I totally like the idea that size is really part of culture, not pure height/mass
thing. Good one!
Well, it seems this dicussion really revolves around single question - do remote
objects look larger
for small creatures? My opponents think they still are - e.g. halfling near the barn,
and far away
from it still thinks "oh, this barn is so large". My opinion is that close to barn
halfling will
really think that way ("oh, it's so much higher then me!") while distant halfling will
think just
"there is some barn far away". Everyone knows then in open field you can never know
the size of
distant object - halfling sized barn 100' away will look just the same as two times
larger barn 200'
away. So how could possible halfling get the benefits for shooting large objects, if
he can't even
tell big objects from small objects at distance?
I spend quite some time with bows and i can tell you that instinctive determination of
distance is
*incredibly* important for all shoots past point blank range. And everything i
know/fell about
bow-fire is really on the side on big creatures. Larger base between eyes (better
sterescopic
ision - distance determination!), bigger elevation (easier to spot and track targets
when you
elevated above the field, even just slightly), bigger sized projectiles are better at
hitting small
targets (you usualy slam the fly on the wall with notebook, not the pencil ) etc. Of
course D&D
don't have to be exact math science, and follow the physics 1 to 1. Doug was right on
that one. But
usualy D&D at least follow same direction as reality/common sense. Giving penalties to
large
creatures and bonuses for small creatures (especially past point-black) would be the
same as rules
like "he hit you with the sword, you gain 8 hp" - i.e. reversed to reality. IMHO.
- Max
----- Original Message -----
From: Weldon Dodd <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2001 11:17 AM
Subject: RE: [ogf-d20-l] Simple question(s)
> I think of the size difference as both a physical and cultural distinction
> between different races. If you're a giant, you are used to wrestling,
> fighting, playing tag, etc. with giants (like-sized creatures). You probably
> hunt elephants, not rabbits. You use small trees to clean your teeth. You
> are simply accustomed to dealing with things on that scale. A halfing on the
> other hand, has probably never used a tree for anything except climbing or
> hiding behind. You hunt small birds, rabbits, etc. and are as practiced at
> this as giants are at hunting elephants. When you were young, you fought
> kids your size behind the gym after school. You are more accustomed or
> practiced at dealing with things your size.
