"That's not a realistic elf!"

[roguerouge]

In another, now unfortunately closed, thread on gender, someone brought up the point that you can't really accuse someone of role-playing an elf in an unrealistic manner.

But can't you?

I mean, if this person plays their elf as interested only in mining, wields an axe, hates trees, drinks ale and who lusts after bearded women... would you say that was "realistic"? Or would you say that they were playing a dwarf in elf's stats?

 

[hong]

I would say that's a cool way to play against type.

Whether or not it's "realistic" is secondary to whether the character is memorable, interesting, and good to have around.

 

[Henry]

Most fantasy races are defined by how they are DIFFERENT from humans, not by their similarities. So in a way, stereotyping is a good thing where they're concerned. There are no elves to be offended, so how they're played is of no concern to me.

That makes me wonder - Has 10th edition D&D been sued out of existance in the Shadowrun Universe for racial hatemongering? Class-Action lawsuit by all the Orcs and Trolls who have been lynched and persecuted by overzealous fantasy fans...

 

[Mephistopheles]

In this case realistic or unrealistic is relative to the context within the campaign world I guess.

As for the out of type elf example I'd say if there are reasons for the character to behave that way that are acceptable for your game then why not? Reminds me of a comment I once read from an author (I think it might have been Tolkien) which described how, upon encountering something he had written that didn't seem to fit, rather than going back and changing it he'd have a think about why it might be the way he'd written it and using that as part of the development process.

On the surface Drizzt is not a "realistic" Drow but I think Salvatore made the character work.

 

[Dykstrav]

Aiming for "realism" in a fantasy game is still hotly debated, as a design objective for this genre, it'is often counterproductive.

Many players don't complain about realism when they're willing to accept the idea of clean, healthy people in a preindustrial society without running water or knowledge of immunology and similar topics. Or the odd fact that many dungeons don't have lavatories. Where do all those orcs and dragons to the bathroom? Combat is debatably the most abstract, least realistic part of the game. Add magic and supernatural powers into the mix and debating realism gets even more shaky.

If my players complain about realism, I give them an encumbrance audit and start tracking rations and water religiously. Not because I'm trying to be a jerk, but because it's a realistic thing within the rules and players usually like to gloss over it.

Instead of realism, I shoot for plausibility. As long as the universe functions within a constant set of guidelines, the world feels like a logical place with some sort of design and consistency. Which is often what people are lookin g for when they bring up realism in this context.

 

[mmu1]

No, you can't call it "unrealistic", but I think those kinds of characters - that run counter to the stereotype in every way the player can think of - are beyond lame and show a complete lack of creativity. It's like having a petulant teenager in the party...

 

[Amphimir Míriel]

I mean, if this person plays their elf as interested only in mining, wields an axe, hates trees, drinks ale and who lusts after bearded women... would you say that was "realistic"? Or would you say that they were playing a dwarf in elf's stats?

I'd say thats very similar to Carrot Ironfoundersson from the Discworld. He's a human that was raised by dwarves and therefore has lots of dwarven cultural traits...

 

[hamishspence]

now drawing from other myths does show imagination

Playing up the Sidhe style for elves might be more interesting. Just cos they are the Lords of the Forest doesn't make them nice.

Similarly with dwarves: sullen, menacing Alberich types.

 

[Filcher]

Unrealistic isn't the right word, IMHO. Campaign worlds work when a group of players and the GM come to the table with the same shared assumptions.

If a particular character diverges sharply from those shared assumption, it better come with a killer backstory.

 

[Derren]

but I think those kinds of characters - that run counter to the stereotype in every way the player can think of - are beyond lame and show a complete lack of creativity.

But making completely stereotypical characters is creative?