Racial/social/cultural attitudes in the Forgotten Realms.

Innuvindyl · Post by **Innuvindyl** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 11:00 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Ideally you would know because their play would show you, but this is more often not the case. Should the DMs begin tellling the players when they are dealing with low charisma characters?<hr></blockquote> 
 
No I think the DMs shouldn't spend their time telling others of the charisma they are acting on. Instead I think I'll encourage players to note their CHA on the description instead (I will do that on future characters, unless someone convinces me wotherwise) 
 
<blockquote>Quote:<hr>The other players may not know if you are portraying your charisma well, but the DMs do.<hr></blockquote> 
 
Hmmm... I hope I do not offend you here, at least I do not intend to. But I do not really care for how the DMs sees my character... of course I would like them to see it as I do, as that would give them the best opportunity to judge it and understanding how I play. I haven't written any backgrounds for any of the two I currently play, though I would like to, but I just can't get started. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> - what I care about is if my character melts into the Vast as I had intented upon creation. 
 
 
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To outline another problem... I have seen many players and DMs mentioning source books here and source books there. But I for one does not have these source books, I don't know the difference between moon elves and sun elves etc. I just call them all elves <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p"> 
 
And I think, maybe it is a little tall to expect players to know these kind of things... of course the more natural 'orc' vs. others is fairly more obvious. I'll compare it to that of HAK packs, if you don't want hak-packs in your module, to give easy acces to the server for everyone, then you shouldn't expect players to know all the source materials either... 
 
I do not have anything against those that plays from the source materials, I found it very interesting and funny to see Goattes sun-elf. I did not know anything about sun elves in general, so I do not know if that is how they are. and so I would encourage players to dig up their source materials, those who have access to it, and put it into thier characters, but I think there shall be space too to those who doesn't... 
 
I feel that there are beginning to come some kind of tensions in this thread as well on this part... 
 
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Well enough of my babblings for now... cause my favorite module is calling me <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)">

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 11:42 pm

Even so, I don't like the notion that every character has to be absolutely stereotypical in their beliefs and lifestyle, as long as there's a solid reason for the break from the norm.

You don't have to play a rigid stereotype, but the problem arises because everyone comes up with some reason why their character is an exception to the norm. This would not be typical at all, and some "stereotypes" exist in FR because that is how the race just is - it is their nature. They may isolate themselves from other societies for a number of reasons.

Take elves as an example again. If you lived to be 700 years of age, and you were 120 years old before you were considered and adult, who would you keep as friends when members of almost all the other races that you knew as a child would die before you passed into adulthood? You would associate mostly with your own people because to do otherwise would tear you apart, and insanity would spread rampantly through your race.

elves hate drow with a passion, the hatred is instinctive and reflexive, not culturally taught. If there's a single elf that can escape it fully, I'd be surprised, though Corvus for one does his best to supress it.

It is both instinctive and reflexive, and culturally taught. All elves are brought up to know the horror and betrayal of their dark cousins. It is very much a part of elven culture.<

I also ask the question, why would Corvus try to suppress this utter hatred?

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 11:47 pm

I guess I'm not making myself clear enough... my point is that it's not inherent. If Sypor wants to make a fairly good-natured cleric of Ilmater, that's fine, as long as it's plausible.

I think the point is that a happy, good natured cleric of Ilmater is not very plausible. Think of it from the development of the personality first, not from the development of a character followed by the manufacture of reasons why the desired personality should fit the desired class, religion, or whatever.

Would a happy-go-lucky kid be attracted to that particular faith as they matured and chose a profession? It is unlikely.

If there is to be a continued discussion of a specific character, please move it to its own thread, thank you.

Cafall · Post by **Cafall** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 12:02 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>You don't have to play a rigid stereotype, but the problem arises because everyone comes up with some reason why their character is an esception to the norm. This would not be typical at all, and some "stereotypes" exist in FR because that is how the race just is - it it their nature. They may isolate themselves from other societies for a number of reasons.<hr></blockquote> 
 
I can certainly understand where you're coming from; having a bunch of characters running around who are exceptions to the norm for its own sake or because they don't want to bother themselves RPing the intricacies of the culture they've chosen is at least as bad as having everyone rigid and boring. If I'm not mistaken, I see the principal you're working off of at work in the server's banning of certain races and subraces, such as the drow (most people think it would be cool to be a drow but don't want to properly play that nature and culture), and I do agree with it. 
 
Some of these prejudices are simply logic, such as the age example you gave, or the hatred for half-orcs; orcs have always been a very real nemesis of elves, so why should they trust one who's half of that kind? Even if a human character grew up isolated among elves, he would probably still feel more akin to humans, because he's one of them; some things are hard, if not impossible, to change. 
 
 
<blockquote>Quote:<hr>It is both instinctive and reflexive, and culturally taught. All elves are brought up to know the horror and betrayal of their dark cousins. It is very much a part of elven culture. 
 
I also ask the question, why would Corvus try to suppress this utter hatred?<hr></blockquote> 
Absolutely right, that was a lack of articulation on my part. 
 
