Which race is the LEAST masculine?

[Aust Diamondew]

Based on the human standard of masculinity (seeing as I'm human) the stereotypical elf is the definite answer.

 

[TroyXavier]

Elves. it's not even close.

 

[Lucky Number]

You needed a POLL to figger this one out?
Sheesh, simpering pointy eared tree shaggers are not masculine.

tree shaggers? Vulgarity aside, from whence does that idea come? As far as i can recall, only one race of elves is particularly associated with trees. One would think that someone who styles himself the Lorax would be more amenable to folk who live in the forests. It seems that everyone here is styling their elves on a mixture of Legolas and the bit-part bowyers that captured the Fellowship. I wonder what it is that i missed in the core rulebooks that leads to this assumption. As for simpering, the vast majority of the pictures i've seen of elves portrayed them with either stern or distant expressions, their mood ranging from haughty superiority to outright contempt.

Based on the human standard of masculinity (seeing as I'm human) the stereotypical elf is the definite answer.

Odd. I'm human too, but i am somehow able to see that the "standard" of masculinity varies greatly from one culture to the next. Indeed, as i mentioned in my previous post, the standard of masculinity in Medieval Europe (the historic era and locale that D&D is most based in) was a fellow wearing tight stockings, a garter belt, pointy shoes, and a loose shirt that looked rather like a skirt when a belt was properly worn. That pink was previously considered to be a masculine colour (and blue to be feminine) should be enough to show how much "standards" can change even within one culture.

I'm curious what standard you are using, since you consider elves to be in opposition to it. Do you see masculinity as entailing obesity, stunted ears, an inability to survive in the woods, and a lack of culture? Considering that the stereotype of elves (as opposed to how they are actually portrayed in the rulebooks) seems to be that they are slender, long-eared master woodsmen with a refined aesthetic sense; one might suppose that your view of human masculinity is rather dim.

 

[Andor]

Half-orcs, easily. All that steroid abuse leads to severe shrinkage. We're talking two lentils in a peanut shell here.

 

[Starglim]

They have a strong natural link to nature, innate powers of illusion, and a reputation for mischief- sounds like nearly every fey race in fantasy and folklore. It also doesn't sound either masculine or feminine, merely "other".

This was the basis for my vote: gnomes are least masculine or feminine of the player character races. Favoured Class: Bard doesn't help, either.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

I vote for Dryads

 

[Gothmog]

Michael Jackso....I mean elfs.

Think about it- the similarities are just eerie.

 

[the Lorax]

tree shaggers? Vulgarity aside, from whence does that idea come? As far as i can recall, only one race of elves is particularly associated with trees. One would think that someone who styles himself the Lorax would be more amenable to folk who live in the forests.

Guess I've been reading too much Green Ronin Bastards and Bloodlines. Woodwose are clearly described as elf/treant cross breeds (and that doesnt even begin to go into the elf/naga crossbreeds...)

The poll is a joke, dont take it too seriously. ;-)

 

[Jolly Giant]

I almost voted dwarf (you all realize those big beards are just clip-ons, right? ), but in the end I just couldn't get my self to not vote elf.

On a side note, this thread has now made me want to try making a real macho-elf character. (Grey-elf barbarians are under-rated! )

 

[Lucky Number]

This was the basis for my vote: gnomes are least masculine or feminine of the player character races. Favoured Class: Bard doesn't help, either.

Makes sense. I was coming at it from the idea that something that isn't even on the chart doesn't count in either direction, if that makes any sense.

I almost voted dwarf (you all realize those big beards are just clip-ons, right? )

That might lead to some interesting roleplaying moments, especially if it snags on a trap or something and comes off.