Uhh, no, you're oversimplifying things. The word "barbarian" is not, in itself, a stereotype
Really? Hm, maybe you're right. Here's what I think: When I say barbarian, the first thing that pops into your (or anyone's, really) brain .... is Conan. Stereotype. Conan basically coined the word, and barbarians are just various Conans.
But yes, I'm picking something apart to make a point. It may not be 100% accurate or fair, but the point is there: Without stereotypes, there's no D&D.
Going to go out on a limb and say that a word with etymological roots dating to Ancient Greece, which entered English sometime in the early 1500s was not coined by a pulp fantasy author in 1932.
That said, you are, fundamentally correct that D&D relies on tropes, which would be a more accurate contextual word than “stereotypes.” These classic fantasy tropes, such as Howard’s Barbarian fantasy trope (again, more accurate to say he invented the modern trope, building on an ancient word and ancient depictions) or Tolkien’s elves and dwarves, do play an important part in game development and character creation.
Which is fine - tropes survive and enter public consciousness because people enjoy them. They make it easier for players to formulate a character and easy for DMs to improvise or create massive societies with little effort. They also provide the basis for making something truly special - not simply “I’m a barbarian with glasses” but “I was raised in the lifestyle of a traditional barbarian and learned to fight from them, but these experiences took that trope as it existed within me and transformed it into X.” That second part - using the trope as a starting point and not simply rejecting it, but embracing it and transforming it - can be rather difficult to do, but can make for some great characters that feel like they organically grew out of the trope-filled game D&D has always been.
Uhh, no, you're oversimplifying things. The word "barbarian" is not, in itself, a stereotype
Really? Hm, maybe you're right. Here's what I think: When I say barbarian, the first thing that pops into your (or anyone's, really) brain .... is Conan. Stereotype. Conan basically coined the word, and barbarians are just various Conans.
But yes, I'm picking something apart to make a point. It may not be 100% accurate or fair, but the point is there: Without stereotypes, there's no D&D.
That’s funny, the first thing I think of are the Gallic Wars. 🤷♂️
That’s funny, the first thing I think of are the Gallic Wars. 🤷♂️
Well, sure, your mileage may vary, of course. I don't know a lot about the gallic wars - except what I read of Asterix when I was a kid - but what I do seem to recall is that ... it wasn't a good time for the 'barbarians'. So, as a reference to real world ... um, less-advanced-than-the-romans cultures, the gauls work well, but as a heroic template, maybe less so.
Not that I'm disagreeing. For fantasy barbarians, I still feel Conan is the gold standard, but the gauls by comparison were very much real.
If real world barbarians were the question, for me, the answer would be the mongols.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
That’s funny, the first thing I think of are the Gallic Wars. 🤷♂️
Well, sure, your mileage may vary, of course. I don't know a lot about the gallic wars - except what I read of Asterix when I was a kid - but what I do seem to recall is that ... it wasn't a good time for the 'barbarians'. So, as a reference to real world ... um, less-advanced-than-the-romans cultures, the gauls work well, but as a heroic template, maybe less so.
Not that I'm disagreeing. For fantasy barbarians, I still feel Conan is the gold standard, but the gauls by comparison were very much real.
If real world barbarians were the question, for me, the answer would be the mongols.
To be fair, the Roman military machine rolled over just about everyone, until the celts in northern Britany where they were forced to build Hadrian’s Wall to hold “the barbarians” back.
Uhh, no, you're oversimplifying things. The word "barbarian" is not, in itself, a stereotype
Really? Hm, maybe you're right. Here's what I think: When I say barbarian, the first thing that pops into your (or anyone's, really) brain .... is Conan. Stereotype. Conan basically coined the word, and barbarians are just various Conans.
But yes, I'm picking something apart to make a point. It may not be 100% accurate or fair, but the point is there: Without stereotypes, there's no D&D.
Sure, but in the context of the character you were referring to, "barbarian" was neither stereotype nor trope, but simply a collection of mechanical features that made the most sense for the concept I had in mind. The character has no more connection to Conan the Barbarian than he does to Conan the Librarian
Now, it's a lot easier to separate the mechanics from the tropes in the case of classes than it is for racesspeciessubtypes whatever they end up calling them, but even within published WOTC products, there have been some fun examples of leaving the trope behind completely. The halflings living out on Eberron's plains are very much not Tolkien's hobbits, for instance
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Short easy answer, we are humans. It is easier to write about what you know than don't know. The other species don't exist so we only have to go on what has been presented to us by the authors of D&D. Can we vary from that? Of course we can but others will not. I think breaking out of other species stereo types is what One D&D is trying to do so people don't think they need to be stuck with the stereo types of the past.
To be fair, the Roman military machine rolled over just about everyone, until the celts in northern Britany where they were forced to build Hadrian’s Wall to hold “the barbarians” back.
