The story so far: an island where all the races are present with three main Kingdom ruled by the Elfs, Dwarfs and Humans. The problem is how to divide the various races between the three Kingdom's by race affinity? When a race is incompatible with them, these are moved in the Wildlands. The number of racess for each Kingdom should be the same...
Oooh. As a social science major and currently a student of government, I love these sort of dilemmas.
Now, I'm not a historian, so these ideas don't come from a historical point of view. But of course, your kingdoms are set in a fantasy world with fantasy lifespans, so history matters very little.
I would suggest taking into account the following things:
1. Lifespans
This is probably one of the fundamentals of this kind of segregation. Elves (and gnomes) really can't live at the same pace as humans. Either the elves would burn out trying to follow the human rhythm of life. Keep in mind that they also rest less, so their days are effectively longer too. Or if the elves could sustain the human rhythm, they would simply be superior in every regard. Of course there are ways to get around this. (more about that later)
So with that principle in mind, maybe elves and gnomes should live together.
2. Lifestyle
The previous suggestions has a tiny problem: most races are short-lived
So instead you could group them by shared lifestyle or qualities (based on the ruling race's lifestyle of course). So maybe
Dwarves/rock gnomes/halflings (these aren't based on anything concrete, so halflings might be grouped with any other race for any quality you feel like enforcing. I went with being small, handy and loud).
Elves/forest gnomes/dragonborn (old and isolated cultures). I would maybe create a simple Oath of Allegiance towards the Elves. So they are all very much autonomous and keep to themselves in their own parts of the Kingdom, but gnomes and dragonborn are obligated to answer a call to arms etc. Could be other obligations too, based on ancient history. Maybe the elves defeated them back in the day, and allowed them to stay in those parts in return of this Oath of Vassalage.
Humans/half-orcs/tiefling.
3. Usefulness
So, maybe the rulers keep them around because they are useful. Elves have their own lifestyle and slow rhythm, but they keep those other races around, because they need someone to do all the daily busywork, or supplement something they lack of.
Elves/half-orcs/halfling
Dwarves/gnomes/tieflings
Humans/half-elves/dragonborn
4. A mixture of all these
Basically it all boils down to: What reasons do they have for this specific form of segregation? The reasons could be different for each kingdom, and basically any reason is a good reason, if it sprouted from whatever event or decision. These don't have to follow a strict logic, because especially dictators can just make their own logic that everyone has to follow. Could be kindred spirits or a working force. Gnomes could be partly kin to dwarves, while the dwarves keep halfling around for their usefulness.
--
End note:
I don't know where you live, but these can be sensitive subjects. Some governments all across the world have and always will be tyrannical towards different people. The differences aren't always racial.
So consider your own group. What kind of reasons/implications do you want to enforce, and how does it show? Are the non-ruling races in a position similar to slaves or are they peers in all regards except highest ruling power? Where I live, racial segregation is a thing we have only read about, so it's not a very personal subject. But in other places it can involve severe multi-generational trauma.
If you do decide to subject some races to tyrannical segregation, I would suggest building in some empowering features, so that it doesn't show only as an abusive power dynamic where one race is weak and miserable, and the other one is glorious and well. Maybe a strong subculture that paints a picture of their resilience and how they manage to strive and develop under this violent regime. Something like that. :)
And maybe avoid stereotypical real world dynamics. Fantasy gives a chance to make a place terrible in all new ways. :P
I will figure out how to find all these informations (lifespan, lifestyle and usefulness) to a sheet in google... maybe the Rarity of a race is also important (and I will probably use this due to limit the Players using all the same race!).
I will figure out how to find all these informations (lifespan, lifestyle and usefulness) to a sheet in google... maybe the Rarity of a race is also important (and I will probably use this due to limit the Players using all the same race!).
The story so far: an island where all the races are present with three main Kingdom ruled by the Elfs, Dwarfs and Humans. The problem is how to divide the various races between the three Kingdom's by race affinity? When a race is incompatible with them, these are moved in the Wildlands. The number of racess for each Kingdom should be the same...
They would likely be a classist society with the elves at the top as scholars etc... and Orcs at the bottom and the rest spread out based on their physicality vs mental/magical preference. There might also be an city vs rural divide with more animalistic races - firbolgs, harengon, owlin, centaurs living out in the woods vs city dwelling elves and Kalashtar.
There would be a divide between the subterranean and surface dwellers here, with your Halflings, Lizardfolk, Goliaths, Goblins on the surface and your dwarves, gnomes, and genasi mostly underground.
