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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Afrodyte" data-source="post: 1324321" data-attributes="member: 8713">Now the only question is what game to add these cultures to.  They almost seem like a shoe-in for Midnight in lieu of the elves there.  I don't own FR, so I can't say anything about that.  Maybe they could be used as a way to make standard D&D less generic.Heck, it'd be neat to see supplements that do something like that.  Just have a bunch of cultures, each chapter perhaps focusing on a different race or terrain or even a particular settlement.  No stat modifiers, but perhaps suggested traits based on what's there (I'm leaning more towards favored class, additional skills or bonuses to certain skills, and minor special abilities if it fits).Some crazy things that would be neat to see.  I wouldn't take them all together, but it'd be cool to explore one or more options:Dwarves and gnomes are the same race but different ethnicities.  Dwarves favoring the preservation of traditional ways and gnomes preferring ingenuity and invention.  Both have the love of craft and a strong perfectionistic streak, but their values are very different.  Indeed, they may very well see anything they put creative and/or emotional energy into as a craft.  Very interesting possibilities for romantic relationships.Humans and elves as the same race, but differentiated by divine or alien intervention.  For their part in some great historical event, maybe a small group of humans (and I mean small- perhaps a single extended family or at most a tribe) were given inherent magic and virtual immortality as a reward for the part they played.  Of course, those gifts come with their own burdens.No halflings.  They are really humans with size adjustments and ability scores arranged to fit them.More variety in hybrids.  I don't mean every combination under the sun, but half-dwarves could be an interesting addition, as would half-gnomes.  Half-halflings would be cheese, so I don't include them, unless you just say they are little people as you find IRL.  How about a "real" medieval Europe where things like elves, dwarves, gnomes, etc. are not treated as mundane as a pack of M&Ms?  Whether non-humans would inspire fear, hatred, envy, or love would vary, of course, but I think the rather blase cosmopolitan attitudes many d20 settings have regarding non-human races is pretty old now.  The interracial strife that is built into the known history of the world is pretty passe now too.  What if dwarves, elves, etc. were treated as they are because of what people don't know about them?  An example that started a heated discussion on the chat was having Galadriel living in 14th century France.  Here are a few possibilities I can think up off the top of my head:1.  Galadriel is burned at the stake for practicing witchcraft because she, intentionally or accidentally, upset the status quo.  This is not different from the fate of many human women, so I don't know if this is a good example.2.  Galadriel, by intent or accident, frightens the local populace, and is executed or driven out by a mob.  Once again, not very different from the fate of many real people, but in Galadriel's case it is probably a great deal more likely.  Ditto if she inspires envy.3.  The locals revere and possibly worship her as an angel or saint.  She may even become something of a living holy site people travel great distances to meet.  Many may expect her to carry their prayers to God.  In Galadriel's case, very likely due to her beauty and benevolence.4.  The locals accept her as a part of the land, much like the trees, rocks, and streams and is probably given respect by being left alone.  Occasionally, perhaps people may leave gifts for her as a way of ensuring that whatever powers she has are used in their favor.  That is, if they think she can influence the good fortune of the town.  On the down side, they may expect her to do this and turn on her if they experience a reversal of fortune, or even a tapering off of good things.  See #2 for what can happen.The gist of this is that in a land dominated by humans, seeing an elf in a marketplace will not be met with, "Just an ordinary citizen with pointy ears.  Move along."  Conversely, a human winding up in lands dominated by non-humans are unlikely to be thought of as, "Just like everyone else, only they die quick."</blockquote>

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