Races variations [Archive] - Wizards Community

Races variations [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
skio
12-18-07, 07:03 AM A question for all of you world-builders out there:

Who do the 7 core races differ in your worlds from their descriptions in the PHB? And how do they fit in them?
Is the list of 'core' races different in your setting?

In my setting dwarves are portrayed as a force of progress rather than a conservative society. They are pioneers in technology and knowledge, whereas the elves are traditionalists and stuck in the old ways.
Gnomes do not exist at all (Dwarves cover them).
Halflings started hobbit-like, but were massacred in a war, forcing them to adopt a more nomadic and self-reliant lifestyle.
ragoftag
12-18-07, 09:35 PM Gnomes are a fragmented race, part enamored of Illusion or bardic things, another part techno-geek artificers and others retreating to the deep woods. Others operate the sky-ships or delve into gem working, magical toys and even banking (sry, had to!). The young are fostered to relatives among the other groups in hopes of finding their true calling in life. Long enslaved, they have thrown themselves into any new challenge with gusto!
Rosisha
12-18-07, 11:00 PM My current set up has no elves and no dwarves, as both species wiped each other out in a war eons ago in the history of my world. The playable races are halflings, gnomes, humans, and gnolls. I'm thinking of adding kobolds.

Gnomes are split: one is an Assyrian style civilization, fascinated with technology as well as being a theological civilization ruled by a Priest-King. The second civilization is celtic in nature, being focused on a nature/spirit religion, and farming in northern parts of the world. The traits of the gnomes have been changed from what is offered in the PHB.

Halflings are also split: 1) gypsy like wanderers who travel by foot or with small wagons. They are craftsmen and often exchange physical labor such as carpentry and metalwork for agricultural supplies. These are the standard halflings of the PHB. 2) The second group of halflings are very Welsh in their civilization. They live in mountainous regions, and are known for the construction of fortifications and stone work.

Gnolls are expert bowmen, and have often raided into civilized lands from the wild steppe region. They are often used as mercenaries and were responsible for the downfall of the last great human empire. Many, however, now live in the lands of Rosisha without conflict and will fight whatever raiders come from over the mountains.

thats all I have right now.
eoin62
12-18-07, 11:25 PM Sorry for the long post, but here are the representations of each of the PHB races on the main continent of my homebrew world, Raderan. For reference purposes, Raderan is a long continent on the North South Axis. The north is wild and unpopulated; the south features failing infastructure from a fading empire, think dark ages Europe with a little magic and "high" middle ages technology (Knights in not so shining armor, crossbows, trebuchets, etc).

Humans: Pretty much standard, they build, breed, purchase, and war. They are the youngest major race and comprise most of the world's population. Culturally, they are very diverse, but different cultures have no reflection in mechanics. They are the center of society on Raderan.

Gnomes: don't use 'em in this campaign. I either end up making them redundant with haflings or dwarves, depending on my mood, so I took 'em out this time.

Haflings: sort of like little brothers and sisters to the human race. They are integrated with some agarian human societies and fill the roles of farmers, artisans, brewers, innkeeps, and occasional comedians. No mechanical difference from your standard PHB version, though none of the ridiculous "subraces" from the MM are used.

Dwarves: Doughty, Elitist, and Greedy. Dwarves are not generally forces of good. They are gruff merchants and craftsmen/women who sell to the highest bidder and keep thier own council. Thus, thematically they differ from the PHB version in that they are much darker. Dwarves are not reclusive, but can be xenophobic when it comes to allowing outsiders into thier homeland. The major effect of Dwarven societies on the rest of the world is similar to that of a large corporation. They sell thier goods, make money, and reinvest to make more money. They often run banking institutions in major human trading hubs in addition to thier traditional pursuits. Mechanically, again, there is no change.

Elves: Elves are the oldest race on Raderan, they are relatively small in numbers compared to humans. They see themselves as protectors of the land and crusaders against evil forces in the world. Elves are indivdualists who live alone for the most part. Elven cities are few and far between, and where they do exist, they are well hidden. Some Elves live amongst humans, but it is generally only for a short time, often while they are on a personal "quest." If Elves are generally regarded as haughty and arrogant, it's only because they are. Elves see themselves as forces for beneficial change in the world. This is a view not always shared by the other races. To reflect the reputed "magical prowess" of elves mechanically, all elven characters (and NPCs) are allowed the following choice at character creation: Standard ability adjustment or +2 Int and -2 Str. The only Elven subrace that exists are Sea Elves, and they are mostly regarded as a mythical race, even by other Elves.

Half-Orcs: Rare, except in the northern regions where contact between human tribes and Orc tribes is an almost daily occurence. Half-Orcs are generally accepted in the north and regarded strange creatures in the south.

