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Discussion Cross breeds

Discussion in 'Fluff and Stories' started by Kcibrihp-Esurc, May 20, 2015.

  1. Kcibrihp-Esurc
    Razordon

    Kcibrihp-Esurc Well-Known Member

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    Do you guys think that the races of the Warhammer world could interbreed? (As in, making Human/Elf or Dwarf/Halfling mixes) Because most fantasy worlds have Half-Elves and such, but I'm not sure if this is the case for Warhammer world.
     
  2. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    The answer to the question as with most fluff things: they exist if you want them too.

    I am not aware of any hybrids in official GW fluff. The various races of the WHF are culturally less unified than most fantasy settings (which take a lot from D&D which likes to make the demi-human races more homogenous). Elves and Dwarves and the like are more inhuman than in other settings so they are less likely to be amorous with humans. They are also less human physically so they probably couldn't.

    Some versions of Beastmen and Fimir are stated or implied to be hybrids, but that's a pretty gross alley to go down.

    I'd recommend not using hybrids in WHF stories without very careful handling.
     
  3. Kcibrihp-Esurc
    Razordon

    Kcibrihp-Esurc Well-Known Member

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    Also, do you think their offspring would be fertile? (The above question is still not closed)
     
  4. The Sauric Ace
    Salamander

    The Sauric Ace Well-Known Member

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    Well for some races the biology is so unique, making cross breeding impossible. Lizards (spawning), Orcs (They're spore based in fantasy as well, right?) and of course every chaos created race. I don't think we have much knowledge of elven fertility, but logically they properly can't interbreed. It's a common thingin other fantasy, but perhaps the races are too unique, in WH Fantasy, for such breeding to be possible.

    To be honest this is also how I prefer fantasy, cross breeding always is preserved for magical experiments, but that's just me ;)
     
  5. Slanputin
    Carnasaur

    Slanputin Well-Known Member

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    Well, you say that however with the coming of ET: Glottkin we got this lovely passage:

    "Orghotts Daemonspew was born of an unholy union between a Great Unclean One and a human witch."

    I'd take that as validation that Chaos can interbreed - they have the power of change on their side, right? If anything, the mutating power of Chaos could engender greater possibilities of interbreeding between the wide variety of chaotic forces. Certainly Daemons have no need to reproduce in any classical sense but being magical beings it gives them a method of getting around such things. Beastmen are often cited as humanoid animals/animalistic humans - there's possibility there if the Beastmen in question was originally a human offspring.

    Generally, for cross-breeds I'd take the position of "greater physical and aesthetic similarity = greater chances of success in cross-breeding". However you also need to consider the likelihood of such a union happening based on the cultural background of the..er....breeders. For example, can elves breed with humans? Probably. Are they likely too? Probably not. What are the chances of them successfully producing live young? Slim.
    However if you'd ask me whether an elf can breed with a Skaven I'd say no and eeww why would you even ask that?!

    I'd say any non-chaos cross-breeds are likely to be very rare, but possible. The only exception being from a result of magical tinkering as Sauric said.

    After writing that I feel the need to clean myself.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2015
  6. The Sauric Ace
    Salamander

    The Sauric Ace Well-Known Member

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    I suppose I might be thinking too logical, when it comes to breeding in fantasy ;)
    I was thinking that beastmen were far to alien to actually breed with human. How I was wrong... and yes a shower is in order after such thoughts
     
  7. spawning of Bob
    Skar-Veteran

    spawning of Bob Well-Known Member

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    Indeed. I think starting with a bunch of flowers is good. And someone will probably need to buy another someone a drink.

    OK Genius- Explain pandas.

    Unrequited love between species is common in WHFB. Actually it is probably only common in Bretonnia. (Every young knight's fear - What if she says neigh?). OK, common or not, it is still plausible, even if it is caused by enchantment or a glamour. Fertile hybrids would depend on if you needed them or not.

    Story wise, applying the first Scalenexim (paraphrased as if you do anything against type, have a really good reason and explain it well) holds even greater importance here. The "WTM" factor and the "Ick" factor are against you. (And it is a child friendly forum, so whatever Slanputin and Ace had in mind should probably not be described. Think of poor little Crowstoe.)
     
  8. The Sauric Ace
    Salamander

    The Sauric Ace Well-Known Member

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    Well I never, I happen to know that Slanputin is a gentleman; he's even got a beard to show for it. Such a fine sire would never dream about thinking these foul thoughts.