Probably more of a neighbour-hood theme to these guys with clusters of similar races sharing towns / neighbourhoods but with potential rivalry with others.
A quick replay. I need to talk with the other 2 Master's involved in this HB island about all the information acquired. Yep, the same island is 'ruled' by 3 Master's, each one for every Kingdom. The theme will be set as 'Open Table': so if you want to play a race, you are assigned to a specific Master. Only the races in the wildlands can play with all the Master's.
I need to limit the numer of the avaible races and assign a similar number of races between the Kingdom's of the Dwarfs, the Elves, the Humans and the Wildlands.
A quick replay. I need to talk with the other 2 Master's involved in this HB island about all the information acquired. Yep, the same island is 'ruled' by 3 Master's, each one for every Kingdom. The theme will be set as 'Open Table': so if you want to play a race, you are assigned to a specific Master. Only the races in the wildlands can play with all the Master's.
I need to limit the numer of the avaible races and assign a similar number of races between the Kingdom's of the Dwarfs, the Elves, the Humans and the Wildlands.
Oh you're supposed to limit the species as well? I'd suggest banning all the setting-specific species then and only keep the basic species and the monster species. This would cut you down to:
Elves: Common - Elves, Half-Elves Uncommon - Satyrs, Centaurs, Fairies, Eladrin, Firbolg, Harengon, Sea Elf, Shadar Kai
Dwarves: Common - Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings Uncommon - Earth Genasi, Fire Genasi, Deep Gnome, Duergar, Goliath, Goblin, Kobold, Lizardfolk
Human: Common - Humans, Tieflings Uncommon - Aasimar, Air Genasi, Water Genasi, Changeling, Kenku, Shifter, Tabaxi, Triton
The story so far: an island where all the races are present with three main Kingdom ruled by the Elfs, Dwarfs and Humans. The problem is how to divide the various races between the three Kingdom's by race affinity? When a race is incompatible with them, these are moved in the Wildlands. The number of racess for each Kingdom should be the same...
Oooh. As a social science major and currently a student of government, I love these sort of dilemmas.
Now, I'm not a historian, so these ideas don't come from a historical point of view. But of course, your kingdoms are set in a fantasy world with fantasy lifespans, so history matters very little.
I would suggest taking into account the following things:
1. Lifespans
This is probably one of the fundamentals of this kind of segregation. Elves (and gnomes) really can't live at the same pace as humans. Either the elves would burn out trying to follow the human rhythm of life. Keep in mind that they also rest less, so their days are effectively longer too. Or if the elves could sustain the human rhythm, they would simply be superior in every regard. Of course there are ways to get around this. (more about that later)
So with that principle in mind, maybe elves and gnomes should live together.
2. Lifestyle
The previous suggestions has a tiny problem: most races are short-lived
So instead you could group them by shared lifestyle or qualities (based on the ruling race's lifestyle of course). So maybe
Dwarves/rock gnomes/halflings (these aren't based on anything concrete, so halflings might be grouped with any other race for any quality you feel like enforcing. I went with being small, handy and loud).
Elves/forest gnomes/dragonborn (old and isolated cultures). I would maybe create a simple Oath of Allegiance towards the Elves. So they are all very much autonomous and keep to themselves in their own parts of the Kingdom, but gnomes and dragonborn are obligated to answer a call to arms etc. Could be other obligations too, based on ancient history. Maybe the elves defeated them back in the day, and allowed them to stay in those parts in return of this Oath of Vassalage.
Humans/half-orcs/tiefling.
3. Usefulness
So, maybe the rulers keep them around because they are useful. Elves have their own lifestyle and slow rhythm, but they keep those other races around, because they need someone to do all the daily busywork, or supplement something they lack of.
Elves/half-orcs/halfling
Dwarves/gnomes/tieflings
Humans/half-elves/dragonborn
4. A mixture of all these
Basically it all boils down to: What reasons do they have for this specific form of segregation? The reasons could be different for each kingdom, and basically any reason is a good reason, if it sprouted from whatever event or decision. These don't have to follow a strict logic, because especially dictators can just make their own logic that everyone has to follow. Could be kindred spirits or a working force. Gnomes could be partly kin to dwarves, while the dwarves keep halfling around for their usefulness.
--
End note:
I don't know where you live, but these can be sensitive subjects. Some governments all across the world have and always will be tyrannical towards different people. The differences aren't always racial.
