Post originally by Conan McKegg at 2004-07-14 21:54:52
Converted from Phorums BB System

I don't really see your problem. Why does the setting NOT need gnomes/halflings/dwarves? People like them. Why not have them? If you don't want them - then don't. Replace them with any analogue you like.

Gnomes are there because it would be cool to have gnomes who are part of an elaborate magical technology boom.

Halflings are there because it's cool to see someone do halflings in a manner different to traditional halflings.

Dwarves are there because it's cool to see dwarves being something other than traditional dwarves.

The benefit of using well established tropes is that it makes it easier to get people hooked into the game. Do you really think Eberron would have been published by WoTC if it was more like, say, Mechanical Dream?

I think not. The thing is that Eberron will have a much broader appeal because it mixes old with new. People wont be so scared off by what makes Eberron different.

Personally, I find part of the appeal of the setting is because it uses these known types and does something different with them. It's the same reason I like Urban Arcana - because it takes D&D and gives it a fun twist. No doubt you didn't like that game either. That's fine - it wouldn't be fun if everyone liked the same things.

Conan