As for your question concerning Corvus himself, I'd prefer to answer it privately, as it is at least partially tied up in his past history — something I do not readily give away, in public anyway.

-- Cafall (Corvus Gwynstredd'ae and Harritan Middleson)

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 12:07 am

There are a lot of these resources available absolutely free, and legally, on the internet. Most of the 2nd edition stuff was officially released, and most of the racial information from 2nd edition is carried over from 1st edition, and into 3rd edition anyway. We are also working on gathering links and other resources to post here easy reference.

Thurgrin Axebender · Post by **Thurgrin Axebender** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 1:23 am

I'm not racist, I hate everyone. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"> 
 
Some more so than others.

<hr /> 
 
Dwarf: Tak natu yenet 
Common: 'til next we meet 
 
~ Thurgrin Axebender

thryllkill · Post by **thryllkill** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 3:15 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>There are a lot of these resources available absolutely free, and legally, on the internet. Most of the 2nd edition stuff was officially released, and most of the racial information from 2nd edition is carried over from 1st edition, and into 3rd edition anyway. We are also working on gathering links and other resources to post here easy reference.<hr></blockquote> 
 
not that I do this... but Amazon has most of the 3rd and 3.5 edition books, and allows for searching with in the text. That's not how I gained ALL of my knowledge of the Halfling Pantheon or anything... 
 
(that knowledge is still pretty limited tho)

Paladin at Heart · Post by **Paladin at Heart** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 7:00 pm

wow. alot of reading. I like the fact that maybe a DM can whisper into a players ear occasionally "thats the ugliest dwarf you ever saw" or "you find it hard to concentrate, her beauty is breath taking". But thats alot of work. I know for a fact AG checks int score too. 
Its all so subjective tho, but i guess if anyone can pull this off as a community,its The Vast. Great community here ! 
 
p.s. Elves dont live that long anymore.

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 7:29 pm

p.s. Elves dont live that long anymore.

Quoted from the Player's Handbook:

"An elf reaches adulthood at about 110 years of age and can live to be more than 700 years old." 

The age of 700 years is actually shorter than many of the elven races of first edition.

Paladin at Heart · Post by **Paladin at Heart** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 3:48 pm

pg 93 phb 
I see the adulthood at 110 yrs old, but i dont see the 700 reference. I see that at 350 they're venerable and max is 4d%. 
 
Nevermind, I found where you got your qoute from, the elf race description at the beginning. 
 
This is now off topic so forgive me, but this is still a genenral forum so I'll ask anyway. 
I'm not sure what the 4d% refers too under max age on page 93 because to my understanding it doesnt say which dice to roll. 
Does this reconcile with the description in the beginning? 

Leo...  
<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://home.nj.rr.com/johnsgame/signature1.jpg"/></div> 
 
"-I do Ranger esque bullshyt !!"

ish07 · Post by **ish07** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 4:14 pm

4d% refers to 4d100, or rolling a pair of d10's- one as the 10's percentile, one as the one's- 4 times. Add those together for the maximum age.

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 6:51 pm

Yup, you are correct sir!

Now, back to the topic at hand....

....anyone?

Amirsyl · Post by **Amirsyl** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 5:00 am

Found this while researching elven history. It is a quick overview of the Elves vs. Dwarves theory in Forgotten Realms. 
 
None are truly sure of the reason behind the war with the dwarves. Some claim the dispute was a territorial matter, while others hold it was a difference in ideologies. Of course, both elves and dwarves name the other as instigator. Whatever the cause, they fought brutal, bitter wars for many years. They have since reconciled to a degree, but there has never been total trust between the two races. 
 
Just a snippet, 
 
Amir- 
 

~ Thus were the Elves born from the blood of Corellon Larethian, mixed with the soil of the world, blessed with the tears of the moon, and given their nearness to divinity. ~Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub188.ezboard.com/bthevast.showUserPublicProfile?gid=amirsyl>Amirsyl</A> at: 2/26/04 1:01 am

Guktron · Post by **Guktron** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:47 pm

Amirsyl, 
 
Would you please tell me from what source you found this information? I have done some research into Dwarf-Elf relations in The Forgotten Realms and have yet to find any evidence of a war between them. 
 
I hope it isn't some blasphemous rumor; things like that could incite a conflict all on their own...<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/frown.gif ALT=":(">

Amirsyl · Post by **Amirsyl** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:54 pm

Guktron, 
 
That was a bit ago, but I'll look. I know they have been allies in the past. 
 
I am at work at the moment. I believe that I pulled that from a website that had their own sources listed. I'll have to get back to you. 
 
I assure you, I would not have posted that if I did not think the info to be credible. I also assure you that it did not appear to be a blashemous rumor. 
 
Off the top of my head, I think I found it in a timeline at the Myth Drannor site. I posted links in a thread asking for help on a final char in general discussions some time ago.

~ Amir (Keen-Eye) 
 
You can get Keth'ryl Lythar's portraits at... http://www.moldee.com/hosted/Keth'ryl.zip

The Vast

Racial/social/cultural attitudes in the Forgotten Realms.

Re: Racial/social/cultural attitudes in the Forgotten Realms

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.

Re: In character racial attitudes - FR racism.