What is the most despised race?

[Ranger REG]

I think the "Drow hatred" comes mostly from those Drizzt wannabes.

That is a confusing statement, yet I understand what you're trying to convey. For example, back in the 80's -- yes, where dino still roam the earth and humaniti have shed pelts & fur for hot pants and spandex -- I hate Menudo for the simple fact that we have had so many Menudo fans in my high & intermediate school, and all they talk about is "Menudo this" and "Menudo that."

Let's face it. There are going to be humans that are jealous of someone else's popularity (real or fictional) and the adoration and attention it was give. The Trekkies hate those Darth Wannabes with their toy lightsabers showing up at The Phantom Menace opening. The SW fans hate the LOTR fans in costume during the opening of The Two Towers. And Ben Affleck fans hate J-Lo and his scrawny husband, Marc Anthony.

These days, we gauge popularity by how many people resent them.

 

[ivocaliban]

See what I mean? A race of pranksters and inventors ... oh wait, anyone else can do that anyway.

I played a gnome once, and it had nothing to do with RP. I just wanted a low-level wizard who wouldn't get killed right off the bat. Small size + Con bonus is nice. I never once used any of the gnome special abilities though (eg I never spoke to animals, I never used cantrips, I never used their +1 bonus to save DC for illusions, I wasn't an illusionist or a bard, etc).

Seriously, if I could see a gnome in a novel taken seriously I might be able to play one. I've only seen gnomes (outside of DLance, which hasn't helped the gnome image at all) is in a single FR short story, a humorous one, where the single faceless gnome was a member of a gang of halfling bandits. Really, if you can't take them seriously or even distinguish between gnomes and halflings, it causes you to wonder why they even exist in the game.

Personally, I look to Tom Bombadil as what a gnome should be. There is much debate on making the connection but "Tom was a creature of contradictions, one moment defeating ancient forces with hardly an effort, the next capering and singing nonsensical songs" (taken from The Encyclopedia of Arda). For me, that is essentially the essence of being a gnome. Furthermore, he's described as "...an old man, at least in hobbit eyes, with a wrinkled and ruddy face, bright blue eyes, and a bristling brown beard. He was said to be taller than a typical hobbit, but too short to be a Man..." which is pretty much a D&D gnome.

And, yes, there are plenty of differences to point out if one wishes to do so, but I think there's a great deal of delight in gnomes if one bothers to look. But, at least gnomes are despised. It's better than merely being ignored.

 

[ivocaliban]

These days, we gauge popularity by how many people resent them.

I know I resented David Wenham for playing "Q" (aka Carl) in Van Helsing. Hmm...maybe pitied is a better word.

 

[Ranger REG]

I know I resented David Wenham for playing "Q" (aka Carl) in Van Helsing. Hmm...maybe pitied is a better word.

Methink you're resenting the wrong actor in that movie. IIRC, he's not the leading actor that got to woo Kate Beckinsale.

These days I resent Tom Cruise. Because of him, I can't really see Penelope Cruz as a desirable person of attraction. She's damaged good. He ruined that for me. That and the millions and millions of his fans worldwide.

 

[Turjan]

The Trekkies hate those Darth Wannabes with their toy lightsabers showing up at The Phantom Menace opening.[/i]

I was cured from this one. A colleague of mine and big SW fan once went to a costume party, and on the way back home (by underground and by foot) we had a major blackout in the city where I lived. It was nice walking home at night through the city next to "Darth Vader" with his lightsaber being the only light source. People looked a bit sceptical when he guided them to the door locks with his lightsaber . Of course, he wore the helmet all the time .

 

[Acid_crash]

I picked human.

 

[Emirikol]

That would make an excellent campaign.

THE WAR BETWEEN THE GNOMES AND HALFLINGS RAGES UNDER YOUR FEET. IT'S NOT OVER YET. CAN YONDALLA WITHSTAND THE FORCES OF URDLEN, THE CRAWLER BELOW? FIND OUT, NEXT TIME ON, "CAMPAIGNS YOU'D LOVE TO SEE DONE BY JOHN CARPENTER."

Looks like the elves (144 votes, including dark elves) even overtook the fairy players races.

JH

 

[Emirikol]

Are gnomes just considered redundant now that they're no longer special (i.e. as a result of 3.5)?

Yea, they could probably go away and only 15 or so players world-wide might notice

jh

 

[Acid_crash]

Why is there no love for the little guys (gnomes)? What did a gnome do to you to make you hate them so much?

 

[Emirikol]

I have no dislike for gnomes, but 3.0/3.5 just made them redundant halflings. It's a shame, because from a fantasy standpoint they have a greater potential than those little ratlings.

jh