Demihuman: Difference between revisions
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'''Demihuman''' is a term adopted into the [[/tg/]] lexicon from [[Dungeons & Dragons]] prior to 3rd edition. It referred to "those nonhuman humanoid races you can play in-game" - that is, those in such parties as [[Tolkien]] would assemble, the [[elf]], [[dwarf]], and [[halfling]]. Other races, such as [[orc]]s, [[goblinoid]]s, [[kobold]]s, [[xvart]]s, [[ogre]]s and so forth were all lumped together as basic "humanoids" which you had to fight. [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons|AD&D]] also allowed the [[gnome]] (which was fine) and the [[half-orc]] (stretching the concept). | '''Demihuman''' is a term adopted into the [[/tg/]] lexicon from [[Dungeons & Dragons]] prior to 3rd edition. It referred to "those nonhuman humanoid races you can play in-game" - that is, those in such parties as [[Tolkien]] would assemble, the [[elf]], [[dwarf]], and [[halfling]]. Other races, such as [[orc]]s, [[goblinoid]]s, [[kobold]]s, [[xvart]]s, [[ogre]]s and so forth were all lumped together as basic "humanoids" which you had to fight. [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons|AD&D]] also allowed the [[gnome]] (which was fine) and the [[half-orc]] (stretching the concept). | ||
With the release of 3rd edition, this term was dropped from the official D&D lexicon. Some suspect worries over its hidden assumptions; using "demihuman" to refer to playable humanoids could be taken to imply that 1) all civilized/nonevil humanoid races are related to humans, and 2) [[Humanity Fuck Yeah|those races are somehow inferior to "real" humans, while "humanoids" are shittier still.]] Note that neither of these assumptions are at all true in most D&D settings, despite what most editions' crunch would have you believe. And anyway even before 2e, [[Basic Dungeons & Dragons]] had [[ | With the release of 3rd edition, this term was dropped from the official D&D lexicon. Some suspect worries over its hidden assumptions; using "demihuman" to refer to playable humanoids could be taken to imply that 1) all civilized/nonevil humanoid races are related to humans, and 2) [[Humanity Fuck Yeah|those races are somehow inferior to "real" humans, while "humanoids" are shittier still.]] Note that neither of these assumptions are at all true in most D&D settings, despite what most editions' crunch would have you believe. And anyway even before 2e, [[Basic Dungeons & Dragons]] had [[Known World Gazetteers|GAZ11]] allowing for full-on [[orc]] PCs, and [[hobgoblin]]s and [[gnoll]]s and whatever else. That ship had sailed. | ||
Still, the term does occasionally pop up; aside from the obvious nostalgia appeal, the plain truth of the matter is that "demihuman" is a simple shorthand way of referencing all of the "traditionally non-evil humanoid races" with a single word. And what fa/tg/uy is opposed to the idea of having a shorthand name to call something, really? | Still, the term does occasionally pop up; aside from the obvious nostalgia appeal, the plain truth of the matter is that "demihuman" is a simple shorthand way of referencing all of the "traditionally non-evil humanoid races" with a single word. And what fa/tg/uy is opposed to the idea of having a shorthand name to call something, really? | ||
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]][[Category:Dungeons & Dragons Races]][[Category:Monstergirls]][[Category:Gamer Slang]] | [[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]][[Category:Dungeons & Dragons Races]][[Category:Monstergirls]][[Category:Gamer Slang]] | ||
Revision as of 20:40, 15 August 2021
Demihuman is a term adopted into the /tg/ lexicon from Dungeons & Dragons prior to 3rd edition. It referred to "those nonhuman humanoid races you can play in-game" - that is, those in such parties as Tolkien would assemble, the elf, dwarf, and halfling. Other races, such as orcs, goblinoids, kobolds, xvarts, ogres and so forth were all lumped together as basic "humanoids" which you had to fight. AD&D also allowed the gnome (which was fine) and the half-orc (stretching the concept).
With the release of 3rd edition, this term was dropped from the official D&D lexicon. Some suspect worries over its hidden assumptions; using "demihuman" to refer to playable humanoids could be taken to imply that 1) all civilized/nonevil humanoid races are related to humans, and 2) those races are somehow inferior to "real" humans, while "humanoids" are shittier still. Note that neither of these assumptions are at all true in most D&D settings, despite what most editions' crunch would have you believe. And anyway even before 2e, Basic Dungeons & Dragons had GAZ11 allowing for full-on orc PCs, and hobgoblins and gnolls and whatever else. That ship had sailed.
Still, the term does occasionally pop up; aside from the obvious nostalgia appeal, the plain truth of the matter is that "demihuman" is a simple shorthand way of referencing all of the "traditionally non-evil humanoid races" with a single word. And what fa/tg/uy is opposed to the idea of having a shorthand name to call something, really?