Although it is true that my original GH PC, Maldin, has appeared in Dragon Mag, Dungeon Mag, and numerous LG modules, the rumor that he also appears in the Deity Database is not true.
Actually I'm a DM now but all the D&D characters I've played have been from Greyhawk. They're compiled among other characters in a blog I called "My RPG characters". I guess it's a kind of homage to all of them: Gimli of Geoff a dwarven fighter, Alof Star a human cleric, Elendil Hojanegra a drow magic-user/thief, Ilmor a human bard and many more.
Saludos!
Gabriel _________________ Discord: @GrillWizard
(Much of the original post has been deleted to avoid redundancy.)
May I ask; What's up with that? Do actual humanshate being human, or something?
Just asking.
First, I must ask, what species are you then? The phrasing of your question implies you are not human, asking if "actual" humans hate being human.
Now my answers:
First, the short answer: Yes. Humanity is overrated (especially by itself).
Though in actuality, I do play a lot of human characters. In the game I run, I play a lot of NPCs, and humans are the predominant race in my game world.
When I'm a player, I'd say it's about 50/50 for humans or not.
I can't speak for others, but I theorize that it's part of the fantasy aspect. After all, most of us are human in real life. Just as some people enjoy pretending to be able to wield powerful arcane magic, or call upon the power of the gods, some enjoy the idea of being a whole different species of being. As for the reasons for that, I think we'd have to get into each race in the game one by one. That is, people have reasons they like playing elves, others like dwarves for their own reasons, and ditto for gnomes, halflings, and all the other PC races in D&D. It's all just part of the "being something you're really not" thing I think.
(Query: Since the players are human, is it possible for them to be xenophobictowards humans! )
Hmmm, traditionally the greek or latin word for an object is used in conjunction with -phobia to describe a fear of that thing. With the Greek it would be called Anthropophobia except that is already the term of a phobia of people and groups of people (not distinguishing by race or racial subtype) since the greek word for 'people' and 'humankind' is the same word (I guess the ancient greeks didn't consider elves, dwarves, etc people).
We run into the same problem with the latin as the latin word for human is Homo Hominis which as been used to define a different fear.
We could probably use the Latin "Humanus" which could be defined as "Pertaining to man." although it is contextually usually dealing with the cultural refinements of mankind... being humane or posh. Does Humanusphobia work?
Man... its enough to make someone verbophobic (fear of words)
I thought the clinical term for fear of people was Demophobia.
I thought the clinical term for fear of people was Demophobia.
Yes.... and no. Demophobia (and it's variant names) is a fear of people. But does that mean a fear of humans or a fear of people? Would a gnome with a fear of other gnomes also be diagnosed as having Demophobia?
Real world psychology doesn't have to conceptualize human vs human as opposed to human vs elf it only defines person vs person. The closest real analog would probable be a person vs ethnic group... like a phobia of Asians or Caucasians, although I'm not sure of the clinical terms for those phobias.
I'm DMing the Temple of Elemental Evil and believe it or not but I have never been a player in Greyhawk! Blasphemy, I know! Most DMs i have played prefer their own generic worlds or I have played in the Realms.
Anyway, I've got more than a few NPCs, the principle ones are:
Mobius Blackthorne: LE human male fighter who happens to be the Captain of the City Guard of Verbobonc (yeah, my players are trying to figure that one out!)
Viscount Wilfrick of Verbobonc: human male LG
Bishop Stephan Beckett: 9th level priest of St. Cuthbert LG
Erin Flynn: female half elf druid of Obad-hai 7th level N
Elmo Plantagenant: 7th level human male ranger CG
Sasuke: 8th level elven bladesinger CE
First, I must ask, what species are you then? The phrasing of your question implies you are not human, asking if "actual" humans hate being human.
Actually, I'm simply engaged in some friendly banter -- here in the forums -- with a couple of people I consider to be e-friends.
I'm really not into the clinical analysis of any person here, nor of their characters. On the other hand, the seriousness with which you seem to have taken my "playful" question, shows that you really seem to be -- meaning no offense.
This was all in the name of "good fun," which you apparently took as being a serious query into the human psyche, deserving of a Psychologist' thoughtful clinical analysis -- it wasn't.
