My character is a racist...how??? [Archive] - Wizards Community

My character is a racist...how??? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
roninwolf109
03-27-07, 11:07 AM Okay, I'm playing a Rogue/7 Thief Acrobat/3 Beguiler/2 cat burglar type...grew up in the capital city of the world my DM created, etc. I've posted on here about her before...
Anyways, I was hoping to get some interesting ideas for a bit of character 'color' I've come up with from somewhere...
She absolutely hates Gnolls, Orcs, Lizardfolk, etc. She regards them as sub-human, dirty filthy monsters who are dumber than a box of rocks.
So...any ideas?
Ian0311
03-27-07, 11:51 AM Having her spit in their general direction, hiss curses at them, and even attack (typically nonlethally) them if it fits her alignment and she's provoked, are a couple of a good ways to show her racism.
Rhuxley
03-27-07, 12:34 PM If you have to frame someone, you always think to frame a sub-human. So next time you know your going to leave traces of your theft(like when someone will notice it is missing tomorrow) make it look like it was a 1/2 orc, or something like that.

Also, whenever some mystery comes up, you should assume it was the nearest sub-human.
roninwolf109
03-27-07, 06:15 PM perhaps I should clarify: she's NG, emphisis on the N. She has serious issues when having to kill Humans, Elves, Halflings, et al but has absolutely no problem with killing Gnolls and the like (they don't count 'cause they are animals). I was just curious to see what ideas that anyone might suggest as to how she exactly came to hate them.
CrimsonDeath
03-27-07, 07:08 PM Orcs, gnolls, goblins, and lizardfolk are often referred to as "savage" humanoids. They tend to live in small bands out in the wilderness rather than congregating in cities. It could be similar to the opinion many urban residents have of people who live in rural areas, except with additional dissociation because they're practically members of a different species.
Rhuxley
03-28-07, 08:27 AM I have to second this. Treat them like I would treat one of those native tribes in brazil, except worse, cuz they arent the same species. You should be afraid of them, thinking they are untrustworthy, and prone to violence. You should also believe a bunch of myths about them, like maybe they eat other humanoids, or maybe they brutaly sacrifice living humanoids.
Shalaska
03-28-07, 03:59 PM Reasons for possibly hating them are:

1) Because it is a normal stereotype where you are from
2) They killed someone you knew
3) They did something to you
4) Because you grew up around all "normal" people and can't take change
etc

hope that helps
Daxen
03-28-07, 04:48 PM Thinking that Trolls are predisposed to violence and eat other Humanoids is not racism is common sense (atleast in the campaigns that I have run and played in).

Unless these races are not playing there typical role of villain in the campaign then I don't think it will have much impact.

If you are playing in a campaign that is more multicultural in scope wherein the traditionally tribal and evil (sub-Human) races (as they used to be referred to as in the books) have become more peacable and respected, than you could just be a throwback.

Why don't you like Trolls and Gnolls? Because Grandpa said you couldn't trust em and I ain't about to start.

The above reasons are also good but in most settings I don't think you will need a "reason" to hate those races. YOu are supposed to.
Tenadros
03-28-07, 05:48 PM umm yeah, when you are racist against people who actually ARE sub-human, it stops being racist and just starts being accurate.

"don't trust the Hob-goblin/troll/ogre, they might eat you." Is not a racist statement that a D&D player should not say. Its accurate.

now hating halflings, and thinking the same things that many europeans have thought of gypsies. Now thats racism.

Poor halflings.
Stormbrand
03-28-07, 07:31 PM I have to second this. Treat them like I would treat one of those native tribes in brazil, except worse, cuz they arent the same species. You should be afraid of them, thinking they are untrustworthy, and prone to violence. You should also believe a bunch of myths about them, like maybe they eat other humanoids, or maybe they brutaly sacrifice living humanoids.

They do eat and brutally sacrifce living humanoids!

