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Message no. 1
From: "Robert A. Hayden" <hayden@*******.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU>
Subject: Commentary on 'Too many races in ShadowRun'
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1993 15:19:34 -0500
On Wed, 14 Jul 1993, Jason Carter, Nightstalker wrote:

> Adding races can be fun, but you don't want to bog down your game with too many
> metahuman races, especially if they don't add much to the game. That was one
> thing I like about there being just 5 metahuman races in Shadowrun.

One of the interesting thing about races in SR is that the only thing that
changes among the meta races (ignore humans) is the type of eyes and a few
physical benefits (reach or disease resistance for example). Otherwise,
the only things that change are the maximums and the averages. I could
build the same stats into both an elf AND a troll, the only thing
different then is the roel playing surrounding the different races (aside
from physical bonuses like reach).

Done correctly with enough of a background and proper commentary on
societal influences, 10 races can be just as effective as 5 and actually,
with good role players, could really could really allow the development of
some wonderful background plotlines and stuff.

You all know that my SR games tend to focus at least 90% on the drama and
maybe only 10% of the results of dice rolling, so that is why I find the
concept of more things to Role-play with exciting.

> Snarks!!!! Hideous reptile dudes.

Aren't those Gorns?

> Races that can fly (pixies/sprites) or run really fast (cenatuars) would be
> unbalancing and should be avoided like vampires :)

I have a problem with Centaurs simply because they would be MONDO
difficult to fit into normal society. On the other hand, Sprites COULD
work as really the only things different about them is the fact that they
can fly. And with a little twisting and bending, you can change 'fly' to
'glide' or 'fly for limited distances. All it really adds is another
realistic physical attribute to a race that has trmendous role playing
potential.

As as far as the prejedicial, cold, hateful, bigoted humans go, they just
have to learn to cope witht he fact they are becoming a minority.


{[> Robert A. Hayden ____ hayden@*******.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \ /__ hayden@****.cs.mankato.msus.edu <]}
{[> \/ / aq650@****.INS.CWRU.Edu <]}
{[> #include <std_disclaimer.h> \/ <]}
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Message no. 2
From: "David R. Henry" <dhenry@******.NODAK.EDU>
Subject: Re: Commentary on 'Too many races in ShadowRun'
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1993 16:47:22 CDT
> > Snarks!!!! Hideous reptile dudes.
>
> Aren't those Gorns?

I think Jason was thinking about the Marvel Comics race of aliens which
figured prominently in Power Pack.

drh

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