Once again -- it wasn't and I'm really not interested in what a Psychologist might think about it all. Speaking only for myself, I'm not going down this road with you, or with anyone else.
But I do thank you for the time, effort and thought that obviously went into your comment. And might I sincerely suggest that you join us, here in the forums, more often?
Rossik, how are you my friend? Its been awhile since we last spoke.
But I firmly believe that we're "highjacking" Wolfsire's thread with an unimportant issue. I never meant for my completely inane query to be taken so seriously. This was completely unintentional.
If some persons joining us "here" (on this thread) are going to be dead-set on answering this relatively unimportant and inconsequential question, then I would strongly urge that someone start another thread. (One which I, personally, have no intention of starting.) Such theoretical debates only lead to grandiloquent oratory, which does not interest me in the least. Everyone has, and is entitled to, an opinion -- but not on this subject, on this thread.
We really need to get back to what this thread is actually about. Which is, basically: What type of character do you play? And not the psyche that motivates you to play him/her.
Why a person plays a certain type of character is their own, personal business. I was simply "joshing around" with Varthalon. (Obviously a mistake to do it here) Let it go. Its just rhetoric.
ohh...one shall be careful , because the purple voice can hear ya!
i have less experience as a player than as DM, but even as a DM, i always had a NPC/PC for myself.
when i have to choose a character , i have to think some things before:
-if i will continue the game
-the hurry on creating a character
-whats the "feeling" of the adventure.
so, if its suppose to be a simple one shot, i usually go for warrior. simple to do and still very fun to play.
but, if the level is high, i cant let a magic user go!
if its a more dense adventure, i prefer a rogue or a cleric
Yeah, but psychology is just a side-line for you -- you back-stabbing, thread hi-jacking, Assassin of Tharizdun, Hairfoot halfling in Swedish leotards!
I'm currently playing a High Elven orphan Rogue/Ranger who has only revealed his nickname of "Nightbreeze". He is the son of a Celeneian wine merchant who was murdered travelling to Dyvers, which is where young Nightbreeze learnt "the tricks of the trade". Since he started adventuring he has taken to expanding his skills at hunting Orcs and Goblinoids in the wilds (hence the Ranger levels) since they are the ones responsible for his fathers murder. All in all it's fun to play a serious, even sullen, Elven worshipper of Trithereon.
I am DM, and have been that for the last 16 years. I have never played a Greyhawk character myself, but i have a PC in another group and world (that is more or less retired now).
Well, I AM a doctor, and all you guys sitting around playing out imaginary creatures in make-believe worlds, with little colored dice, buying more books on useless topics then you can ever realistically actually use in your own childish games... and don't even get me started on the hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars you spend on those ridiculous little figurines that you'll probably never get around to using...
My analysis is... you're ALL nuts!!
Huh? Stop tapping on my shoulder. What are you pointing at, honey?
Uhh.... ummm...
Oh nevermind.
::murmur murmur::
At least I don't do figurines. ;)
I haven't been a player in a couple of years, but my last two Greyhawk PCs were:
Keevan of the Celadon, Suel Druid of Obad-Hai
Jori Stonetalker, Mt. Dwarf Wizard of Dumandan
I had started a third but he only lasted 2 games he was a flan dervish (Cleric of Vathris) from the Bright Desert seeking to free his people from the yoke of Rary and his murderous minions.
Since I mostly DM Greyhawk now, I don't get as much player time.
Of course Saracenus, my mad undead, heraldic loving alter-ego is an NPC in the Great Kingdom. Don't piss off the Animus with an art fetish.
Last edited by Saracenus on Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:33 pm; edited 1 time in total
...and all you guys sitting around playing out imaginary creatures in make-believe worlds, with little colored dice, buying more books on useless topics then you can ever realistically actually use in your own childish games... and don't even get me started on the hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars you spend on those ridiculous little figurines that you'll probably never get around to using...
Heh. Yes, that's entirely different from paying thousands of dollars for golf clubs, golf shoes, greens fees, country club memberships, tips for caddies, and walking around all weekend pretending to be Tiger Woods or Arnold Palmer...
