Comments on: Smell like an elf: RPG perfumes http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 07:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: djn http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1090566 djn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1090566 Zebroids are typically infertile; the definition is "can breed and produce fertile offspring". So no - zebras and horses are different species. As for the D&D races/species: If you can be 1/4 or 1/8 elf, then these interbreedings are obviously fertile, and that makes them the same species. Zebroids are typically infertile; the definition is “can breed and produce fertile offspring”. So no – zebras and horses are different species. As for the D&D races/species: If you can be 1/4 or 1/8 elf, then these interbreedings are obviously fertile, and that makes them the same species.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1090100 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1090100 Wouldn't the wearer supply their own BO? Wouldn’t the wearer supply their own BO?

]]> By: Rob Beschizza http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088575 Rob Beschizza Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088575 The elf ones there could literally be $40 hair conditioner. The elf ones there could literally be $40 hair conditioner.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1090368 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1090368 Wh-what? No gnomes?! I'm hurt! ;_; Wh-what? No gnomes?! I’m hurt! ;_;

]]> By: Jupiter Jones http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088590 Jupiter Jones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088590 Shouldn't the Orc and Fighter perfumes add a dash of BO? You could throw in some rotten meat for the Orc too. Shouldn’t the Orc and Fighter perfumes add a dash of BO? You could throw in some rotten meat for the Orc too.

]]> By: RebNachum http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088596 RebNachum Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088596 Phraint = Black Flag (Long live Arduin.) Phraint = Black Flag
(Long live Arduin.)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1090133 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1090133 They missed one scent... Eu De Hardcore MMOG Player, smells of: Hot Pockets, Cheetos, lack of sleep, damp basement, peanut M&Ms, Mountain Dew, unwashed flesh, homophobia, frustration, bitterness They missed one scent…

Eu De Hardcore MMOG Player, smells of: Hot Pockets, Cheetos, lack of sleep, damp basement, peanut M&Ms, Mountain Dew, unwashed flesh, homophobia, frustration, bitterness

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1090134 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1090134 To expand on Tensegrity's point: Strictly speaking, the concept of "species" is rather difficult to apply to D&D. The most common definition of species differentiation is that individuals from different species cannot produce fertile offspring together. In the case of D&D, this is very clearly not true for the races; half-elves and half-orcs are common. In fact, half-giants and half-ogres exist, as do even half-demons, half-celestials, half-dragons. You can take feats that indicate you have ancestors that were fey, elemental, or even plant. Some of these can be explained away by magic - but there is generally no magic involved in the creation of a half-elf or any other "common" half-race. If we had to apply the common definition of species, it seems we would have to group all the humanoids together as a single species, with various "breeds". Humans and Elves, from this perspective, are less like cats ands dogs and more like huskies and greyhounds. To expand on Tensegrity’s point:

Strictly speaking, the concept of “species” is rather difficult to apply to D&D. The most common definition of species differentiation is that individuals from different species cannot produce fertile offspring together. In the case of D&D, this is very clearly not true for the races; half-elves and half-orcs are common. In fact, half-giants and half-ogres exist, as do even half-demons, half-celestials, half-dragons. You can take feats that indicate you have ancestors that were fey, elemental, or even plant. Some of these can be explained away by magic – but there is generally no magic involved in the creation of a half-elf or any other “common” half-race. If we had to apply the common definition of species, it seems we would have to group all the humanoids together as a single species, with various “breeds”. Humans and Elves, from this perspective, are less like cats ands dogs and more like huskies and greyhounds.

]]> By: Stochasticus http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088603 Stochasticus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088603 Surely elves smell like cabbage. At least they did in the RPG campaigns of my youth. People playing elves took a lot of trash talk from those getting into character as half orcs or similar. Surely elves smell like cabbage. At least they did in the RPG campaigns of my youth. People playing elves took a lot of trash talk from those getting into character as half orcs or similar.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1090142 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1090142 So... by that logic, Zebra and Horses are races and not species? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebroid) So… by that logic, Zebra and Horses are races and not species? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebroid)

]]> By: franko http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088609 franko Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088609 no love for druids or humans, i see. at least i can smell like a mage. : ) no love for druids or humans, i see. at least i can smell like a mage. : )

]]> By: Deidzoeb http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1091443 Deidzoeb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1091443 "Wh-what? No gnomes?! I'm hurt!" This must be fourth edition perfume. “Wh-what? No gnomes?! I’m hurt!”

This must be fourth edition perfume.

]]> By: lasttide http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088630 lasttide Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088630 Opium is actually a cloyingly sweet smell (like concentrated poppy flowers), so it might not be the best choice for "evil." Maybe something more like licorice? Opium is actually a cloyingly sweet smell (like concentrated poppy flowers), so it might not be the best choice for “evil.” Maybe something more like licorice?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088639 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088639 In B4 WOTC (the current license-holders of the D&D property) muscle in wanting a cut. “Anything is possible when your elf smells like Old Black Lotus and not like a girlyman. I’m on a unicorn.” And I thought the D&D sodas were barrel scraping... In B4 WOTC (the current license-holders of the D&D property) muscle in wanting a cut.

“Anything is possible when your elf smells like Old Black Lotus and not like a girlyman. I’m on a unicorn.”

And I thought the D&D sodas were barrel scraping…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088641 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088641 OK, by the look of it, the 'Multi-Class' scent is going to be one ginormous hot mess..... OK, by the look of it, the ‘Multi-Class’ scent is going to be one ginormous hot mess…..

]]> By: Lobster http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088643 Lobster Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088643 I would have guessed that dwarves would smell horrible and half-elves would smell like shame and regret. I would have guessed that dwarves would smell horrible and half-elves would smell like shame and regret.

