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Message: <blockquote data-quote="cowpie" data-source="post: 8486783" data-attributes="member: 98840">I think D&D uses stereotyped "templates" for character races for several practical reasons:1) It provides new players with a simple template to latch onto when playing the character.  In no way are they forced to follow this, it just gives newbies some guidelines on how to get into character.  As D&D has traditionally been a DIY hobby, it was assumed players would make their own worlds, and change these templates to suit their personal taste (ie: just cause it's in the book doesn't mean you have to use it).  Providing basic character templates is a big selling point for all major RPGs.2) Elves, Dwarves and Halflings were based on Tolkien, because LOTR was published in paperback in 1967, which triggered a massive Tolkien craze in the 70s (this had a follow-on effect of driving demand for new fantasy books).  TSR put these templates in the game, to capitalize on this craze.  Players loved LOTR, so they gave them what they wanted--a chance to live out their fantasies by getting to play Legolas, Gimli or a Hobbit in a game, instead of just passively reading about them in a book.  This was a very successful sales strategy, one WOTC should be careful not to forget (IMHO).3) Fiction uses stereotyped characters all the time -- not to promote discrimination, but for story economy.  Every incidental NPC (especially ones who are only in the story for 5 minutes) don't need to be fleshed out.  Guard #5 doesn't need a backstory.  Just the main characters.  Orcs being evil in D&D serves the same purpose as Nazi's all being evil in Raiders of the Lost Ark.  The Stormtroopers on Tatoonie are there to be a threat that drives the characters along in the story and remind the audience that the Empire is dangerous and a force for evil.  As such, no one mourns Stormtrooper #3 when Han blasts him in Mos Eisley.  It is, after all, only a movie.  4) If you want to use Orcs as more than "bad guys" in your game, that's great!  See #1 on how the game is DIY.  Just modify them to taste.  This mitigates the need to change the lore in the core books--because everyone is already free to change them.</blockquote>

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