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Message: <blockquote data-quote="EvilDwarf" data-source="post: 7419273" data-attributes="member: 46843">So, I've come to a friendly environment to raise a question that's been bugging me for a while, and now that I'm working up a new adventure to DM for our group, the question is at the fore of my mind.Mainly, just what the subject line says: how do I make racial choices matter for my players and in the game?First a bit about my group's tendency: we choose our character race based on stat boosts and whatever ability the race might grant. After that, race hardly matters at all. And, I'm trying to think of ways to make it matter. Now, if we sit at the table playing, there's no problem distinguishing the fighter from the cleric from the paladin from the wizard. But, you'd never be able to (aside from the occasional breath weapon LOL) tell what races were being played.So here are some random observations that maybe you all could respond to:Classes seem to get all the love, but what mechanics aside from a few racial feats that don't really "distinguish" characters IMO does race get in the game?I can't make my characters role play. I can't force them to play the differences between an elf vs. a dwarf.You could just say, Well, if that's the way your group plays, that's the way your group plays. But, then, there's no interesting discussion to be had. And I'm looking for creative, interesting input.How do others handle the distinctions between race? Do you also just ignore it? Do you have some race mechanic at play? Does your group naturally role play the differences, and if so, how? How do you encourage it? Do you say, The Elf detects movement ahead in the forest, instead of, The Ranger notices a goblin peering from the rocks ahead?I could go the route re: Star Wars and droids: We don't serve your kind in here--the droids will have to wait outside. Problem: that creates an animosity on the part of the characters toward the NPCs that doesn't really help the game (in Star Wars, Luke and Obi Want just went ahead--my party members are unlikely to overlook such a slight).On a related note, I could have the townsfolk cross the street (as the PHB suggests), have children pelt the elf with rocks and stones, etc. But then I'm crossing the line between playing out a race and being racist, if you see what I mean. Isn't there a subtle but important distinction between making race matter vs. incorporating a racist element?So, I ask a genuine question: what do you all do to make race matter in your games?</blockquote>

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