D&D 5E So How Many Different Kinds of Elves Can There Be? A Thread on Subraces

[Dannyalcatraz]

That's a good analogy. Humans don't have subraces in real life or in-game.

I don't know- if you really look, you can see all kinds of "subraces"* in humanity due to environmental pressures- the pygmy tribes, those whose lungs are more acclimated to mountain living (like in Peru or the Himalayas).

And though they're not more cold resistant than other humans, Inuits and other (far) North American indiginous peoples are less susceptible to the ills resulting from diets high in animal fats.









* in the game sense, because "races" don't have a real big basis in science

 

[Morrus]

I don't know- if you really look, you can see all kinds of "subraces"* in humanity due to environmental pressures- the pygmy tribes, those whose lungs are more acclimated to mountain living (like in Peru or the Himalayas).

And though they're not more cold resistant than other humans, Inuits and other (far) North American indiginous peoples are less susceptible to the ills resulting from diets high in animal fats.

That's just fluff text. Sure, different people have minor characteristics, mainly handled by choice of ability scores and description. In extreme cases, possibly leveraging a feat. If your character comes from a high altitude or cold place, maybe consider putting an extra point in Constitution.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Sorry- had to answer a doorbell, so my post was incomplete.

I actually agree with you on humanity. My point was that the distance between those (and other) human variants are about as wide as some D&D subraces. (Also, FR did have some regional variant humans, though not quite subraces.)

For a RPG's subraces to be different, I want them to be DIFFERENT. That's why I approve of aquaelves. That's why my homebrewed forest elves were divided between deciduous and evergreen types.

I'm far more likely to want distinct species for extreme or specialized niches rather than subraces.

So for instance, in that homebrew with the planty (true fey) elves with a deep connection to nature, the (true fey) gnomes took the role of supreme arcane master craftsmen, the Drow had been supplanted by Seshayans, and Dwarves were replaced by psionically active Warforged with Dwarven culture (they were essentially like the Cybermen or Daleks- Dwarven brains in Warforged bodies).

 

[Dice4Hire]

As long as there is not an elven (or any other race) optimized with ability scores and abilities to outshine all other races at each and every particular class, I will be happy.

3.5 was not quite this bad, but it was oh so close. Overall I am a fan of 5E's minimalist approach to ability score boosts. And I love its ability score boosts for class. It makes so much sense.

 

[dmccoy1693]

Basically, my objection to the concept comes down to, if desert humans don't get different stats from fantasy-pseudo-Western-European humans, why should elves and dwarves?

I don't think there will be subraces of humans and for good reason. If a dark-skinned human is made, then there is fuel for those that want to say that that subrace is "not a proper human" or is "inferior" or whatever. But you can make all the subraces of elves and dwarves and gnomes you want witout offending anyone. ]

 

[dmccoy1693]

One. With infinitely flexible cultural variation according to campaign. That's my preference. I literally don't even know what 70% I'd D&D elf varieties are.

Plus drow. So, two.

I could be persuaded that woodland and magic-city elves are different. High/Wild and Grey.

Why does your post remind me of a monty python spanish inquisition sketch? :?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

High/Wild and Grey

Sounds like a geriatric bachelor party...

 

[variant]

I don't think there will be subraces of humans and for good reason. If a dark-skinned human is made, then there is fuel for those that want to say that that subrace is "not a proper human" or is "inferior" or whatever. But you can make all the subraces of elves and dwarves and gnomes you want witout offending anyone. ]

Why would it need to be divided such a way? Why not have Barbarians, Metropolitans, Cosmopolitans, and other different types of humans? There are a lot of different variants you could have in a fantasy world such as a type of humans that come from a place steeped in sorcery and get innate magical abilities or a people that was created or chosen by a specific god and are granted divine abilities.

 

[Weather Report]

That's just fluff text. Sure, different people have minor characteristics, mainly handled by choice of ability scores and description. In extreme cases, possibly leveraging a feat. If your character comes from a high altitude or cold place, maybe consider putting an extra point in Constitution.

I heard Inuit folk have more ventricles in their extremities, hence are less prone to frostbite.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I don't know- if you really look, you can see all kinds of "subraces"* in humanity due to environmental pressures- the pygmy tribes, those whose lungs are more acclimated to mountain living (like in Peru or the Himalayas).

And though they're not more cold resistant than other humans, Inuits and other (far) North American indiginous peoples are less susceptible to the ills resulting from diets high in animal fats.

I heard Inuit folk have more ventricles in their extremities, hence are less prone to frostbite.

This is all true, but d20 is a granular system and doesn't deal well with such small things. I've literally never seen a d20 game that deals with the risks of heart attacks.

And of course, ideology, aka don't offend anyone. It's too easy to do so, even if you're well-meaning, so the topic is best left alone.

Why would it need to be divided such a way? Why not have Barbarians, Metropolitans, Cosmopolitans, and other different types of humans? There are a lot of different variants you could have in a fantasy world such as a type of humans that come from a place steeped in sorcery and get innate magical abilities or a people that was created or chosen by a specific god and are granted divine abilities.

This was actually done in the FR, with regional human feats in FRCS. Humans from Lantan could take a feat that gave them cantrips, because it was a really "magical" area. Humans from certain areas could take a feat that gave resistance to disease (those areas had been hit by a plague), and maybe from one area could take a feat to give resistance to cold environmental conditions. (That's even weaker than resist cold 5 though, so I wonder if anyone ever took those feats.)

Alternatively, D&DN-style backgrounds could cover this sort of thing. A "woodsman" background doesn't sound very urban. A "city rat" background doesn't sound very rural. But most PCs are likely to take backgrounds like "soldier", "noble" or "scholar" instead. These have their own implications. (Nobles are pretty much both urban and rural, having country estates and spending time in their local capital.)