Dungeon Delve Design Log 3: Who Wins the Race?

With literally dozens of potentially playable fantasy races available as options, I quickly realized I could not put them all in the book. I had to pick and choose. My goal was to hit the must-haves (Elf, Dwarf, Human, Halfling) and then go from there. I also wanted to create a unique rules "identity" for each race, a mix of dice bonuses, penalties, and other special factors.

Since I am using my own version of classes in this game, I also found a nice way to differentiate otherwise similar racial types: the Favored Class.  Each race (except Humans) gets two Favored Classes. If the player picks a Favored Class for his character's race, he gets +1D to his Class trait.  For example, Elves have Ranger and Mage as their Favored Classes, so if I'm making an Elf Ranger I would add +1D to my Ranger Class trait.

So what do you get for playing against type?  Most 1st level characters start every game with 3 Fate points, and these can be an incredibly powerful resource in the game. They let you, among other things, literally cheat death. Characters who end up with a Class trait that is not a Favored Class gain +1 Fate point to their starting total each game. That's a powerful reward for going outside your race's comfort zone. Does it balance out with the +1D you would otherwise get on arguably your most important trait?  Perhaps not, but with its greater role-play sensibility, GDD is not really going for total, 100% balance. It's about fun and character.

I'll be including "rough" rules for building your own races; if we end up leaving a favorite of yours out (everyone who wants to see rules for classed-up, Grimlock Fighters, raise your hands!), you can make it yourself! 

Anyway, here's a brief rundown of the races featured so far and their favored classes:

Race and Favored Classes
Each race entry lists its favored classes, but we’ve also grouped them here in one place for easy reference. Favored class grants +1D to Class trait. If you do not choose a class that is favored for your race, you gain +1 Fate point.
Race                 Favored Classes
Dwarf                 Fighter, Priest
Elf                     Ranger, Mage
Goblin                Fighter, Thief
Halfling               Druid, Thief
Human               Any
Kobold               Ranger, Priest
Lizardman          Fighter, Druid
Orc                    Fighter, Ranger

Keep in mind that each race will also get trait dice bumps and penalties and minor special abilities or faults.

I'll discuss those in a later development log.

Give me a shout-out if you see any glaring omissions--and I know Gnomes aren't on here yet, but I will get to them. In the meantime, take the advice I gave a to good friend who was despondent when 4E initially excluded Gnomes: Take a dwarf, trim his beard a bit, and fill him with whimsy!

Thanks for visiting!

--Scott