Though I have not assumed the mantle of Player since the early 90s, I was reminiscing about some of my characters the other day. Some that I recall fondly were:
Cornalan, half-elf, male / Mistanda, half-elf, female / Solon, half-elf, male / Twilyte, dryad, female: I played all four simultaneously, while another player also played four characters. Mass chaos!
Heather, female / Usala, female: a gray elf with wings and a 15-year old human barbarian... just a typical adventuring party!
Serrus, human, male / Mirada, elf, female: my highest level PC. Serrus (and his wife Mirada) began at L1 and retired at L19. That took over 4 years of playing.
Wulf, elf, male / Corinna, elf, female: Another husband and wife team. Wulf hated humans and possessed psionics, which was technically against the rules in 1e.
Jesaryth, drow, female: An albino drow mage/assassin (I had just read Elric and the 1e UA had just come out)
Eclipse, drow, male / Krok, half-ogre, male: more UA madness with a drow cavalier!
Daerland, gnome, male / Talsanan, half-elf, male: Daerland was a cleric/illusionist who began adventuring late in life, after the death of his wife.
Rhebus, minotaur, male / Medea, elf, female: The "Ecology of the Minotaur" article had just come out. He was a ranger/M-U
Daylyth, wild elf, male: The penultimate xenophobe!
Aqualus, aquatic elf, male: Yeah, go ahead - snicker.
Aura, atomie, female / Thistle, halfling, female / Wendover, halfling, male: Half the altitude, twice the attitude!
Gykon, juju zombie, male: former brother of Serrus. Gykon and Jesaryth were my only evil PCs
My first 3e PC was Nok, a portly half-orc bard with skills as a chef and taxidermist. He wore a bloodied leather apron and attacked with meat cleavers.
One of these days I'll get the chance to try my new PC, he's a spellstitched swarm-shifter dread necromancer emancipated spawn half-scrag sea kin lacedon with aboleth grafts. ;)
One of these days I'll get the chance to try my new PC, he's a spellstitched swarm-shifter dread necromancer emancipated spawn half-scrag sea kin lacedon with aboleth grafts. ;)
After 19 years, I'm still playing Denha Deloran (Baroness Deloran, Guardian of Adlerweg, Keeper of the Blackflame):
2e: Human Wizard (previously Thief (Scout))
2e Spells & Magic: Human Shadow Mage (previously Thief (Scout))
3e: Human Rogue/Sorcerer
3.5e: Human Rogue/Shadowcaster/Sorcerer/Noctumancer
4e: Shadar-kai Warlock (multiclass rogue)/Ghost of Eventide
The character was exposed to blackflame while playing Baltrons Beacon and this was the in-story excuse to convert to a shadow mage. The worst version was actually the 3e version since it proved to difficult to stick to the concept when the multiclassing rules punished spell-casters, which was more galling since I played the levels as a scout and then a wizard from level zero using the Unearthed Arcana 1e rules.
The 4e version is by far the most fun as finally I don't feel I'm being punished for the concept any more and as you are encouraged to reflavour the powers it gives more freedom over the narrative. I might have to try a hybrid version when the shadow classes come out but I'm stiffed every time as they only seem to come out about a year before they move on to the next edition grrr.
Lol thanks for the words of wisdom. I do actually prefer 4e in many ways. I don't like the new magic items - I like the mechanic limiting their usage but not the items themselves - they're too cookie cutter.
I much prefer 4e monster generation rules. I lamet the monster fluff but there is no reason why I can't use my 1e and 2e monstrous compendiums to pad out the 4e stats.
As for everything else, the only players who grumble a bit about 4e are the cleric - who was very powerful and versatile inder 3e and the multiclass wizard who hasn't got round to playing yet - I playtested his character and he rocked so I expect he'll be ok when he does play.
The problem with 5e may just end up being that the online tools for 4e will evaporate when 5e comes out. As long as I can cope with that, I think I will stick with 4e for a while yet. Denha Deloran will rule mwaa haa haa (cough). That would never have happened under 3e.
One of my favorite monsters I used was invisible. The party was thrashing around trying to find what was attacking them and then finally managed to dispel the invisibility....
One of my favorite monsters I used was invisible. The party was thrashing around trying to find what was attacking them and then finally managed to dispel the invisibility....
I played a 2e dwarven Fighter/Cleric named Borin Hammerhelm in as one shot that took place in the orc over run southern wild coast a few weeks back, but I hardly ever get to play anymore.