    I'm a chicken, who knows what's in my thoughts?

    Chip! Chip!

    (Culchan can interbreed, but only with the rare Chulcan)
     
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  9. spawning of Bob
    Skar-Veteran

    spawning of Bob Well-Known Member

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    ♥ Dyslexic Love! ♥
     
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  10. Slanputin
    Carnasaur

    Slanputin Well-Known Member

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    It is true, I wash my beard everyday with lotions of civility and chivalry.

    I just realised there's so many chicken-orientated puns out there, I'm such a clucky guy!
     
  11. Xbalanque
    Saurus

    Xbalanque Member

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    At least it is confirmed that Eldar/Human interbreeds are possible. (Lexicanum) in this case I think it applies also to fantasy.
    And it is probably almost only caused by rape.
     
  12. Fhanados
    Terradon

    Fhanados Well-Known Member

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    I could be wrong but I remember reading in old background about half elves and half ogres, but as far as I'm aware the half-X trope has been largely ignored by GW - probably deliberately to differentiate the world of warhammer from being just another generic cookie cutter fantasy setting (although by and large it still is, just with GW's grimdark dark grimness). Generally I dislike the halfbreed trope so I'm pretty glad it hasn't become a staple of the setting.

    I suppose given that humans, dwarves, elves, ogres, halflings and giants are all creations of the Old Ones and all bear a distinct similarity to one another it's entirely plausible that they have similar genetics or they may actually be subspecies of the same creature. So yeah, maybe it's still possible.
     
  13. Slanputin
    Carnasaur

    Slanputin Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like a right mare
     
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  14. RoseThorn
    Saurus

    RoseThorn Active Member

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    ARISE MY OLD DEAD THREAD MWAHAHAHAHAAHA
    I need that image @Scalenex used to use, dangit

    EDIT by Scalenex
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 13, 2017
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  15. The Sauric Ace
    Salamander

    The Sauric Ace Well-Known Member

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    It's never too late to revive an old thread ;)
     
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  16. Aginor
    Slann

    Aginor Fifth Spawning Staff Member

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    ....and what a can of worms we have here!
    I'll have to think about it....
     
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  17. Scalenex
    Slann

    Scalenex Keeper of the Indexes Staff Member

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    Agreed, I don't have a problem with stories that include serious topics in a serious way. Game of Thrones certainly isn't afraid to include rape in a reasonable dramatic way that demonstrates it's seriousness. It's complicated enough without crossing species boundaries. Ick.

    It would be equally complicated to justify a consensual inter species romance. If that's your goal, fine, but the star crossed lovers should be your central story, not their unique offspring. In the WHF setting or AoS it would probably

    There are two story reasons to have a half-breed. One is to showcase Man Versus Self inner conflict as your character deals with his or her dual natures. The second reason is to create a character who has abilities from multiple sources.

    WHF and Age of Sigmar alike can make characters to fit either or both with magic. Wizards, gods, and creepy Moulder engineers can deliberately create hybrid creatures and there is enough randomness and unintended magic that you can have all sorts of magical mutant hybrids no one planned. You don't have to physically warp a being to make a cultural hybrid. In my own work, the humans of Turochlitan were biologically identical to the Old World humans but they were raised by Skinks. You can make a plausible scenario for almost anything raises anything, at least on a small scale. Besides raising another species from a young age, prisoner can suffer Stockholm Syndrome or deliberate brainwashing to become an agent of another species.

    If you want hybrids, that's how I'd prefer to do it. The WHF is pretty complex and varied enough that it doesn't need hybrids. That said, I created cultural hybrids in my fluff-verse Turochlitan, a city of humans run by Skinks under the direction of a Slann. We've had more than a few good stories of Skaven experimenting with mutated Lizardmen to use as pawns as canon fodder. I wrote a short story that at least covers the early stages of a Dark Elf trying to do the same thing with a Saurus.

    Anyway, I'd rather have magical or cultural hybrids than half A/half B creatures. Ick.
     
  18. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

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    I think we can safely assume High Elves, Dark Elves and Wood Elves can interbreed, despite different codexes.:D
     
  19. Aginor
    Slann

    Aginor Fifth Spawning Staff Member

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    So yay for rule 34? :D
     
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  20. Kcibrihp-Esurc
    Razordon

    Kcibrihp-Esurc Well-Known Member

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    That escalated quickly!
     
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