Half-Race Genetics.

[Ashardalon]

Personally, I'm in the "Don't let real-world science affect your world too much" camp. Of course, in most cases, the laws of nature of the real world and the fantasy worlds have more or less the same effect, even if they are different.
But "genetics" (and I would only use this term loosely) evidently work different, given that things like alignment can be passed on (half-fiends/celestials/dragons). That said, use whatever happens to fit your vision best.

 

[fusangite]

There is also another important phenomenon in myth -- perhaps we could call it collective Lamarckism: the idea that the deeds of a collective people shape the nature and inheritance patterns of its descendants. Tolkien seems to have work with this concept of the collective enoblement or decay of a race based on the conduct of its elites.

 

[Norfleet]

Re: all sorts of half-breeds

Consider here the centaur. Obviously the result of human-horse breeding. And presented in the ancient literature as quite interested in human females. And consider the chimera. Again the result of some unusual breeding.

I thought the chimera, owlbear, and other mutant critters were the results of twisted magical experimentation, not any sort of breeding.

 

[Norfleet]

There is also another important phenomenon in myth -- perhaps we could call it collective Lamarckism: the idea that the deeds of a collective people shape the nature and inheritance patterns of its descendants. Tolkien seems to have work with this concept of the collective enoblement or decay of a race based on the conduct of its elites.

That's not entirely mythical. What's actually happening is that the deeds of the people involved are influencing the selective pressures on the population, with the result that individuals with the traits favored by the population have greater reproductive success.

In fact, it's happening today. Just witness the increasing proliferation of stupid people.

 

[Angcuru]

In fact, it's happening today. Just witness the increasing proliferation of stupid people.

I second that. Just look at pop culture! But remember, never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

 

[David Argall]

same thing

"I thought the chimera, owlbear, and other mutant critters were the results of twisted magical experimentation, not any sort of breeding."

& just what sort of twisted magical experimentation did you think too place?

They were breeding programs. Not very successful from the view of those who created them, but able to survive on their own now.

 

[Lalato]

Edit: Dwarves and humans aren't close enough to produce offspring at all, let alone fertile offspring.

I think this really depends on the campaign setting. In the campaign I currently play in, half-dwarves are allowed. The only playable races are...

Human, Orc, Dwarf, Half-Orc, Half-Dwarf and Talaire (a blue-skinned psionic race).

I'm currently playing a half-dwarf Bard/Barbarian (Skald).

--sam