Can't remember his name but my last character in GH was back in 2e. He was a half-hobgoblin who had been raised among humans and become a fighter/magic-user (We were def houseruling). While playing through Keep on the Borderlands (Located near the Dreadwood in my DM's campaign) he found out that his father was the hobgoblin chief in the Caves of Chaos and "went native." It was like Reverse Dungeon before that came out. Adventuring was leading raids against the local human homesteads and caravans going to the Keep, until agents of Iuz killed my father for a powerful magic item that he had found and I was on the trail for revenge. never finished that campaign arc.
I give you Dindil, a halfling fighter/thief I played for a short time several years ago. He was a complete sociopath, but had a soft spot for children and others who suffered at the hands of oppressors. Long before WotC created the Whisperknife prestige class, Dindil was sneaking into windows and cutting the throats of anybody who crossed him. Anyone who called him a "runt", "shorty", or otherwise insulted him would receive a blank, innocent stare and an obsequious, "Thank you, sir, I suppose I am a little too small and weak for that kind of thing," and later would find themselves with a poisoned dagger in the chest. It was great fun. My DM at the time - a sociopathic jerk himself - got Dindil into all sorts of trouble by "allowing" him to witness all sorts of abuses, which of course Dindil had to avenge.
But then he got himself locked in a room with all those trolls.... (*sniff*)
I got to DM my version of Castle Greyhawk back in June, at the inaugural North Texas RPG Con in Benton, TX (DFW area), but our current campaign is set in the JG Wilderlands, so I'm not playing in GH atm. (And, in fact when I take over the DMing reigns in the not-too-distant future, I'll be running S4 in the WL, since that's the group's main campaign atm). _________________ Allan Grohe (grodog@gmail.com)
http://www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/greyhawk.html
im DMing, but my npcs are:
... Petefour, the bard. The inside joke is that he is the forth Pete in the group, and all the others were henchmen who died.
The really humorous part to me is that when I read it, I pronounced Petefour in my head as "petty-four". ... and that's a completely different thing altogether.
petit four (also Petitfore): noun [pet-ee fawr, fohr; Fr. puh-tee foor], plural petits fours
a small teacake, variously frosted and decorated
A small, square-cut, frosted and decorated piece of pound cake or sponge cake.
Now, it's a coincidence, I am certain, but, it just makes it all the more hilarious to me.
And Aeolius ... and while I am at it ...
Aeolius wrote:
dryad
a gray elf with wings
albino drow, female
drow, male
half-ogre, male
Rhebus, minotaur
wild elf
Aqualus, aquatic elf, male: Yeah, go ahead - snicker.
atomie
juju zombie
a portly half-orc bard
One of these days I'll get the chance to try my new PC, he's a spellstitched swarm-shifter dread necromancer emancipated spawn half-scrag sea kin lacedon with aboleth grafts. ;)
::snicker, snicker:: Really though, "Rhebus"? did he talk in symbols? and "Aqualus" ... you could've just said "Aquaman". But, you know ... you dream of underwater adventures, I know. Say, does that make them wetdr- ... <ahem> Nevermind.
But I don't know ... all those races in there, I don't think anyone could accuse you of being xenophobic.
I am currently playing in a Yahoo Greyhawk Group, 2nd edition, in The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh - we are having some good fun! My character is: Nadia Davrahtai, a half-elven female ranger; species enemy: gnolls.
My oldest GH character is probably a halfling thief named Arnilion. He was part of a group of "evil" characters that our DM ran through a mixture of published modules (D series) and his own take on Oerth - as I recall we did a lot of adventuring in the Pomarj and the Hellfurnaces. I think he was around 13th level when we retired the game - that was back in college in the 80's so my memory is a bit sketchy.
I am all set to DM my first Greyhawk campaign - The Temple of Elemental Evil - starting next weekend via email. As someone lamented, it does take a long time, but I've found that with my schedule and the schedule of my old gaming buddies scattered throughout the nation, email works best. This will be a 2nd edition game and just about all of us (one player prefers 3.5) are excited about it.
And I'd like to thank Maldin for his great webpage - probably helped rekindle the flame to get back into Greyhawk a few years ago.
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