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<blockquote data-quote="clearstream" data-source="post: 8455765" data-attributes="member: 71699">I agree that crunch and fluff both matter, but don't think 'regardless' is right. How we mechanically represent or narratively describe differences counts. Questions like: is this representation connected with harmful stereotypes in the real world? is the representation derogatory, or supportive of themes of superiority (which are derogatory by implication)? does it feed into universal assumptions that might not be true of individuals or even whole sub-societies, and might not be necessarily true in any case?I care about social issues, and I do not find it insulting to represent a -2 to orc Int as a social issue, even though it is (or was) a game mechanic. Similarly, I do not find it insulting to represent as a social issue any fluff that orcs and half-orcs are a sub-human species innately compelled to violence. We can improve some things, without improving everything. That is typically the only path to effective improvement.Still, I partly take your point. Flat negatives on ability scores seem the worst case to me, but one has to be thoughtful in the design of other racial traits. Hence I am favouring the thought of gifts.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="clearstream, post: 8455765, member: 71699"] I agree that crunch and fluff both matter, but don't think 'regardless' is right. How we mechanically represent or narratively describe differences counts. Questions like: is this representation connected with harmful stereotypes in the real world? is the representation derogatory, or supportive of themes of superiority (which are derogatory by implication)? does it feed into universal assumptions that might not be true of individuals or even whole sub-societies, and might not be necessarily true in any case? I care about social issues, and I do not find it insulting to represent a -2 to orc Int as a social issue, even though it is (or was) a game mechanic. Similarly, I do not find it insulting to represent as a social issue any fluff that orcs and half-orcs are a sub-human species innately compelled to violence. We can improve some things, without improving everything. That is typically the only path to effective improvement. Still, I partly take your point. Flat negatives on ability scores seem the worst case to me, but one has to be thoughtful in the design of other racial traits. Hence I am favouring the thought of gifts. [/QUOTE]

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