Half-Elves: Dwelling either by themselves or amongst human society, half elves are uncommon at best. Since most elves view humans with a sort of altruistic pity that does not lend itself well to procreation, half elves are viewed as full humans by most elves. This estrangment from the elven race generally leads half elves to identify more strongly with the culture of thier human parent. Half-elves have no distinct culture of thier own and are mechanically the same as the PHB.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
skio 12-18-07, 07:03 AM	A question for all of you world-builders out there: Who do the 7 core races differ in your worlds from their descriptions in the PHB? And how do they fit in them? Is the list of 'core' races different in your setting? In my setting dwarves are portrayed as a force of progress rather than a conservative society. They are pioneers in technology and knowledge, whereas the elves are traditionalists and stuck in the old ways. Gnomes do not exist at all (Dwarves cover them). Halflings started hobbit-like, but were massacred in a war, forcing them to adopt a more nomadic and self-reliant lifestyle.
ragoftag 12-18-07, 09:35 PM	Gnomes are a fragmented race, part enamored of Illusion or bardic things, another part techno-geek artificers and others retreating to the deep woods. Others operate the sky-ships or delve into gem working, magical toys and even banking (sry, had to!). The young are fostered to relatives among the other groups in hopes of finding their true calling in life. Long enslaved, they have thrown themselves into any new challenge with gusto!
Rosisha 12-18-07, 11:00 PM	My current set up has no elves and no dwarves, as both species wiped each other out in a war eons ago in the history of my world. The playable races are halflings, gnomes, humans, and gnolls. I'm thinking of adding kobolds. Gnomes are split: one is an Assyrian style civilization, fascinated with technology as well as being a theological civilization ruled by a Priest-King. The second civilization is celtic in nature, being focused on a nature/spirit religion, and farming in northern parts of the world. The traits of the gnomes have been changed from what is offered in the PHB. Halflings are also split: 1) gypsy like wanderers who travel by foot or with small wagons. They are craftsmen and often exchange physical labor such as carpentry and metalwork for agricultural supplies. These are the standard halflings of the PHB. 2) The second group of halflings are very Welsh in their civilization. They live in mountainous regions, and are known for the construction of fortifications and stone work. Gnolls are expert bowmen, and have often raided into civilized lands from the wild steppe region. They are often used as mercenaries and were responsible for the downfall of the last great human empire. Many, however, now live in the lands of Rosisha without conflict and will fight whatever raiders come from over the mountains. thats all I have right now.
eoin62 12-18-07, 11:25 PM	Sorry for the long post, but here are the representations of each of the PHB races on the main continent of my homebrew world, Raderan. For reference purposes, Raderan is a long continent on the North South Axis. The north is wild and unpopulated; the south features failing infastructure from a fading empire, think dark ages Europe with a little magic and "high" middle ages technology (Knights in not so shining armor, crossbows, trebuchets, etc). Humans: Pretty much standard, they build, breed, purchase, and war. They are the youngest major race and comprise most of the world's population. Culturally, they are very diverse, but different cultures have no reflection in mechanics. They are the center of society on Raderan. Gnomes: don't use 'em in this campaign. I either end up making them redundant with haflings or dwarves, depending on my mood, so I took 'em out this time. Haflings: sort of like little brothers and sisters to the human race. They are integrated with some agarian human societies and fill the roles of farmers, artisans, brewers, innkeeps, and occasional comedians. No mechanical difference from your standard PHB version, though none of the ridiculous "subraces" from the MM are used. Dwarves: Doughty, Elitist, and Greedy. Dwarves are not generally forces of good. They are gruff merchants and craftsmen/women who sell to the highest bidder and keep thier own council. Thus, thematically they differ from the PHB version in that they are much darker. Dwarves are not reclusive, but can be xenophobic when it comes to allowing outsiders into thier homeland. The major effect of Dwarven societies on the rest of the world is similar to that of a large corporation. They sell thier goods, make money, and reinvest to make more money. They often run banking institutions in major human trading hubs in addition to thier traditional pursuits. Mechanically, again, there is no change. Elves: Elves are the oldest race on Raderan, they are relatively small in numbers compared to humans. They see themselves as protectors of the land and crusaders against evil forces in the world. Elves are indivdualists who live alone for the most part. Elven cities are few and far between, and where they do exist, they are well hidden. Some Elves live amongst humans, but it is generally only for a short time, often while they are on a personal "quest." If Elves are generally regarded as haughty and arrogant, it's only because they are. Elves see themselves as forces for beneficial change in the world. This is a view not always shared by the other races. To reflect the reputed "magical prowess" of elves mechanically, all elven characters (and NPCs) are allowed the following choice at character creation: Standard ability adjustment or +2 Int and -2 Str. The only Elven subrace that exists are Sea Elves, and they are mostly regarded as a mythical race, even by other Elves. Half-Orcs: Rare, except in the northern regions where contact between human tribes and Orc tribes is an almost daily occurence. Half-Orcs are generally accepted in the north and regarded strange creatures in the south. Half-Elves: Dwelling either by themselves or amongst human society, half elves are uncommon at best. Since most elves view humans with a sort of altruistic pity that does not lend itself well to procreation, half elves are viewed as full humans by most elves. This estrangment from the elven race generally leads half elves to identify more strongly with the culture of thier human parent. Half-elves have no distinct culture of thier own and are mechanically the same as the PHB.