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Synthalus
Learned Scribe
USA
170 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 16:44:30
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Poll Question:
which player character race is your favorite?
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"That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die."
— H.P. Lovecraft (The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories) |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7968 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 17:25:52
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Does Tyranthraxus count as "other"?
[Edit]
Ye might all be astonished that the most excellent PC race I've ever played was a Swanmay, of all things. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 17 Dec 2010 17:27:29 |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 17:38:08
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I couldn't possibly pick a favorite race - each character I have created was unique, and I loved them in their own way.
Dwarves were an early favorite of mine (I must identify with them, at least in personality), but my all-time favorite was probably a Firbolg (which my DM was very sorry he ever allowed). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 18:07:20
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Humans caused I'm a biased racist 
Seriously though, when creating a character and in doubt about the race, go human, can't go wrong. |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Christopher_Rowe
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
879 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 18:11:16
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| I voted human as well. I think I have insights into their psychology that I lack with the others! :) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 18:33:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
My other fave race is the "original" half-dragon! Love those.
I loved the 2E half-dragons. I don't think 3.x did as good a job with them, though they were prolly more mechanically balanced. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 18:39:58
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I tend towards humans, half-elves, dwarves, and elves -- in that order. I've also played a 2E minotaur, which is perhaps my fave character (he was in a home-brew setting, but I've ported him to the Realms as an NPC. I created more NPCs for him to group with, and they now own an inn and several nearby homes in Waterdeep).
I also love the 3.x version of genasi (can't stand the 4E ones), and I think the fey'ri are pretty nifty. Never tried a tiefling, but I do like them, as well.
I loved Krynn's draconians, particularly the noble draconians. I've been fiddling with a Realms NPC who inadvertently turned himself into something like a draconian.
I'd prolly play a warforged, given the chance.
Races I won't touch: halflings, gnomes, and just about anything from the 3E Core Races of books. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7968 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 20:48:29
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| There is a PC feline race in the Savage Coast material. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4427 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 20:48:40
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I voted Humans. Can't beat the bonus feat and extra skill points (or trained skill and extra At-will power for 4E  ). |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7968 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 20:55:32
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| lol, humans express new racial advantages in 4E? An evolutionary threshold? Or was it a forced adapt-or-die selection imposed by the new 4E environmental conditions and eco-system? |
[/Ayrik] |
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BARDOBARBAROS
Senior Scribe
Greece
581 Posts |
Posted - 17 Dec 2010 : 22:54:54
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| humans |
BARDOBARBAROS DOES NOT KILL.
HE DECAPITATES!!!
"The city changes, but the fools within it remain always the same" (Edwin Odesseiron- Baldur's gate 2) |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4427 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 01:50:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
lol, humans express new racial advantages in 4E? An evolutionary threshold? Or was it a forced adapt-or-die selection imposed by the new 4E environmental conditions and eco-system?
To start out, they gain a +2 bonus to one of their Ability scores right off the bat. Granted, most PC races receive two +2 bonuss to specific abilities but that generally narrows down what a specific race will be better at a specific class (dwarves=Fighter, Elves=Wizard for example). Humans remain one of the top picks no matter what Class a player chooses because they're that versatile.
They receive their normal bonus feat at 1st level. Since there are no Skill Ranks just training in a specific skill, Humans gain an additional Skill from their class list that they are trained in. Also, when you select your standard array of At-Will powers, a human can select 1 additional one in conjunction with the standard 2. In some cases, this is extreamly helpful since some classes like the Warlock automatically have one of your At-Wills chosen for you like Eldritch Blast or Eldritch Strike (you can pick one of the two, but you must pick one).
And the standard Normal vision, Speed 6 squares (30 ft.), yadda yadda...
Oh, and Heroes of the Fallen Lands supplement allowed humans to choose an Encounter Racial Power called Heroic Effort (Effect: You gain a +4 racial bonus to the attack roll or the saving throw.) instead of an additional At-Will.
Yea, I'd say they've stayed very strong in 4E and expressed a few new advantages as well.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 02:13:46
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I chose gnomes, but to be honest, I'm not sure I have a favourite character race. They often each possess some quality that I like, so it seems kind of unfair to exclude them all.
