Height

[beccaelizabeth]

I have been pondering races, since I rolled a few times on the Reincarnation table and got a gnome and was like yaaagh nope. Assorted beast people all fine, though some are prettier, but gnome? Nope?

I think the height difference squicks me. Especially in a romantic context.

Like there are half orcs near 7 foot and halflings below three and while socially and psychologically and certainly in terms of game balance they are equals, I just... nope.

And I think that's a wrong reaction, because actual factual human height ranges in adults go from shorter to taller than that, as per wiki, even just counting those alive right now.

... which is also part of what gets weird about fantasy 'races'. They set weirdly narrow bounds on 'human' by comparison, and rule many people out.

So it is factually obvious that consenting adults can date other consenting adults an it please them

but I don't want to play a gnome because suddenly everyone else is Too Tall.



is a hiccup.




I think a part of it is about power. I mean it's difficult to feel safe if people can squish you on accident.

And it's partly the same reason I almost always played a human: in games I get to be the default. Normality for once.



But it also feels like it's about age, even though that is an error.
That young again? Big nope.





All the cat and bird and hyena people can date whoever and it won't be my thing but it won't squick me. Height somehow is it's own thing.




So, considerations on fantasy race design: which sort of weird is actually uncomfortable.


Also, which distinguishing features are going to get people TOSed for drawing them kissing, because mods aren't going to look in the rulebook.

... makes me tempted to just write humans, but as I said, that doesn't actually dodge the height thing...

Comments

[jesuswasbatman]

What'll get people TOSsed? People assuming that anybody under four feet tall must be a child, even if they're drawn with otherwise adult bodies?

[beccaelizabeth]

Is what I was thinking

dont know if it would happen, was just reading a dicussion and thought maybe

[baronjanus]

Consider it a disability. Functioning in a world where everything is very tall and big. But being dignified and strong and definitely an adult. Looking down with disdain at tall people who treat you like a child.

[beccaelizabeth]

indeed. is a better thought. halfling with attitude.

[baronjanus]