Well, I meant no slight to 'the barbarians' - there wasn't any shame in not beating the romans. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to be entirely undisputed that Hadrian's Wall was to hold out anyone. I mean, sure, they didn't build it for the sheer love of stacking rocks, but as far as I can tell the celts weren't a major threat to the romans. At least, that's what the wiki implies (among other things).
Sure, but in the context of the character you were referring to, "barbarian" was neither stereotype nor trope, but simply a collection of mechanical features that made the most sense for the concept I had in mind. The character has no more connection to Conan the Barbarian than he does to Conan the Librarian
Now, it's a lot easier to separate the mechanics from the tropes in the case of classes than it is for racesspeciessubtypes whatever they end up calling them, but even within published WOTC products, there have been some fun examples of leaving the trope behind completely. The halflings living out on Eberron's plains are very much not Tolkien's hobbits, for instance
Well, it was meant as an example, not a close analysis of your character. The point remains the same though, whether your character resembles Conan the barbarian, Conan the Librarian, or Conan the anchor. Or neither. D&D is built on tropes and memes and stereotypes - and that's fine.
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Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
To be fair, the Roman military machine rolled over just about everyone, until the celts in northern Britany where they were forced to build Hadrian’s Wall to hold “the barbarians” back.
Well, I meant no slight to 'the barbarians' - there wasn't any shame in not beating the romans. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to be entirely undisputed that Hadrian's Wall was to hold out anyone. I mean, sure, they didn't build it for the sheer love of stacking rocks, but as far as I can tell the celts weren't a major threat to the romans. At least, that's what the wiki implies (among other things).
If they weren't a threat, why didn't Rome finish conquering the island? Then they wouldn't have needed a wall at all. Keep in mind, the Celts sacked Rome.
I think its a selection bias. There are more human player characters, so you will see more human backstories.
You probably just aren't seeing the non-human / less common ones.
I have never played a human in 5e. I would say that most of my characters have interesting backstories but I usually do not post them on DDB because they specific to the campaigns, but here is the list:
Chuk-Chuk, a goblin artificer for Storm Kings Thunder Family was killed in a cave-in when he was very young. Found by a priest and taken in at the temple of Deneir (knowledge god). Because he is a goblin in the Forgotten Realms, he carries the equivalent of a parental permission slip on him at all times that vouches for him being "a good goblin". The proof is he has the ability to count to 10 in common. Because of his upbringing he blindly trusts pretty much everyone and will tell them everything.
Sentinel, a warforged rogue/ranger for a homebrew Exandria (Tal'Dorei) campaign Created by dwarves in the Age of Arcanum (golden age) he fought during the Calamity where he was rendered inert as a the mountain collapsed around him. Re-discovered by a druid sect (Terrah Ashari) he was restored to limited functionality (level 1). Sent to adventure to hunt down other elemental portals that have been opening and also to regain his lost abilities (ie when he levels up, he "remembers" something that he can do). Also, the dwarves want their property back as does the criminal syndicate he was stolen from.
Rin, a changeling bard for a homebrew Exandria campaign. Originally a bogeyman in the service of the archfey The Queen of Air and Darkness, he severely displeased her and had his memory sealed away and was banished from the Feywild, forever polymorphed into a changeling. His adoptive human parents are currently held hostage by a criminal syndicate so he can use his abilities for their benefit. Hired the other party members (while disguised) to help him transport cargo. Works to overthrow the syndicate and free his parents.
Wert, a bugbear fighter for a casual drop-in-drop-out game. Good-natured and a bit dim, he has an imaginary friend that he can make real occasionally (he is an echo-knight fighter). Unwitting pawn of a secret society who sends him instructions vs magic letters. He thinks the letters are from his imaginary friend.
Cassus Amberguide, a changeling rogue for a homebrew Dark Sun campaign. Sent as a deep cover agent from a secret Changeling city to infiltrate a far off kingdom, he has lived as a Leonin for the last 10 years working for the Arcanist Guild as a cartographer. His mission is to make sure that the city stays hidden and to neutralize threats to it. Every year or so he dead-drops his finding to a wandering merchant (another changeling in disguise) who visits. Adventures with the party nominally to map the areas they are exploring for the guild, but also for his secret agent mission.
Valdon Thorndew, a halfling artificer/blood hunter for a homebrew Dark Sun campaign From a remote northern city, worked as a hunter / scout gathering supplies and preparing them. Dragonborn showed up doing some magic stuff and he was sent to get allies (the other players, via a NPC mutual contact). Most of the rest of the halflings fled elsewhere and he was part of the left behind forces. Practices a particular kind of molecular gastronomy that for some reason no one wants to try. Spherified Salad anyone?