So consider your own group. What kind of reasons/implications do you want to enforce, and how does it show? Are the non-ruling races in a position similar to slaves or are they peers in all regards except highest ruling power? Where I live, racial segregation is a thing we have only read about, so it's not a very personal subject. But in other places it can involve severe multi-generational trauma.
If you do decide to subject some races to tyrannical segregation, I would suggest building in some empowering features, so that it doesn't show only as an abusive power dynamic where one race is weak and miserable, and the other one is glorious and well. Maybe a strong subculture that paints a picture of their resilience and how they manage to strive and develop under this violent regime. Something like that. :)
And maybe avoid stereotypical real world dynamics. Fantasy gives a chance to make a place terrible in all new ways. :P
Cheers! I hope these help. :)
Finland GMT/UTC +2
I will figure out how to find all these informations (lifespan, lifestyle and usefulness) to a sheet in google... maybe the Rarity of a race is also important (and I will probably use this due to limit the Players using all the same race!).
(sorry, can't reduce the table!)
Put it in a spoiler, like this.
MilestoGo_24's alt.
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXI, and share your work!
Be not afraid.
Wait. Actually, be very afraid.
Elves: Theme - Fey, creative, sages
Common - Elves (scholars, administrators, artists), Half-Elves (hospitality, crafting, mercantile), Orcs/Half-Orc (labourers, farmers, miners)
Uncommon - Satyrs, Centaurs, Fairies, Eladrin, Firbolg, Harengon, Sea Elf, Shadar Kai, Water Genasi
Rare - Astral Elf, Plasmoid, Owlin, Kalashtar, Loxodon
They would likely be a classist society with the elves at the top as scholars etc... and Orcs at the bottom and the rest spread out based on their physicality vs mental/magical preference. There might also be an city vs rural divide with more animalistic races - firbolgs, harengon, owlin, centaurs living out in the woods vs city dwelling elves and Kalashtar.
Dwarves: Theme - small, subterranean, crafting and mountain associated
Common - Dwarves (miners, warriors, crafters), Halflings (farmers, hospitality, mercantile), Gnomes (scholars, administrators, crafters)
Uncommon - Earth Genasi, Fire Genasi, Deep Gnome, Duergar, Goliath, Goblin, Kobold, Minotaur, Lizardfolk
Rare - Kender, Autognome, Thrikreen, Verdan, Vedalken
There would be a divide between the subterranean and surface dwellers here, with your Halflings, Lizardfolk, Goliaths, Goblins on the surface and your dwarves, gnomes, and genasi mostly underground.
Human: Theme - Adaptability, hard working, cursed, militaristic
Common - Humans (any), Tiefling (mercantile, hospitality), Dragonborn (warriors, farmers, miners)
Uncommon - Aasimar, Air Genasi, Changeling, Githzerai, Kenku, Shifter, Tabaxi, Triton, Yuan-ti
Rare - Giff, Hadozee, Leonin, Warforged, Simic Hybrid
Probably more of a neighbour-hood theme to these guys with clusters of similar races sharing towns / neighbourhoods but with potential rivalry with others.
Wildland:
Aarakocra
Githyanki
Bugbear
Hobgoblin
Tortle
Grung
Locathah
A quick replay. I need to talk with the other 2 Master's involved in this HB island about all the information acquired. Yep, the same island is 'ruled' by 3 Master's, each one for every Kingdom. The theme will be set as 'Open Table': so if you want to play a race, you are assigned to a specific Master. Only the races in the wildlands can play with all the Master's.
I need to limit the numer of the avaible races and assign a similar number of races between the Kingdom's of the Dwarfs, the Elves, the Humans and the Wildlands.
Oh you're supposed to limit the species as well? I'd suggest banning all the setting-specific species then and only keep the basic species and the monster species. This would cut you down to:
Elves:
Common - Elves, Half-Elves
Uncommon - Satyrs, Centaurs, Fairies, Eladrin, Firbolg, Harengon, Sea Elf, Shadar Kai
Dwarves:
Common - Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings
Uncommon - Earth Genasi, Fire Genasi, Deep Gnome, Duergar, Goliath, Goblin, Kobold, Lizardfolk
Human:
Common - Humans, Tieflings
Uncommon - Aasimar, Air Genasi, Water Genasi, Changeling, Kenku, Shifter, Tabaxi, Triton
Wildland:
Common - Dragonborn, Half-Orc
Uncommon - Aarakocra, Githyanki, Githzerai, Bugbear, Hobgoblin, Yuan-ti, Minotaur, Orc
That's about as evenly balanced as I think it is possible to get.