I'm just curious about what other people out there have done to differentiate the various base races culturally. What type of architectural styles do dwarves use in your games? What are the stereotypes held against halflings? By halflings? What are there typcial mounts? Would dwarves use horses, living in caverns and mountains? What about giant beetles or goats? What about elves in the forest? I like the tiger idea presented in WoW; it seems to make sense culturally and environmentally. How about tribal/jungle-dwelling cultures in your games? I'm sure Eberron's not the first to have low-tech cultures riding dinosaurs!
Back to racial tensions; they're ugly, but realistic. Do you have racial slurs used against various races? Dwarves against elves? Humans against gnomes? Halflings against elves? Again, it's not poltically correct, but I'm sure nothing would start a good, old-fashioned (and probably enjoyable) bar room brawl than the dwarf in the party getting called "(insert derogatory phrase here)" by a halfling he accidentaly stole a seat from, or the disgruntled gnome calling the elf "(insert derogatory phrase II here)."
This all came to my mind when I recently decided to get rid of half-rocs and make them simply full orcs in my campaign. So, now anytime there would have been a half-orc in town, it's afull blown. This has done nothing to reduce the racial tension, however; if anything, it's worse. Most people have a deep, seething hatred for orcs, so a player of one will have to contend with that. This brought to my mind the question of what racial tensions between other core races could be like if presented in detail in game. Has anyone gone there?
While we're on the topic of orcs, I remember the discussion on the "Weak Races" thread about dwarves being super-powered compared to orcs and half-orcs. What would be a good miscellaneous little bonus to give to full-blooded orcs to balance them with the strength of some of the core races? I already got rid of that annoying light-blindness (how come mind flayers don't have that, when they dwell underground far more than orcs do, and a myriad other subterrainean races?). I think a bonus to Intimidate and some Strength-base skills, like Climbing, would be a good starting place.
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My favorite line came from one of the warhammer "Slayer" novels, they had three, trollslayer, demonslayer, and skaven slayer. I think it was from the first. Basically the setup is that this barbarian-esque Dwarf is walking through this thick forest with a human, and complaining about how difficult it makes travel. At one point he pauses and says 'Trees are like elves, manling. They make me want to take an axe to them.'
Yes, racial slurs and epithets are used in my game. It's one of those ugly parts that gets played rarely, as I don't think it's as common in Cormyr (which is where my campaign is set).
It is one of those things I have to play, as one of the characters plays a drow elf. When I started the campaign, the other character is a moon elf and they had quite the confrontation when they first met. The third party member is a human, fresh off the farm and "didn't get it."
As far as architecture and things to keep the "feel" of a particular culture, they do come up quite often, as it helps my players visualize things better. Elven architecture is described as very organic, "grown" almost (sometimes literally). Dwarven architecture is tough, sturdy and rectangular. Halflings have "hobbit homes", with the exception of the ghostwise hin. I envision them having more wigwam-style holdings, above ground.
Halflings, gnomes, dwarves, and dimunitive fae in my game are called "shorts" which they invaribly take offense to.
Elves are called "dandelion eaters" and generally have the prefix "Pixie" attached to various body parts.
Dwarves and gnomes are almost stereotypically xenophobic, and Dwarves bear animosity to a good percentage of the other races.
Goblinoids have kingdoms and cultures just like any other race on the planet, but goblinoid towns tend to lend themselves to nomadic desert dweller cultures like our planet, or shoddily built wooden structures like the American old west boomtowns.
Mostly a culture is defined as nesscessary at the time of first contact in our campaigns, leading to a fairly diverse party. As we've settled in a po' mountain town until caravans start frquenting the area again. the need for strict definitions has declined.
Yes, I know that dwarves are stereotypically xenophobic and greedy. Thanks for your responses, but what I'm more interested in is this: If a dwarf walked into a bar, what would be a name someone could call him, that was different that that of a halfling but maybe not a gnome, that would be sure to make him see red?
I like "Pixie-" for elves.
A lot of the questions about culture tie into the question of "what would give rise to stereotypes?" Typically, racial slurs seem to come from some prejudice about how a certain people act, what they do, how they live, etc., so flushing that out is important not just for its own sake, but to provide this edgy but (since it's all just fantasy, and so long as no one takes offense to it!) enjoyable bit of NPC/party interaction.
I like the idea of mountain rams being favord dwarven mounts in their homes, so "Goat" or "Goat- (insert whatever nasty thing you like here)" would be something for them.
Orcs, of course, are "pigs", "swine", "sows", etc.
