Velithin |
I've recently been reading Thornhold by Elaine Cunningham, and a particular situation has arisen that I wish to incorporate into my own campaign. A local paladin order uses the "evil races" as a means of training their recruits and soldiers for combat. As a result, the "evil races" have been forced to retreat to other areas where they can live in their own way. However, that other area belonged to a society of "good races", and now, they're defending their homes from the "evil races" who are hunting on the same grounds as the "good races".
In the book, orcs are the evil race, and elves are the good race. How might one go about spicing this up so it's more interesting? My group is so familiar with orcs and goblins that they're boring. Half of my group doesn't much like the pink-pantied, sissy-dagger, frolickers of the wood. Any suggestions?
ngc7293 |
In a GURPS game in the 90's, the GM ran the Orcs more like Indians than the common evil creatures we are all familiar with in D&D. He put a new spin on things. If your group has gotten board with the same ol', same ol', maybe it's time to twist up your universe a little. It would be interesting if the Orcs were barbarians but not evil. You might have a tribe that has turned evil for some reason.
My Self |
Don't make the elves "pink-pantied, sissy-dagger, frolickers of the wood". Elves have no STR penalty, so have them go out and rage-smash some people for show. Instead of going dagger-and-bow, have the elves behave like testosterone-strapped beefcakes full of righteous vengeance. These elves are willing to get down and dirty, and you've got to show that.
Have the orcs be the cowardly, scheming ones. Be invited into a low-level orc camp by someone who appears to be a noble savage type orc, then have to fight your way out when it's clear they're intent on eating you all. Have the orcs fight smart with guerrilla tactics and whatnot. Make it clear that the elves are not pushovers, and that the orcs as a whole are not merely brutish, but also cowardly. These are the sort of enemies who kick you when you're down and spit on your still-twitching corpse. Not Evil with a capital E, but evil as in dastardly, cowardice, lying, cheating, stealing, selfish, despicable, ignoring the rules where it suits them, surrendering or asking for lenience, but betraying that sort of trust.
In short, get the players to like the side they're fighting for, and despise their enemies.
Or you could make it so the evil types aren't evil so much as angry, and that the supposedly good types aren't good so much as they are defensive. Instead of shades of black and white, grey morality.
Castilonium |
Here are some good reads on different kinds of orcs and different kinds of elves that might give you some insight or inspiration.