D&D (2024) How did I miss this about the Half races/ancestries

[Guest 85555]

Sure, but one does not describe Romans as barbaric raiders. They were a civilisation that invented and improved technology, and added to the arts and sciences.
My conversation with Faolyn included flipping the script on races, so for instance a setting where orcs were not simply barbaric raiders.

The orcs in my fantasy setting are essentially Roman. At least the major orc civilization is. There are also hill tribe orcs, viking orcs, etc. The common thread is militarism and a strong distaste for human's lack of hygiene (one of the distinguishing features of orcs in my setting is a highly advanced sense of smell, so they bathe regularly like the romans)

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

I'm thinking more gnolls and hyenas, or kobolds and drakes.

When it comes to cattle/bison/rothe, I can see them being matched well with a species that claims a lot of land, or has access to a lot of unclaimed lands so they can travel seasonally to keep their herds fed well.

Pigs are omnivores that will eat any and everything, and would be great partners in mucky lands that no one else wants. My largest orc population claims a great coast of swamps and wetlands, kinda like the orcs of the Shadow Marches in Eberron, now that I think about it.

 

[AnotherGuy]

The orcs in my fantasy setting are essentially Roman. At least the major orc civilization is. There are also hill tribe orcs, viking orcs, etc. The common thread is militarism and a strong distaste for human's lack of hygiene (one of the distinguishing features of orcs in my setting is a highly advanced sense of smell, so they bathe regularly like the romans)

Do you have hobgoblins within your setting? Because historically they are the stand-in for militarism amongst humanoids if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Guest 85555]

Do you have hobgoblins within your setting? Because historically they are the stand-in for militarism amongst humanoids if I'm not mistaken.

No I didn't include Hobgoblins (but it isn't a D&D setting, just a fantasy setting using another system)

 

[Minigiant]

I've always thought of orcs as more pig-like (I like pig snouted orcs personally)

Why would pig people eat pigs?

 

[Vaalingrade]

Why would pig people eat pigs?

The good kind of orc, not the porc of the unfortunate 70's.

 

[Guest 85555]

Why would pig people eat pigs?

I don't think they would. But King Cobras eat other snakes so anything is possible

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

Why would pig people eat pigs?

Actually, distasteful as it is, pigs will eat pigs. If a DM wants their orcs to be pig-like omnivores that will eat anything, they don't even have to be evil. They can be neutral eaters of flesh, just like lizardfolk.

 

[Horwath]

How would you change small sized characters?

Go the 3.5e way.
Small characters use small weapons.
reduce damage die by step or two.

 

[Mecheon]

Small characters use small weapons.

Nah. Let a halfling barbarian use a big ol' axe for comedy.

If people can use any magic, a strong enough halfling barbarian can just, heft a giant axe