Halflings- probably a perception of them all being a bunch of lying thieves and little murderers, or spies for whatever nation is at odds with the party's current country of residence.
Humans- What would other races call them? "Rabbits" or "mice" because of their fast breeding?
Further thoughts?
Full-blooded orc is already quite powerful due to the +4 bonus to Strength; no standard race gets a powerful +4 bonus on anything. They don't get a lot of miscellaneous abilities, but they're still powerful. Their only disadvantages compared to a half-orc are a -1 penalty to hit in bright light and a -1 penalty on Will saves. That's still worth +4 Strength on something without a level adjustment, in my opinion.
I discourage players from picking full-blooded orcs; in my game, full orcs are particularly evil, crude and violent. The only orcs who aren't like this would be raised by non-orcs, and most races fear and hate orcs enough that they wouldn't do this.
Yes, I know that dwarves are stereotypically xenophobic and greedy. Thanks for your responses, but what I'm more interested in is this: If a dwarf walked into a bar, what would be a name someone could call him, that was different that that of a halfling but maybe not a gnome, that would be sure to make him see red?
"Short" or "stuntie" meaning that gnomes, dwarves, and halfings are essentially the same thing. I.E. races under 4 foot all look alike.
Our favorite embellishment is the Elven role-play style.
When playing an elf, you speak about humans and half-elves affectionately, but condescendingly. The way you talk about your dog. "I'm the Elf, and these are my humans." Or "don;t mind them, I haven't fed them yet." Or "You know how humans are."
It gives elves a sort of haughty, humorous look at Humans, which makes for fun roleplaying but is relatively believable about a race that long-lived and intelligent.
Dwarves seem to degenerate into beard jokes and viking stereotypes.
A comparison to inferior metal types might get a dwarf riled up.
Tin-smelter, slag-miner, nail-forger, rust-licker, pitted-blade pedeler.
not very good but hopefully someone gets inspired.FH
Actually, that would be extremely good for dwarf-to-dwarf or dwarf vs. gnome confrontations. They understand these things and take them very seriously, but it's lost on other races. Imagine the PCs going trhough a dwarven town and hearing insults flying back and forth like that. People are getting all excited, possibly even a brawl in the street breaks out. Seems like that would be extremely comical but not break verisimilitude of the world. Good stuff!
First off, Saern, I want to commend you for your courage in broaching this subject. Racial tensions and bigotry are ugly facts of life but ones that I too include in my game. I figure if we humans have trouble getting along in the real world because of issues of a little skin color and eyelid angle, how much moreso would completely different humanoids be antagonistic toward one another. Admittedly, I also use it to damper wild player thoughts about straying too far from the "standard" races (you thought playing a high elf was hard, try a drow - I dare you!).
Anyway, we haven't adapted too many clever racial slurs, but condescending opinions are rampant. I've set up my campaign's races under the theory that each race sincerely believes they are superior to all others.
Reading the previous posts, I guess my ideas and style aren't as unique as I once believed. Half-orcs/orcs are definitely at the bottom of the totem pole, so to speak and are often described by other races with porcine adjectives based on their facial features. Orcish humanoids insult other races by magnifying their perceived wimpiness in comparison to orc brute strength - calling humans "flesh pillows" or "blood bags"; elves as "twigs"; halflings and gnomes as "kick balls" or "squish lumps"; and dwarves as "stepping stones". Orcs don't have organized architecture, living in rough shacks or skin tents. They don't have the patience or care to maintain horses (too often the equines end up on the dinner menu) and maintain dire beasts as mounts most often. Elves tolerate humans best but view them as irresponsible teenagers (or worse, toddlers). Elves insult other races in terms of their lack of intelligence/wisdom and often use light-related terms like "dimwit" or "wet tindertwig". Elves have the most beautiful and flowing of architecture, with few square corners and numerous towers and arches - almost exclusively of wood and often incorporating living trees, waterfalls or other natural features directly to their structures. They can ride horses but prefer more magical and fantastic mounts - pegasi, unicorns, griffons, etc. Halflings and gnomes are often lumped in together and referred to as "stunts" by the other races as a derogatory reference to their stature. Halflings live in pastoral environs, often dwelling in "hobbitholes" or simple wattle and daub homes. Halflings almost never utilize mounts as they rarely venture from hearth and home; and when they do, they almost always walk. If necessity demands such, ponies or burros are used as mounts. Gnomes are often compared to insects by the other races, always busy, humming with energy and chittering with excitement. Their archetecture is the most advanced and "modern". Gnomes often perform as engineers and architects in the human world. Their own homes are often complex, modified cave systems or houses built as if by committee with various styles all incorporated. Much is industrial and practical with little concern for asthetics. Gnomes never ride mounts and only travel by conveyance. They favor wheeled carriages or flying apparatus but don't shun boats (especially paddleboats or steam-driven). Dwarves are viewed by others as gruff and grouchy. They are insulted by constant male references. They view other races as flighty and unreliable, often referring to them as such. Dwarven architecture is almost exclusively from stone, with numerous columns and rectangular in form - very sturdy. Dwarves do not ride or keep horses, even ponies. They use sheep or goats as mounts and are mocked accordingly by other races. Outside of any derogatory comment on a dwarf's beard, they are typically insulted by referencing to poor metal quality. Some provided in earlier posts reflect my point well (I might have to steal, er..borrow a few to add to our repetoire).
