Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="ferratus" data-source="post: 5993848" data-attributes="member: 55966">It isn't just contradiction either.Home is sometimes the place for adventures, such as when Goblins attack.  I would assume that most halflings are taught the arts of self defense in their own martial tradition, just like it was common for people of all medieval societies to learn self defense and fighting techniques.  Just because we've largely forgotten our western martial arts traditions, doesn't mean they didn't exist. Plus, you are acting like if I say "the late medieval swiss were effective on the battlefield through their mastery of infantry tactics using pikes and halberds, you are acting like I'm saying every 80 year old matronly goatherd was a master of the awl pike.   Saying that the English were known for their skill with longbow, the swiss were known for their skill with the pike, the French for their heavy calvary, the Genoese for their crossbowmen etc. is no more or less absurd than saying that halflings are known for their skill with slings and daggers.Because an adventuring halfling wizard has training in halfling maritial arts related to daggers and slings.I'll let the knights at Agincourt and Crecy know, I'm sure they'll agree.Those who fought were indeed the elite warrior class that often won battles.  But everyone fought just like everyone prayed, even if they weren't professionals at it.Why not?   How do you think peace is gained in a world like dungeons and dragons?  By sprinkling posies around and asking pretty please don't trample my crops?   Every race in the D&D universe has stats because every race fights. Whereas you're simply being obstinate in the face far greater opposition.  That might be a clue that you're being unreasonable.So they didn't know their Tolkien very well, but the traditional D&D bonus that halflings get to slings and thrown weapons does indeed come from Tolkien.Well, except for the archers sent to aid the king of Arnor (perhaps you want shortbows instead of daggers?).  Also Bullroarer Took.  And half a dozen other examples in the Shire's past if you read the appendix.  Sure, the Shire largely forgot their martial traditions because they were in a prolonged period of peace, but they rediscovered them in a hurry when they had to oust the socialist Sharkey.Listen, you want racial abilities to respresent nothing but biological things.  Whether they have darkvision, how heavy they are etc.   But a lot of us want cultural touches to racial abilities as well.   Dwarves being able to detect stonework is not a biological thing, as presumably they are taught this.  High Elves knowing spells regardless of their class, Wood Elves knowing how to get along in the woods, and so forth are all taught rather than innate.  They are no more or less absurd than a halfling tradition of fighting with slings and daggers.</blockquote>

Verification