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I tend towards humans, half-elves, dwarves, and elves -- in that order. I've also played a 2E minotaur, which is perhaps my fave character (he was in a home-brew setting, but I've ported him to the Realms as an NPC. I created more NPCs for him to group with, and they now own an inn and several nearby homes in Waterdeep).
Of the traditional fantasy races, I've a predominant amount of gnomish characters, followed by dwarves, elves, half-elves, and then finally humans. I prefer the challenge of playing racial types that aren't immediately able to relate to a human mind-set. So I often pick from among the demihuman races, when I'm creating a new character.
That's not to say, of course, that I don't have human characters. They just don't have a lot of "play" in my own 'Hall of Heroes.'
I reserve a special place for minotaurs, because I've long been a fan of them, and DRAGONLANCE's Irda as well. One of my finest gaming moments was transplanting a group of Irda from Krynn to Toril.
quote:
I also love the 3.x version of genasi (can't stand the 4E ones), and I think the fey'ri are pretty nifty. Never tried a tiefling, but I do like them, as well.
Never really cared all that much for the fey'ri, though I've been an eternal fan of the various planetouched and genasi as they were outlined in 2e's PLANESCAPE.
quote:
I loved Krynn's draconians, particularly the noble draconians.
I'll agree with this, also. However, given the multiversal aspect of my various campaigns, the draconians now largely range far beyond Krynnspace. They are, in fact, a potent spelljamming power.
quote:
I'd prolly play a warforged, given the chance.
Oh, very much agreed. I've not had the opportunity to fully play a warforged character, though I've created some memorable warforged/psiforged NPCs for use in my PLANESCAPE campaigns.
quote:
Races I won't touch: halflings, gnomes, and just about anything from the 3E Core Races of books.
Can't say I've had much love for halflings, though I do love DL's kender. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 03:16:18
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| I'm really surprised so many people voted humans. Personally, I prefer to play a race that is more "fantastic" and "mystical" in nature, hence my love for elves and half-elves (and lately, gnomes!). Naturally, the more unusual the race, the more it intrigues me. I love the old half-dragons because they allow a player to have the power and mystique of a dragon, without the drawbacks of size and lack of versitility. Sure one could play one of the naturally shapeshifting ones, but the half-dragons make it so much easier to deal with humanoid races on a regular basis, without having to use powers to do it. Plus, there is nothing like the NPC reactions you get when your PC walks into an inn and appears so obviously "different" in skin tone and features. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 04:12:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
I'm really surprised so many people voted humans. Personally, I prefer to play a race that is more "fantastic" and "mystical" in nature, hence my love for elves and half-elves (and lately, gnomes!). Naturally, the more unusual the race, the more it intrigues me.
I very much agree with this.
In fact, it's for this very reason that I immediately seized upon the highly weird and fantastical creations of China Mieville's Perdido Street Station, when they were presented in d20 format for DRAGON #352. Cactacae, inchmen, hotchi... they've all got a place in my campaigns. [I've even thought about having the Remade as failed warforged in EBERRON. Or, perhaps, as earlier examples of the Lord of Blades' efforts to create a new race of warforged -- using a corrupted creation forge -- from captured prisoners at the end of the Last War.] |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 04:50:39
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I loved Krynn's draconians, particularly the noble draconians.
I'll agree with this, also. However, given the multiversal aspect of my various campaigns, the draconians now largely range far beyond Krynnspace. They are, in fact, a potent spelljamming power.
Now that's an interesting idea! Say on, friend Sage!  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 05:32:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Alystra Illianniis
I had a land of steampunk-type gnomes, too, and a Wood elven empire of feudal-Japan styled society. And of course my island kingdom of semi-Underdark maritime, piratical drow.
Oooh! Can you share a little more about each of these realms/races, Alystra?
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I loved Krynn's draconians, particularly the noble draconians.
I'll agree with this, also. However, given the multiversal aspect of my various campaigns, the draconians now largely range far beyond Krynnspace. They are, in fact, a potent spelljamming power.
Now that's an interesting idea! Say on, friend Sage!