Uhh, no, you're oversimplifying things. The word "barbarian" is not, in itself, a stereotype
Really? Hm, maybe you're right. Here's what I think: When I say barbarian, the first thing that pops into your (or anyone's, really) brain .... is Conan. Stereotype. Conan basically coined the word, and barbarians are just various Conans.
But yes, I'm picking something apart to make a point. It may not be 100% accurate or fair, but the point is there: Without stereotypes, there's no D&D.
I think its a selection bias. There are more human player characters, so you will see more human backstories.
You probably just aren't seeing the non-human / less common ones.
I have never played a human in 5e. I would say that most of my characters have interesting backstories but I usually do not post them on DDB because they specific to the campaigns, but here is the list:
Chuk-Chuk, a goblin artificer for Storm Kings Thunder Family was killed in a cave-in when he was very young. Found by a priest and taken in at the temple of Deneir (knowledge god). Because he is a goblin in the Forgotten Realms, he carries the equivalent of a parental permission slip on him at all times that vouches for him being "a good goblin". The proof is he has the ability to count to 10 in common. Because of his upbringing he blindly trusts pretty much everyone and will tell them everything.
Sentinel, a warforged rogue/ranger for a homebrew Exandria (Tal'Dorei) campaign Created by dwarves in the Age of Arcanum (golden age) he fought during the Calamity where he was rendered inert as a the mountain collapsed around him. Re-discovered by a druid sect (Terrah Ashari) he was restored to limited functionality (level 1). Sent to adventure to hunt down other elemental portals that have been opening and also to regain his lost abilities (ie when he levels up, he "remembers" something that he can do). Also, the dwarves want their property back as does the criminal syndicate he was stolen from.
Rin, a changeling bard for a homebrew Exandria campaign. Originally a bogeyman in the service of the archfey The Queen of Air and Darkness, he severely displeased her and had his memory sealed away and was banished from the Feywild, forever polymorphed into a changeling. His adoptive human parents are currently held hostage by a criminal syndicate so he can use his abilities for their benefit. Hired the other party members (while disguised) to help him transport cargo. Works to overthrow the syndicate and free his parents.
Wert, a bugbear fighter for a casual drop-in-drop-out game. Good-natured and a bit dim, he has an imaginary friend that he can make real occasionally (he is an echo-knight fighter). Unwitting pawn of a secret society who sends him instructions vs magic letters. He thinks the letters are from his imaginary friend.
Cassus Amberguide, a changeling rogue for a homebrew Dark Sun campaign. Sent as a deep cover agent from a secret Changeling city to infiltrate a far off kingdom, he has lived as a Leonin for the last 10 years working for the Arcanist Guild as a cartographer. His mission is to make sure that the city stays hidden and to neutralize threats to it. Every year or so he dead-drops his finding to a wandering merchant (another changeling in disguise) who visits. Adventures with the party nominally to map the areas they are exploring for the guild, but also for his secret agent mission.
Valdon Thorndew, a halfling artificer/blood hunter for a homebrew Dark Sun campaign From a remote northern city, worked as a hunter / scout gathering supplies and preparing them. Dragonborn showed up doing some magic stuff and he was sent to get allies (the other players, via a NPC mutual contact). Most of the rest of the halflings fled elsewhere and he was part of the left behind forces. Practices a particular kind of molecular gastronomy that for some reason no one wants to try. Spherified Salad anyone?
I have to be added to the group that have seen consistently interested characters of all races and classes (though I play a lot of nonDnD games as well)
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Going to go out on a limb and say that a word with etymological roots dating to Ancient Greece, which entered English sometime in the early 1500s was not coined by a pulp fantasy author in 1932.
That said, you are, fundamentally correct that D&D relies on tropes, which would be a more accurate contextual word than “stereotypes.” These classic fantasy tropes, such as Howard’s Barbarian fantasy trope (again, more accurate to say he invented the modern trope, building on an ancient word and ancient depictions) or Tolkien’s elves and dwarves, do play an important part in game development and character creation.
Which is fine - tropes survive and enter public consciousness because people enjoy them. They make it easier for players to formulate a character and easy for DMs to improvise or create massive societies with little effort. They also provide the basis for making something truly special - not simply “I’m a barbarian with glasses” but “I was raised in the lifestyle of a traditional barbarian and learned to fight from them, but these experiences took that trope as it existed within me and transformed it into X.” That second part - using the trope as a starting point and not simply rejecting it, but embracing it and transforming it - can be rather difficult to do, but can make for some great characters that feel like they organically grew out of the trope-filled game D&D has always been.
