Weirdo humans: fitting in non-Athasian races - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Weirdo humans: fitting in non-Athasian races

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
onionkid
Aug 24, 2010 19:49:26 There have been many posts about fitting in non-Athasian races, like Genasi living on elemental islands in the silt sea and pondering what the heck Tieflings descend from.

I've come to the conclusion that you may as well just make them reflavored humans (where possible).

I have a player interested in a Githzerai. At first I was wondering how I could fit this planar being into the campaign when I had the realization: Githzerai are perfect for representing humans from a noble house who can afford psionic training for all their children.

Then take Half-orcs for example: somewhat mutated and furious humans who live in the arenas or on the streets.

If you take the Dragonborn option that replaces breath weapon with a fear aura, you could have a human who's from a noble house that specializes in creating templars. (In my campaign only templars are allowed to use divine classes, and these guys make for some great Sorcerer-King worshipping paladins.)

So, what do you think? Is reflavoring some races as specialized humans something you'd do, or does it rob the human race of its "Jack of al trades" feel?
#2
el_ahrairah
Aug 24, 2010 20:12:11
There have been many posts about fitting in non-Athasian races, like Genasi living on elemental islands in the silt sea and pondering what the heck Tieflings descend from.

I've come to the conclusion that you may as well just make them reflavored humans (where possible).

I have a player interested in a Githzerai. At first I was wondering how I could fit this planar being into the campaign when I had the realization: Githzerai are perfect for representing humans from a noble house who can afford psionic training for all their children.

Then take Half-orcs for example: somewhat mutated and furious humans who live in the arenas or on the streets.

If you take the Dragonborn option that replaces breath weapon with a fear aura, you could have a human who's from a noble house that specializes in creating templars. (In my campaign only templars are allowed to use divine classes, and these guys make for some great Sorcerer-King worshipping paladins.)

So, what do you think? Is reflavoring some races as specialized humans something you'd do, or does it rob the human race of its "Jack of al trades" feel?

I'm allowing Half-Orcs and Shifters, crunch intact, but with the additional fluff of being humans that have mutated under the harsh conditions of Athas.

#3
Duke5150
Aug 24, 2010 20:14:25 IMG, Halforcs are tareks like goliaths are halfgiants and dragonborn are dray.
#4
ian.thomson
Aug 24, 2010 21:47:30 For races, I'm using orcs for tareks, and allowing "half-tareks." The goblinoids are going to be "dunebillies."

Kalashtar, I'm allowing either the standard explanation in the book, or just "I'm freaking Athasian." I'm also allowing "I'm freaking Athasian" for Half-orcs.

For monster, I'm gonna use the actual monster unless the substitute would work for the encounter more than the actual monster.
#5
FlashbackJon
Aug 25, 2010 0:10:32 Desert bugbears!

#6
onionkid
Aug 25, 2010 17:30:31 Whoa, love the Lizardman Bugbear.

It's obviously high level too, it has metal equipment! Look out, that stuff is +3!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 onionkid Aug 24, 2010 19:49:26	There have been many posts about fitting in non-Athasian races, like Genasi living on elemental islands in the silt sea and pondering what the heck Tieflings descend from. I've come to the conclusion that you may as well just make them reflavored humans (where possible). I have a player interested in a Githzerai. At first I was wondering how I could fit this planar being into the campaign when I had the realization: Githzerai are perfect for representing humans from a noble house who can afford psionic training for all their children. Then take Half-orcs for example: somewhat mutated and furious humans who live in the arenas or on the streets. If you take the Dragonborn option that replaces breath weapon with a fear aura, you could have a human who's from a noble house that specializes in creating templars. (In my campaign only templars are allowed to use divine classes, and these guys make for some great Sorcerer-King worshipping paladins.) So, what do you think? Is reflavoring some races as specialized humans something you'd do, or does it rob the human race of its "Jack of al trades" feel?
#2 el_ahrairah Aug 24, 2010 20:12:11	There have been many posts about fitting in non-Athasian races, like Genasi living on elemental islands in the silt sea and pondering what the heck Tieflings descend from. I've come to the conclusion that you may as well just make them reflavored humans (where possible). I have a player interested in a Githzerai. At first I was wondering how I could fit this planar being into the campaign when I had the realization: Githzerai are perfect for representing humans from a noble house who can afford psionic training for all their children. Then take Half-orcs for example: somewhat mutated and furious humans who live in the arenas or on the streets. If you take the Dragonborn option that replaces breath weapon with a fear aura, you could have a human who's from a noble house that specializes in creating templars. (In my campaign only templars are allowed to use divine classes, and these guys make for some great Sorcerer-King worshipping paladins.) So, what do you think? Is reflavoring some races as specialized humans something you'd do, or does it rob the human race of its "Jack of al trades" feel? I'm allowing Half-Orcs and Shifters, crunch intact, but with the additional fluff of being humans that have mutated under the harsh conditions of Athas.
#3 Duke5150 Aug 24, 2010 20:14:25	IMG, Halforcs are tareks like goliaths are halfgiants and dragonborn are dray.
#4 ian.thomson Aug 24, 2010 21:47:30	For races, I'm using orcs for tareks, and allowing "half-tareks." The goblinoids are going to be "dunebillies." Kalashtar, I'm allowing either the standard explanation in the book, or just "I'm freaking Athasian." I'm also allowing "I'm freaking Athasian" for Half-orcs. For monster, I'm gonna use the actual monster unless the substitute would work for the encounter more than the actual monster.
#5 FlashbackJon Aug 25, 2010 0:10:32	Desert bugbears!
#6 onionkid Aug 25, 2010 17:30:31	Whoa, love the Lizardman Bugbear. It's obviously high level too, it has metal equipment! Look out, that stuff is +3!