LightPhoenix
First Post
If the goal for races is simplicity, and I think it should be, then I'm all for getting rid of ability score adjustments altogether. Give each race one or two special abilities (including humans) and leave it at that. If you're using feats, maybe allow the player to pick from a feat pool with the option to pick up more later. The abilities can be thematically appropriate and, if built right, can suggest certain classes mechanically.
I'm not against the idea of docking small races on strength and movement, but I am wary of a penalty/bonus system. Specifically, I think that they're difficult and fiddly to balance, and easily gamed to make your penalties mean less than your bonuses. So if Halflings and Gnomes (and whatever else) get penalized for being small, I don't think they should get anything in return. If you want to be a Halfling Barbarian, that's great, but mechanically it would be a very sub-optimal choice.
I'm not against the idea of docking small races on strength and movement, but I am wary of a penalty/bonus system. Specifically, I think that they're difficult and fiddly to balance, and easily gamed to make your penalties mean less than your bonuses. So if Halflings and Gnomes (and whatever else) get penalized for being small, I don't think they should get anything in return. If you want to be a Halfling Barbarian, that's great, but mechanically it would be a very sub-optimal choice.