It's from an idea Trampas Whiteman and I tinkered around with [for possible inclusion in a future official WotC DL product] back on the old Wizards DRAGONLANCE boards. Let me dig out my old files! 
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 06:17:01
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That could take a while! LOL!!
I'd be happy to, Sage. It was the gnomes, right? 
The first realm is known as the Shattered Kingdom, which is a group of islands formed during the world's early recorded history when a human realm was smashed and half-sunk during a fierce wrestling match between two gods of the world- Landorin, the god of war, and Gorabos, the giant-god, a fight that is known to most lands as the "Contest of Might", and had major repercussions across the entire main continent. (Some say it's the reason that the drow kingdom of Argonia is no longer a part of the mainland, but is now a group of huge islands.) During the fight, Gorabos lifted his opponent over his head and threw him down atop the coastal cliff-side peninsula lands of a human kingdom (whose name has been lost), slamming down onto the earth with such force that the land was broken into many idlands and rocky outcrops.
Several millenia later, after a succession of coastal human tribes had come and gone, a wandering group of gnomes looking fora new home after their Spelljamming ship had crashed on the planet settled in the area and began building steam-driven cable-cars between islands, telescoping bridges, and steam-powered boats with large paddle-wheels, among other things. The gnomes claim to be descendants of explorers from another world, though they have long since interbred with native gnomes, so that they now resemble them completely. Their society is largely democratic, with all member of a community having a voice in major decisions, though tey have committees for day-to-day decisions. Since they love to debate things endlessly, little ever seems to get done. |
The Goddess is alive, and magic is afoot.
"Where Science ends, Magic begins" -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491
"You idiots! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -Spaceballs
Lothir's character background/stats: http://forum.candlekeep.com/pop_profile.asp?mode=display&id=5469
My stories:
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Mickeys_Comic_Tavern/index.php?showforum=188
Lothir, courtesy of Sylinde (Deviant Art)/Luaxena (Chosen of Eilistraee)
http://sylinde.deviantart.com/#/d2z6e4u |
Edited by - Alystra Illianniis on 18 Dec 2010 06:18:29 |
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Sill Alias
Senior Scribe
Kazakhstan
588 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 06:31:43
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| I cannot lie to myself. I am more inclined to elves. Especially drow. But Drizzt really bugs me a little. |
You can hear many tales from many mouths. The most difficult is to know which of them are not lies. - Sill Alias
"May your harp be unstrung, your dreams die and all your songs be unsung." - curse of the harper, The Code of the Harpers 2 ed.
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see
Learned Scribe
235 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 07:08:11
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| I tend to play humans, but duergar have taken my heart and locked it in a secure vault. |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4427 Posts |
Posted - 18 Dec 2010 : 18:55:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I also love the 3.x version of genasi (can't stand the 4E ones), and I think the fey'ri are pretty nifty. Never tried a tiefling, but I do like them, as well.
I think the mechanics of 4E Genasi are pretty interesting though I keep their looks and appearance exactly like 3E. No stupid crystaline hair or strange veins of elemental energy all over their bodies. The lines of power might show up if they exhibit some sort of power or spell but just walking around, sleeping, etc... they look pretty much the same in earlier editions.
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
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froglegg
Learned Scribe
317 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2010 : 00:45:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Christopher_Rowe
I voted human as well. I think I have insights into their psychology that I lack with the others! :)
LOL! Me too!
John |
Long live Alias and Dragonbait! Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb the Realms need you more then ever!
On my word as a sage nothing within these pages is false, but not all of it may prove to be true. - Elminster of Shadowdale
The Old Grey Box gets better with age! |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7968 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2010 : 01:37:42
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| Nobody voted for tieflings, eh? |
[/Ayrik] |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7968 Posts |
Posted - 19 Dec 2010 : 07:49:20
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| Unusual is good. Drizzt, Elminster, Szass Tam, and Erevis Cale are "breakers" too, who have defied the norm and accumulated all sorts of Mary-Sue "special" powers. Love 'em or hate 'em, there's no denying these characters are popular. Far more than mere powergamer PCs because they actually accomplish worthy heroic (or anti-heroic, or villainous) deeds rather than abuse their abilities for no purpose beyond idle munchkin amusement. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Topic |
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Character races