]]> By: DarthVain http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088659 DarthVain Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088659 Human: Purified Water. Human: Purified Water.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088667 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088667 Although I usually say "race", these critters are species. I am curious as to where the origin of the use of "race" came from, I know it's in early D&D, but did it start there? Everyone does it, but given the fiction elves, dwarves, and orcs are all different species. Actually in D&D you could be a half-orc but not an orc, and I doubt orcs were called a "race". Unless from Tolkein or somewhere they are all "different races of men" from a long time ago who diverged, but given the within-fiction physical differences, "race" does not apply. Ok we can redefine "race", sure no problem, but I don't think very tall peoples (Bantu?) or very short ones (perhaps "populations") (the pygmies apologies for not knowing the more up-to-date term) are called "races", since in the West "race" is primarily about skin color but also issues of power (in the US, both Irish and Italian suffered form bigotry against them, and were called different races from "white" people -- I don't have a cite for that but I'm sure there's something online about it). Hmm ok that was a bit of a tangent, but, elves are a species, or maybe it could be like chimps and bonobos, but I do not know what biologists refer to them as (we need a biologist of fiction). Although I usually say “race”, these critters are species. I am curious as to where the origin of the use of “race” came from, I know it’s in early D&D, but did it start there? Everyone does it, but given the fiction elves, dwarves, and orcs are all different species. Actually in D&D you could be a half-orc but not an orc, and I doubt orcs were called a “race”. Unless from Tolkein or somewhere they are all “different races of men” from a long time ago who diverged, but given the within-fiction physical differences, “race” does not apply. Ok we can redefine “race”, sure no problem, but I don’t think very tall peoples (Bantu?) or very short ones (perhaps “populations”) (the pygmies apologies for not knowing the more up-to-date term) are called “races”, since in the West “race” is primarily about skin color but also issues of power (in the US, both Irish and Italian suffered form bigotry against them, and were called different races from “white” people — I don’t have a cite for that but I’m sure there’s something online about it). Hmm ok that was a bit of a tangent, but, elves are a species, or maybe it could be like chimps and bonobos, but I do not know what biologists refer to them as (we need a biologist of fiction).

]]> By: Deidzoeb http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088669 Deidzoeb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088669 The fragrance of WHITE PEOPLE:... HALF-WHITES:... I love me some D&D, but occasionally this idea of races that are all good or all bad seems like too much of a pro-racism metaphor, instead of just making fantasy stories easier and clearer. There's a dream sequence in the Rankin-Bass animated "Return of the King" where Sam or Frodo fantasizes about how things will be after the ring is destroyed, the two of them chillin by the roadside and smokin weed in the Shire or on their way home from Mordor. Some goblins or orcs walk up a path near them, waving and smiling to the hobbits who return the gesture. Maybe those races stop being evil after Sauron is destroyed? http://youtu.be/_274z9AO6Q8 50 seconds into that clip The fragrance of
WHITE PEOPLE:…
HALF-WHITES:…

I love me some D&D, but occasionally this idea of races that are all good or all bad seems like too much of a pro-racism metaphor, instead of just making fantasy stories easier and clearer. There’s a dream sequence in the Rankin-Bass animated “Return of the King” where Sam or Frodo fantasizes about how things will be after the ring is destroyed, the two of them chillin by the roadside and smokin weed in the Shire or on their way home from Mordor. Some goblins or orcs walk up a path near them, waving and smiling to the hobbits who return the gesture. Maybe those races stop being evil after Sauron is destroyed?

http://youtu.be/_274z9AO6Q8
50 seconds into that clip

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1090723 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1090723 you need a perfume to smell like a human? you need a perfume to smell like a human?

]]> By: mark zero http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1090468 mark zero Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1090468 Wonder why they don't sell a sampler, or a pack of tester cards. Not that they'd necessarily generate a lot of sales for the full product, but they could sell a bunch to gamers and fantasy fans who can waft them while playing or reading. Wonder why they don’t sell a sampler, or a pack of tester cards. Not that they’d necessarily generate a lot of sales for the full product, but they could sell a bunch to gamers and fantasy fans who can waft them while playing or reading.

]]> By: Mark Temporis http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1089202 Mark Temporis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1089202 No Leather, Blood, and BO for the Barbarian? No Leather, Blood, and BO for the Barbarian?

]]> By: Rob Beschizza http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088735 Rob Beschizza Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088735 VIKINGS POSH ENGLISH POOR ENGLISH MIDDLE CLASS ENGLISH TURKS AND MOORS AND ALL THAT VIKINGS
POSH ENGLISH
POOR ENGLISH
MIDDLE CLASS ENGLISH
TURKS AND MOORS AND ALL THAT

]]> By: Tensegrity http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1089262 Tensegrity Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1089262 >Although I usually say "race", these critters are species. If you can have half-elves and half-orcs, then I would argue that these are races and not species (albeit fictional ones). >Although I usually say “race”, these critters are species.

If you can have half-elves and half-orcs, then I would argue that these are races and not species (albeit fictional ones).

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1089010 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1089010 Druid is going to be a part of a future release, as will Bard. No idea why Human isn't a scent other than, perhaps, the fact we're all human already. Druid is going to be a part of a future release, as will Bard. No idea why Human isn’t a scent other than, perhaps, the fact we’re all human already.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/21/smell-like-an-elf-rp.html#comment-1088763 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1088763 RPG ... rocket propelled grenade What an interesting fragrance. Would that be pre- or post-use? RPG … rocket propelled grenade

What an interesting fragrance. Would that be pre- or post-use?

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