Ravenloft Races

[Mendanbar]

Hi all,
Just wondering what you all think about the racial choices available. I was trying to think of a way to play a more original race, but perhaps it isn't as feasible as I thought? Currently you are restricted to the PHB races, which is fine. I was wondering if anyone has thought of bringing in some of the variant race types, like Avariel. Maybe it makes no sense, and I'm just being crazy. Thanks!

 

[Alzrius]

To be perfectly fair, you aren't limited to the PHB races, per se.

Calibans are the same as half-orcs in terms of stats, but are different from a role-playing perspective, being deformed freaks born that way for no apparent reason.

There's also half-Vistani as a race too.

In the strictest sense, this is hard to pull off, but you could play a kender from Sithicus. The living kender from kendralind can leave Sithicus, but any such PC would have to be far and away different from the homicidally-paranoid kender there (though such a PC would likely still be an afflicted kender anyway).

Beyond that, any other PC race is likely to face prejudice at best, and open fear and hostility at worst. The Outcast Rating system works well for determining how NPCs treat the monstrous PC, but it's pretty clear that the less human a PC looks, the worse he'll be treated, and the bar is set low.

 

[Nightfall]

Of course if you cast an Illusion spell on yourself...and try not to make too many Power Checks, you'll be fine.

 

[Mendanbar]

Haha, thanks for the input guys. ^.^

 

[Jhamin]

Hi all,
Just wondering what you all think about the racial choices available. I was trying to think of a way to play a more original race, but perhaps it isn't as feasible as I thought? Currently you are restricted to the PHB races, which is fine. I was wondering if anyone has thought of bringing in some of the variant race types, like Avariel. Maybe it makes no sense, and I'm just being crazy. Thanks!

Ravenloft just isn't as much about all the wild PC abilites. The theory is that you are supposed to get all into the world rather than trying to out-do the other players with cool PC builds. Heck, 2nd Edition Ravenloft even made it hard to play non-humans!

Of course, this assumes you have a DM that is running a version of the world you have any interest in getting into.....

 

[Nightfall]

Jhamir,

True but that shouldn't preclude you from playing something OTHER than human some times.

Not saying cool PC builds are always acceptable in RL but doesn't mean you can't do it IF you have a DM willing to adjust it a tad.