D&D (2024) Worldbuilding Differences between 5e and 5.5?

[Reynard]

I don't think that there is any inherent link between what is in the PHB and what is common in the world. PCs are by definition exceptional. It may be that dragonborn are as common as halflings, but that's a worldbuilding choice. The ubiquity of magic items in the world is a choice made by the world builders, not a function of rarity in the rules unless one decides they are connected.

 

[tetrasodium]

There are dozens of common magic items already. We need not guess how they expand story. They exist.

Based on your statement you'll find them useless.

At other tables they will expand the stories available via the game

I even referenced a couple of those common magic items. It's premature to say how strongly we can infer the impact of upcoming ones based on past ones.

 

[Yaarel]

Interestingly, according to Mordenkainen Presents,

Drow Elves are "Any" alignment.

The Drow Arachnomancer, who is a devotee of the demon Lolth, is "Typically Chaotic Evil". The demon herself is Chaotic Evil.

However, the Drow Matrons who are priests of the Lolth faction are "Typically Neutral Evil".

Despite the fact that these priests worship a Chaotic Evil demon, they themselves are less likely to be Chaotic.

The Matrons continually negotiate between societal obligations versus personal freedoms, whichever happens to achieve the most gain, at the expense of any other groups or individuals. The Matrons "Typically" resemble psychopathic predators, manipulating groups or individuals.

The Lolth Drow systemic culture, wherever this demon cult gets established, is too orderly and group-oriented to be Chaotic. It would actually be Lawful Evil, such as its racism being group hate against other groups, which is Lawful Evil. But episodes of treason and treachery for individual gain occasionally disrupt this cohesive culture. The institution of Lolth legitimates this treachery.

There are individuals who worship the demon who are Chaotic Evil. But the Lolth faction itself is actually Neutral Evil. It is an accurate assessment to identify the Matrons as "Typically Neutral Evil".

 

[RhaezDaevan]

The lore parts of D&D rule books and supplements are just suggestions. No group is required to use the lore given if they think something different would be more fun.

 

[Fifinjir]

I suspect, a notable impact on worldbuilding is the end of the assumption of Evil Humanoids, such as Orcs.

Orc cultures will become more nuanced, with normal people with both heroes and villains among them.

Same goes for Drow Elf cultures.

Human cultures have always had this nuance and individualistic alignments, but now other Humanoids will also.

Related to this, as a consequence evil gods seem to have lost the ability to create life, or at least lifeforms that will remain compliant. And Gruumsh appears to have cleaned up his act and become chaotic neutral.

 

[Yaarel]

And Gruumsh appears to have cleaned up his act and become chaotic neutral.

Because Gruumsh associates with the Astral dominion of Acheron, Gruumsh should probably be Lawful Neutral with Evil tendencies.

 

[Fifinjir]

Because Gruumsh associates with the Astral dominion of Acheron, Gruumsh should probably be Lawful Neutral with Evil tendencies.

He probably should, but that’s not what’s implied by Monsters of the Multiverse and the play test packets.

 

[Vikingkingq]

Speaking of world-building changes, one I would love to see is to finally get rid of the “elf = shorter” thing, which is an odd legacy of the past that I don’t think fits well with the imaginations of many players, writers, and artists.

 

[W'rkncacnter]

Speaking of world-building changes, one I would love to see is to finally get rid of the “elf = shorter” thing, which is an odd legacy of the past that I don’t think fits well with the imaginations of many players, writers, and artists.

i remember in my first 5e campaign one PC died (traitor wizard, got one-turned by the paladin as a result) and she described her wood elf replacement as "tall for an elf". nobody batted an eye at this until she later clarified that she was 4'11". for context, the average height of a wood elf in 5e (i.e. base height plus average height modifier roll) is 5'5".

it turns out she was basing her assumptions on elf biology off of dragon age. so uh. take that how you will.

 

[Gorck]

I always thought elves were the same height as humans. But then I read The Death Gate Cycle and the elves in that world were actually taller than humans.