Read on Twitter
I see the #dnd orcs and race debate is going around again. And again, I think a lot of people are talking past each other. I'm going to try to restate the central contention, in a way that hopefully is clarifying...
The tropes/rhetoric used in #5e (and other editions) to show that orc race is inherently evil are often the same tropes/rhetoric that have been used--and are still used today!--to slur and justify the oppression of actual humans.
And some of those humans might be at your table.
And some of those humans might be at your table.
Having real world problems in our escapist games can be fun and interesting! Other times, they can make the game feel like a reminder of the shit we have to deal with away from the tableb and that can suck.
Different people are going to draw the line at different places.
Different people are going to draw the line at different places.
A lot of people don't want sexual assault in their games, but there are some tables where everyone has agreed that they are all okay with it. And that's fine!
But game companies probably shouldn't have explicit references to sexual assault in mainstream published materials.
But game companies probably shouldn't have explicit references to sexual assault in mainstream published materials.
#DnD5e is, at it's core, a game about killing monsters. What is a monster? A creature that, within the context of the game, it is acceptable to kill.
This is the central feature that is at once the games big appeal, and what causes such sharp divisions in player communities.
This is the central feature that is at once the games big appeal, and what causes such sharp divisions in player communities.
Because while some tables may be content with just killing ankhegs and slimes forever, most also want opponents that present a more intelectual challange. Enemies that can plot against us, that forces us to be nimble with strategy and tactics. Enemies with human intelligence.
And that's a problem for parties that aren't just murder hobos! We're programmed to understand that taking a human life is a heavier moral weight that killing, say, a rapid wolf.
So, how do we justify killing them and getting the XP they're worth?
Well, in one of 2 ways...
So, how do we justify killing them and getting the XP they're worth?
Well, in one of 2 ways...
We can make it clear what humanoids are acceptable murder objects by making it clear where they come down on the good/evil scale. Show them, individually or collectively, being a part of evil acts. It's easy to justify murder against cultists who summon flesh-eateing demons.
But that takes time, and can require some complicated decision-making on the parts of the PCs and the DM.
Alternatively, we can say, "Hey, see these guys? Who are helpfully distinguished by yellow skin and weird fourheads? All evil. Totally cool to just kill them."
Alternatively, we can say, "Hey, see these guys? Who are helpfully distinguished by yellow skin and weird fourheads? All evil. Totally cool to just kill them."
It simplifies the morality, and lets the PCs to skip straight to the thing they are here to do: murder monsters, collect reward!
Simple, straightforward, and fun! What could be the problem?
Simple, straightforward, and fun! What could be the problem?
Hopefully, by now, the problem is obvious. Not everyone is going to agree on which of the two is fun. And their reasons for why which is fun and which feels like misery are going to be deeply personal.
We live in a world filled with moral greys. We're costantly exposed to unjust violence, both systemic and individual, and the solutions are far from clear.
For some people, the whole appeal of an RPG is having those ambiguities removed. There are bad guys over there. Kill them.
For some people, the whole appeal of an RPG is having those ambiguities removed. There are bad guys over there. Kill them.
Other people see that as unwillingness to engage with the roots of violence. To them, the idea of simple answers isn't just boring, it's an unwelcome intrussion from an uncaring world.
Another appeal of rpgs: having the power to find the the real wrongs, and righting them.
Another appeal of rpgs: having the power to find the the real wrongs, and righting them.
Both of these play styles are legitmate. Both can be fun. And there should absolutley be room for both kinds of tables in our hobby!
But for the longest time, only one was recognized in DnD's published materials.
But for the longest time, only one was recognized in DnD's published materials.
Evil races exists, the monster manuals say. Also, they can breed with humans. The offspring are tainted. No, we don't want to deal with the ramifications of that.
I hope by now we can all see why for a lot of people, a sentiment like that in a core rulebook just feels...gross.
I hope by now we can all see why for a lot of people, a sentiment like that in a core rulebook just feels...gross.
Anyway, I hope this is helpful and clarifying. And to anyone who does read this whole thing...uh, wow, you really stuck in there! Thanks! This has been a shitty time for all of us, but I think you're doing amazing and your hair looks great today. Keep on crushin' it. 
