.

 

[Zeromaru X]

Yeah, I think that Species not needing distinct ethnoststed to be common player options was a pretty clever idea on Gygax part...and is scalable with modern options.

You say that. I say justice for Gnomeregan!


(The Shire is also there, if someone cares for hob... flings— halflings, ejem).