Anyway, I general insult for any race is to say so-and-so "takes a bath" (implying they are diseased or possessed by demons, which everyone knows happens if one emerses oneself in water too often).
It might seem all unnecessary but I don't mind playing up racial tensions when the situation warrants. I think it adds flavor and atmosphere; and often provides fun role-playing opportunities.
I have a character in my wifes AoW campaign that's a Kerpcha (A Fey Squirrel, I don't think they've been updated to 3ED) that is determined to kill all the humans in the world. He is brutally Specisist (Since its not really about race) and calls humans pinky's, and usually throws rocks at them.
My Kobold and Gnoll characters usually get called 'Dog' by the other PCs.(Kobolds in our world are small and dog like, not these weird lizard things that 3ED are calling Kobolds.)
Lycanthrope characters usually take jabs based on their phenotype, and Surface elves usually hurl racial slurs at the Drow based on skin color.
Demons in my world will often call humanoid characters "Slokha" A word that I made up in Infernal to mean food source or cattle.
Racisim determins how many NPCs react to the characters, especially if they are from a race that doesn't appear humanoid, has goblin blood, or are Drow (The Drow take alot of lumps inmy world, though it hasn't detered my players from playing them.)
Full-blooded orc is already quite powerful due to the +4 bonus to Strength; no standard race gets a powerful +4 bonus on anything. They don't get a lot of miscellaneous abilities, but they're still powerful.
I agree; +4 Str is an enormous bonus; standard orcs, if you're going to allow them, should stay as written.
-The Gneech
Honestly, I try not to think up insults and stuff like that for my game. As some may know from my previous posts on this site, I have a thing against elves.
As a DM I really have tried not to get too "finger pointy" with my NPCs as I am sure it would encourage my players to do the same. I have a hard enough time getting them to work as a team. I feel trying to make them point out each others racial differences would hinder that even further.
I respect other DMs in thier attempt to create good role playing in their players, but that is one place I just am not ready to go yet.
just my two coppers - Rath
I think if you want to make for a truly offensive insult, you have to hit 'em where it hurts.
For dwarves, toss them in with the same lot as orcs and goblins. They all live in caves, don't they? "Bootlicker" or "Shoescrubber" might work if you tied it in with giants. I mean, dwarves live underground, so just why /do/ they train to duck and dodge around giants?
I think it'd be tough to get under and elf's skin, but if you could, I bet it'd have something to do with drow. Maybe suggesting Drow are no more than elves exiled for criminal behavior. Or that elves actually serve the drow.
For gnomes and halflings, just call them kids or children. Not only do you poke at their height, but you mix them in with humans AND suggest immaturity and inferiority.
Call half-elves and half-orcs rape babies or something similar. They're half-breeds, and in our own history humans have been less than kind about such things. No self respecting human or elf would muddy the waters, would they? And just look at orcs! How was that /possibly/ a consenting match?
Hmm, I dont remember anyone using a racial slur in my game. Most of the good races have lost their kingdoms and centers of power so most have joined together to try to survive so it is more like any enemy of my enemy is my friend. The party in my game is basically not good and they are very tuff and well known so most people clear out of a place and give them a lot of space as they often leave behind a lot of carnage, hehe and these are the main heroes against the bad guys. The big bad guys in my game are CE and they have some NE allies, but almost everyone else is against them; most of the slurs I hear are against chaotics rather than race. Every had a party hold a guy down and try to pour Law down his throat or some such wierd thing; these guys will try anything and they are rabid against chaotics ,well evil anyhow, the individualistic CG types are ok by them but watched heavily. So far nobody has come up with a good slur for alignment, any suggestions? the star wars style "Chaotic Evil Scum" doesnt really sting much.