That’s funny, the first thing I think of are the Gallic Wars. 🤷♂️
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Well, sure, your mileage may vary, of course. I don't know a lot about the gallic wars - except what I read of Asterix when I was a kid - but what I do seem to recall is that ... it wasn't a good time for the 'barbarians'. So, as a reference to real world ... um, less-advanced-than-the-romans cultures, the gauls work well, but as a heroic template, maybe less so.
Not that I'm disagreeing. For fantasy barbarians, I still feel Conan is the gold standard, but the gauls by comparison were very much real.
If real world barbarians were the question, for me, the answer would be the mongols.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
To be fair, the Roman military machine rolled over just about everyone, until the celts in northern Britany where they were forced to build Hadrian’s Wall to hold “the barbarians” back.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Sure, but in the context of the character you were referring to, "barbarian" was neither stereotype nor trope, but simply a collection of mechanical features that made the most sense for the concept I had in mind. The character has no more connection to Conan the Barbarian than he does to Conan the Librarian
Now, it's a lot easier to separate the mechanics from the tropes in the case of classes than it is for
racesspeciessubtypeswhatever they end up calling them, but even within published WOTC products, there have been some fun examples of leaving the trope behind completely. The halflings living out on Eberron's plains are very much not Tolkien's hobbits, for instanceActive characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Short easy answer, we are humans. It is easier to write about what you know than don't know. The other species don't exist so we only have to go on what has been presented to us by the authors of D&D. Can we vary from that? Of course we can but others will not. I think breaking out of other species stereo types is what One D&D is trying to do so people don't think they need to be stuck with the stereo types of the past.
Well, I meant no slight to 'the barbarians' - there wasn't any shame in not beating the romans. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to be entirely undisputed that Hadrian's Wall was to hold out anyone. I mean, sure, they didn't build it for the sheer love of stacking rocks, but as far as I can tell the celts weren't a major threat to the romans. At least, that's what the wiki implies (among other things).
Well, it was meant as an example, not a close analysis of your character. The point remains the same though, whether your character resembles Conan the barbarian, Conan the Librarian, or Conan the anchor. Or neither. D&D is built on tropes and memes and stereotypes - and that's fine.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
If they weren't a threat, why didn't Rome finish conquering the island? Then they wouldn't have needed a wall at all. Keep in mind, the Celts sacked Rome.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I think its a selection bias. There are more human player characters, so you will see more human backstories.
You probably just aren't seeing the non-human / less common ones.
I have never played a human in 5e. I would say that most of my characters have interesting backstories but I usually do not post them on DDB because they specific to the campaigns, but here is the list:
Family was killed in a cave-in when he was very young. Found by a priest and taken in at the temple of Deneir (knowledge god). Because he is a goblin in the Forgotten Realms, he carries the equivalent of a parental permission slip on him at all times that vouches for him being "a good goblin". The proof is he has the ability to count to 10 in common. Because of his upbringing he blindly trusts pretty much everyone and will tell them everything.
Created by dwarves in the Age of Arcanum (golden age) he fought during the Calamity where he was rendered inert as a the mountain collapsed around him. Re-discovered by a druid sect (Terrah Ashari) he was restored to limited functionality (level 1). Sent to adventure to hunt down other elemental portals that have been opening and also to regain his lost abilities (ie when he levels up, he "remembers" something that he can do). Also, the dwarves want their property back as does the criminal syndicate he was stolen from.
Originally a bogeyman in the service of the archfey The Queen of Air and Darkness, he severely displeased her and had his memory sealed away and was banished from the Feywild, forever polymorphed into a changeling. His adoptive human parents are currently held hostage by a criminal syndicate so he can use his abilities for their benefit. Hired the other party members (while disguised) to help him transport cargo. Works to overthrow the syndicate and free his parents.
Good-natured and a bit dim, he has an imaginary friend that he can make real occasionally (he is an echo-knight fighter). Unwitting pawn of a secret society who sends him instructions vs magic letters. He thinks the letters are from his imaginary friend.
Sent as a deep cover agent from a secret Changeling city to infiltrate a far off kingdom, he has lived as a Leonin for the last 10 years working for the Arcanist Guild as a cartographer. His mission is to make sure that the city stays hidden and to neutralize threats to it. Every year or so he dead-drops his finding to a wandering merchant (another changeling in disguise) who visits. Adventures with the party nominally to map the areas they are exploring for the guild, but also for his secret agent mission.
From a remote northern city, worked as a hunter / scout gathering supplies and preparing them. Dragonborn showed up doing some magic stuff and he was sent to get allies (the other players, via a NPC mutual contact). Most of the rest of the halflings fled elsewhere and he was part of the left behind forces. Practices a particular kind of molecular gastronomy that for some reason no one wants to try. Spherified Salad anyone?
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Sorry, who's Conan?
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True. It's likely bias.
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I have to be added to the group that have seen consistently interested characters of all races and classes (though I play a lot of nonDnD games as well)