D&D 5E What is the appeal of the weird fantasy races?

[Oofta]

I'm pretty sure there's an effort to avoid portraying racial discrimination as a norm in modern media. The Hobbit movies were careful to show that the bad blood between the dwarves and the elves was because the dwarves refused to give the elves the jewels they wanted and the elves refused to help the dwarves when Smaug attacked rather than a more general racial distrust. I think the racial preferences table was pretty much a 1e feature - I don't recall seeing it from 2e onwards.

It's not racial discrimination per se, it's friction caused by a different approach to life. Still obviously broad brushstrokes and generalities.

Dwarven attitude towards elves

Elves. It’s not wise to depend on the elves. No telling what an elf will do next; when the hammer meets the orc’s head, they’re as apt to start singing as to pull out a sword. They’re flighty and frivolous.​

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Elven attitudes towards dwarves

Dwarves. Dwarves are dull, clumsy oafs ... they lack in humor, sophistication, and manners​

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In any case it was just a simple example of a situation where the DC may be adjusted depending on who the PC is, in this case based on race. In my campaign world some elves and dwarves get along fine, in others you wouldn't want them both at the same dinner party without first putting away the sharp cutlery.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I did. Then the weight thing got me again. The grip strength needed is just too much for my mind to overcome. But, I wouldn't fault anyone for thinking that way.

Well, if we have a rope already, no reason we can’t also have a block and tackle, and a rope harness around the centaur.

With spiked shoes to help grip the rock, the centaur is pushing upward with all four legs and pulling with their hands, but with a block and tackle, they aren’t even pulling up their full weight.

 

[Oofta]

It's a trope, alright. A very tired trope.

Good grief. It was also just a freakin' example off the top of my head that didn't take a lot of explanation.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Talked to friend who raises, rescues, and trains horses, and she found the idea of centaurs being unable to climb, even up and down sheer rock face, preposterous.

I’m not myself an expert, but according to her, refusing to believe centaurs can climb requires not knowing much about horses.

Take that as you will, I’m not gonna grill a friend with follow ups or demands of proof on anyone else’s behalf.

 

[Azzy]

Good grief. It was also just a freakin' example off the top of my head that didn't take a lot of explanation.

That's cool, I get you. Sorry 'bout that, that trope has been a pet peeve of mine for over two decades. I'll use it Greyhawk (like the rest of the 1e PHB racial attitudes), but jettison it anywhere else.

 

[Azzy]

Talked to friend who raises, rescues, and trains horses,

That's awesome. My oldest sister had a horse farm and taught dressage. I spent a lot of time there as a youngster.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

That's awesome. My oldest sister had a horse farm and taught dressage. I spent a lot of time there as a youngster.

Horses are just shy of dogs on the “cool animals that make humans’ lives better” hierarchy.

I help out with rescue funding whenever I can, wish I could do more. If she weren’t most of a continent distant, I’d physically help out.

Horses are great.

 

[Minigiant]

I'm pretty sure there's an effort to avoid portraying racial discrimination as a norm in modern media. The Hobbit movies were careful to show that the bad blood between the dwarves and the elves was because the dwarves refused to give the elves the jewels they wanted and the elves refused to help the dwarves when Smaug attacked rather than a more general racial distrust. I think the racial preferences table was pretty much a 1e feature - I don't recall seeing it from 2e onwards.

Yeah the trope is
The Dwarves are too stubborn and inwardly focused to care about what the Elves care about.
The Elves are haughty and long thinking to think what the Dwarves care about matters.
This leads to a betrayal of oaths, an unfair trade, or a decline of call for aid.

It's not racial tension as much as both races think their own stuff is the most important thing at any given times.

 

[Chaosmancer]

If there's a climb check that means athletics check which uses strength.

But I think the bigger point is, a strength 8 warlock with full gear may not even be asked to make a climbing check, even though if you account for their body mass, they would be over their weight limit.

An aspect that most people never even consider when checking encumbrance (since encumbrance never mentions it)

 

[Chaosmancer]

If something calls for an athletics check, then yes. Climbing an unknotted rope will require a check, potentially one that's too high for a person with an 8 strength. A knotted rope would lower that DC for a humanoid is because they can use their feet. But it might still be a DC 5 athletics check or similar for a humanoid.

Setting the DC for a centaur would be much more difficult for all the reasons mentioned.

Climbing a rope should not require a check.

Climbing a knotted rope especially should not.

This discussion was had earlier.

Athletics checks for climbing are only for extreme situations, examples given include "A slippery vertical surface" or "one with few handholds"

The idea that climbing a rope and climbing an cliff covered in ice are even remotely comparable is laughable.