Monstrous PC Races?

[Havard]

In the 3E DAB Sourcebook, the following races were presented in the monster section:

Afridhi
Beastman
Froglin
Gatorman
Goblin, Ash
Orc, Balebourne
Skandaharian
Thoul
Thrall of Coot (Template)

Regardless of edition you use, would you allow any of these races as PC options in a campaign? Are there any other non-standard races you would allow?

-Havard

[aldarron]

Yes to both, and a pox on all naysayers!

[Big Mac]

In the 3E DAB Sourcebook, the following races were presented in the monster section:

Afridhi
Beastman
Froglin
Gatorman
Goblin, Ash
Orc, Balebourne
Skandaharian
Thoul
Thrall of Coot (Template)

Regardless of edition you use, would you allow any of these races as PC options in a campaign? Are there any other non-standard races you would allow?

Generally, if a race has an LA adjustment (including LA=0) I would prefer to see it included as a PC race option.

However, for the templates, I would tend to exclude all of those that say "the creature's alignment changes to evil". I'm not sure I'd allow a Thrall of Coot...normally...

...although Dave Arneson did have that thing going on where he got players to be the monsters as well as the heroes.

[aldarron]

What the heck is an LA adjustment, and perhaps more importantly, should I talk to my doctor about having one done?

[Havard]

Yes to both, and a pox on all naysayers!

Meaning you would allow all monsterous races? I would probably not allow Thouls and Thralls of Coot, but the others I might consider depending on the campaign.

Havard

[Havard]

Generally, if a race has an LA adjustment (including LA=0) I would prefer to see it included as a PC race option.

IIRC most of the races above have LA +1

However, for the templates, I would tend to exclude all of those that say "the creature's alignment changes to evil". I'm not sure I'd allow a Thrall of Coot...normally...

Agreed. Thouls would also be out IMC because of their semi-Undeadness.

OTOH, I would consider allowing other races not mentioned above such as Centaurs and possibly Pixies. In a BECMI campaign I might even include Treant PCs...

...although Dave Arneson did have that thing going on where he got players to be the monsters as well as the heroes.

Indeed. Although I doubt too many other Blackmoor campaigns follow that pattern.

-Havard

[aldarron]

Yes to both, and a pox on all naysayers!

Meaning you would allow all monsterous races? I would probably not allow Thouls and Thralls of Coot, but the others I might consider depending on the campaign.

Havard

Absolutely. Its beyond my ability to understand the concept of "you can't play that" Why the heck not? If a player wants to try thier hand at some kind of character, who the heck am I to stand in thier way? Imagine how much poorer Blackmoor would be if Dave hadn't "let" players play and even invent new monster characters. Imagine him saying "No you can't play a frog loving, green skinned space alien, or a magically created super barbarian, or a vampire, or a cybernetic wizard, or a Jet black prietess of fire, etc."

Seriously though, what is an "LA adjustment"?

[Havard]

Absolutely. Its beyond my ability to understand the concept of "you can't play that" Why the heck not? If a player wants to try thier hand at some kind of character, who the heck am I to stand in thier way? Imagine how much poorer Blackmoor would be if Dave hadn't "let" players play and even invent new monster characters. Imagine him saying "No you can't play a frog loving, green skinned space alien, or a magically created super barbarian, or a vampire, or a cybernetic wizard, or a Jet black prietess of fire, etc."

I generally tend to like having some restrictions on my campaigns. However, they don't have to based on the DM's decsions only. I prefer having a general consensus about what the focus of the campaign should be.

On the other hand I do like Arneson's anything goes approach too.

Seriously though, what is an "LA adjustment"?

LA=Level Adjustment. If a race has an LA=+1, it means that a 1st level character of this race will only be balanced with the rest of the party if the rest are 2nd level characters.

-Havard