Channel: Esper the Bard

Category: Entertainment

Tags: wizards of the coastlorewokechangesmindflayerupdatecritiqueeditionupdatesgooddark elves5edebatedungeons and dragonsdrowdndlore updatesdark elfloltherratacriticismfunnybeholderorcd&dracecreaturescomedyorcs5thneutralmonsterssensitiveyuan tidungeons & dragonsrevision6eracessensitivityevilfire giantsatire5.5alignmentproblems

Description: In December 2021, Wizards of the Coast released an errata document that included significant changes to monster and race lore in D&D. The intention was to remove content that could offend people, to reduce insensitive portrayals of certain creatures, and to allow for a more varied expression of these fantasy species. Very little was discussed or explained by WotC in regard to why exactly this was done and whom exactly these portrayals had offended, nor did they address the generations of gamers who have supported D&D throughout the editions and who have come to know these creatures so well. Furthermore, very little replacement lore was provided to make up for the chunks that have been extracted or toned down. Instead of a book about other drow cities that have no ties to Lolth, that describes non-evil drow societies and what their stories, challenges, and adventure hooks are, we merely got a few game updates saying to cut out paragraphs X, Y, and Z, and slap on a bandaid. WotC intentions were good. They want to promote greater variety in a game that is highly creative and that nowadays is played by massive amounts of people from different backgrounds. They also want to have a successful business and a successful product, and there is pressure to remain aware of consumer preferences. But are these changes part of a bigger shift that hurts the storytelling by taking away the conflicts that drive great stories? Does it make any sense to have monsters that are out to kill you or destroy the world, yet they’re so sensitive that they won’t get involved with touchy subjects? Are portions of D&D being stripped of their identities which were built over large spans of time? Is WotC prepared to engage in actual serious, mature discussions about these supposed problematic elements or will they simply push out revisions without really addressing anything? I tried and tried to make a serious video about this, but it’s such a complicated issue, and I see the points being made on both sides. After days of writing, recording, editing, thinking, and consulting with others, I put it on hold, and this satire piece about monster sensitivity training just sprang into my mind. It basically created itself. I’ve learned that when inspiration strikes, and the characters are really talking to you, that means you’re onto something that has fire. Strike the iron while it’s hot. Sometimes, it takes comedy for us to approach difficult issues, to think about them critically, and along the way, laugh a little about how ridiculous we humans can be.