Why don't giants rule the world?

[Fifth Element]

I fixed your math. Seriously. A D&D AP will cover about a year in real time, assuming weekly game sessions of approximately five hours each. In game time, an AP seems to consume about six to eight months. Any given AP propels characters from 1st Level nobodies to world-shaping 20+ Level heroes in due course. It does not take years (let alone 20 of them) to obtain this kind of power in D&D.

Methinks he was referring to the fact that humans tend to start adventuring when they are adults. A 6-month-old would have a serious Strength penalty, one would imagine.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

So why don't all the dragons that have come to maximum power rule the world?

In fighting amongst each other?
Lack of desire?
Costs/benefits analysis shows sharp decline in expected treasure horde growth over the next century (if they establish a kingdom)?
Some sort of cosmic law?

That said it isn't uncommon in D&D for there to be a kingdom ruled by a dragon. I know I've done so before in my homebrew.
Its even less common for an undead horde of a lich to be about in the world.

As for beholders, as strong as they are, a lot of low level characters (like a 100-1000 level 1s) could proably take one down.
Giants, too small in numbers? Though a giant can easily match dozens of 1st level warriors in a battle.
Aboleths, being sea dwelling creatures this is an impediment to a land based empire.

 

[hero4hire]

Numbers...PC races rule by sheer numbers.

Dragons/Giants etc etc also do not possess the spirit of cooperation that is assumed with PC races. Even if PC races war against another you sure bet all the races would ally against a Draconic (or Giant or whatever) threat.

You rarely see different breeds of Giants or Dragons teaming together and when you do? They do rule!

 

[Klaus]

So why don't all the dragons that have come to maximum power rule the world?

They fight amongst themselves.

 

[Bagpuss]

Well as for Giants I put it down to their slow movement rate. You'd think with legs as long as they have they would move a little faster, but no anyone can out run them. It's not like they can find decent riding beast either.

 

[DMH]

Okay, then why don't kobolds rule the world? They breed a lot faster than humans and are one of the few races that are naturally magical (sorcerer as favored class). A lot of low level sorcerers can make a lot of low powered magical items to boost their leaders as well as flinging spells.

 

[Rechan]

Okay, then why don't kobolds rule the world? They breed a lot faster than humans and are one of the few races that are naturally magical (sorcerer as favored class). A lot of low level sorcerers can make a lot of low powered magical items to boost their leaders as well as flinging spells.

The same reason that rats do not rule the ecosystem: everything else eats them.

Kobolds are better at defense than offense. They're small, fast, and can cast spells, but they have so few HPs that a human's sneeze can kill them.

It's hard to take over the world by setting up enough traps and digging enough trenches.

Also you have to consider the kobold mindset. They don't want to rule the world. They want to be left alone. Their entire drive is to make sure the Nest survives. So they're a lot like communist survivalists bunkered down somewhere always keeping watch to protect their little territory, because Everything Out There is out to Get them.

 

[Rechan]

The question should be: Why don't Hogoblins rule the world?

They're militaristic, capable, and they likely breed with either the same speed of humans, or faster like goblins. Not only that, they're slavers; so they can assimilate other races into their ranks to do the job so more hobgoblins can be pulling their weight militarily.

 

[WhatGravitas]

The question should be: Why don't Hogoblins rule the world?

Because Xoriat gobsmacked them! With Daelkyrs!

Sorry, channelled Eberron.

But yeah, hobgoblins are pretty bent on ruling, but I guess they cannot keep an entire world-spanning empire running... simply because nobody could in RL - while they're militaristic people perfect for conquering, I see them lacking in the "prospering in peace"-period.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Arkhandus]

Dragons and giants generally keep themselves in check. The reds battle the golds, the frost giants battle the fire giants, etc. They're too busy concerning themselves with their fellow big-nasty-powerful-guy rivals to spend much time conquering smaller folk.

Aboleths, mind flayers, and others just have too many enemies keeping them in check, as well as their own kind's machinations and double-crosses. And most importantly, ADVENTURERS keep them in check. Usually. When they don't, that's when other adventurers do the job.