Although presumably not in that order. :D

Perhaps rather than hatred, try contempt - the character is a Rogue/Thief-Acrobat/Beguiler - what she values is wit, finesse, subtlety. In her mind, these 'sub-humans' are uncultured beasts who only respect brute force. Mostly she is right, but in some of these cases she simply never bothered learning any better.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
roninwolf109 03-27-07, 11:07 AM	Okay, I'm playing a Rogue/7 Thief Acrobat/3 Beguiler/2 cat burglar type...grew up in the capital city of the world my DM created, etc. I've posted on here about her before... Anyways, I was hoping to get some interesting ideas for a bit of character 'color' I've come up with from somewhere... She absolutely hates Gnolls, Orcs, Lizardfolk, etc. She regards them as sub-human, dirty filthy monsters who are dumber than a box of rocks. So...any ideas?
Ian0311 03-27-07, 11:51 AM	Having her spit in their general direction, hiss curses at them, and even attack (typically nonlethally) them if it fits her alignment and she's provoked, are a couple of a good ways to show her racism.
Rhuxley 03-27-07, 12:34 PM	If you have to frame someone, you always think to frame a sub-human. So next time you know your going to leave traces of your theft(like when someone will notice it is missing tomorrow) make it look like it was a 1/2 orc, or something like that. Also, whenever some mystery comes up, you should assume it was the nearest sub-human.
roninwolf109 03-27-07, 06:15 PM	perhaps I should clarify: she's NG, emphisis on the N. She has serious issues when having to kill Humans, Elves, Halflings, et al but has absolutely no problem with killing Gnolls and the like (they don't count 'cause they are animals). I was just curious to see what ideas that anyone might suggest as to how she exactly came to hate them.
CrimsonDeath 03-27-07, 07:08 PM	Orcs, gnolls, goblins, and lizardfolk are often referred to as "savage" humanoids. They tend to live in small bands out in the wilderness rather than congregating in cities. It could be similar to the opinion many urban residents have of people who live in rural areas, except with additional dissociation because they're practically members of a different species.
Rhuxley 03-28-07, 08:27 AM	I have to second this. Treat them like I would treat one of those native tribes in brazil, except worse, cuz they arent the same species. You should be afraid of them, thinking they are untrustworthy, and prone to violence. You should also believe a bunch of myths about them, like maybe they eat other humanoids, or maybe they brutaly sacrifice living humanoids.
Shalaska 03-28-07, 03:59 PM	Reasons for possibly hating them are: 1) Because it is a normal stereotype where you are from 2) They killed someone you knew 3) They did something to you 4) Because you grew up around all "normal" people and can't take change etc hope that helps
Daxen 03-28-07, 04:48 PM	Thinking that Trolls are predisposed to violence and eat other Humanoids is not racism is common sense (atleast in the campaigns that I have run and played in). Unless these races are not playing there typical role of villain in the campaign then I don't think it will have much impact. If you are playing in a campaign that is more multicultural in scope wherein the traditionally tribal and evil (sub-Human) races (as they used to be referred to as in the books) have become more peacable and respected, than you could just be a throwback. Why don't you like Trolls and Gnolls? Because Grandpa said you couldn't trust em and I ain't about to start. The above reasons are also good but in most settings I don't think you will need a "reason" to hate those races. YOu are supposed to.
Tenadros 03-28-07, 05:48 PM	umm yeah, when you are racist against people who actually ARE sub-human, it stops being racist and just starts being accurate. "don't trust the Hob-goblin/troll/ogre, they might eat you." Is not a racist statement that a D&D player should not say. Its accurate. now hating halflings, and thinking the same things that many europeans have thought of gypsies. Now thats racism. Poor halflings.
Stormbrand 03-28-07, 07:31 PM	I have to second this. Treat them like I would treat one of those native tribes in brazil, except worse, cuz they arent the same species. You should be afraid of them, thinking they are untrustworthy, and prone to violence. You should also believe a bunch of myths about them, like maybe they eat other humanoids, or maybe they brutaly sacrifice living humanoids. They do eat and brutally sacrifce living humanoids! Although presumably not in that order. :D Perhaps rather than hatred, try contempt - the character is a Rogue/Thief-Acrobat/Beguiler - what she values is wit, finesse, subtlety. In her mind, these 'sub-humans' are uncultured beasts who only respect brute force. Mostly she is right, but in some of these cases she simply never bothered learning any better.