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Should Wizards and Dwarves mix?

Should wizards and dwarves mix?


  • Total voters
    7

Chasejxyz

Inkling
The idea that certain "races" shouldn't be "allowed" to be certain types of characters or heroes is just limiting yourself to all kinds of stories for no good reason. Copying what other people have done before (elves are rangers, orcs are barbarians, dwarves can't be wizards) because you think you gotta is just kneecapping your creativity. Do whatever you want, man.
 

Mad Swede

Auror
I'd turn the question round and ask you why you think they shouldn't mix? To me, it's one of the fundamental questions authors and game creators need to ask themselves when creating a fantasy world. What species exist, what are their defining characteristics and what does this mean for their lives in that world? Are there things they can't do, and if so, why?
 
Oh, right. I forgot about the quotes.
Unrelated, random, off topic comment: I always seem to default to a soft magic system. I just find it more fun to use in my writing. And really, who am I writing for in the end? Me. I've tried many hard magic systems, but none of them really worked for me. They just felt ...off with the rest of the setting. I mean, I love hard magic systems, but it's just not for me, you know?
 
I'd turn the question round and ask you why you think they shouldn't mix? To me, it's one of the fundamental questions authors and game creators need to ask themselves when creating a fantasy world. What species exist, what are their defining characteristics and what does this mean for their lives in that world? Are there things they can't do, and if so, why?
Yes, quite correct. If you have a legitimate reason (such as that dwarves have a different kind of magic that comes from their beards instead of wizardry) then it makes perfect sense.
 
Define wizard.

I think the idea that dwarves don't use magic only really comes from Warhammer. A lot of other dwarves use magic. Tolkien's dwarves had magical weapons, magical doors, magical toys and so on. They were about as magical as elves were. Magical artifacts are fairly common for dwarves. Less common I think is the hand-waving wizards. But there's not really any reason dwarves wouldn't be able to use it. I do think that their magic should tie in with their culture. If you go the traditional artificer - miner route for dwarves than the magical artifacts and magic related to earth make sense. Which I guess is why a lot of writers go there. But I would say, go for it.

Also, Dwizards sounds cool! ;)
 

Devor

Fiery Keeper of the Hat
Moderator
Of course wizards and dwarves should mix! The real question is whether they should be served beer or cocktails. A good mixer needs to keep the tongues wet.
 

Devor

Fiery Keeper of the Hat
Moderator
So, more seriously, I prefer Tolkein's take on the matter. Dwarves had magic but didn't become wizards..... because wizards weren't a "class" but a different race.

Let dwarves be dwarves. Let them have their own magic, their own abilities, their own flavor. I think race ought to be more than a video game aesthetic. Play up the differences. Lean into dwarfdom.
 

Insolent Lad

Maester
I have suggested in my world building—but not made it canon—that wizardly/sorcerous abilities in men are the result of elves passing along some genes in the past (they, and my other 'races,' are exactly that: races or subspecies, not separate species). I've never given any dwarfs powers but in theory they could inherit them via the same route. I have placed shamans with wizard power among my trolls, who are closely related to dwarfs, so it might just happen. If I need a dwarf with abilities. That's what matters most.
 
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