Humans Only?

Member: 509
Joined: Oct 8 2010

It seems a bit limiting to disallow non-human races. Does anyone know why the decision to do so was made?

I know that sometimes elves etc end up unoriginal, but they can also be done in very original ways too.

Member: 5
Joined: Sep 2 2008
Re: Humans Only?

First, welcome to Gallidon and thanks for stopping by the Workshop Forum!

Second, great question.

Non-human races are allowed and encouraged. Just not the typical, stock fantasy ones (e.g., elves, dwarves, orcs, etc.).

An earlier forum thread touches on this:

http://runesofgallidon.com/forums/races-world-and-monsters

Also, we wanted to create a unique feel for the Gallidon world, specifically one that didn't evoke the usual fantasy world suspects ("Oh, yeah, Gallidon - it's Middle Earth lite").

You're absolutely correct, of course: elves can be done in very original ways. The problem is they often aren't.

Genre writing has the advantage of building on existing tropes, but those tropes are often crutches in disguise. The result is frequently a story filled to the brim with the normal fantasy elements but poorly told.

That said, while all of the kingdoms and cultures in Gallidon have real-world sources as their inspiration, parallels can be drawn between them and some of the fantasy races.

I tend to view the Peaks as the most 'elf-like' of the kingdoms as far as their attitudes are concerned. Very long-term, very focused on the arts and finer things in life. Plans are measured in generations, not years. Meanwhile, the North Realm tends to be more dwarvish in their approach to life: a gusty but stoic, drink from the pitcher, live-hard/die-well, pragmatic view of things.

But that's just me. You may have other ideas about the various cultures in Gallidon. I hope you do. More importantly, I hope you share them by contributing your creative voice to Gallidon and forging its future!

Scott Walker
World Steward

P.S. I should add that if you absolutely, positively HAVE to include an elf/dwarf/orc/etc. by name in your Work, we have created a special corner here for Works that are done well but conflict with existing canon or include a continuity issue. It's called the Alternate History section (http://runesofgallidon.com/works/what-alternate-history).

These Works are not considered official, but they are recognized as contributing high-quality content to the Gallidon world property and providing a new way to experience and enjoy Runes of Gallidon.

Member: 509
Joined: Oct 8 2010
Thank you for the in-depth

Thank you for the in-depth answer. ^^ I had in mind my own version of elves, until I started reading more of the guidelines. It sounds like I can still use that, since they aren't the typical elves, as long as I don't call them elves.

The idea needs further tweaking to be totally different from the usual elf, but I'm glad to hear I don't have to entirely abandon it.

Member: 5
Joined: Sep 2 2008
More about the existence of non-elves

If you want to create a distinctly non-human race, the key to making it work is ensuring it fits logically and coherently in the world history/mythos that's already established.

Tell a great story and make it believable within the world foundation, and you've got a good chance of having it accepted as canon.

Or, frame it narratively in a way that denies an unambiguous interpretation. There are some tried and true writing conceits like framing a story as being communicated from one character to another instead of from the narrator directly to the reader.

Think of two old geezers swapping stories in a tavern late one night, relating their brush with death at the hands of some unspeakable terror that no one else has ever seen. Did their fear cause them to mistake a large bear for some supernatural creature, or did they truly stumble on some new, other-wordly threat to Gallidon? The reader can never be sure.

Or let's pull from some classic story structure narratives like The Canterbury Tales and 1001 Nights / Arabian Nights.

Remember: the narrator has an obligation to stay true to the world, but characters are free to have their own interpretations of reality...

Scott Walker
World Steward