D&D History buffs: I need you help. [Archive] - Wizards Community

D&D History buffs: I need you help. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
skywyze
10-04-05, 12:59 PM What is the relationship between humans and elves, dwarves and orcs in D&D? Were they ever officially at war? Were they ever allied as a whole?

Simple question really, but I need an answer from someone knowledgeable, preferrably with descriptions of specific events. And while I realize the answer will vary from one DM's campaign to the next, some events have been published and detailed greatly in the past, and are generally considered cannon (ie, official - like the Blood Wars). It is those events I am looking for, since my DM uses those events extensively and respects what is published.

Any information (preferrably with sources) would be greatly appreciated.
Phrennzy
10-04-05, 01:18 PM Which campaign?

The Core rules seem to use Greyhawk.
There's also Forgotten Realms and Eberron settings.

There are other settings from 2nd ed, and from 1st.

Which version do you want?

Once you decide that, you can check out Google, which can point you in the direction of one of the many webpages to whichever campaign setting you choose.

There are pages upon pages of history written for all the campaign settings.
weasel fierce
10-04-05, 01:45 PM As he said, such a question is meaningless without a campaign setting to refer to.

At its base though, dwarves and elves are generally good aligned, while orcs are evil. That gives rise to most of their general unpleasantries towards each other.
skywyze
10-04-05, 03:31 PM Well the campaign used in the 3.5 core rules is Greyhawk, right? If so, then that is the campaign I need information on. So... Is it Greyhawk?
Asciiman
10-04-05, 05:54 PM The core rules may use Greyhawk, but if your DM hasn't purchased the setting book then ten to one he's created his own world and the only person who can help you is him.
Bruunwald
10-04-05, 06:39 PM The only stuff I would consider to be of any detail (and it's not much) is the enmity that exists between orcs, dwarves and elves arising from an ancient battle between Gruumsh, Corellan Larathean and Moradin. During the battle, Corellan put out one of Gruumsh's eyes. That's why he's a cycloptic orc.

You can find this tidbit in Deities and Demigods.
Callahan
10-04-05, 08:09 PM if only kobold and gnomes had a reason as grand as an epic battle... All they have is a gnome that ruined a kobold's house.
High Octane
10-04-05, 09:09 PM What is the relationship between humans and elves, dwarves and orcs in D&D? Were they ever officially at war? Were they ever allied as a whole?

Ask the DM. If you're the DM, make it up.
weasel fierce
10-05-05, 12:33 AM Greyhawk has been rewritten at least twice, but I dont think there are any particular instance that caused them to hate each other.

D&D for the most part operates in "therefore it is". Orcs and elves hating each other makes sense, therefore it is.
Trixten_The_Kender
10-05-05, 01:27 AM CAN'T THEY ALL JUST GET ALONG?!?!?!

:weep: :bigeyes: :surrender :pint:

:heehee

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
skywyze 10-04-05, 12:59 PM	What is the relationship between humans and elves, dwarves and orcs in D&D? Were they ever officially at war? Were they ever allied as a whole? Simple question really, but I need an answer from someone knowledgeable, preferrably with descriptions of specific events. And while I realize the answer will vary from one DM's campaign to the next, some events have been published and detailed greatly in the past, and are generally considered cannon (ie, official - like the Blood Wars). It is those events I am looking for, since my DM uses those events extensively and respects what is published. Any information (preferrably with sources) would be greatly appreciated.
Phrennzy 10-04-05, 01:18 PM	Which campaign? The Core rules seem to use Greyhawk. There's also Forgotten Realms and Eberron settings. There are other settings from 2nd ed, and from 1st. Which version do you want? Once you decide that, you can check out Google, which can point you in the direction of one of the many webpages to whichever campaign setting you choose. There are pages upon pages of history written for all the campaign settings.
weasel fierce 10-04-05, 01:45 PM	As he said, such a question is meaningless without a campaign setting to refer to. At its base though, dwarves and elves are generally good aligned, while orcs are evil. That gives rise to most of their general unpleasantries towards each other.
skywyze 10-04-05, 03:31 PM	Well the campaign used in the 3.5 core rules is Greyhawk, right? If so, then that is the campaign I need information on. So... Is it Greyhawk?
Asciiman 10-04-05, 05:54 PM	The core rules may use Greyhawk, but if your DM hasn't purchased the setting book then ten to one he's created his own world and the only person who can help you is him.
Bruunwald 10-04-05, 06:39 PM	The only stuff I would consider to be of any detail (and it's not much) is the enmity that exists between orcs, dwarves and elves arising from an ancient battle between Gruumsh, Corellan Larathean and Moradin. During the battle, Corellan put out one of Gruumsh's eyes. That's why he's a cycloptic orc. You can find this tidbit in Deities and Demigods.
Callahan 10-04-05, 08:09 PM	if only kobold and gnomes had a reason as grand as an epic battle... All they have is a gnome that ruined a kobold's house.
High Octane 10-04-05, 09:09 PM	What is the relationship between humans and elves, dwarves and orcs in D&D? Were they ever officially at war? Were they ever allied as a whole? Ask the DM. If you're the DM, make it up.
weasel fierce 10-05-05, 12:33 AM	Greyhawk has been rewritten at least twice, but I dont think there are any particular instance that caused them to hate each other. D&D for the most part operates in "therefore it is". Orcs and elves hating each other makes sense, therefore it is.
Trixten_The_Kender 10-05-05, 01:27 AM	CAN'T THEY ALL JUST GET ALONG?!?!?! :weep: :bigeyes: :surrender :pint: :heehee