7 réponses à ce sujet

[Ophir147]

So we basically know that interspecies romance is possible in Thedas, and can even lead to pregnancy (Feynriel; Morrigan's Ritual if the Warden is Male Dwarf). In terms of game mechanics, of course there can't be a huge difference in the different race's strength (even though Dwarves are the best race on paper with magic resist, few people play them) except for Qunari obviously, who are decidedly bigger, stronger, and much more alien to the rest of Thedas.

This brings me to my question. What is the difference between Elves, Humans, and Dwarves anyway? Aside from radically different cultures, social structures, and religions, is there any real difference between the three races? 

The only physical differences are as follows:

Dwarves: 
-short
-hairy (specifically beards)
-resistant to magic
---as a result, able to work with lyrium without being poisoned

Humans: 
-they're pretty much like us, at least physically, right?
-except for the fact that they are sensitive to magic and the fade

Elves:
-taller than dwarves, shorter than humans
-exotic bone structure, as well as tapered ears
-other than that, they're pretty much human

A lot of important (to me at least) questions remain unanswered. Elves are no longer immortal (that is assuming that their mythology is to be believed, and they actually were immortal at one point in time), so now they are basically short humans with pointy ears, right?

I think it would be safe to say that the Kossith are a different species of humanoid, but most evidence points to elves, dwarves, and humans sharing the same physical attributes for the most part, as well as sharing the same breeding pool.

What are the actual differences between the three races? I'm sure i've missed something here, because the physical differences seem a bit too superficial. Not exactly a lore hound here, but this one question has been bothering me for a while.

[MichaelStuart]

I don't think there is any real difference.

Modifié par MichaelStuart, 04 septembre 2012 - 03:05 .

[Heimdall]

The differences between humans and elves are pretty much superficial, dwarves slightly less so.

[Maria Caliban]

What are the physical differences between a border collie and a german shepherd?

[Beerfish]

Are dog biscuits made out of collie flour?

[mousestalker]

Elves are more magical than humans. You learn that in the elven mage origin.

[nightscrawl]

Ophir147 wrote...

So we basically know that interspecies romance is possible in Thedas, and can even lead to pregnancy (Feynriel; Morrigan's Ritual if the Warden is Male Dwarf). In terms of game mechanics, of course there can't be a huge difference in the different race's strength (even though Dwarves are the best race on paper with magic resist, few people play them) except for Qunari obviously, who are decidedly bigger, stronger, and much more alien to the rest of Thedas.

I think that an interesting gameplay value was lost when they decided to not let the non-human races have advantages or disadvantages in terms of abilities, a la D&D. Typically humans are the best all around, having a fair amount of everything, with no serious advantage or disadvantage in anything. Elves are more agile/dextrous, dwarves are more hardy (and in this case, magic resistant).

I think that hard core players would have liked the ability to choose a race based on these types of things, rather than the story or appearance aspect, and as a result we would have seen different numbers in relation to race selection -- not staggeringly different, but a few percentage points. Having dwarves be resistant to magic by a few resistance points (nothing game braking), or elves having a few more dexterity (perhaps even divided into city elves having more cunning and dalish elves having +5 nature resist or +5 nature magic) would have made a difference, particularly in replay value.

As for the Kossith, they only seem "more alien" (to players) because they are not a typical, known, fantasy race, whereas elves and dwarves are. To Theodesians, they would be more alien because most have never seen a Qunari, and might only know of them through historical accounts of their war making, if they were educated enough to know of them at all.

[Ophir147]

Maria Caliban wrote...

What are the physical differences between a border collie and a german shepherd?

In your (mocking?) post you made a pretty interesting point.

Are the different races even that? The superficial differences may point to them all being the same species with a common ancestor, and physical isolation may have caused the three to branch away at some point. 

But I digress. I find the topic fascinating, but given the lack of importance placed on biology by the writers, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have an answer for this themselves.

nightscrawl wrote...

As for the Kossith, they only seem "more alien" (to players) because they are not a typical, known, fantasy race, whereas elves and dwarves are. To Theodesians, they would be more alien because most have never seen a Qunari, and might only know of them through historical accounts of their war making, if they were educated enough to know of them at all.

It wouldn't surprise me if the kossith were the only completely separate humanoid species in Thedas, given how it's know that they all arrived from across the sea (from parts unknown) in order to spread the Qun.

They have a completely different skeletal structure (not accounting for mutants like Sten), a markedly different pool of skin colors, and are radically taller than any other race, as well as much bulkier. They also appear to be the only species with more natural strength, and they even seem to be more intelligent (when it comes to applying knowledge in their mission), barring obvious prohibitive religion and superstition.